Filter Content
Last Sunday's Gospel ...
Jesus told three parables – the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. To all three is a common thread – God will never stop looking for someone who is lost and all heaven will rejoice when they come back. There is no limit to the forgiveness of the truly sorry.
Did you know? ...
The people of Athens had decided there was only one God before St Paul arrived. When Paul preached to them from the Areopagus, part of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is, he told them they were quite correct. There is only one God and Paul could tell them all about him.
In the words of the father to his elder son: "You are with me always and everything I have is yours." What is my response to such remarkable generosity? Do I give joyfully and generously as God gives to me?
Dear Parents,
Once again we had a very large turn out of staff to welcome all our Kindergarten 2020 families. I thank Camp Australia and the P&F for joining us to welcome and become familiar faces to our Kinder families. It was lovely to use the renovated hall again and have plenty of room to move around. I know you will also play a big part in making all our new people feel welcome.
Our NAPLAN data is back. Year 5 have done particularly well with an upward trend in all areas, and 95% of students achieving expected growth, which is a credit to the efforts of the students as active learners, as well as the teachers over the last two years. We don’t see growth for Year 3 – because they don’t have another test to compare it to, but can see a sharp upward trend in writing, which is very pleasing as it has been a big focus area for us. There were many individual stories of high achievement in Year 3 as well, which we were looking for, because of the the extra support this cohort has been provided through our Teaching Learning Advisor as well as their classroom teachers. The results will go home as soon as we receive your copies. Please speak to us if you have any questions.
I hope you are pleased with the way the gardens are looking. We hope to have the third stage finished soon. It is due to your generosity of donations through the St Mary of the Cross Feast Day and your participation in the fundraising efforts run by the P&F that we have been able to achieve this. Thank you!
I have some homework for you for over the holidays. With the completion of the renovation of the church to the Parish/School Hall and our existing Multipurpose Hall, it can be confusing when referring to a ‘hall’. Which do we mean? I propose we name the two buildings so we know which is which. Your homework is to think about what they could be called. They need to have some significance in relation to the culture of our school – a place name, saint name, person or venue. Be as creative as you like while also making a connection to our parish school. Please send your suggestions in and we will look at them as a staff and with Fr Sarkis. Be sure to add your name so we can share who had the idea we use.
Have a lovely break with your children.
God bless.
Michelle Rolfe
Principal
Uniform
Until the end of term, depending on the weather, students may wear either their summer or winter uniform. Whichever is worn, it must be either full summer or full winter, not a combination of both.
Students will return to Term 4 in their summer uniform. You may like to check over the holiday period to see if your child's uniform still fits them in order to prepare for this change over.
Excursions
During the term many of our students attended an excursion. Excursions are a valuable way to bring to life some of the content being covered in class. During the Kindergarten Symbio excursion, one of our students exclaimed to a staff member that "This was the best day ever!". We have seen some lovely photographs, via Facebook, of the students enjoying these days and it was wonderful for us, and for our parents, to see the delight on the students' faces even if we could not be with them on the day.
This year we will be celebrating Grandparents Day on Friday 25th October. The day will commence with a Mass at 10.00am in the church. This will be followed by morning tea for the parents and grandparents and then open classrooms. We look forward to having you join us, in prayer, to celebrate these amazing people in our lives.
School-wide Positive Behaviours for Learning
When students exhibit positive behaviour, by following our school rules, their name is written on a raffle ticket and is entered into a draw where two winners are selected at flag-raising. The students receive a voucher for use at the canteen.
Congratulations to the following students who were drawn from the last two weeks:
Adorn George (6W - Rose), Aleesha McVittie (1M - MacKillop),
Matias Roldan (6M - Sarkis), Masen Teran (3M - Sarkis).
Please join us at our next assembly on Friday 27th September at 1.30pm in the hall. Merit and Principal's Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Principal's Award.
| David Abraham (5M) | Lea Camoin (1M) | Kye Dowse (3W) |
| Ryder Glover (6W) | Landon Henry (4M) | Matias Roldan (6M) |
This programme will commence on the first Monday back for Term 4 on Monday 14th October and continue each Monday until 9th December. On swimming days students are required to wear their sports uniform to school and they will change into their swimmers at school before travelling on the bus. The students will change back into their sports uniform once they return to school. Students can bring thongs to wear to and from the pool and can also bring shorts and a t-shirt to wear over their swimmers (board shorts and rash shirts during lessons). Students are to bring their swimmers, towel and thongs in a separate bag. Goggles and swimming caps may also be packed. Please ensure your child's name is marked on all articles packed.
