The following events are in the calendar in the next week.

To see the school's full calender check out the SZApp or our website.

CLASS STRUCTURE IN 2020

Dear Parents

As we approach the end of the 2019 school year it is time to focus on plans for continuing to provide quality education and a happy and nurturing learning environment for 2020.  I am very pleased to announce that our staffing allocation for 2020 will allow us to operate seven class groups. We will also be able to maintain, and possibly increase, the level of learning support our school provides.

Our year level student enrolment numbers are not consistent across the year levels (see below) resulting in very small classes and very large classes.

In consideration for the above class sizes in 2020, the class structure will be:

This structure also has the benefit of providing students, over the course of their seven year enrolment, to develop a wider range of positive peer relationships and friendships.

Educationally, the combined classes will be just as effective as stand alone classes as the NSW syllabus is organised in Stages: Early Stage 1 is Kinder; Years 1 and 2 are Stage One; Years 3 and 4 are Stage Two and Years 5 and 6 are Stage 3.

In organising the class groups the focus will be centred on creating a positive learning environment for all students.  The classes will be of mixed academic ability and attention will also be given to placing students with peers that they work best with and cooperate best with.  The year levels will be split evenly.  If families have two siblings in the same stage group you are invited to contact myself to discuss if you wish the children to be in the same class as we will automatically place them separately.

In 2020 the school has decided to add an additional step to the process. Next Wednesday 13 November, students will be given the opportunity to nominate, through secret ballot, 4 students who they consider would be positive class mates for 2020.  The peers the student nominates can come from their year group or the year group they will be partnered with.  The school will ensure that at least one of these students will be in the same class.  I encourage all parents to discuss this process with their children and to emphasise the importance of a positive class peer who will help your child with their learning.

I invite any parents who have any concerns about the placement of their students in a particular class to contact myself by Friday 22 November 2018.  We will be able to carefully consider your concerns and requests, however, this is best done before student and teacher allocation lists are published and made public.  Please do not wait and see. Speak up ASAP.

Mr Nielsen

Our thoughts are with Narelle Ambrose, whose brother passed away on Monday November 11th.  Please pray for Narelle and her family.

  

Our prayers are with those whose lives have been touched by the devastating bushfires.

We pray for all those who have been affected by the loss of loved ones, their homes or properties.

We pray for all involved in fighting the fires.  For strength in the face of exhaustion and danger.

We pray for all who are offering support and care.  For in these times you are generous to the many who are struggling.

  Let there be peace

Let here be hope

Let there be new life

Amen

Snap chat? Instagram? Tik-Tok? Musical.ly? FaceBook?

Parent Workshop Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm

As parents you may or may not be aware of some of the social media and social video apps and how they function.

St Mary's School has organised a parent workshop to help parents understand how to keep their children safe when using the internet.

All parents are invited to attend this presentation by Sgt Mark Griffith from 7pm - 8.30 pm in the school library.

We strongly encourage parents to come along to be informed and ask questions to ensure their children's safety in the cyber world.

Our Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held on Tuesday 17th December at 12.30pm.

We welcome parents and friends to attend.

Would you like to have the opportunity to be actively involved in decisions that directly affect the educational environment at our school?

We are actively seeking new Board members for 2020.

If you are interested in serving on the school board or you wish to nominate someone please indicate your willingness by completing the online form in the link below.

School Board Nomination Form

  Closing date is 28th November 2019

   

SWIMMING ARRANGEMENTS—WEEK 7

Monday 21st November - Friday 25th November 2022

Students will leave the school in the morning to walk to the pool.  Fruit break and recess will be coordinated to ensure all students have their break.

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD HAS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

Sunscreen, swimmers, swim shirt if they require one, towel, plastic bag to put wet belongings in, drink bottle, goggles( if they require them), and if at the squad level they will need their flippers and kickboard.

These items should be brought to school every day, regardless of the weather. If wet weather does occur, a decision on whether swimming goes ahead will be made on a daily basis.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• SWIMMERS - Year 3-6 need to wear swiimers to school under their uniform.   K-2 to come to school in normal uniform and get changed at the pool.
• SUNSCREEN– Students are encouraged to apply sunscreen before coming to school and to bring it to school with them.  There will be sunscreen available at the pool for those who forget to bring their own.

    Happy Birthday to

Oliver Brown and Lachlan Foster

who celebrate their birthdays next week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Journey back to the dawn of time in Rock Bottom, Craig Hawes' brand new prehistorical hysterical Stone Age rock musical!

Meet The Cobblestones, just an ordinary Stone Age family of cave folk living on Stoney Street, Rock Bottom! But when cave boy inventor Bobby Cobblestone hatches his very first good idea, he's whisked off to work for none other than the beautiful celebrity Lady Lava. Unfortunately, BC is soon up to his neanderthal neck in trouble when he discovers his new boss hides a dark secret that will rock Rock Bottom to its foundations.

With mysterious monsters terrorising the town and a volatile volcano ready to blow its top, can BC hatch a plan to save his family, his friends and his very own precious Rock Bottom? Only time will tell ...

HELP - Props Required

We would love some help to source items for the school play - could all parents check the toy box and cupboards for the following items:

• string of plastic sausages, or singles we can join up
• Rubik's Cube
• Toy Whipper Snipper or hedge cutter
• Decorative plastic goblet style wine glasses - coloured or clear.  Need lots of those please.

Please bring these to the school office - it would be much appreciated!

     

Play Cast List and Costume Guide

Please click on the link below to see the cast list and costume requirements for all characters and all classes.

Rock Bottom Cast List and Costume Guide

Goldenfields Water Prize Winner

        

Assembly and ICAS Awards

  

Remembrance Day

Our Year 5/6 students attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the S&C Club on Monday.

Our school captains laid a wreath at the ceremony.  It is always important for our students to understand part of our history and to show respect for the people who sacrificed their lives for our country.

  

HOPE Sign

Mr Nielsen along with School Captain Woody Ambrose and Community & Environment Leader Emily Rogers attended the Hope Sign opening ceremony last weekend.

Our school hung two locks, one for the school and one for the parish.

  

Year 6 Career Day

A report on a fabulous initiative of the West Wyalong District Hospital by Mia Pettit and Emily Rogers:  

On Wednesday our Year 6 students were given the privilage to particpate in a Careers Day at the West Wyalong District Hospital.

  

Throughout the day the students got to engage in a series of different activities including learning CPR, talking to Parmedics and Constable Dave, learning about radiography and more.

Year 6 thorougly enjoyed the day and would like to thank Shannon Evans and anyone who helped make this day possible.

   

The following events are in next weeks calendar.

To see the school's full calender check out the SZApp or our website.