From the Principal – Term 3, Week 08
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,
This week we celebrated ‘Education Assistant Appreciation Week’. As we know, a lot of the hard work that Education Assistants do goes above and beyond their roles and responsibilities. Whether that’s making sure children get to class on time, monitoring children and keeping them on task, going shopping, or helping in the classroom; teachers know this work is often the difference between a good lesson and a great one.
Our Education Assistants are the heartbeat in this outfit and at CtK, we are very fortunate to have absolute winners.
We should never underestimate their value to us as teachers, to our parents and most of all to any of our students who need help at different times.
Of course, this isn’t to forget the impact that Education Assistants can have on individual children. For young learners with special educational needs, having an extra helping hand can be the difference between success and failure.
So, from the CtK team of teachers, families and students, we say thanks to our Education Assistants for their hard work and dedication to our school community.
National Child Protection Week (September 1-7) 2024. This message captures the essence of National Child Protection Week which aims to promote a safe and supported life for every child, now and into the future. In 2024, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Every conversation matters’.
Congratulations to Violet Russo in Year 6 for winning the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions Award at the Catholic Performing Arts this term. Violet was recognised for her outstanding performance as a Soloist singing the song, ‘Journey to the Past’. Violet will be receiving her award at the Perth Concert Hall this Monday evening. This is a HUGE accomplishment, well done, Violet!
DE VIALAR HOUSE
Be inflamed by the fire of love.
Red for courage shown by St Emilie De Vialar, the foundress of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. Sisters from the order established Christ the King School in 1903.
- Fleur-de-lis
- Fire
- Passion
De Vialar House was named after Sister Emilie De Vialar. She was the foundress of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition. The congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph was established in 1832 in France and from here 42 houses of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition were establish throughout the world including Australia. Four French Sisters of the Congregation of St Joseph of the Apparition arrived in Fremantle in 1855. (The Swan River settlement was then just twenty years old).
With the turn of the century, the congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph was well established and as further expansion took place the sisters began teaching at Beaconsfield in 1903, walking there and back each day from the central house in Fremantle. However, as it was time-consuming and tiring it was later decided that they should stay at Beaconsfield during the week (in rather primitive accommodation) and return to Fremantle at weekends. These sisters were the founders of Christ the King School.
Red was chosen for De Vialar House for the courage shown by Sister Emilie De Vialar as she followed God’s calling and established the congregation despite many difficulties and setbacks. The fleur-de-lis signifies her heritage which is French. The triangle in the background represents the spirit of unity, obedience and simplicity to which Emilie De Vialar always perpetuated.
The motto of De Vialar House is: Be inflamed by the fire of love.
Thank you for celebrating our House Liturgy last Wednesday afternoon.
Speak Up Awards
This Monday, 9 September, our students from Years 3-6 who have made the Grand Final will be competing in our inaugural Speak Up Awards from 9am in the hall. We hope to see many parents attending to listen to the public speaking. Our two judges are a School Support Consultant from the Teaching and Learning Team and my boss at the Catholic Education Office WA.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, refers to the feast day celebrating the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus, which is next Sunday, September 8. Please see if you can add this into an RE lesson this week.
Did you Know?
- Leather skin does not have any smell. The leather smell that you sense is actually derived from the materials used in the tanning processes.
- Bill Gates designed a traffic control system for Seattle when he was only 15.
- Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones
There are ‘great things’ happening in our school due to the efforts of so many people; seek to be one of those people in the coming week!
Keep smiling and let’s do great things together!
Andrew Kelly
Principal
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Welcome to Week 8!
The Importance of Role Models
Role models play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of students. They serve as beacons of inspiration, offering tangible examples of success and resilience that can motivate and guide young minds. Role models demonstrate dedication, and perseverance, instilling a belief that dreams can be realised through effort and determination. They embody admirable qualities such as integrity, compassion, and leadership, teaching students not only how to achieve success but also how to do so with grace and character.
We see countless examples of role models around us every day, many of which are people that we know and love. Our Fathers’ Day Celebrations last week was a prime example of this. It was truly special to have so many fathers and fatherly figures joining us for our celebrations in classrooms and on Friday afternoon with our ‘BBQ and Beats’ event on the school oval, organised by our wonderful P&F. Our students were able to express their gratitude to their loved ones and spend quality time in each other’s company. Thank you to all the parents and families who helped to ensure the afternoon ran so smoothly!
Athletics Carnival Week at CtK
Week 9 is an exciting week at Christ the King School! Our Jumps and Throws Day for Years 3-6 is set for Tuesday 10 September, 2024 and our Athletics Carnival will take place on Friday 13 September, 2024. Please remember to label all your child’s clothing with their name and ensure they come prepared with healthy food, water and sunscreen for the day. Please note that parents are not allowed in the bays and lollies are not permitted. A big thank you to Ms McLinden for organising our 2024 CtK Athletics Carnival. We look forward to a successful Jumps and Throws Day and Athletics Carnival next week! Wishing all of our students the very best of luck!
Edu-Dance and Boogie Woogie Concerts
Our students have been enjoying the Edu-Dance and Boogie Woogie dance classes on offer at CtK this term. We can’t wait to showcase their talent during Week 9 and Week 10 to all families. Please refer to communication sent out to you by your child’s classroom teacher. We can’t wait to see our students SHINE!
CtK Open Night
Open night is taking place on Wednesday 18 September from 5pm – 7pm. (Week 10). All classrooms will be open for families to explore the variety of learning that takes place at Christ the King School. There will be a sausage sizzle and bake sale available on the night run by our P&F, as well as our annual Lego Exhibition in the school hall. We look forward to welcoming all our families to Open Night and invite you to bring along anyone who is interested in seeing our wonderful school.
One Big Voice Event
Well that’s a wrap! Thank you for your support of our 2024 One Big Voice venture and our amazing students. We enjoyed a spectacular night at RAC Arena featuring wonderful songs, dynamic energy and our own two beautiful soloists from Christ the King. Our students truly shone and stepped up to their full potential, after all the hard work they put in. There were many instructions to follow on the night, and they did it all with a great attitude and care for each other. I was so proud of them.
Mrs Jackie Carroll
Music Specialist
Locovora Online Orders
A gentle reminder that when you are placing your child’s lunch order on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, please ensure you receive a confirmation email to confirm that the order has been successfully placed. Recently, many students have gone without lunch because parents did not receive a confirmation email and the order was not placed. To avoid this issue, we ask you to please take a moment to verify the confirmation before your child starts their school day.
https://schools.locavora.com.au.
Board Games for the Library
If you have any pre-loved board games at home that are in excellent condition and no longer in use, we would greatly appreciate your donation to our library for our students to use. Please either bring them to Mrs Darch or drop them off at the library for our students to enjoy. Thank you for your continued support!
Dogs on School Grounds:
Please be reminded that dogs are not allowed on school grounds or at any school events. Patch who is a certified Wellbeing Dog is the only one allowed at school. We kindly request your cooperation in adhering to this policy. Thank you for your understanding.
Kindy Pick-Up:
Can we please ask all Kindy parents to supervise your child once you pick them up and they enter the quad as teachers are still completing work in the classrooms. With the distractions outside, children inside the classroom are finding it difficult to focus. Please adhere to this request. Running in the quad is a No, No for ALL children!
Staff Profile:
Our fabulous Year 6 leaders, Dominique and Christian, will be interviewing our staff throughout the year so that we all can get to know each other well. This week they interviewed Mrs Bafile, our wonderful Education Assistant! Find out more about Mrs Bafile below:
What’s your favourite colour?
Green
What’s your favourite food?
Pasta
What’s your favourite animal?
Whales
What do you value most?
Family and Honesty
Where do you like to go to get away from things?
I like nature and walking along the coast or beach
If you had a million dollars what would you do?
I would get on an aeroplane and go around the world!
Term 3 Conclusion:
A reminder that Term 3 concludes on Thursday 19 September, as Friday 20 September is a Pupil Free Day for our staff and students. Term 4 commences on Tuesday 8 October (Week 1 Term 4) as Monday, 7 October is a Pupil Free Day where all staff are doing the Berry Street PD.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Mrs Sabrina Reardon
Assistant Principal
Messages from our School Nurse:
Hay Fever and Allergies: Springtime Reminder for Parents
With spring in full swing, we’re seeing more of the beautiful blooms and unfortunately, that also means an increase in hay fever and allergy symptoms for some of our students. Common signs include sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny or stuffy nose, which can make it challenging for children to focus and enjoy their day at school. To help manage these symptoms, we encourage parents to monitor their children for any signs of allergies and take the necessary precautions.
If your child needs antihistamines or other allergy medications during school hours, please remember to provide the medication along with a completed medication consent form. This ensures we can administer the medication safely and effectively during the school day if required. To organise this, please contact Andrea Mangan at andrea.mangan@cewa.edu.au. Your cooperation helps us keep all our students healthy and comfortable as we enjoy the spring season together!
Ms Andrea Mangan
School Nurse
Messages from the P&F
Firstly, a HUGE thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who gave their time to help with the Father’s Day Stalls and BBQ this year. They both ran so smoothly and were a huge success. Thank you to the incredibly talented kids in the CTK Rock band who performed at the BBQ and made it such a memorable day by rocking the house down! We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from Teachers and Parents who were all so appreciative to everyone who put in so much effort to pull everything together. None of these things could run without the amazing support from our CTK Community, so thank you all very much. We hope everyone enjoyed the BBQ & Beats arvo and unwrapping their special stall gifts on Fathers Day.
