2nd December 2024

Term 4-Week 8

• Monday 2nd December 2024
  
  • Assembly & Advent Liturgy @9am (cup of tea in the hall from 8:30am) led by Mrs Baird
  • Mini Vinnies with Mrs Avinash @Recess
• Tuesday 3rd December 2024
  
  • SRC Meeting with Mrs Tavares @11.10am
• Wednesday 4th December 2024
  
  • Guitar Group @11:00-11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50)
  • P & F Meeting @5.30pm in the Library - All Parents welcome
• Thursday 5th December 2024
  • Senior Band @7:50- 8:50am      
  • Year 2 & 3 Reconciliation Service with Fr Karl @9.00am
  • Kindergarten School Chaplain visit with Fr Karl @10.00am
  • Junior Band @11:00-11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50)
• Friday 6th December 2024
  
  • Agriculture Club with Mrs Angelucci @Recess

Term 4-Week 9

• Monday 9th December 2024
  
  • Assembly & Advent Liturgy @9am (cup of tea in the hall from 8:30am) led by Mrs Baird
  • Combined Band Rehearsal @11.40am-All band students to bring their instruments
  • Combined Band- End of Year Pizza Lunch
• Tuesday 10th December 2024
  • PR Meeting with Mrs Tavares @11.10am
    
• Wednesday 11th December 2024
  
  • Guitar Group @11:00-11:40am (Recess in Classrooms at 10:50)
• Thursday 12th December 2024
• • Closing School and Graduation Mass @10am- All Welcome
  • Family Night for all students and families-Picnic from 5pm. Formalities from 6pm
• Friday 13th December 2024
  
  • 2025 Classes announced @9am
  • Transition Day sessions with 2025 teachers @9.30am 

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

On Friday we welcomed our Parish ministry team to Cathedral for our Bible activity day. Our students were presented with their school Bibles after completing their preparation for Confirmation. We were reminded that the Bible contains many books and as the students were guided by members of our Parish team we explored these beautiful writings that in all things point us to the love that God has for us.

We thank Mrs Baird, Mrs Clayton, Mrs Angelucci and all the members of the Parish team for this day. A day where it was made clear to our students that we are loved by God, that God speaks to us through his Word and that we are surrounded by others who welcome the love of Jesus and participate in life as we do. These examples not only love Jesus but they also enjoy other human interactions. They love soccer, gaming, playing cards and they accept the love given to them by Jesus each day.

Yesterday, Fr Michel Remery reminded one of our Parish Connect groups over lunch that not only is  Advent a time for preparation but it also a time to remember that we should always be ready. We should spend each day living our life. Each day we should accept the love that Jesus has for us and use this to guide our life. 

We are blessed to be in the heart of this city surrounded by so many positive examples who are ready each day to share the message of God’s love with our students. We wish all of our families a joyous Advent and pray that this time will be filled with gratitude, hope and love.  

Camille Tavares   | Principal

End of Year Celebrations

Each year we gather to celebrate and give thanks for the year that was. Below is a brief outline of our end of year events.

Family Night 2024

As listed above, all students are involved in grade performances on Family Night to celebrate the end of our wonderful year and the Advent/Christmas season. 

The evening begins with a picnic dinner at 5pm. If you are not joining us for a picnic, we ask all students and families to be at school by 5.50pm on Thursday 12th December as the formalities and performances will be commencing at 6pm. The night is expected to conclude by approximately 8.30pm. Families are most welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the school grounds **Note: Students will need their dinner before the 5.50pm start time. 

Any student that is in the band or guitar group should be at school by 4.45pm to provide entertainment prior to the formal part of the evening.

This year the staff have asked all students to wear the following items for their performance: 

• Kindergarten - Christmas themed t-shirt and red Santa hat
• Year 1 - Year 6 - Christmas themed t-shirt

It is always a joyful night to see the huge smiles, bop along to the songs and celebrate the students’ achievements from across the year, particularly with our special End of Year Awards.

School Representative Uniform Items

We ask that all school representative items be returned to school this week. Items such as football, soccer, netball, band uniforms and any other items that may have been loaned out throughout the year. These can be returned to the front office so that they can be used by students in 2025. 

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning: A Collaborative Focus  

As we approach the final weeks of the term, we take this opportunity to reflect on the ongoing journey of our professional learning community since September. It has been a productive term, with significant progress in refining teaching practices, building student leadership, enhancing assessment processes, and embedding sustainability into our resource planning. With two weeks remaining, we remain focused on maintaining momentum and ensuring a strong finish to the school year. Below is an overview of key highlights and updates.  

