NEWSLETTER NO. 16 – 3rd June 2015

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NEWSLETTER NO. 16 – 3rd June 2015 Why relationships matter in school?

JUNE Today 3rd – League/netball gala day Thursday 4th – ICAS Science test Monday 8th – Queen’s Birthday Public holiday - no school Tuesday 9th – ICAS Writing test Wednesday 10th – ICAS Spelling test Thursday 11th – Sports Day Friday 12th – League/netball gala day Monday 15th – Start of Year 5 camp Friday 19th – Mount Isa Show holiday – no school Tuesday 23rd – No SKIFS class Friday 26th – Last day of Term 2

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS Monday 8am to 3pm Tuesday to Friday 8am – 4pm

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS Wednesdays 2pm to 3.30pm

SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER (07) 4744 9000

SCHOOL FAX NUMBER (07) 4743 5925

SCHOOL FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/StKieransMountIsa

Students need to know someone cares about them and is consistent in their lives as sadly sometimes students don’t get this. When we look at our kids to see how they’re doing, to see if they are balanced, it’s often an indicator of ourselves as parents how we are doing. Are they happy? Are they being challenged? Are they feeling anxious for any reason? All these questions stem from the one word - relationships. Relationships matter in the home but equally they are very important in the school. When a child feels like they have a connection with another who recognises them, values the contributions in the student's worth of work and believes in them, then student learning increases when managed with high expectations. Students need structure and order in their day, but they also need teachers who care about them - not let them off the hook, but expect them to participate and produce good work, whilst at the same time create a nurturing environment for growth, stimulate and warmth conducive to the free flow of ideas and contributing towards the greater goal. As a school we know that good staff recognise the value of relationships, the need to foster, preserve them and shape them are important to the development of the child. The teachers utilise the strengths of these relationships built on trust every day at St Kieran’s to guide the educational learning for our students. As parents we also need to be mindful of our relationships and how they shape the attitude towards learning for our kids. We see the evidence of this in our play, conversation with each other and genuineness that people have at St Kieran’s. It’s one of the pillars that makes this community and school a beautiful place to learn. Chrissy Sonego, who has been an outstanding member of the Senior Leadership team for the last 3.5 years, has embodied just that. Building relationships takes time, earning trust and nurturing it to support the learning of our students Chrissy has been a great ambassador of all of this. Next week she departs to join her new husband Greg in Dubai and begin the next journey in her life. We wish her well. Thanks to Miss Chrissy Sonego for her wonderful contribution to St Kieran’s over the last three and half years. Her enthusiastic energy and commitment to the students and staff at the school has been warm and generous. Miss Sonego has been instrumental in supporting the parish and the sacramental program and will be missed. As we move through our journey in life, material objects and places move by but the people who have shaped our life, influenced us to grow stay with us forever - that is the power of relationships. Regards, Matt Tyrie

FROM THE APRE GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH MASS TIMES Saturday: Sunday:

6:00pm 7:30am 9:00am 6:00pm

BIRTHDAYS JUNE 5th 5th 7th 8th 9th 9th

Patrick Wayne Charlie Tayla Harrison Isaiah

Year 6 Year 6 Prep Year 5 Year 3 Year 3

We hope you all have a fantastic day!!

