2024 Newsletter Term 2 Week 9

From the Principal - Brad Toole

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We are very fortunate to have such a great community at All Hallows. Parents, families, and carers are a child's first and most important teachers. Parent engagement in education is about parents and carers, schools and communities working together to ensure that every parent can play a positive role in their child's learning, school community, sport, and social life. Research has shown that when schools and families work together, children do better. 

Family-school partnerships involve the ways families and schools work together to support children’s academic achievement. This includes:

- Connecting what children are learning at school with how they learn at home. 

- Parents support learning through everyday activities, and during the time their children aren’t at school. 

- Sending clear signals to students about the value of education 

- Building mutual commitment by families to take action in the home that supports learning at school

R.E. Matters - Walking In The Light

 This term our focus is…

                        ‘WE ARE CALLED TO SHINE’

With all our gifts we are called to shine

To be all we can be, to light up the sky

We will shine among them, and show them the way

Shine among them, every night, every day.

To shine for God means to walk in his goodness and grace, and to shine to others, showing all you are given through God’s bright light of hope and everlasting life. 

This week let us all aim to do small actions, share kind words and show loving care of our classmates and family members. Doing all we can for one another this week is a perfect example of our calling to be the hands and feet of Christ. 

First Holy Communion

The First Holy Communion Mass was a beautiful celebration for the Parish and especially the children receiving the Body of Christ for the first time.

Supported by their families and extended school and parish family, Charlotte, Audrey, Lincoln, Iyla, Zion, Isla, Tamara, Hamish, Michaela, Wayne,  Amalea and Ruby received their First Holy Communion and enjoyed celebrating afterwards with Communion cake and morning tea. 

Many thanks to Fr Owen Gibbons who presided over  this Sacrament. Thanks also to Mrs Kelly who prepared the class, Mrs Holland for her organising and the students of All Hallows who came to mass to support the children. Many thanks to the Parishioners of St John the Baptist for their support throughout the preparation and for making the church beautiful for this special day.

Here are some reflections from the day.

My New Gallery

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Annual Data Improvement Survey

I am delighted to share with you the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from the recent annual school survey data which was made available last week. Your input and perspectives are invaluable to us as we continuously strive to provide the best education and nurturing environment for our students.

The survey results have affirmed our commitment to excellence, with an overwhelming majority expressing their satisfaction with the overall quality of education and the dedication of our exceptional teaching staff. We are immensely proud to see that the majority of respondents feel that our school fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging inclusivity and respect among students of diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, the survey highlighted the strong emphasis on spiritual and moral development that our Catholic education offers. The feedback also emphasised the value placed on effective communication and partnership between the school, parents, and students. 

I would like to express my thanks to all those who participated in the survey and took the time to provide us with their valuable insights. Your feedback helps us identify areas of strength and areas for improvement, enabling us to continually enhance the educational experience we offer.

Should anyone wish to discuss any of your suggestions for improvement please make an appointment to come and discuss anything with me.

Reports

Our teachers are busy preparing our Semester 1 Reports. Our students have been busy working hard for two terms and should be proud of their efforts this semester.  Reports will be made available on Compass in the final week of this term. The purpose of this report is to accurately communicate to parents and students about student achievement, and to clearly identify goals for students to work towards. 

NAIDOC Week

The NAIDOC 2024 theme –chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud. The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. During week 10 All Hallows will be joining with the other Gulgong schools to celebrate the culture of our First Nations people. 

Tuesday 2nd July: 

• We will all go to the High School with the other schools. 

• All our students will create artwork to decorate the High School Gym.

• Join in the community celebrations at Gulgong High School. 

Thursday 4th July:

All Hallows NAIDOC Day

• Mufti Day wearing something Red, Black or Yellow 

• Activities throughout the day in mixed groups. 

• BBQ Lunch (Sausage Sizzle) 

• NAIDOC Liturgy at 2.15pm

• Return to classes after lunch for the afternoon. 

Parents are all invited to attend the liturgy, activities and barbecue and join with us throughout the day.

Congratulations Lilah

Congratulations to Lilah who competed in the Polding Softball trials this week in Sydney.

Lilah was successful and will now go on to compete at the NSW PSSA Carnival in Woolaware in Week 10 next term.

Well done Lilah!

Pupil Free Day

Our first day of Term 3 will be a Pupil Free Day. 

The first day for students in Term 3 will be Tuesday 23rd July.

