13th June 2024
Principal News
“God, help me navigate whatever challenges I encounter this day. Be my comfort and my rock. Guide me to do Your will and be an instrument of your peace today and each day. Amen.”
Dear Parents and Carers
Semester One Reports
As we approach the last few weeks of semester one, our teachers are preparing your child’s semester one formal report. The report for Early Stage One (Kinder) is different to the report for Stage One (Year 1 and 2) and these will be released on Compass on the 28th June. The following week 1st-4th July is set aside for parents seeking a Parent-Teacher meeting with your child’s teacher. This ten minute meeting is not compulsory as we have had a Student Led Conference in term 1 and another one coming up in term 3, whereby your child will share with you how they are tracking with achieving their self identified learning goals and what their new goals may be for Semester Two. Parents wanting to have a meeting in the final week of school will be able to make an appointment via Compass during the week of 24th June when time slots will be made available. If you’d prefer to speak over the phone simply email your child’s teacher with the request for a call and they will call you at some stage during that last week of term.
The Early Stage One reports use a three point scale for reporting progress whilst the Stage One reports use a five point scale. Progress in each of the seven Key Learning Areas – Religious Education; English, Maths, Science, HSIE, Creative Arts and PDHPE is reported on. Teachers will also provide feedback about your child’s efforts and their learning habits.
It is very important that parents and carers speak with your child about their report and celebrate their learning success, their efforts and their learning dispositions. Where you feel your child may be able to improve, provides an opportunity to give encouragement rather than to speak negatively about the progress report. As adults our negative language can sometimes be damaging to a young student or can set them up with inaccurate beliefs about themselves e.g. “Mum said she didn’t like maths so I don’t either”; “Dad said it doesn’t matter if I don’t listen very well because he didn’t when he was at school”. All our students are early learners and will want to hear that you are proud of their efforts so far.
Cola Update and the bird issues
You will notice the temporary fencing has been removed from the cola and the pressure cleaning happened today and an industrial clean will happen over the weekend. As Isabelle in Year 1B said today “Wow we can play here now, and we can put the seats back!” It has been a long journey, and we are very grateful to the Diocese for their support to provide the preventative maintenance required to ensure we have our shaded and covered area available once more to utilise. Thanks to Mullane’s for their work.
Behavioural Concerns
In recent weeks we have had some negative behaviours occurring across the school with several students swearing; losing their temper; speaking rudely to staff; telling fibs; having hands on or throwing a tantrum when they don’t get their own way. Some students need additional support in the school environment with emotional regulation and as our school is K-2, we focus on this every day. Parents can assist us with reminding your child that swearing at school is not ok, no matter how frustrated or angry a person feels. Some issues around not being picked to share an answer if a child has their hand up in class or not taking turns; or not taking it out in a game, are teachable moments at school where your child is learning so many social skills and new ways of ‘being’ in the world. We also use play opportunities to redirect and reteach acceptable behaviours.
Our agreed practice is that teachers will call parents to inform them of behavioural concerns especially when there is a change in your child’s behaviour which is a cause for concern or when negative behaviours begin presenting regularly.
Restorative Practices at Holy Spirit Infants
What happens when a student has made a mistake? Our school follows Restorative Justice practices which is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It puts the onus on individuals to be truly accountable for their behaviour and to repair any harm caused to others as a result of their actions. Students will sit with a staff member or executive team member and reflect on the event, their part in it, who was hurt, which zone of regulation was the student in when the incident happened, what school rule did they break and then what action can the student undertake to restore the friendship, relationship etc.
This process is recorded by the student or group of students or by the teacher and then a copy is sent home for the parent/carer to sign with the request that the parent then discuss what is written/drawn and the incident that happened. This way the school is communicating with the parents about an incident during the day at school. Parents are then asked to return the page to school having signed that they have discussed the incident with their child at home. Not every child will go through this process, sometimes staff can reteach and redirect after a small incident. As school partners with parents, we are appreciative when parents return these signed reflections as this simple action clearly shows the child that school and home are working together.
We have been following these practices for six years and we have found the restorative approach to be a very supportive and respectful way in which to address incidents.
Have a great fortnight! God bless, Diane Murphy
Assistant Principal News
Attendance
At Holy Spirit Infants we understand that there may be times when a student may be absent from school, a few minutes late or need to leave early however, we urge parents and carers to not make this a habit. Although, missing just 10 minutes of school each day may appear insignificant, its cumulative effect can detrimentally influence various facets of student growth and development.
