Mary Immaculate Primary Newsletter

Term 2 Week 2: Monday 4th May 2020

Principal's Message

Mrs Mizzi and myself will be sending a video message to the community.

Thank you for your ongoing support, 

Stephen Dowd 

Principal

Assistant Prinicpal's Letter

Attendance and Roll Marking

Our education ministers recognise that learning from home is a variation in attendance rather than an absence. The attendance code flexible is being used for students continuing their learning at home. This approach will not negatively affect student attendance records and will continue during Term 2. Students  will not be marked as absent if we have evidence that they are participating in their remote learning each day. We will continue to contact families whose children do not appear to be accessing their learning at home.  If your child is absent from their studies due to illness or another reason, please complete an absence form on the skoolbag app.

Mathematics

Mathematics At Home

A HUGE thank you for the support and enthusiasm you have given your children to approach Mathematics at home. This is evident by the questions students are asking, the contributions they are making via the grade specific online platform and the work they are submitting. We are so proud to see how numeracy at home has also allowed the children to explore practical everyday experiences. There are many opportunities in the home such as cooking, timing the length of a task i.e. making your bed, cleaning your teeth, boiling an egg or even folding a basket of washing, measuring length and even estimating the number of steps walked each day. The students have made wonderful progress while learning at home/ working remotely as they already have so many numeracy skills to build upon. 

Please remember parents and carers have a valued role in their children’s learning, but they are not expected to replace the teacher. At times the support needed from yourself may be greater than others so we encourage your child to contact their teacher as required. Teachers provide many videos, links, posters/charts and examples which children are encouraged to access before, during and after their tasks. 

Some helpful tips for parents and carers include:

• assist your child to establish routines and expectations

• define a space for your child to work in

• monitor communications from teachers

• begin and end each day with a check-in

• take an active role in helping your children process their learning

• physical activity and/or exercise

• check in with your child regularly to help them manage stress

• monitor how much time your child is spending online

• keep your children social, but set rules around their social media interactions.

At Mary Immaculate we subscribe to MATHLETICS. Children all have their individual logins and teachers may set tasks as part of the weekly learning focus. This tool is available at anytime activities can be accessed out of school hours. 

There are many websites and apps available that children can use to consolidate number facts and concepts. 

If you are interested in downloading Numeracy apps for devices at home, we have attached a list of apps to support Mathematics Learning of Students in the Early Years (K-2) and Middle Years (Years 3-8). Some are free while others have a small cost involved. 

Thank you once again for your continued effort! We look forward to teaching the children in the classroom once again when it is safe for all!


Numeracy Apps for Kinder to Year 2

Numeracy apps for Years 3-6

Wellbeing

Mindfulness

Kids and families the world over are going through a lot. Mindfulness activities can provide children with emotional and cognitive tools to help them manage emotions and behaviours, reduce stress, sharpen concentration, and increase empathy and optimism. 

Teach Starter mindfulness activities have always been super popular with teachers. They have now developed a home learning pack full of our best mindfulness activities. This resource is available for you to view, download and use at home with your kids. 

Mindfulness - Learning from Home Pack. 

Find out more about mindfulness at Smiling Mind

Also available online and on Smart devices, are some great podcasts which include guided meditation, stories and activities which you can use with the family. 

                                       

 

PODCASTS

Love Learning

Love Learning is an audio learning tool for children brought to you by the teachers at Teach Starter. We’ll share weekly activities in every area of the curriculum, as well as tips and support for learning. Listen in for stories, guided meditations, listen-and-do activities and much more. We love teaching, and we’re here to help you love learning!

Grow Your Mind 

The Grow Your Mind Podcast - Brain boggling facts, animals on walkie talkies and how broccoli and friendship have more in common than you think. Hosted by an entertaining class of 12 year old students, The Grow Your Mind Podcast uses storytelling, interviews and humour to increase children's understanding of their mental health and ways to be resilient. So download our free episode-themed colouring-in sheets and relax while you listen to topics exploring gratitude, healthy friendships, courage, benefit mindset, the importance of movement and hope!