Parent Feedback: Sustainability, Equity, and Streamlined Resources for 2025  

We thank parents for your feedback on student resources, including workbooks and stationery. This has informed our review of resource provision for 2025, with a focus on sustainability, equity, and simplifying processes for families. Guided by Pope Francis’ teachings in *Laudato Si’*, which call for care of the planet, we are introducing thoughtful adjustments for the new year. These include:  

• Reduction in Exercise Books:  number and size of exercise books will be reduced, reflecting trends in education and our commitment to sustainability.  
• Evidence of Learning in Diverse Forms: Students increasingly demonstrate their learning through digital platforms, projects, and other creative outputs rather than relying solely on traditional exercise books.  
• One Simplified Equipment List:  To support families, we are consolidating personal resource requirements into a single, streamlined list for 2025. This will make the process more straightforward and reduce unnecessary purchases. More information to follow.

These changes represent a practical step towards sustainability and equity, ensuring that resource provision is both environmentally responsible and accessible for all families.  

Professional Learning: Enhancing Teacher Practice  

This term, staff have engaged in targeted professional development to strengthen teaching practices and address the diverse needs of students. A highlight was a session led by Rose-Maree Vanraad from the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB), which focused on:  

• The importance of curriculum compliance and the continuing development and enhancement  of high-quality teaching and learning programs.  
• The role of assessment in identifying areas for student growth and informing adjustments to teaching sequences.  
• Differentiation strategies to meet the needs of all students, supporting both those requiring additional assistance and those ready to extend their learning.  

Our work with Michael McDowell has also continued, with a focus on embedding surface, deep, and transfer learning strategies into classroom practice. These approaches ensure students not only acquire knowledge but also develop the critical thinking skills necessary to apply their learning in meaningful ways.  

We continue to draw on the research of John Hattie, whose work on *Visible Learning* highlights the importance of teacher clarity and feedback in driving student achievement. As a professional learning community, we remain committed to translating these research-based strategies into practice.  

Assessment: A Balanced Approach  

Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning, providing valuable insights into student progress and informing planning. This term, teachers have utilised a combination of formative and summative assessment tools, including:  

• Observations: Capturing evidence of student learning during classroom activities and discussions.  
• Group Work and Participation: Assessing collaboration and engagement in team-based tasks.  
• Projects and Independent Tasks: Demonstrating creative thinking, problem-solving, and application of knowledge.  
• Formal Assessments:  Including DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests) in reading and mathematics.  

These assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of student progress, strengths, and areas for growth. Formative assessments are particularly important as they allow teachers to adapt lessons in real-time and provide timely feedback, while summative assessments offer a broader picture of overall achievement.  

Parents are encouraged to understand the dual nature of assessment—formative (ongoing and developmental) and summative (final and evaluative)—and to engage in conversations with their children about their learning goals.  

Student Leadership

Our Year 5 students have continued their leadership development in preparation for their roles in 2025. Guided by our SPB4L framework, which promotes Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind behaviours, students have participated in a range of leadership-building activities, including:  

• Leadership Camp: Fostering teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills.  
• Leadership Workshop with Youth Ministers from MacKillop College: Developing communication and leadership qualities.  
• School and House Captain Nominations: Encouraging students to articulate their leadership vision and aspirations.  
• Year 6 Committee Allocations: Distributing roles that align with students’ strengths and interests.  

These activities have provided students with opportunities to reflect on the responsibilities of leadership and the importance of collaboration and service within the school community.  

This semester, we have continued to embed First Nations perspectives into our curriculum and school culture. During NAIDOC Week, the theme ‘‘For Our Elders’’ provided an opportunity for students to reflect on the vital role of Elders in preserving cultural knowledge and guiding younger generations.  

Last week, we were privileged to host Jordan Boney, who facilitated a workshop with student representatives from our Aboriginal Education Consultancy Group (AECG) and Miss Ryan. The workshop provided a platform for students to strengthen their cultural understanding and leadership skills, further empowering them to be strong advocates for their peers.  

Community Engagement  

Year 6 students recently participated in an excursion to Canberra, exploring key aspects of Australian history, culture, and democracy.  This excursion, supported by the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program, provided students with valuable insights into civics and citizenship, complementing their classroom learning.  

On 25 October, we acknowledged the dedication and hard work of our teaching staff. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping student outcomes, and their expertise is central to the success of our school. Thank you to families and students who expressed their gratitude and appreciation on the day.  

Wellbeing and Social Development  

Navigating Friendship Challenges:

This term, we continued to support students in developing resilience and empathy as they navigate the complexities of friendships. Open communication and problem-solving strategies have been key focus areas in helping students build respectful and supportive relationships.  

• Lunchtime Eating Areas: 

Following recommendations from the Year 6 Environment Committee, adjustments have been made to lunchtime eating areas to improve safety, cleanliness, and organisation. These changes aim to create a more comfortable and inclusive environment for all students.  

• Acceptable Use of Technology:

We continue to emphasise the importance of safe and responsible technology use, both at school and at home. Revisiting our Acceptable Use of Technology Agreements ensures that digital devices remain valuable tools for learning. Parents are encouraged to reinforce these principles with their children.  

