Two weeks ago 3 of our students had the opportunity of meeting our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. This has been upstaged this week when the Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs came as a guest speaker to the Campus Sports’ assembly. Please click on the Facebook link for further information.
This was a great opportunity for the Year 2-7 Campus students to hear Sam promoting the importance of a healthy active lifestyle by being involved in a variety of sporting pursuits. The assembly was organised to promote the winter Campus Sports Programme and students were given the opportunity to register their interest in playing a winter sport for the Campus. I would like to thank Ben Searle for initiating and organising the assembly. Campus leaders recently made the decision to employ Ben one day a fortnight to help coordinate the After School Sport Programme and our involvement in the SAPSSASA sporting competitions. This is already having an impact where Yr 6/7 students will have the opportunity to be involved in boys’ netball, girls’ football, soccer and girls’ softball as new activities this year. I am excited to see the further opportunities that are being made available to the students.
There has been the good news that the Campus has been accepted to participate in the People’s Choice Lottery. The Campus has received 150 books to sell with all the proceeds to go to the Campus to partially fund the shared facilities on Campus. In past years, Nativity families would have received a raffle book to sell as part of the Campus Fair. This year it is a little different. Our goal is to sell 50 books so we need your help. Please e-mail either Cate or Lisa (info@nativity.catholic.edu.au) to send a book home and please be aware that we are required to account for all the books and tickets. We thank you for your anticipated support.
We are currently in the process of organising an Open Day for Nativity and the Campus to showcase the excellent learning programmes happening here at Nativity and on Campus. Please mark Tuesday 26 March in your diary, to attend either the 9-11am or 5.00-7.00pm session. Your child will be able to show you evidence of their learning so far this year. We will also be offering tours to prospective new families who may be interested in enrolling here at Nativity. The best marketers of any school are the existing parents so I would ask you all to firstly support your child in coming to the Open Day then promote the Open Day to other families who maybe considering Nativity as a schooling option. We will be sending home some promotional fliers to distribute to your contacts which maybe neighbours, family, friends or acquaintances through social groups.
We are also in the process of conducting enrolment interviews for 2014 and 2015. Please contact the office for an enrolment application form if you have yet to enrol your pre-school aged child. I would also encourage you to be talking with your contacts with pre-school aged children to ring the school to arrange a time for a Principal’s tour.
I mentioned in the previous newsletter edition about my leave from Week 8 through to the end the term. I can now announce that Ms Alison Gore will be the Acting Deputy Principal whilst Catherine Gurr is the Acting Principal. Alison is currently the Religious Education Coordinator at St Therese’s Colonel Light Gardens and we are attempting to organise a mutually convenient time to come to meet the staff and students.
I look forward to catching up at the beginning of term 2 where I hope to share the experience of my leave.
By the time our next newsletter hits your inbox, we may have a new Pope.
We give thanks for the work of Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Wison says on our behalf:-
As South Australians we will always hold a special place in our hearts for Pope Benedict for conferring the canonisation of our nation’s first saint, Mary of the Cross, MacKillop”
While we wait for the start date of the conclave to be set, we pray for all the Cardinals ,may they be moved by the Holy Spirit and vote with integrity and wise judgment for the good of all Catholics and for our world.
Pope Benedict’s example of service is one we can all learn from and aspire to. As we enter the fourth week of Lent, I invite you to consider ways you can serve the needs of others.
God bless
Catherine Gurr
Notes sent home
Canteen Special Day
Head Lice 4VP
Head Lice R/1SB
UNSW 2013 Schools Competition (Yrs 3-7)
Head Lice 1/2BC
READING ARMY 2013
The Nativity Reading Army is a highly-successful reading program that we began in 2012. Our aim is to listen to EVERY Reception student EVERY day, plus some additional children in the Early Years needing extra support. We are based in the spare Bartram classroom from 8:30-9:15 each morning and are always in need of more volunteers to enable the program to run effectively. All you need is a Catholic Schools Police Check, which can be arranged free of charge through the school office.