That’s Incredible 

That's Incredible is a podcast for parents and kids that's packed with incredible facts and amazing stories about the world around us. Hosted by Andrew Daddo, each week we go on an adventure and explore topics like the human body, sport, music, science, technology and space.  Plus, we'll find out what it's like to travel to the moon, sing in front of the Queen and climb to the top of Mount Everest!

You can subscribe and listen to podcasts on the following platforms

Updates

WINTER / SUMMER UNIFORM TRANSITION

As the weather is unpredictable, we will have a transition period into full winter uniform. If the weather is warm, children are welcome to wear summer uniform. However if the weather changes and you would prefer your child to wear their winter uniform they are able to do so. Please note that children are to wear full winter or summer uniform not a mixture. Parents will be advised of the date the students are to commence wearing full winter uniform only. 


Uniform Shop

Please order winter uniform items online using the QKR App. 

Online orders are to be placed on the QKR App by 4:00pm Monday and Thursday and delivery will be every Tuesday and Friday mornings during the school Term. 

For further information please contact Elle on 0421 216 414 or via email elle@ozfashions.com.au.

2020 School Fees

If you would like to organise a flexible payment plan for 2020 school fees please email Liz Padlan on imac-qkhlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au.

For those that have been financially impacted by COVID-19, please click on the following link for fee relief information: 

CEDP Fee Relief

The fee relief form can be completed online or downloaded as a PDF. If you are completing the paper document, please scan and email to cl@parra.catholic.edu.au (Community Liaison at CEDP). All information will remain strictly confidential.

Enrolling Now for Kindergarten 2021.

Enrolment applications are now being accepted for Kindergarten 2021. Enrolment packs are available from the school office or can be downloaded from Mary Immaculate's website.

Please inform family and friends if they have children who are eligible to attend Kindergarten in 2021. 

School Canteen

Paula's Pantry will be closed until further notice.

Thank you for your understanding. 


Happy Birthday to the Students Celebrating Their Birthday in May

Sienna A, Advaith A, Alexander B,  Stella B, Phoenix B, Sophie B, Clara C, Zev C, Emma C, Marcus D, Chloe E, Erwan E,  Aviel F, Nihal G, Kayleigh G, John-Paul J, Havya K, Zacharia K, Saabdeep K, Eesha K, Adeng K, Caitlyn L, Rosco L, Noah L, Amelia M, Aryan N, Nissa N, Helena N, Samuel O, Shanaya P, Emilio P, Lucas P, Zoe P, Amber R, Emilie R, Zahra S, Richmond S, Lorenzo T, Marley V, Alana WF, Alexander W, Olivia Y, Edmond Z, Vivian Z

Community News

Mary Immaculate Parish

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR FIRST EUCHARIST CANDIDATES 2020 **

Dear Parishioners, 

Due to the rapidly changing situation with respect to the threat posed by COVID-19, and acting on the advice of the Australian and New South Wales Department of Health we are postponing our First Eucharist Programme enrolments until further notice. We are hoping to advise you within the next week or so in regards to an update.  Apologies for the inconvenience this may cause. 

Mary Immaculate Parish Sacramental Team

Community Advertising

"Please understand we are happy to support local businesses and programmes. However, the following notices are supplied for community information.
This by no means surmounts to an endorsement by the school." (Principal, Mr Stephen Dowd)

At Mary Immaculate we communicate with parents via the free Skoolbag app that is available from both the App Store and Google Play Store. Skoolbag can be installed on any iOS (iPad or iPhone) or Android device. Downloading the app means you immediately receive updates and reminders to your mobile phone or ipad. Remember to subscribe to your child's Year Group so that you will receive messages relevant to their year.  Instructions on how to download the Skoolbag App are available via this link.