St Cecilia’s Catholic School Panonia Road, Wyong. 2259 Telephone: (02) 4353 2922

Fax: (02) 4353 2943 Email: scw@dbb.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.scwdbb.catholic.edu.au 6th November 2018

Dear Parents,

Responding to Emails

The CSO has recently released an email policy stating that, in the interests of staff well-being, and with the exception of a genuine emergency, emails are not typically responded to outside of business hours. Our personal school policy is to have open communication with our families. We are on this together and value working together. We just ask that you be patient if you send emails out of school hours and know that we will respond, be it either by email or phone.

It has however, happened that emails have gone straight to the junk mail folder and we may have missed it. This has resulted in emails not being responded to for a long period of time. If you email us and we don’t respond please follow up with a phone call.

Your Junk Mail

The majority of our communication from school to home happens via email. However, like our mail, these emails can end up in your junk mail folder. Please check this folder as often as you can so you don’t miss any important information.

School Text Messages

Text messages are a great way for the school to send out quick reminders that everyone can access but please remember that we do not get the response if you reply to the messages.

Personal Issues at School

We all see things from different perspectives and as humans we will not always agree. If you have an issue with another parent please ensure this is not brought into the school grounds, particularly when there is a very real possibility of children over hearing the conversation. We are trying to create an environment of love, respect, compassion and calm in our school and we need the help of all families to do this.

Talent Quest

The end of year Talent Quest is a much awaited event in the social calendar of the school! The dates for this are attached to this newsletter. Please don’t miss it!

Head Lice

There appears to have been a couple of cases of head lice recently. The warmer weather also adds to the spreading of these. Can you please check and treat your child’s hair if required. To keep the spread to a minimum can you please ensure your child’s hair is always tied back.

Headstart

We are looking forward to our second Headstart Session tomorrow. The parent part of the session will be on English and how parents can help give their children a good start to their learning to read process. We are enjoying getting to know the children and the many new families. It is also great to have so many experienced parents in the group to share their insights into our school.

Family Registration Forms for 2019 (Due 2nd November)

Each family attending St Cecilia’s in 2019 should have received the Family Registration Form. If you haven’t already done so please complete this important form and return to school ASAP.

It is imperative that this form be returned to school as it decides the fees charged for 2019 and allows us to register for any sibling discounts. If it is not returned, families will be charged at the highest rate and no sibling discount can be given.

Operation Christmas Child

Donations for Operation Christmas Child will continue to be collected this week. The following items are needed-

Toothbrushes

Comb/Hairbrushes

Ball

Skipping rope

Marbles

Pencils, sharpener, eraser, pencil case

Girls underwear size 10-12 or 12-14

Bangles

Sunglasses

Thongs girls / ladies 4-6

Yvette Owens

Principal

From the REC

EUCHARIST

Over the next fortnight the children in Year 3 and some across other grades will celebrate their First Eucharist sacrament. We thank the parents, Kay Taylor, Father Raul and teachers who have supported the children in their faith. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers. Below are some beautiful prayers from the heart to Jesus from some of our Year 3 children.

Dear Jesus, I am very excited and happy because I will be closer to you. Amen. Elysse Dear Jesus, I know that when I make my Holy Communion you will always be watching over me. Amen. Dear Jesus, once I have made my First Eucharist, I will be one step closer to being with you. Amen. Leah Dear Jesus, I feel proud, excited, happy and nervous. Lead me to make the right choices to love, care and to be kind. Amen Jazmyn Dear Jesus, I feel overjoyed and proud of my friends who are making their Eucharist. Thank you Jesus. Amen. Katherine Dear Jesus, Please help me while I make this sacrament as it makes me feel happy because I am getting closer to God. Amen Dear Jesus, I am excited, happy and nervous because I am about to receive my First Eucharist. Amen. Charli Dear Jesus, Please watch over me as I make my First Holy Communion as this is a special celebration. Amen. Ella

Dear Jesus, I hope we all have a fun time making our Eucharist. We will be good for you. Amen.

CATHOLIC MISSION MONTH

SOCKTOBER On Friday, the 26th of October the children wore crazy socks to support one of the initiatives of Catholic Mission. The children brought in a gold coin donation and raised $300. This money will go towards providing better living conditions, educational and formation opportunities to some of the world’s most vulnerable children. Thank you for your support!