• Engagement Platforms:

Our communication platforms—Compass, Facebook, and Seesaw—remain essential tools for keeping families informed and engaged. These platforms allow us to share updates, celebrate student achievements, and maintain open connections between home and school.  

Looking Ahead:

As we enter the final two weeks of term, we remain focused on finishing the year with purpose and intention. The work we have undertaken since September has strengthened our teaching practices, resourcing decisions, and commitment to sustainability and equity.  

Thank you for your continued support of the school community as we foster a learning environment where every student is empowered to achieve their best.  

Ashley Boylan   | Acting Assistant Principal

Religious Education & Catholic Life

Be ready for the second coming (Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36)

ADVENT 

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world. Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.

An Advent wreath consists of four candles, which are arranged in a circular pattern, surrounded by evergreen branches. Each candle corresponds to the four respective Sundays through Advent. Three of the candles will be purple in colour, and the other one will be pink. The purple candles represent penitence, while the pink candle refers to the third Sunday of Advent, which is known as Gaudete Sunday. This is meant to encourage participants to continue praying as Advent is soon to reach its conclusion.

If you would like to learn more about Advent >>> Advent in 2 Minutes (NEW!)

YEAR 5 BIBLE ACTIVITY DAY 

Joyful! What a joyful day Friday was for our Year 5 students. It was a truly special occasion that highlighted the strength and beauty of our school and parish community.
The purpose of Friday’s incursion was to bring our students closer to Jesus as they continue to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to present them with their own personal Bibles. These Bibles were a gift from Bishop Michael McKenna and Mrs Christina Trimble, our Education Director.
Our students engaged wholeheartedly with the activities. They actively participated, supported each other, and showed kindness and inclusion throughout the day. Their enthusiasm and willingness to connect deeply with the teachings and stories shared was truly inspiring.

Special thanks to our wonderful Parish Ministry Team - Fr Karl, Fr Paul, Fr Thao, Fr Diep, Deacon Josh, Kieu, Natalia & Rosario for being an active part of our day. Thank you also to Mrs Tavares, Mrs Clayton, Mrs Angelucci & Miss Inwood for their help and support with the incursion. 

GRATITUDE & FAREWELL ASSEMBLY 

This year, we are excited to introduce a special addition to our annual End-of-Year celebrations—a Gratitude & Farewell Assembly. This meaningful event provides an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the year, express our gratitude, and bid farewell to staff members who are either completing their contracts or will not be returning in 2025.

We are truly blessed with an incredible team of teachers and staff who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to our school community. Their passion, care, and commitment enrich Cathedral School, making it a vibrant, faith-filled community rooted in our school motto - Faith, Values, Excellence.

We warmly invite all parents and families to join us for this significant event: Monday, 16th December at 9:00 AM in the Mother Ignatius Croke Centre (School Hall)

Let us come together to celebrate the year, show our appreciation, and honour those who have played a vital role in our shared journey. We hope to see you there!

END of YEAR EVENTS 

There are so many special events coming up over the next few weeks. I urge all parents to make sure that they take note of the various days and dates and add these to their calendars. There are many opportunities for our parents and friends to engage and share in these events with us, and our celebrations are made even more meaningful when we do have our parent community with us. 

THANK YOU - A personal message from Mrs Baird 

As I conclude my time as Acting Religious Education Coordinator this week, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Fr Karl, Mrs Tavares, Mr Boylan, and Miss Inwood for their guidance, encouragement, and for welcoming me into the Leadership Team. I am deeply thankful to the Cathedral staff, students, and families for their support, cooperation, and trust during this temporary role. 

It has been a joy and a privilege to walk alongside this community in fostering the spiritual growth and faith journey of our students. This experience has strengthened my passion for integrating our Catholic values into all aspects of school life and creating a learning environment centered on faith, love, and excellence. I am so deeply grateful for the opportunity to  contribute to the mission of Cathedral School. 

Thank you for this enriching experience and for the chance to serve such a vibrant and faith-filled community.

Up Coming School Events:

Please make sure that you are also aware of all the events listed on the School Calendar. 

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 the Catholic Observer and Parish Bulletin. 

Julia Baird  | Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Awards

Congratulation to Genevieve and Finnian O'Neill

Library

There is no more borrowing for this year. Please return all Library books to the Library. 

There are a number of outstanding student loans. Please help your child find and return their Library books.

Merryn Sadler   | Teacher Librarian

SPB4L - School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning

‘We show respect and kindness in our thoughts, words and actions’

As we approach the end of the school year, our focus for the final two weeks is "We show respect and kindness in our thoughts, words, and actions." This is a wonderful opportunity for us to foster positive behaviours, create a harmonious environment, and end the year on a high note.

