St Kieran Newsletter Term 2, Week 10 - 20th June 2024

Principal's Message

Lord, guide us today in the choices 
we make for ourselves and our children.  
May they all be life-giving  
and based upon values  
that are lasting and beneficial.  
Amen. 

There is an African proverb that says, “Do not look where you fell but where you slipped.” One possible meaning of this proverb is that if you wish to avoid having a “fall” in life, be careful with the steps you take along the way. As parents, we not only have to take care of our own life’s journey but, as well, to take care of how our children are travelling. One of the most important “steps” in any child’s journey is the welfare of their imagination.  

A healthy and active imagination promotes emotional growth and creative development. Imagination is the mind’s ability to project itself beyond the ordinary that occurs as part of daily life. When our children engage in imaginative play, they become active users rather than passive recipients of experience, they work out difficulties and adjust the realities of life to their personal inner requirements. In make-believe play children might choose to take on our roles as parents, to make right any grievances that have caused anxiety or suffering and turn them into more satisfactory experiences.  

One of the pitfalls to having a healthy and active imagination is television or screen time, for when children’s minds are occupied with tools, their opportunities and abilities to exercise their own imaginations become somewhat limited. Children begin to rely on and to imitate images that are projected from these sources into their minds. The opportunity to experience events then becomes second hand. Children can become dependent on outside sources to create ideas and visual images for them. In other words, when children default to screens or media or YouTube etc. they are interacting only indirectly with their world. They are having second-hand experiences where they passively observe the actions and ideas of others. It is even possible for the modes of media to replace the parent’s role in the socialisation of their children and the development of human values, if they are monitored or managed appropriately. 

If the traditional opportunities for expressing growth within the family are replaced by other options, then children are losing the opportunity to explore and experience real human relationships and values. The most critical element for growth in any family is positive relationships and how these can be fostered.

Through their imagination, children find expression for their inner most being. They discover their true feelings and thoughts that awaken their sense of who they are. To nurture this inner discovery, children need some time each day for reflection, for processing the events of the day and, if necessary, for resolving conflicts that might have occurred. They need to be free from other people’s ideas and images and have the freedom to discover their own. This downtime they may actually refer to as 'boredom' or being bored, of which there is nothing wrong with. Often we try to entertain or look for entertainment for our children when in fact the most purposeful learning experience can be found in a quiet space or time. 

Have a great week and look after everyone, we have one week to go before the end of this term! 

Best wishes and take care. 

Mr Daine Burnett 
Principal 
daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au

School Calendar

A reminder to all families to continue to check the school calendar on our website for dates and events that are coming up during the term. We conclude Term 2 for students on Thursday 27th June (Friday 28th June is a Staff Development Day) and return for students to start Term 3 on Tuesday 16th July (Monday 15th July is a Staff Development Day). 

Term 3 will also see the school closed on Friday the 23rd August (Catholic Day) and Term 3 conclude for students on Thursday 19th September (Friday 20th September is a Staff Development Day). 

Uniform

A reminder that for the academic uniform the below shoes are to be worn - black lace up school shoes for both boys and girls. I would ask all parents to refer to the Uniform Policy on our school website. https://stkierancps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/2012/school_uniform_guidelines_2024.pdf 

School shoes are 'normal/standard' school shoes for the academic uniform for both boys and girls. Not black sneakers, Air Forces, Air Max, Skate Shoes, Mary Jane or other alternatives that can be found. Sport shoes should be appropriate sport shoes, not fashion shoes, that are suitable for sport. Please keep this mind when looking for items during 2024.

Unwell Students

As we are well and truly in the colder months can we please ask that unwell students are not sent to school. Our staff will call parents if a child is unwell or presents unwell - we are not trained medical staff and if a child says they are unwell or looks unwell we will call the families to collect them. Sending an unwell child to school in turn has an impact on the other students as well as the staff and of course the families at St Kieran. Your consideration around this matter is appreciated. 

