St Canice's Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents, Carers and Members of the St Canice’s Community,

Welcome back to Term 3! It is great to see the children again. They are refreshed after the break and are engaging well in their learning. A special welcome to Kepueli who joins Stage 3 -  Year 5. A very warm welcome also to teacher Mrs Elmer (Stage 3 on Thursdays), and Teacher Aides Ms Bronte, Stage 3 Mon- Fri and Ms Heather Teacher Aide in K12 Mon-Fri. 

We are very excited to share the wonderful news that Mrs Jess Karatovic’s little baby girl arrived last Wednesday, 20th July. Liliana Mary is the baby’s name. Both Mrs Karatovic and Liliana are very well and the family has fallen in love with Liliana. Mrs Alice Szczypek is also going well with Toby. We look forward to welcoming Alice and Jess and their little ones to St Canice’s at some stage into the future.

Our K12 class grouping has started very well this term. The children are settled and the teachers, Mrs Baines, Mrs Clarke and Ms Gillespie are to be congratulated on their preparation, organisation and care of the children. We look forward to showcasing K12, Stage 2 and Stage 3 as part of our Open Day today (27 July) and again on Friday, 26th August. 

We are now seeking enrolments into all classes for 2023. This is the key time when prospective parents explore the educational options available and make decisions. You all have made an excellent decision in choosing St Canice's as the school for your child. Please help us to build enrolments at our school by promoting our school to friends who are looking for an education that provides the best learning opportunities for each child and a culture that is loving and compassionate. You can help us by sharing our Facebook posts and by encouraging others to attend our next Open Day, scheduled for 26 August at 10am. On that occasion, Open Day will commence with a community breakfast. We hope that you / others you know can join us.

Lunchtime clubs are in full swing. Craft Club is on Tuesdays, Scratch Coding Club is on Wednesdays and Chess Club is on Thursdays. We are very grateful to Ella’s Mum, Poppy and Mia’s grandma, to Jayden, our ICT trainee, along with Leo and Max and to Mr McCarthy for their efforts in keeping these clubs going. The clubs provide an excellent alternate option to the playground on these chilly days. 

COVID continues to worry Greater Sydney. We ask that you continue to monitor your child’s health so that we can stay healthy as a community, as we are now. We ensure the strictest of hygiene standards at the school to ensure that we minimise student infection. Some of our children wear masks to school, which is commendable but not compulsory.

I find so many lost uniforms weekly. When names are on student uniform items, they find their way back to your child. Thank you for marking all personal items with your child’s name and for encouraging your child to take responsibility for personal belongings. We are currently focusing on students wearing their hats when outdoors. The rule “No hat no play” means that children without a hat must stay indoors or sit in the shade. This is not a popul;ar option for the children! Thank you for ensuring that your child brings a named hat to school each day.

Two parent meetings are scheduled for Term 3. The first is on Thursday, 4 August at 2pm in the school library and the second is on Friday, 9 Sept at 9:00am. Please come along and help us to build community at St Canice’s. Watch out for our flyer advertising these meetings.

Wishing you and your family all the best for a wonderful Term 3. Let us all pray for good health and happiness in the weeks ahead,

God bless,

Ms Miriam

Tell Them From Me is an annual survey that provides us with feedback about St Canice’s. Many thanks to all parents who participated this year- we had a very good response. The feedback we received was very positive. It indicated that parents feel their children are thriving at St Canices. Our parents feel connected and welcome and also feel comfortable talking to us if they have a concern about their child’s learning. Some questions to parents and to children addressed our approach to Religious Education. It was rewarding for us to see that 89% of parents acknowledge that the school has helped the children to grow in their understanding of Jesus. Above all else, parents have great confidence in our capacity to keep their children safe. Many thanks, Parents, for your positive response. You have helped to strengthen our school profile across the diocese and your responses  have contributed to our improvement agenda at the school.

Learning Overviews will be sent home this week. The overviews give you a window into your child’s learning at school. Share the overview with your child when you receive it- learning is fun and the children love it when you show interest in their school life. If any questions arise for you from the overview, please contact a member of your child’s team.

This year's theme is  Sustainability and our Spiritual Connection to the lands around The Three Sisters 

No doubt over the years you have seen the outstanding contributions to our Annual Photographic Exhibition, on both the fence entry to the school and through the school hallway. 

We encourage all students and community members to participate Entries have been extended until Monday 1st August - So get Snapping!

3 photos per entry - email to stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au in a jpeg format with your name and description / location of image.

All Parents and Carers are invited to the Term 3 2022  Parent Meetings.

Parent Meetings will be held on Thursday 4th of August at 2pm - 2:45pm and Friday 2nd September 9am - 9:45am.