Thank you also for generously supporting the Candela Mission. This mission supports women in Peru through a programme that teaches them to make beautiful handicrafts. Our school community raised over $500 to help support these women and their families.

THE YEAR OF THE YOUTH CROSS LITURGY Last Monday, the house captains and four students from St Peter’s Catholic College processed with

the Year of the Youth Cross from St Cecilia’s Church to St Cecilia’s Primary School. Afterwards Father

Raul and Father Alex celebrated a beautiful open-air Year of the Youth Cross liturgy.

After the liturgy each class had adoration time where the classes wrote individual or group reflective prayers. Here are a few examples of the children’s special prayers: I deeply thank you for allowing myself and siblings to have a childhood filled with people who love, care and understand. I hope that my younger brother continues receiving the great love and care that he deserves. Let all the young people in our community have a bright and happy future. I pray for the youth, those who do not have a home, food or shelter. Thank you God for being there when I needed you.

PLENARY COUNCIL 2020

The Plenary Council 2020 is a gathering of the Church in Australia to make decisions for the future. Your voice is important. All people are invited to contribute to the Plenary Council agenda by sharing your experience of faith and of the Church. Together, we are responding to the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” See http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/ for more information. St Cecilia’s Plenary Council 2020 meeting is scheduled for Friday, the 16th of November.

TERM 4 UPCOMING EVENTS ● Friday, 9th of November, Stage 1 Mass, St Cecilia’s Church, Wyong @ 9:15 ● Friday, 9th of November, Remembrance Day School Liturgy, St Cecilia’s School Hall @ 11:15 ● Wednesday, 12th of December, Year 6 Graduation Mass, St Cecilia’s Church, Wyong @ 5:00 ● Friday, 16th of November, Reflection morning & Plenary Council Meeting, Library @ 9:00, ● Monday, 17th of December, Whole School Mass, St Cecilia’s School Hall @ 10:00, Followed

by Awards Presentation @ 11:30

2018 SACRAMENTAL DATES

Sacrament of First Eucharist During the Masses over the weekends of:

10th/11th of November; 17th/18th of November

God Bless

Jamie Dowling

Religious Education Coordinator

School News

LINEN ROSTER

Week 4 Rebecca Ham

Week 5 Allison Rosee

Week 6 Kyly Slattery

Week 7 Julia Webster

Week 8 Amy Martin

Week 9 Kristy Clouten

Week 10 Carolina Saenz

PARISH MASS TIMES St Cecilia’s Wyong

Saturday Vigil 5pm Sunday 7.30am and 9.30am

St John Fisher, Tumbi Umbi

Saturday Vigil 5pm Sunday 8.30am & 5pm

From the FLO It was wonderful to see so many parents at Headstart last Wednesday and to meet new families starting their journey with us next year. Please join us for Story Time in the library this Friday after assembly. Share the Journey. I have been working as an Early Childhood Nurse for many years on the Central Coast and this is my fourth year here as a Family Liaison Officer at St. Cecilia’s. During this time I have had the privilege and honour to share with many, particularly mothers, their personal journey. Many are embarrassed and ashamed to admit that they may have a problem or are facing difficulties in their lives. Sometimes just talking to someone and discussing concerns, whether it be a partner, friend or local doctor can be the first step to assist people on a more positive journey. There is so much help and support available in the community and you are not alone. Alternatively, if you are aware of someone who may be struggling have a conversation. I was very fortunate to attend the Parent Retreat at Kincumber last Friday and yet again this was a very, very special day. One discussion was on family traditions that have been handed down through the years. Your children may be interested in different traditions that are a part of your family or may even have ideas of their own. Do something nice for yourself this week. Bernadette Daniel

Family Liaison officer

Canteen News

Product information

Lasagne is no longer available! Focus Sports Water – new size 250mls and new price $2.00. Qkr! Updates

Please note that the cut off time for ordering online with Qkr! by MasterCard is 8.30am. Did you know that you can order up to two weeks ahead? Or even the night before! “But what if my child is sick and doesn’t go to school on the day that they have a lunch order”? Please notify the school that your child is sick and that they have a lunch order and a cash refund will be sent home provided the lunch has not been made/cooked i.e. early in the day, before recess. If you are picking up your child from school, and they have a lunch order, just drop by the canteen and a refund will be provided on the spot or the prepared lunch order can be taken away. If the lunch order has been prepared and no notice has been given of a child’s absence, no refund will be given. Thank you for your understanding and assistance with this matter. Thanks for your support!

