Upcoming Events

Your child will take home their Interim Report tomorrow. This report gives you an indication of your child's early Personal Development and Behaviour at school. It gives you an idea about how your child has settled into their new classroom routines, their ability to listen to and follow instructions and complete work within a designated time to an acceptable standard. Other items include classroom and playground behaviour, consideration for others and perseverance.

During Term Two, on the 25 or 26 May, you will have the opportunity to come in for an interview to discuss your child's academic and social progress. If you have any concerns before then please contact your child's teacher.

At the end of Term Two, you will receive your child's Academic and Personal and Social Capabilities Report.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Updated Advice

To ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community, the following update is provided in relation to COVID-19 (previously referred to as Novel Coronavirus). This information has been provided by Catholic Schools NSW in consultation with NSW Departments of Education and Health. The following recommendations will be followed in our College.

Effective 1 March 2020, the Federal Government has issued a travel ban on foreigners coming to Australia from Iran. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents coming from Iran will be allowed entry to Australia and from 1 March they are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days after departing Iran consistent with the restrictions for those entering from China. Additionally, Australians have been advised NOT to travel to Iran.

The updated advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff is:

• Any student or staff member who has been in, or transited through, mainland China (not just Hubei province) or has been in Iran is excluded from work, school or child care services for 14 days from the date they left mainland China or Iran (as the COVID-19 incubation period can be as long as two weeks).
• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.
• Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
• Students and staff who have returned to Australia from mainland China or Iran more than 14 days ago and have shown no symptoms are able to return to school. The NSW Ministry of Health has processes to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia. Advice about not attending school would be provided to these close contacts by the NSW Ministry of Health.

Consistent with our current guidelines, staff and students unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. Further information on COVID-19 is also available from NSW Health.

Practising Good Hygiene

Maintaining good hygiene standards is an important way to reduce the risk of acquiring and spreading respiratory infections using infection control guidelines. Students will be reminded to wash their hands as hand washing is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease.

Lunchbags and Qkr profiles

A reminder to please ensure your child's lunch bags and Qkr profile are updated to reflect their correct and current Year. Our parents on tuckshop don't necessarily know each student and if the incorrect year is showing, they may accidentally put the bag in the wrong container causing all sorts of confusion when they come to collect their lunch.

Family Mass & St Patrick's Day Family Picnic

On Sunday 22 March we will hold our school welcome function. The day will commence with a Family Mass at 9.00am in the Church followed by a fun morning of activities on our Bottom Playground. Activities, involving the whole family, will include sack races, family challenge tug-o-war, egg and spoon races and more!

Bring a packed morning tea picnic, a rug and wear green to celebrate St Patrick's Day. This event is based on an old much loved St Mary's tradition. 

Family, friends and parishioners welcome.

Please let us know if you will be joining us for this fun morning by clicking on the link below or by calling Belinda in the School Office 48321 592.

Welcome Function - St Patrick's Day Family Picnic

Medical Action Plans

If your child has an Anaphylaxis or Asthma Action Plan, please ensure Belinda has the most up to date copy.

A "Consent to Dispense Medicine" form must also be completed for students who require regular medicine. If you haven't completed one of these, please see Belinda.

All medicine must be kept at the Office, not in student's bags please.

In Our Thoughts

We wish Brad Hayes a speedy recovery from his recent operation. Brad is an ex-student and big brother to Joe (Yr3). He is currently studying and working towards his Certificate IV in Education Support through OTEN Tafe.
Brad can be seen working with CSA Tory Simmons and students every Tuesday and Wednesday at St Mary’s.
On Tuesday this week Brad had significant surgery involving a tendon transfer to give him back the use of his right tricep.
Speedy recovery Brad.

Swimming Results

Our four swimmers returned to school very proud of their results and effort at Narooma. Thank you to their parents for supporting them with this achievement. Results for their races appear below. Congratulations again Bridie, William, Andrew and Sophie.

