Newsletter Newsletter

552 CHAPEL ROAD, BANKSTOWN, N.S.W. 2200 TELEPHONE: (02) 9796 7875 / FAX: (02) 9796 8406
Email: info@stfbankstown.catholic.edu.au www.stfbankstown.catholic.edu.au

From the Principal Mr Bill Nolan

Dear Parents and Carers,

Friday 11th February 2011.

Welcome to another exciting year of learning and growing together at St Felix. We especially welcome those families, and Ms Delpech in Yr 4G, who join our community in 2011. We know that your time with us will be enjoyable and productive and that, together, we can all contribute and support each other throughout the year ahead. Please find below a full list of staff working at St Felix this year. Leadership Team: Principal: Assistant principal: Religious Education Coordinator: & Music/Dance/Drama (MDD) Coordinators: Teacher Educator: Mr Bill Nolan Ms Catherine Branley Ms Suzanne Gruchot Ms Susan Gebran Mrs Amanda Brady-Quinn Ms Catherine Mathews

2011 DATES
Term 1
Mon Wed 31st 27th JanFri 8th April April-Fri 1st July

Term 2 Term 3
Mon 18th July-Fri 23rd Sept

Term 4
Mon 10th Oct-Fri 16th Dec.

Class Teachers: KG: Mrs Amanda Brady-Quinn (M-Th) & Mrs Kathy Galasso (Fri) KW: Mrs Cheryl Stewart (M-Wed) & Mrs Rima Michael (Thu & Fri) 1G: Mrs Alison Paic 1W: Mrs Rosemary Pellegriti (M & Tue) & Mrs Liliane Yacoub (Wed Fri) 2G: Mrs Lina Rago (M & Fri) & Mrs Angela Bahnik (Tue/Wed/Thu) 2W: Mrs Maree ElChaar 3G: Ms Sophie Nowland 3W: Mrs Michelle Coupland (odd Mon/Tue; even Mon/Tue/Wed) & Mrs Ann-Maree Darcy 4G: Ms Ashley Delpech 4W: Mrs Melissa Grant (Mon/Thu/Fri) & Mrs Veronica Saliba (Tue & Wed) 5G: Ms Kalanne Moore 5W: Ms Deirdre Lever 6G: Mrs Crystal Ash-Gear (Mon - Thu) & Mrs Angela Bahnik (Fri) 6W: Ms Nadia Eichwald Special Needs: Ms Sally Mason (Mon - Thur); Mrs Norma Ghabache (Tue & Wed) Mrs Caterina Patti (Mon) English as a Second Language Support: Mrs Kay Blackshaw (Tue - Wed); Ms Susan Gebran (Mon - Thur) Mrs Elizabeth Gillfeather (1 day); Mrs Catherine Branley (1/2 day)

Parent/Teacher Interviews: only) (Yrs 1 6 only)

Mon - Thursday 14th 17th Feb Go to: www.schoolinterviews .com.au To book your times. Code: 8XDCE

Bi-Lingual Language Support: Mrs Mai Mai (Wed/Thu/Fri); Mrs Elizabeth Gillfeather (1.5 days); Reading Recovery (Yr 1 only): Mrs Elizabeth Gillfeather (2.5 days) Library: Mrs Yvonne Holcroft (Tue/Wed/Thur) Teacher Professional Classroom Release: Mr Marcos Molina (PE) (Mon/Wed/Fri); Ms Suzanne Gruchot (Mon/Wed/Fri) MDD. Teachers Aides: Mrs Christina Grant; Mrs Donna Pitchford; Mrs Margaret Harb; Mrs Julianne Lia; Mrs Deborah Re; Mrs Cathy Tyma; Sr Gemma Pham Office Staff: Mrs Sandra Avila; Mrs Lynne Wotherspoon ICT Support Mr Hung Huynh (Mon & Fri) 10 ways parents can work with teachers to help children ACHIEVE: Theres no doubt that the best outcomes for children happen when teachers and parents work together to support childrens learning. Here are 10 ways you can work with your childs teacher to maximise your childs chances of school success 1. Know what your childs teacher is trying to achieve. 2. Keep your expectations reasonable and positive. 3. Support your teachers expectations & activities at home. 4. Send kids to school ready to learn and on time. 5. Inform teachers of your childs challenges and changes. 6. Skill children to work with others. 7. Respectfully seek joint solutions to problems and difficulties. 8. Participate fully in class & school activities. 9. Trust your teachers knowledge, professionalism and experience. 10. Talk up what happens at school to your family & friends. Parent /Teacher Interviews: Parents with children in Years 1 6 (Kindy parents will have the opportunity in a few weeks time when their child has settled into school life) are asked to log onto the following web site (www.schoolinterviews.com.au; code 8XDCE) and book in a time to meet with their childs new teacher and to spend a few minutes talking about their child, their strengths, likes/dislikes A letter was sent home on Friday of last week to explain the simple booking procedure. Extra copies are available from the office. Library News: Welcome back for 2011. Just a quick reminder that all students need to bring a library bag every week to enable them to borrow from the library. Also if there are any mums or dads (grandparent/aunty/uncle) who are interested in helping by covering library books please call into the library or leave your contact details with the office staff. We will gladly demonstrate how to cover books most effectively and then you can take books home and do them when you have a few spare minutes. We would really appreciate this help as it will enable us to get new books out into the library quickly for your children to borrow! Thanking you. Mrs Yvonne Holcroft, Teacher Librarian. Parish Family Picnic: A Parish Picnic will be held in the Church grounds on Sunday 20th February after the 10am Mass. This will be a good opportunity for families and friends to get together and also to meet others in the Parish. Bring your own Picnic lunch, blankets/chairs and drinks for a relaxing day out Hours of Supervision: I remind parents that supervision of students begins at 8:10am and concludes at 3:30pm. Children should not to be at school outside of these hours.