Respect and kindness are not just about how we treat one another—they reflect the heart of our Catholic values and align beautifully with the spirit of Advent. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded to share love, hope, peace, and joy with those around us through our actions and attitudes.

We encourage all members of our school community—students, staff, and families—to live out this focus in meaningful ways during these final weeks. Whether it’s lending a helping hand, speaking gently, or simply showing gratitude, let’s work together to make this time a celebration of kindness and respect.

Thank you for your ongoing support in nurturing these values within our school community.

Julia Baird  | SPB4L Committee

Mini Vinnies

On Thursday 5th December, the Vinnies Van will be arriving at our school to collect our snack packs. We are so grateful to families for your wonderful support of this cause. Any final items need to be delivered to school to be made into snack packs by Wednesday 4th December at the latest. Well done to Mini Vinnies students for taking on this worthy cause to assist those less fortunate in our local community.

Genevieve Avinash | Mini Vinnies Coordinator

Wellbeing

Did you know …

We spend 49% of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we’re doing!

Regular mindfulness practice can improve our:     

• Immune system
• Energy levels
• Sleep quality
• Awareness
• Memory
• Productivity.

Why don’t you give it a go? 

Find a mindfulness activity that suits you and that you enjoy, everyone is different. Below are some suggestions:

• Listening to music
• Exercise (eg: walking)
• Colouring
• Puzzles
• Meditation
• Yoga

Merryn Sadler   | Wellbeing Coordinator

Sports

Congratulations to those students who competed in 2024 Edgell Jog.  Our student were awarded the winning trophy for the primary school section for 2024.  Thank you to the organisers for putting on such a wonderful event.  Thank you to Ian for attending our assembly and presenting the trophy and prize money.  These funds are gratefully received and will go towards our school sports programme.

Parent Skills

Here at Cathedral School we are very fortunate to have a number of parents who are very skilled and talented in various sporting fields. 

We are endeavouring to develop student sporting skills in any sport and anticipate that these sessions would take place from 8:30 - 9:00 am any day Monday through to Friday (on a day that suits the parent) on the school playground at Cathedral School.

Equipment would be provided, depending on availability and the sport being played. 

We would like to invite any parents of current students (2024) and new parents (2025) who have any sporting skills that they would like to share with the students of Cathedral School, to nominate their chosen sport and a day that suits them by completing the linked form. We will then contact you to discuss further details.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the students of Cathedral School.

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

Uniform

We ask that families support the school in presenting a positive image to our community by encouraging the wearing of the correct school uniform. 

Shoes

This week we ask families to ensure that their children are wearing the correct shoes. 

• Joggers may be worn on your child’s sport day only. 
• On all other days, we ask that students wear covered in black leather shoes. Black joggers are not suitable on these days nor are other joggers.
• If students are wearing boots, we ask that they do not wear boots with a reinforced toe. If students wear boots with a reinforced toe, we will need to request that they sit out of games throughout the day as these pose a safety risk to other students. 

If at any time you are experiencing financial difficulty and this is a barrier to providing your child with the correct uniform we ask that you contact the office so that we can assist you.  Our school uniform expectations are clearly set out upon enrolment and so we ask that you please adhere to these.

Parents and Friends

Next P&F Meeting & AGM: Wednesday 4th December 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. 

The December meeting will be followed by the AGM. 

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 BACKPACKS have arrived!

The school backpacks can be ordered on FlexiSchools for $65 – click on shop, then your child’s name, then uniform shop. The back pack will be delivered to your child’s classroom along with the lunch orders so you can select a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday for delivery, then select school back pack and finalise your order.  We have attached the flyer about the back pack here for your reference.

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

Year 2 Instrument Testing- Please feel free to contact Mr Dove if you have any further questions regarding your child participating in the Music Enrichment program in 2025.  All information has now been sent home with your children.

Choir with Mrs Sadler Tuesday @ 8.45am

Guitar Group with BAM Wednesday @ 11am

Senior Band with Mr Dove Thursday @ 7.50am

Junior Band with Mr Dove Thursday @ 11am

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

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

OSHC

Cathedral OSHC is looking forward to a busy term with several community projects. This term, the children will be organising our annual Christmas Food Drive for The Little Pantry Bathurst. Please support their efforts with non-perishable, and/or long dated food item donations to assist families in need this Christmas season. Cathedral OSHC will be accepting donations in the OSHC room all December until 19/12/24 (and we won't turn away early birds!). Our children are also holding a design competition to decorate a giant "gingerbread" house as part of O'Connell Public's Competition. You'll be able to view their work, and hopefully hundreds of others, lining the streets of O'Connell Avenue with Christmas cheer later this year. 
If you'd like to express your interest for a 2025 enrolment, or have a sibling to enrol, please contact our Coordinator at cathedraloshc@centacarebathurst.com.au. 

Canteen

   Canteen Roster Term 4 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.

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