T1 W4 Newsletter 2023
From The Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the principal of St Anne's, I would like to take a moment to talk about the importance of parent engagement. Our students’ education is a collaborative effort between teachers, administrators, and parents, and it is crucial that we all work together to ensure that the children receive the best possible education.
Research shows when parents are engaged in their children’s education, it creates a positive and supportive environment for learning. When you are involved in your child’s education, you help to build their confidence, encourage them to take risks, and provide them with the support they need to succeed. Additionally, when you are engaged in your child’s education, you have a better understanding of what they are learning and can help them to make connections between what they are learning in school and the real world.
Broadly there are many ways that parents can be involved in their children’s education, including volunteering at school, attending parent-teacher conferences, and participating in school events. Additionally, you can support your children’s education by reading with them, helping them with homework, and encouraging them to explore their interests and passions.
We also encourage parents to participate in school decision-making processes. Your input and feedback are invaluable in helping us to make informed decisions that positively impact our students and our school community. This is where your attendance at P&F FOCUS Group can benefit both us and you.
Parent engagement is essential to ensuring that our students receive the best possible education. I encourage all of our parents and guardians to become involved in their children’s education and to take an active role in our school community.
Student Protection News
At St Anne's our Student Protection Officers are:
Mr John Ballinger-Oches (Principal)
Mrs Linda Holmes (APC)
Mrs Erika Milne (APRE)
Mrs Wilma Dixon ( Counsellor)
Photos of our Student Protection Officers will appear in future newsletters.
Across The Curriculum
NAPLAN 2023- Now In Term 1!
Towards the end of 2022, it was announced that the NAPLAN testing window was moving to Term 1, 2023. This means that schools will receive the data collected from our cohorts earlier, giving us more opportunities to fine tune our practices and to meet the needs of our students.
OUr Year 3 and Year 5 students will have an opportunity to sit a practice test on Thursday, 15th February. This practice familiarises the students with the processes of the online testing, and to help in reducing any anxiety that our students may feel.
We are now a NAPLAN Online school, and as a result of this, the official testing window is over a two-week period. For this reason, NAPLAN testing dates are Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March 2023. Our official testing days will be advertised as soon as they are finalised.
While participation by all Saint Anne’s students in Year 3 and Year 5 is expected, there are some instances where students may be withdrawn from one or more of the NAPLAN tests. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents and carers.
Should you wish to withdraw your child from the NAPLAN testing process, the principal, prior to the testing period, must receive a formal application. If you are intending to withdraw your child from the NAPLAN testing process, please request a ‘Record of Parent Withdrawal’ form from our office staff and return to Mr John Ballinger-Oches by Friday,11th February 2023.
This withdrawal form covers both the NAPLAN practice test and online testing in March.
If you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask.
Linda Holmes
Assistant to the Principal: Curriculum
The Good News
From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Mrs Erika Milne
Leadership Liturgy
Last Friday, the Year 6 student leaders received their badges and leaders' shirts at a very special and reverent Liturgy of the Word. It was fantastic to see all students and staff joining in the singing and actions of the songs.
Thank you to those families who joined our celebration and stayed for morning tea and a cuppa. It was special to see families spending this time with their children as they commence their leadership journey.
Thank you to Father Gasper, Parish Priest, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Director of Catholic Education, and Mr Michael McCusker, Assistant Director of Schools Northern Region for joining our school community on this very special occasion.
Leadership Liturgy
St Michael's Parish News
Request For Jars And Bottles
Cancer Fundraiser
Please support Matilda | One of our Year 5 students, Matilda, along with her mother, is running 5 kms for Warrior Women fighting breast cancer, in conjunction with the Mater Foundation on International Women's day 2023.
She will be running from Mackay City to Mackay Harbour, dressed in all pink, on Sunday March 12th. If anyone wants to come cheer her on, she should be passing the blue water Quay in Mackay about 9.30am & a cheer squad would be very much appreciated!!
If anyone would like to sponsor Matilda, this is the link to Matilda's sponsorship page:
https://fundraiser.mater.org.au/s/61390/85053/e
And this is the parent sponsorship link potential donors can access to verify or donate.
https://fundraise.mater.org.au/s/60449/85050/e
What a wonderfully generous act Matilda. The St Anne’s community are very proud of you.
Finance News
Term 1 Fees | School fees for Term one have now been issued. Payment is due 17/01/2023. If you foresee issues with paying in full by this date, and do not have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer to discuss.
Sports News
P&F News
Tuckshop Volunteers
The St Anne's Tuckshop is closed until a new convenor is appointed.
Students Of The Week
Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week | Mackenzie F, Zoe D, Millie T, Cohen D, Hadley W, Toby T, Paige G, Chiara M, Mackintyre W, Thomas B, Axl B, Harry vB, Brendan B, Khai T, Stevie M, Jack B, Deejay P, Summer W, Marcus S, Lilly Z
General Information
| Birthdays | |||
| 13/02 | Aaliyah K | 14/02 | Paige E |
| Notes Home to Parents Since Last Newsletter | |||
| Date | To | Topic | Author |
| 10/02 | All Parents | T1 W3 Newsletter | Admin |
| 10/02 | All Parents | Collection Notice for Parents | Admin |
| 13/02 | Year 5 & 6 Parents | Shrove Tuesday | Mrs Milne |
| 14/02 | Yr 4-6 Rugby League Students | Sarina District Trials | Mrs Ford |
| 14/02 | Yr 4-6 Touch Football Students | Mackay District Trials | Mrs Ford |
| 15/02 | Netball Parents Yrs 1-6 | St Anne's Netball 2023 | Mrs Ford |
| 15/02 | Yrs 3-6 | Swimming Lessons Yr 3-6 | Mrs Ford |
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Community News
