Shining Bright!

Congratulations to all of our Year 3 students who completed the NAPLAN assessments for the first time. The students showed maturity and tried their best to complete the assigned tasks. The students are reminded that their learning continues and they are encouraged to keep challenging themselves. We also congratulate the Year 7 and 9 students who also sat the NAPLAN assessments this week.

Coming Events in Week 5

McCormack Feast Day is being held on Wednesday, 20 May. Kindergarten to Year 12 students will start the day with Mass in the St Helena of the Holy Cross Church at 8.30am and will then share lunch together.

Year 9 Big Ideas groups will be working with the Year 1 and 2 classes to raise awareness of world issues after lunch on Thursday, 21 May.

School Photos are being taken over a number of days during Week 5 and 6: 

• Thursday 21 May - Kindergarten to Year 3 individual, class and family photos
• Friday 22 May - Pre-Kindergarten Friday class and catch-ups
• Monday 25 May - Pre-Kindergarten Monday class

Please ensure your child is dressed in the correct College Winter uniform.

Melissa Croswell
Head of Junior School

Pre-Kindergarten

In the lead up to Mother's Day last Sunday we spent a lot of time reflecting on how special our Mothers are and how we can show them love. The children loved creating special gifts for their Mums and talking about all of the lovely things they do with them.

It has been wonderful to see the children interacting with each other more and seeing their sharing and cooperation skills developing. These are very important skills for the children to develop and they are definitely well on their way, with some fantastic conversations and problem solving happening. The next few weeks will continue to be busy, as we begin to explore some other living things that God has created, with a focus on zoo animals. 

It has been fabulous to see so many names on the parent roster. It looks like we have a volunteer nearly each day for the rest of the term, wow! Thank you to all of the parents who have come in to help out already and we look forward to welcoming more parents in the coming weeks. You are more than welcome to write your name alongside another parent, if the available dates do not suit.

Mrs Dorota Fretwell

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten C

The children in Kindergarten C have been having so much fun learning through play. This week we have been learning about the letter kK and the sound that it makes. After decorating paper bags and adding crepe paper tails and wool handles, we took our kites down to the oval and flew them in the air.

Last week we had an amazing time at our Mother's Day morning. We decorated biscuits, painted pictures, gave manicures, threaded necklaces and created presents for our Mum's. We even showed a video all about our Mum's and sang them a special song.

Kindergarten is the best!

Mrs Jo Borg

Kindergarten C Teacher

Pre-Primary

“You have BRAINS in your HEAD. You have FEET in your SHOES. You can STEER yourself any DIRECTION you choose”- Dr Seuss

On the 6^th May the Pre Primary students invited their mothers and grandmothers to a Spa-di-da Pampering session, as a pre-Mother's Day celebration. The services included Foot Reflexology, Classic Relaxation and a Spa Manicure. All the “services” were performed by the students on their mothers. At the end of the “services”, the students met back together on the mat for a special performance. It was our way of honouring mums who contribute so much to our classroom and school.

During our PAThS lessons, we have revisited how to treat our friends both in the classroom and in the playground. Feelings such as 'Mad/angry' and 'calm/relaxed' feelings have been our focus. It is understood that we all get mad/angry from time to time, but it is important to take deep breaths, remove ourselves, going into the turtle or asking an adult for help. We have revised what behaviours are “good choices” and those that are not. The students often request to see the short film “Bad Arnie”, which describes the process of staying calm when you are upset. We have also begun picking a “PAThS kid of the Day” and as a class, we write compliments about them. Families are invited to give compliments to each other at home.

Each week on a Wednesday the students have been privileged to work alongside their 'Family Studies' buddies in our English sessions. The students are enjoying getting to know their buddies and spending one on one time in his or her allocated activity.

It has been a very busy fortnight and I look forward to seeing all of the Pre-Primary students and the rest of the Junior school at our College Disco! I cannot wait to see your costumes!

God Bless

Miss Emma Pritchard

Pre-Primary Teacher

Year Two

Weeks Three and Four have been very busy in Year Two. We have developed our Big Ideas question: All you need is love - or is it? We have brainstormed ideas and have come up with research questions that help develop deeper thinking into what we need as humans. We are using DeBono's "six thinking hats" thinking strategy to help with our learning.

In Religious Education we are exploring the sacrament of Confirmation and how the Holy Spirit helps us to show love. A question the children have been contemplating is, "How do we feel when someone shows us love?" They have created pictures that show a symbolic image depicting the answer to this question.

Finally, we would like to give a big thank you to the parents who have helped with our sport rotation activities. We have all had a lot of fun.

Mrs Orilee Ryan
Year Two Teacher