No 12. Term 3 Week 3, 28th July 2023
Principal News
Greetings, St. Kevin's Parents!
I hope this message finds you all well and enjoying the journey through Term 3. It's been an incredible couple of weeks at St. Kevin's, filled with memorable experiences for our students. We were delighted to witness our Year 4 students receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time, a significant and meaningful milestone in their faith journey.
In addition to this spiritual celebration, our school has been bustling with exciting learning activities. Our students have been showcasing their thirst for knowledge through incursions and excursions, not to mention the terrific activities going on in STEM classes, where I saw students designing and creating wind turbines! Our students aren't afraid of exploring new topics and broadening their horizons. Their enthusiasm for learning is truly commendable.
I'm also thrilled to announce the introduction of our House Points system which began recently. The students have embraced this initiative wholeheartedly, displaying dedication to upholding our three school rules: Doing our best, helping others succeed and respecting our school and all within it. Witnessing our children upholding the values of our school admirably fills our hearts with pride.
Now, as we step toward the middle of the term, I'd like to address an important matter that requires our collective attention: punctuality.
At St. Kevin's, we value the time our students spend in the classroom, maximising their learning potential. To ensure a smooth start to each day, we kindly remind parents that our school gates open at 8:45 am, and classes welcome our eager learners from 8:55 am. Our school day officially begins at 9 am.
Being punctual is essential as it sets a positive tone for the entire day. Arriving on time allows students to settle in, connect with their peers, and mentally prepare for exciting lessons ahead. Not only is it important for the student but being punctual is also a demonstration of respect for their classmates, teachers and admin staff who all have a right to learn, teach and work without unnecessary interruptions.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be focusing on improving punctuality, as we've noticed an increased number of late arrivals after 9 am. We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise, but with your support, we can encourage our children to start each day promptly.
Let's work together to instil this valuable habit in our young ones and emphasise the importance of being on time. Your partnership in fostering a punctual and enriching school experience is sincerely appreciated.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to the St. Kevin's community.
God bless.
Jason Micallef,
Principal
Backflips against bullying
Last week we were visited by the Backflips Against Bullying Action Education team. All the students enjoyed a very entertaining performance filled with flips and tricks used to tell stories aimed at promoting positive social choices.
Students watched and interacted with a range of scenarios aimed to help build understanding and strategies for empowering everyone to be an UPSTANDER rather than a bystander. Upstanders work together to stand up to behaviours that make others feel bad. Working together we can make sure that everyone is spoken to with respect, is included and feels safe. Students learnt about exit strategies for situations where they are being spoken to unfairly, the difference between name-calling and engaging in shared play where everyone is laughing and the consequences of retaliation and the importance of asking for help when needed.
Students from all levels thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and amazing incursion. Everyone came away having laughed, in awe of the backflips and tricks performed and knowing that it is everyone's shared responsibility to make our community a safe and bully-free space.
Prep 100 days of school
Hip, hip, hooray! It's a momentous occasion at St. Kevin's as our enthusiastic Preps reached a remarkable milestone - their first 100 days of school! Time has flown by, and we are incredibly proud of their progress and accomplishments.
From the very first day, our little learners have blossomed, growing both academically and socially. It's heartwarming to witness their curiosity and eagerness to explore the world around them. With wide eyes and radiant smiles, they've embraced new friendships, making lasting connections with their classmates.
As teachers and parents, we take immense joy in witnessing their growth and accomplishments. The enthusiasm and curiosity they bring to each school day are truly contagious, inspiring us all to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for their development.
Congratulations Preps on completing your first 100 days of school! Each day, you brighten our lives, and we can't wait to witness the incredible impact you'll make in this world. Keep shining, keep learning, and keep growing - the future is bright with your potential!
Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
On Saturday, July 15, the young souls of Year 4 embarked on a momentous spiritual journey as they received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time. The day was filled with an atmosphere of joy and reverence, as families and friends gathered to witness this sacred milestone. With hearts brimming with faith and innocence, these young individuals embraced the teachings of the Church, symbolizing their deepening connection with God. As they took their first steps in partaking in the body and blood of Christ, we commend these Year 4s for their devotion and wish them a lifetime of spiritual growth and blessings.
Senior Excursion to the Zoo
This term, the 5/6s have been studying Biology in their Inquiry unit. We have learnt about different unique animals of various shapes and sizes. We have learnt about and understood the structural, behavioural and functional adaptations of animals, and how to use them to identify an animal.