St Felix Dinner Dance: Saturday 5th March in the Parish Centre (near the main entrance to La Salle College). Dancing kicks off at 7pm and concludes at midnight. Tickets cost $25 each and includes dinner, dessert and drinks (BYO alcohol 18yrs +). Proceeds will go towards sending 4 young delegates from St Felix Parish to World Youth Day in Spain in August 2011. Australian Government assistance for Year 6 National Capital Excursion: Students from Year 6 will soon be undertaking an educational tour of the National Capital. While on this tour they will participate in a variety of educational programs focussed on Australias history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit their National Capital as part of their civics and citizenship education. To assist parents in meeting the cost of this excursion the Australian Government contributes funding under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program toward the travel expenses incurred. This contribution will be paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. We would like to thank the Australian Government for their support of this program. This excursion is always a great educational experience for our Year 6 students.

Bankstown Council Sister City Program: Bankstown Council has a sister city relationship with Suita in Japan. A delegation of Japanese youth aged 15 and over will be visiting Bankstown from March 29th - 3rd April. If you would like to host a Japanese student during this time (provide accommodation, some meals and have them spend the week-end with you) please contact Matt Jessop at Bankstown Council on 9707 9446. 2011 Bankstown Recreation Expo: Saturday 12th March from 2 6pm at Carysfield reserve, corner Johnston Rd& Hume H/way Bass Hill. Skateboard competitions, active/fitness classes, meet coaches & players, face painting, roving performers, giant slide, jumping castle Try Hockey for free in March: Sessions (4 yrs old and up) every Saturday in March from 2 5pm at The Crest Hockey Complex, Mount St (off Carysfield Rd) Georges Hall. Free English Classes for beginners: Every Monday & Thursday from 9:30am 12:30pm at Bankstown Area Multicultural Network (BAMN), Level 5, Compass Centre, 83 99 North Terrace, Bankstown. For more information call Loretta on 9796 2235 via the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450. Whooping Cough: Please be advised that at the end of last year and into the new year, there have been several cases of whooping cough amongst staff and children at St Felix. Infants/Young children and old people are very susceptible to whooping cough. You are advised to talk to your GP about what action may be appropriate for your family. Wishing all our Vietnamese families a Happy New Year (of the cat) and our Chinese families a Happy New Year (year of the rabbit) Parents with children in Yrs 1 6 are asked to log in a book a time for their Parent/Teacher interview. Till next time,

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything!
W. Nolan Principal

From the Assistant Principal Ms Catherine Branley

Loving, God you give us this new school year and new friends with whom to share it. Bless all who pray and work and learn together. May this year bring peace and harmony throughout the world. In 2011 I look forward to working with all students and their families as we strive to proclaim the Good News of Jesus in our world and continue the tradition of educational excellence at St Felix Bankstown. As we begin our new school year it is an opportune time to label all personal items. This includes clothing, hats, drink bottles, pencil cases, school bags and all other personal items. This will assist staff in returning lost items to your child.