School Beanies

The school is now selling beanies for $18. They are available from the Uniform Shop. They can  be worn on cool days. I would advise students to have their hats in their bags so they can change later in the day if it warms up.

Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Our P&F uniform Shop is open on Tuesday mornings 8.30am - 9.15am. Should  you need  items outside this time please message through the P&F Facebook page and someone from the P&F will arrange a collection from the office for uniform items.

Canteen News

We are desperate for more canteen helpers at the moment. Helpers are required to be in the canteen from 10.30 - 1.30pm. If you’re able to help, can you please email the school office or speak to Brad. 

**We have taken milkshakes off the menu at the moment and will let you know if they become available again.

Garden Club News

This week in Garden Club we spent some time outside the canteen and courtyard instead of in the Garden Club space.  Here we have weeded the garden next to the courtyard and filled it with some succulent cuttings from next to the canteen. Our hope is that these succulent cuttings will grow wonderfully and overtake this space in the garden so we can have a beautiful green space to enjoy while not having to week so much!

Winter is a great season to spend time in other areas of the school gardens for some maintenance and tidying.

Happy gardening, Miss Norris & Mrs Watts

Road Safety

Afternoon pickup is a very busy time on the intersection of Bayly and Medley Streets. It is important that we are following safe procedures to keep all students and parents safe. Morning drop off is much more staggered which allows the majority of parents to park and drop off from the same side of the street as the school.

 A reminder that we must use the following procedures to keep all students and parents safe around our school:

• Children should be encouraged to be alert and aware of their surroundings by practising the road safety procedure- Stop, Look, Listen and Think. 
• Stop one step back from the footpath or shoulder of the road.
• Look in each direction for approaching traffic.
• Listen for the sounds of approaching traffic.
• Think about whether it is safe to cross the road.
• Make sure to always park in designated parking zones around schools to avoid dangerous situations. 
• Park your car on the same side of the road as the school if possible so your child doesn’t have to cross the road. 
• Be on the alert for children moving in and out from behind cars while pulling in and out of parking spots. 
• The safe door for children to get out of the car is the one facing away from the road. Children should wait in the car until an adult can open the door for them. Before getting out of the car, both adults and children should check that the coast is clear to leave the vehicle.
• There is a 40km/h speed limit when driving near school buses that are picking up or dropping off school children.
• Set the example by following all road rules
• Discuss your actions and decisions around the road with your child
• Hold hands near roads
• Please do not have conversations on the road or whilst walking on the road. If talking to someone in the car can you please stand on the footpath. 
• If you need to cross the road you must use the crossing. I know that it adds an extra 60 metres to your trip to the car. This extra distance each day is definitely worth the safety of everyone in our school community.

2025 Enrolments

Student Wellbeing

Congratulations

Congratulations to Teagan, Anthony, Pippa, Ned, Hunter, Tom and Clancy on the safe arrival of Nina Mary-Margaret last week.  What a beautiful little addition to their family. 

Merits - Week 8 term 2

Kinder:  Sophie J, Hilary B

Year 1:   Connor C, Millie M, Jayce O

Year 2:   Jacob H, Lennon O

Year 3:   Georgia T, Charlotte H, Brycen B, Mitchell O

Year 4:  Anna T, Cooper H

Year 5:  Canberra Excursion

Year 6:  Canberra Excursion

Halos:  Audrey G, Brycen, Jacob, Winnie K, Michaela, Hilary, Cooper H, John, Ruby T, Oscar

Noticeboard

Free Watercolour Workshops with Denise Faulkner

Tea, Birds and Biscuits.

Art lovers from Australia to Berlin are mad for Denise Faulkner's whimisical watercolour paintings.  The Mudgee Arts Precinct is offering you a chance to get an insight into Denise's work and to produce your very own masterpiece. 

Tea, Birds and Biscuits with Denise Faulkner is a free workshop for people of all skill and experience levels.  Denise will demonstrate her unique approach to painting and will guide you through the process of creating two small watercolours.  

Thursday 27th June - 10am - 12pm. This session is aimed at, but not exclusive to seniors.

Saturday 29th June - 10am - 12pm .  Ages 16 and over

All materials supplied.  Places are limited and disappearing very quickly. For bookings go to: https://www.mudgeeartsprecinct.com.au/WHATS-ON/Events-directory/Tea-Birds-and-Biscuit-with-Denise-Faulkner