*New Dates

TERM 2

• Mon, 1 May - First Day of School
• Wed, 10th May - Year 6 Assembly 
• Wed, 10th May - 7pm Sacramental Parent meeting (in MMK Hall)
• Thurs, 11th May - Mother's Day Stall
• Fri, 12th May - Mother's Day Breakfast from 7.30am 
• Mon, 15th - Sun 21st May - CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
• Mon 15th - Community Prayer - Year 3 Unit
• Wed, 17th May - Journey to Emmaus Day 1- Year 6 
• Mon, 22nd May - Community Prayer - Year 5 Unit
• Wed, 24th May - Reception Assembly
• Sat 27th May - 28th  Pentecost Sunday 
• Mon 29th May - Community Prayer - Year 6 Unit
• Mon 5th Jun, Community Prayer - Year 1 Unit
• Wed, 7th Jun - Year 3 Assembly 
• Fri, 9 Jun - Pupil Free Day
• Mon, 12 Jun - King's Birthday
• Mon 19th Jun, Community Prayer - Year 2 Unit
• Wed 21st  Jun, Year 5 Assembly 
• Mon 26th Jun, Community Prayer - Reception Unit
• Mon 3rd Jul, Community Prayer - Year 4 Unit
• Thurs, 6th Jul - School Concert
• Fri, 7 Jul - Pupil Free Day 

TERM 3

• Mon, 24 Jul - First Day of School
• Fri, 8 Sep - Pupil Free Day
• Fri, 29 Sep - Last Day of School 12:30pm dismissal

TERM 4

• Mon, 16 Oct - First Day of School
• Thurs, 14 Dec - Last Day of School 3:05pm dismissal

Dear Parents and Community Members,

This term we have commenced sending out a newsletter every 2 weeks and this is being trialled until the end of the year. If we require to send any additional information we will be using Audiri (name changed from Skool-bag) and/or See-Saw.

Winter Uniform

As we begin Term 2, I am encouraging all families to maintain high uniform standards. Parents are required to support the uniform policy of the school and, if on any given day your child is unable to wear the correct uniform please communicate directly with your child’s teacher.

I am providing some images to best help visualize the winter uniform: (as below)

In Term 2 and 3 children wear their winter uniform. Students wear a long-sleeved blue shirt, school tie and school jumper. In 2021, following parent feedback, the School Board made a decision to transition girls from white shirts to blue shirts. We are currently, in the middle of the 3-year process and this process of transition will continue until the end of 2024. By the beginning of 2025, all girls’ shirts will require to be blue.

A pinafore style is used for Reception to Year 4 girls. If a child in Year 4 is beginning to outgrow their pinafore, with permission from the Principal the pinafore can be cut to a skirt .

The skirt is worn by Year 5 and 6 girls.

Below is an image demonstrating the school winter uniform which includes long sleeved blue short, trousers. When they are wearing a school uniform they wear the school jumper not their sports top.

Both boys and girls wear their sports uniform with long sleeved sports jacket and trousers.

Please note that as part of the Uniform Policy:

· Students are not to wear make-up, nail polish or jewellery (except for plain ear one stud or small sleepers in each ear, a simple necklace of religious significance and a watch. It is recommended that children wear inexpensive items.

· Students should only have conventional hairstyles appropriate to the uniform code are allowed (no extreme haircuts and coloured hair is not permitted).

· Neatness, safety and hygiene constraints require shoulder-length hair to be tied back by an elastic band or something else in the colours of the school. Ribbons etc, must be blue or black.

PLEASE REFER TO ALL IMAGES BELOW

Mary Mackillop Awards

At the end of Term 1, three students received a Mary Mackillop Award. This award is given to a child who demonstrates extraordinary acts of kindness, and extraordinary acts of reaching out to help others. Anyone in our community can nominate and in fact Parker D. was nominated by one of our mums in the school after witnessing him going out of his way to help another child during Sports Day. Arlo C. Is one of our school captains and he himself did the same, helping a child who had fallen to the ground and encouraged him to keep going. The third student is Matilda S. she is one of the kindest students I know. She is always inclusive of all and she is kind and respectful to others.

Congratulations to Parker D, Arlo C and Matilda S for being exemplary in their kindness.

Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break.

Community Prayer

Community Prayer continues on Monday mornings at 8:45am with year level units leading us in prayer. As we move into colder and wetter weather – please listen out on the microphone in the morning as you will be directed into the hall on those mornings where the weather isn’t kind enough for us to be outside together in prayer.

Class Masses

All classes will attend a Parish Mass across this term at the Mater Dei church beginning at 9:15am. We invite all family and friends to attend, and you are welcome to either sit with your child, or have them sit with you during Mass.

Whole School Mass – Week 6 – Tuesday 6th June

This term we will be celebrating the Feast of the Holy Trinity with a Whole School Mass on Tuesday the 6th of June (time to be confirmed). This Mass will be held in the hall and parents and families are invited to attend this Mass. More information will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

All Community Prayer and Masses are listed on the Term 2 Community Prayer Calendar.

