Mary Immaculate Primary Newsletter

Term 4 Week 6: Monday 18th November 2019

Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Carers,

Does the world spin faster between now and New Year? Does there always seem to be so much to do and a mixture of excitement and frustration? The decorations and merchandising goes up in the shops and yes the season has begun!

This year, more than ever perhaps, we have cause to reflect on what is important. We will, over Christmas gather for meals, give thanks for our blessings and pray with empathy for those in our nation and beyond affected by the incredible challenges they are facing this year. I am heartened by the tremendous outpouring that we all are witnessing from so many members of our Australian society. 

When we see people risking their own lives each day to help and protect others, it puts a lot of things into perspective. It evokes from all of us to take this example of selflessness and act with even more gratitude and generosity for others. This after all is the Christmas message from our Christian traditions. 

I invite all families to talk about this Christmas in preparation for December 25. Perhaps some families might decide to do something different this year to make this a really ‘special’ Christmas. Before we get further caught up in the decorations and merchandising talk with your kids about Christmas this year and how they would like it to be. You might just be overwhelmed by the thoughts of your amazing young people!

With appreciation of your ongoing support,

Stephen Dowd, Principal

{ REMINDER } MIPS Staff Development Day - Friday 29th November 2019

Our Staff Development Day this term is on Friday in week 7. The agenda for this Staff Development Day will be on Religious Education - Learning and Formation. We have progressed significantly over recent years in the implementation of our Inquiry Learning platform. This day will be integral in the culmination of this work and our preparations for 2020 and beyond. Please mark this date in your diaries as this is a pupil free day, there will be no classes. COSHC will be open for the Pupil Free Day on Friday, 29th November from 6:30am - 6:30pm. Forms are available at COSHC, please feel free to contact Courtney on 0417 203 333.

Upcoming Dates

Canteen Tender Closes

Date and Time

From Thursday, November. 21st, 3:00 pm to Thursday, November. 21st, 3:00 pm

Information

Get your tender applications in before 3pm at https://www.tenderlink.com/parracatholic/

Reconciliation Liturgy Session 1

Date and Time

From Thursday, November. 21st, 5:00 pm to Thursday, November. 21st, 6:00 pm

Reconciliation Liturgy Session 2

Date and Time

From Thursday, November. 21st, 7:00 pm to Thursday, November. 21st, 8:00 pm

Friday Assembly Cancelled Due to Disco

Date and Time

From Friday, November. 22nd to Friday, November. 22nd

K to 3 Disco Night

Date and Time

From Friday, November. 22nd, 5:30 pm to Friday, November. 22nd, 7:00 pm

4 to 6 Disco Night

Date and Time

From Friday, November. 22nd, 7:30 pm to Friday, November. 22nd, 9:00 pm

"High School Week" for Year 6

Date and Time

From Monday, November. 25th to Monday, December. 2nd

Staff Development Day

Date and Time

From Friday, November. 29th to Friday, November. 29th

Latest News

Number Busting in Year 6!

This week, students worked on number busting of three-digit numbers, applying their knowledge from all areas of number. We built the Success Criteria together, with a focus on transferring skills in the area of BODMAS. We have had a focus on the Order of Operations in class so it was great to see many students transferring their knowledge into their weekly Number Busting!


“Today we did Number busting on the number 125. I firstly worked out how 125 can actually fit into all kinds of algorithms- adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying. My best thinking today was when I wrote an algorithm which followed the BODMAS rule which showed my transfer from learning about BODMAS in class.” - Riley Cross


“Today we number busted the number 125. To find out ways 125 can fit into different types of algorithms, I started with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. I then used BODMAS and number sentences to take my work to the transfer level. My best number bust today was my BODMAS algorithms.” - Chelsea Mortimer


“In Year 6 today, we all got together for Number Busting. The teachers gave us a number - 125. We went back to our desk and worked out different word problems, algorithms, BODMAS equations and used the basic mathematical algorithms like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. I found number busting today challenging in some areas and in others fairly easy. I learnt new things by listening to my peers ideas and what skills they used to solve and work out the Number Bust of 125. One of the algorithms I heard while l was on the floor was (30-5)x5 which ended up equalling 125.” - Connor O’Reilly 

Maths Olympiad News

The Maths Olympiad has concluded for 2019. We congratulate all students who participated this year. It was awesome to see all of the hard work and effort that was put into the preparation for the competition by the MIPS team. All competitors are congratulated on their outstanding efforts! 

