St Cecilia’s Catholic School Panonia Road, Wyong. 2259 Telephone: (02) 4353 2922

Fax: (02) 4353 2943 Email: scw@dbb.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.scwdbb.catholic.edu.au

20th March, 2018

Dear Parents, Harmony Day Wednesday 21st March

We are very fortunate here at St. Cecilia’s to have many families from different cultural backgrounds. To celebrate our cultural diversity some parents will be sharing stories of their heritage and traditions. Children are invited to wear their national costume. As Orange is the colour of Harmony, children may choose to wear an orange item. This could include anything such as a pair of socks, a ribbon in their hair or tied on their body, an item of clothing (this may be as a part of their uniform or with other clothing) etc. Please note, we DO NOT want you to buy anything!!! This is purely by choice and only if you have something at home. We will have strips of crepe paper ribbon for the children who do not have anything at home but wish to wear something orange.

It has been stressed to the children that this is entirely by choice and that they are not to ask you to buy anything!

One of our mothers has offered to draw a small removable henna tattoo on each child’s hand for Harmony Day as a token of the cultural heritage. You should have received a note about this tattoo yesterday. Again, it was stressed to the children that this is a choice and they will only receive the tattoo if they wish to, and have returned the signed permission note. Cheese and Chat Meeting

Our next Cheese and Chat meeting is on tonight, Tuesday 20th March from 6:30 – 7:30pm. Please join us if you are able. Easter Hat Parade and Disco

Don’t forget the Easter Hat Parade and Disco is being held this Friday 23rd March. You should have received an information sheet / order form for the disco. Orders will be taken until tomorrow morning only. If you did not receive an information / order form, you can download one from the school website. Cross Country

The new date for the school Cross Country is Monday 26th March at Wyong Race Course. If you have not yet completed your new permission note, please do so on-line as soon as possible.

Staff Development Day Our next staff development day is on Tuesday, 3rd April, following the Easter long weekend. This day is being held at the Catholic Schools Office along with a number of other schools in our Diocese. The content of the day is around writing and spelling. There will be no supervision at school. Andrew Chinn Student Workshops and Concert

Many of the songs we sing at Mass are written by a very talented musician and former school teacher, Andrew Chinn.

On Wednesday 4th April Andrew will be at St Cecilia’s to work with each grade. He will be teaching the children songs and actions which they will then perform for you at a concert in the evening. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase their talents and have a lot of fun as well. The concert begins at 6pm and we would love to see as many of you there as possible

Easter Long Weekend and School Holidays

This year the Easter weekend is separate to the school holidays. Good Friday falls on Friday 30th March and Easter Monday is the 2nd April. The school holidays begin on Monday 16th April, with Term 2 beginning on Monday 30th April.

Kinder 2019 Enrolment Information Night and Fun Morning

It’s that time already, Kinder 2019 Enrolment! The Kinder 2019 Information night is on Tuesday 10th April at 7pm and the Kinder Fun Morning is on Wednesday 11th April from 9.15 until 10.30 am. If your child is starting school next year, bring them along for a fun morning with the current year 5 students; their buddies in 2018. Please let your friends and relatives know if they may be interested in enrolling their child. There are flyers available in the school office if you would like any for your family or friends.

SEA FM Broadcast

SEAF M will be broadcasting from our school site on Wednesday 11th April from 6am. Fruit will be supplied and it would be great if you are able to come along and join in the fun for a while. Facebook

Facebook is a great avenue for communication and we understand that many class parents set up Facebook pages for their grade. If you choose to have a Facebook Account please remember that you cannot use St Cecilia’s in the name of the page. Also take a few minutes to like our school page so that you will receive information directly from the school. Communication is vital in any school and it is important that all families read the School Newsletter and Principal’s Update each week so that you can keep on top of what is going on. Yours sincerely, Mrs Yvette Owens PRINCIPAL

From the FLO Our cultural diversity makes Australia a wonderful place to live and Harmony Day is a day to celebrate this and recognise that everyone belongs. A very big thank you to our families who have offered to share information and stories from their homeland on Wednesday morning after assembly. If you would like your child to receive a henna tattoo please ensure the permission note is signed and is with them on the day. Last Friday was the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence – Bullying No Way. https://bullyingnoway.gov.au https://kidsmatter.edu.au has very interesting and helpful articles on this topic. Join us for our first Cooking Class this term on Tuesday 27th March at 11.30am. New families are very welcome. Have a lovely week. Bernadette Daniel

Family Liaison Office

From the REC

Dear Parents,

Holy Week Easter Celebrations ● Palm Sunday presentation on Tuesday, 27th March at 11.15am.

