TWCS Newsletter Term 1 Week 8 2022

Well, what a term we have had!

I would like to start with a sincere ‘Thank you’ to all our families, children and the school staff for the way in which we have all faced the varied challenges that have presented themselves this term. At all times, the learning and wellbeing of all children have remained our priority, thank you. At times we have had as many as 55 children away from school due to COVID related isolation/quarantine, it has been wonderful to see how the children are supporting each other in the classroom and in the yard.

Whilst we have had a disrupted term, we have also been able to celebrate some fantastic achievements and celebrations, we are truly a thriving community. These celebrations have included:

• The Democracy Sausage – raising over $1500 for our community

• Ash Wednesday liturgies

• Shrove Tuesday and Carnevale – how good were those masks!

• Swimming Week for our Reception to Year 2 children

• School sporting teams competing in Basketball and Master Blaster Cricket competitions

• Swimming Trials and TWCS competing in the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival

• Whole Staff Professional Learning Day – Literacy practices

• Teachers meeting with parents regarding children’s learning progress

• School Leaders announced

• SRC established and meeting

• School AGM held

• New signage installed around the school

• Principal’s Tours

As you can see, whilst COVID has provided its challenges and required more from each of us, our strong belief in the importance of providing all children with as many experiences as possible, has meant that we are able to find new ways to celebrate, new ways to acknowledge the wonderful achievements of the community and new ways of being TWCS.

House Leaders and SRC

During this term, the Year 5 and 6 children were given the opportunity to apply for the position of House Leader. This year, the staff and Leadership Team developed a detailed brief of what the House Leader role is, it is more than just a Sports Day captain. The role is vital to the school community. The House Leaders are children who approach their time at TWCS as role models, modelling what it means to ‘never see a need without doing something about it’ as Mary Mackillop famously said. After an presentation to their peers, 4 children were shortlisted to be interviewed by myself and Courtney Quigley (Yr 6 Teacher and Wellbeing Leader). It was fantastic to see the level of preparation and commitment each interviewee demonstrated, and after much deliberation it was wonderful to announce the House Leaders for 2022:

Mackillop - William & Marissa

Penola - Poppy & Jessica

Tenison - Lulu & Anjleen

Aloysius - Matilda & Luka

Another aspect to student leadership at TWCS, is the SRC. The SRC is a group of children from Yr 1 to Yr 6 who are selected by their class peers to represent the voice of the children in the school. We met for the first time in Week 6 to discuss the role of the SRC and start planning for the year. I wish to congratulate:

Year 1 Blue - Evie & Jasslyn

Year 1/2 Red - Harvey & Grace

Year 2/3 Green - Owen & Yasmin

Year 3/4 Brown - Joshua & Athan

Year 4/5 Purple - Eve & Seth

Year 6 White - Luka & Marissa

AGM

This week we held the Annual General Meeting for the 2021 School Year. The AGM is an important aspect of the management of the school and a key reporting format for the School Board. The reports that were tabled at the AGM are available to all in our community via the School Website or here AGM Report  The membership of the School Board is determined during the AGM, I am pleased to announce the School Board for the 2022 school year includes:

Father Long Hai (Parish Priest)

Ben Catalano (Principal)

Matthew Arentz

Rebecca Jucha

Ally Benbow

Jess Rainsford (P&F Rep)

Kirsty Miller

Ian Gardiner (Parish Rep)

Claire Little (Staff Rep)

Antonia Damianos

Chris Angelopoulos

David Wylie

CAMP AUSTRALIA

During the week you would have received further information regarding the start of the Before School Care service that comes in from the start of TERM 2. It was great to have Camp Australia set up an information stand for families this week to allow parents to ask questions and seek support in registering for the service.

Please remember – for children arriving BEFORE 8:20am there will not be any school staff supervision. All children arriving before 8:20am will be needing to use the ‘pay for service’ Camp Australia Before School Care.

For those families wishing to use the Camp Australia service, the Before School Care will open each morning from 7am and finish at 8:20am. Please follow the link below to register to use the service.

https://www.campaustralia.com.au/schools/A739

As we are currently in the time of Lent, I encourage all in our community to spend time each day in reflection. Looking inwards to think about how we are as individuals, as friends, as learners and as a community. We are blessed with this rich experience that is Lent, that is Easter. As we head in to the final few weeks of Term 1, my reflections bring a sense of pride and great appreciation for the wonderful community I am able to be a part of each and every day.

Thank you

God Bless

Ben

“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without expecting anything back.” (LUKE 6:35)

Easier said than done, right? But, if we are to imitate Christ, most of us need to practice mercy and compassion more frequently.