ATTACHMENTS -

Athletics carnival information

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Mulkadee information

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Parish documents

St Kieran’s – A Community Like no other. To thank St Kieran’s staff, students and community for what they have given me in a written piece of the newsletter is not going to do my thoughts and feelings justice – but I’ll give it a crack! And that was exactly my attitude when I first arrived in The Isa in 2012 – I’ll give it a crack! I had come back from teaching in Abu Dhabi to Mount Isa where it was just one mining desert to another. I was so glad to be home (back in Australia) but didn’t quite realise the distance from my family and friends in SE Qld. I learnt very quickly though that this was ok. St Kieran’s very quickly became my people and my support. In the three and a half years at St Kieran’s the staff have been truly a blessing to me professional and personally. I have taught in many places both here and overseas, and never have I found a team so dedicated to their students. The students are what makes our school. They are genuine, confident and happy people. This is a result of the environments of home and school. Parents and staff should be commended for this. It takes a village to raise a child. It is however time for me to have a crack at my next adventure! As some of you may know I married in April and will be travelling to Dubai to start married life there. I will be teaching at an international school and I am so excited to be back in the classroom. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. In the year of gratitude is our attitude at St Kieran’s, I must be the most grateful of all for what you have all given me. I have included my favourite Bible passage today. I read this when I am heading into change or feeling uncertain of where my path will lead me. I hope you read it and maybe use it for you too. 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jeremiah 29:10-14 Class Assemblies Assembly is held in the Brother Walker Shed. All are welcome to join! Week 7 Friday 5th June Year 3 Week 8 Friday 12th June Year 6 Week 9 Friday 19th June Mount Isa Show Holiday Week 10 No Assembly Individual Class Prayer Gatherings Regards,

Chrissy Sonego

CURRICULUM ICAS – International Competitions and Assessments for Schools Below are the following dates: Science Writing Spelling Thursday 4th June Tuesday 9th June Wednesday 10th June

English Tuesday 28th July

Mathematics Tuesday 11th August

GRATITUDE IS OUR ATTITUDE … with Year 2 teacher, Laura Marsden I have found it a huge challenge deciding what to write about today. The society in which we live makes it very easy to dwell on the negatives and let the positives pass us by. I have found focusing on everything I have to grateful for, an eye opening experience. Becoming more present in the moment and taking stock of the little things, has made my week a pretty fabulous one. Pinpointing a single thing to write about has not been easy. There are the obvious things family, friends, opportunities and good health. As well as the little things, the rain and being cold enough to really enjoy a cup of tea. After much deliberation I came to the conclusion the thing for which I am most grateful in my life right now is my class. The 24 little people I get to come and enjoy every single day, are a truly amazing group. Each and every one of them is unique and special and they brighten my day. They are kind, caring, helpful, creative and absolutely hilarious. I am grateful I can play a small part in their childhood.

LIBRARY NEWS LOVE 2 READ Champion Borrower: The Prep-Pug is leading the way this week! Followed by Year 1, with 5 classes jostling for third place! Please support your child by encouraging them to remember to bring their library bag each week, along with their library books. There are many ways that YOU can help your child develop a love of reading: Read aloud ~ Read with love ~ Read with understanding ~ Read with compassion WIN WIN WIN: For a chance to bring renowned writer Emily Rodda and illustrator Marc McBride to St Kieran’s, get onto Scholastic Book Clubs! Place an order in each of the four Book Clubs and then write in 25 words or less why you want them to come. Details at http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/bookclub/competitions/Star ofDeltora.asp

TUCKSHOP NEWS The meal deal for this Friday is: FIRST BREAK – Sloppy Joe Burger and poppa. SECOND BREAK – Strawberry mousse and 2x choc chip cookies. Meal deals cost $7.00. Please write your order on a brown paper bag (or your re-usable school lunch bag if you have one!) and drop it in by Thursday morning. Please keep an eye out on the school website for new additions to the menu!

RECONCILIATION WEEK Reconciliation Week was celebrated last week at St Kieran's with genuine and authentic affirmations towards change. We began with our 'From Little Things, Big Things Grow' Sorry Day gathering for the whole school on Tuesday. This humble s gathering allowed us as a community to reflect on the apology to the Stolen Generation, and recognise the role that we all play in moving our nation forward. The Year 3 class was also treated to a special guest visit from our Parish Elder Uncle Peter Smith. As Year 3 has been learning about 'Heroes' in Religion, is was fitting for Uncle Peter to come and talk about his amazing life experiences. Uncle Peter is an actual war hero and has fought in both Malaysia and Vietnam conflicts. A hero for Indigenous rights and sacred sites as an Aboriginal Ranger for many years. But, he is also a hero in our local Parish as he has represented us, our state, and our nation at the United Nations in New York City several times as a church ambassador. The students loved listening to this wise and humble man. We are truly blessed to have him in our school community. Finally, on Thursday a 'Community Information Session' regarding our ground breaking research project was held at GSCC. It was wonderful to see so many of our parents attend and give input as to where this project is heading. If you were unable to attend, I will email out a 'draft copy' of phase 1 for your perusal. Parents who put their names forward to be a part of the 'Indigenous Advisory Board', I will be contacting you soon regarding a meeting. Regards, Tammi Webber.