- Academic Performance: Missing even a small portion of class time can lead to gaps in understanding, especially in subjects where each lesson builds upon the last. Over time, these gaps can accumulate and affect overall academic achievement.
- Social Development: School is not just about academics; it's also where children learn important social skills like teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution. Regular attendance ensures students have ample opportunities to interact with peers and develop these crucial skills.
- Establishing Routine: Consistent attendance helps students develop a sense of routine and discipline, which are valuable habits for success both in school and later in life.
- Teacher-Student Relationship: Regular attendance allows students to build stronger relationships with their teachers, who can provide support, guidance, and personalised assistance when needed.
- Preventing Disengagement: When students frequently miss school, they can become disconnected from the learning process, leading to disengagement and a lack of motivation to attend at all.
- Preparation for the Future: Regular attendance in school sets a precedent for punctuality and responsibility that carries over into the workplace and other areas of adult life.
Even seemingly small increments of missed time can have a significant impact on these aspects of student development. Therefore, it's essential to prioritise consistent attendance to ensure students have every opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Our PB4L focus for the next two weeks of this term will be from the domain “I am responsible:
“I wear our uniform with pride.”
With the colder weather well and truly here, all students should now be wearing their full winter uniform. Below is a graphic from the Parent Handbook listing the uniform for our students.
Wearing the school uniform with pride is important for several reasons:
It's important to wear the school uniform with pride because it:
- Makes everyone feel like they belong.
- Ensures fairness for all students.
- Helps students focus on learning, not clothing.
- Teaches professionalism and discipline.
- Enhances the school's image.
- Improves safety by easily identifying students.
- Shows respect for the school and its values.
Overall, wearing the school uniform with pride promotes a positive school culture, fosters a conducive learning environment, and prepares students for their future roles in society.
Rebecca Kearns
Assistant Principal
Sharing Our Faith
Religious Education in Year 1
Year 1 have been busy learning about belonging to God's family and what this looks like and feels like. They have spent time unpacking what makes a family and what belonging looks like, feels like and sounds like.
Each classroom is bursting with anchor charts, sticky notes and learning intentions!
They are now learning about the sacraments of initiation and how they help us to belong to God's family. To help connect the idea of belonging to the sacraments of initiation Year 1 had
to brainstorm all the places and groups where they ‘belong’. They then linked that belonging
in God’s family means to feel a sense of belonging, a connection to others and to be
accepted for who we are: loved, cherished, celebrated and fully forgiven.
Religion lessons involve personal choice making where students have the option to choose
how they show their understanding. There may be options such as using loose parts,
drawing, painting or 3D construction. Be sure to ask your child about what part of Religion
lessons they enjoy!
Social Justice- Make a Difference Appeal
This year our school will be partnering with CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.
CatholicCare does incredible work in our community through their various programs. It’s
anything from supporting students from refugee backgrounds at their Refugee Hub to
feeding people going without through their Food Programs. But, sadly, these programs
receive no government funding.
On Friday 5th July Holy Spirit Infants will be having a Pyjama Day. Please
bring a gold coin donation to help raise money for those who are struggling.
Term 2 Family Mass
On Sunday 23rd June we will be having a family mass at St Francis Xavier Church, Abermain at
4.30pm. If you would like to assist with a job or reading please contact the office.
Vineyards Parish Mass Times
What have we been learning in Kindergarten?
Kindergarten Maths
Kindergarten have explored a variety of topics this term in Mathematics. From 2D shapes, to mass and data. All while they further unpack whole number by representing and manipulating numbers. Here is some of the work Kindergarten have done recently in their Maths lessons:
Kindergarten Blue
This week in Kindergarten we have started to explore the order of numbers, particularly what numbers come before or after a particular number. In one activity we completed, students used playing cards to select a number and had to show what number came before or after, through numerals and pictures.
Kindergarten White
Similarly, KW have been looking at representing numbers. We have learned to organise our counters into patterns of numbers, represent whole numbers in creative ways and order numbers in ascending and descending order.
Office News
School Fees
For families that have nominated to pay school fees in a lump sum, this payment is required by the end of June 2024.
Our preferred method of payment is BPay using the details at the top right side of the fee statement. Avoid making payments through Compass Pay as it attracts hefty administration costs.
For those families that are making regular payments toward fees, your commitment is greatly appreciated.
For any families experiencing financial hardship we encourage you to contact our school to discuss and develop a payment plan.
Library News
Book Club
Issue 4 of Book Club will close Thursday 20th June.
All orders must be placed ONLINE only through Parent LOOP.
Thanks Library Staff
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