St Canice's Primary School Newsletter

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

Many thanks for taking the time to visit us for Student-led Conferences on Tuesday night to hear your child talk about his / her learning. I was so impressed by the children’s pride in their learning and I could feel the joy and pride of parents as children shared work samples and talked about their goals. If you have any follow up questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers. If you missed the opportunity, we can schedule another time. Again, your child’s teaching team is the first point of contact. My thanks to the teachers for the work that went on in advance to ensure the children were confident and had work samples to share that show where they are at in their learning and where to next. 

Open Day Term 2 2022                                                                                      We are opening our doors to the community on Thursday 9 June from 10am-12pm. Please come along and bring your friends! We will showcase Art, Music and classroom learning. You can visit your child in class and share in his / her learning. The children love sharing their school life with their loved ones so do your best for them and come along!

My thanks to all of our families for all that you are doing to support St Canice’s School.

God bless,

Ms Miriam

Parents who attended our Student-led Conferences on Tuesday night got this year's Tell Them from Me survey link, along with a Kit Kat and a tea / coffee bag to help you enjoy a cuppa and do the survey. We are  asking all families to submit a response to the survey so that your voice can be heard as we take this great school forward. Teaching staff  and students will also complete their own survey, ensuring that all voices are heard. 

The survey is confidential and we ask that you do not input any information that can identify you, like your name or your teachers name.

The link to the survey is: http://tellthemfromme.com/stcanices22 

God bless,

Ms Miriam

mmeaney@parra.catholic.edu.au

As part of our school's fundraising this year our school has chosen to support St Vincent de Paul's Winter Appeal.

Throughout the term students will be encouraged to pray for and be aware of those in our community who are homeless and struggling through this cold winter.

Students will have the opportunity to be involved in several activities throughout this term.

These activities will include:

1. Chalk Day

2. Bubble Day

3. Pyjama Day - Wednesday 8/6, Week 7

A one off donation of $5 or above to cover these activities above can be made through the schools Qkr! app. Please consider donating to this cause to help those in our community who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Stage 3 will also have the opportunity to be involved in our annual games night on Friday 24th of June. Students participating in this event will be asked to experience a little of the hardship that some members of our community live through in these cold winter months. More information will be sent at a later date about this event.

Thanking you for your continued support of such an important cause

Ms Morley

Any activities cancelled due to poor weather will be rescheduled. 

St Canice's students are not required at school on Friday 10th of June.

Staff will be completing their First Aid Training Refresher.

No student supervision will be available on this day.

Many thanks to our great team of community builders, who have worked so hard for us in recent weeks. 

My thanks to all who helped with the Election Day barbecue. Thanks to their hard work and community support, our cakes and democracy sausages raise $700 towards essential storage space in the Art Room. As you can see from the picture, it is not yet complete but will be a great addition to the space when it is in a few weeks’ time.

Thank you also to Kerry, James and Jasper  for packaging our Kit Kat treats for the Tell Them From Me survey. We distributed these at the Student-led Conferences. The Community-building team will continue to send reminders to complete the survey through their social channels and I am very grateful for that.

The Community-building team is also promoting our next Open Day on 9th June. 

We also requested some help with the hall. We require a few helpers to clear a storage area. If you think that this is something you / your loved ones can help us with, please contact the office: 4780 6800 / stcanices@parra.catholic.edu.au 

Our next community-building team meeting is on Tuesday 7 June at 9am. Any parents who are free are welcome to join us. 

Stage 1 were very lucky to have a visit from Mr Kenya Bourke. Kenya was a student at St Canice's and is now finishing a degree in Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University before heading overseas to work and travel. Kenya loved his time at St Canice's and even got to catch up with one of his teachers from his time here, Ms Morley.

We are so proud of all our students, past and present!

My thanks to Mrs Wedesweiler for supporting the parish Reconciliation and Communion program. The children preparing for these sacraments attend preparation sessions in our library on Tuesdays after school, along with their parents. The children will receive their First Communion on the feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday 19th June at 10am in St Canice’s Church.  

We keep Grace in Year 5 in our prayers as she prepares for her baptism. We will mark this with a whole school mass on Wednesday, 15th June. We will also reflect on Pentecost Sunday, 5 June, at this Mass.

Many thanks to Lucian Keegel, Alex and Elizabeth’s grandfather, for organising, through Rotary, a Peace Pole for St Canice’s. We have erected the peace pole in the playground adjacent to our Aboriginal, Australian and Torres Strait Islander flags. The message of peace on the pole has been written in four languages: Dharug, Gundungurra, Auslan and English. We look forward to marking the significance of this gift to our community on Wednesday, 21 September 2022- World Day of Peace.