The 2019 team was Darrell S, Sebastian T, Lucas W, Jacob G, Evan P, Noah S, Alaysha G, Samuel R, Kanav S, Harrison N, David G, Chaline C, Joshua C, Isabella N and  Gerald R.

There were some students who have been recognised by the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads for their excellent results in the 5 Olympiads.

1st Place (Top 20%) : Lucas W and Kanav S

2nd Place (Top 25%) : Samuel R

3rd Place (Top 40%): Alaysha G

Encouragement Award: Darrell S

Congratulations! 

Angela Ruys

Maths Olympiad Organiser

Stage 3 visit St John Paul II

On Wednesday, 13th November, Stage 3 attended a matinee performance of St John Paul II’s performance “On Screen”. We were treated to a talented showcase of singing, music, dancing and musical theatre. It was terrific to see past MIPS students performing their amazing talents on stage. We were also treated to a BBQ lunch on the day. Stage 3 had a terrific excursion!

Kindy Disco!

A lot of fun was had today at the Kindy "day time" disco! They did the Chicken Dance and learnt the YMCA! Thank you Peta for running the disco.

Message from the Library

Overdue Books

As we are now already over half way through term 4 I would like to remind students to please have a look at home for any library books or readers that have not been returned. As you search please remember it doesn’t matter from how far back the book was borrowed. Sometimes library books get mixed up with our home library so please if you think you might have one at home that was overlooked it’s not too late to return it.

There are home reader packs with one or two books missing as well as books missing off our library shelves so please let’s work together and see if we can return as many as possible.

I would also like to remind year 6 students that all overdue books on your account will automatically carry over to the high school that you go to so it is possible that you may not be able to borrow until that book comes off your name.

I will be sending home overdue notices over the next 2 weeks but if you are not sure if you have any at home please don’t hesitate to come and ask.

Mrs Belcastro

MIPS Library

2019 School Fees - DUE WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2019

All school fees for 2019 should now be complete unless you are on an extended payment plan. If you are not on a payment plan, fees must be finalised by Wednesday, 20th November 2019 to avoid escalation to CEDP.

If you have any queries please contact Liz Padlan in the school office on 02 9933 7800 or via email: imac-qkhlfees@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Payments can be made via the internet using your BPay reference code or over the phone.

Thank you to all the families who have finalised their accounts.

School Canteen Licence

Mary Immaculate Primary School

125 Barnier Drive, Quakers Hill

Tenders are called for the School Canteen Licence commencing Term 1, 2020, for a term of one year (option to renew for a further 1 year).  The school is a K-6 co-educational primary school of 650 students and 55 staff.

Please register and download the tender from Tenderlink.

The Tenderlink address is provided below. 

https://www.tenderlink.com/parracatholic/

Tender closing date is this Thursday, 21 November 2019 at 3:00pm.

Leaving Student Form

If you intend to withdraw your child from Mary Immaculate Primary School please download, complete and return the leaving student form as soon as possible. Note that there is a 10 school week notice period otherwise a full term's fees will be payable.

Download

Sporting News

Dates to Remember

Touch Football Gala Day, Tue 10th December, Doyle Park, Parramatta

Swimming Carnival, Wed 11th December, Mount Druitt Pools. Permission notes have been sent home, please ensure that you return your notes this week.

2020 Parramatta Diocesan Team Sport Trials are OPEN

ALL 2020 Team Sport Trials are OPEN, however, the Summer Sports of BASKETBALL and TENNIS registrations close for these sports ONLY on Monday, 11th November as these trials will be held in November 2019.

All other sports trials will be held in Term One and Two in 2020.

Any Primary students enrolled in Year 5 and 6 in 2020 are invited to participate in the Parramatta Diocesan Team Sport Trials. 

It is important to note that these trials are generally for those children who display an above-average ability and/or have representative experience in their chosen sport. While teams are open in age it is strongly recommended that only children of a representative standard in Years 5 & 6 in 2020 be invited to attend. 

