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Lord, give us imaginations big enough to reach up to yours. However, make us grounded enough to want only to love and humbly serve others as best we can. Help us to do everything for the greater glory of God. Amen
Dear Friends,
It has been a very positive and busy start to Term 4, with much activity and celebration still to come before the (well-deserved) forthcoming Christmas break.
Coming up
On 18 November, the School community is looking forward to welcoming our new Kindergarten students for their Orientation. An Orientation morning has been planned for these students, their 2021 teachers, Executive staff, ELC staff and the classroom support team. At 5pm a parent information session will be held, via ZOOM. This meeting will be recorded for those who are unable to attend at this time.
On 19 November, the Courtyard Learning Area (Kitchen Garden) will be officially opened by Alicia Payne MP, the Federal Member for Canberra. Funds for the Courtyard Learning Area were provided from a grant and with additional financial support from our P&F (our sincere thanks to all involved). Special recognition must go to the Year 2 students who imagined and crafted drawings and plans which were then used as a basis for the overall design, in consultation with the P&F.
On 11 December is the Fete Fun Day (if you children are like mine, you will have already heard many excited discussions about this day). If I could please extend a very sincere thanks to Jenny and all those involved in planning and preparation for this wonderful event: all you have done is much appreciated!
Successful BGA Application
In exciting news, Holy Trinity was successful in its application for a Block Grant Authority grant for the refurbishment of the Year 1 Annex classrooms. Principal Philippa Brearley has already met with architects, and it is hoped that this will progress to tender by the end of the year, with construction beginning around April 2021. Portable classrooms will be brought in during January to accommodate classes affected by this refurbishment process. A special thanks and congratulations to Philippa for all her work in leading this initiative. The outcome will be much improved classroom space for our Year 1 students and staff.
Water Safety Program
COVID-19 restrictions have impacted the planned water safety program this year. As a result, only Kinder to Year 4 will be participating in a water safety program during weeks 8 and 9 of term.
Over the next few weeks, the Board will be surveying parents to assess the effectiveness and value of the water safety program at Holy Trinity for 2021 and beyond. If you can respond to this survey so that we are able to make informed decisions about the future of this program, the Board would be most grateful for your input.
KidsBiz contract renewed
Following discussions with KidsBiz, the School Executive and the Board, the contract for KidsBiz to run the before and after school programs at Holy Trinity hs been extended for another 3 years. My thanks to all involved in this renewal process. Congratulations also to Kidsbiz who completed their Assessment and Rating visit this week.
Continuing to observe COVID-19 restrictions
We remain very fortunate to be in Canberra during this terrible global pandemic, and to be able to have our children schooled without the significant and enduring restrictions or disruptions which have impacted some other Australian jurisdictions and countries overseas. Whilst it is pleasing that restrictions in Canberra and at Holy Trinity have eased, if I could please remind all members of our community to continue to observe the restrictions which are in place to ensure the continued safety of everyone.
Thanks and best wishes
As this is my last Bulletin submission for this year, I would like to wish all students, families and staff who are leaving Holy Trinity at the end of this year all the very best for the future endeavours - and to thank you all for your significant contributions to our community. We hope that you leave enriched by your time at the school and that your journey ahead continued to be filled with all the things that matter most to you.
If you would like to contact me at any point, or would like to raise any matters with the Board, please feel free to email me at sbpearsall@gmail.com.
Wishing you all the very best for the rest of this term - and for a wonderful Christmas break.
Scott
Scott Pearsall - Chair of School Board
Email: sbpearsall@gmail.com.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Thank you to all of the parents who have enrolled their child in the First Eucharist Sacramental Program, and a special thanks to any parents who have volunteered to be home group leaders/hosts. Without you, this program wouldn’t be possible!
Home groups have been established. You can use the link below to view the homegroups and locate contact details for your homegroup leader.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x-B_Dgkud5IlolbLpeGkLKIf7vdBNhXGp-DejSBA8Bw/edit?usp=sharing
Mass Dates and Times can now be selected using the link below. Due to restrictions, only 4 children will be able to register for each Mass. Please remember to also list the number of family members/guests that will be attending (Maximum of 10).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146FLEi9zYXFb7-ORSpIEnyadSPXt4E8kAxxmC_2ORTM/edit?usp=sharing
Children’s Liturgy – On this weekend!
Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month during term time. Below is a timetable with the dates for Term 4.
Children’s liturgy occurs during the 9:30am Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity, Curtin. This Sunday, we will be listening to this week’s Gospel, before completing a craft activity together, and then returning to the church.
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Sunday 8th November |
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Sunday 22nd November |
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Sunday 13th December |
Youth Group
This Sunday at Youth Group they made their own clay sculptures. The group reflected on what qualities God has given each of them, and how He molds each of us.
God is continually shaping us into the person we are meant to be. The group listened to the Bible story 'Jars of Clay'. Everyone made something very different and it was a beautiful activity.
See you all next Youth Group, Maddie and Grace.
Emily Capper
Religious Education Coordination
Before and After School Bookings for the ELC 2021
The ELC has now opened bookings for Before and After School Care for students attending Kindergarten and Year One in 2021. Children currently enrolled in BSC/ASC will be required to submit a new enrolment form. The ELC provides a warm, relaxing and fun environment for 4-7 year olds from 7.30am-9am and 3.10pm to 5.45pm, as well as a school holiday program during the school term breaks. Places will be limited and priority given to siblings of 2021 preschoolers and Kindergarten students.
The After School Hours care enrolment form can be found here. Please return to the ELC office.
The ELC also has permanent and casual BSC and ASC places available this term. Contact the ELC office for bookings.
Give kids a thumbs up for the right things
Children of all ages enjoy parental recognition. They like when their parents make a fuss over their behaviour or highlight something they’ve done well.
Sometimes parents will reward their children’s behaviour with a treat, money or a gift. This is okay in small doses, but parental recognition alone is a high enough driver of children’s behaviour most of the time.
First borns, in particular, love approval. Youngest children just love that you have noticed them! Second borns can sometimes do things in spite of their parents, but deep down they love the recognition too, even if they don’t let on that they do.
The behaviour you focus on expands
If you want your kids to be neater then focus on their neat behaviours. “You’ve tidied your toys up before dinner. Top job!” You don’t have to throw a party, just let them know that you noticed and you approve of their tidiness. You may also let them know how it affects you. “You’ve tidied your toys up before dinner. It makes my job easier.” The behaviours that you notice and comment on will expand.
Noticing kids’ tidiness once won’t suddenly turn messy kids into exceptionally neat ones, but do it often enough and you’ll start to get some turn around.
You can give kids a thumbs up for all sorts of behaviours. Here’s some examples.
Being co-operative
Stubborn kids need a pat on the head when they respond on your terms not theirs.
Being brave
Nervous and anxious kids need to have their bravery pointed out to them. It’s reassuring and empowering.
Being helpful
Want helpful kids? Then you need to notice helpful behaviours.
Being tolerant
Sometimes older siblings need to be very tolerant of younger siblings. Tolerance is a very giving behaviour and should be promoted.
Being patient
Something to encourage in boys, in particular. It’s often not their strong point.
Being persistent
Let kids know when ‘hanging in there’ pays off. The link between persistence and success is massive but persistence needs to be promoted. It’s also the one factor of temperament that can be affected by parenting.
Being friendly
If your child struggles in social situations then recognise pro-social behaviours such as sharing, initiating contact with another child or taking an interest in another person.
Don’t wait until you get perfect behaviour to give recognition, particularly for very young children. Kids have L-plates when it comes to behaving (co-operatively, bravely, patiently) so their attempts and close approximations need to be verified by the significant adults in their lives – their parents.
Recognising kids’ positive behaviours is easy to do, but it’s also easy not to do. We often get tied up with other things and forget to show appreciation and nurture the behaviours our kids need to develop. It’s important to be aware of this. It’s the little things such as giving positive recognition that have the biggest impact on kids’ development.
(Source: Parentingideas.com.au)
Heidi White
Email: Heidi.white@cg.catholic.edu.au
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Students celebrating their birthdays this week: Julian B, Thomas O, Emma N, Carole W, Margaret S, Sophie L-S |
Team Leader: Max Colbert, Lisa Capezio, Carmen Hockey, Justine Webb, David Sabin
Reminder: Could team leaders please ensure the ELC is vacuumed, as well as the main building and annexe. Just the carpeted areas, as the bathrooms are done by the cleaners.
Paul Osborne
Email: osbornep@aap.com.au
NOTICEBOARD
