Term 4, Week 2 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Mini Fins
Our Kinder 2024 students commenced their school journey last week with the first Mini Fins session yesterday. Next years’ Kinder teachers Brianna King and Jessie Burfield had the children engaged and settled and keen to return next Monday. Parents were welcomed during the morning with a gathering in the hall where they met the school leadership team. During the gathering we emphasised the importance of the home and school working in partnership to provide the best opportunities for the children to learn in a safe, happy environment.
New School Bubblers
The new chilled water fountain is a great hit with the students. A huge thank you to Dave Vineburg (Edie Yr 1, Noah Yr 2) and Luke Mashford (Lani Yr 1) for their help with the installation.
Leaving Families
As we have waiting lists in most year levels throughout the school, could any families whose enrolment circumstances are changing for 2024 please contact the principal or school office? Thank you.
SAVE THE DATE
Christmas Picnic: Wednesday 6th December, more information to follow.
Sun Safety
Students are regularly reminded to reapply sunscreen before going outside at recess and lunch. Each class has a supply of sunscreen at their front door.
Sun Safety
New Improved Bus Line Area
During the holidays local tradesmen made improvements to the school entrance at the bus gates. The artificial turf will not only improve the appearance of the entrance, it will also keep students cleaner and safer while waiting for their bus.
Sevens Rugby
Special thanks to Mr Bermingham and Mr Hanslow who prepared the teams for the Rugby Sevens Gala Day last week. Both teams played with a wonderful spirit while developing skills and having fun. Well done Boys and Girls. Here is a write up from Mr Bermingham and Mr Hanslow:
On Thursday 12th of October St Finbarr's entered a Stage 3 and Stage 2 team into the Byron Bay Rugby Schools 7's competition competing against teams from all over the Northern Rivers. A great day was had by all involved with cracking weather helping fast paced, free flowing Rugby. Stage 3 put in a great effort all day, with no fresh reserves, and went down narrowly in their 4 games.
Stage 2 had one close loss and 3 wins from their 4 games. A number of Stage 2 players backed up as a reserve for Stage 3. All players applied themselves really well and put their skills and team spirit on show.
Harry C was a standout for Stage 3 and Jake B was a standout for Stage 2. A special mention goes out to Evelyn and Eva for breaking new ground being the first girls to represent the school at the carnival.
Rugby Sevens
Family Connect Service
Hello, I am Jessie Moulynox, the Family Connect in Schools worker remotely based within your School.
I have worked in the community services sector for the last 15 years and my professional background includes working in Child Protection, Domestic and Family Violence, Disabilities, Theology and Parenting supports.
I will be able to work with families remotely with any concerns they may be experiencing. I can assist to link families into the appropriate specialist services all while providing a confidential and safe space to advocate for family’s needs.
When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family exploring our beautiful area.
Please also see attached a case study-deidentified (for the school to distribute to staff as an example of the work that has been happening in other remote schools to show what they can expect(but not limited to) when referring a family through to FCIS.
Please reach out if you need anything further.
Kindest regards,
Jessie Moulynox
Program Worker - Family Connect in Schools
Service Delivery
HALLOWEEN DISCO
We have a lot of exciting events coming up at school, please keep an eye on the Compass app for notifications.
Yours in Partnership,
Tim Bleakley - Principal
Mission
Welcome Back
Welcome Back to all families and and friends of our St Finbarr's school and parish community. We also welcome Back Father David after taking some well deserved leave during Term 3.
Religious Education
Last week Mr Matthew Ritchie from the Lismore Catholic Schools Office visited our Stage One classes at St Finbarr's, to work alongside our teachers, teaching Religious Education in our classrooms. Our Stage One students were engaged in lessons where they were examining scriptual texts. These lessons help our students to engage more deeply with scriptural texts by deeping their understanding of:
- The characters in the text
- What is happening in this text
- Where the story takes place
- What are the most memorable or central scenes in this text and why that scene is central.
- What key words or phrases, or interesting, new or difficult ideas need further exploration? What Biblical tools can be used to find this information? e.g. Biblical commentaries, Biblical dictionaries, Biblical at lases, annotated Bibles, online Bible search engines.
- What evidence can be found in the text eg. historical, social, cultural, political and religious life of the time.
Lessons where our students are taught skills to better understand these texts allows them to engage more deeply with them, understand where the scripture text has come from, what the words meant in their original context and how the text is used and interpreted in today’s world.
Stage 2 & 3 Mass
Next Friday the 27th of October Stage 2 & 3 will be celebrating Mass 9:30am at St Finbarr's church. All St Finbarr's Families & Friends are warmly invited to join us.
Prayer
Dear God,
Fill the hearts of humankind with the fire of your love
and with the desire to ensure justice for all.
By sharing the good things you give us,
may we secure an equality for all
our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
May there be an end to division, strife, and war.
May there be a dawning of a truly human society
built on love and peace.
We ask this in your name.
