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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
- SCHOOL COUNSELLING
- DATES TO REMEMBER
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- LIBRARY NEWS
- THE KITCHEN GARDEN PROGRAM
- RECIPES FROM OUR KITCHEN
- CANTEEN NEWS
- UNIFORM SHOP NEWS
- ABILITIES UNLIMITED AUSTRALIA
- CALISTHENICS
- GIRLS AUSKICK
- GUITAR AND DRUM LESSONS
- PIANO LESSONS
- RAMS RUGBY LEAGUE
- ROYAL LIFE SAVING - A DAY AT THE LAKE
- TENNIS CANBERRA
- TENNIS OPEN DAY
Dear Parents and Carers
Last Monday night we held our ‘Meet and Greet’ night, which takes place each year, very early in Term 1. The aim of the evening is to establish, build upon and cement relationships, between home and school. Relationships are the engine room, as we know, of any human enterprise: work, family, friends, community activity: it is all supported by relationships. The night began with a short presentation by me, after which time parents met with their child’s teacher/s. We had a very large gathering of parents. My thanks to all parents who were able to make it. My thanks as well to the staff for their great support and presence. Teachers handed out Term overviews and letters, and these will be sent home with any child whose parent was unable to attend.
On Tuesday night, parents of students in Year 3 who are making their First Reconciliation this year attended a Parent Information Night. As always, we are travelling this sacramental journey with Holy Trinity at Curtin, as we are part of the same parish. My thanks to Paul Jenkins and Sarah Walsh; to Fr John, to Veronica Hall, our REC and Emily Capper, REC at Holy Trinity, for their great support and work with our students.
Today, we are holding our first school Mass for the year. Our theme for the year is ‘Walking Together’. The Mass is for all students, Kindergarten – Year 6, and promises to be, as always, a foundational event for the term and the year to come. We welcome to our school Bishop Pat Power, who will be celebrating the Mass, in the place of Fr John Woods, who has recently had a hip operation. I ask you please to keep Fr John in your prayers, and we all hope he has a speedy recovery.
Next week, our Year 6 students will have their camp. Like last year’s Year 6 students, we will be attending Borambola Sport and Recreation Centre, near Wagga Wagga. Bridget Pigram and I will be attending the camp, with Luke Gubler and Katie McGregor. Two of our wonderful LSAs will also be joining us: Samantha Stinziani and Olivia O’Donnell.
Have a wonderful week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal
This week, your child/children will bring home a bookmark from the Archdiocese. This bookmark captures Archbishop Prowse’s call to unite by ‘Walking Together’ in 2023.
Please keep Fr John in your prayers as he recovers from surgery.
Opening School Mass
Fr Pat will be leading our Opening School Mass on Thursday 9th February at 12:00 noon, in the hall. All classes will be attending Mass, and all parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.
Sunday Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Such was said to your ancestors; but I am speaking to you.
In this week’s Gospel Jesus continues to instruct the disciples in the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus wanted to draw their/our attention on the nature of true wisdom. It is this true wisdom which prompts us to choose the right course of action. It is true wisdom that directs us in our interpretation of the law.
The longer we live, the more we realise that life experiences open up for us a series of choices. With these choices we chart the path that we will take. Circumstances might be thrust on us, but we can still make choices about how we will deal with them. Obedient people do what they are told; wise people choose what good they will do. True wisdom calls us to choose life and whatever enhances life. If we are truly wise, we will come to realise that what was acceptable and life-enhancing in one situation may not be appropriate in another. Life is fluid, and our thinking and acting must be flexible enough to adapt when necessary.
True wisdom, which comes to us through the Spirit, will enrich us with insight into life in ways we never thought possible. We will realise where and how we fit into the vast and interrelated ecosystems of the universe, and we will be overawed with the majesty and intricacy of its workings. We will understand once and for all that the value of anything is determined by its capacity to enrich life, and we will commit ourselves to and cherish every manifestation of that life. (adapted from Dianne Bergant CSA)
Sacrament of Reconciliation 2023
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in the Parish of the Transfiguration, North Woden from Saturday 1st April at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Curtin. Please book in your preferred day and time.