Start with the little daily annoyances that we experience, the unkind word or hateful glance we receive.

Instead of plotting revenge on that person, try saying a quick prayer for that person. Mercy and compassion will put us on the path to holiness.

This Terms Caritas Carnival will be held in week 10. This carnival aims to support Caritas and the Project Compassion Appeal. We ask each familiy to make a donation either via the money box that has been send home or via the Qkr! App (special events). All donations will be sent to Caritas which will help local communities around the world to alleviate poverty and outreach. Donations to be made by Wednesday, 6th April.

Parish Sacramental Program

All Catholic families in our school are invited to participate in this years Sacramental Program. Children from year 3 to year 6 can prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist. These Sacraments build our relationship with God and place our faith in action. Enrolment forms are available through the school office or parish office. Please return by Thursday, 7th April 2022.

Sport News Term 1

 Term One has started with a basketball games and Saturday morning cricket for our TWCS teams. Despite the challenges of covid resulting in forfeits, the students have continued with their games and trainings when they can. A big thank you goes out to the coaches and parent helpers for keeping our teams going. There have been fabulous results including big wins from our Master Blaster Cricket Team.

Our R/1 Students have begun coaching clinics run by our amazing parents on Thursday afternoons. They will learn skills and play in modified games. The students are loving the sessions and the fantastic opportunity to begin playing Basketball.

Year 3-6 students were invited to attend trials for the SACPSSA Swimming carnival. The team was selected and this Friday they will attend the SA Aquatic Centre to compete against students from other Catholic Schools. We wish them the best of luck.

A big congratulations to Tyler Sims in Year 6 for gaining Selection into the 2022 Airport District Softball Team. We wish him luck for the carnival later in the year.

Nominations for Term 2 and 3 after school sports close on Friday March 25^th. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to join your school mates and represent TWCS.

Hi TWCS Families, 

On Tuesday the 1st March we supplied fresh, fluffy pancakes for all the children & staff for Shrove Tuesday. It was lovely seeing the kids sticky smiles! Thank you to Kirsty Miller, Kimberley Marjas, Ally Benbow and Genevieve Pelekani for cooking, serving & cleaning up. 

On Election Day we held a Democracy Sausage Sizzle and Bake Sale. It was lovely to see many families past, present and future pop in to support the school and say hello. A massive thank you to all the volunteers who helped with prep, set up, cooking, serving and donating baked goods & sausages. We made just over $1500 profit to go towards new Jersey's for our ever-growing basketball teams! 

A big thank you to Kirsty & Dan Miller, Stuart Rainsford, Rebecca Hien, Sarah & Dave Wiley, Jane O'Donoghue, Francis Eig, Sarah & Nick Finn, Nikola Manos, Rodrigo Ramirez, Chris & Stav Angelopoulos, Gen Scatana, Catherine Harvey, Rebecca Jucha, Alana Quinn, Shannon Elliot, Laurel Wright, Marie Pietris, Sharlene Lo, Kerryn Rodda, Donna Cooney, Shannon Hornhardt, Cherise Conrick, Lee Pryor, Erin Sneath, Ryan McBride, Deepankur Bhatia, Jenna Pearce, Louise Viergever, Maya Alexander, Cassie Zivkov, Mafalda Quaresma, Farai Gwanzura, Paul Bierman, Rachna Kohli, Rodrigo Costa, Eddy Loureiro, Fiona Cossey, Rebecca Castley, Toni Hall, Melissa Bond, S Bowmer, Kimberley Marjas, Stella Chubb, Kate Ramazan, Stella Charalambous, Allison Sheridan, Gemma Smyth, Amita Karnawat, Craig Fabbian, Yamasaki Family, Dawid Szewczyk, Allison Pirone, Diana Dente, Rita & Paul Campbell, Ben Catalano & Gary Baldwin. 

If you left plastic containers with us from bake sale donations, these are with Kim at the front office, ready to be picked up.

On Friday the 1st April we will be holding a Vili's Donut Day. Donuts are $2.50ea with 50c from every sale going to Variety. Please place an order for your child via QKR! before 9am on Monday 28th March to avoid disappointment. 

We will now be holding our P&F meetings in person (Covid restrictions permitting) at the school AND via teams. We will send out a invitation link to the meeting prior to each date if you would like to attend but are unable to do so in person. 

If you have any suggestions/feedback, please contact us via email or attend our next meeting (below). We would love to see some new faces! 

Up coming events

• Vili's Showdown Donut Day 1st April
• Next P&F Meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th April at 7pm at the school and via teams. 

Cheers, 

Jess Rainsford