Thursday May 4, 2017 No. 12 - 2017

St. Damian’s Newsletter 5 Settlement Road, Bundoora 3083. Phone: 9467 8566 Email: info@sdbundoora.catholic.edu.au

St Damian’s Fun-A-Thon

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PLEASE NOTE: SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS IS BETWEEN 8.30am TO 3.30pm ON SCHOOL DAYS.

From the Principal MATHS FAMILY NIGHT What a wonderful evening we had last night. There was a real ‘buzz’ across the school as many families participated in the various Math activities stationed around the school. We have received much positive feedback from our community and there seems to be a general consensus that the profile of Maths at St Damian’s has definitely lifted. As a staff, under the leadership of Mrs Danielle Di Stefano our Mathematics Leader, we have worked extremely hard over the past couple of years to improve our students’ mathematical outcomes. Mathematics, as is English, are core areas of the curriculum and important for developing numerate and literate students. As such we have devoted much time and energy into reinforcing this concept across the school. I thank most sincerely all the staff, who not only attended last night, but put in much time and effort into organizing and co-ordinating activities for the families to enjoy. I also would like to thank our student Math Leaders who worked alongside the teachers to prepare for last night. I watched very capable and enthusiastic young leaders welcome our school community last night and explain what the evening would look like. These students are the product of our school as well as of your families. We are certainly proud of them as I am sure you are of your children. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank all the families who attended last night and participated enthusiastically in the activities. Your support of these events help us ensure that the students, your children, gain a sense of their importance to their overall education.

ECSI SURVEYS Every four years schools undergo a Review Process. This process is designed to review the school’s set directions in light of student outcomes. This Review Process is important for schools as it gives us a picture of how we are performing and also highlights our successes as well as our challenges. The overall data we receive from this process helps us to set our School Improvement Plan in place for the next four years. As part of this Review Process, Catholic Schools also review their Catholic Identity. This is done through a survey known as ECSI (Enhancing Catholic School Identity). Mrs Aoife McCarthy has already completed these surveys with all our senior students and with all our staff. However, we are still waiting for our parent data to be completed. We are appealing to all the families who received a SURVEY PACK to please complete the survey as soon as possible as it will close very soon. The survey is done online and takes only 20-30 minutes of your time. All the instructions are included in the pack. If unsure of what to do, or if you need access to a computer/internet, please contact Mrs McCarthy and we will support or/and accommodate you. It is important for us to receive comprehensive data from across the whole community, hence the inclusion of all stakeholders – students, parents & staff. Whilst the data is confidential and we do not know who completed the surveys, we do know that of all the surveys sent home, only 5 have been completed. Could we respectfully ask that any family who has received a survey please complete to support our Review Process. We would certainly appreciate it. Thank you for your time and for your feedback, it is valued. NAPLAN Next week our students in Year Three and Year Five will sit the NAPLAN assessments. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years Three, Five, Seven and Nine. Students across Australia in these year levels will be assessed in four main areas of the curriculum – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and mathematics. It is timely to remember that these assessments only give a snapshot of the students‘ abilities. Schools use a variety of assessment strategies over the year to support students‘ learning and help improve outcomes. If your child is sitting NAPLAN next week, we suggest that it might be helpful to have a chat and to reassure him/her, as many students find this experience both stressful and difficult. Encourage your child to keep calm, remember what they have been taught and to simply do their best. This one test does not determine his/her educational future. It is simply a snapshot of one day in a particular year. Once this is put into perspective, many students feel less anxious and tend to perform better. Parking Another reminder regarding parking. Please do not park in the Parish car park as this area belongs to the Parish this is not school property and not to be used for pick up and drop off. Also, I have noticed cars driving in and out via Plenty Road. As the Parish carpark is not available for use, no parents should be using this driveway. Please also remember that the bottom carpark is NOT a drop off area. Joseph Street entrance is designed for this purpose. Parents, please remember that you are modeling behavior for your children. If your children see you not following rules then they will follow your lead and not follow rules. This can lead to many difficulties and problems for your children. It is important that everyone follow the rules so that we show respect and everyone is safe. Thank you for your co-operation.

School Closure Day A reminder that Wednesday 17th May is a School Closure Day. Staff will be working on curriculum initiatives. Students are

not required to attend school on this day.

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F-3 Literacy Parent Helper Training Tuesday May 16th

On Tuesday May 16th there will be a Literacy Training Session for approved volunteers who are interested in working in the

P-3 classrooms. This will be held in the library from 9-10.30am (approximately). If you have completed the literacy training course in the past 3-4 years and no longer have children at this level, we would warmly welcome you to assist in the Junior grades to support the teachers and the students in their ongoing learning journey. Please contact the office and Maree Foley-Smith (Literacy Leader) will gladly allocate to a classroom. Any queries can be addressed to mfoleysmith@sdbundoora.catholic.edu.au

Maree Foley-Smith Literacy Leader

St Damian’s Primary School Choir

On the 20th of April the year 4’s, 5’s and 6 school choir members performed the

Australian national anthem at the Bundoora Extended Care ANZAC service. Everyone who performed at the ceremony really enjoyed themselves as we

represented out school St Damian’s at this special event.