The P&F will be running a Subway Lunch Fundraiser for the Athletics Carnival being held on Friday 13th September. This will be open to Students, Parents and Staff. The 6 inch subs OR wraps are $6 and the 12 inch subs are $10. They can be made into a combo with a drink for an extra $2. GF wraps are available. All orders must be made online via the P&F hub with orders closing Tuesday 10th September. After this NO orders will be accepted and there will be no cash payments this year. All Parents and Staff are to select which faction (their child is in/they are in) when ordering for themselves and that is which tent you will collect it from at lunch time on the day. A coffee van called Sweet Bettys will be there on the day serving coffee, cold pressed juices and a selection of sweet treats. We ask that between 8am-8:30am only Staff order as they will not have a chance once the carnival starts.
The Annual Open Night sausage sizzle will be happening again on Wednesday 18th September and we need some helpers to serve. It will be split into 2 sessions so you would only be helping for a little bit and then will have the other half to spend with your kids exploring the school. We will also be having a Baked goods section so we will be asking for baked good donations closer to the day. If you can help out please jump onto the hub and sign up via the volunteer link.
The next P&F Meeting is in Term 4 (Week 2) on Wednesday 16th October. This will be a night meeting and the time will be released closer to the date. We hope to see you there and encourage new faces to come along and be apart of amazing things happening at CTK next term.
Suraya
P&F Chair
Community News
Private & Group Singing Lessons
From the Principal – Term 3, Week 06
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,
Yesterday we celebrated Book Week with the theme being ‘Reading is Magic.’ We had a great day. Thank you, Mrs Hagen for being our MC and Mrs Gumina for coordinating activities for the week. Thank you, Miss Kezic for taking all the great photos. Also, thank you, Mrs Darch for managing the library and the Book Fair this week.
OPEN NIGHT Wednesday, 18 September – Put it in your diaries as we showcase the learning happening in classrooms. The library, Music Room, Learning Hub and Science Lab will be ready to showcase everything new and wonderful. A sausage sizzle and soft drink will be available from the canteen. Remember, the Lego competition will also be running.
IEP MEETINGS – Thank you to the parents for having rich and engaging conversations about their child as there were moments of celebration and goal setting. Thank you to Mrs Painter, CEWA representative Mrs Kounis plus the classroom teachers for their professionalism and commitment to the children in their care.
ILLNESS – I am asking all parents to make sure children who are unwell stay home as we are sending a very large number of students home who are vomiting. Many staff are sick too, which results in lots of relief teachers and a huge cost to the school. This cost then means less money being spent on resources, activities and opportunities for our students.
“Happy Father’s Day!”
Next Sunday, 1 September is Father’s Day! Father’s Day presents each of us with the opportunity to focus our attention on our dad and make him feel “extra special”. But what is Father’s Day?
A few thoughts are shared below:
- According to one astute 10-year-old, “It’s a bit like Mothers’ Day, only it doesn’t cost as much!”
- A more advanced concept of Fathers’ Day would be that this special day is an opportunity to celebrate the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children; a role that cannot be played by any other person. The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
- Both parents are of vital importance to a young child’s development. In one study, young boys whose fathers engaged in physical, affectionate and stimulating play were found to be more popular as school children. Even if fathers spend less time with their children than their mothers, fathers can become meaningful and special to their children through play. In fact, when fathers are good at playing with their young children, these children score higher on tests involving thinking and problem-solving skills. (Radin. The Influence of Fathers.)
- Our astute 10-year-old put another question, “Dad, you’re the boss in our family, aren’t you?” A smiling and pleased Dad answered, “Well, yes”, only to be told, “That’s because mum put you in charge, right!”
What an insight from a 10-year-old, for the time of the uninvolved father has long gone; it takes a team effort for a married couple to cope with the joys and challenges of parenthood. 
Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and helpful, their children are more likely to get on well with each other. When children have fathers who are emotionally involved, so that they acknowledge their children’s emotions and help them deal with bad emotions, they tend to have better relationships with children outside of their family and behave less aggressiv (Gottman, Katz & Hooven. How Families Communicate Emotionally)- Fathers with a strong commitment to their family provide a model of responsible behaviour for their children. As a consequence, their children tend to take more responsibility for their actions and rarely blame others for their mistakes. Fathers also influence their children’s moral development by being good models for their children to admire and desire to resemble. This results in their children developing a strong respect for rules and authority figures. (M.L. Hoffman. The Role of the Father in Moral Internalisation.)
Day in and day out, we probably do not appreciate all the little things that our fathers (like our mothers) do for us. Their love, their care and their guidance all go towards making our lives enriched. The thoughtful little deeds, the play times and fun times are all memories we cherish. And it is true on most occasions that whenever we are in trouble or upset, dad always seems to be there to help, guide and support us.
The following poem is dedicated to every man out there who proudly wears the name DAD.
What Makes a Dad? God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
And then there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it—Dad.
From My Readings . . .
Father to Father: Seven tips for Fathering Success
By Michael Grose
Fatherhood is life-changing. It’s a very personal journey that a man experiences when he takes on the responsibility of parenting his kids. It’s also a vital role, and it’s all too easy to neglect the positive impact a father can have on his children’s lives.
Every father’s parenting journey will be different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to its challenges. But Father’s Day is just around the corner, so this is a great time for some tried and trusted parenting tips to help you be the best dad you can be.
- Play to your strengths
Fathers often parent in a more active or action-oriented way than mums, so games, play time and physical activity become important parts of a man’s parenting repertoire. Your partner may not always appreciate your more active approach, particularly if you play with kids just before bedtime and then leave it to her to calm them down.How to make it happen: Be yourself but be smart about it!
- Lighten up – don’t take yourself too seriously
It’s easy to get caught up in your own importance, taking yourself and your work too seriously. For many men a bad day at work translates into poor or, at best, distracted experiences when they’re with their families. Consider putting a strategy in place, such as exercise, to help you leave work, and the bad moods it may engender, behind.How to make it happen: Be present in mind as well as in body when you’re with your kids.
- Find something in common with your child
It would be wonderful to say that you can always connect with your kids, but family life is never that straightforward. There’ll always be a child who we struggle to connect with, or a developmental stage during which the child feels alien to you. In these times it helps if you share a common interest (such as a love of sport or music) with them, so that you always have something that will bring you together, even though you may not always see eye to eye.How to make it happen: Take an active interest in what interests your child.
- Go easy on your son sometimes
Many dads are tough on their boys and have expectations that go way beyond their son’s interest and abilities. Remember, it takes boys a little longer to mature. Resist the temptation to turn every game and every father-son activity into a lesson and avoid giving advice when your all your son wants is to be understood.How to make it happen: See the boy as he is now, not the man you want him to grow up to be.
- Enjoy the outdoors with your daughter
The biological nature of fatherhood causes most men to be very protective of their daughters. But that doesn’t mean you should put your daughter on a pedestal and treat her like a little princess. Expect a lot from her. Play with her, and get her outdoors as it will do wonders for her confidence and independence.
How to make it happen: Enjoy spending time outside with your daughters on a regular basis. - Be ready for kids to knock you off your pedestal
Most children in the preschool and middle-to-late-primary school years look up to their dads. “My dad is bigger and better than your dad!” is a type of mantra that’s familiar to many men. Make the most of this admiration as the Superman Syndrome won’t last. Young children soon turn into adolescents, who generally go to great lengths to prove that you’re just Clarke Kent after all. Expect them to stop laughing at your jokes, roll their eyes at your well-intentioned advice and even give you the cold shoulder in public. Ouch! It can be hurtful to a man who just wants to be the best dad he can be.How to make it happen: Don’t take yourself too seriously, and give them room to be grumpy sometimes.
- Give your kids a compass and a map
One day your children will become truly independent individuals. Don’t worry! You won’t be irrelevant, you’ll just be taking the backseat in a more practical and managerial sense. There are two things you can do to help your kids safely navigate the world when you’re not around. First, help them develop a set of positive values including integrity, honesty and respect that will act as their moral compass when they have difficult decisions to make. Second, reveal your a personal story over time, as this narrative will become ingrained like personal map that will guide them when life gets tough. It’s good to know that they won’t be in uncharted territory when they finally strike out on their own.How to make it happen: Take the time to tell kids your story and own it – don’t make them guess it or learn it from someone else.
Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how men shape the lives of their children. It’s a very personal reflection as each man’s experience of fatherhood is as unique as the children they are raising. Take the time to reflect on your own fathering style as well as the contribution that a father (either your own dad or someone else’s dad) has made to your own life.
There is a beautiful quote from Janusz Korczak, (a Polish Jewish educator, children’s author and Principal of an orphanage in Warsaw), that I would like to share with you. This quote and the sentiment within, are my hopes and prayer for the children entrusted in our care here at CtK.
“Children are not the people of tomorrow but are people of today. They have a right to be taken seriously, and to be treated with tenderness and respect. They should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be. ‘The unknown person’ inside of them is our hope for the future.”
Did you Know?
- Coffee, as a world commodity, is second only to oil.
- Despite a population of over a billion, China has only about 200 family names.
- Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine.
There are ‘great things’ happening in our school due to the efforts of so many people; seek to be one of those people in the coming week!
Keep smiling and let’s do great things together!
Andrew Kelly
Principal
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Welcome to Week 6!