If you have a few spare minutes in the morning, please consider coming in to help us out. Just add your name to the roster on the classroom door if you know in advance, otherwise come along when you’re free. We made a difference last year and I know we can really raise the bar this year. It isn't too late for you to join us.
ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING READING AT HOME
Do you know what kinds of books interest your child? When they finish reading a book, do you ask them to tell you all about it? Do you yourself like to share your opinions of books you’ve read?
Children enjoy talking about what books interest them. When I walk around our classroom during Silent Reading time and take a moment to ask a student to tell me about what their book is about, I enjoy seeing their enthusiasm and eagerness to share. Often their descriptions are so vivid, I almost feel as though I’ve read the book after speaking with them! Talking about reading with another person is a way of increasing motivation and comprehension of what has been read, especially if the other person asks some questions.
As parents or carers, you have the daily opportunity to engage in your child’s reading. Make night time reading part of their bedtime routine if possible, a nice way to wind down from a busy day. Whatever book they are reading, however far they are into the book, try asking them some simple questions like:-
What has happened in your book so far? Who are the characters in your book? What do you think/predict your book will be about? What do you think it going to happen next?
Just touching base with them frequently about their reading is another way of showing children that you’re interested in them. And if being actively interested in what they’re reading encourages them to read more, let’s do it!
Angela Pike
Key Literacy Teacher
In Week 4 we went swimming at Noarlunga Leisure Centre. We learnt how to be safe in the water, how to swim and we had lots of fun. We enjoyed travelling on the bus and many of us were tired on the way home!
YEAR R/1 SB CLASS REPORTS
Lent
We watched a Godly Play Gospel story about Jesus and Zacchaeus. We saw how Zacchaeus changed to do good things, just as we can during Lent. We drew pictures of an interesting part of the story and asked some wonder questions.
I wonder if Zacchaeus was nice again? By Chloe
I wonder how Jesus knew his name was Zac? By Eve
I wonder why Jesus only chose Zacchaeus? By Ella
I wonder how big Jericho was? By Genevieve
Introducing Barnabas and Inky
We would like to introduce Barnabas and Inky. Barnabas is visiting each of our homes for a week. We can play with him and write about his adventures. Then we will be able to share our writing with the class. We are all looking forward to having our turn. Inky is going to help us with our Jolly Phonics later in the year. He sits on Mrs Black’s table and watches for good listeners. Sometimes he spends time on quiet people’s tables during Relaxation.
EARLY YEARS
PROJECT COMPASSION
The Early Years classes saw a DVD about a girl called Ditosa who lives in Mozambique. She has no parents and lives with her grandmother. Their village now has water but she still has to walk 500 m to the water tap.
Our classes are raising money to buy chickens for families in Mozambique. Every $5 buys a chicken. So far our class has raised enough to buy 14 chickens.
We are also collecting cans of food and clothes for St Vincent de Paul. Here are some of our hopes for the people that we are helping:-
I would like people to have water. By Ivy
I would like people to have houses and water with a tap. By Lucas
I would like people to have loving homes. By Bryce
Nativity CRIB Volunteers
There are many upcoming CRIB events and we would love you to volunteer to assist on one or more of these events. The list of events is on the CRIB notice board in the St Joseph's Kitchen have a look what is coming up and where you could help.
Thank you
ICT Committee
Do you have an interest in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and would like to be involved in shaping the future of ICT at Nativity? If you do and would like to get involved, could you please email your expression of interest to the email link below. We welcome everyone, no matter your experience with ICT.
Simone Waterman (mum of Caleb R/1B) is shaving her head on 16 March to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
"I have worked as a registered nurse in haematology for 9 years and at the Leukaemia Foundation for 3 years, I have seen first hand what a difference this money makes to patients and their families lives, in supporting them with free accommodation for regional patients, free transport for appointments to our patients, support groups, education days, and research into new medications and treatments for blood cancers.