● Good Friday presentation on Thursday, 29th March at 8:45am, Assembly area.

● Andrew Chin Concert on Wednesday, 4th April at 6pm, Assembly area.

Andrew Chin Concert On Wednesday 4th April, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our children. Andrew’s songs such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow” and “An African Blessing” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Parents and parishioners are warmly invited to be a part of the celebration of faith and fun. There is no charge for this concert. The concert will take place in the assembly area at 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

Andrew Chin Biography Andrew Chinn:

• Was a teacher for 20 years in Catholic schools in Sydney, taught all grades from Kindergarten to Year 6 (was a kindergarten/prep teacher for two years) • Song writing since 1993 • Has released 10 CDs, 6 picture books, and 5 DVDs • His music is used in schools across Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada and he has visited more than 1000 different schools around those countries. • His best-known songs are These Hands, Together As One, Rainbow, In the Beginning, Shine Among Them, An African Blessing, Gotta Sing Gotta Pray and God Made Them All. • Lives in Wollongong with his wife, Bernadette, youngest daughter, Eleanor, and a couple of Shetland Sheepdogs called Mollee and Elbee who love going to the beach. • He is a proud Sydney Swans supporter. • Has his own website: www.butterflymusic.com.au, where you can listen to some songs, watch some video clips, and find out a bit more about his music. • Andrew’s music is available on iTunes.

Confirmation We are delighted that you are bringing your child to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We look forward to sharing with you and your child, this journey of faith as he/she prepares to receive this sacrament. At Baptism, your child began a life-long journey and a way of life. At Confirmation, the graces received in Baptism are sealed with the reception of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament enables your child to better participate in the worshipping and apostolic life of the Church. The words that Jesus shared with his disciples at

Pentecost apply to each one of us at Confirmation, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

Sacrament of Confirmation 2018 It is important to note that the sacramental program starts at the time of the Parent/Guardian information afternoon. No enrolments will be taken after this date. Important Date for Parents/Guardians Attendance at the Parent Information afternoon on Sunday 8th April, 1.45-3pm at St John Fisher School Hall is required by a parent or guardian. Children are not required to attend. Please bring to this session:

● Enrolment Form with a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate and Baptism Certificate if

Baptised in a Parish other than Wyong.

● $30 to cover the cost of expenses.

Broken Bay Bishop’s Religious Visual Arts Prize In 2018, the Broken Bay Bishops’ Religious Visual Arts Prize is being linked with a major professional learning initiative for teachers of Religious Education inspired by the words from Psalm 119, “How sweet to my taste are your words, O LORD; sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Students are invited to prayerfully select and reflect on a favourite verse of Scripture from the Old or New Testament and to decorate and / or illustrate it using a traditional or contemporary form of illumination. http://missionandreligiouseducation.dbbcso.org/ Please click on the link below for some instructions and examples for each grade (entry requirements are different for each grade): Broken Bay Bishop's Religious Visual Arts Prize Entry Requirements

Parish Mass Times for St Cecilia’s Parish

God Bless Mrs Jamie Dowling Religious Education Coordinator

2018 Sacramental Dates Sacrament of Confirmation

Friday, 25th May 5:30pm or 7:30pm Saturday, 26th May 10am or 12pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday, 21st August - time to be confirmed

Wednesday, 22nd August - time to be confirmed Sacrament of First Eucharist

During the Masses over the weekends of: 10th/11th November 17th/18th November

St Cecilia’s Wyong

Saturday Vigil 5pm Sunday 7.30am and 9.30am

St John Fisher, Tumbi Umbi

Saturday Vigil 5pm Sunday 8.30am & 5pm DLS

School News

Linen Roster Term 1

Week 8 Julia Webster

Week 9 Amy Martin

Week 10 Kristy Clouten

Week 11 Kyly Slattery

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop, located next to the Multipurpose Room, is opened on Monday and Friday mornings from 8.45am-9.15am. If you have any uniforms you are able to donate, either summer or winter, they would be greatly appreciated.