Uniforms: Parents are reminded of the expectations of the school uniform policy. Uniforms help with the identity of the school and the identification of students in transit to and from school and while attending excursions. Children are expected to be in full school uniform each day. This includes: Black leather lace up/Velcro shoes, One pair of earrings (sleepers or studs only). Girls may wear bottle green or white hair bands/headbands/ribbons in their hair. Parents are also reminded of the expectations in relation to hair cuts and jewellery. Boys are expected to wear their hair short. (No long hair or rats tails or exotic cuts/shaves) Girls with hair longer than shoulder length are expected to tie it back. (No colourful hair ties) Hair colouring and nail polish are not permitted. Parking: Parking at St Felix, like around most other catholic schools, is a serious issue.
The health and safety of all persons within St Felix Primary School Bankstown and those visiting the school is considered of the utmost importance. Parking in an illegal or irresponsible manner increases the risk of danger to pedestrians and young children. Parents are reminded that they should never park in the driveway near the locked gates on the Hume Highway or in Chapel Rd. This poses a serious risk of harm to students, staff, pedestrians and motorists. Parents are also advised: the electronic gate at the front of the school is locked between 2.45pm and 3.20pm. If you need to move your car before this time please do not park in this area. the staff car park is for staff only. not to park in the Hobby Shop car park. not to use the front area car park of the Three Swallows Hotel please use the rear areas only. Thank you for your cooperation in assisting us to promote the ongoing health and safety of the community at St Felix.

Dropping off and picking up your children from school:

All children are required to be at school during school hours in accordance with legislative government requirements. Children need to be school by 8.40am and are dismissed at 3.00pm. We understand that from time to time there may be a medical or family circumstance where you will need to collect your child early from school. However, this should only happen in extraordinary circumstances. Children who arrive late or who are dismissed from school early are marked partially absent in the school roll for that day. Parents are reminded that playground supervision does not commence until 8.10am in the morning and finishes at 3.30pm in the afternoon. All children are to be collected in the afternoons from the playground. We ask that parents wait in the playground area and not near the classrooms. When you collect your child at 3.00pm please inform your childs teacher that you are taking your child/children from the pick up line.

In the event of wet weather an announcement will be made and children can be collected from the classrooms. If your child is collected by an older brother or sister please inform them of these procedures. Parents are also reminded that it is in the interest of childrens safety and well being that they are collected promptly from school in the afternoon. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from collecting your child promptly in the afternoon please notify the school office. It is also an opportune time (Term 1) to continue to remind your children about road safety, particularly bus and pedestrian safety. . Please always use the traffic lights and pedestrian crossings to ensure a safe crossing. Do not run across the Hume

Highway with children. This sets a bad example for all children and is very dangerous for you and your child.

When out walking with children, hold their hand or hold them close. This is the most effective way of keeping children safe from traffic injury. The NAPLAN tests for students in Years 3 and 5 will be held on Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May in 2011. The genre of the Writing Task will change to a persuasive style of writing from 2011. For further information please refer to the following website. http://www.naplan.edu.au/

From the Religious Education Co-Coordinator: Ms Suzanne Gruchot Welcome back to all families. I hope you had a restful and relaxing holiday with your family and friends. The children look happy and ready to begin the new school year. They appear to have settled in well into their classes. I wish you all the very best for 2011 and look forward to working with the school and parish community of St Felix, throughout this year. MASSES Beginning of the Year Mass: Please come along and join us in celebrating our Beginning of the School Year Mass on Thursday 24th February at 9am. Together as a school community, we will pray that the year will be filled with many blessings for all, including our families, friends and the wider community. Our Year 5 students will celebrate their first Grade Mass to be held on Thursday 3rd March at 9.00am. Kindergarten will be attending. Ash Wednesday Mass: There will be a whole school Mass for Years 2-6 students to celebrate Ash Wednesday on the 9th March starting at 9.00am. This will be a special Mass, as it marks the beginning of the new Church season of Lent. Kindergarten and Year 1 will be celebrating Ash Wednesday with a Non-Eucharistic Liturgy in their classrooms (Kindergarten at 11.15am and Year 1 at 11.45am). All parents and friends are kindly invited to join us at these Masses and Liturgies. Blessing for the New School Year May the Lord bless us in our searching questions, for this is the pathway to our enlightenment, our wisdom, our way to the future. May the Lord bless us in our personal gifts, for these are Gods present to the world, Through which we enrich, and ennoble and take our world to the future. May the Lord bless us in our reflections, for these are the seeds of our plans. They seek nourishment to bring life to the future. May the Lord bless us in our vision, for this is the inspiration To fire our hopes, and reflections and our belief in the future. May the Lord bless us in our leadership, for this is the opportunity given us to Enable and inspire and take others to the future. May the Lord bless us in our decisions, for these are the steps, Our yes to faith in life and our confidence in the future. May the Lord bless us today and throughout this New Year. Father, Son & Spirit. Amen Recipe for a Happy New Year! Anonymous

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these months are freed from all the past have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time. Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavour of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, prayer, meditation, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressingdon't do it), and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humour.

NO NUTS OR NUT PRODUCTS AT ST FELIX SCHOOL. A number of our students have severe allergies. Please do not send peanut butter/nutella sandwiches or other food containing whole or crushed nuts or sesame seeds to school. This also includes excursions! Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

New Hall with Library on top.

(Completion Date: End of May 2011)