We are now launching a new program for our paediatric and young adult patients which will support them psychologically and physically during and post treatment- Young Bloods – this program will hopefully be rolled out nationally – and money raised will also help support funding for this. http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/Simonewaterman
Would be really great to have your support, thank you
Simone Waterman"
As part of this year’s Campus fundraising, the Events Committee has been selected to participate in the massive People’s Choice Credit Union Community Lottery. There are over 200 prizes to be won and tickets are just $2 each. First prize is the fabulous Hyundai Santa Fe Active 2.2 CRDi Auto (valued at $41,254 incl. on road costs), second prize is a Harvey Norman Shopping Spree (worth $35,000). There are more cars, travel, home improvement packages, solar panels, motor cycles and much more to be won. Definitely worth a $2 ticket!
To buy your tickets, just see the school’s front office. All proceeds from our ticket sales go to Campus, so the more we sell the more money we get. Plus you can buy extra tickets on line. Just head to www.peopleschoicecu.com.au and scroll down to the “Buy Tickets Online” logo and click it. Then make sure you type in “Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus” as the charity to support. That way we will get all of the money from online sales too!
The lottery runs from March 1st to July 31st 2013 and will be drawn on September 3rd 2013. SA Lottery Licence No. M12528.
IMPERIAL PRINCE
Thank you to the proprietors of The Imperial Prince, Chinese Restaurant – Queenie and Denis who continue to support our school.
Simply mention Nativity School when you order from the Imperial Prince and 10% of the total of the bill will be donated back to our school. (When $25 or more is spent, not with any other special, mention Nativity School when ordering)
The address is 115 Main South Road, O'Halloran Hill, just before the O'Halloran Hill Shopping block ph: 8387 1622
Donation for November & December: $29.30
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALES
Second Hand Uniforms can be purchased through Pilgrim before or after school and is run by volunteers from Pilgrim Parents & Friends.
Enquiries to Pilgrim Front Office 8270 3033. We encourage parents to purchase items at the beginning or end of the school day. Sales are cash or cheque only (sorry no credit cards).
Reader Covers $6.00 each
Library Bags $6.00 each
Smocks sizes 4, 6, & 8 $15.00.
Smocks size 10 and up $20.00
FREE BIKE SERVICE STATION AT THE FLAGSTAFF GIFT
This year marks the 18th year of the Flagstaff Gift, one of the premier meets on the South Australian Athletics League calendar.
See the states best pro runners in our own back yard.
Snacks, meals and licensed bar available. Finish off the afternoon with the acoustic band Despite Malibu
Ride your bike to the Flagstaff Gift and take advantage of the free bike service station.
Anyone arriving on two wheels can enter the draw to win a $50 Euride voucher. Professional bike mechanics from Euride Blackwood will be on hand from 4-6pm
All welcome to this free family friendly, community event.
Flagstaff Oval, Coromandel Street.
Saturday 9th March
Pro racing 4-8pm
Euride bike service station 4-6pm
Acoustic band Despite Malibu from 8pm
Dear Resident / Business owner,
I am writing to advise that Majors Road will be closed at the Southern Expressway bridge from 13 March 2013 until November 2013, as part of the $407.5 million Southern Expressway Duplication project.
The closure will take place following the re-opening of Seacombe Road in early March 2013.
This temporary closure of Majors Road will enable major earthworks and bridge extension works to be undertaken safely and efficiently for construction of the duplicated expressway.
During the closure, vehicles will be detoured via Lonsdale Road, Lander Road and Main South Road; or Brighton Road, Seacombe Road, and Main South Road. All detours will be clearly marked.
The veloway will remain open with entry and exit points maintained on Majors Road east of the bridge. Cyclists accessing the veloway from Majors Road west of the bridge will be detoured to Lander Road.
Work will generally be undertaken from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 7pm (weather permitting). At times, it may be necessary for crews to work outside of these times. If this is the case, advance notification will be provided.
Local residents, business owners and workers will notice an increase in the number of construction vehicles and equipment moving through the area during the bridge works and broader expressway duplication works.
The project team thanks you for your patience and understanding during these important infrastructure works.
If you have any concerns, questions or require any further information about this road closure, please don’t hesitate to contact the project team by email at SEDenquiries@bajvsed.com.au or by calling 1300 626 097.
Yours sincerely Danny Parkinson
Project Director, Baulderstone Abigroup Joint Venture