It was wonderful seeing so many people in the Zoom Parent Information Night yesterday.
Dates for your Diary:
Week 2: Opening School Mass, Thursday 9th February 12:00 noon
Week 4: Parish Mass: Commissioning Staff for 2023, Saturday 18th February 6:00 pm
(Please note the date change)
Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Wednesday 22nd February 12:00 noon
Blessings for the week ahead,
Veronica Hall
Religious Education Coordinator
| Week 2 | ||
| Kinder rest day | Wednesday 8 Feb | |
| Opening Mass | Thursday 9 Feb | 12.00 in school hall |
| Awards Assembly | Thursday 9 Feb | 2.15 in hall |
| Week 3 | ||
| Community Councill Meeting | Tuesday 14 Feb | 6.30 pm school library |
| Year 6 Camp | Wednesday 15 Feb - Friday 17 Feb |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week
Rafael Y
Campbell C
Please take note of your child or children’s library days. Kinder- Year 4 must have a Library Bag to borrow books to take home.
|
Mondays |
4M, 4W, 5M, 5W |
|
Tuesdays |
6M, 6W, 3W, KW |
|
Wednesdays |
2M, 2W, 1W, 1M |
|
Thursdays |
3M & KM Library Admin |
- I am in the Library Monday - Thursday. Should you have any questions please email me at amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au
- Reading at home is also a wonderful way to inspire your child/ren to pick up a book! Just 20 minutes a day can make a big difference.
- The Library is open at Lunchtimes (after eating time) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Scholastic book club will be running again this year. Issue 1 brochures will be coming home at the end of this week. Orders close Friday Week 3- 17th February. All orders are placed online- please note we do not accept cash or orders at school as all orders are placed online. Click here to access an online version: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/
You are encouraged to download the LOOP app which is an easy way for parents to order book club. Please note orders will take approximately 1 week to be delivered to school after the issue closing date (not when you place the order).
- Please remember that 15% of all Scholastic Book Club sales go to our school Library. The money made will be used to purchase lots of new books for the Library, as well as prizes and awards for events during the year. Last year we were able to purchase over 500 books due to the amount of money raised from our Book Fair and Book Club sales!
Happy reading! Mrs Basedow
What a great week in the kitchen and garden.
Years 1 and 2 had their first lesson in the kitchen. They learnt about behaviour and the correct way to walk in the kitchen, wash dishes and be safe in the space.
Damper was on the menu and all of our children marvelled at how much flour could get on your fingers when you are making a dough.
They picked rosemary from our garden to add extra flavour.
What a fabulous turn out for our first garden club for 2023. Our Environment Leaders joined us which is terrific. We weeded, watered and planted some new seedlings. Many hands make light (but so much fun) work in the garden!
For more information please email Mrs Katie Birch Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Until next time…
The Garden Club
CHOCOLATE POTATO CAKE
Ingredients
125 gr butter
2/3 cup castor sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup mashed potato
1 & 1/4 cups self raising flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
icing sugar, to serve
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees, grease and line a cake tin with baking paper.
Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with electric beaters until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time until all combined.
Stir in the mashed potato and flour, then add cocoa powder and milk, stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Turn cake out onto wire rack to cool, dust with icikng sugar before serving.
THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS FOR ALL LUNCH ORDERS
Families are required to place ALL lunch orders via Qkr! before 8.45am
Please purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child in a lunch order.
Ice creams are the only over-the-counter sales at lunch time in Term 1.
Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to collect an ice cream at lunchtime.
CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER
| Time | Wednesday 15 February | Thursday 16 February | Friday 17 February |
| 9-11.30 | Help needed please | Help needed please | Help needed please |
Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated
Please contact me if you are unable to help out on your day.
ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP OUT IN THE CANTEEN?
Parent/carer helpers are most welcome in the Canteen. A lending hand is always required and very much appreciated.
Helping in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet new people and make a valuable contribution to the school.
No doubt your child/ren will get a buzz from seeing you at the school. So, if you have any spare time and would like to help out in the canteen, PLEASE feel free to contact me through email at lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au or click on the link below to add your selected time to the roster.
https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenRosterTerm1
All volunteers must have a WWVP card.
CANTEEN REMINDERS
- Please ensure your child’s class is updated and CORRECT on Qkr! This is to avoid their lunch being misplaced.
- If a lunch order has been placed, and your child is not at school please cancel the lunch order in your Qkr! activities by 8.45am that day. Flyer attached
OPEN TUESDAY MORNINGS
8.30 – 9.30AM
The Uniform Shop is a service for the parents and children. We sell New & Quality Second-hand school clothing, and all money raised goes back to the school to provide resources for the children.
The School Uniform is available via Qkr!
Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45 am.
The Uniform shop is stocked up with second hand uniform, please visit on a Tuesday morning to purchase second hand uniform.
The uniform shop is limited with space, so if you wish to donate pre-loved items, PLEASE ONLY DONATE CLOTHES
that are washed and in perfect resalable order.
Thank you
Please visit the schools website for the Uniform price list.
Lauretta Raccosta
Uniform Shop
We have been working hard at Abilities Unlimited Australia (AUA) to build our programs behind the scenes and work to ensure we have the strongest team of passionate allied health professionals, teachers, specialist coaches and support workers to support you and your children in a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment. We are hoping you may be able to share this information with families that may benefit. Note, we do have a scholarship fund for families in financial need.
https://www.abilitiesunlimited.com.au
To celebrate the new year, we have opened some additional slots in AUA programs with the aim to provide opportunities for childred of all abiliites to
- Learn with targeted, intensive, individualised support
- develop social skills and make friends
- feel part of a community
- increase confidence and self-esteem
- develop physical skills, fitness, balance, coordination, and strength
- develop self-control, self-discipline, resilience, persistence, and patience
- increase wellbeing
- build decision-making and strategic thinking through learning various physical and sporting skills and game plays
- learn social skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork
- improve connections between the brain and body
- demonstrate courage and experience joy and pride, realising their own personal potential to truly thrive
To support home based learning every registration for our January holiday program and/or term 1 program will be entered into a draw to win a $250 adaptive, therapy-based family sporting gift pack tailored to your family sporting need and AUA program interests.
Our January Intensive Holiday programs run for 4 days in the weeks of:
- 9-13 January AND
- 16-19 January
Our Term 1 programs commence
- week 2 of school term with the Saturday program starting the 4th February.