LEFT: Listening to one of our heroes, Uncle Peter.

ABOVE and LEFT: Presenting our ground breaking research!

P & F NEWS Hi all,hope you are well! Just wanted to give everyone some feedback from our May P & F Meeting. Lots of ideas and needs were brought to the committee by various teaching staff and parents, and we are happy to say we have approved the following: $25,000 to go towards new Ipads and charging carts for Prep - Gr4. Ipads are aversatile, powerful tool that is changing the face of education. If you have questions as to how our kids will benefit from the use of these ipads, Principal Matt Tyrie can run through this with you, or have a look on the inkids website - there is some great information on there. $5,000 for a new Red Cat system to be used in the classroom that will help students with conductive hearing loss. $2,500 LCD Tv Monitor and stand for assemblies $2,500 to contribute towards marquees for athletic days, cross country, representative sports days, etc $1,250 towards school camps Without the fete, this year and every year, we would not be able to contribute on such a large scale to our school. A huge pat on the back to St Kieran’s community - what a great way to see our efforts being put back into the school! * On a sad note, Noeleen our Vice President is no longer able to fill this role has recently resigned. If you are interested in this position, please contact the office or myself. My contact details have changed as I am about to commence maternity leave. However, please feel free to contact me on0457 131 060 or [email protected] Regards, P&F president, Ali McKelvie.

BREAKFAST BEFORE SCHOOL By Louisa Rebgetz Students are missing the equivalent of a term of school by not eating breakfast, a new report says. The Foodbank data shows students lose two hours of learning a day due to a lack of concentration and behaviour problems if they miss breakfast. Foodbank spokeswoman Nicci Skerl said the report surveyed 532 teachers across Australia and 67 per cent confirmed some students were turning up to school hungry. "We knew the numbers were increasing," she said. "They've found, stats-wise, they are actually losing a whole term in tiredness, lethargy, lack of concentration." The organisation distributes surplus food to the welfare sector and helps schools deliver free breakfast programs. YMCA Vocational School in Logan, south of Brisbane, offers toast, fruit and cereal to students five days a week. Teacher Jilly Moore said the vast majority of students would not have eaten breakfast when they arrived at school. "The majority of our kids have come from fairly traumatic backgrounds, so have experienced trauma in their lifetime," Ms Moore said. "This is fairly low social-economic area so high amount of disadvantage and at-risk youth." Ms Moore said she had noticed an improvement in learning since the breakfast program was introduced. "It makes a massive difference in the classroom, particularly we are finding in the first class of the day they are a lot more settled," she said. "We've definitely noticed a big increase in concentration levels and behaviour as well - positive behaviours." Foodbank said many families in Australia were doing it tough at the moment. Ms Skerl said the food bill was often one of the first things parents would cut back on. "It's not just unemployment or homelessness, it's underemployment. so that's when families have only been able to get six hours a week, that is not going to pay the bills," she said. The survey also found 82 per cent of teachers reported an increased workload due to hungry students (Article published on http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-28/hungry-school-students-lack-concentration-behaviourproblems/6501918)

AROUND THE SCHOOL – State of Origin, Bravehearts, Panning for gold

EISTEDDFOD RESULTS Sera and Jacob competed in the eisteddfod for drama last week. Jacob received a 2nd for Character Poem and a 3rd for a duologue with Thomas Schlenker. Sera received a 3rd( character performance), 2nd (prepared reading) and four 1sts. (Bible reading, character poem, duologue, & Set Verse). She also received the Junior Aggregrate award and a Bursary. If you would like your results from the eisteddfod or some other event put in the newsletter, simply let the office know! Congratulations and well done to Sera and Jacob, and to all students who took part!