16 September 2024

Upcoming Events

Term 3 - Week 9

• Monday 16th September 2024
  
  • Year 5 Leadership Camp @ Lake Burrendong
  • Cuppa before Assembly from 8:30am in the Hall
  • Assembly led by 3G @ 9:00am
  • Mini Vinnies with Mrs Avinash @ Recess
    

• Tuesday 17th September 2024
  
  • Year 5 Leadership Camp @ Lake Burrendong
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ Recess (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50am)
    

• Wednesday 18th September 2024
  
  • Year 5 Leadership Camp @ Lake Burrendong
  • Guitar Group @ 11:00am - 11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50am)
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1:40pm
    
    
• Thursday 19th September 2024

  • Senior Band @ 7:50am - 8:50am
    

  • MacKillop College Year 4 Discovery Day

  • St Stanislaus College Year 4 Discovery Day

  • Junior Band @ 11:00am - 11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50am)
    

  • Catch a Duck Competition in the playshed (gold coin) @ Recess
    
    
• Friday 20th September 2024

  • McAuley Day - wear blue for a gold coin donation to the works of the Sisters of Mercy

  • Our Lady of Mercy - Feast Day Activities @ 9:05am

    • Picnic Recess @11:00am

    • Mass @11:45am for a 12:00pm start
      
      

  • Agriculture Club with Mrs Angelucci @Recess

  • Catch a Duck Competition in the playshed (gold coin) @ Recess

Term 3 - Week 10

• Monday 23th September 2024
  
  • Cuppa before Assembly from 8:30am in the Hall
  • Assembly led by Year 5 @ 9:00am 
    
  • Mini Vinnies with Mrs Avinash @ Recess
    
    
• Tuesday 24th September  2024
  • Choir with Mrs Sadler @ 8:35am - 8:55am (Library)
    
  • SRC Committee Meeting @ Recess
    
    
• Wednesday 25th September  2024
  
  • Guitar Group @ 11:00am - 11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50am)
  • Didgeridoo Group @ 1:40pm
    
    
• Thursday 26th September  2024

  • Senior Band @ 7:50am - 8:50am
    

  • Junior Band @ 11:00am - 11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50am)
    
    
• Friday 27th September  2024
  • Agriculture Club with Mrs Angelucci @ Recess
    
  • Last Day of Term 3 

2024 Important Dates

More important dates listed here 

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars
for easy access on your phone or device

From the Principal

Throughout the school week, I am blessed with many opportunities to enjoy the amazing learning that takes place at Cathedral. Over the past weeks, I was lucky enough to be welcomed into 4W who were presenting their extension English projects. I heard speeches, role plays and even a session of trivia! In Year 6, I witnessed some outstanding problem solving with students trying their hand at some small scale engineering projects. Last week’s NAIDOC activities had students working in house teams, supporting one another as they experienced learning about Aboriginal culture.

Teaching in the 21st Century is exciting! We are able to present engaging opportunities for our students to explore, synthesise and transfer their understanding of real life concepts. We are so proud of our learners at Cathedral and so hopeful of our future. Our students develop confidence in their knowledge and understanding of our world and we look forward to a future led by these insightful, faith filled beings.

Camille da Silva Tavares   | Principal

Baby News

A huge congratulations to Mrs Ainsley Greer who is expecting a new baby! The baby is due early next year so Ainsley will continue teaching her class for the remainder of the year. We wish Ainsley and her family many blessings during this special time.

With all of the baby news at Cathedral, we have experienced many changes in staffing throughout the school. Although change can often be challenging for us all, we acknowledge this as a very special time in our school. A time where our students are exposed to this unique blessing. Where our children have the opportunity to experience the joyful anticipation with our teachers throughout their pregnancy.

We are blessed and honoured to have the presence of so many mothers and expectant mothers at Cathedral and we give thanks to our God for blessing us with this beautiful culture of life.

