Christ the King North Rocks Newsletter

Term 2 Week 2: Friday 6th May, 2022.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

The shepherd analogy in the Gospels, of course, symbolises the importance of intimacy between God and each one of us. Jesus invokes the image of the shepherd and draws attention to the intimate knowledge and care the shepherd has for his sheep in a similar manner Jesus has for his flock- the people of God. In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus encourages us that we follow him, not because we are anxious or fearful of our alternatives, or no nothing better but because we know his voice, we know him, he knows our name we trust in his message and unconditional love. We follow Jesus’ lead for no other reason than throughout our life we have come to trust him and to rely on the intimacy of our relationship with him. In return he protects us and makes sure no one can steal us from his flock the family of God.

 

Welcome back to our staff, student, and the families to the second term of 2022. I trust everyone enjoyed the break and was able to relax, step out of the “school week routine” and enjoy some down time with your families over the two weeks incorporating the events of Holy Week and Easter. These next ten weeks are a busy time with a focus on assessment and reporting in the second half of the term culminating in parent teacher interviews in the weeks 9 and 10. I encourage all students to focus on their studies, enjoy their learning and do the very best over the next ten weeks, setting goals and striving to achieve them. Best wishes to everyone for a most enjoyable and successful term.

 

On Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day and all the wonderful things our mums do for us every day of our lives.  A book I acquired several years ago titled “The Best Mum in the World” is a collection of humorous and inspirational quotes that are indicative of motherhood and what our mums mean in our lives. As we draw close to this special day, I would like to share a few thoughts from the book that resonated with me and the love and appreciation we each have for our own mothers. 

 

A mother is……

-the one who is still there when everyone else has deserted you.

-someone who dreams great dreams for you but then she lets you choose the dreams you have for yourself and loves you just the same.

-the truest friend a person can have who loves you unconditionally.

-a child’s first looking glass into the world.

-is about making choices everyday putting someone else’s happiness and   wellbeing ahead of her own

- is the next closest thing to divinity It is the highest holiest service to be     assumed by mankind

-the only person who can think of the future-because they gave birth to it in their children.

 

Today we celebrated our Mother’s Day liturgy. It was great to see our mums join us to celebrate the role they play in all our lives. Thanks to Mrs. Wynne who coordinated the celebration and morning tea. Thanks to the teachers who prepared the children for the liturgy. A special thanks to Natalie Bertie who coordinated the Mother’s Day stall including the ordering of gifts and the packing of the gift bags with her reliable team of parents. To all our mums Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday.

 

Congratulations to Eric Kim and Tabitha Kunaseelan who won the local Rotary Club “My Mum My Friend” Mother’s Day Competition. This competition is offered to Year 5 & Year 6 students. The successful students from surrounding schools in the area gathered for the annual Mother’s Day dinner at the Baulkham Hills Sports Club with their families and school Principals on Tuesday night to receive their awards and acknowledge the role their mums play in their lives. The students had the opportunity to share their writing pieces with the Rotarian members and their families who presented a small gift of appreciation to the mums in attendance.

 

I am currently conducting 2023 Kindergarten enrolment interviews for next year. If your child is eligible for Kindergarten next year or you know of a family member or and friends looking to enrol their children in 2023, please contact the school office for an enrolment pack.

 

I would like to welcome Maryanne Grewcock to the Christ the King community. Maryanne will be Acting Finance Officer for Susan Ritchie for Term 2. Susan is recovering from recent surgery. We wish Susan all the best with her recovery and look forward to having her back at school soon.


Over the next 2 weeks Year 3 & Year 5 will be completing their Naplan. We wish them all the very best.

 

Please note that two staff development days have been scheduled for Thursday [30th June] and Friday [1st July]. On both these days there will be no classes and supervision. Staff will be participating in two days of Religious Education and Mathematics professional development. An early start to the winter holidays!

 

A local accounting business in Oatlands is looking to employ an administrative assistant two days a week to provide general administrative support to a team of accountants. If you’re interested in the position or require further details, please contact me and I will pass on the details.

 

Have a great week!

Tony Hughes

Principal

Something to ponder

Attending Mass on the weekend with your children leads to strong communication and relationships with them.

Upcoming Events

Term 2 Week 3

Monday 9th May

  • Sports Program: All students in PE Uniform


Tuesday 10th May

  • PE: Year 1, Kindy & Year 4 (Gr1)  Please note change for Yr 1 due to Naplan
  • Naplan Writing Online & Paper Test Year 3 & 5
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am - 12.30pm by appointment only


Wednesday 11th May

  • PE: Year 3 & Year 5
  • Naplan Online Reading Test Year 3 & 5
  • Chess


Thursday 12th May

  • PE: Year 6, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr2)
  • Naplan Conventions of Language Test Year 3 & 5


Friday 13th May

  • Band 7.45am - Band groups throughout the day.

