QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL

108 Tribute Street East, RIVERTON WA 6148

Telephone Number: 9457-4913 Email address: admin@qoa.wa.edu.au

Facsimile Number: 9354-3911 Website: www.qoa.wa.edu.au SEQTA|engage: qoa.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au

Dear Parents and Carers,

Halfway There! It is very hard to believe that we have almost reached the end of second term and the halfway mark of the year! This term has really flown by and I believe this is largely due to the incredible amount of learning, exploring, growing, creating, performing, competing, co-operating, collaborating, designing, discussing, sharing, listening, caring and laughing that has occurred in our classrooms and outside in the grounds. When you’re busily, actively engaged in your work and learning … the time does fly by so quickly. I believe that we, as a school community, have enjoyed a terrific first semester this year. Our enrolment numbers have increased, which is a very positive and important sign in terms of ensuring our financial viability into the future. We’ve been able to increase the level of support staffing to facilitate and expand the roll-out of our MultiLit Literacy Support Program, as well as introduce the MiniLit Literacy Support Program. We’ve been able to expand the range of extra-curricula activities on offer to children and parents with the very successful introduction of the “Young Engineers Club” on Friday afternoons and the development of our Chess Club and their first foray into an interschool chess competition, in which they chalked up a few wins! I could fill page after page if I tried to list all the events, activities, competitions and opportunities that have occurred over the course of these first two terms. Suffice to say there has been something for everyone and we will continue to encourage and support all our children to make the most of the many learning experiences and opportunities that come their way over the course of second semester as well.

Well, That’s Debatable! Tomorrow morning our top debating teams from Years 4, 5 & 6 will be travelling to Notre Dame School in Cloverdale to compete in an Interschool Debating Competition. The competition begins at 9.00am with the Year 6 teams competing, followed by the Year 5s and then Year 4s. Parents are welcome to come along and watch. With Federal Election happening this Saturday, who knows, we may just witness a future Prime Minister honing their oratory skills tomorrow morning. Good luck to all 9 debaters, I know you will represent our school well.

Staffing Update Just a quick update on a few staffing adjustments that will come into effect from the start of next term:

Mrs. Lateasha Kohl, Year 5.2, will be away on leave for all of third term, travelling overseas. Mrs. Robyn Salvia and Mrs. Deb Hogg have kindly agreed to take over in Year 5.2 for third term. Mrs

Salvia will teach on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Mrs. Hogg will cover Thursdays and Fridays.

Mrs. Stephanie Etherington has unfortunately had to resign from her position teaching in Year 4.2 on Thursdays, effective from the end of this term, due to changes in her husband’s work hours.

We have been very fortunate to secure the services of one of our very experienced relief teachers, Mrs. Melissa Brodie, to take over as Stephanie’s replacement on Thursdays in Year 4.2 for the remainder of the

year. Mrs. Debbie Radice has been employed as a Special Needs Teaching Assistant in a temporary 0.6 FTE

capacity for the remainder of the year, due to some additional funding for Students With Disabilities.

DATES TO REMEMBER Wed 29 June 9.00am School Mass 6.1

Reports released on SEQTA - PM

Thurs 30 June Yr 3 Excursion

Fri 1 July P&F Sushi Lunch Jump Rope for Heart LAST DAY FOR TERM TWO

Tues 19 July FIRST DAY OF TERM THREE FOR STUDENTS

29 June 2016

Mrs. Myra Monteiro has been employed as a Teaching Assistant in a temporary 0.3 FTE capacity for the

remainder of the year, to work in our MultiLit Literacy Support Program.

I’m sure you will all help to make our new staff members feel welcome and settle in quickly. Traffic Update Once again, a really big “Thank You” to the vast majority of our parents and carers who are showing terrific patience, tolerance and understanding as we settle into the new, albeit temporary, traffic and parking arrangements. We are now into the 5th week since the new arrangements came into place and I believe we have publicised our parking and traffic rules many times since the start of these altered arrangements. It would seem that we might have many parents and carers who do not read the newsletters or emails that we send out. I say this because I continue to witness some people who seem totally unaware of the arrangements we have put in place, and proceed to drive, stand, or park where they are not meant to.