Event 8 Girls 8 Year Olds 50 LC Meter Freestyle

C/G Record: 44.18 R 2014 Alice Henman Mt Carmel, Yass

1 Reardon, Brooke 8 Mount Carmel, Yass 52.68 53.93

2 Flemmington, Annie 8 St Bernard's, Batehaven 54.87 54.64

3 Norden, Essie 8 St Patrick's, Gundagai - CG 1:01.75 54.98

4 Lawley, Quinn 8 St Patrick's, Cooma 58.57 58.12

5 Oliver, Isabella 8 McAuley, Tumut - CG 1:09.84 58.47

6 Jones, Emerson 8 Sacred Heart, Cootamundra - CG 58.94 59.58

7 Weyman, Lila 8 St Mary's, Moruya 1:05.99 1:01.81

8 Gwynne, Evie 8 St Mary's, Moruya 1:03.81 1:02.05

9 Culley, Sophie 8 St Mary's, Crookwell 1:04.13 1:03.06

10 Clark, Evie 8 St Bede's, Braidwood 1:06.01 1:18.74

Event 9 Boys 8 Year Olds 50 LC Meter Freestyle

C/G Record: 39.25 R 2013 Jackson Blake St Bernard's, Batehaven

1 Clark, George 8 Sacred Heart, Cootamundra - CG 50.62 48.59

2 Ralston, Campbell 8 St Bernard's, Batehaven 56.82 53.74

3 Lawson, Andrew 8 St Mary's, Crookwell 1:00.74 59.21

4 Hazlett, Ned 8 Sacred Heart, Cootamundra - CG 59.09 59.44

5 Jameson, Oscar 8 St Bernard's, Batehaven 1:03.07 1:01.10

6 Scott, Jack 8 St Joseph's, Boorowa - CG 1:00.46 1:03.32

7 Ford, Declan 8 Lumen Christi, Pambula 1:07.67 1:04.12

8 Cassidy, Cooper 8 St Mary's, Moruya 1:02.21 1:05.49

9 Morrison, Liam 8 St Gregorys, Queanbeyan 1:06.82 1:06.94

10 Vardanega, Mack 8 St Bede's, Braidwood 1:14.90 1:08.06

11 Markota, Tommy 8 Mount Carmel, Yass 1:14.89 1:09.96

12 Summerfield, Hamish 8 Trinity, Murrumburrah - CG 1:14.37 1:12.53

Event 34 Girls 11 Year Olds 50 LC Meter Breaststroke

C/G Record: 46.75 R 2018 Emily Walker Lumen Christi, Pambula

1 Fitzpatrick, Michaela 11 St Mary's, Moruya 50.07 48.10 10

2 Dymock, Alice 11 St Joseph's, Boorowa - CG 48.07 48.33 8

3 Luckie, Neve 11 Mount Carmel, Yass 54.45 51.94 6

4 Kellahan, Grace 11 St Mary's, West Wyalong - CG 55.47 53.18 1

5 McKay, Talia 11 Trinity, Murrumburrah - CG 52.41 53.75 1

6 Ison, Emma 11 St Bernard's, Batehaven 58.73 55.22 1

7 Carter, Emma 11 St Mary's, Moruya 54.00 55.40 1

8 Edwards, Skye 11 Mount Carmel, Yass 54.59 55.70 1

9 White, Macy 11 McAuley, Tumut - CG 55.28 57.86 1

--- Warke, Cammryn 11 St Gregorys, Queanbeyan 56.03 DQ

--- Croker, Bridie 11 St Mary's, Crookwell 55.05 DQ

Event 37 Boys 12-13 50 LC Meter Breaststroke

C/G Record: 43.58 R 2016 Darcey Bush Mt Carmel, Yass

1 Webber, Charlie 12 St Mary's, Young - CG 49.56 47.43

2 Peacey, Thomas 12 Sacred Heart, Cootamundra - CG 46.65 47.94

3 Coble, Noah 12 St Joseph's, Boorowa - CG 50.66 49.34

4 McFadyen, Carter 12 St Francis X, Lake Carg - CG 51.22 49.70

5 Treloar, Toby 12 St Joseph's, Goulburn 52.16 54.00

6 Irvin, Brodie 12 St Patrick's, Bega 54.78 55.64

*7 Heffernan, William 12 St Mary's, Crookwell 59.41 56.68

*7 Marchei, Nicholas 12 Mount Carmel, Yass 57.14 56.68

9 Bryan, Lachlan 12 St Patrick's, Cooma 1:02.62 57.74

10 Webster, James 12 St Peter and Paul, Goulburn 59.13 59.14

11 Perez Gillespie, Andre 12 Lumen Christi, Pambula 1:04.26 1:04.43

12 Talbot, Cooper 12 St Bernard's, Batehaven 1:04.96 1:06.11

Trial Registrations 

The following registrations have been approved as of Friday 28 Feb.

Please make sure you have registered your child for their desired trial before the cut off date.