Staffing

This week, Mrs Charlotte Whitmore begins teaching 3B on Mondays and Tuesdays as Mrs Julia Baird begins her appointment as Religious Education Coordinator.

Mrs Melissa Vickers finishes her time teaching 1JV this Friday before beginning her maternity leave.
From next week, Mrs Courtney Muldoon will be teaching 1JV Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and
Mrs Katrina Whitehead on Thursdays and Fridays. We thank Mrs Vickers for her dedication to providing
a smooth transition for her students and we wish her every blessing as she begins this special time of waiting for the arrival of the new baby.

Afternoon Pick Up

In an effort to keep our students safe at pick up time, please read the following reminders:

Walkers - Only students walking to a workplace or home should join the walkers. If you are picking your child up and you are parked across any nearby road, then you need to walk over to school to collect your child from the William St or George St collection point.

Teachers only escort students across the crossings on William, Keppel and George Sts. Students are then left to make their way home. Please ensure that your child has the knowledge of and ability to walk the safest route home before allowing them to cross busy streets. Please note that not all streets around the school have pedestrian crossings and our teachers do not escort students across these streets.

George St - If collecting students on the George St exit, please walk to students who will be seated on the pavers for collection. Students are not allowed to meet you on the street. If parked on the opposite side of the road, please use the pedestrian crossing and do not cross in front of or behind buses.

William St - If collecting students on the William St exit, please collect students from the gate. If parked on the opposite side of the road please use the pedestrian crossing on William St.

Please hold your child’s hand when exiting the school grounds.

We thank you for supporting these procedures and for modelling safe and calm behaviours at pick up time.

Student Representative Council

Thursday and Friday in the Playshed.
Bring your gold coins for your chance to win a prize!

Student Representative Committee

Teaching and Learning

EVIDENCE OF LEARNING
Following on from our very successful three-way conferences earlier in the term, students are continuing to revisit their learning goals and reflect on their progress. Learning is not always something you can see right away—it often happens gradually through class discussions, hands-on activities, problem-solving, and teacher feedback. Resources like Student Workbooks, Google Classroom, SeeSaw, and homework tasks provide a snapshot of some of this progress, but the real 'aha' moments and deeper understanding may take time to surface.

At home, you can play an important role in supporting this growth. By checking in regularly, you can help your child reflect on their learning experiences, reinforce their progress, and celebrate their achievements—whether they are immediate or revealed over time. These conversations help bridge the school-to-home connection and encourage your child to take ownership of their learning journey.

Here are some questions you can use to engage your child in meaningful conversations about their learning, goals, and progress: 

1. What’s something new you learned today that surprised you?
2. Can you teach me something interesting you worked on in class?
3. What was the hardest part of your day, and how did you tackle it?
4. Did you ask any questions today? What did you find out?
5. How did you work with others today, and what did you achieve together?
6. What feedback did your teacher give you, and how did it help?
7. Can you show me a piece of work you’re proud of? Why does it stand out to you?
8. How is what you learned today connected to something you already knew?
9. Was there a moment today when something finally “clicked” for you? What was it?
10. What are you curious to learn more about after today?

NAIDOC Week
This year, our school proudly participated in NAIDOC Week, celebrating the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our AECG Representatives joined other schools in the community for a powerful and unifying NAIDOC March, while our classes took part in a series of engaging rotational activities organised by Miss Ryan. Students enjoyed learning through various activities, and shared time together reflecting on the importance of this year’s theme: ‘For Our Elders’. NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to acknowledge the vital role Elders play in communities, passing on cultural knowledge and guiding future generations. 

Through our community representation, engaging  activities , learning, and reflection, we honour and celebrate our contributions of First Nations peoples.

For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit [www.naidoc.org.au](https://www.naidoc.org.au).

Please also see our school facebook page for a snapshot of our amazing week.  Thank you to Miss Ryan for her wonderful work and preparation of our school and community participation.