Catherine Berry

Canteen Manager

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements

Academic Achievement Kinder Blue Sophie C Kinder Gold Mikayla O

1 Gold Miley B 1/2 Blue Liam C

2 Gold Cameron B 3 Blue Lachlan H

3/4 Gold Bethany P 4 Blue Abbey S

5 Blue Emmi A 5 Gold Caitlyn W

6 Blue Riley B 6 Gold Mickayla B

Music Alisha P Japanese Sarah W

Personal Best

Kinder Blue Oliver K Kinder Gold Asha D

1 Gold Abigail S 1 / 2 Blue Ethan P

2 Gold Indiana L 3 Blue Cooper H

3/4 Gold Brady M 4 Blue Emma W

5 Blue Zahra K 5 Gold Noah J

6 Blue Will A 6 Gold Nicholas C

Music Kenzi G Japanese Gabrielle B

Library Dominique O Library Oliver T

PBL Award Kinder Blue Nikeeta R Kinder Gold Hosanna A

1 Gold Toby R 1 / 2 Blue Sophy N

2 Gold Tahlia M 3 Blue Hunter V

3/4 Gold Kien D 4 Blue Bodhi T

5 Blue Stella C 5 Gold Charlee S

6 Blue Byron S 6 Gold Lara G

Music Charlotte L Japanese Abdullah J

This year’s talent quest will be held from 9-10.45am on Friday the 7th of December. Due to the Musical earlier in the year and a busy end of year calendar, the talent quest will showcase three acts per grade (year 6 will be unlimited due to their last year) that will be selected from open auditions. Students will have the opportunity to audition for the talent quest in front of an audience at the following lunchtimes: Week 5 Wednesday 14/11 - K & 1 Thursday 15/11 - Year 2 and Year 3 Week 6 Wednesday 21/11 - Year 4 and Year 5 Thursday 22/11 - Year 6 Requirements:

Children can only perform in one act

All songs must be on YouTube

2 minute maximum

Performance must demonstrate prior preparation If your child will be performing at the Talent Quest, we will send home a schedule for the day and parents are welcome to watch. To ensure the day runs smoothly, there will be no change to the order of acts on the day.

Mikaela Scott and Jannette Whyte

Operation Christmas Child Every year St. Cecilia’s does a wonderful job at making Christmas gift packages to donate to children overseas who are less fortunate than us. This year we are asking again for your help to make a difference in the lives of special people. The gifts are put together in shoe boxes and then sent off to a collection point to be shipped overseas. Gifts need to be new and not second hand. They also need to be of a size that will fit into a shoe box. Please see the list below for items to donate. Items will be collected at assembly each morning from Wednesday 24th October till Monday 12th November. Something to love Small teddy bears, cuddly soft toys smaller than 30cms (PLEASE REMEMBER THESE NEED TO FIT IN A SMALL SHOE BOX ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS) Something to play with Tennis ball, yo-yo, skipping rope, marbles etc. (NO BATTERY OPERATED ITEMS) Something for personal hygiene Soap and face washer, hairbrush, toothbrush, comb, hair clips, scrunchies, hair bands (NO TOOTH PASTE, LIQUIDS or TALCUM POWDER) Something for school For example a small exercise book (smaller than 30 cms), pens, note pads with pencils, crayons, chalk, stickers, pencil case with pencils and sharpener (NO SCISSORS, please remember that pencils need to be supplied with a sharper) Something to wear Underwear any size boy or girl, crop top, socks, thongs, hat, shirts, shorts, t-shirt (PLEASE REMEMBER THEY NEED TO BE NEW) Something Special For example: sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, hair accessories and thongs. Please note things NOT to include:

No second hand or used goods

No lollies or food items

No liquids of any kind

No medicines, vitamins

No seeds, shells

No gambling items such as playing cards, dominos, play money

No breakable items with glass, porcelain, mirrors

No war related items such as guns, knives, laser toys

No Pokémon, Shrek, Bratz, Spiderman, Harry Potter, witches etc. Thank you for your on-going support with this appeal each year. The difference these gifts will make to these children at Christmas time will be wonderful. Kind Regards, Annette Milne

