W E B. S T D A M I E N S C P S. W A. E D U. A U NEWSLETTER 11 th October It s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. Mother Teresa St Damien s Parish Mass Times Wednesday, 6.00pm Thursday, 6.00pm Friday, 12.00noon Saturday, 6.00pm Sunday, 8.30am Uniform Shop Wednesday 2.00pm 3.15pm Friday 8.15am 9.00am Friday 12 th October 3 Year Old Kindy Photos Year 6 Graduation Photos Assembly, 8.45am in Steve Dowie Hall Sunday 14 th October Confirmation Prep Mass, 8.30am Wednesday 17 th October Year 6 Liturgy, 9.00am Friday 19 th October Year 5/6 Tackle Rugby Carnival Beach Sport, Year 3 & Year 4 Saturday 20 th October Sacrament of Confirmation, 6.00pm Monday 22 nd October Book Fair commences Wednesday 24 th October Italian Assembly, 9.00am in the Steve Dowie Hall Bandanna Day Important Dates Thursday 25 th October Board Meeting, 6.15pm Friday 26 th October Beach Sport, Year 5 & Year 6 Thursday 1 st November Whole School Mass All Saints, 8.45am Celebrate Music Day Friday 2 nd November Pre Primary Assembly, 8.45am in the Steve Dowie Hall Beach Sport, Year 3 & Year 4 Saturday 3 rd November School Mass, 6.00pm Sunday 4 th November School & Grandparent s Mass, 8.30am
Principal s Report Dear Parents, I fondly remember walking down the school path between the Steve Dowie Hall and Kindy play area and watching a class moving quietly and respectfully behind their teacher. As I was thinking to myself What a great bunch of kids!, one of the students stepped from the line, politely asked if I needed help, and escorted me to the room I needed to go to, engaging in polite conversation the whole way. I then thought to myself Wow! I think I m dropping off my resume to the right school, I hope they select me for that Phys Ed job I saw in the paper! This was late 2006, when I was handing in my application to work at what was formally known as Dawesville Catholic Primary School. In a split second I saw in both the quality of the grounds (although the place was much smaller then) and in the attitudes of these students, that the school had a special quality. I was successful in my application and it has been an honour to share the last 12 years of my life with the staff, students and families of this community. St Damien s Catholic Primary School has been under the leadership of outstanding leaders who have brought different qualities, skills and perspectives. All of these leaders (Principals, Assistant Principals, P & F and Board Presidents, Priests and Lead Teachers) have played a key role in shaping the school s successes. Most importantly, we cannot ignore the calibre of staff, families and students that the school has also been shaped by over the years and the positive relationships that exist between the three groups. The strength of these relationships has been key to our successes as a school. We can assure the community that Mr Bartucciotto misses everybody dearly. He has grown very fond of our school, the staff, the families and most of all, the students, in his time with us. Whilst he inherited an already fantastic school, he has helped revitalise our focus on student education, community engagement, spiritual awareness, as well as many other important reasons our families have chosen to send their children to our school. Not only as a sign of gratitude to Mr B s commitment to our school, but for the benefit of all of our students, we will be making deliberate plans this term to ensure we not only finish in the grandest of fashions, but set up the start of 2019 in the best way possible. Over the term parents will be asked, at various levels, to contribute in a variety of ways. Some of these may be in ways done previously (helping at the beach, taking on roles in classes), but there are other avenues that may simply require feedback and responses. For example: Last term we sent out an invitation for families to place requests for Class Placement in 2019. Whilst this process (at our end) is quite detailed and requires a great deal of consideration and consultation, it s important parents are aware of their voice and use this opportunity if required. This term we will review our Student Leadership Policy and also trial the implementation of a Good Standing system for our Upper Primary students. Both of these require us to review and assess the values, attitudes and expectations we place on students, and parental feedback will be critical in this process. Our P & F Association is holding their Annual General Meeting on November 22nd. This is a great opportunity for parents to volunteer themselves, or nominate others, for roles that can help. Speaking of the P & F, we must thank them for the fantastic new painted wall on the basketball court, the 3D Printers in the Library, and their role in helping the Mandurah City Council progress with their installation of the footpath (at the end of Moora Close) that ties our school to the pathway that allows students and families to safely walk to and from school. The P & F has taken great steps this year not only raising funds that improve our school, but also in their efforts to engage the community and boost the collective experience of our students and families. They are a great organisation, made up of outstanding people, and to them we all owe a great deal of thanks. I eagerly look forward to sharing the successes of the school community in Term 4 and wish all the staff, parents, but most importantly, students, the very best for the remainder of the school year. May the Spirit of Jesus live in your heart.. Forever! Mr Brett Crebert Acting Principal 2
Year Two In Term 3, the year two students focused on health promoting messages in the media. With a focus on healthy eating, we used the 2 fruit, 5 veg slogan to create lunchbox possibilities that coincide with school policy. The students are very proud to have these suggestions shared with the wider school community. We hope you enjoy the designs. Year Two Teaching Team. 3
PSSA INTERSCHOOL PSSA Interschool Basketball Carnival 18 Friday 26th October (week 3) Mandurah Aquatic & Rec Centre 9:10am-2.25pm Participating Schools Assumption ACBC MBC MCC SCHOOL SPORTS PEEL Greenfields PS South Halls Head NETBALL LIGHTNING St Damien s Pinjarra PS MTCC St Joseph s Pinjarra 4
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Art@Karen s After School Children s art class http://www.facebook.com/artatkarens Sketching, Painting, Mixed media, Drawing, Collage. Tuesday Class - For ages 9-12 years of age 09 October 11 December (10 weeks) and Wednesday Class For ages 5 8 years of age: 10 October 12 December (10 weeks) Time: Tues/Wed: 3:15pm 4:45pm (1 ½ hours). Saint Damien s Catholic Primary School, Dawesville for up to 15 students per session. Run by professional artist & art teacher Karen Greaves 10-week course available ($185.00 Materials included) Email: artatkarens@yahoo.com.au for more information and enrolment forms Visit our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/artatkarens Enrol now, as class space is limited. Photo real sketching *Definition and tone *Understanding light and Shade Creative thinking *Colour Proportion *Composition Shading *Perspective Attention to detail Bookings are essential, as classes are small. Children get to explore and express their own thoughts, feelings, emotions, and ideas. 7