Ashley Boylan   | Acting Assistant Principal

Religious Education & Catholic Life

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Catherine McAuley
This week we acknowledge the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, and in turn one of our school patrons, Catherine McAuley. Our McAuley House is named in her honour and memory. Our school hall, Mother Ignatius Croke Centre is also named in honour of our schools history with the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy have been in our Bathurst Diocese since 1866 (158 years) and have a strong tie to the history of our school. The Sisters of Mercy have a charism that is rich in social justice, ecology, service to others and merciful acts.

WHAT IS THE ‘OUR LADY OF MERCY’ FEAST DAY?
This Friday as we celebrate McAuley Day, we acknowledge the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. Mary was given many, many titles and Our Lady of Mercy was yet another she was honoured with. This feast day falls on the 24th September each year, and the feast of Our Lady of Mercy is celebrated throughout the world by Sisters of Mercy, a religious order of women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. Mary, Mother of Jesus, is the one who through the sacrifice of her own heart had the deepest knowledge of the mystery of God's mercy. In this sense she is the Mother of Mercy, Our Lady of Mercy.

How can Parents/Family be involved in our celebrations?

• Parents, grandparents or special family members are invited to bring some morning tea to share and enjoy with their child/ren. Recess will be from 11am-11.35am. Remember to use the main/George St entry
• Parents and extended family members are invited to come to our school Mass at 12pm in the Cathedral.

What will Students do to celebrate?
Students are invited to wear blue themed mufti/casual clothing on Friday for a gold coin donation. All donations will go to the charitable works of the Sisters of Mercy. Students will also participate in a range of activities throughout the morning, led by our McAuley Captains, Georgia and Sam.

CATHERINE McAULEY & SISTERS OF MERCY
If you are unfamiliar with the life Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, you might like to spend some time exploring their website -

Australian Sisters of Mercy - https://mercy.org.au/
NSW Sisters of Mercy - https://www.nsmercy.org.au/home.html

STAGE MASS
Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 came together last week for a wonderful Mass together.  It is wonderful to have these opportunities where our students from Years K, 1 and 2 and their teachers can come together to celebrate Mass.

A special thank you to the Teaching staff for their preparation of this special prayerful opportunity for the students.

Sacramental Programme
Registrations for all Sacraments (First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation conclude soon. Please contact the Parish Office this week if possible if you wish for your child to receive one of the above mentioned Sacraments.

In Our Parish
We are proud to be an important part of the Cathedral Parish of Ss Michael & John. For information about our parish please click here. This includes Mass Times, Ministries, Sacraments and current edition and archived stories from theCatholic Observer and Parish Bulletin. 

Coming up:

Julia Baird   | Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Awards

Library

Want to be a better reader? READ MORE!
Library Challenge - This week can you read for at least twenty minutes a day?

Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

Class In Focus - 1M

This term, 1M students have been making great progress in Maths and Science! In Maths, we've been diving into arrays and multiplication. The children are learning how to group objects into equal sets and are beginning to understand multiplication in a fun, hands-on way.

In Science, our budding weather reporters are exploring different types of weather and learning how to observe and record daily weather patterns. They've been practicing using the rain gauges we made at home and will soon give their own mini weather forecasts - stay tuned to Seesaw!

Danielle Mitchell   | 1M

Class In Focus - 6T

Building the Future: Pylons and the Power of Science!
6T have been diving into the world of pylons this term. They have been exploring their critical role in power infrastructure. Through hands-on experiments and research projects, these young scientists have investigated the engineering principles behind pylon construction. By building model pylons and testing their strength, 6T students have gained practical insights into how these structures maintain their structural integrity.

Cassandra Toole   | 6T

SPB4L - School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning

Week 9 Focus: ‘We are punctual, prepared and poised for success!'
Thank you to the students who have been consistently following school-wide universals (expectations) - demonstrating respectful, responsible, safe and kind behaviour. Your efforts are noted by the teachers and these students are often acknowledged through Student of the Week Awards, raffle tickets and other in-class rewards. 