Term 2 Week 4

Monday 16th May

  • Sports Program: All students in PE Uniform

Tuesday 17th May

  • PE: Year 1, Kindy & Year 4 (Gr1)  Please note change for Yr 1 due to Naplan
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am - 12.30pm by appointment only
  • Naplan Numeracy Test Year 3 & 5

Wednesday 18th May

  • PE: Year 3 and Year 5
  • Pirate Day - Brain Cancer Fund Raiser
  • Chess

Thursday 19th May

  • PE: Year 6, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr2)
  • FIAT Lifted Live

Friday 20th May

  • Band 7.45am - Band groups throughout the day.
  • Year 4 at Parish Mass - 9.15am
  • Junior full Band rehearsal - 1.15 - 2.00pm

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 25th May 

  • Stage 3 Girls Soccer Gala Day

Friday 3rd June

  • SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Friday 10th June

  • CTK Athletics Carnival

Monday 13th June 

  • Queen's Birthday Public Holiday

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June

  • Sacrament of First Eucharist

Tuesday 21st June

  • Stage 2 Mixed Soccer Gala Day

Wednesday 22nd June

  • Australia's Biggest Morning Tea - Cancer Council

Wednesday 29th June

  • Last Day of School for Term 2

Thursday 30th June / Friday 1st July

  • Staff Development / Pupil Free Days: No School for children on these days


Term 2:    Tuesday 26th April to Wednesday 29th June

Term 3:    Monday 18th July to Friday 23rd September

Term 4:    Monday 10th October to Friday 16th December

Other School News

Library News



CTK Subscriptions

Did you know that your children have subscriptions to the following learning tools. Each database combines games with curriculum based learning.

Reading Eggs K - 6

Mathletics 3 - 6

Mathseeds K - 2 (accessed through Reading Eggs)

Britannica 3 - 6

Ask your child to show you how they work!


Premier's Reading Challenge 2022.

The PRC runs through until August. Please encourage your children to read for pleasure for a goal and participate in the PRC this year.

Visit the website for further information. Student logins will be distributed at the beginning of Term 3. 


Parent and Carer Webinar: Parental Controls

If you have not looked at the fantastic resources on the government esafety website yet, you might like to start by registering for this webinar. (see flyer below).

Sarah Cook

Teacher Librarian LTST

Chess News

Learn to be a chess champion!

Coaching for students at Christ the King Primary School is held on Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, starting on 27 April 2022.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games. Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

If your child is interested in taking part, you can collect an enrolment form from the school office, or email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au for a copy. For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

Pirate Day (Wednesday 18th May) for The Kid's Cancer Project

Demi (pink dress) is the beautiful 4 year old daughter of our friends Marly and Nick Tsanadis, the adoring big sister to her brother Will and a friend of my son Aiden. During the holiday break Marly and Nick were dealt the devastating news that Demi has a brain tumour called Diffuse Midline Giloma. These types of tumours begin in the brain or on the spinal cord. It is a very aggressive form of Cancer, and sadly in Demi’s case, comes with a terminal outcome.

This May our school will be taking part in Pirate Day. Pirate Day is a fun initiative which started in 2015 by The Kids’ Cancer project to raise much needed funds for children’s brain cancer. 

All students are encouraged to wear a pirate theme shirt or costume to help raise awareness for brain cancer research in Week 4, Wednesday 18th May. 

A school fundraising page has been set up for anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause. You may donate to the cause by following this link:

https://www.pirateday.com.au/ctknorthrocks

For anyone wishing to learn about about the story of Demi, you are welcome to visit the family Go Fund me page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-for-our-tsanadis-family?qid=caeffff4386b3d0956d0f60d3f9da6c9

Most importantly, we ask that you keep Demi and her family in your prayers over the coming weeks, as well as any other children and their families who are affected by childhood cancers and other illnesses.

Diocesan Cross Country

Congratulations to the 29 students who represented CTK at the Parramatta Diocesan Cross Carnival On Tuesday 3rd May at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

Ethan R, Kamil N, Jonathan P, Jimmy M, Peter J, Oliver M, Marc J, Emma B, Maella S, Jackson A, Jesse A, Oliver P, Patrick N, John J, Calvin M, Maya M, Emilie K, Callan M, James R, Marco S, Lucas G, Paul R, Lilliana W, Charlotte B, William M, Ajiri O, Nicholas K, Lara K, Scarlett R.

 

Everyone did such a fantastic job and represented themselves and CTK so well.

Thank you so much to the extremely supportive parents who assisted on the day.

The results of the races can be seen here: http://multisportaustralia.com.au/.../parramatta-diocese...

A big congratulations to Ethan, Kamil, James and Callan who are now part of the Parramatta Diocesan Cross Country Team who will participate at the NSW Catholic Primary Schools Cross Country in June.