Plese complete attached google form

RSVP Parent Meeting Term 3

My thanks to Rosa, Ella’s Mum, and Maria, Mia and Poppy’s grandmother, for organising and running our craft club on Tuesdays in Term 3 in the Library at lunchtime. This will be a great opportunity to learn a craft in the comfort of the library on those chilly lunchtimes!

Two students, Max and Leo, will work with Jayden, our ICT Support person and our supervising teachers in the Library on Wednesdays at lunchtime, providing students with the opportunity to develop their skills with Scratch, a coding program.

Mr McCarthy will continue to work with our chess enthusiasts on Thursdays at lunchtime. The chess club will be practising their skills and preparing for an inter school chess competition at Wentworth Falls Public on  Friday 12th August.

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun and raise funds for lifesaving research and programs.

This year is the 40th year of Jump Rope for Heart! To celebrate this milestone, we’ve got an audacious goal to see our student Heart Heroes at St Canice's  to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program! Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents

We will hold our school Jump Off Day on Friday 19th August, this will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. 

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!

NSWPSSA and NSW All School Cross Country Championships

Congratulations - Marshall Field!!!!

Marshall competed last Friday against many schools in the NSW region at the Cross Country Championships at Sydney Motorsport Park,  Eastern Creek. It was a huge event and Marshall placed 8th in his race and smashed his previous time giving him a new personal record. Well done Marshall.  

Jump Rope for Heart 

Our program started last Friday, despite the wet weather, we could hear the fun being had by all. We would love it if students could set up their own profile page and log their skipping hours to reach our goal of 40 hours. Register and create your own secure webpage at www.jumprope.org.au/parents 

At St Canice’s, we want to hear complaints as they arise because we want to ensure that we are working with our community to maintain positive relationships and a safe and happy school. 

All complaints are treated seriously, dealt with as soon as practicable and conducted in a fair, impartial and professional manner.   

Depending on the nature of the complaint, parents and carers are encouraged in the first instance to raise the complaint with the relevant staff member. If a parent / carer deems that the Principal or Assistant Principal need to be aware of the complaint, an appointment time should be made to discuss the complaint. 

If the complaint is not resolved to the parent / carer’s satisfaction, he / she should put the complaint in writing. The school will assess the complaint and seek a resolution.

Parents / Carers who feel that the school is not resolving the complaint  should contact CEDP at communityliaison@parra.catholic.edu.au  or telephone on 9840 5600. Alternatively, they can access the CEDP Handling Complaints Form at the link provided below. 

The CEDP Handling Complaints Policy is available from our website at this address:

https://www.stcaniceskatoomba.catholic.edu.au/-/media/Files/CEDP/Global/Policies/managing-complaints-policy.pdf 

A reminder to all families that we have students at St Canice's who have severe allergies that result in anaphylaxis.

We ask that no nut / nut products be sent to school.

As a strategy to reduce risk, we ask that you remind your child not to share their food with other students.

We value our strong relationship with families and welcome opportunities to communicate with parents and carers. We also recognise that email is a fast and convenient way to contact your child’s teacher or other school staff.

Although staff will read their emails at various times throughout the school day, they are not expected to respond to emails outside of normal working hours. Staff will try to respond to emails within 24 hours.As some staff work part time, it is reasonable to expect an email response from part time staff on their next working day.

In the case of an emergency, do not rely on email.  In such situations, please contact the school office on 4780 6800. Our caring team will return your call as soon as possible.

If you wish to contact the office via email, please email stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au

If you need to contact a staff member and are not sure of the staff member’s email, you can also send your email to stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au It will then be directed to your child’s teacher or another relevant staff member.

Thank you so much for your assistance and understanding.

Ms Miriam Principal

The borrowing of Library books for students will be on Mondays from the begining of term 2.

If students have a library bag, please bring it along each week.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who have taken Library Books to cover, I will have some more ready to go next week if you are available.

Happy reading.

Ms Sue

We look forward to welcoming parent / carer volunteers into St Canice's in the future.  If you are interested in volunteering your time either in the classroom or at any of the exciting upcoming events, please ensure your Building Child Safe Communities training is up to date.

This module must be completed every two years and is mandatory for anyone wanting to volunteer regardless if you hold a WWCC number or not.

Please follow the link to complete your training

https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/About-Us/Building-Child-Safe-Communities

Term 3 Statements will be posted by Week 2 of term, if you have any questions regarding fees, please call the office on 4780 6800 or email jmacpherson@parra.catholic.edu.au

We encourage parents and carers to contact us at any time to arrange a tour of our school, meet our staff and see our learning in action. Please phone 4780 6800 during our office hours 8:30am - 3:30pm or email stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au

Please share this post with our community -

Everyone is welcome at St Canice's

Katoomba!https://youtu.be/TNhJBt6ofY8

We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2023, if you know of people looking for a school for their child (even if it is for the other grades), please let them know about St Canice’s. The power of your words of recommendation has an enormous effect on our enrolments. Let’s keep working together to make St Canice’s that great school that has been in operation for the past 120 years.