Unfortunately however, after 2 weeks, it is disappointing to observe continued negative behaviours regarding our current focus: ‘We are punctual, prepared and poised for success’.. We have many, many SBP4L focus points where students are not meeting school expectations. **Yellow marked points

🟢 SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS 🟢
All teachers review our school rules and shared behaviour expectations each morning as part of their daily routines. This consistent revision of our rules and expectations is aimed to help our students have successful days. 

All students are expected to follow our school rules and SPB4L focus points as this helps our school to be a happy and safe place. 

🔴CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES 🔴
Negative behaviours impact the student’s learning, social interactions and wellbeing. Just like in real life, students need to learn that their are consequences to their choices.  

Students who continue to ignore expectations or teacher instructions will receive a re-teach aligned to the behaviour. Student behaviour will also be logged on COMPASS as a minor incident. Parents may be contacted. 

LET’S FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE 
We encourage all parents to check in with their child/ren about their classroom and playground behaviours. Maybe ask some specific questions to help you know how they are ‘tracking’, ie. Did you show respect for your self today by keeping your uniform neat and tidy? Were you responsible when you lined up at bell times? Did you follow the teacher’s instructions so you were safe and in the right place? Were you polite and kind as you spoke to your teacher and peers? 

POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS GAIN REWARDS
Classes that are ‘caught’ doing the right thing 5 times before end of term will receive ⭐Golden Time  ⭐

Julia Baird  | SPB4L Committee

Wellbeing

Want to know what we are teaching your children about resilience?

Parent and Carer Hub - The Resilience Project

This Hub gives parents and carers access to five video presentations, as well as the research and supporting activities for their wellbeing:
https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/

Thank you Mrs Watson for all you do for our school!

Last Friday, a very thoughtful and considerate student presented Mrs Watson with a card he made, with appreciation messages from all the children at school. 💛Gratitude 💛 

Breakfast Club - Jump on board!
A BIG thank you to all our new and current volunteers for Breakfast Club and Canteen! How lucky our students are to have you come and prepare some yummy toasties for them for breakfast!

Volunteering is easy!
All you need to do is make cheese sandwiches, toast cheese sandwiches and cut up some fruit.
Do you think you could spare 30 minutes in the mornings?
Help is needed from 8.20-8.50am each day.

Please contact Alana on 0417 044 116 if you can help.

RU Ok? Day - Check in on a friend today, or any day!

KM enjoying the RU OK? Day biscuits made by Mrs Watson and Mrs Costello. Yum! Yum!

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Sports

Diocesan Summer Sport Trials
Notes for the Diocesan Summer Sport Trials were sent home last week to students in Years 4 and 5.

Primary School children who have previously participated at a recognised high standard in the sports outlined - Touch, Softball, Cricket, Tennis and Basketball - are invited to nominate for selection in the summer sport selection trials to be held in Dubbo in November 2024.  Please return all notes by Tuesday, 17th September 2024.

It is important to note that when nominating your child, you are acknowledging that your child has previously been recognised as demonstrating an exceptional standard of ability and have a very high knowledge of the rules of the game at a town/city or district competition level in the chosen sport. It is not sufficient to have simply participated in the sport previously.

We are limited in the number of students we can nominate so where large numbers of students display interest in a particular sport it will be necessary to hold selection trials at Cathedral School before finalising nominations for the trials to be held in Dubbo. Participation in these trials does not mean that your child has qualified for selection. Parent Information and Consent Forms will be distributed via Compass to selected representatives.

Community Sport Site
Our Diocesan sports coordinator Mr Steve Maguire has created a Community Sport Site (has reports from events) for parents, families & teachers which can be accessed to assist with Diocesan Sports pathways. You may like to bookmark this site for reference: https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/home

 Louise Condon   | Sports Coordinator

Cathedral School Fleecy Sports Tops

Marietta’s now stock the new Cathedral School fleecy sports top. 
Price is $40.