Sport Trials 2020

Please note registration is open for Winter Trials, which includes Rugby League and Hockey. Parents are encouraged to look at the calendar and register ASAP for any sport your child might be interested in for this year.  It does not need to be before the registration cut-off time. For example, you can register now for Touch Football which is generally later in the year.

Peter Lucas Rugby Union

Unfortunately due to numbers, we are unable to send a year 5/6 team to the Gala Day. There are other sporting trials being held on that day, and this has impacted on potential numbers.

The following students will be participating in the Peter Lucas Rugby Union Gala Day on 20 March in the Year 3/4 tackle team;

Charlie Lang

Charlie Tarlinton

Chloe Bensley

Angus Foley

Riley Haynes

William Croker

Patrick Croker

Lachlan Kilborn

William Millett

Peter Lawson

Coaches: Kim Croker and Fred Bensley

Cross Country Carnival Program

Friday 13 March

St Mary’s Bottom Oval

Please being a chair and blanket if you wish.

Parents will have a viewing area down inside of the track arena with the students.

           

11.50am	Students assemble at the bottom playground for the carnival.
12:00pm	Event 1- 12yr boys and girls 3000m (6 laps of oval track)
12:15pm	Event 2- 7yr boys and girls 600m
12:25pm	Event 3- 6yr boys and girls 600m
12:35pm	Event 4- 5yrs boys and girls 600m
12:45pm	Event 5- 8yrs boys and girls 1000m (2 laps of oval track)
1pm	Event 6- 9yr boys and girls 2000m (4 laps of oval track)
1:20pm	Event 7- 10yr boys and girls 2000m (4 laps of oval track)
1:35pm	Event 8- 11yr boys and girls 3000m (6 laps of the oval track)

 

###PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE APPROXIMATE TIMES ONLY, AND THE PROGRAM CAN BE ADJUSTED AT ANY STAGE OF THE CARNIVAL.

       

Clubs

Morning Club is daily from 8am in the library and all students are very welcome.

Maths Club is Monday afternoon after school until 4pm. Students from Year 2-6 are very welcome to attend.

READ every night with your child.

The following link from LearnFast has many useful tips and ideas for parents and teachers looking for resources on a variety of topics including: ebooks, checklists, latest research & studies and webinar links.  They are continually adding to their resource page. There is information on Bullying, Auditory Processing, The Learning Brain, Improving Social and Emotional Learning, Early Reading and Maths skills, working memory and many other areas of your child’s development.

https://info.learnfasthq.com/free-learning-resources?utm_campaign=Free%20resources&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=68357726&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ucGcpBuq6jm2Lgqton6V3RqZ1JQXDr_sZMGFZ5reH1L_qxhC5nuSODm8f8R9DyDeuTmWZwhkUEbRljIgOjkgY3atuUQ&_hsmi=68357726

Dyslexia

Sometimes students who struggle with reading and spelling have Dyslexia. The main areas they struggle with are learning sounds, decoding words, fluency and spelling. Dyslexia occurs on a continuum from mild to severe. The Australian Dyslexia Association may have some information on their website that might benefit your child. SPELD also has some great resources for students struggling with reading and spelling.

Students who have dyslexia often have an inquiring mind and are very intelligent. They can problem solve, comprehend new ideas and are creative, analytical thinkers. Last year, all our teaching staff participated in an online dyslexia course. This has benefitted many children, not just those with Dyslexia. Strategies to assist dyslexic children include:

Ideas taken from SPELD SA Newsletter, Autumn 2003

To assist students with Dyslexia teachers use many different strategies.

To improve listening skills

• They gain student's attention eg, use name, touch shoulder, gain eye contact, keep still
• Teach student to "stop, look and listen" when the teacher speaks
• Give one instruction at a time and allow time to process meaning
• Keep instructions short and simple. Accompany verbal information with visuals, demonstrations, headings on the board. 

To engage students with different learning styles

• Design lessons to involve:
  • visual -eg, colour-coding, writing key points on the board, demonstrations
  • auditory - eg, explanations, have students repeat, use drama, discussion
  • kinaesthetic -eg, writing, making things, doing things
  • thinking - eg, analysing, organising, proof-reading, evaluating, summarising, asking themselves questions
• Encourage responses which reflect different learning styles
  • Visual: picture, chart, diagram
  • Auditory: oral, cassette, play
  • Kinaesthetic: model, movement

Individual Support Adjustments

• Sit student near a helpful "buddy"
• Ensure worksheets are written simply, in large print (Sasson or Comic Sans, font 12 or 14pts) with clear spacing
• Use coloured overlays/paper
• Have emergency supply of equipment: pen, pencil, ruler, eraser

