* subject to government restrictions

New dates

Term 2

• Thurs, 23 Jun - RecG & RecDW Excursion (Wk 8)
  
• Tues, 28 Jun - Term 3 Receptions' Orientation Visit #1 (Wk 9)
• Thurs, 30 Jun - 2ST Excursion (Wk 9)
• Fri, 1 Jul - 2A & 2C Excursion (Wk 9)
• Tues, 5 Jul - Sacramental Parent Meeting: 7pm First Eucharist (Wk 10)
• Tues, 5 Jul - Term 3 Receptions' Orientation Visit #2 (Wk 10)
• Tues, 5 Jul - Reports go home (Wk 10)
• Fri, 8 Jul - Last Day of Term 2, 12:30pm Finish (Wk 10)
• Sat, 9 Jul - 6pm Family Mass, Mater Dei Church (Wk 10)

Term 3

• Tues, 26 Jul - First Day of Term 3 (Wk 1)
• Fri, 5 Aug - School Disco (Wk 2)
• Thurs, 11 Aug - Cross Country (Wk 3)
• Sat, 13 Aug - 6pm Family Mass, Mater Dei Church (Wk 3)
• Wed, 17 Aug - School Board (Wk 4)
• Thurs, 18 Aug - School Photo Day (Wk 4)
• Fri, 19 Aug - P&F Showdown Donuts (Wk 4)
• Wed, 24 Aug - Book Week (Wk 5)
• Wed, 31 Aug - ICAS Mathematics Assessment (Wk 6)
• Thurs, 1 Sep - Father's Day Stall (Wk 6)
• Fri, 2 Sep - Father's Day Breakfast (Wk 6)
• Wed, 7 Sep - P&F Meeting (Wk 7)
• Fri, 9 Sep - Pupil Free Day (Wk 7)
• Sat, 10 Sep - 6pm Family Mass, Mater Dei Church (Wk 7)
• Wed, 14 Sep - Combined School Board (Wk 8)
• Fri, 30 Sep - Last Day of Term 3 (Wk 10)

Term 4

• Mon, 17 Oct - First Day of Term 4 (Wk 1)
• Sat, 12 Nov - 6pm Family Mass, Mater Dei Church (Wk 4)
• Fri, 2 Dec - Carols on the Green (Wk 7)
• Sat, 10 Dec - 6pm Family Mass, Mater Dei Church (Wk 8)
• Mon, 12 Dec - Reports go home (Wk 9)
• Tues, 13 Dec - Graduation Mass/ Ceremony (Wk 9)
• Thurs, 15 Dec - Last Day of Term 4 (Wk 9)

As an educator for the last 33 years, I have seen many changes in primary schools such as teaching and assessment practices, STEM and digital technology available for children, but I would say that, unfortunately, one of the biggest changes I have seen in primary school children is an increase in anxiety.  In fact, I heard in the news recently that the Victorian Government has made a huge financial commitment to provide a Well-Being staff member in every primary school in Victoria by 2026. 

I am sure that there are many factors that result in children’s anxiety, but I am of the belief that social media platforms are a significant contributor to this situation.  Smart devices and social media sites have become part of our children’s lives and they strongly influence how our children create, share and engage information with others.  Despite all the great things about cyberspace, the online world does create some problems for children.

Technology exposes children to: inappropriate content; cyber bullying; sexting, online grooming, identity theft and online pornography.

Young people’s cognitive development will never equal their technical ability.  It is important that we work together to help and guide them and intervene when necessary.

