St Kieran Newsletter Term 4, Week 6 - 14th November 2024

Principal's Message

'Life is not about being better than someone else.  
It is about striving to be better than you used to be.'  
- Author Unknown 

St Augustine had another good insight when he wrote: “When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from the light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God.”  

And withdraw from God we all do, not out of disbelief necessarily, but mostly out of forgetfulness, because we are just too busy with the rest of life. Take for example the Bethlehem Innkeeper who told Mary and Joseph that there was no room for them in his inn. This did not mean that he was a bad person; he was just very busy taking care of his customers, providing for their needs and keeping the peace. Unfortunately, when the most important birth in history took place in his backyard, he missed it entirely, not because he was a bad person, he was just too busy.  

With Christmas just around the corner, we might be too busy to give attention to what we are actually commemorating. We will be drawn by those sales and advertising events that will do everything they can to keep our attention on our wallets and purses. The Three Wise Men seem to have had the true understanding of the Christmas event. They spent many weeks in anticipation as they travelled from their homeland to Bethlehem. When they arrived, their purpose was to honour the newborn child and out of courtesy they brought one gift each. 

 We, too, have the opportunity for a period of anticipation in the Season of Advent. Of course, Advent is a constant season, for within our own lives, we are continuously waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfil. Hope, struggle, fear, expectations, are all part of our Advent experience. God does not come to us from the sky, he comes to us in the daily story of our lives in people, places and events.  

Advent invites us to prepare for the commemoration of God’s coming by taking time to have a closer look inside ourselves away from the busy outside. This looking inside is not about remorse or regret, nor about listing ways life over the past year could have been different; it’s not about wishing we were better people. It’s about forward movement, getting new bearings, relying more on God for directions. It’s about a fresh start, getting closer to the “fire” and the “light” that are God’s love and compassion. Advent is a time to “Rejoice, let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is nigh.” St Paul 4:4,5  

The above is good little reflection to prepare us for he coming of advent and celebration of Christ the King on the 24th November - which will lead us into  the season of advent. Take that time to reflect on the year prepare for the gift of Christ. 

We are coming into that season where everyone gets a little tired from all the events, plus the weather changing and countless engagements that we all have to try and squeeze in. Just a reminder to take that extra breath and look after yourself and those around you.  

I hope the week has been good to you all. 

Best wishes and take care. 

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

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 the school year on Friday 6th December.

School Term and Professional Development Dates 2025

The school administration office will re-open on Thursday 23rd January 2025 at 8am. All staff will return to school on Monday the 3rd February. Students will return for the first day of school for 2025 on Wednesday 5th February. 

Term Dates 2025

Term 1 - Wednesday 5 February (Monday 3 February for staff) to Friday 11 April. 
Term 2 - Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July. 
Term 3 - Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September. 
Term 4 - Monday 13 October to Friday 12 December (Friday 19 December for staff).

Staff Professional Development Days

Please note while these dates been set aside for 2025, there may be circumstances that require us to adjust these during the year to cater for system and educational initiatives. The dates for 2025 are: 

Contact Details - Parents

It is imperative that parents and families update the school when your personal details change during the year. If you change you email address or mobile phone please ensure that the school administration is contacted so we can update these details for communication purposes. 

School Fees

A reminder to all families that school fees are now due and that if for any reason you are falling behind you need to make an appointment with the school principal to address these concerns and the payments required. 

Uniform 2025

Just a reminder to all parents to not leave purchasing new uniforms until late in January as JFE get very busy. We have made a slight adjustment to our uniforms, now adding females navy shorts to our guidelines for 2025.The JFE showroom is open:

• Monday 8-4pm
• Tuesday 8-4pm
• Wednesday 8-4pm
• Thursday 8-4pm
• Friday 8-1.30pm

JFE
Unit 1/85 Guthrie Street 
Osborne Park.

Parents of children going in to Pre-Primary 2025 need to ensure that their children are in sports uniform.

Parents of children going in to Year 1 2025 need to ensure that their children are in full academic uniform.

Shoes, while we have been tolerant of these with the cost of living and pressures on families the correct shoes must be worn in 2025.  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 

Enrolments 2025

We have a very limited number of positions available across the school in a variety of year levels. Please contact the administration office for further information. 

3 Year Old Kindy 2025 - Monday and Tuesday

We are currently undertaking enrolments and conducting interviews for 3 Year Old Kindy 2025. We have had an overwhelming response to our extra day and will in 20205 offer 2 days Monday and Tuesday for this program. Please make sure that you let your family and friends know and if you have a sibling please ensure that you have completed an enrolment form. There are very few spaces for 2025 remaining so please make this a priority for your family. Please contact the office if you require more information or refer to our school website. 

Kindy Enrolments 2026

We are now accepting Kindy Enrolment's for Kindy 2026. Please don’t leave this until the last minute as this year we have many families including siblings who we could not accommodate. Please submit your application and make sure you have your children enrolled at the right time - if in doubt please contact the school office.

Students Leaving St Kieran

Can you please let the school know as soon as possible if your children are moving on from St Kieran in 2023. We currently have families on our wait lists and would like to accommodate as many people as possible. Please note a terms notice should be given in order to not be charged any subsequent fees.

