2024, Term 2, Week 2

Year 3 Assembly

Term 2 Friday Assembly and Peer Support Calendar

Principal Message

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term 2 2024.

St Ambrose is a school that sets very high standards both academically and socially. Our school value of being respectful is very much embedded into everything we do at the school.

For example we encourage students to respond to a question with a sentence and not a word. An answer to a question with a “Yes”, “No”, “Good" a shrug of the shoulders is what we discourage. A full sentence such as’ I am good thank you”, is a much more appropriate response.

We also strongly encourage students to use their manners. I always say, “your manners are always with you, it is whether or not you use them is the problem”!

Manners are essential in schools as they cultivate respectful behaviour, promote effective communication, and create a harmonious learning environment. They instil empathy, courtesy, and social skills crucial for students' personal growth and success in diverse settings.

Manners often reflect the character of a person and certainly influence an impression that people make of that person. A simple thank you or please goes a long way!

When students are enrolled at St Ambrose, I always say that we don’t just enrol the child we enrol the family. We want to ensure that the values the school and family have are blended together. We all need to work together and encourage and support our children to be respectful, courteous and friendly!

When school and families work together there is a much greater chance of success!

Over the next two weeks the school will issue a survey. This is called the “Tell Them From Me Survey” which is an opportunity for parents and students to share thoughts about the school. This information is really valuable in providing information and feedback, which will assist the school in addressing any concerns, celebrating successes and in setting future goals.

Finally next Tuesday is our Parent Forum Meeting. At this meeting we will be reviewing the existing Parent Forum model. A representative form the Catholic Schools Office will be present, so as to explain the two models that we need to choose from.

In addition to this we will be sharing the survey results regarding K-2 swimming at the school and when school reports will be issued in the future.

Please remember that the Parent Forum meeting is live streamed - commencing at 6.00p.m. on Tuesday 14th May.

Thanks for your ongoing support!

Have a great weekend

Warm Regards,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Congratulations

Our congratulations are extended to:

Mrs Rachele King (Yr 5 Teacher) - Rachelle was married last Thursday.

Mr Andrew Michael (PE Teacher)  - on the arrival of their fourth child, Isla.

We trust that your families are blessed with great happiness and good health!!

Peer Support

Last Friday the school commenced our first Peer Support session. The from Yr 6  lead the sessions and each week they cover a specific topic . Groups are made up of 12 students from Yr 1 - through to 6 (generally 2 students from each year group). Groups are located within different classes and students leave their own class and make their way to the group. Last Week the session was based on “Being Friendly / Working as a Team”.

The feedback received from all students was very favourable.

Our next Peer Support afternoon will be held on Friday 17th May (2.10 - 2.45)  and will focus on Cooperating and Listening!

Sunday 19th May School Mass

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.

Mother's Day Prayer Service

Parent/Child Sacrament Meeting

Last Monday we had a wonderful Parent/Child Sacrament of Eucharist/Holy Communion meeting. Thank you to the wonderful parents and students who came along to this meeting. It is lovely to see the students being supported by their families during this special time of preparing for their First Holy Communion. 

This Sunday 12th May in our Church calendar we celebrate The Ascension of the Lord

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord  commemorates the fortieth day after the Resurrection when Jesus ascended body and soul into Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of His Father. In the book of Luke, Chapter 24, Luke describes the Ascension of Jesus, including the disciples' reaction to his ascension. He recounts, ''When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Sunday 12th May Mother’s Day

Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of  thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,  now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

Blessings to all our mums, step mums, grandmothers and aunties.

Sunday 19th May we also celebrate Pentecost Sunday.

Pentecost Sunday is often called the birthday of the Church.  As we come to the end of the glorious time of Easter, let us pray that God will fill us with the Spirit of the risen Christ.