Open Classroom
Science Week
OLHC Student Excellence Awards with the Bishop
School Banking
| Dates | Event | |
| Thursday 19th September | Junior Basketball Gala Day | Year 5 to Mass at 9.00am |
| Friday 20th September | Senior Basketball Gala Day | 3W Reconciliation, 9.00am |
| Year 1 grade visit by Father at 10.00am | ||
| Tuesday 24th September | Year 1 Open Classroom, 2.00pm | |
| Wednesday 25th September | Clothing Pool, 8.00am - 8.20am | Kinder to Mass at 9.00am |
| Thursday 26th September | Year 4 to Mass at 9.00am | |
| Friday 27th September | 6W Reconciliation at 9.00am | Year 2 class visit by Father at 10.00am |
| Science Day | Assembly at 1.30pm | |
| Last day of school for Term 3 | ||
| Monday 14th October | First day of school for Term 4 | K-4 Swimming programme commences |
| Wednesday 16th October | Clothing Pool, 8.00am - 8.20am | Year 2 to mass at 9.00am |
| Thursday 17th October | Year 1 to Mass at 9.00am | |
| Friday 18th October | 3M/3W Reconciliation, 9.00am | Kinder grade visit by Father, 10.00am |
| Kinder 2020 transition, 1.45pm | ||
| Monday 21st October | Swimming Programme continues K-4 | Kinder 2020 transition, 6.00pm |
| Wednesday 23rd October | Clothing Pool, 8.00am - 8.20am | Year 6 to Mass, 9.00am |
| Friday 25th October | Grandparents Day, 10.00am | Assembly, 1.50pm |
P&F Chocolate Fund-raiser
Chocolate money, and any unsold chocolates, must be returned to school by tomorrow, Friday 20th September. Thank you for your support of this fundraiser.
P&F Meeting
Due to the holidays in October, the next P&F Meeting will not be held until Monday 4th November.
Clothing Pool
The Clothing Pool is open every Wednesday from 8.00am - 8.20am. The Clothing Pool is located between the Years 1 and 2 classroom.
The Canteen is open from 8.15am and breakfast items may be purchased at this time. The Canteen closes at 11.30am (the end of Break 1). Made Fresh have items for purchase that are counter sales only They are reduced portion serves of hot food and snacks. Please take note that the reduced portion sizes CANNOT be ordered as lunch orders.
If your child wishes to order food at lunch (Break 1: 10.50am - 11.30am) please write your child's name, room number and what is required on a paper bag and include the correct money, if possible. Payment must accompany orders and treats eg. ice-creams cannot be ordered. Normal purchasing of "treats" will still occur at Break 1.
The Canteen is run by Made Fresh. Should you have a need to contact the Canteen, please email Maria at "made.fresh@yahoo.com" or telephone 0410 481 150.
Sacrament of First Holy Communion
This Sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday 24th November. It is available to all children in Year 3 or above who have been baptised and have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If you wish your child to make this Sacrament and did not come to the enrolment night last year, you MUST attend the first lesson for this programme on Saturday 26th October Note: If you will be enrolling at the first lesson, please arrive at 3.45pm to the Parish Meeting Room to complete the paperwork. You are required to bring a copy of your child's Baptism and birth certificate with you to attach to the enrolment form. Lessons will commence at 4.15pm. Children will participate in lessons within the parish school classrooms whilst parents will meet with Father in the Parish Meeting Room. This is the last opportunity for you to enrol. The programme fee of $25.00 is payable at the first lesson. Thank you.
Camp Australia
If you would like to know more about before and after school care, please visit the centre before or after school and the co-ordinator will be available to answer any questions. If you prefer to call, contact customer care on 1300 105 343. The team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except national public holidays). www.campaustralia.com.au
2019 Macarthur Nature Photography Competition
The Macarthur Councils are hosting this competition and are encouraging residents to explore the local biodiversity of the Macarthur area and capture its beauty. Entries open on 16th September and close on 18th October. This year's themes are: native flora, native fauna, waterways, experience nature and landscapes of MacArthur. The competition is split into three age categories: 12 years and under, 13-18 years and 18 years and over. Cash prizes are on offer. Photographs may be entered online. However, you can still print and mount your own photographs and deliver them to Campbelltown Council's Administration Office. Entry forms are available via the Council's website. If you have any further questions please contact the Environmental Education Officer "michaela.beattie@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au".