Project Compassion Boxes – Last Call

We have well and truly moved into the Season of Easter, as we creep closer to the Feast of Pentecost. If you still have Project Compassions boxes at home with some loose coins – can you please return then to front office so that we can finalise our donation to Caritas Australia. I will inform the school community in the coming weeks about how much we have raised for Project Compassion and Father Charles during these fundraisers.

We ask all boxes to be returned at the start of next week please. Thank you for your fundraising efforts during Lent, and for supporting Caritas Australia.

God Bless,

Josh Page

APRIM

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to share with you some highlights from our Term 1 on historical narratives, which focused on the First Fleet and the year 1788. Our students have been exploring the stories, events, and experiences of the first European settlers in Australia.

Students investigated the journey of the First Fleet, learning about the different ships that were part of the fleet and the conditions on board during the long voyage to Australia. They also explored the experiences of the first settlers upon arrival, the challenges they faced, and their interactions with the Indigenous population.

While learning about these concepts, they also sharpened their writing skills, producing their own historical narratives that showcased their understanding of the events and people of the time.

We are proud of the hard work and enthusiasm that our Year 4 students have shown throughout this unit, and we look forward to seeing how their understanding of Australian history continues to grow in the future.

Sincerely,

Tim Krieg

Dear Parents/Caregivers, 

We are delighted to inform you that Whitefriars will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS Assessment this year for students in Years 2 to 6.  

Please see attached letter with further information regarding this.

Performing Arts Newsletter Item – Week 2

We are excited as we begin our dance rehearsals this term for our School Concert, Beyond the Garden Gate. This will be held on Thursday 6th July at the Adelaide 36er’s Arena.

Once again, we are pleased to have Ground Force as part of our team to help with items for student in years 2-6. Mrs Harrald will be working with Reception and Year 1 students on their dance item.

Here are some action shots of the first week’s rehearsals.

The School Concert Committee have been working hard to organise costumes and props. If any families have any of the following items to donate, please contact Melanie Harrald on mharrald@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au

· Scraps of MDF

· Large white pieces of fabric

Keep an eye out in the newsletter for more information.

Regards,

Concert Committee

From the Sports Desk

State SAPSASA Swimming Championships

On Thursday last week, Henry and Sam Reynolds participated in the State Swimming Championships. The boys were selected from the trials held last term and were representing our school for the Western Districts, competing against swimmers from all over South Australia. All swimmers at the carnival were the best in their districts so to actually be selected was an amazing achievement. Western Districts are in Division 1 this year so the boys were up against the best swimming schools in the State. Henry and Sam both won a bronze medal on the day and Sam also took home a bronze medal in the relay.

Congratulations to Henry and Sam on this fantastic achievement.

AFL SAPSASA selection

Congratulations to Eliza Fletcher and Jacob Cameron who were both selected for the Western Districts AFL teams. Selection for AFL is always very competitive at these trials so to be selected Eliza and Jacob must have excelled. We wish them good luck at the upcoming State Championships at West Beach.

Soccer Season Commencing

This weekend will see almost 100 students from Whitefriars begin the Soccer season which runs until September. We have 11 teams overall thanks to our amazing volunteers. We wish all players the best for the season and hope that they have a great time representing Whitefriars whilst playing the great game of Soccer.

Each year we have over 100 registered volunteers who help our school in so many different ways, contributing to our school and supporting children and staff.  Registered volunteers contribute to the school community in just some of the following ways:

• School Board 
• Parents & Friends events
• After School Sports (Coaches and Team Managers)
• Canteen
• Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
• Reading with children
• Assisting at excursions

All volunteers are required to obtain appropriate clearances, including a Department of Human Services (DHS) Clearance and Catholic Clearance.

Once submitted, clearances may take up to 6 weeks to process.

When you receive your clearance or card please bring this into the office for us to update to the Volunteer Register.

If you would like to volunteer, please see staff in the front office for a Volunteer Information Pack and support in registering as a volunteer.

Please see below for current volunteers wanted in our school.

Thankyou to the following volunteers assisting in Term 2, Week 3 & 4 

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful school community and spend some of your day making delicious food, chatting and laughing in good company, having fun and of course drinking coffee, whether you are able to assist for both recess and lunch, or just an hour, it makes a huge difference and we would love to have you join us.

• Monday - Friday
• Times: all day (9-1:30pm), recess (10:50-11:30am), lunch (12:50-1:30pm) or just an hour wherever you can!
• Tasks include: Making popcorns, jellies, sandwiches, assembling burgers, serving at the counter, packing lunches and stacking the chip rack.

Tasks are given in very easy, manageable steps so everyone can comfortably learn as you go.  No experience necessary!

If you would like to volunteer some time in the Canteen or would like to ask questions about what is involved, please contact Iris at the Canteen before school.

Iris Mori

Canteen Manager

We acknowledge and pay our respect to the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land of Mikawomma on which Whitefriars Catholic School is located.  We come with open hearts and minds to listen and learn from Elders - past, present and emerging.