The Child Safety Handbook has been produced by NSW Police Legacy, together with its partners, for over 11 years. It aims to raise awareness about risks to children and steps that can be taken to protect and keep them safe.  The Handbook has the support of the NSW Government and of the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC, the Patron of NSW Police Legacy. 

Child Safety Handbook

KATOOMBA ADORATION CHAPEL 10:00am Monday - 8pm Friday.

The chapel is at the back of St. Canice's church. Entry is from the outside. You are invited to sign up for an Adoration hour. Please contact Catherine Gale 0420 337 033. “One cannot know the Lord without the habit of adoring in silence (Pope Francis).”

Mary Gale

St Canice’s Parish

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish

Parish Priest Fr John McSweeney

 Presbytery Contact  Ph: 02 4782 2804

                                     Fax: 02 4782 6090

Website: marymackillopupperbluemountains.org.au

Monday 9.30am, Tuesday 5:15pm, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 5:15pm Friday 12.00pm Saturday 9.00am Sunday 10.00am

Saturday 9.30am Confession outside this time is available on request

Saturday Cenacle Rosary and Consecration following benediction after 9am Mass

1st Friday of month, 12.30pm

Fridays (Except 1st Friday) 12.30pm

Benediction Saturdays following 9am Mass

Sundays 12.00pm to 1.00pm

4th Monday of month - 6pm

Parents of school-age children are reminded to register for their Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers. The NSW Government’s Active Kids program provides  vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year and also vouchers that can be redeemed for creative activities  such as drama & visual arts. Creative Kids vouchers are also available to be redeemed for creative activities and craft supplies.

To find out more information on how to apply please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

Your creative kids voucher can be used to purchase items via approved websites, check out the links below.

Creative Kids Wonderland
Artzee Kids

BrickTastics

Futsal Skills Training and Game

3-5 year olds

Tuesday's

10am - 11am

Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre

For more information, call Sue 0419 434 725

Thursday Afternoon Juniors: 5 - 15 year olds

Cost is $80 per player per term.

Plus yearly registration fee wit Futsal NSW

Girls and Boys / Registration of teams and individuals welcome

Competition held at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre

Contact Sue Kindek

0419 434 725

kondek2@bigpond.com

Competition commences Term 2 Thursday 28th April 2022

Katoomba District Athletics @ Pitt Park, Wentworth Falls

Registrations will be opening soon. Keep an eye out on Katoomba District Athletics - Home | Facebook

Or email katoombaathletics@gmail.com

Springwood District Athletics @ Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge

Now competing Friday nights at 6.15pm 

Registrations are open August 1st. Season kicks off Friday 2nd September. Athletics is for the whole family. We offer tiny tots starting from 4 yrs through to Masters 99+ more info Home | Springwoodathletics | Faulconbridge | NSW | Little Athletics

Blue Mountains Touch Football 

Registrations close on the 21st August so get in quickly !! 🚨

There are no costs to registering a team.The age that you child/children play is the age that they turn in 2023.

Teams 8yrs to 18yrs, Payment after July 21, 2022  U8s – U10s = $85 & U12 s – U18s = $115

Active kid’s vouchers accepted.

To Register a Team, click on the link below:

https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/compsearch/…

If you don’t have a team and want to register as an individual, click on the link below:

https://touchfootball.com.au/register-into-team/

Springwood Baseball & Softball Club 

It's time to register for the 2022/2023 season!!! Come play, have fun and make new friends this summer! Active kids vouchers accepted! https://www.revolutionise.com.au/bmbsc/home/

Springwood Squash Club 

In-house competition, free club sessions, junior training and pennant teams. Come and join us.

(02)47511122 www.springwoodsquashclub@gmail.com 

Katoomba Tennis Club

Have four courts consisting of two grass courts and two hard courts. Courts can be booked online at http://tenniskatoomba.skedda.com Tennis is available to all age groups and coaching can be provided. 

email : tenniswithjen@gmail.com 

Little Kickers Soccer @ Katoomba Aquatic Centre 

⚽️ NEW! Little Kickers Penrith & Districts now offers classes in Katoomba! Little Kickers creates imagination-based soccer skills classes for boys and girls aged 18 months to 5 years (up to 8 years in other areas). Classes are on all year round, including these Winter School Holidays. Join at any time! Find a class here: https://bit.ly/3Ow2F16Little Kickers' motto is ‘Play not Push’. They give children a positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality soccer skills in a friendly, pressure-free environment.📍Katoomba Aquatic Centre Indoor Basketball Courts. Catalina Avenue, Katoomba. other locations include: Emu Plains, Glenmore Park & Jordan Springs.

⚽️ Little Kickers accepts active kids vouchers.

⚽️ BOOK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Ow2F16 or call 0421 973 346 for assistance.