Magic CtK Moments:
As we enter the second half of Term 3, our students continue to shine with their exceptional talents and achievements. We’ve seen so many “Magic CtK Moments” that highlight their engagement and enthusiasm, including:
– Catholic Arts – Spirits of the Arts Festival
– Religious Education Assessments (REA)
– Cyber Safety workshops for students and parents
– Interschool Speak Up Challenge
– Excursions and incursions
– Principal for a Day
– P&F Planned Events
– Assemblies
– Masses and Prayer Liturgies
– One Big Voice Event
– Book Week celebrations – including the Book Fair in our school library
– Upcoming Father’s Day Celebrations
– Dance classes such as Edu-dance and Boogie Woogie
– Extra co-curricular classes
We are incredibly grateful for our families’ support, which helps our students make the most of these wonderful opportunities. A big ‘thank you’ to our dedicated staff for their continuous encouragement and dedication to helping every student excel.
Book Week:
Since 1945, the Children’s Book Council Australia has celebrated Book Week, bringing children and books together across the country. This year’s theme is “Reading is Magic.” We’ve enjoyed celebrating books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators through various class activities and our fantastic Book Week Parade. Thank you to all the parents who supported the parade and the Book Fair in the library this week.
Speak Up Challenge:
On Tuesday, Violette (Year 6), Antoinette (Year 5) and Teagan (Year 4), travelled to Doubleview to compete in the interschool Speak Up Challenge. They competed against 11 other students for positions in the semifinal – this was one heat out of many. All three should be congratulated on delivering their speeches with confidence and style. Special congratulations go to Violette and Teagan who were selected to go through to the semifinal. Good luck girls! Huge thanks to Mrs Doecke for all her support!!
Catholic Performing Arts:
On behalf of our school community, we extend a huge congratulations to Violette and Nellie from Year 6 for their fabulous results for their solo performances at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival in the Year 6 division. Nellie was awarded ‘Merit’ and Violette was awarded ‘Outstanding’. The student body was fortunate to hear the girls sing their songs at our last Liturgy singing gathering. Congratulations girls! We are so PROUD of you!!
Communication with our staff:
We encourage you to contact your child’s teachers with any concerns or questions. Please keep in mind that they are busy and will respond within 48 hours. Additionally, we ask for your understanding in respecting their family time and making contact during school hours whenever possible.
CtK Athletics Carnival:
Ms McLinden and our students are gearing up for the Athletics Carnival on Friday 13 September (Week 9). The Jumps and Throws day for Years 3 – 6 will be held on Tuesday 10 September (Week 9). Please mark these dates on your calendar. More information will be sent home soon. A big thank you to our fantastic parent volunteers for their continued support.
Unwell Students:
Please continue to keep your sick children at home to help protect the health of all students and staff. Maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment is crucial. Let’s also reinforce good hygiene practices to minimise the spread of illnesses. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Locavora Online Lunches:
When placing your child’s lunch order on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, please ensure you receive a confirmation email to confirm that the order has been successfully placed. Recently, many students have gone without lunch because parents did not receive a confirmation email and the order was not placed. To avoid this issue, we ask you to please take a moment to verify the confirmation before your child starts their school day.
https://schools.locavora.com.au.
Staff Profile:
Our fabulous Year 6 leaders, Dominque and Christian, will be interviewing our staff throughout the year so that we all can get to know each other well. This week they interviewed Mrs Kuhn, our wonderful Kindy teacher! Find out more about Mrs Kuhn below:
What’s your favourite colour?
Green
What’s your favourite food?
I like Japanese type of foods
What’s your favourite animal?
Dog
What do you value most?
I value kindness
Where do you like to go to get away from things?
My bedroom
If you had a million dollars what would you buy?
An infrared sauna
Student Spotlight:
We’re aware that many of our students at Christ the King have remarkable talents and achieve incredible things beyond their time at school. We’d love to highlight these achievements in our ‘Student Spotlight’ section of the Newsletter. To share your story, please provide as many details as possible and email Mrs Reardon at sabrina.reardon@cewa.edu.au
We look forward to hearing and celebrating your achievements!
Wishing all our One Big Voice participants all the best of luck as they participate in this special event at RAC Arena! We thank Mrs Carroll for all her hard work and support! We can’t wait to see you all SHINE!
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Mrs Sabrina Reardon
Assistant Principal
Sustainability News
Waste Sorted 2024
Christ the King is an accredited Waste Sorted school in 2024 and we pride ourselves on continually aiming to become more sustainable. We are currently introducing some new sustainability initiatives throughout our school to help reduce our impact on the environment.
As part of this commitment, we are encouraging our students to bring ‘waste-free’ lunches to school (no rubbish if possible). If your child does have packaging in their lunchboxes, they will be encouraged to take it home with them. All food scraps (apart from bread) will be fed to our two new worm farms, the worms even eat our brown lunch order bags! This slight difference will have a massive impact on rubbish around the school.
As well as the worm farms, every year level has taken on a different Waste Wise initiative. The table below outlines the initiatives that are being implemented in 2024 as part of our ongoing Waste Sorted accreditation and commitment to sustainability.
| WASTE WISE INITIATIVE | YEAR LEVEL RESPONSIBLE | Recycling Plan |
| Plastic bottle tops | Kindy/PP | Used in early childhood areas and art projects |
| Coffee Pods | Year 1 | Taken to Fremantle Recycling Centre for recycling |
| Batteries | Year 2 | Taken to Officeworks and Bunnings to be recycled |
| Bread Tags | Year 3 | Taken to Fremantle Recycling Centre for recycling |
| Worm Farm | Year 4 | Fed food scraps from the school, Worm Wizz and worm castings sold to the school community |
| Paper/cardboard recycling | Year 5 | To be weighed weekly and sent to recycling |
| Aluminium Ring Pulls | Year 6 | To be sent off, melted and made into wheelchairs for children |
We would like to invite you, our school community, to become part of our commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling. By the end of Week 7, we will have a new recycling station set up inside the Library for community members to utilise. Please bring in any of the above items and place them in the correct recycling bin to help CtK become even more sustainable!
Lisa Tilzey
Year 4 and Sustainability Teacher
Messages from our School Nurse:
Understanding and Easing Growing Pains in Children
As our children grow, it’s common for them to experience what we often refer to as “growing pains.” These are common, usually harmless, but can be quite uncomfortable for kids. We wanted to share some information with you about growing pains and how you can help ease your child’s discomfort.
What Are Growing Pains?
Growing pains typically occur in the late afternoon, evening, or during the night, affecting the muscles rather than the joints. They usually manifest as aches or throbbing sensations in the legs, particularly in the calves, thighs, or behind the knees. While they’re called “growing pains,” there’s no direct link to growth spurts; the exact cause is still unclear, though it may be related to physical activity that children engage in during the day.
How Can You Help Your Child?
Here are some ways you can help your child manage growing pains:
- Gentle Massage: Massaging the affected area can provide relief and comfort to your child. The gentle pressure helps to relax the muscles and ease the pain.
- Warm Compress: Applying a warm towel or heating pad to the sore area can soothe the muscles and reduce discomfort.
- Stretching Exercises: Encourage your child to do gentle stretching exercises before bed to help reduce the chances of experiencing growing pains during the night.
- Comfort and Reassurance: Sometimes, just being there to comfort your child can make a big difference. Reassuring them that growing pains are a normal part of growing up can help them feel less anxious.
- Pain Relief: If the pain is persistent or particularly uncomfortable, you can consider giving your child an age-appropriate dose of over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Always follow the dosage instructions and consult with your child’s doctor if you have any concerns.
When to See a Doctor
While growing pains are usually harmless, it’s important to consult your child’s doctor if the pain is severe, persists during the day, is associated with swelling, redness, or tenderness, or if your child has a fever or is limping.
We hope this information helps you better understand and manage growing pains if they arise. As always, our priority is the well-being of our students, and we are here to support you in anyway we can.
Ms Andrea Mangan
School Nurse
Messages from the P&F
Only 15 tickets left for the P&F Paint & Sip so don’t miss out! Head straight to the hub to purchase your ticket for Friday 6th September before they are all gone. Your ticket will include all materials, a drink of your choice and a shared grazing board. We have some incredible prizes up for grabs in our raffle that will be drawn on the night. You can pre-purchase raffle tickets on the hub before hand and we will have them ready for you on the night. A cash and EFTPOS bar will be stocked with lots of yummy drinks from the Debortoli range, so come and relax with a glass of your favourite vino while you paint the night away. Ticket sales will close next Friday 30th August.
The P&F Fathers Day Stall will be held next Wednesday 28th August for Kindy – Yr6 and Friday 30th August for Pre-K. All gifts will be $5 each and each child will be able to purchase 1-2 gifts. We kindly ask for your child to bring their money in on the stall day in a sealed envelope/bag clearly labelled with your child’s name and year level on it. The gifts will be wrapped and sent home with your child that day.
On Friday 30th August from 3-5:30pm we will be celebrating all of the amazing blokes in our CTK community at the P&F BBQ & Beats afternoon. We will have a Make your own Burger/Hot dog bar, Art & Craft activities, lots of fun games/sports to play and of course some cranking beats! If you have any new/used arts and crafts items that you would like to donate for the Fathers Day activities, please leave them in the P&F box outside the office. The RSVP for the BBQ & Beats will close next Tuesday 27th August as we need to know for catering purposes.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a few very exciting weeks ahead.
Suraya
P&F Chair
Community News
Private & Group Singing Lessons
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Welcome back to Term Three!
