Issue #2 - Term 3, 2021

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we are at the end of Week 6 in Term 3 already! We are living in the new normal, and we are all doing what we have to do to ensure everybody is safe. This week has been the first week we have had parents on the grounds for Assembly and SRC Awards, which was wonderful to see. Next week we will have more families in for Father's Day Liturgies, and whilst we are still limiting numbers, it is great to have families involved again on site.

READING VOLUNTEERS: As from next Monday, we would like to welcome reading volunteers back into the school. A reminder that volunteers need to sign in at the Front Office and wear a mask at all times when not working directly with children.

SRC: At Assembly, we acknowledged the new SRC for Semester 2. At SFX I conduct an SRC Meeting every two weeks in the Staff Room. The children have class meetings and then present agenda items to the Year 6 SRC representatives. Between us, we then narrow down the agenda items to 10 items in readiness for the meeting! 

The SRC are important members of our community, as they represent their peers in order to make SFX the best place it can be for all children in our care.

The SRC for Semester 2, 2021 are: Thea, Miller, Amelia, Eva, Andrias, Poppy-Jo, Scarlett, Lucas, Isabelle, Henry, Ellie, Archer, Matilda, Marc, Chloe, Hayley, Tully, Mitchell, Boston, Max, Harvey, Amelie, Nicolas, Sienna, Jackson, Jordan, Emilia, Gabriel, Jayda, Jordan, Layla, Consilia, Abby, Antonio, Chase, Sofia, Emilia, Logan, Monique, Alex.

PARALYMPICS: The Paralympics commenced this week, and children will be doing activities to celebrate the achievements of these wonderful Olympians. Mr Hughes has an activity to share in this Newsletter.

EVENTS: Unfortunately there are still some events that we are unable to host due to COVID restrictions, and Grandparents Day is one of them. Disappointingly, this would be impossible to host with current restrictions in place.

At this stage we are confident that Sports Day, the Colour Run and our Christmas Concert will go ahead.

On Monday we had our Book Week Assembly, and I was so proud of all the children and staff. As a child, I remember dressing up for Book Week and also remember all the teachers in my school doing the same.

As a Principal, I value teachers and educators dressing up and getting into the spirit of Book Week. The children will remember this for the rest of their lives. Seeing teachers dress up and dancing around the hall is just what we all needed in these COVID times!

A reminder that next Friday, 3rd September children will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for Father's Day from the FATHER'S DAY STALL.

Choose from a great selection of gifts priced from $1 - $8. Pre-purchase via Qkr! from Monday, 30th August UNTIL 5pm on Thursday, 2nd September.

Bless all the Fathers in the world and guide them to be good role models for their children. Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. We thank you God for all the wonderful Dad's and male role models we have at SFX.

To celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, our Years 3 to 6 students will have the opportunity to experience Goalball – a sport played indoors by athletes with vision impairment. The object of the game is to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while the opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies. Bells inside the ball help orientate the players by indicating the direction of the oncoming ball. Goalball games will take place in the Xavier Hall during Recess and Lunch.  

With planning well underway for 2022 and beyond, a reminder to please let us know if your child/ren will not be returning to SFX next year.

In line with our school Fee Policy, families must give one terms notice in writing of their intention to withdraw their child/ren. Where this is not adhered to, the School reserves the right to charge a full term’s school fees.

During Weeks 5-7, over twenty students from Reception to Year Two are involved in the ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) Assessments in English, Science and Mathematics.

These assessments are optional, and students complete an online assessment which ranges from 35-55 minutes depending on their age. Many students have had their minds stretched so far with the English and Science Tests, and the Mathematics assessment is scheduled for Week 7. 

This is the first time in several years that students have been involved in ICAS, and our congratulations are extended to all students taking this assessment as an extra above their normal classroom work.

From 1 toilet for 690 children, to separate female and male toilet blocks (including showers). Because Bonga Barta Elementary School is a Public School, getting Council approval for all works and then COVID-19, means things have taken a little longer than expected!

Please continue to refer to our Parent Handbook for upcoming celebrations!

We have almost filled our first collection box!

Please continue to save your bread tags and add them to our collection box. The bread tags will be recycled to fund wheelchairs, mainly in South Africa. Bread Tags for Wheelchairs collect bread tags Australia-wide, and recycle them in Robe, SA. All funds raised through recycling are used to supply wheelchairs.

This initiative is also supported by our local Catholic Schools who are also adding to our collection box.

Mary MacKillop Feast Day is held every August 8th, in honour of the revered Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She was the first Saint of Australia, and her influence in the country has spread far and wide. She is recognised for her commitment to the poor, helping those who needed it the most in any way she could.

At SFX we celebrated her feast day with classroom liturgies, prayer rituals and classroom activities.

A number of Year 1 students have been so inspired by Mary MacKillop that they are thinking of different ways that they can raise money for Catholic Charities. 

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” St Mary MacKillop