2024, Term 1, Week 2

Principal Message

Dear Families,

A BIG welcome to 2024!

Whilst we have only just commenced the school year we have certainly hit the ground running with MAI / Best Start testing, swimming carnival, Opening School Mass, Kindergarten First Day and Family Barbecue all taking place. For all upcoming events, please refer to the school calendar located on our school website. 

As with last year, we have replaced the beginning of the Year Parent / Teacher information evening with a short video that is sent out to all families from the class teacher outlining relevant information pertaining to their class and grade. This is followed by a meet and greet opportunity, whereby families can make an appointment to meet with the class teacher one on one at the beginning of the year. The availability of time slots has been forwarded to all families, I strongly encourage you to make an appointment.

In last week’s news bulletin, the staffing list for 2024 was shared with you as was a brief notification of new staff. Those being:

Mrs Bianca Hamilton - Office Manager
Ms Lily Moore - Yr 6 Class Teacher
Ms Lauren Falcke - Yr 4 Teacher
Miss Rainah Perkins - Yr 1
Mr Andrew Michael - PE Teacher
Miss Zoe Roberts - Aboriginal Support Worker

Welcome back from Maternity leave:
Mrs Celia Mulder  (Yr 3)
Mrs Bridie Capel (Speech Therapist)

On Wednesday we welcomed our 2024 Kindergarten students to school. It is always a day of great excitement and some tears (generally parents!!) as these little ones embark on a new chapter of their life story.

The beginning of the year is always filled with excitement and great anticipation. It is also an opportunity to remind all parents / carers of the importance of your involvement in their learning journey.

Parents don't need to be experts - they just have to show an interest and be engaged in their child's education, writes The Smith Family CEO Wendy Field.

Parental engagement is more than attending school fetes, volunteering on the P&C and attending parent/teacher nights. It's also about parents taking an active interest and getting involved in their child's learning journey.

It means supporting what they are being taught in the classroom with learning activities within the family, but it doesn't mean parents have to be experts in what their children are studying. They don't have to spend unlimited hours to make a difference. The evidence is clear that the key is parents being genuinely interested and actively engaged in their child's learning.

The strongest influence on a child's future is a parent's expectations and aspirations for their child – the value they place on education and what they believe their child can achieve.

We look forward to working closely with you throughout the year in trying to enable each child to reach their full potential.

Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Parent Forum

Next Tuesday night we will be holding the Parent Forum AGM. This meeting will be live streamed. Information has been distributed re each of the roles to be filled. If you would like to nominate please email this to either stambrosepf@gmail.com or the school office - sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au

A vital role within the school are our Class Parent Representatives. These parents assist with the organisation of a school event, support the class teacher and coordinate special class / grade events e.g. afternoon get togethers, mum’s nights out etc. If you would like to nominate as a Class Parent Representative, please notify your class teacher.

A list of 2024 school events and dates will be forward to all families following the AGM.

Our school community is such a vibrant component of our school, for this to continue we need volunteers. Please consider a role or if you are unsure, contact the Office staff for further information.

Uniforms

A reminder that the correct school uniform must be worn at all times. School shoes must be all black - I.e. no logos or visible white trimmings / sole etc.  These can be worn as sports shoes but not with the school dress uniform . Please refer to the uniform policy attached.

HATS / LABELLING SCHOOL ITEMS

Can I remind families to ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled - in particular hats.

It has been drawn to my attention that a number of newly purchased school hats have gone missing - some have had labels removed!!

With hats, please write your child’s name on all or either the underside of the rim, behind the school crest or along the underside trim - preferably in a white or a coloured permanent marker. Writing the name on the inside tag is not adequate as some tags are being cut off and name tags are being peeled off. This is very disappointing.

If your child has accidentally brought home the wrong hat could you please return to the class teacher or the owner.

AFTERNOON PICK UP

A reminder that the afternoon pick up does not allow for cars to come early, park and wait.

Cars that come early inevitably park and then queue early, eventually blocking off Charles St and preventing cars from coming into the car park.