Carols in the Quad

Date: Thursday 28/11/24 
Time: 6.30pm Sharp 
Where: St Kieran Basketball Courts 

Once again this year we will have our Carol's in the Quad.  Last year was a great success and we would like to see a repeat of that this year with many new songs and some old ones too.  There will be more information to follow over the next week.  We all look forward to seeing you on the night. 

Swimming Lessons

Our school swimming lessons start on Monday 18th November for the next 2 weeks, Mr Taylor has sent out emails regarding the information required for these lessons. Please make sure that all your children's items are clearly labelled and that they have been practicing changing and packing away their clothes. 

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Dear Parent/Guardians,

Swimming lessons will start on Monday the 18^th of November and run for two weeks (Weeks 7/8) FOR ALL CLASSES EXCEPT KINDY AND YEAR 6. The following is some information regarding the lessons. The swimming lessons will be run throughout the day, with the first group departing school at 8:45am to walk to the Servite Pool. The last group will be back at school in time for normal pick up.

To help the lessons run smoothly, please ensure the following:

• Children swimming in the morning classes are wearing their bathers underneath their school uniform. (Girls who are not swimming until the afternoon can change into bathers before they go)
• Sport uniform can be worn each day
• As it is an outside pool, students are expected to be wearing a swimming top. 
• They come to school in their normal school footwear.
• They have thongs or sandals for travelling to and from swimming. 
• Have a towel and a spare top/jumper for travelling to and from Servite Pool. In the past, some students have had dressing gowns but a jumper will be sufficient.
• Bring spare underwear for changing into when back at school.
• All items of clothing including goggles should be clearly named.

Please note that children in 1B and 4B will be departing school at 8:45am and if children are not on time, parents will be required to take them directly to Servite Pool.

Lesson Departure/Return Times

Parents at the Pool

We strongly recommend that parents do not attend swimming lessons. We understand that swimming lessons can be a stressful time, however, the swimming instructors are very well trained and are used to teaching nervous children, beginning swimmers and children with medical concerns. Having parents there can also be a distraction during lessons and instructors find it hard to keep children focused when they are trying to wave to parents. 

Your understanding is very much appreciated, of course if you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school.

Matthew Taylor
Physical Education Teacher
matthew.taylor@cewa.edu.au

Playing After School

Children must be under the supervision of their parents and not on the playground equipment before or after school, this includes playing with balls on the courts. We please ask that after you have collected your child at the end of the day to leave the school grounds promptly. All playground equipment is out of bounds and we encourage you to take your children to Grenville Oval if you would like to catch up with other parents for a chat while your children have a play. 

Can you please ensure that family members or friends that are picking up your children are made aware of this as well.  

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

If for any reason your child must have a mobile phone at school, you are asked to complete the Mobile Phone Form requesting permission. If permission is granted the mobile phone will be given to administration at the start of the day and collected at the end of each teaching day. At no time will mobile phones be permitted outside this.  
Smart Watches or other wearable devices 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. 

Please click on the link below for more information on our Mobile Phone Usage Guideline. This is also located on the school website for further reference if required. https://stkierancps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/1353/mobile_phone_usage_guidelines_students.pdf 

Oz Rocks Times Table Competition Results

A BIG congratulations to all the students who participated in the Oz Rocks national times table competition.

We ranked 116 out of the 530 schools who participated. The top three classes in our school were 5B, 5W and 4B. The most valuable players in our school are listed below

Well done to everyone who participated!

Liz Watson
Maths Specialist Teacher and IT Support

St Joseph’s Chapel - St Kieran Parish

We will build a chapel for St Joseph and child Jesus on the opposite side of the church, where Mary (Annunziata) Chapel is. The statue of St Joseph is being carved now overseas. We encourage the parishioners to help us in this next addition to our beautiful church. If you would like to donate some money for the statue of St Joseph or the stain glass and renovation of the room, you can talk to Fr. Wilson or Judith. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Our Year 6 students have been preparing for their Sacrament of Confirmation, a significant milestone where they commit to their faith as individuals. This past week, the student candidates and their parents participated in the Sacrament of Confirmation Parent and Child Workshops to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament.  

On Friday, 15 November, Bishop Don Sproxton will meet with the Year 6 students as part of their preparation. 

Sacrament of Confirmation Masses: 
6B - Saturday, November 23 at 5:00 pm 
6W - Sunday, November 24 at 10:30 am 

Both Masses will be conducted at St Kieran Parish. 

🌭SAUSAGE SIZZLE🧃

Kieran Connect is organising a free sausage sizzle on Friday, 29 November. Parents can relax and enjoy the Carols in the Quad as we take care of your child's lunch the next day!
The Kindy parents are organising this event for all the children from Kindy to Year 6.
Click on the link to order:
cdfpay stkieran.cdfpay.org.au 
All sausages are gluten-free. Vegetarian option will also be available. Children will also get a juice box each. 😊
Orders close on Wednesday, 27 November at 8:00pm.

Government Funded Program - Saver Plus - supporting eligible families with education expenses.

If families would like to check their eligibility and receive a call back please include our enquiry link -  Saver Plus - Enquire Now or they’re welcome to call our national number 1300 610 355 and a local coordinator will contact them directly.

Kind Regards

Cim Rodgers 
Community Liaison, Saver Plus
Work days: Monday - Thursday
M 0435 266 319