Mid-Year Reports A reminder to all parents and carers that your children’s reports will be accessible online today from 4.00pm. Please remember that these reports are a summary of your child’s progress so far this year assessed against the outcomes and standards of the WA Curriculum as mandated by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA). I would also like to remind parents and carers that if your child receives a grade of “C” in a learning area, this actually means that your son or daughter has made the expected progress and achieved the expected standard at that year level. So if your child received a “C” in Maths at the end of last year and has again received a “C” in Maths this semester, it does not mean that they have made no progress, it means they have made the progress expected at that year level. Please bear in mind that they have gone up a year and therefore the work and learning expected is proportionally more difficult and challenging. I would also encourage all of our parents and carers to make the time over the school holidays to sit down with your children and discuss their report with them, as well as look through their work sample folders, which will also go home. These two documents will provide the opportunities for a very rich conversation with your children about their learning this semester and also some goal setting for next semester.

OSH Club It’s still not too late to get online and enrol your children for vacation care this coming school holidays. Please remember that you cannot just turn up on the day - you must book beforehand, so that staffing and resources for the children can be adequately planned for. Peace and best wishes, Shaun O’Neill Principal

Year 6.1 Whole School Mass This morning was our final Whole School Mass for this term. As it was the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, the Apostles, the Year 6.1 class helped us to learn about the important work they did in establishing our Church and spreading the message of Jesus. Thank you to Ms Maloney and Mr Caldera and the students for leading us so reverently and helping us to pray. We would also like to thank all the parents and families who came to celebrate this with us.

Year 5.2 Mass Our first Mass back next term will be held on Wednesday 20th July. The Year 5.2 class will be hosting it and we invite all families to join us in the Church at 9:00am to celebrate.

The Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment In Week 3 next Term, the students in Year 5, and in Week 4 the students in Year 3, will be completing the Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment. Each student attending a Catholic school is required to complete the test showing the knowledge and understanding about Jesus, the Bible, the Church, Liturgy and Sacraments and Catholic Life they have learnt over their schooling years. For the first time, these assessments will be completed online. As the children will be taking part in this online assessment for the very first time they will be given the opportunity to do a practice session online before completing the ‘real’ assessment. Confirmation Photos

Confirmation photos are available to view and order online at: www.prophotobooth.com.au. The passcode is: qa327. Please support this, as it ensures we will continue to have a photographer come each year to photograph these Sacraments.

Mass Times Please note there has been a change to weekday Mass times at Queen of Apostles Parish. From 27th June, weekday Masses will only be at 7.30am Monday to Saturday. The usual weekend Mass times remain the same. We wish all families a safe and relaxing holiday and look forward to seeing all your smiling faces next term. Russell Wylie and Julie Galbraith Assistant Principals

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Religious Education

School News

IMPORTANT - Are You Report Ready? An electronic copy of your child’s progress report will be available on SEQTA Engage from 4.00pm this afternoon. It is important that you are able to access SEQTA Engage to be able to download and/or print a copy of your child’s report. Paper copies will not be issued by the school.

If you cannot access SEQTA Engage please contact the school office by tomorrow, Thursday 30 June.

To check if you are report ready go to: https://qoa.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au/ Please click on this link to see you get to the appropriate web page.

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY IS COMING! Photos will be taken in Week 2 of Term 3 on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th July.

Every student will receive a Kapture Photography order envelope to bring home. The recommended method of ordering your photos is online through Kapture’s website as your payment is secure and can be easily verified at any time. Alternatively you can pay by cash and return the provided envelope to the school on the photography day. If you place your order online please DO NOT return your envelope to school. Any parent who forgets or is unable to supply their envelope on the photo day will have five (5) days to complete an order online. Late payment envelopes cannot be accepted by the school office or by Kapture. You also have the option to order a sibling photo package online, however please be aware there may be a limited number of sibling orders that can be placed due to time constraints on photo day. We suggest you place your online sibling order as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note sibling orders close @ midday sharp Tuesday 26 July 2016

Kapture offers a money back guarantee for any parent who is not fully satisfied with their photo package. Should you have any queries before or after photo day, please direct them to the Kapture office on 9240 1714 or email enquiries@kapture.com.au. All students will be photographed individually on photo day for school administration records AS WELL as included in their class group photo available for purchase to all families. Should there be any reason why your child should NOT be included in the photo shoot –please contact the school office.

Lost Property The Lost Property box is overflowing with a variety of items, both uniform and non-uniform, which have no identifiable names on them. Please check the Lost Property box, on the shelves just outside the Support/OSH Club room, and collect anything that may belong to your child/ren. Anything left unclaimed or unnamed at the end of this week will be donated to charity.

Hello from the School Social Worker Children can sometimes have difficulties associated with transitions. Here are some tips for supporting children with transitional events.