2024 Religious Education Assessment (REA):
Our Year Three and Five classes were recently involved in the Religious Education Assessment (REA). This Assessment provides a point-in-time snapshot of student performance in Religious Education. Students’ knowledge and understanding of the content of the RE curriculum is assessed using a combination of multiple choice, and short and extended answer response items. The REA was completed online and will give us information to measure student learning of content in the Religious Education curriculum. The results of these assessments will also inform teaching and will be made available to parents and carers, once released. Thank you to our Year Three and Five teachers for all their support in administering the assessments.
2024 NAPLAN:
NAPLAN results for 2024 were sent home to families last week. Information was also sent home about interpreting and reading the data. The data is a good resource for our school to review how we are travelling across different learning areas and focus areas for continuous improvement. Please do remember that these reports provide a very specific snapshot of how your child is progressing at a point in time in Literacy and Numeracy. There are many other forms of assessment that we use here at Christ the King to track your child’s achievements across a range of domains, not just in Literacy and Numeracy. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.
SCHOOL PROCEDURES:
This a gentle reminder that class begins for our students at the times listed below:
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten:
Doors open at 8.30am and class begins at 8.40am
Pre-Primary to Year 6:
Doors open at 8.30am and class begins at 8.40am
For the safety and well-being of each individual child, no student should be on school grounds, unattended, before 8.10am (unless your child is participating in a co-curricular event). We have had several students who ride and get dropped to school arriving closer to 8am and school supervision does not begin in the quadrangle until 8.10 am. We appreciate your support with this and appreciate your understanding.
If your child arrives at school after 8.40am, please take your child to administration and sign in via the app on the iPad before going to class. This is also required if a child is collected during the day and then returned to school. If a child needs to be collected before 3pm (or 2.45pm for Kindergarten), please sign out via the app on the iPad in the office. If a child will not be attending school on any day, please contact the school prior to 9am on the day of the absence using one of the following methods listed below:
- Calling: 9487 9900 and leave a message on our absentee line
- Complete the quick link absentee form on our school website
When a planned holiday or other period of absence falls during term time, please submit an Extended Absence Form to the administration prior to the absence. This is required for any absence of five days or longer and must be approved by the school Principal.
UNWELL STUDENTS:
As we are well and truly in the colder months can we please ask that unwell students are not sent to school. Our staff and school nurse will call parents if a child is unwell or presents unwell throughout the day. Sending an unwell child to school in turn has an impact on the other students as well as the staff and all our families at Christ the King. Your consideration around this matter is greatly appreciated. If you need further clarification please refer to the https://www.health.wa.gov.au/ for recommendations of time children should be away from school for any sicknesses.
CHILD SAFETY AND WELL-BEING:
At Christ the King School, child safety and well-being is the primary focus of our care and decision-making. The Code of Conduct, Behaviour Management procedures and the Keeping Safe Curriculum are some of the ways that we do this.
What is the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum?
The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) is a respectful relationships and child safety curriculum, that teaches all children and young people they have the right to be safe and they can help themselves to be safe by talking to people they trust.
The KS:CPC is delivered by teachers to children and young people each year from Age 3 to Year 12. Teachers who deliver the curriculum complete training in its use. The KS:CPC fits primarily within the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum but can be taught across multiple learning areas.
Why is child protection important?
The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) has a legal responsibility to protect children and young people from abuse in its own settings and in the wider community. All children and young people have a right to:
- be treated with respect and to be protected from harm.
- feel and be safe in their interactions with adults and other children and young people
- understand as early as possible, what is meant by ‘feeling and being safe’.
- the support of school-based counsellors or designated staff in their education or care environment whose role includes being an advocate for their safety and wellbeing (Child Protection in Schools, Early Childhood Education and Care Services Policy, 2015, p4).
BOOK WEEK 2024:
Book Week is nearly here! The theme for this year is ‘READING IS MAGIC’. The Book Week Parade will be on: Wednesday 21st August at 9am for students from K – 6 in the quadrangle. Pre-Kindy will have their book week dress up day on Thursday 22nd August. On the day, your child is welcome to come to school dressed as a character from a book they enjoy. Students can bring along the book or a printout of the cover page. Parents and carers are most welcome to join us for our parade in the Quadrangle area. If you have any questions or queries, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
STAFF PROFILE:
Our Year 6 Head Girl and Head Boy, Dominique and Christian will be interviewing our staff throughout the year so that we all can get to know each other well. This week they interviewed Ms Mangan, our school nurse. To find out more about Ms Mangan, please read below;
What is your favourite colour?
Pink.
What’s your dog Henry’s favourite colour?
Henry’s favourite colour is purple.
What’s your favourite food?
Chorizo.
What’s Henry’s favourite food?
McDonalds chicken nuggets.
What’s your favourite part about CtK?
My favourite part about CTK is the beautiful kids and all the friendly staff.
What’s Henry’s favourite part about CtK?
Getting to come to CtK. After coming to CtK, Henry helps calm kids down.
What sports do you follow?
AFL, Triathlon, Hurling (Irish sport)
What sports does Henry follow?
AFL and Horse-racing.
What is your favourite animal?
Pigs.
What’s Henry’s favourite animal?
Goat.
Where do you like to go to get away from things?
The beach or the bush, away from the city.
Where does Henry like to get away from things?
The beach, but he hates the water.
If you had a million dollars what would you buy?
One flight for all my family to go to Australia.
If Henry had a million dollars what would he buy?
He would donate it to the charity he came from, Nopup Cleft Behind.
What do you value most?
Honesty.
What does Henry value most?
Food.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
We know that many students at Christ the King have amazing gifts and talents and achieve outstanding things outside of their life at our school. We would love to hear about all these achievements and have created a ‘Student Spotlight’ section in the Newsletter where you can share your stories with us. In order for us to share the news, we require as much detail as you can provide, so please email Mrs Reardon at: sabrina.reardon@cewa.edu.au
We can’t wait to hear and share your news!
ONLINE LUNCH ORDERS:
A reminder that Locavora offers 3 days of lunch delivery to our school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using the School Lunch Orders Online platform: https://schools.locavora.com.au.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Mrs. Sabrina Reardon
Assistant Principal
ENRICHMENT at CtK:
At Christ the King, we offer an Enrichment program for select students in Years 4 to 6, where they engage in a variety of projects each semester. This year, our Enrichment students have tackled a fictional crime scenario in the Cluedunnit Kids project, where they investigated clues, presented evidence and handed down sentences. Other groups embarked on a virtual road trip around Australia. In the current semester, students are diving into the world of entrepreneurship. They are exploring concepts such as goods and services, economics, and the distinction between wants and needs, culminating in the presentation of their own business ideas to a panel of “Sharks.” This hands-on approach allows students to apply their knowledge in creative and practical ways.
“Enrichment is one of our favourite sessions in the week, we love getting to do the extra learning which exposes us to different subject areas and skills to help us grow. We also love our enrichment teacher Mrs Doecke who supports and helps us. Enrichment is a fantastic learning experience, and we love being part of it.” Cate and Ariana – Year 6
“I like enrichment because it’s fun and the activities we do are really enjoyable, my favourite activity so far has been Speak Up challenge, and last term we had to solve a crime which was challenging.” Pearl – Year 5.
Mrs Danae Doecke
Enrichment Teacher
ONE BIG VOICE:
The One Big Voice Festival at RAC Arena on Thursday August 22, 2024, commencing at 6.15pm is getting closer and our students are working so hard to get all their lyrics and choreography learnt! This wonderful choral festival promotes a love of singing, friendship, and acceptance and develops relationships with other children who share a love of music.
Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek or onebigvoice.com.au
Information regarding the tickets and stage plan were sent home in week 2, so you can see the best section to purchase your tickets. More specific details will follow next week about details on the day, what to bring and collection of your child at the end of the concert.
It promises to be a wonderful night, and we are thrilled that this year two of our choir students, Violette and Sofia D have been selected to sing solos and with the vocal group on stage. You will see them in the ‘National Anthem’, ‘Yellow’, ‘Cloudy Day’ and ‘One Big Voice’ so look to the stage to see them in those songs. The girls went through a rigorous audition process to be selected and then have attended several rehearsals to work with students from across Perth to perfect their parts. Congratulations girls.
Mrs Jackie Carroll
Music Specialist
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL NURSE:
As the school nurse, I am dedicated to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our students. One seemingly simple yet essential skill that greatly contributes to your child’s safety and independence is learning how to tie their own shoelaces. Here are several reasons why this skill is important and why I encourage you to support your child in mastering it:
Risks to Children in a School Setting with Untied Shoelaces:
Tripping and Falling: The most immediate risk of untied shoelaces is tripping and falling. Children are active and often run, jump, and play, making them more susceptible to accidents if their shoelaces are not securely tied.
Injury Risk: Tripping over untied shoelaces can lead to various injuries, including scrapes, bruises, sprains, and even fractures. Falls can occur on hard surfaces like concrete playgrounds, causing more severe injuries.
Disruption to Learning: Frequent stops to retie shoelaces can disrupt a child’s focus and participation in class activities. This can affect their concentration and overall learning experience.
Social Implications: Children with constantly untied shoelaces may feel self-conscious or be teased by peers. This can impact their social interactions and self-esteem.
Safety Hazards during Physical Activities: During physical education classes, sports, or recess, untied shoelaces pose a significant safety hazard. They can get caught in equipment, such as bike pedals, or cause accidents during games.
Interference with Mobility Aids: For children who use mobility aids (like crutches or wheelchairs), untied shoelaces can become entangled, posing additional risks and complications.
Increased Teacher and Staff Burden: Teachers and school staff may need to frequently assist children with tying their shoelaces, taking time away from instructional activities and other supervisory duties.