God of Light, send your Spirit into our lives so that we may do your work in the world. Amen

Year 5 & 6 Mass 9.15am 22nd May

On Tuesday 22nd May our Year 5 & 6 Students will attend mass at 9:15. The focus for the Mas will be Our Lady Help of Christians as this Feast occurs on the Thursday. Please join us for this Mass.

On Thursday 24th May we celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians,(Patroness of Australia).

Almighty God Deepen in our hearts, our love of Mary, Help of Christians through Her prayers and under Her protection may the Light of Christ shine over our land and may your blessings remain with us always. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. Mary Help of Christians Pray for us.

Christian Meditation

Here at St Ambrose many of our teachers have completed 

professional development in this area and the children experience 

meditation regularly. 

There is now consistent evidence across studies that meditation in schools:

• Improves: Attention, Mindfulness & Cognitive function
• Reduces: Depression, Stress, Anxiety

On Friday 12th May following The Mother’s Day celebrations, Helen Hunter from the Lismore Diocese, Catholic Schools Office will conduct a 30-minute session on the benefits of meditation for your child from scientific research developments and spiritual prayerful experiences. 

(Please refer to information on COMPASS as this could be a very beneficial experience for you).

Parish Newsletter

Dio Rugby League

Duke has been selected in Polding squad for rugby league. He is one of only 17 players out of 6 Diocese Teams to be chosen from the trials in Tamworth.

Duke will now compete for polding in Sydney in June. The trials will last for a week and he is aiming to make the NSW team.

Walk To School Safely Day

Walk To School Safely Day was a wonderful opportunity for students to walk to school with their family members and friends to promote the importance of road safety and daily exercise. Students and their families were treated to a healthy breakfast once they arrived at school to emphasise the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Thank you to our local IGA and Corner Stop Cafe for catering for our healthy breakfast. Our Mini Vinnies did an outstanding job assisting with this special event. 

Mother's Day Breakfast

The sun came out and we got to celebrate our beautiful mums, aunties, grandparents and special friends in our lives. A big thank you to the year 5 parents who organised this event, a massive effort. A big thank you to our local businesses who donated, we appreciate your support.

Mother's Day Raffle Winners

A big thank you to Emma and year 1 parents who orgaised this amazing raffle, and thank you for all the donations from the families in our beautiful community. 

Tell Them From Me

Parent Information: Understanding the K-6 Student Report.

Parenting in the age of distracton

RealTalk - A comprehensive online parent/carer resource centre that covers a diverse range of topics.

Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Newsletter

We're pleased to share the latest edition of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Newsletter, now available online. This publication offers a glimpse into the vibrant life of our schools. 
You can access the Newsletter here.

Free eSafety Parent Webinars

eSafety 101: How eSafety Can Help 

This webinar provides an overview of the eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children and young people.

Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school. 

Tuesday, 14 May: 12:30 pm
Thursday, 6 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for eSafety 101

Wellbeing and Digital Technologies 

An overview of strategies to protect, respond to and support your child online. This webinar will focus on the digital skills to protect and support young people’s mental health and wellbeing online. 

Suitable for parents and carers of young people in secondary school. 

Thursday, 16 May: 12:30 pm
Tuesday, 4 June: 2:00 pm

Register here for Wellbeing and Digital Technologies

Consent and Online Boundaries

As children begin to navigate the online world, they need to know how to make decisions around consent and boundaries. This webinar will outline strategies for parents and carers, as well as support those hard-to-have conversations.

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

Tuesday, 28 May: 12:30 pm
Tuesday, 18 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for Consent and Online Boundaries

Setting your Child up for Success Online 

An overview of having conversations about tech and online interaction, putting boundaries and rules in place, using parental controls, and monitoring your child online.

It's suitable for parents and carers of children primary school.

Thursday, 30 May: 12:30 pm
Thursday, 20 June: 12:30 pm

Register here for Setting your Child up for Success Online

Parent Forum AGM Meeting

AGM Meeting - Tuesday 14th May 6pm
This wil be livestreamed 

This wil be livestreamed.

School Disco

Pottsville Community Association