Written by Ava and Chloe (5L)

Prayer

Have a great week

Rosanna

Faith News

Confirmation Please pray for our Year Six students and their families as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 4

th June. In preparation for this special occasion the Year Six students will be exploring the gifts and fruits of the spir-

it and reflecting on why we are called to renew our Baptismal vows at Confirmation. As with all investigations into our faith, the students will explore Scripture stories and Church teachings. Bishop Terry Curtin will be visiting the students on the 25

th

of May. As in previous years he will challenge the students to reflect on the world around them and the types of choices they will be called to make as they journey through life. The students will also research a particular Saint that they aspire to live like. We encourage students and parents to discuss the significance of the chosen Saint together. Sponsor information forms are due back to school by Friday 12

th May. If your child is still deciding on a Saint name, please

simply fill in all of the other information and leave that section blank. The Saint’s can be filled in at school when your child is ready. A photographer has been booked so if your family wishes to order photographs please fill in the order form which will be sent out by Strike-a-Pose photography in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to contact me, or your child’s class teacher, if you have any questions: amccarthy@sdbundoora.catholic.edu.au Aoife Mc Carthy Religious Education Leader

We had lots of fun at the fun-a-thon. I liked the running the best. Isabella

My favourite was the sack race. Angela Pax and I fell over in the 3-legged race!

Santino

In Prep B we are learning all about Shapes. We have been going on shape hunts, draw-ing shapes, making shapes with geoboards and even played tangrams with our bud-dies.

I found lots and lots of triangles. -Mia

What shapes can you find on this page?

I found lots of circles!!! -Elsa

We made pictures with Tangram pieces. It was fun working with our Buddies

from Year 6.

3D

We found lots of stars on one of the classroom

doors. Jason and Hill

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May

Friday 5th Junior Sausage Sizzle

Monday 8th School Assembly at 2.30pm

Tuesday-Thursday 9th-11th NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Wednesday 10th 2018 Prep/Foundation Information Evening at 7.30pm

Friday 12th Mothers Day Stall

Saturday 13th Confirmation Presentation Mass 5.30pm

Sunday 14th Confirmation Presentation Mass 10am

Tuesday 16th Confirmation Parent/Child Night at 7pm

Wednesday 17th School Closure Day

Monday 22nd School Assembly at 2.30pm, Class 4C

Confirmation Reflection Day

Walk to School Day

Tuesday 23rd Education Board Meeting at 7.30pm

Wednesday 31st Prep 2018 Enrolments Close

June

Sunday 4th Confirmation Masses at 2pm & 4.30pm

Monday 5th School Assembly at 2.30pm

Monday 12th Queens Birthday Public Holiday, School Closed

Monday 19th School Assembly at 2.30pm, Class 2M

Tuesday 20th Grandparents and Friends Day

Friday 30th Last Day of Term Two

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

TIQBIZ/FLEXIBUZZ

You may have seen the name "FlexiBuzz" and noticed a change in logo when you visit your Tiqbiz app or desktop site. This is the result of the recent purchase of Tiqbiz by InLoop Pty Ltd, an Australian tech company with leading brands incluing Flexischools. We will be continuing to use the app to communicate with you and FlexiBuzz will retain all of the features that were available with Tiqbiz. To ensure you have the most up-to-date version of the app we would recommend running the app update as soon as possible. If you are using the desktop site, you will now go to web.flexibuzz.com.

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Happy Birthday to the following students who

will celebrate their birthday:

May

5th Emily 5O

7th Alexis 3CW

Logan 4C

8th Madeline 5C

Lucas 5O

9th Petar 3CW

10th Alyssa 5L

Second Hand Uniform Shop 2.30pm to 3.45pm in the Dunlop Room

DATES FOR TERM TWO

5TH May, 19th May, 2nd June and 16th June,

All uniform Donations can be placed in the

box in the school office.

P&F Committee

Save the date

Saturday 15th July

St Damian’s School & Parish

Family Dinner Dance

JAZZ.HIP HOP.ACRO.LYRICAL.TAP.SINGING.BARRE.BALLET ALL AGES - Toddlers – Adults

**SONG & DANCE SATURDAYS** Visit www.dancestreet.com.au for timetable

RACHEL DUNNE FUGA (D.F.T.A) – Principal Former Australian Champion 25 years of teaching expertise

0432 949 499

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MOTHERS DAY STALL

WHEN: 12th May 2017

The children will be able to purchase gifts for their Mum and Nanna

GIFTS $1, $2, $3, $4, $5

────

This Years Mothers Day Stall is also open to all Parents and Teachers and

Staff

All Remaining Stock Can Be Purchased

1.30PM TILL 2.30PM

Venue : Dunlop Room

Cash Sales Only

Parents & Friends Committee

St. Damian’s 2017 Sponsorship Opportunities

We are seeking support from suppliers, local businesses, parents and friends who are presently involved with St Damian’s Parish and School Community for Fundraising events for this year. These events include;

Family Dinner Dance – July Ladies Night - July Footy Day - September St Damian’s Feast Day – September St Damian’s Major Raffle Family Disco – October .

Any sponsorship will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged by the St Damian’s School and Parish. We are seeking any financial support that you are able to offer, but other offers of products or services will also be greatly appreciated as these will be incorporated into our events.

Platinum Sponsorship $2000+

Business name & Logo on all advertising boards for all events Business promoted on all flyers Business name promoted on School and Parish Newsletters Advertisement on social media and website Acknowledgement by the MC throughout events. Certificate of Appreciation

Gold Sponsorship $1000

Business name advertised on advertising boards outside school for a chosen event Name on flyer for chosen event Name on School and Parish Newsletter for chosen event Advertisement on social media and website Acknowledgement by the MC throughout for chosen event Certificate of Appreciation

Silver Sponsorship $500

Name on Flyer for chosen event Name on School and Parish Newsletters for chosen event Advertisement on social media and website Certificate of Appreciation

Bronze Sponsorship $50 to $250

Name on Flyers Name on School & Parish Newsletters Certificate of Appreciation

Social Events Committee take this opportunity of thanking you for your sponsorship and valuable help in our fundraising activities. Please fill out the form and return with your donation.

Cheques to be made payable to St Damian’s Fete and mailed to St Damian’s Social Event Committee, PO Box 63, Bundoora Vic 3083.

Receipts will be issued accordingly.