Improving organisation

• Model, explain and provide a method of organisation for routine tasks eg, getting books/pencils etc, clearing up, giving out homework instructions, collecting parent notices
• Help student to devise checklists to tick off eg, for homework requirements, sports gear, managing complex tasks like research work, setting priorities for assignments
• Teach students a system for completing tasks, eg, tidying their desk/drawer, getting changed for PE, looking for something they've lost, and encourage them to use it as part of a regular routine

Show understanding

• Acknowledge that students with dyslexia have to work harder than most of their peers and even then the results may be disappointing (both to the teacher and the student)
• Appreciate that dyslexics have good days and bad days
• Accept that progress will be slow and praise small achievements
• Recognise signs of fatigue and give a break or change activity
• Appreciate dyslexics' difficulty learning facts by heart
• Don't ask a dyslexic to read to the class unless they want to
• They may lose and forget things however hard they try
• They may be very sensitive to their difficulties and go to extreme lengths to hide them
• Teachers are patient. If one approach does not work, they try something different, work on one-step at a time, go back to a stage they can manage and build from there.

Modifying the task

• Teachers modify tasks, eg, accept dot points instead of sentences
• Teacher often don't ask dyslexics to copy from the board; they find it very difficult and may miss words/lines/whole chunks of information
• Teachers shouldn’t ask students to finish work at recess and lunch or take it home; instead they reduce the amount or modify the task
• Accept that progress will be slow and praise small achievements

Building confidence and self-esteem

• Reward effort
• Captialise on special interests and talents
• Give opportunities to shine
• Help students set manageable goals and work out strategies to attain them
• Look for opportunities to give descriptive praise

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 2, of Book Club, has been distributed. Orders are due on the 12^th March.

Please order using the Loop website: scholastic.com.au/LOOP

LOOP enables parents to order and pay for your child’s order online using a credit card or voucher if you have one.

• Click on ORDER
• OR Register first to save your details for next time
• Select your school and your child's class 
• Add your child's first name & last initial (so the school knows who the book is for) 
• Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue
• Follow the instructions for payment and submit
• Books will be delivered to your child's classroom if you order by the close date
• Afterwards, there is no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details back to your school! 

Internet Safety

Over the past weeks, the children have been learning about Internet Safety in Library/ICT. The esafety website, created by the Government has some informative information. There is advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online at the following address:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

In addition, The eSafety Guide is a helpful website. It shows the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report inappropriate content

https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide

Kids and mental health

Are you concerned about the mental health of your child or a child you know? Or are you a kid looking for help?

Find out what some common mental health issues in kids are, why good mental health is important for children and what can be done to help.

Why kids' mental health is important

Having good mental health is key to the healthy development and wellbeing of every child. Kids need good mental health - not only to be able to deal with challenges and adapt to change, but so they can feel good about themselves, build healthy relationships with others and enjoy life.

A kid’s mental health can be influenced by many things, like family circumstances, school life and life events. While children can experience mental health issues at any age, they are most at risk between the ages of 12 and 16 years.

If your child, or a child you know, is having mental health issues, the best thing you can do is get them some help, before it gets worse - see 'Where to get help' below.

Mental health issues in children

Everyone feels sad, angry or upset sometimes, including children. But if a kid feels like this most of the time, it’s a sign they may need help. Other signs include difficulty coping, getting on with others or staying interested in activities.

Kids can struggle with a range of issues as they grow up. Some of the common mental health-related issues they experience include:

• relationship problems (for example family, peers)
• eating or body-image issues
• feeling sad or depressed
• worry or anxiety

About 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 4-17 have recently experienced a mental disorder in Australia. The most common disorder is ADHD, followed by anxiety, depression and conduct disorder. If you think your child has a mental health issue, it’s important to reach out for professional help.

Improving kids' mental health

There are plenty of things that can be done to improve mental health and help prevent mental health issues from developing. For example, getting enough sleep, eating well and doing regular physical activity is important for children, just as it is for adults.

Longlasting and safe and secure relationships, such as with the child’s family (including extended family and carers), are considered the most influential factors in a child’s life. Mental health difficulties in children might present as frequent or intense struggles with their emotions, their thoughts, behaviours, learning or relationships.

As a parent or concerned adult, there are some simple steps you can take to support a child’s mental health. These are things like taking an active interest in the child, encouraging them to talk about what’s happening in their life and being aware of changes in their behaviour. Seek support from your doctor or other health or mental health professional if you are concerned.