Parents and Friends

Next P&F Meeting: Wednesday 6th November 5:30pm - School Library
Everyone is invited to attend our monthly P&F meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each school month at 5:30pm in the Library.

There is NO PRESSURE to attend every meeting or volunteer bucketloads of time - the P&F is a great resource to keep track of what’s happening at school and connect with other parents, caregivers and school staff.   

For those who cannot attend in person, we have a zoom link, if you would like to join from home!
https://bthcatholic.zoom.us/j62675200979?pwd=duYyV3M2MvdoTVVjclRKZE5jdnlMdzo9
ID:62675200979@zmau.us
Password: 106688

School Fete 8th November 5pm- 8pm
If you would like to be part of the Fete Committee please reach out to
Courtney- 0404 378 971 or Jodie 0417 656 452

Keep an eye out for the Fete newsletter on a Thursday via compass to see how you can help

OPTIONAL SCHOOL JACKETS
The Cathedral School logo is embroidered on the chest, the jackets are lightweight, windproof and water-resistant perfect for the cold weather. These optional school jackets are available to try on at the school office and ready to order via Flexischools under shop.

Please note: The optional jacket is NOT compulsory - All maroon/navy/black school jackets are also acceptable.

If you have any enquiries about our projects or would like to get involved, please email us at cathedralpandf@gmail.com

Melissa Bray   | P & F Publicity

Music

Band children have received lots of new music, please remind them to practise their new pieces at home.

Cathedral School Ensemble Times & Days:

• School Choir Tuesdays at 8:35am
• Guitar Group Wednesdays at Recess
• Didgeridoo Group @ 1:40pm
• Concert Band Thursdays at 7:50am
• Junior Band Thursdays at Recess

 If your child is interested in participating in any of these groups please feel free to contact me chris_dove_trumpet@hotmail.com

Chris Dove   | Band Director

Absences

Full Day Absence
Full Day absences (the Compass default time is 8:00am-5:00pm, please do not change this) are entered via the Compass App and Compass allows 7 days to add this.

Part Day Absences - Arriving Late or Early Departures
Complete this absence via the Compass Portal located in the School Office, when you bring your child to school late or collect your child early.
This information is recorded against your child’s attendance records and sent to your child’s teacher.

So that we can have your child ready for an early departure from school, please email your child’s teacher
(via Compass) the departure details.

School Calendar Handy Hints

For those who are not familiar with Google Calendar an easy way to keep up to date with the school calendar is to check the school website. Here is the link that will take you straight to the Calendar section of the site where the calendar can be displayed by month. If you click on the event more details (if confirmed) will be available for the event. 

Most end of year events and special celebrations have already been added to the calendar and all other events appear as soon as we can confirm the details.  Website Calendar Link

For those with a Google Account the calendar can be added to your Google calendars for easy access
on your phone or device. Google School Calendar Link

Update your Details

Update your email, phone number, address, your child’s medical details or emergency contacts by emailing the information to cathedral@bth.catholic.edu.au

Canteen

   Canteen Roster Term 3 2024

The Canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We are in need of helpers in the Canteen on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. 
For the canteen to run smoothly 3 volunteers are essential.

Please contact Alana Watson on 0417 044 116 if you would like to be included in the canteen roster,
any time offered is welcomed.

Thank you to all our friends and family for all your ongoing support of the Cathedral Canteen.

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

Community Notices

Bathurst Bus Lines - School Bus Tracking App
The school bus tracking app is available for parents to download on their phone and track their child's bus in real time.  This might alleviate some of the anxiety related to putting students on the bus. Please see instructions below.

Parents requiring any bus pass or general bus travel information are welcome to contact our office and we will be able to discuss their needs accordingly.

If you have any queries please contact us on 6331 2744

Kind regards,

Carolyn
Bathurst Bus Lines