On the 25th January 2017, St Canice's adopted and named a Humpback Whale through www.happywhale.com

Happywhale’s mission is to increase global understanding and caring for marine environments through creating high quality conservation science and education. Whales are magnificent and mysterious creatures, sometimes difficult to see and study, but they inspire awe and admiration in almost everyone so fortunate as to observe them. We are motivated by a desire to learn more about whales, other marine mammals, and the ocean environment that they – and we – depend on. This website is built on the belief that we can make a better world where the world’s oceans are better understood, appreciated and protected through accessible science bringing researchers and ocean enthusiasts together through creative application of web enabled technology.

Canice was sighted once in 2021, on March 11, in Banderas Bay in Nayarit, Mexico. You can see the photo and a map of the sighting here: https://happywhale.com/individual/888;enc=284953. Banderas Bay is a known mating and calving ground for Canice’s population of humpback whales. Notes from the encounter indicate that Canice was among a competitive group of 5 whales

Canice was also seen twice in 2020. Once in January in Nayarit, Mexico, west of Las Varas, and once in June in Monterey Bay, California, where whales from this population often congregate to feed.

You can see Canice’s complete record of sightings through our partners at Happywhale here - https://happywhale.com/individual/888 - including a map, as well as images and notes from each encounter.

At this time of year, Canice will be on feeding grounds along the California coast. With lots of people out whale watching, there is always a possibility that Canice is re-sighted during this time. I would encourage you to click the “Follow” button on Canice’s Happywhale page and sign up there. That way you will be the first to know if Canice is re-sighted. We will also do our best to keep you informed of any updates we receive regarding Canice’s whereabouts.

Please click on the link to follow Canice the Whale

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 are very privileged to have Kelly, who has been assigned by Transport NSW as the school crossing supervisor.

We won't have Kellie on duty for the next few weeks as she is currently on a working holiday overseas.

The School Crossing Supervisor program is a state-wide program that contributes to the safety of infants and primary school students. School crossing supervisors help students use the crossings on roads adjacent to or nearby schools. 

School crossing supervisors are provided to increase mobility and safety around schools by enhancing the performance of pedestrian traffic facilities. School crossing supervisors provide additional measures for the safe and efficient movement of primary and infant school children.

The School Crossing Supervisor program is an important component of the Safety around schools program.

Please say hello to Kelly when you see her and remember to follow her instructions for the safety of all.

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

Welcome to Mrs Sue Kondek, who has returned to St Canice's in our Library.

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 informed me of your interest. I will be in touch early term 2 to chat about how you can help.

Happy reading.

Ms Sue

Futsal Sporting Schools Program 

Two weeks ago all students from Kindy to year 6 participated in our Sporting school Futsal program with our fabulous coaches Peter Nowakowski and Sue Kondek. Our children will be learning many skills and tricks throughout the four week program taking place on Fridays. With our leftover funding we will be purchasing new indoor soccer goals and other much needed sporting equipment. 

School Athletics Carnival 17th June 2022 @ Glenbrook Oval 

BMCC has recently informed us that Pitt Park at Wentworth Falls is expected to be closed until September, 2022. Our carnival is now being held at Glenbrook oval on the Friday 17th June, 2022.  If weather predicts rain our backup carnival will be held at Tom Hunter Park at Faulconbridge on Tuesday 19th July, 2022 (First day of term 3) There will be running races and fun activities for all the children from Kindy to year 6. Students aged  8 years + can compete in their age group to qualify for the Nepean Zone Athletics carnival which will be held at Blacktown International Sports Stadium on 4th August, 2022. Students will travel to Glenbrook Oval by bus. Permission notes will be distributed this week.

Soccer Blitz

 We have some exciting news. On Tuesday 28th June, 2022  St Canice's students will be having their own mini soccer blitz  here on school grounds. This will be a fantastic  day, where students will play  mini games against their own stage to show off some skills they have learnt from our Sporting Schools Futsal program.

Parents are most welcome to join us. More information will be provided in a couple of weeks. 

Kind Regards, 

Kylie Ranson 

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 2 Statements have been posted to all families.  If you have not received your Statement, or if you have any questions, 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.

Congratulations to Molly (Yr 11), Neve (Yr 11), Emanuel (Yr 11) and Sebastian (Yr 10) who recently represented the PDSSSC at the NSWCCC Soccer Championships! Well done!

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

In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, CEDP would like to remind schools about the availability of the following free webinars for parents and carers in Term 2: 

• Parental controls

Designed for parents and carers of young people aged 4-13

Register now 

• Online gaming

Designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8–13.

Thu 9 June 2022 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Fri 17 June 2022 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Tue 21 June 2022 7:3pm - 8:30pm

Register now 

The full 2022 parent and carer education schedule is available here.

Follow this link to access details of dates and instructions on how to register. 

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