Where to get help

If you’d like to find out more, or talk to someone, here are some organisations that can help:

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (telephone and online counselling for ages 5-25)
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Call Parentline in your state or territory for counselling and support for parents and carers
• eheadspace to chat online
• SANE Australia (people living with a mental illness and their carers) — call 1800 18 7263
• ReachOut.com (youth mental health service) — visit the website for info or use the online forum

You can also ask your family doctor for advice or consult a psychologist if you would like more information or mental health resources for kids.

Sources:

Raising Children Network (Pre-teen and teenage mental health), Be You (Resilience), Be You (Anxiety), headspace (Tips to keep good mental health), Be You (Depression), Kids Helpline (Insights into Australian young people - pdf), Kids Helpline (My child struggles with mental health), Emerging Minds (What is child mental health?)

Year 4 – Finn McCormack and Amelia O'Brien

Year 5 - Nate Kemp and Phoebe Selmes

Year 6 -Sienna Charnock and Jake Cosgrove

School Spirit Award

Sienna Charnock for thinking of others- a true leader.

Jake Cosgrove for dedication and service to his role.

Harper Seaman for demonstrating the School Value of Respect.

Awards are presented at our Monday morning assembly at 9.05am. All are welcome.

Altar Roster

MARCH

8 March: Regan Picker and Seth Grove

15 March: Oliver Gray and Skyelah Gray

22 March: Nathaniel Waters and Abigail Gray

29 March: Nathaniel Waters and Abigail Gray

We would love it if some more children could join our Altar Serving team. Please contact the Parish Office if your child is interested. Training is provided and new children are rostered on with experienced servers.

Parish Office

For Parish and Sacramental matters please forward your enquiries to Parish Secretary, Janet Haynes or Pastoral Associate Sr Rosemary via email or call into the Parish Office at the Old Convent Building on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Email: Crookwell@cg.org.au

Website: http://cg.org.au/crookwell/Home.aspx 

Phone: 48321 633 

Address: 55 Wade Street (the Old Convent Building)

Already there is an increasing amount of lost property which has been handed into the Office. All efforts to find names and distribute back to the righful owner have been made, but sometimes it is not possible. Please ensure items you send to school are clearly named.

Attached is a photo of some items we have. Please feel free to come and check the uniform lost property container for items.

Reece's Results!

Monaro Billy Cart Tournament

On Sunday 1^st March, I went billy cart racing in Cooma. My mother raced too and beat me by .8^th of a second. My fastest time was 16.8 seconds and my top speed was 41km/h. You had to build your own billy cart and race as fast as you can down the hill to the finish line. Mum screamed the whole way down. It is lots of fun!

I came 1^st in my class (9-14 Years) and 2^nd overall. My mum came 1^st in her class (18 years and over) and 1^st overall.

Reece Allport

Hockey

Last weekend William Heffernan and Ellie McCormack travelled to Bathurst to take part in the Hockey NSW CoD Regional Development Challenge.

William played 27 games over 3 days, for 3 southern district teams and filled in one game for another team.

William and Ellie both won the most outstanding player U13 boys/girls for the Southern District.

Well done!

Please send us your interesting news so we can share it with our St Mary's Community!

Year 6 Camp Fundraising Street Stall- (report supplied by the organising committee)

Wow, what a success the street stall and raffle was last Friday. Congratulations to Year Six mums Booke, Jackie, Alison and Sharron, you did yourselves proud. A big thanks to Jo White, Viv Lucock and Deanna Waters for all your help and support. To the Year Six mums along with Jo, Ange and Tracey (you know who you are) for your donations of saleable goods. The wood, donated by Jodie and Todd Charnock (thanks guys) for the raffle was won by Bec McCormack of Lost River. Now, wait for it, drum roll please, a grand total of $1754.00 was raised. With only two weeks to organise this event, it is a huge effort.

Basketball Skills Session

Taikoz Workshop at Hume Conservatorium

Collector Youth Day 

Welcome to Crookwell

Book Fest Guide

Budding authors and interested parents might find the Author Talk worthwhile.

More information and a program can be found in the attached PDF.

Part-time work available!

Belinda Foley is looking for someone to work part-time during school hours (flexible) to help make natural products. The person would have to be willing to travel to their family farm. If you're interested or would like further information please contact Belinda Foley on  48362 114.

Weekend Cartoon Workshops