Inadequate Footwear Fit: Untied shoelaces can cause shoes to fit improperly, leading to discomfort, blisters, and foot pain. Poorly fitting shoes can also affect a child’s gait and posture over time.
Emergency Situations: In case of emergencies where quick evacuation is needed, untied shoelaces can slow a child down, posing a risk to their safety and potentially hindering the smooth execution of emergency procedures.
Encouraging children to keep their shoelaces tied and teaching them the importance of this practice helps mitigate these risks, ensuring a safer and more conducive learning environment.
Importance of Parents Teaching This Skill:
Bonding Opportunity: Teaching a child to tie their shoelaces is a great bonding activity. It allows parents to spend quality time with their child, creating lasting memories and strengthening their relationship.
Personalised Instruction: Parents can tailor their teaching methods to suit their child’s learning style and pace, ensuring a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Patience and Support: Parents can provide the patience and encouragement that children need when learning a new skill. This supportive environment helps children feel more comfortable and less pressured.
Consistent Practice: Parents can incorporate regular practice into daily routines, ensuring that the child gets enough repetition to master the skill.
Positive Reinforcement: Parents can celebrate small successes and milestones, offering praise and rewards that motivate the child to keep practicing and improving.
By learning to tie their shoelaces, children gain essential life skills and confidence, and when taught by their parents, the experience becomes an enriching and supportive journey.
Ms Andrea Mangan
School Nurse
Highway Heroes
Have you heard about Kimochi’s at CTK? The Kimochi’s Tool Kit is social and emotional learning program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively. Children in ECE classes have had the feelings pillows introduced and incorporated into their Health Lessons to link in with the Highway Heroes Program. They compliment each other beautifully. Children are now starting to meet some of the Kimochi Characters (Huggtopus, Cloud, Cat, Bug and Lovey Dove) so watch this space.
Below is some information we’d like to share with you and get the conversation not only happening in Health lessons, but also in the classrooms, out in the playground, and with families at home.
Getting Started with Kimochis in the Home
- Post your Kimochis feelings chart on your refrigerator, bulletin board, or child’s bedroom wall.
- Invite each family member to point to a feeling and…
- Say the feeling word
- Make the feeling face
- Make the feeling sound
- Have your child tell you what might make a kid (his or her age) have this feeling
STARTING & ENDING YOUR DAY IN A POSITIVE KIMOCHIS WAY
- To start your day with positive feelings, choose a feeling you want to have more of today. Ex. I want to have more SILLY.
Think of one way to create more feelings.
- At the end of day share SILLY stories of SILLY.
- Likewise, you can use your Kimochis feeling chart to predict and point to a hard-to-have feeling you don’t want to have today. Ex: Frustrated or mad. (Make it clear that everyone has hard-to-have feelings. These feelings feel hard or ouchy in our body but are very important.)
- Create a positive plan for what each of you will say and do should this feeling happen. Act out the plan to raise the odds everyone will remember to use this plan when emotions run high.
- At the end of the day, share how your feeling plan worked and create feeling plan B if needed. (This is a great way to create resilient people!)
BONUS: FEELINGS CHART IDEAS
I Doubt It
Use your pinky fingers to touch one feeling you had this week and one you didn’t. Have the rest of the family guess which feeling they doubt you had.
Share a story about the feeling you really did have.
Finger Twister
Each family member uses as many fingers as they can to touch feelings you had this
week. Other family members take turns pulling up one finger at a time and ask questions about this feeling. For example, if your finger was on frustrated someone could ask, “What made you feel frustrated?”
3 Pluses and A Wish
Each family member takes turns and shares 3 positive feelings they had this week and one wish for a feeling they want to have tomorrow.
Share ways you might be able to create this wished feeling for tomorrow.
Rikki Chapman
ECE Health Teacher
P&F News
We still have a limited number of Paint and Sip tickets available to purchase. $65pp which includes a drink of your choice, all materials and a giant shared grazing board. Raffle tickets are also available to pre purchase online now. Don’t miss out on this amazing event as ticket sales will close soon. Come and paint a masterpiece or something to hide in your back shed and have fun while doing it! No prior experience necessary as it will be a fully guided paint with lots of artists walking around helping you out.
The Father’s Day Arvo BBQ & Beats flyer has gone out this week. If you are a Father figure/ Caregiver please RSVP via the link on the flyer or visit our P&F Hub to secure your spot. It will be a fun-filled afternoon from 3pm-5:30pm with a make your own burger/hot dog bar, sports balls to have a kick on the oval and plenty of fun activities to do with the kids. We will have the music cranking and multiple art & craft stations around for the children to enjoy so you can chat and connect with all of the other amazing blokes in our CTK community. RSVP’s close Tuesday 27th August. We hope to see you there!
If you would like to volunteer for the Father’s Day Arvo, please go onto the hub and sign up. These events would not run without volunteers so join up and let’s give the blokes and kids a wonderful arvo. We are also looking for helpers for the Father’s Day Stall which will run that same morning so any help would be appreciated.
Have a fantastic week everyone!
Suraya
P&F President
Community News
Private & Group Singing Lessons
From the Principal – Term 3, Week 04
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,
“Love one another as brothers and sisters should, and, have a profound respect for each other,
if you have hope, this will make you cheerful.”
The above scripture quote offers us all a marvellously optimistic and challenging philosophy towards life. As teachers and parents we may not have any chance of influencing the world’s major events, but we can be powerful in our school and our home to instil in our children some of the great positive Gospel values such as love, respect, kindness, tolerance, sacrifice of self for another, gentleness, sharing and the list can go on.
These values are rarely taught by intellectual persuasion but by the manner in which Christ did it himself – he let the people feel his own personal power or conviction going out to them; he told them that there was so much good in them, that with his help they could be persons capable of reflecting God’s goodness onto others.
Human behaviour is driven by social values, so the development and presentation of a Christian values system will help children become happy, well balanced and positive human beings, capable of loving and caring for one another, their cultural heritage and their environment. Children will be able to do this, when they live within a desirable social pattern which reflects responsibility and partnership rather than self-interest. As a school we see our role as one of support of parents in these most precious life skills, attitudes and behaviours.
Lord, we thank you for people who bring hope to our lives
Help us to be like them for others
Help us to be contributors to a positive
Environment – whether it be at home, school or workplace –
by actions which are helpful, considerate and respectful.
Amen.
Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Today, August 8th we celebrate the life of Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17th October 2011. Mary MacKillop became Australia’s first saint.
Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842. After what was considered a challenging childhood, Mary was forced to leave home at the age of fourteen to work and provide money for her family. By the time she was fifteen, Mary had decided she was going to become a nun. She wanted to devote her life to God and to assist the poor. Mary MacKillop truly lived and passed on the Gospel values. Her love, faith, trust, commitment and enthusiasm live on in our lives today.
Mary is a wonderful inspiration and model for all. Mary MacKillop truly lived and ‘passed on’ the Gospel values. Her love, faith, trust, commitment and enthusiasm live on in our lives today. Mary is a wonderful inspiration and model for all.
Mary MacKillop Prayer
God of the pilgrim Mary MacKillop
trusted your guidance in her journey of life
and deepened her confidence in your will.
May we renew our trust in your Providence to lead us in hope.
May we relish the sacred in the ordinariness of our lives.
May we grow in the fullness of your love and the depth of your mystery.
We ask this through Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life.
Amen
Feast of the Assumption
Next Thursday, 15 August, we will join with the Parish to celebrate the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a special Mass commencing at 9.15am in the school hall. This feast day celebrates Mary’s Assumption into heaven and the Church has made this a Holy Day of Obligation.
Mary loved God and always trusted in Him, doing all that God would want of her. Although she became the Mother of Jesus, Mary was a simple woman who lived according to the customs and traditions of her Jewish faith. On the Feast of the Assumption, we remember and celebrate that Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul, by God. This special privilege was given to her because of her sinless and exemplary life and total trust in God.
Currently, our school is needing to lock all gates around the entrance to the school as we have a health and safety concern regarding one of our students. If you need to attend the school please phone the office and someone will let you in. Health and safety of all children in our school is paramount over any inconvenience to others. Please be patient and understanding and hopefully we will have a resolution soon.
QCESR School and Principal Review
From Next Wednesday, 14 August Christ the King School will be visited by a panel of four members from Catholic Education to undertake a School and Principal review. This review involves meeting with staff, Advisory Council, P&F Executive, Parish Priest and students. A report will be completed and submitted to the Executive Director of Catholic Education who will meet with me to determine if I will be appointed again as principal from 2025. The review process happens every 3, 5 and 4 years depending on how long I remain as principal at Christ the King School.
The panel members are:
Mrs Tamara McGougan (Retired Principal)
Mr Daine Burnette (Current Principal)
Mrs Karmela Messino (School Improvement Advisor)
Mrs Tracey Duffy (Special Needs Consultant)
We look forward to welcoming them to our school next week.
SNAFL Carnival
We wish selected students from Years 5 and 6 who will be representing our school at the SNAFL Carnival this Friday the very best as they will be competing against other Catholic schools.
Make a Difference
Can you recall some time in your life when you were asked to give your opinion about “Why did the chicken cross the road?” Here are a few samples of answers provided – fictitiously – by some “leading lights” who glow brighter than their contemporaries in their particular field of endeavour:
Aristotle: it is the nature of the chicken to cross the road
Einstein: did the chicken really cross the road or did the road move beneath the chicken?