AUA Programs Available:
|
AUA Program |
About |
|
Cyclabilities Balance and Glide |
AUA’s Cyclabilities program has been designed by Allied Health Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists and teachers so all children have the opportunity to develop skills and confidence to ride a bicycle which provides children with their first taste of mobile independence. At Cyclabilities Balance and Glide, we build spatial-awareness, dynamic balance skills and learn to cycle through individualised one-on-one targeted, individualised support. The program is made up of progressive learning experiences with fun ways to learn to cycle. This program supports children of all abilities and is a foundation for cyclists of the future. ALL children are provided meaningful, inclusive opportunities to learn to ride, make friends, build social skills, and experience the joy and freedom cycling can bring. |
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Cyclabilities On the Pedals/Out the Gates |
On the Pedals Program is for the next adventure for participants that can cycle independently without training wheels. Out the Gates can feel like the biggest step for both you and your child - it's cycling out in the community! On the Pedals/Out the Gates provides empowering, inclusive instruction for those just pedalling kids to develop focus, balance, bilateral coordination, postural strength, lower limb strength and core strength whilst pedalling. Through fun interactive and evidence-based games in a traffic-free environment, children make friends, develop at their own pace, and build confidence to ride safely in the community. Our instructors will then lead riders up and down hills, along bike paths and create journeys, to experience "real" cycling. Children will develop muscular endurance and strength, learn how to determine the right bike postural position for the terrain, develop strong safety skills to be able to ride in the community. |
|
Cyclabilities Head for the Dirt |
Cyclabilities Head for the Dirt is a targeted and personalised program to set children of all abilities up for dirt riding success. Children will enjoy navigating dirt tails, developing control on their bikes, building, endurance, strength and stable technique that will put your mind at ease that they have all the tools to ride safely on different terrains in the future. Through this program, your child will develop: - Bike control, trail reading and trail etiquette - Confidence cycling on different terrains - Navigating and assessing risks - Endurance, strength, resilience, fitness, perseverance - Social and communication skills |
|
Waterabilities – Swimming |
AUA’s unique Waterabilities program has been specially designed with child development experts, allied health professionals and swim professionals so that all children have the opportunity to be safe in and around aquatic environments. Waterabilities is for children of all abilities who may be working on conquering their fear of the water to become more comfortable moving in and under it, new swimmers learning the skills needed to be safe and have fun in the water or early swimmers looking to improve swim skills they may already have. Waterabilities provides one-on-one intensive, targeted, individualised in-pool support, assisting children to develop social and communication skills whilst also building swim biomechanics, swim movement patterns, balance, coordination, confidence, resilience, and strong water safety skills. Waterabilities is a proud partner of Royal Life Saving ACT/NSW. Our instructors are supported to undertake Autism Swim Training, Puggles Training for deaf and hard of hearing children and Swimming Access and Inclusion Training. |
|
Shredabilities - Skateboarding |
Shredabilities, skateboarding program provides the opportunity for children of all abilities to participate in an activity that improves gross motor skills, balance, social interaction, social emotional skills and self-esteem in a non-competitive, healthy, and fun environment. It is our belief that, through empowering children of all abilities, we can help to enrich lives and society. Children participating in the program work one-on-one with competent, experienced skate instructors, each well-versed in the methodologies of successfully interacting with children with diverse abilities. This is accomplished through the AUA progressive approach to instruction and empowerment. Through this program, your child will develop: - Dynamic balance, unilateral strength and coordination, and postural awareness/stability - Skills including posture, manuals, pumping, ollie, backside kick - turn, frontside kick turn, rock fake tail stall, pushing, stopping, axel turns (frontside & backside), tic-tac and roll up & down ramps and more. |
|
Defendabilities – Self-defence |
Defendabilities is a targeted intensive program designed to introduce the fundamentals of training in a martial arts /self-defence discipline. Defendabilities is rooted in the fundamentals of boxing and martial arts. It is designed to increase strength and stamina, confidence, self-control, and discipline while improving your children's situational awareness and ability to defend themselves. Many of the fundamentals covered in Defendabilities (balance, footwork, hand speed and coordination) are transferable to other self-defence disciplines as well as other sports. Through this program, your child will: - Increase situational and environmental awareness - Learn practical and effective self-defence skills - Gain self-confidence, empowerment, focus and awareness - Learn skills and techniques for safety and wellbeing - Become fitter, stronger, and healthier Defendabilities instructors have experience (both instructing and competing) in a wide range of disciplines including boxing, Muay Thai, kick boxing and traditional martial arts and, all have instructed across several existing and established AUA programs |
