2024, Term 4, Week 2

Principal Message

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term 4. A number of significant events will occur in Term 4. Currently the Yr 3 -6 students are participating in the Sport Electives program, which runs for 5 weeks.

In week 5 school reports will be issued to families. These have been brought forward in response to concerns raised by families that the Term 4 reports were issued too late in the year which did not allow for parent / teacher engagement. By bringing the reports forward families must be aware that these results are "progress" reports and give an indication as to your child's progress to a given point in time and are not end of year Semester reports. Students will continue to work up until the end of the Term on the planned units of work and individual goals will also be continued.

For our Yr 6 students, Term 4 will be their last Term in Primary school as they prepare to embark on Secondary School education. Yr 6 students will have their Graduation Mass on the 10th Dec, Yr 6 fun day (Wet'n'Wild) on Tues 17th Dec and their end of school party on Friday 13th Dec. We trust the final term for our Yr 6 students will be an enjoyable one!

In this newsletter is an article around school uniforms. Please read this. Unfortunately many students are not wearing the correct school uniform, which is very disappointing. Students are saying that their parents are not buying shoes, hats etc until next year!! Whilst I appreciate the 6 week Christmas holiday break coming up, unfortunately the school uniform is the school uniform regardless if it is the first day of school or the last!! Your appreciation in supporting the school would be appreciated.

Next week is Book Week and we have lots of great activities organised. The week culminates with a Book Parade on Thursday and our Grandparents Day next Friday.

Hopefully during this term you will have the opportunity to engage in some of our school events.

Enjoy the weekend.

Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

WORLD TEACHERS DAY - Friday 25th October

On this World Teachers' Day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated teachers at St. Ambrose Primary School.

Your unwavering commitment, passion, and creativity shape the minds and hearts of our children every day. You inspire curiosity, foster a love of learning, and empower each student to reach their full potential. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, creating a nurturing environment where every child feels valued. Today, we celebrate your hard work and dedication.

Thank you for your patience, guidance, and for making a lasting impact on our community.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The wearing of a school uniform at St. Ambrose Pottsville is essential as it reflects the pride that students have in the school.

Additionally it promotes a sense of community and belonging among students, fostering a unified identity that encourages school spirit and enhances the schools reputation within the community..

Wearing a uniform teaches students to take care of their appearance and to appreciate the importance of representing their school respectfully.

When students do not adhere to uniform standards, it may create a perception of lack of order and seriousness, ultimately affecting the school's reputation

In essence, the school uniform at St. Ambrose Pottsville is not merely a matter of dress; it embodies the values of equality, focus, discipline, and values of our school community.

Regrettably we have many students who are simply not wearing the school uniform. A few reminders to all students and families:

OUR SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY - as per our School Parent Handbook 2024 reads:

Please ensure that students abide by the school policy regarding shoes. Black shoes only with a school day uniform. Shoes should not have labels, coloured markings, etc — school shoes are simply black.

Please be mindful that the St Ambrose School Uniform policy is non-negotiable. Parents are asked to positively encourage the correct wearing of uniforms at all times. 

All children are expected to be neat in appearance whilst at school. It is expected that students will wear the full school uniform each day (please label all uniform items clearly). 

Teachers will inform parents of sports days at the commencement of each term. The sports uniform should only be worn for sports days or for special sporting events (e.g. carnivals).  

One of our key core values at the school is respect. Wearing the correct school uniform and following school guidelines is a very important way of demonstrating respect and pride that both students and families have of the school.

MISSING HATS 

Please note that in Yr 5 & 6 we have noted that there were 26 hats that were being worn by students that had the inside label, which contains the size, washing instructions etc removed I.e. cut off or torn out.

As the majority of families would write the names of their child on the label as a form of identification - this is very concerning.

It would seem that a common practice amongst students is, that if they can’t find their hat or forgot their hat at home they would go to “lost property” take a hat and tear off the name tag and wear it!!!!

I have spoken to the students and indicated that this practise is a form of “stealing” and is totally unacceptable. This is very disappointing!!!

I would ask all families to check their child’s hat and determine whether or not it is actually their’s!!!!