Parramatta Diocesan trials will be held in the following sports: AFL, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League (11yrs & Opens), Rugby Union, Softball, Tennis & Touch Football. The sports of Diving & Golf will be held at the MacKillop level.

To be eligible for selection for these trials an Online Team Registration Form must be completed that can be accessed below.

http://www.primarysportparra.catholic.edu.au/

This online form is an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST for the 2020 Parramatta Diocesan Primary Sport Team trials. Parents may complete this form to attend a selection trial. One form is to be completed per child, per individual sport. Each sport has its own criteria, therefore, it is imperative that the correct form is completed.

Please note that your online registration is an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY and MUST be approved by the child's school. In order for the child to attend the nominated trial or event, this may come down to the discretion of the school as to who is selected to attend the trial. In some sports, only 2 students per school can be nominated.  All fields and especially “Representative Experience” MUST be completed. Under no circumstances will a child be eligible to trial if the Online Registration Form has not been completed and approved by the school by the closing date.

P&F Association Annual General Meeting 2019

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4th December 2019. An invitation is extended to all of the MIPS Parent Community to join the P&F Association and partake in this important meeting for the planning of 2020.

Clause 8.5.3: At each Annual General Meeting all positions shall be declared vacant. The members of the Association shall elect an Executive Committee as required by 5.1. The positions available will be:

PresidentVice President
SecretaryTreasurer
Fundraising CoordinatorAssistant Fundraising Coordinator
Communications CoordinatorPRC Representative

The Parish Priest, the Principal or the Assistant Principal shall conduct each election and declare the result.

Regards, Maria Petridou - P&F Association President

Community News

Catherine McAuley Westmead Enrolments for Year 7 2021

Catherine McAuley Westmead is now accepting enrolments for Year 7 2021. The closing date for Year 7 2021 applications 1st round offers is Friday, 27th March 2020.

Parents and their daughters have the opportunity to tour the school campus at one of our upcoming school tours specifically for Year 7 2021 applicants, but open to any year group. 

Tuesday 12th November and Thursday 5th December 2019, 9:15am – 11:00am

These mornings will provide parents and students with the opportunity to tour our school on a normal school day. You will be able to view our school grounds and facilities, go into classrooms and meet our students and teachers. Enrolment packs will be available on the day.

Contact our School Reception on 9849 9100 to book a place on a school tour.

Please note that following these tours there will be no other school tours held until our Open Afternoon in early March 2020 (date still to be confirmed).

Quakers Hill Immaculate IMPS Playgroup

We are very lucky to have a playgroup right here at Mary Immaculate Primary School! Our playgroup caters for children from 0-6 years of age.

Playgroup is a FUN way for you and your children to meet others, share and learn through play in an ideal environment through spontaneous unstructured play.

Playgroup NSW Community Playgroups are run by families for families, which means that they reflect the needs of the families in the community hence there are no paid workers, allowing the Playgroups to represent the needs and philosophies of the attending families.

Spontaneous unstructured play is a very important part of a child’s development. It allows them to increase their problem solving skills, develop their language and social skills by modelling other children and adults, develop an understanding of size, shape and texture, develop their imagination which is very important for healthy brain development, and master skills that will help develop self-confidence and the ability to recover quickly from setbacks.

If you would like to come for a visit please see our contact details below. 

Information about Mary Immaculate Playgroup

Playgroup Name: Quakers Hill Immaculate Imps

Venue details: Mary Immaculate Primary School, 125 Barnier Drive, Quakers Hill

Days

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Times

n/a

9-11am

n/a

n/a

9-11am

Term session fee: 1 child (12mths+) = $12 per school term ($35 annual discounted fee)

2 or more children (12mths+) $15 per school term ($45 annual discounted fee)

Playgroup email: melissa_bugeja@hotmail.com (coordinator)

Coordinator’s name: Melissa Butcher                         Contact number: 0403825179

At Mary Immaculate we communicate with parents via our free Skoolbag app that is available from both the App Store and Google Play Store. Downloading our app means you immediately receive updates and reminders to your mobile phone. How good is that!