Martin Luther King: I envisage a world where all chickens, be they black or white or brown or red or speckled, will be free to cross roads without having their motives questioned.
Bill Gates: We have just released eChicken 10.0 which will not only cross roads but also file your important documents, and balance your cheque book.
Freud: The fact that you are concerned that the hen crossed the road reveals that you have underlying feelings of maternal abandonment and insecurity. How is your relationship with your mother?
Dr Seuss: Did the chicken cross the road?
Did he cross with a toad?
Yes, the chicken crossed the road
But why it crossed
I’ve never been told
A clever insight into the minds of half a dozen people, each of whom in their own right have made a difference to people’s lives. If you thought that it is only the rich or famous or the highly intelligent that can “make a difference”,then perhaps the following story will make a difference to your thinking.
A man was taking a sunrise walk along the beach. In the distance he caught sight of a young man who seemed to be dancing in and out of the waves. As he got closer, he saw that the young man was picking up starfish from the sand and tossing them gently back into the ocean. “What are you doing?” the wise man asked.
“The sun is coming and the tide is going out; if I don’t throw them in they’ll all die.”
“But young man, there is miles and miles of beach with starfish all along and you can’t possibly make a difference.”
The young man bent down, and picked up another starfish and threw it lovingly back into the ocean, past the breaking waves. “It made a difference for that one” he replied.
The young man’s actions represent something special in each of us. We are all gifted with the ability to make a difference. Each of us can shape our own future. Parents, especially, have the power to help the children achieve the goals by encouraging them towards commitments and away from unnecessary distraction.
Through commitments, children will develop the power, perseverance and the courage to face difficulties; these qualities will flow through all aspects of daily lives and build inner strength. What is done through external actions helps build strength in values that improve motivation and lead to harmony and a sense of well-being.
Children, like adults, have a basic desire to be happy, to feel a sense of harmony within themselves. But with polite, thoughtful, loving interactions, parents can offer emotional support to the children and so make a significant difference to their achievement prospects and their all-round quality of life.
Jesus,
What a difference you have made to the purpose and
meaning of the lives of so many people.
Help me to understand the human happiness is built upon spiritual behaviour based upon Gospel Values.
With your guidance may I have the determination to teach these values to people I mix with each day.
Amen
From My Readings . . .
Helping Kids Unwind
“Busy, busy, busy!” That seems to be the catch-phrase from everyone I talk to lately. When I ask “How are you?”, that is the answer I often get, even from children. It is not uncommon for some students to have four or five outside school activities a week. We do live in a world where things seem to move at a frenetic pace, constantly moving from work to home, to sport, to social activities with very little breathing space in between.
I have always been a believer in keeping my own children busy, especially with sports and outdoor activities. My mum always said it would “… keep them out of trouble!”
There is “nothing wrong with kids being busy as long as they have plenty of chances to relax and unwind.” He also points out that relaxation is the key to good mental health and well-being and is an important life skill for us all to learn. So how do we strike a happy and healthy balance?
One way to ensure busy kids unwind, is to make sure kids get bored every so often. There is a temptation to fill kids’ days with activities so that no time is wasted.
“I’m bored!” is the last thing most parents want to hear their kids say. Many parents feel compelled to do something to alleviate a child’s boredom. Boredom can be good for kids’ mental health and well-being, giving them the chance to muck around and take it easy for a time.
Here are 5 ideas to help you unwind your kids:
- Let your kids regularly stare into the ‘fire’.
Ever sat around a camp fire and stared at the flames? If so, you will know how calming it is. No exertion! No need to think! No need to talk to anyone! Just a chance to chill-out and relax. The TV is the modern version of the camp fire. Yep, TV used in this way is good for kids’ mental health.
- Let kids exercise without rules
Kids are the kings and queens of play. Always have been. Until lately that is, when their lives have become highly organised and scheduled. Free, child-initiated play is the ultimate in relaxation. Fun games, games with few rules and games that kids control help them to unwind.
- Let kids experience flow
Flow is a state we get into when we are so engrossed in an activity that time disappears. It is the ultimate unwind. We get flow when we pursue our passions so encourage teens to find activities that they truly love and get lost in. Free play generally takes young children to flow very quickly so opportunities for unstructured play are essential.
- Help kids calm down around bedtime
Have a bedtime routine that calms kids down rather than winds them up. You can become part of this routine by reading books, telling nursery rhymes, providing soothing back rubs and other ways.
- Unwind with your kids
Just think about your best memories from childhood. I am willing to bet that some of those would involve doing very little, or ‘just hanging out’ with family. These times are precious and a great way to rejuvenate and unwind with your children. We want our kids to be busy and involved rather than inactive and apathetic. However, activity needs to be balanced with unscheduled time so that perspective as well as everyone’s sanity is maintained.
Did you Know?
- The human eye blinks an average of 4,200,000 times a year.
- The average life-span of a taste bud is ten days
- The Amazon rainforest produces half the world’s oxygen supply
- We lose half of litre of water a day through breathing. This is the water vapour we see when we breathe onto glass.
There are ‘great things’ happening in our school due to the efforts of so many people; seek to be one of those people in the coming week!
Keep smiling and let’s do great things together!
Andrew Kelly
Principal
From the Principal – Term 3, Week 02
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,
As we begin a new semester we remember the time that we have spent with our families and our friends. The following prayer helps us to remember and appreciate all the special people in our lives and the special gifts we have been given.
Heavenly Father,
At the commencement of this new semester,
We praise and thank you for the gift of life and for the opportunity of growth awaiting us.
We thank you for love – the love and concern of our families, our friends, and our teachers.
We ask you to bless each of us in the semester ahead.
Help us to grow in faith, in goodness and in generosity.
Create in us a capacity for giving that will make us worthy to be called Christian.
Keep us strong and steadfast in the face of temptation.
Let wisdom be our guide.
May each of us be a messenger of peace, of truth and of joy.
Amen
Welcome back to Term Three. The holiday weeks go by very quickly, but I hope that the time away from the school routine allowed for some relaxation, in readiness for another busy term ahead at school!
As teachers, students and parents we strive to actively value and support all members of our School community, and as we do this we grow in love and understanding of each other. As we begin a new term together, we look forward to gracious and tolerant attitudes towards each other, so that we can all fulfil our God-given potential academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally.
We welcome two new children and their families to CtK this term:
Year 3 Felix Hunt
Year 4 Finn Bolton
It was wonderful to see the children back safe, well and ready for a big term of work and play. Also congratulations to all the children who were in full school winter uniform. Our children certainly represent our school with pride, in the way they wear their uniform.
School Reports
At the end of last term all parents should have received their child’s Semester One Report. We hope that you have taken the time to discuss this with your child/children as the information in the report indicates what has been achieved and what areas should be a focus for improvement this semester. We invite parents to make an appointment with the class teacher if there is a need to discuss any concerns they may have about their child’s education at this stage.
Pupil Free Days – We have one pupil free day this term: Friday, September 20, which is the last day of Term Three.
Term Three Parent Calendar – is now ready and available on the website for parents to peruse.
Boogie Woogie and Edu-Dance Programs Term Three
This started last Tuesday and Thursday as our students enjoyed their first dance lesson. Lessons will be weekly until the concert towards the end of the term.
Every School Day Counts
Here is a diagram explaining the importance of attending school and what this means to the children. Please print the diagram and place it on your fridge at home so everyone is aware of how important it is to attend school.
From My Readings . . .
Developing Responsibility in Kids
Many parents ask me how they can develop responsibility in their kids. The answer is simple – give responsibility to them! Let them feed the family pet, empty the dishwasher, clean up the living area at the end of the day. Most kids rise to a real challenge when it’s sincerely given, and backed by realistic expectations.
We tend to give responsibility to the kids who don’t need it – the easy kids. But we often ignore the kids in our family who really would benefit from having some trust – the difficult kids, those that require following up. Sometimes the extra parenting work they require can seem all too much.
Belong through contribution:
Kids belong in two ways in families – they either belong due to their positive contribution or they belong through poor behaviour. The family pest has as much cache as the responsible child – their parents certainly know they are around!
It makes sense for parents to work hard to provide opportunities for kids to contribute to their family, so they feel valued for what they bring to their family, rather than for what they take.
Here are five practical tips to promote a sense of responsibility in your kids:
- Start from an early age. Children as young as three are keen to help and take some responsibility but we often push them away and say, ‘You can help when you’re older.’ Train your kids from a young age to make a contribution so it becomes habit-forming. Remember, not every child will help equally. If your children are school-aged and do very little to help, then start with a few jobs each day and gradually increase the number.
- Give kids responsibility that scares or surprises you. A neighbour gets her four-year-old to unpack her dishwasher each morning, plates and all. Another parent I know gets her five-year-old to help her younger sister get her breakfast each morning. Another gives over the weekly garbage to ten-year-old with no reminders whatsoever. In each case, the kids rise to the challenge set by their parents. Give your child or teenager something that makes you think, ‘NO WAY’! He can’t do that! Kids will often surprise adults with what they can do.
- Make sure the responsibility is real. Setting the table, making beds, tidying rooms are jobs that others benefit from. Giving kids jobs because you think it’s good for them just don’t cut it with kids. However, giving jobs that others rely on teaches them that their help is needed.
- If a child forgets then no one else does the task. If a child doesn’t empty the dishwasher then it still there when they come home from school. Sounds tough but that’s how the real world operates. When you empty it, it becomes your responsibility. When we’re time-strapped it’s usually easier to do kids’ jobs for them. Nothing wrong with this once in a while as we help each other out in families. However, if you are always doing a child’s job then it may as well be yours.