PLEASE write your child’s name on the inside brim of the hat so that it can be easily identified.

Term 4 Friday Assembly and Peer Support Calendar

Coffee and Conversation - Friday 15th Nov

Coffee and Conversation - Friday 15th Nov

Casual meeting with Principal and  Leadership Team
Friday 15th November @ the school from 9am - 10am

This casual meeting is an opportunity for families to raise concerns, have suggestions, want clarification or just a chat!

Come by yourself or with others! ALL WELCOME (Toddlers also!)

Please RSVP - Wed 13th November  sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au or  6676 0099

Classroom Showcase

Sport Assembly

Staff Retreat Day 2024

At the end of the last term, the staff came together for a wonderful retreat day that involved time for personal spirituality and reflection. We also shared wonderful discussions based on Bishop Greg’s presentations on, Rest, Rest and Inner Space, Rest and Spirituality.

School Parish Mass

Our next School/Parish Mass SUNDAY  10^th November  STS MARY & AMBROSE CHURCH, POTTSVILLE SCHOOL FAMILY/ PARISH MASS CELEBRATION 7:30am

We hope to see many St Ambrose families at this Mass celebration.

At this Mass celebration staff from St Ambrose will be attending to the ministry duties and there will be children’s liturgy.

OCTOBER: The month of THE HOLY ROSARY

By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the holy Rosary, one of the best known of all Catholic devotions. October includes the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7). The best way to celebrate the month is, of course, to pray the Rosary. Prayer is a way to help us get in touch with God and to develop a relationship with him. In prayer, we not only talk with God, but God communicates with us, as we continue to pray, our relationship with God grows.

Solemnity of All Saints

Solemnity of All Saints (All Saints day) on Friday 1^st November and Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) on Saturday 2^nd Nov.

Parish Newsletter

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE!

Our Leader of Pedagogy, Jessica Wilson, has achieved national certification as a HALT (Highly Accomplished Lead Teacher).

Jessica has worked steadily to use the process to both develop and reflect on her practice and impact against the Highly Accomplished Standards to achieve this career milestone. HALT accreditation provides opportunities for highly effective teachers to share their existing practice, supporting a broader uplift of teaching across our system. We congratulate Jess on being formally recognised as a highly effective, innovative and exemplary teacher whose positive impact extends well beyond her own classroom.

Is your child returning in 2025?

It is the time of the year where we begin planning classes and staffing for 2025. To assist with preparation, we need to know who is NOT returning to St Ambrose next year. Information is sought for any student who will not be returning in 2025.

Please advise in writing your plans and details on sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au or contact us on 02 66760099 as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance.

Mission Month

Book Week 2024

A Festive Craft Club in Term 4

Peer Support

St Ambrose commenced Peer Support sessions at the beginning of Term 2 with great success. The Year 6 students have shown a high level of competence leading groups of students from Years 1 to 5 once a fortnight each term. These groups have enabled students to meet others from various grades and share their likes, interests and discuss important topics that positively influences their wellbeing at school. 

The Peer Support sessions have covered the following topics:

Term 2 Friendship: 

• Team work
• Cooperation
• Qualities of friends
• Being supportive

Term 3 Bullying:

• Defining bullying - understanding the difference between being rude, mean and bullying 
• Identifying why people bully and strategies to prevent bullying
• The importance of being an upstander

In Term 4 students will be learning about the importance of resilience and develop strategies to assist them learn how to be confident problem solvers. Students will have opportunities to discuss and share their ideas and participate in team building activities. It was wonderful to see the Year 5 students welcome their Kindergarten buddies to the Peer Support groups this term.

This term all students will participate in a Cyber Safety and Digital Wellbeing Incursion

Staff Professional Development: Fostering Wellbeing Through Coaching

On our recent Professional Development day, staff participated in a session focused on both personal and collective wellbeing. The session introduced key coaching skills and techniques that can be applied to everyday life to enhance wellbeing.

Key outcomes of the session included:

• Exploring the key components of wellbeing and their impact on professional and personal life.

• Identifying individual strengths and using them to promote self-care and growth.