Mini Vinnies Coordinator

SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSPORT SCHEME (SSTS) 2019 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN School student applications for 2019 open from Monday, 15 October 2018. Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 do not need to re-apply if they:

are continuing at the same school

are residing at the same address

have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW. Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply. Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply. If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2018 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2018, the system will automatically cancel a card and a new one will need to be issued. Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out during December 2018 and January 2019. Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students should check with their operator for more information. For further information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts

Family Registration Form Application for Discounts and Payment Arrangements in 2019

To be completed by all families

No discounts will be given unless this form is completed, signed by both

parents/carers and returned to the school office no later than 2nd November 2018

Family details

Mother/Carer ................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Surname Given name

Father/Carer ................................................................................ ............................................................................................................

Surname Given name

Details of how the 2019 school fees will be paid:

Terms of payment (if no box is ticked the payment defaults to Standard)

Standard (3 instalments, Term 1,2 & 3)

Yearly (1 instalment)

Monthly (10 instalments)

Fortnightly (20 instalments)

Weekly (40 instalments)

Our preferred payment method is BPay

Do you require Split Billing arrangements for 2019 Fees? Yes: _________ No:________ Email address to send split billing forms to:______________________________________________

Details of all family members attending any NSW school in 2019

Surname (please list eldest to youngest)

Given Name Date of Birth

Name of School they attend in 2019

Scholastic Year they will be in

2019

Acceptance and Certification - to be signed by person(s) responsible for payment of fees

Please read the Eligibility & Terms and Conditions overleaf before signing this form.

I/we request that sibling discount be granted on Tuition Fees and/or Building Levy for all applicable students detailed above. I/we have read the Terms and Conditions overleaf relating to payment of school fees.

I/we certify that I will take responsibility for payment of all fees billed to me/us by the school and agree to abide

by the Terms & Conditions. Signatures (by both parents/caregivers) 1 ................................................................................ ................................................................................ ..............................................

Please print name Signature Date

2 ................................................................................ ................................................................................ ..............................................

Please print name Signature Date

Eligibility for Fee Discounts

The first child is the child in the family who is in the most senior class of any systemic school in the Diocese of Broken Bay (some exceptions do apply, see below). Second and subsequent children are defined in descending order of class seniority of children attending any systemic Catholic School in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

The following schools are also included as “systemic” for the purposes of Tuition Fee discounting only (not applicable to family Building Levy):

♦ St Edwards, East Gosford

♦ Stella Maris, Manly

Rates currently applicable are as follows:

♦ Second child 20% discount

♦ Third child 50% discount

♦ Fourth & subsequent children 100% discount

Students attending systemic schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Diocese of Parramatta and the Diocese of Wollongong may also be eligible for sibling discounts on Tuition Fees (as above), and a reduction on the Diocese of Broken Bay Building Levy. Please ensure these students are listed on the first page of this form.

Parents/caregivers must notify the school of any changes to the enrolments listed on this form. In this event, a new form must be completed and submitted to the school/college and any discounts will be adjusted accordingly.

Terms & Conditions relating to payment of School Fees

1. Tuition Fees and Building Levy are set each year by the Diocesan Schools Board.

2. School fees will be billed and invoiced on an annual basis. The standard payment terms are in three instalments in February, April and July.

3. The dates for payment will be clearly identified on the invoice issued at the beginning of the school year.

4. Sibling Discounts on Tuition Fees are not automatic - application must be made by completing, signing and submitting this form by the due date.

5. Fees are payable by BPay, EFTPOS, Cheque or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard only).

6. Families may make arrangements to alter the Standard payment terms. Payments may be altered to be made either yearly, monthly, fortnightly or weekly. Please indicate under Terms of Payment overleaf.

7. If both parents/caregivers signed the original enrolment form, then both parents/caregivers are responsible for payment of the fees unless Split Billing Forms have been completed and submitted to the school.

8. In cases of genuine financial hardship, families may be eligible for a fee concession. Please contact the School Fee Liaison Unit on 9847 0728 or schoolfees@dbb.org.au for further information.

THESE FORMS ARE NOW OVERDUE

PLEASE RETURN TO SCHOOL OFFICE ASAP