- Place help and responsibility on a roster. The use of rosters has the advantage of placing responsibility on to kids and takes you out of the picture. Remind them to check the roster, not to do their jobs! It’s a subtle but important difference.
Many parents call this type of responsibility ‘jobs’ or ‘chores’. I prefer to call it ‘help’. It’s just a little rebranding, but it reflects what it’s about.
By Michael Grose
God Moments:
- Watching the students greet each other this week and busily commence chatting immediately on arrival at school.
- Walking through the classrooms in awe of all the rich learning that our teachers have spent many hours preparing.
- Observing the care displayed from the staff to the students, students to students and staff to staff.
Did you Know?
- Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries?
- Did you know 8% of people have an extra rib?
- Did you know Perth is Australia’s windiest city?
- Did you know the only continent with no active volcanoes is Australia?
There are ‘great things’ happening in our school due to the efforts of so many people; seek to be one of those people in the coming week!
Keep smiling and let’s do great things together!
Andrew Kelly
Principal
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Welcome back to Term Three!
I trust you had a restful school holiday break with loved ones and have had a smooth start to the term!
Term Three Planning:
During this term, academic updates will be communicated through Term Overviews posted on Seesaw, with an open night scheduled later in the term. We have a variety of engaging learning activities and events planned, including incursions, excursions, assemblies, and carnivals.
2024 Religious Education Assessment (REA):
In Catholic schools across Western Australia, students in Years 3, 5, and 9 participate in a statewide online assessment of Religious Education.
The RE practice test at Christ the King is set for:
Years 3 & 5: Week 2 – Wednesday 24 July, 2024
The RE assessment at Christ the King is scheduled for:
Years 3 & 5: Week 3 – Wednesday 31 July, 2024
Please ensure your child brings their headphones to school on these dates and they are in working order.
Absenteeism:
As we enter the cold and flu season, we kindly request parents to keep their children at home if they are unwell. Please notify the school office via email or phone before 9 am to inform us of your child’s absence. Your proactive communication is appreciated; please do not wait for a message from the school. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Student Uniform Compliance:
As we begin this new term, it is important to remind all students to adhere to the correct uniform guidelines each day and to wear it proudly. Our school uniform sets us apart from other schools. Staff will be ensuring students are wearing the correct school uniform including the correct shoes and socks. Socks with sporting brands/logos are not permitted. All hair should be neatly tied back. Please ensure all items are properly labelled to facilitate their return if misplaced. We applaud those students who consistently display pride in wearing their school uniform. We also appreciate parents’ efforts in preparing their children for Term 3.
Cyber Safety and Digital Wellness:
Christ the King is organising a ‘Cyber Safety & Digital Wellness’ Workshop evening on Tuesday 30 July (Week 3) from 6pm to 8pm in our school library. We strongly encourage all parents and carers to attend this crucial workshop led by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids. Please note that due to copyright restrictions, recording of the workshop is not permitted. This workshop is not suitable for children to attend. Kayelene Kerr will also be conducting sessions with our Year 4 – 6 students during the day on Tuesday 30 July. However, all parents and carers in our school community are welcome to participate. Please RSVP using the flyer sent to you via Seesaw. We look forward to your presence at this event!
Pupil Free Day for Term Three:
Please remember that there is a Pupil Free Day on Friday 20 September, 2024 (Week 10).
Term 3 has started wonderfully, and I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.
Mrs. Sabrina Reardon
Assistant Principal
A message from our school Nurse:
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you well. It has come to our attention that there have been recent cases of Influenza A and gastroenteritis (stomach flu) within our school community. To maintain a healthy environment for all students and staff, we kindly ask for your cooperation in the following:
Monitor Health Symptoms
Please be vigilant in observing any signs of illness in your children. Common symptoms to watch for include:
- Influenza A: Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, high temperature, headaches, and fatigue.
- Gastroenteritis: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever.
Family Health Considerations
If multiple family members have recently been ill, it is crucial to ensure your child is not carrying or developing symptoms before sending them to school.
Keep Sick Children at Home
If your child exhibits any of the symptoms mentioned above, please keep them at home until they are fully recovered and symptom-free. This helps to prevent the spread of infections to other students and staff.
Promote Healthy Habits
Encourage your children to:
- Wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
- Use hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available.
- Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as water bottles and utensils.
We understand that managing illnesses can be challenging, and we appreciate your efforts to keep our school community healthy. By working together, we can help minimise the spread of infections and ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Warm Regards,
Andrea
Staff Profile:
Our fabulous Year 6 leaders, Dominque and Christian, will be interviewing our staff throughout the year so that we all can get to know each other well. This week they interviewed Miss Zugaro, our wonderful Year 2 teacher! Find out more about Miss Zugaro below:
What’s your favourite colour?
Pink
What’s your favourite food?
Pasta or pizza
What’s your favourite part about CTK:
The uniqueness of our school.
What sports do you follow?
AFL, Hawthorn.
What’s your favourite animal?
Panda or a White Tiger.
Where do you like to get away from things:
Bali.
If you had a million dollars what would you buy?
A house.
What do you value most?
Kindness.
P&F News
Welcome back everyone!
The P&F have a few exciting competitions, events and raffles running this week.
The Paint n’ Sip is a fun event which will be held in our school hall on Friday 6th September from 6-9pm. No experience is needed and you will be lead by a talented instructor who will show you how to paint a beautiful “Paris Night”. Your ticket includes a drink on arrival and a giant shared grazing board with lots of yummy food. This event is open to anyone so bring your friends and family and enjoy a night filled with new experiences and I’m sure a lot of laughs. There will be a bar to purchase drinks (no BYO) and raffles on the night. You can also pre purchase raffle tickets online on the hub prior to the event. Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out! Ticket sales close Sunday 28th July.
Principal for a day competition has started and every child from Pre-Primary- Yr 6 has been sent home a questionnaire. Two winners will be picked by Mr Kelly and Mrs Reardon and both will spend the day as Principals of CTK on National Principal Day (Friday 2nd August). If your child would like to enter the competition, please return their completed questionnaire and a $2 entry fee in a sealed envelope in the P&F box located outside the office. Competition closes Friday 26th July.
The AFL Raffle is now on and is open for anyone wanting to buy tickets to win an incredible day at the footy. Your tickets will put you in the draw to win 3 x Premium seats in the Bankwest section, free transport to the game and priority entry to round 21. We will also include a $100 EFTPOS gift card for food and drinks on the day. Don’t miss out on being in the draw to win this amazing prize as it will close on Sunday 28th July at 5pm. The winner will be announced on the CTK Cares FB page on Monday 29th July.
Our first P&F Meeting for Term 3 has been changed to Wednesday 7th August at 5:30pm-6:30pm in the library. We hope to see you there!
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to another fun term at CTK!
Suraya
P&F President
Community News
Private Singing Lessons
From the Principal – Term 2, Week 11
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,
End of Term Prayer
We thank you Lord, for this term.
For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith.
Help us to be practical a Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others.
To be peacemakers in our family.
Keep us safe in our activities; gives us good rest and good fun.
Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.
We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.
May we always be conscious of you in our lives.
Amen
As we approach the end of another school term we can reflect on some enriching, memorable and successful events that have taken place at Christ the King School. We have many very committed and enthusiastic people, including staff, parents and children, who give their own time and talents to create a positive atmosphere at this school.
Since starting in 2022 (now two and half years on), I have maintained we are a Christ-Centred, Student Focused and Research Informed school. Through various events and activities this term, we feel that this focus continues to be achieved. The efforts of the students and the staff to reach out and assist those in need, whether that be through the funds raised with the various Mission activities, work in the classrooms, pastoral or extra-curricular work in the community – all members of Christ the King School are striving to meet this call. Congratulations and keep up the tremendous work.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday, July 7 to Sunday, July 14), 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. The 2024 National NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fire Burning. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. Yesterday’s visit by the Seton students, Erin Tapp, Nita and Jonathon to help showcase and celebrate NAIDOC Week at our school was a fantastic experience for all staff and students. Thank you, Mr Geaney, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Salerno, Taniwha, Mrs Dunn and Mrs D’Onoforo for leading this Tuesday.
Thank you, Miss Zugaro, Mrs Anderson, Miss Purtell, Mrs Darch and Miss Darch for making this last week a great Wellness Week for our students. Super work, planning and effort!
To all our EAs, thank you as you have once again worked so solidly as a team. I observe all the outstanding work each of you do and the role you play. You are the heartbeat of our school and we all admire, respect, value and appreciate the work you have done and continue to do, bravo ladies and gents!
Thank You Staff – As we approach the end of Semester One, I thank the staff of Christ the King who are an exceptional group of dedicated professionals. I am constantly in awe of their commitment. The depths of their conversations reflect professionals who have a highly developed understanding of good pedagogical practice. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge all their wonderful work. May God bless each and every one of them and may they find comfort in the knowledge their vocations as teacher, sages and educators are a lofty and most honourable calling.
I wish to congratulate our students on their commitment to their learning. Their resiliency and tenacity are certainly a wonderful example to us all. I sincerely thank our parent community for their support and encouragement throughout this semester. It has been a privilege to work alongside the children as they define our TRUE values of Christ the King School.
A very big thank you also to our P&F who have worked tirelessly once again this term. I really enjoy our meetings as the discussions are always around improving school resources and the learning journey of all children in our school. You have achieved so much for our community and it has been great fun!