Amen
Yours in Partnership,
Mrs Sonya Piccoli
Assistant Principal- Mission and Additional Needs
Learning & Teaching
Curriculum Reform
As you are aware this year teachers in K-2 have been implementing the ‘new NSW Curriculum’ in English and Mathematics. These years are essential to establish foundations for future learning success, particularly the development of oral language, reading and writing skills, and mathematical knowledge and skills. ‘Back to basics’ is a term that has been used when referring to building strong foundations and the focus on the new curriculum. Teachers and students across K-2 have been working very hard with this new curriculum and as a leader it makes me extremely proud to see a consistent approach being implemented across the school. Additionally, the skill development and level of understanding our students are demonstrating based on the new approaches to learning and teaching is commendable.
In 2024, students and teachers in Yrs 3-10 will also be working from the new English and Mathematics curriculum. A positive change coming from this reform will be a curriculum that provides every student with challenging learning material appropriate to their current level of knowledge and skills. This means that students who need more time to master curriculum content will have it; students who are ready to move on more quickly can do so. The new curriculum will set clear standards for achievement in mandated subjects by the completion of schooling. It will provide a better way of monitoring students’ long-term progress, which will make it easier for parents/carers to know if their child is on track.
If you have any questions around Curriculum Reform visit the NSW Curriculum Website: https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/about-the-curriculum/introduction
Digital Devices and your child's sleep
Many parents struggle with navigating tech use for their children - often there are so many confusing messages and the nagging power from children just wears exhausted parents down. Sleep is VITAL for learning and well being. Tired children can't learn effectively and they struggle to be resilient and manage their emotions. Below are simple but effective tips for helping children have a good night's sleep which we know will dramatically improve cognitive function when they're at school.
Finnies Fun Run
There is lot's happening behind the scenes with our Finnies Fun Run. We have set a HUGE goal of 50K.
All grades have parents organising special lunches and treats which are for sale through the canteen on Compass. Profits from all these luncheons are going towards the Fun Run.
We are having a raffle at this weeks Friday assembly and all students who have registered via our fundraising website https://finniesfunrun2023.raisely.com/ will be in the draw to win a $100 voucher.
Each grade has a goal of raising $8250 to hit our goal of 50k. So far the grade tallies are looking like this:
We can see that Our Kindy, Yr 1s and Yr 2's are charging ahead with Yr 1 just in front at the moment.
All grades will recieve a celebration experience to congratulate and thank them for their collective efforts and the grade that comes out on top will have first preference of their activity. We are still finalising the finer details of these experiences but the activities will include: Ballina Waterslides, Rockclimbing, Palace Cinema, Byron Pool, Tallows Beach.
Every $2000 raised equals another teacher being drawn out of the hat to be slimed. Again if we hit our 50K EVERY staff member present will be SLIMED at the FUN RUN.
The students who raise the most in each class will have the privilege of being the one who gets to SLIME.
Let us all band together, share your child/ren's fundraising pages with family and friends and lets hit the 50K.
Yours in Partnership,
Lauren Magnus
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Sports News
50m Surfsafe Trial (2oth Oct-Term 4)
St Finbarr’s Stage 2 & 3 students will be involved in the Surf Safe program for their weekly sport beginning in Term 4, Week 3.
Due to safety regulations of children participating in water activities, every child in Stage 2 & 3 will have to partake in a swimming trial for eligibility to participate in the Surf Safe program. Each child will be required to swim 50m competently to be able to join in the Surf Safe Program. Competency would show adequate stroke and stamina to complete 50m freestyle without needing to stop, hold the edge or touch the bottom.
Please be aware if your child can not satisfy the requirement, they will not be able to participate in the Surf Safe program this year and will participate in the Intensive Swimming Program instead. (Weeks 8 & 9)
If your child is absent from our Swimming trial, they are required to have a swimming instructor/coach witness their swimming ability of 50 metres, document & sign.
Any parent who would prefer their child to participate in the Intensive Swimming program instead are required to email Mrs Clark before the 50m Swim trial.
Polding Athletics(13th Oct)
Congratulations to our five students on their achievements at the Polding Athletics Carnival.
Marley R- Senior Girls Shot Put
Hamish K- 1500m (11th)
Milla P 800m , 1500m (2nd)
Roley C 200m (2nd)
Kaia L-100m (3rd)
Polding
Well done to Milla, Roley & Kaia on their progression to the State Athletics Carnival. We wish them all the very best.
Stage 2 Todd Woodbridge Cup Regional Finals
Well done to our team of eight students, Adam G, Finn H, Connor J, Hendrix, Libby P, Sloane Q, Ayla M and Indi T on their 3rd place position at the trials held at the Byron Bay Tennis Courts last Friday.
Go Nash!!
It is always so exciting to celebrate the achievements of our students at St Finbarr's both past and present. Nash a former student of St Finbarr's who graduated last year, has successfully been invited to travel to London to participate in the West Ham United F.C Training Academy in London this December!
Nash competed against soccer players from all over Australia and New Zealand to be selected for this prestigious and rare opportunity. Nash and his family will have to travel to London and stay whilst Nash undertakes intensive training. Congratulations Nash, the St Finbarr's community is so proud of this wonderful achievement and we wish you every success.
If you would like to support Nash in getting to London for this amazing opportunity please click on the link below.
Lisa Clark - Sports Coordinator