• Learning core coaching principles and how to apply them to improve wellbeing.

• Practicing coaching questions and techniques to reflect on personal wellbeing and develop strategies for improvement.

• Developing skills that support a culture of wellbeing among colleagues.

• Crafting personal action plans to integrate wellbeing practices into daily routines.

This was a valuable opportunity for all staff to reflect, learn, and take proactive steps to continue fostering a positive and supportive environment, both for themselves and each other.

Chelsea Carter
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Jess Wilson
Acting Leader of Pedagogy

Webinars for Parents and Carers- eSafety.

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school. This webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.

Tuesday, 29 October, 12.30 pm
Thursday, 28 November, 12.30 pm
Registration link 

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you. An overview of The eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children, and young people.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

Thursday, 24 October, 12.30pm
Wednesday, 4 December, 12.30pm
Registration link

Free Parent Webinar

Justin Coulson presents "Breaking Point - Unpacking the crisis in youth mental health."

The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents is again providing an opportunity for all Catholic school parents to register to attend this free webinar. If you missed out last term, please register to learn more about how you as a parent can understand what is happening in regard to youth mental health issues and how to support your young person to thrive. Register via this flyer.

Keeping Our Kids Safe on Social Media

Teach your child the essential skill of being organised. Start with assisting them to pack their bag and lay out their uniform the night before. You are helping them on the path to self-responsibility.

Teaching your child organisational skills is a valuable and empowering endeavour that sets the foundation for self-responsibility and a sense of control over their own lives. Here are some tips to help your child develop organisational skills, starting with preparing for school:

• Establish a Routine. Create a consistent daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, and leaving for school. A structured routine provides predictability and helps your child develop a sense of time management.

• Prepare the Night Before. Encourage your child to pack their school bag and lay out their uniform the night before. This proactive approach reduces morning stress and ensures that everything needed for the school day is ready to go.

• Use Checklists. Create checklists for morning and evening tasks. Checklists provide a visual guide for your child to follow and help reinforce the habit of being organised. As their skills improve, they may not need the checklist. 

• Model Organisation. Lead by example. Children often learn by observing, so showcasing organisational habits reinforces the importance of being well-prepared.

• Adjust and Adapt. Recognise that organisational needs may change over time. Be flexible and willing to adjust strategies based on your child's evolving responsibilities and needs.

Inappropriate Content: Keeping Your Child Safe Online

As children explore the online world, they may encounter inappropriate content that can be harmful and disturbing. This content can have emotional consequences, causing nightmares or changes in behaviour, especially if it's vivid.

Inappropriate content includes prohibited or offensive material that is unsuitable for children's age and developmental stage. It can be accessed inadvertently through search engines, hyperlinks, pop-ups, junk mail, online games, or referrals from others.

Prevention

• Talk openly and regularly about online behaviour
• Let them know they should come to you or a teacher if they encounter online problems or see something wrong, emphasising that they won't get in trouble for seeking help.
• Avoid device threats that may discourage open communication. Children may fear losing their device, causing them to keep online problems hidden.
• Monitor the content your child accesses online, including video games and streaming services. Utilise parental controls for streaming platforms.
• Ensure children access online content in common areas like the lounge room, allowing for better supervision and reducing the risk of exposure to inappropriate content.

Talk About It

Start conversations with your child about their online experiences:

• Ask if they've ever seen something that made them feel uncomfortable, worried or upset.
• Discuss how to handle negative situations online and ensure their safety.
• Explore their knowledge of online safety and why it's important not to share inappropriate content with peers.

Take Action

If your child views inappropriate content:

• Determine if it was accidental or deliberate, and have an open conversation about their motives.
• Stay calm, listen to their feelings, and offer emotional support as needed.
• Seek advice from resources like NSW Parentline (1300 1300 52) if necessary.

Resources to use with your child

1. esafety kids: I saw something online I did not like.
2. Younger children watch: Swoosh and Glide and Rule Number 5 story time video
3. Hard to have conversations. Tips for parents.
4. ThinkUKnow I’m worried my child might see something inappropriate online

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes


Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

NSW Health Go4Fun programs