Susan McLean is the author of Sexts, Texts and Selfies.  She is one of Australia’s foremost experts in the area of cyber safety and young people.  Below is a list of things she recommends we talk about with young people:

• Cyber space is a public space – even if you have your accounts set to the highest level of privacy and security the content is still accessible to those who know how
• Think before you post to limit damage to your reputation
• Nothing can be totally deleted
• You are never anonymous online
• You always leave a digital footprint
• Passwords must never be shared other than child to parent - teach your children that passwords are a secret you share with mum and dad
• There is no such thing as a safe website or app - just a safe user
• Anyone can be online - people lie online

• Manners are important

  • Words don't convey facial expressions or emotions - be aware of your tone
  • Even when using emojis things can be taken the wrong way
  • Caps lock equals shouting
  • If you wouldn't swear in front of your Nanna, don't swear online
  • Don't send emails or texts when you are overtired, emotional or angry - leave it until the morning
  • Treat others how you would like to be treated - don't respond to negativity with negativity
  • If you wouldn't say it to someone's face - don't say it online

Throughout her book Susan McLean reminds parents of the importance of being informed, empowered and in control when it comes to technology, and she stresses that parents need to continually talk to their children about online safety issues.

Parents increasingly face many pressures with what they allow and what access they provide for their children.  It is important to know that children should not be on social media platforms before the age of 13 because the algorithms shape the children’s brains and influence their thinking adversely.  I strongly encourage all parents to ensure that children do not have laptops, devices or mobile phones in their bedrooms when it is time to go to bed and monitor that children do not spend more than two hours of leisure time using screens on any given day.

Let us continue to raise healthy, happy, positive children who are well balanced and look to keep anxiety at a minimum.

Kind regards

Frank Congedi

Dear Families,

We are very excited to announce that we have been given a date for our Year 5/6 Wakakirri performance at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Wednesday 10th August at 7pm.

Tickets to the show are $38. If any school families would like to see the show, tickets can be purchased through the school, but only for a very short time!  Please go onto QKR no later than 28th June. That's only 5 days!  After that, tickets will go on sale to the general public, but are likely to sell out quickly.

Year 5/6 students themselves will be entering via backstage and will not need a ticket.

Mrs Melanie Harrald

Performing Arts Teacher

This term we have been learning about materials and how everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways, in the context of manipulating familiar materials like paper, plastic, metal and playdough.

We have done lots of experiments this term like seeing how many times we can fold different sizes of paper, seeing if different brands of lolly snakes stretch longer or which materials scrunch into the smallest ball.

This week, we looked at what would happen to a piece of chocolate after we closed it in our hand and counted to 100. Some students' piece of chocolate got very soft and squishy, and others didn’t change much at all. We spoke about how hard we were closing our hands or the temperature of our hands, affected the chocolate. It was a fun lesson and our hands smelt very yummy.

Mrs Elle Fairweather

Specialist Science Teacher 

At the start of this term, the year 3 unit went on an excursion to the South Australian Museum and Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Our focus was to further develop our perspective of Indigenous culture and how they were very resourceful of the land.  

We visited the Australian Aboriginal Cultures collection in the museum. We examined different tools that were made from natural resources and what they were used for.

To support our learning, we walked to the Botanic Gardens to part take in an Aboriginal Plant Trail. We learnt about how Aboriginal people used plants to live and survive. We also learnt the importance of plants to Aboriginal people, as they provided them with food, medicine, tools and shelter.

‘Did you know that a Yacca Tree has flower spikes that were used for light weight spears? It also provides seeds that can be grounded to make flour for damper.’

Canteen staff work 9-1:30pm which includes tasks such as assembling sandwiches, wraps, baking homemade items, preparing jellies and popcorn, filling lunch orders and serving at recess and lunch.  Whether you can assist for this whole time or just a portion of it, your time is very appreciated.  Ice blocks are particularly popular on very hot days, so if you can help serve at recess (11-11:30am) and/ or lunch (1-1:30pm), just that help is wonderful!

Please see me at the Canteen if you are available to assist.  You will need to have your full Volunteer Requirements fulfilled including Catholic Clearance and proof of double vaccination.

Thankyou to the following volunteers assisting in Week 9 (27 Jun - 1 Jul):

Help is always welcome and very much appreciated in the Canteen.