Thank you to the Advisory Council for their support in my endeavours to have a future focus for our school. All our SAC members do a tremendous job in making many important financial decisions and keeping our school financially viable. It is exciting to see the SAC involving themselves in sub-committees like Risk Audit and Maintenance, Marketing and Capital Development.
Thank you, Mr Dom for doing so much around our school. We are all so grateful for the amazing work you do, well done young fella!
Thank you, Mrs Reardon, Mrs Seaward and Mrs Barrett for being such a great leadership team. It has been wonderful seeing you take on tasks and complete them with such precision and professionalism, awesome job!
A reminder, staff commence term three on Monday, 15 July for our Berry Street PD. Students start on Tuesday, 16 July.
School Holiday Ideas
The holidays provide time to have a rest and a break from the busy schedule of school days. There is also time to do some things that there may not be time for during the school term. The following is a list of ideas that may be useful during the next two weeks. Plan for some ‘lazy’ days and have quieter days around the house.
Read a book, or three. The best thing about holidays, and going slowly, is the ability to bring the adventures read in literature alive in many exciting ways; drawings, dramatisation, collage, painting, box construction, filming etc… are all ideas that can be sparked from an interesting read.
Visit a local park – perhaps not just any park, go on the internet and find a park that you haven’t been to before. Many of the new Council playgrounds are fantastic. There is water play, flying foxes and all sorts of equipment. A lot of them are fun for parents too. You might even ride your bike to the park or take a cricket set, soccer ball or footy and play a game.
Go to the movies — at home. Rent or download your favourite kids movie, make some popcorn, dim the lights and enjoy the cinema at home.
Play board and card games – they are always loads of fun and can keep kids amused for hours. Think of games like: Game of Life, Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo, Mouse Trap, Jenga and many others.
Play puppet shows at home – puppet shows have always been the cornerstone of imaginative play for children and you can make your own puppet show at home too. You could collect all your socks that you´re no longer using and get out the glue and have fun creating.
Do some gardening – replant part of the garden with some new flowers. You could also try and grow some of your favourite vegetables at home.
Read more at: https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/activities/100-fun-things-to-do-on-school-holidays/
Did you Know?
- During his or her lifetime the average human will grow 949km of hair.
- Your foot and your forearm are the same length.
- Your smell is unique: your body odour is unique to you unless you have an identical twin. Even babies recognise the individual scents of their mothers.
I leave you with these thoughts for the holidays. A time when you may need a little more patience and understanding of your children.
Always remember to:
- Listen with love
- Listen with eyes as well as ears
- Listen with understanding and
- Listen often and God will ensure your family has a wonderful time together for the holiday and always.
Wishing all staff, children and families a very safe, relaxing and well-deserved holiday from the busyness of school. See you all term three!
Andrew Kelly
Principal
Messages from the Assistant Principal
Welcome to Week 11!
Reflecting on Term Two at Christ the King School:
As we look back on the eventful second term at our school, it’s clear that we’ve once again experienced numerous enriching opportunities together. It’s essential to recognise and celebrate these achievements as a unified school community.
We commenced our term with a P&F Derby Dress Up in Colours day, Anzac Day service in the quadrangle, observed significant Sacraments, honoured our Mothers with a delightful morning, engaged in various excursions and incursions, Kindy speech screenings, Vision screenings, many P&F events, Year 6 Masterchef, participated in cross-country carnivals and school photos, celebrated Wellbeing Week, enjoyed activities like Running club, Lego club and Basketball clinics, attended assemblies and Liturgical Singing, joined in National Simultaneous Story Time, gathered for our Milne House Prayer Liturgy and engaged in high-quality learning programs across all our classes! There’s so much happening at our exceptional school that fills us with immense pride and joy!
Student Wellbeing:
We appreciate the parents and carers who have chosen to keep their children at home when they are unwell, as this helps minimize the spread of various viruses and COVID within our school community. Your cooperation is very much appreciated!
Punctuality and Achievement:
Please continue to ensure your child arrives promptly at school and is in the classroom, prepared for learning by 8:40am. Classroom doors open at 8:30am. Arriving late does not provide adequate time for students to prepare for the school day. Students arriving after 8:40am may miss crucial instructions, important announcements, and key concepts taught during morning activities. Consistently being on time contributes to a productive classroom environment and is associated with academic success.
Home and School Partnerships:
Collaboration between home and school is key to achieving optimal outcomes for our students. Effective communication is essential for fostering a strong partnership. It is the responsibility of both staff and students to ensure this communication is maintained. Showing respect for our teachers as professionals is fundamental in cultivating positive home-school relationships. Both school staff and parents share the common goal of ensuring students are happy, safe, and thriving in their school environment. By working together, we can establish a supportive atmosphere where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Our teachers and education assistants receive ongoing training in current educational best practices. Additionally, teaching is widely acknowledged as a demanding profession, and supporting educators is crucial as they navigate the complexities of educating children daily.
Mid-Term Reports:
You can now access and download your child’s report on SEQTA Engage. Various formal and informal assessment methods, such as tests, work samples, teacher observations, interviews, projects, and assignments aligned with Curriculum Standards, have been used to evaluate your child’s progress. Please take the time to review the report thoroughly.
As you go through your child’s report, it’s important to recognise their overall development, including academic performance, effort, attitude, as well as personal and social skills. We encourage you to celebrate your child’s accomplishments and commend their dedication, perseverance, and growth. You may also consider setting realistic growth goals for the next semester together, breaking them down into achievable steps to celebrate milestones along the way and maintain motivation.
Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in your child’s educational journey. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated teaching staff for their hard work in compiling these Mid-Term Reports. Our teachers invest significant time and effort in analysing assessment data, assigning grades, and crafting comments that accurately reflect student progress and attributes.
The 2024 Religious Education Assessment (REA):
The Religious Education Assessment (REA) for 2024 involves students in Years 3, 5, and 9 attending Catholic schools in Western Australia. This system-wide online assessment occurs during Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 3. Its purpose is to evaluate students’ grasp of the Religious Education Curriculum. Test materials tailored for each year level are prepared by the Religious Education Directorate at the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, encompassing multiple-choice, short answer, and extended response questions. Comprehensive student reports are generated and distributed in Term Four, complementing school-based Religious Education assessments. This assessment provides educators and administrators with a timely overview of student performance in Religious Education.
Parents and guardians of students in Year 3 and Year 5 have been notified about the upcoming assessment. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this assessment, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Edu Dance classes & Boogie Woogie at CtK:
Next term, Edu Dance classes will begin for students in Year 2 to 6. Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, and our Learning Centre students will enjoy Boogie Woogie Dance classes. Boogie Woogie sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays for our students in Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, and the Learning Centre, while Year 1 will participate on Monday afternoons. Edu Dance classes will take place on Thursdays. Please ensure students wear their sports uniform on these days. We eagerly anticipate our students’ involvement in these exciting dance programs next term!
Get reading over the school holidays!
Encourage your child to dive into reading this school holidays! If your child needs an extra reason to pick up a book during the school break, consider the Premier’s Reading Challenge. If they haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time! They have until September to read eight books – there’s a wide variety of reading materials included, so if novels aren’t their preference, they have alternatives to explore. Exciting grand prizes and weekly rewards await! Enjoy the journey of reading!
Staff Profile:
Our fabulous Year 6 leaders, Dominque and Christian, will be interviewing our staff throughout the year so that we all can get to know each other well. This week they interviewed Miss Lomma. Find out more about Miss Lomma below:
What’s your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is purple for the Dockers
What’s your favourite food?
My Nonna’s pasta, ravioli specifically.
What’s your favourite part about CtK?
I love that we are a very inclusive school
What sports do you follow?
AFL, the Dockers
What’s your favourite animal?
Big dogs
Where do you like to get away from things?
The beach at sunset
If you had a million dollars, what would you buy?
I would buy a house!
What do you value most?
I value honesty and kindness
Student Spotlight:
Alisha Parkin – Year 6 student
For a recent drawing competition, I had to draw a picture that had to be of an iconic location but fantasy and imaginative. I chose to use the Fremantle Harbour and I was one of the seven people that won so now my drawing is going to be built into Lego and will be at the Freo Lego trail with 7 other Lego builds. People can vote for their favourite and whichever one gets the most votes will win the Ultimate Kids’ Excursion to Fremantle for their whole class!!!
People who vote will also be in the running for great prizes. Free tickets are required for children wishing to complete the trail. These can be booked on the Visit Fremantle Freo Builds website. Adults can accompany children without any need for tickets.
Location – Fremantle, WA
When – Monday 1st July 2024, 10 am – Sun 7th July 2024
Just a gentle reminder that Term Three begins for our students on Tuesday, 16 July, 2024. Monday, 15 July, will be a Staff Development Day, during which our staff will engage in a Berry Street Professional Learning Day at our school alongside two other Catholic Primary Schools.
Please take note of the following Pupil Free Days for 2024:
Term 3
- Monday, 15 July
- Friday, 20 September
Term 4
- Monday, 7 October
- Friday, 8 November
The winter holiday offers a wonderful chance to unwind and rejuvenate. It’s an ideal period to recharge, celebrate our successes, and prepare for the upcoming semester. Use this time to relax, spend quality moments with family and friends, and indulge in activities that bring happiness and renewal. A rested mind and spirit are crucial for personal development and shared success.
As we look ahead to the new semester, let’s uphold our commitment to maintain our school’s warm and inclusive environment for everyone.
Warm wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday break with family and friends!
Mrs. Sabrina Reardon
Assistant Principal
Community News
Private Singing Lessons