2024, Term 1, Week 10

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Principal Message

Dear Families, 

I trust that you had a wonderful Easter break and that you were able to spend time with family and friends.

This week you would have received a Compass email requesting that you please complete a short survey. There are two areas that we are seeking feedback on:

1 - K-2 Swimming program

2  - School Reports.

Your contribution to this survey will provide valuable feedback that will inform the schools decision regarding both areas.

The Catholic Schools Office, under the guidance of the new Board and Governance Model, have directed all schools to consider two Parent Forum models, by which all school forums should comply.  I urge you to please read the outline of the proposal contained in the newsletter. We will have a representative from the Catholic Schools Office at our next Parent Forum meeting to walk us through the proposals and led a discussion regarding the future direction of the Parent Forum here at St Ambrose. Following this we will be asking for family input as to which direction the school should take.

This is the last newsletter for Term 1. Many thanks to all families for your continued support of the school and staff throughout this term. A big thank you to the staff who work so tirelessly in trying to ensure that your children receive  not only a wonderful education, but that they continue to strive to be the best person they can be. Finally thank you to the children of St Ambrose who bring such joy, happiness and hope to our lives!

Warm Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Family Survey

The school is in the process of making a number of important decisions with respect to the K-2 School Swimming Program and issuing Student Reports.

To inform our thinking we are seeking family feedback via a survey. Please click the link here and fill in the survey. We appreciate your input.

Parent Forum

The Catholic Schools Office, under the guidance of the new Board and Governance Model, have directed all schools to consider two models, by which all school forums should comply. Below is a brief outline of these models. 

Having presented these models to the community an opportunity for further discussion/discernment will be provided. Following this all families will be given an opportunity to vote on which model would best suit our school community.

Farewell

We would like to bid farewell to one of our long standing teachers, Mrs Kirby Bressan (Art Teacher) who will be finishing up at the end of this term. Kirby has been at St Ambrose for the last 8 years. During that time she has transformed our art room into a place where students not only developed amazing skills but had an opportunity to display creativity, using imagination and technique to express themselves.

We sincerely thank Kirby for all that she has contributed to St Ambrose and wish her all the best in her new full time teaching position.

Congratulations

Our congratulations are extended to our resident Speech Therapist - Bridie MacPhail. Bridie will be getting married next weekend and we wish her and her future husband, Jock, all the best for the future. 

We would also like to extend our congratulations to Mrs Megan Longden and her husband Matthew. Megan gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Thomas. We wish them all the best for the future and pray that their lives are blessed with great happiness and good health.

Peer Support

Next term the school will be introducing a new student wellbeing program, which is led by the Yr 6 students, called PEER SUPPORT. In preparation for this program, a team of teachers have undertaken specific training and the students have participated in a training  / induction day.

Having students leading the Peer Support Program at St. Ambrose will foster a supportive environment where younger students receive guidance from Yr 6 role models. It cultivates leadership skills, boosting confidence and communication abilities among the older students. This peer-to-peer interaction enhances empathy and understanding, promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging within the school community. Yr 6 leaders develop teamwork and organizational skills through planning and executing program activities. Moreover, it instills a sense of responsibility and accountability in them, preparing them for future leadership roles. Overall, the program nurtures a positive school culture and strengthens bonds across different grade levels.

The program will be conducted on Friday afternoons, the alternative week to the school assembly.

Kindergarten 2025

Enrolment applications for 2025 are now being taken. If you have a child, or you know of someone wishing to enrol in Kindergarten for 2025, NOW is the time to submit an application.

Kindergarten enrolment interviews will commence in Term 2.

Our final 2024 open day is Wednesday 10th April at 9:30am.

Hair Styles & Jewelry

Please be advised that our school policy regarding hair styles and jewelry is:
HAIR

1. Long hair must be tied back (female and male), generally anything beyond the collar / shoulder length. 
2. Tying hair "Half Up" - is a not permitted
3. Hair cannot cover eyes or fall over the face
4. Extreme hair styles are not permitted - these include, but are not limited to lines, shaved or partially. shaved heads, colouring, mullets, lines etc
5. Hair ties must be in the school colours
6. School hair ties can be purchased through the Uniform Shop or at the School Office.

JEWELRY

1. Single stud / sleeper  in each ear only
2. Bangles / bracelets / dress rings are not permitted
3. Necklaces can be worn under the school uniform and should not be visible

Last Sunday we celebrated Easter Sunday – Jesu Rose from the dead

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said, “You are looking for Jesus of Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples…”  (Mark 16: 5-7)

As the sun rises each day, may the light of your Son, Jesus’ victory over death, shine in our hearts always. Fill us with joy and gratitude for the hope and new life found in Him. Amen

First Holy Communion – Term 2

A REMINDER: Year 4 students who completed the Sacrament of Penance in Term 1 will now prepare for the Sacrament of the Eucharist, their First Holy Communion, this term.