These who cannot get into the car park, are then not able to walk into the school to pick up their children.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW

1. Do not arrive to the pick up area before 3.00p.m.
2. If you arrive prior to 3.00 p.m. please park in the car park and come into the school to pick up your child.
3. If you want to park in the car park, arrive before 2.55p.m.
4. If you arrive at 3.00p.m. be prepared to queue and wait. The school bell goes at 3.05 pm, the first car is loaded and moves off at approx. 3.07 pm. All students are picked up and have left the school no later than 3.20 pm.  Effectively it takes 13 min to vacate all students from the Pick Up Area.
5. Tip:  arrive at the school at 3.10 pm and you will have minimal wait time and clear access to the Pick Up Zone.
6. Supervision - All students are supervised in this area, until all children are picked up.
7. Fines can be imposed: Disobeying a no parking sign in a school zone will get you a fine of $215 and 2 demerit points. Double parking is very dangerous in a school zone and will get you a fine of $387 and 2 demerit points. 
8. Some drivers become impatient and drive on the wrong side of the road along Charles St so as to get to the Car Park. Not only is this incredibly dangerous and irresponsible it also carries heavy fines: $587 and 4 demerit points!
9. PLEASE BE PATIENT AND RESPONSIBLE. WE NEED TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN
10. Please refer to our Traffic Management Plan for further details

Australia Day Awards

Congratulations to our Yr 6 students, Georgie and Grace, who received an Australia Day Award for the Cabarita Beach/Pottsville Beach Lions Club for 2024.

The awards were presented on Australia Day morning at the Cabarita Headland.

PLAYGROUND

Over the Christmas Holiday period the schools playground underwent a facelift! With the financial support of the Parent Forum, the area has been refurbished into natural playground that the children are loving!!! A BIG thank you to Brent Mathews who oversaw the work and contributed an enormous amount of time and effort in ensuring that the play area was completed successfully.

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

As indicated last week, school assemblies will be conducted each fortnight. The first assembly will be Year 6 on the 23rd Feb. The alternative Fridays will be used by the school to introduce a new wellbeing program called “Peer Support”. Once the Yr 6 students are trained in the program, it will be gradually phased in.

Religion

Sunday 11th February 

STS MARY & AMBROSE CHURCH, POTTSVILLE PARISH/SCHOOL MASS CELEBRATION    7:30am 

Commissioning of St Ambrose Staff. We hope to see many St Ambrose families at this Mass celebration.The staff from St Ambrose will be attending to the ministry duties and there will be children’s liturgy.

Opening School Mass/Leaders

Years 3-6 was celebrated on Tuesday 6th February. School and Sport Captains received their badges that were blessed by Father Paul.

Important Sacramental information for 2024

The sacraments are offered to students who are baptised Catholic and are in the appropriate class or above year levels and have not yet made that Sacrament.

Term 1
Year 4 students baptised catholic will complete the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation. These students will begin preparing for this Sacrament within the next few weeks. There will be a Parent/Child meeting on Monday 26th February 6:00pm at St Ambrose School in the Year 4 classrooms or at (St Anthony’s School on Tues. 27th March at 6:00pm in the school hall). Students and their families will attend a commitment Mass of their choice over the weekend of Sat. 9that Kingscliff 6:00pm or Sun. 10th March  at 7:30am - This Sunday Mass will be a  School/Parish Mass.

Students  will make their First Reconciliation on Wednesday 20th March, 6:00pm at St Anthony’s Church Kingscliff. We keep these students in our prayers as they move through their preparation in receiving this sacrament.

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE/RECONCILIATION

If your child is in a Year 5 or 6 class, Baptised Catholic and has not yet received the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation and you would like to enrol your child to receive this Sacrament this year, please send an email requesting this with your child’s name and grade  forward it to Sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au attention Sue Falcke by Friday 16th Feb. 

Term 2

Year 4 students who completed the Sacrament of Penance(Reconciliation) in Term 1 will complete the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

They will attend a Parent/Child meeting in week 2, Monday 6th May at 6:00pm at School., or at (St Anthony’s School on Tues. 7th  May at 6:00pm in the School hall). Following this, the students and their families will attend a commitment Mass of their choice over the weekend of 18th and 19th May. Students will then have the opportunity to make their First Holy Communion at a Mass of their choice over the weekend of 1st & 2nd  June or 15th & 16th June.  Students will be able to collect their Holy Communion certificates at the School/Parish Mass 7:30am on Sunday 23rd June.

Term 3

Year 3 students baptised Catholic will complete the Sacrament of Confirmation. These students will attend a Parent/Child meeting in week 2, Monday 29th July at 6:00pm at School or (St Anthony’s School on Tues. 30th July at 6:00pm in the Shool hall). Following this the students and their families will attend a commitment Mass of their choice over the weekend of 3rd and 4th August.

The students will then receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 

Week 7 on Wednesday 4th Sept. 6:00pm at St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff. This date is given to us through Bishop Gregory Homeming’s office. 

Confirmation certificates can be collected at our School/Parish Mass on Sunday 8th Sept.