School Photo ordering instructions.

CTK Winter Uniform - All Students in Full Winter Uniform from Monday 9th May

Girls Winter Uniform:

Maroon Check Tunic - white Peter Pan collared blouse - maroon tab tie - maroon zip jacket or woollen jumper - white fold down socks or black stockings - black leather lace up or Velcro strap shoes.

Boys Winter Uniform:

Long grey trousers - long sleeved striped shirt - maroon tie - maroon zip jacket or woollen jumper - socks with gold and maroon stripes - black leather lace up or Velcro strap shoes.

This week in year 6 we have started our new inquiry unit of learning, this term year 6 will learn about government and voting. Year 6 is very exciting for this unit to start as we will be participating in our own class debate and vote for a class prime minister. Our driving question for Inquiry is: Why should I vote? We will begin learning about the importance of voting and its impact ready for our Canberra overnight excursion. 

In our Religion unit we are learning about all of the sacraments. Our driving Question is: Why Are Sacraments Important? Year 6 are very excited to learn about how important these sacraments really are and how they continue to impact our lives. Our final product will be making an instructional video for the future grades to use as a resource that is about all the types of sacraments.

This week Kindergarten has started their new history unit. They are learning about their family and why they are so important. They are really excited to learn about how important their families are. They are learning about family trees and how all families are different. They know all of the things that they and their family celebrate together.

Kindergartens have been working really hard on their reading and they have been practising with their teachers and parents. They have got so much better with their sight words and their reading. They have been practising their reading and sight words at home and at school.


Helena and Benjamin

School Captains


Congratulations to Tabitha and Eric - Winners of the Rotary Mother's Day Competition

My Mum, My Friend!

By: Eric Kim

My Mother a person I shall never forget

My Mother a friend I could never pay back

My Mother the person I always needed

My Mother is a friend, I shall try my best to.

My Mother my hero from the deepest ocean

My Mother is a saviour from the sinked feelings

My Mother a person who never gave up

My Mother is a person I could never forget.

Mother beside me, 

no treasure no nothing can defy her. 

I need no gold

I need no diamonds

For I have a treasure no rich can out beat

I have a Mother more precious than painite 

I have a Mother I can proudly talk about

I have a Mother I would not be disappointed at

my Mother is a mother no nothing can compare to

My Mother is the best of the best.

Why shall I compare

Why shall I fight

Why shall I argue 

Why shall I cry

When I have someone

no one has 

no one can be better than.

A Mother….my Mum.

My Mother a heart bigger than the sun

My Mother rich in love

Her love is countless, outnumbered by the stars in space

Her heart is giant bigger than all universe

I thank my mother for everything she has done 

And I will end this message with delight.

Mother's Day Celebrations

What an exciting morning we had at Christ the King today! We welcomed about 250 mums and grandmas to our school for a liturgy and a morning tea picnic.

During the liturgy, we thanked God for the wonderful gift of mothers and the important role they play in shaping who we become. We prayed for those mothers no longer with us and for those who are like mother figures in our lives.

Thank you to all the staff and students for their work in organising a beautiful celebration for our mums.

After our liturgy, we spent some time having a morning tea picnic with our mums on the school playgrounds. It was great to see so many families enjoying their time together.

On behalf of the staff and students at Christ the King, we wish all mums a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday!

Children's Liturgy

Last Sunday, we saw the return of Children’s Liturgy at Christ the King Church. Mrs Wynne 

and Mrs Trethowan loved seeing so many of our students attending mass with their families. We had a fun lesson in the library learning about how much Jesus loves us.

We hope to see many of our students on the first and third Sundays of the month for Children’s Liturgy.

Faith In Action Team

FIAT (Faith in Action Team) is an opportunity for our Year 5 and Year 6 children to come together with their peers to share their faith with our school community.

We have begun with a bang in FIAT this week with preparing for Mother’s Day and planning a special Month of May Rosary session for all grades.

It is very inspiring to see these children giving up their lunch times to make our school a faith-filled and beautiful place to be.

Why Pray with Your Kids at Home


Using your child's school login details, this beautiful ebook offers simple steps to help make prayer happen in your home.

To access, use the link above.

Parish News

Christ the King Parish Masses

COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted and Masses have recommenced at Christ the King Parish.

Daily Masses have commenced each Wednesday at 9am, Thursday at 9am, Friday at 9.15am and Saturday at 9am. Please note there will be no Tuesday evening Masses until further notice. Weekend Masses have commenced with the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 5.30pm and continue on Sunday at 8am and 10am.

Masks are no longer mandatory for places of worship. However, masks are still strongly encouraged where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others.

Community News

School Notes

Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Volunteer Form’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Child Protection Training Module’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Click on title, go to Administration, print and complete the ‘Application for Extended Leave’ form to apply for student leave other than illness