You will need to attend a parent/child meeting  Monday 6^th May at 6:00pm at School (Term 2 Week 2) (or if you are unable to make this night there is a meeting Tues. 7^th May at St Anthony’s School in Kingscliff at 6:00pm).

Sunday 19th May

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

Commitment Mass for children preparing for the Sacrament of the Eucharist/their First Holy Communion

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.

Peer Support Leaders’ Retreat Training Day

Yesterday we ran a wonderful Peer Support Training Day with our Year 6 students. The day involved students utilising their strengths, skills and characteristics to develop authentic leadership skills. These Year 6 students will facilitate structured activities in a fun and engaging environment addressing social issues with the support and supervision of staff. They will lead these sessions with small groups of students in the last hour of the School day each Friday in Term 2, Weeks 1, 3, 5 and 9. 

Thank you to our Well Being co-ordinator Angela McGill, Year 6 teachers Maree Spamer, Lily Moore and our and Well being officer Jeff Bottle for their support on this day.

Tell Them From Me

Parish Newsletter

Cross Country

What a fantastic and dry day it was for our school Cross Country Carnival. A huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered to be course judges, and to all the staff who worked so hard to make it a wonderful day for all students. A note has been sent out to all parents of students who have made it through to represent St Ambrose at the Zone Cross Country Carnival in Murwillumbah on the 10th May next term. Good luck to all of those students! 

 Further congratulations to our age champions on the day!

Our overall champions were the Purple House scoring 180 pts! Closely followed by the Teal house on 170 pts.  3rd place went to the Gold house and White came in 4th.

Congratulations to our Purple house captains Amber and Sam!

The next major school carnival is the St Ambrose Athletics Carnival on Friday 21st June, Week 8, Term 2 being held at school.

Upcoming Sports Events Update:

STEM MAD Showcase

Last week, the Stage 3 students held their annual STEM MAD Showcase. The Stage 3 students have diligently worked throughout the term in small groups on creating an innovative STEM design that focused on making a difference. The students used the project criteria and design process used for the Diocese STEM MAD competition of empathise, define, ideate and create a virtual/drawn prototype. Beginning with brainstorming sessions, each group worked over the term to meticulously, collaborate, research and refine their innovative ideas, ready for the showcase. Students then extended a warm invitation to classes, teachers and their parents to celebrate their learning. This collaborative journey fostered creativity, teamwork, and dedication, resulting in an enjoyable celebration of innovation and design.

Mt St Patricks Taster Day

On Wednesday, Year 6 went on a taster day to Mt Saint Patrick College. We enjoyed a tour of the school, meeting a variety of the students and teachers and learnt about the history of the campus. The students experienced a science lesson where they got to experiment with pigments using bunsen burners and were even shown how to make elephant toothpaste! In Wood Tech they made their own keyrings and in Food Tech they iced and decorated a cupcake. We had a lot of fun!
Jack Schuback 6T

Parent Assemby Annual Conference

All parents are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Parent Assembly Conference to be held on 15th June at Opal Cove where we'll delve into the theme "Your Child Our Schools: Nurturing Hearts and Minds." Discover valuable insights and strategies to support your child's holistic development. Register soon as places fill quickly.

Have you checked Seesaw this week?

Seesaw is a comprehensive digital portfolio of student learning! Students add posts to their journals in the form of photos, videos, drawings and text. Families connect to their child’s Seesaw journal to participate in their student’s learning, see student work, and celebrate progress. Connected families can add likes and leave written and verbal comments for their child/ren.

Chelsea Carter
Assistant Principal- Learning & Teaching

Jess Wilson
Acting Leader of Pedagogy

Good attendance in primary school will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school.

Good attendance in primary school is a fundamental building block for academic success and overall wellbeing, and it sets the stage for success in high school and beyond. Primary school is the foundational stage of a child's education. Regular attendance ensures that children build a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and skills that serve as the basis for more advanced learning in high school.

By recognising the long-term benefits and reinforcing the importance of regular school attendance in primary years, students are better equipped to succeed in high school and beyond. Attending school regularly instils a sense of responsibility and work ethic in students and participating actively in class are essential components of success.

School Tours

Mt St Patrick College Parent Information and Tours

Mothers Day Raffle Donations

Mothers Day Event