Sacrament of Baptism into the Catholic Faith

If you have a child that has not been baptised Catholic and you would like to consider this sacrament please contact me, as I am happy to discuss details with you. (One parent must be baptised Catholic, for this to occur).

If you have any questions or queries concerning sacraments, please contact me.

Thanking you

Sue Falcke

Shrove Tuesday Tuesday 2024

Next Tuesday 13th Feb. the children will receive a pancake to represent Shrove Tuesday which  is the day before Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday - Lenten Season

Next week, Wednesday 14th February we celebrated Ash Wednesday.

The students in Year 6, 5 & 4 will attend Mass at 9:15am and the other 
classes will celebrate a prayer service and receive their ashes.
Prayer Liturgy in the Church wil begin:
10:15 am Years 2 & 3 
10:40 am -  Kinder & Year 1. 

Ash Wednesday begins the forty-day season of Lent that leads to Easter. 

 For Catholics, Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstaining from meat. Fasting reminds us that food alone cannot make us happy. We must also be fed with prayer, with God’s Word and by meeting Jesus in the Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and Eucharist. 

The small sacrifices we make during Lent make room in our hearts to welcome the risen Jesus at Easter.

During this time of Lent may we come to know Jesus more deeply and to live in His truth. We pray that we become the people Jesus calls us to be, a welcoming community alive to relationships of justice and peace.

Parish Newsletter

Sports

Swimming Carnival

What an amazing day last Thursday was! The sun was certainly shining, everyone was getting wet, the students were smiling and a wonderful day was had by all!

All children from Year 2 to Year 6 really did themselves proud with their enthusiasm, encouraging attitude and willingness to have a go in the many events that took place at our annual school Swimming Carnival at Tweed Regional Pool, Murwillumbah.

It was fantastic this year to have our proud parents cheering, encouraging and supporting from the sidelines. We hope you enjoyed the canteen and watching the races. Keep your eyes peeled for some of our photos on social media. 

Congratulations to our Age champions for 2024!!
Senior Boy Champion - Isaac
Senior Girl Champion - Susannah

11 yrs Boy - Liam
11 Yrs Girl - Tilly
10 Yrs Boy - Darragh
10 Yrs Girl - Wren
9 Yrs Boy - Talin
9 Yrs Girl - Georgia
8 Yrs Boy - Russell
8 Yrs Girl - Jasmine

Finally, the 2024 Swimming House points champions are……

In 4th place we have team WHITE 
Coming 3rd was  TEAL
In 2nd place we had  PURPLE
And in 1st place we had mighty GOLD on an amazing 536 points!!

Thank you to all of the staff and students who made the day such a success! We wish all our 45 students attending the Zone Swimming Carnival on Monday 19th all the best!

Running Club

It's that time of year again where we start to prepare for our  Cross Country Carnival. Tuesday morning Running Club will begin next Tuesday (13th of February) until Tuesday Week 8 (19th March). Students in Years 2-6 are invited to come along. 

Time: 8:10-8:30am
Where: School Oval
Who with: Mr Michael 
Wear: Schools sports uniform or running clothes. If you are wearing alternate clothing please remember your school uniform.
Bring: Water bottle, hat and sunscreen.

We look forward to seeing your smiling faces. 

Upcoming Sports Events

Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI)

Welcome back to a new school year. We are looking forward to another great year of wonderful learning and fun.

THANK YOU for scheduling an MAI time with your child’s classroom teacher. This interview determines a student’s existing mathematical knowledge in the area of Number. The data is used by teachers to plan mathematical tasks to meet the needs of all students. You will receive a computer-generated letter in the coming weeks that outlines what your child can do in the areas that were assessed, and strategies in these areas that can support your child at home. 

You are very welcome to discuss this feedback at any time with your child's classroom teacher.

We look forward to seeing many of you over the coming two weeks at our Parent/Teacher Meet and Greets.

Kimberley Mathewson
Acting Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Jess Wilson
Acting Leader of Pedagogy

Build The Habit Of Good Attendance.

Help your child to have a positive start to the year by building the habit of good attendance.

Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:

• Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school. Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.

• Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead. 

• Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.

Help your child establish a positive and consistent attendance habit, setting the foundation for a successful 2024 school year. 

Watch this clip by Michael Hawker for strategies to help an anxious child return to school.

Year 5 Solar Buddy Fundraiser

Volunteers Required

"Volunteers needed to help cover beautiful new books in Library with Miss Victoria. If you are available, could you please let the office know and we will get back to you"
Thanking you in advance.

School Tours

Music Tutors

Netball Sign On