Reports - UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S REPORT

Parents will receive 2 formal academic reports this year:
June/July – Mid Year Report
December – End of Year Report 

MID YEAR REPORT - July
This report provides parents with a ‘snapshot in time’ of how their child is progressing in relation to the end of year achievement standard for each learning area for their year level. The grade provided is taking into account the curriculum which has been taught and assessed to that point in time. 

 END OF YEAR REPORT - December
This report provides parents with an overview of how their child has progressed, across the entire year, in relation to the end of year Achievement Standard for each learning area for their year level. The grade provided is taking into account the curriculum which has been taught and assessed across the entire year, not just Semester 2. 

 Understanding the Grading System 

Is a ‘C’ grade good? Yes, you should celebrate C grades as this indicates that your child has progressed to the desired level of understanding for his/her year level. 

Is a ‘C’ grade just a pass like it used to be? No, a C grade today, is the expected Achievement Standard for each year level and each Learning Area. 

Does an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade mean my child is working a year or two above their current grade? No, an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade means that your child is responding to the content taught to a deeper level. They may be thinking more critically about the content, which is a wonderful skill to demonstrate. 

How are final grades determined? Teachers collect numerous samples of work and assessments to determine the final grade. The grade is determined with the use of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s (SCSA) Judging Standards. For more information on this go to https://parent.scsa.wa.edu.au/ 

 We hope this information assists you to understand the reporting process at St Kieran Catholic Primary School. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher. 

Servite College

Just a reminder to all of our St Kieran families you must get your children's applications into Servite College nice and early. Please don’t wait until Year 5 or 6 as it will be too late. The earlier you submit these enrolment applications the better.

Procedure to Deal with Incidents

Unfortunately at times during the school day there are incidents that may arise that require intervention or follow up by either the staff or by parents. To assist with this process the procedure is located on the website, it may give you some strategies to work through during these times of heightening emotions. The one element to remember is that mistakes can be made and as a catholic school we forgive and reconcile and move forward together. https://stkierancps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/1351/dispute_complaint_resolution_procedure.pdf 

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Smart watches can be worn to school; however, we ask parents to turn off any features that allow the watch to be used for anything other than telling the time while at school. If a student is using it for any other reason, then it is exactly like a mobile phone and it  MUST be handed in to the front office. If your child is required to bring a mobile phone to school, for instance they walk home or catch the bus, then a mobile phone permission form must be completed and the phone needs to be handed in to the office each morning and collected at the end of the school day. At no time is a phone permitted to be left in a students bag. 

Science Challenge

What a week in Science!
It was STEM time in Science this week!
All classes got to participate in collaborative and exciting activities during Science lessons.
Bubbling volcanoes, catapults, team problem solving and skills testing!
Everyone had a blast!

Kickability

A big thanks to the WA Football Commission for running the kickability program at St Kieran on Monday 17^th June. The students had an absolute blast and loved learning some new AFL skills.

Book Week Costume Competition

Book Week Poster Competition

Servite Year 7 2025 Orientation Events

• Friday 1 November: Orientation Day for all Year 6 students (full day)

• Saturday 2 November: Parent Information and Student Testing Morning

We will be sending a Save the Date directly to parents of our enrolled students soon. 

2024 WA ADHD Conference

FROZEN JR with The Production Academy

Directed by the talented Dixie Johnstone and featuring a cast made up of The Production Academy students and friends, Frozen Jr is sure to melt your heart.

Join us for an icy adventure with some of Perth’s finest young performers and be transported into a winter wonderland, filled with your favourite songs - “Love Is an Open Door,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Let It Go,” as well as wonderful new songs from the Broadway production.

Tickets are selling fast and with standard ticketing, 2 special Coronation Shows (including buffet dining) and a Relaxed Show, The Production Academy’s Frozen Jr is sure to be a memorable experience for young and old.