On Wednesday the 26th of July 2023, we went to the zoo to explore and deepen our understanding of animals. We met lots of different animals and ecosystems. A few under this list include gorillas, meerkats, chimpanzees, seals, platypus, etc their features and the many ways they survive in the wild. We also learnt about their habitats, how having the right one can benefit them and how the food chain ecosystem functions.
After exploring the zoo, all the classes took a tour about the adaptations of animals with an employee named Rachel! Rachel explained about the love song that the Zoo’s gibbons sing every day, how the gibbons add a verse each year, and how they have begun to teach their young the song. Rachel then explained to the 5/6s how the love song of the gibbons is an adaptation.
We then handled animal skulls, studied them and looked at how the animal may have lived and survived in the wild. Eventually, we came to a conclusion based on our knowledge and decided what species of animal the creature could be.
Once we came to the conclusion and worked out how the animal could have lived, we headed off to the meerkat enclosure and Rachel showed us how important it is to make the animals work hard and still use their natural instincts to hunt. Rachel hid a snack in the paper bag to make the meerkats work and burrow for the food! It was great fun and exciting to watch and see them in action.
Our trip to the Zoo
3/4 Indonesian
Menggambar dengan Kapur
(Drawing with chalk)
You may have seen some colourful writing around the school back in term 2 - in 3/4 LOTE students were making sentences as a class, using what they had learned that term and then writing it on pavement around the school. They had a blast then decorating it
The sentences included:
- 3/4DC Cuaca hari Sabtu cerah, dingin dan hujan (The weather on Saturday is bright, cold and rainy)
- 3/4RO Besok tanggal empat belas Juni (Tomorrow is the 14th of June)
- 3/4NA Hari ini hari ulang tahun Rhiannon dan Milly (Today is Rhiannon and Milly’s birthday)
- 3/4SO Sekarang jam sepuluh tiga puluh menit (Now is 10:30)
- 3/4DA Hari ini tanggal empat belas Juni (Today is the 14th of June)
- 3/4FO Kemarin hari senin (Yesterday was Monday)
Prime Drinks
It has come to our attention that some students have been bringing and consuming 'Prime Energy' and 'Prime Hydration' drinks during school hours. While we understand that these beverages are popular and widely available, we must prioritise the well-being and safety of our students above all else. As such, after careful consideration and consultation with health professionals, we have decided to ban all forms of Prime drinks within the school.
The 'Prime Hydration' drink contains a high level of electrolytes, which can be beneficial for individuals who are unwell or at risk of dehydration. However, for children, particularly those who are not in any health-related risk, excessive electrolyte consumption is not recommended. Therefore, to ensure our students maintain a balanced and healthy diet, we discourage the consumption of such drinks during school hours.
On the other hand, 'Prime Energy' contains a significant amount of caffeine, approximately 200mg for every 330ml. It is crucial to note that caffeine intake among children under the age of 18 can have adverse effects on their health, including disrupted sleep patterns, increased heart rate, and potential negative impacts on their development. For this reason, we must take a proactive approach in safeguarding our students' health by prohibiting the consumption of 'Prime Energy' drinks in school.
To maintain consistency in promoting healthy habits and ensuring the well-being of all our students, we also wish to remind you that all other fizzy drinks and energy drinks are not allowed to be brought to school.
As a school community, we strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for our students, where they can flourish academically and personally. By working together, we can instil in them the importance of making sound choices when it comes to their health and nutrition.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. We value your partnership and commitment to the welfare of our students.
Winter extras to keep warm
A reminder that we have St Kevin's beanies and scarves available to purchase in the Office for these cold winter days.
Beanie $12.50 & Scarf $18.00
Please be sure to name your childrens clothing items.
Spotlight sell a product Birch Name Tag Kit White priced at $8.50, see picture below.
St Kevin's Book Fair
PFA - Pancake Parlour School Rewards
Our school has a chance to win $10,000! We have registered with The Pancake Parlour for their school rewards program. You can help us win all sorts of prizes from small to major. With your purchases and visits instore, we could win up to $10,000!
What do you need to do? It's simple - download The Pancake Parlour app, sign up and request to join our School Rewards program. When you visit the Pancake Parlour Fountain Gate, grab some pancakes 
(or whatever you prefer), and scan your membership barcode to help our points tally climb!
What do you get out of it? Delicious fluffy pancakes and help us earn enough points to win a major prize!
- Sign up on the app "School Rewards" or the website http://www.schoolrewards.com.au, select "Join Your School" and select "St Kevins Catholic Primary School" and earn points just for registering.
- Mention our school whenever you dine at The Pancake Parlour to earn points.
- Tell your friends, family and neighbours to join up and mention our school.
OSHC Camp Australia
Community News