Book Club

The current issue of Book Club will close on Thursday 29th March

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Canteen News

Did You Know?

The canteen is open Wednesday as well as Friday. I understand many families use the canteen as an end of week treat but how about ordering a healthy lunch order on a Wednesday to support this vital service to the community of St Cecilia’s! We have fresh sandwiches, salads and snacks all made to order just like you would at home. So give

yourself a break and let us make lunch for the kids on Wednesdays 😊. If we don’t use it, we might lose it! Please do not order popcorn or frozen treats on lunch orders. These items are not designed to be transported in lunch crates and are easily available for the children to buy over the counter at Recess and Lunch time. Volunteers for Term 2

If you would like to help in the canteen next term, please fill in the slip below and return it to the school office and I will put you on the roster for next term. Looking forward to meeting new people and working with you to provide yummy food for the children of St Cecilia’s.

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Volunteers for Term 2

Name:______________________________ Phone Number:_____________________

Eldest Child’s Name:_______________________________ Class: ________________

Preferred Day: Wednesday Friday

(Please circle)

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements

Academic Achievement Kinder Blue Hudson B Kinder Gold Sam T

1 Gold Beau S 1/2 Blue Lucas B

2 Gold India T 3 Blue Jude S

3/4 Gold Asin S 4 Blue Aiden R

5 Blue Stella C 5 Gold Jacob A

6 Blue Sarah W 6 Gold Abigail B Drama Will R 4B Japanese Linh P 2G

Personal Best Kinder Blue Ava M Kinder Gold Mikayla O

1 Gold Zavier W 1 / 2 Blue Oliver A

2 Gold Riley S 3 Blue Eloise E

3/4 Gold Katherine R 4 Blue Abbey S

5 Blue Hayden L 5 Gold Riley H

6 Blue Ashlee M 6 Gold Dominique O Drama Oliver G 6G Japanese Kien D 3/4G

PBL Award Kinder Blue Kody W Kinder Gold Charlotte M

1 Gold Abigail S 1 / 2 Blue Azalia A

2 Gold Cameron B 3 Blue Cooper H

3/4 Gold Tadhg C 4 Blue Liam F

5 Blue Demi K 5 Gold Claudia O

6 Blue Riley B 6 Gold Nicholas C Drama Travis H 6B Japanese Roxy B 3B

Principal’s Light of Learning Award

Kinder Blue: Nikeeta R For being a positive and happy class member of Kinder Blue. Nikeeta shows maturity and understanding of other class mates and is a pleasure to teach

Kinder Gold: Oliver L For being a great listener. Thank you for consistently following school rules

1 Gold: Megan A For her excellent and responsible attitude towards all learning areas. Megan is always eager to expand her knowledge

1/2 Blue: Savannah O For being a wonderful member of our class. She always tries her best and she is kind and caring to others

2 Gold: Isabella S For showing an inspirational, positive attitude towards others and using sincere, kind words

3 Blue: Roxy B For doing her best in everything she does. She always shows kindness and consideration to others

3/4 Gold: William B For always participating in class discussions and sharing his knowledge positively with his peers

4 Blue: Billy Z For being a kind, caring and thoughtful class member. He always looks out for others on the playground and is a good listener

5 Blue: Louella J For being a responsible class member who is a hard worker. She is kind, friendly and tries hard to achieve great results

5 Gold: Mitchell R For the friendly, enthusiastic and committed attitude he displays towards all aspects of school life

6 Blue: Charli B For always doing what is best for others in our school community. You are a caring person with great leadership qualities

6 Gold: Zane M For leading by example in all areas of school life. He consistently challenges himself and shows respect to those around him