|
Moveabilities – Girls Movement, Fitness, Dance and Wellbeing |
Moveabilities Girls is a comprehensive wellness program for girls of all abilities, providing intensive personalised support for girls to learn, develop and practice physical activity, social and emotional wellness. Participants enjoy group-based strength, fitness, flexibility and coordination activities through circuits, games, dance, yoga, and mindfulness activities. Moveabilities is designed and led by out amazing female Allied Health professionals and female coaches with the aim to support girls to build self-confidence, manage emotions and provide opportunities for connection with other girls to build lasting friendships. Instructors are supported and trained to include mechanisms and aids such as visual supports to create and facilitate a supportive environment where girls with diverse abilities actively engaged in exercise for a lifetime. The impact will be transformative, positive, and empowering. |
|
Teamabilities – Team Sports |
Teamabilities is a team sports skill development, community inclusion program designed to build skills including kicking, catching, bouncing, striking, and throwing which are foundation ball skills for a wide range of team sport activities. Sports include soccer, hockey, cricket, Oztag and more. The program utilises games and activities which see participants (with parents and instructors) working together to increase their physical activity and develop both aerobic and muscular fitness. The delivery of the program is designed to not only increases children's physical capability, skills and coordination but will also confidence, communication, and social skills. Each week the program has a different sportsmanship theme. Themes focus on developing key social and emotional skills, including self-control, persistence critical thinking, resilience, and self-reliance. Teamabilities is designed by allied health professionals and provides intensive support and inclusive, scaffolded learning strategies that build peer connection, skills, physical activity and sporting behaviour, self-confidence, athletic ability, and social-emotional well-being |
|
Hoopabilities - Basketball |
Hoopabilities Program is AUA’s basketball skill development, community inclusion program for children of all abilities. The fundamentals of basketball are introduced across the term program enabling children to develop basketball specific skills together with sportsmanship skills in a safe, inclusive, and caring environment. Instructors work with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that promotes the complete growth of each individual and encourages players to improve at his or her own pace with intensive support. Children will develop skills including dribbling, passing, shooting and being part of a team. Activities also support the development of core strength, coordination, and spatial and body awareness. Activities and drills target emotional regulation, communication, following game rules and teamwork. The sessions are specifically designed to build skills including listening, following directions, and taking turns. Sessions are non-competitive and use positive reinforcement to teach players, together with their caregivers, skills in a fun, engaging, and educational environment. Skills learnt at Hoopabilities aim to build capability and confidence for player to progress to grassroots community basketball programs. The Hoopabilities program is designed by a combination of education, allied health, and basketball specialists to ensure that each player is developing skills, improving their self-confidence, and having fun. |
How to register:
To meet demand, we have opened some new slots for programs. Please book in quick to not miss out. All bookings need to go through the website at https://www.abilitiesunlimited.com.au/register
You can register and pay, and we will send you through a receipt with information for NDIS (if required) within seven days. Alternatively, if you would like to book and be invoiced. To do this:
- Fill in registration
- Select REDEEM COUPON button
- Type in INVOICE
- The amount will change to $0, and you will be send an invoice to you (or your plan manager if requested) within seven days.
Sponsored places:
We have a goal that each child, of any ability, has the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence to participate in active recreation and community sport in a safe way. Our scholarship program help children kids enjoy the positive outcomes of AUA programs.
AUA scholarships provide access to one term of an AUA program. To nominate for a place please fill in the online form at www.abilitiesunlimited.com.au/scholarships
Why AUA?
AUA is a non-profit community organisation providing inclusive, family focussed, allied health and education developed sports, active recreation, and personal development programs.
AUA exists to offer children of all abilities a chance to take part in active recreation and/or communities sport within their communities inclusively and meaningfully.
All AUA programs provide intensive, targeted support and are especially designed for children and teens of all abilities including a wide range of special needs including physical, developmental, sensory, and learning disabilities. Our programs provide opportunities for all to participate and promote unified physical activity, promoting family involvement and athletic skill development through a warm and encouraging environment.
Need more information?
Contact us at info@abilitiesunlimited.com.au
Happy New Year!
Your AUA team.Your AUA Team
Abilities Unlimited Australia (AUA)
E: info@abilitiesunlimited.com.au