1. Set up predictable routines.

2. Explain what is going to happen.

3. Use calendars as a visual reminder.

4. If possible give children some choice about parts of a transition. However, equally avoid giving a choice if

there really isn’t any to be made.

5. Highlight some of the positive elements of transitions.

6. Praise children for their efforts to manage transition.

Jump Rope For Heart - 'Jump Off' On Friday July 1, Queen of Apostles will be holding our ‘Jump Off’ day to culminate the fundraising efforts of our students, and to have fun with our skipping ropes along with other activities. Parents are welcome to come along and watch, or better still, be involved with their children’s activities. Date: Friday 1 July, 2016. Time: Kindy - Yr 2 11.30am – 12.35pm Yr 3 - 6 1.30pm – 2.30pm Where: Annexe Oval Clothing: Students wear their sports uniform please.

Jump Rope for Heart Money - Help Wanted Please do not send any money in yet for Jump Rope for Heart. You will have the holidays to collect your funds, and the money can be brought in next term. I would like the assistance of a parent or two to set up a table outside the Library before school during the first week back to collect the fundraising money. Please let me know if you can assist by emailing Bridgeman.ross@qoa.wa.edu.au

Faction Cross Country Carnival Details Monday 25 July 2016. Queen of Apostles - school grounds Year 3 – 6 students Year 3 = 1000m, Year 4/5 = 1.5km, Year 6 = 2.0km Students wear their faction coloured t shirts, sports shorts, sports shoes. Includes a parents, toddlers and teachers’ ‘Fun Run/Walk’ (500m) that will earn points for their faction. Everyone earns faction points when they participate!

1.00pm - Yr 3 Girls 1.10pm - Yr 3 Boys 1.20pm - Yr 4 Girls 1.30pm - Yr 4 Boys 1.40pm - Parents and Teachers' 'Fun Run' 1.50pm - Yr 5 Girls 2.00pm - Yr 5 Boys 2.10pm - Yr 6 Girls 2.25pm - Yr 6 Boys 2.45pm – Presentations

Lap Running Well done to those students who have started their day right by coming along to squeeze in some laps before classes begin. I am sure your warm glow and energized brains have helped you do your best in the classroom during the day. So far Luemenn (Blue) lead the way with the most runners and most laps completed with 94 (as of Monday). We had a great turnout again this morning. We hope to see you on Friday morning, and again next term.

PE Work Samples I invite each family to visit www.qoape.com to view a collection of photos, descriptions and objectives our students have been focussing on in Semester 1. Perhaps you could discuss with your child what happens during P.E. classes, what their favourite activities are and what challenges they may have. The Year 4, 5 and 6 students also take home a PE Journal which we started some weeks ago. This journal is in it's beginning stages and will

School Sport

continue to be used in Semester 2. Once on the website you can click on the 'PE Lessons' tab to find your year group. There is also the option to sign up for email alerts to notify you when new information is posted. I wish you all safe and happy holidays. Ross Bridgeman

As you are no doubt aware, work has begun in earnest on the new Kindy/PP building. It is an exciting time for the school to have this project going ahead, and with a tangible feel of progress it gives me a great feeling as I visit OSH Club each day with the knowledge that they too will benefit from the work. No doubt the works will be accompanied with their own set of challenges, however, I am sure that with patience we can endure whatever small term anguish we may feel for the betterment of the School. On a more social note, I was pleased to see so many parents and students attend both the Sausage Sizzle Movie Evening run by the Parish, and the Disco last week as organised by our Parents and Friends Committee. It is another great example of the School and Parish working together and supporting each other. Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed to these events, you are all a great blessing to the communities with your tireless energy. And finally, I wish to acknowledge the time and effort the teaching staff have given in preparing the Semester One Reports. I am fully aware of the dedication this takes, and our staff have excelled in delivering an excellent standard of reporting. Well done. Warm Regards Chris Willesee Chairman of the Board.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT! Quick!! Get your Entertainment Book or Digital Membership BEFORE the school holidays. Some of the useful school holiday discounts include:

Discounted admission to Cockburn Ice Arena for up to 4 people including skate hire ($12 instead of $25),

2 for 1 admission to Rolloways; Amaze’n; Fun Station; Lollipops; Bounce; Inflatable World; Scitech, plus many more,

25% off a Fremantle Tram Tour for up to 4 people,

2 for 1 admission &/or equipment hire at The Hangout Indoor Rock Climbing Centre,

25% off Rottnest Fast Ferries (various options),

25% off admission to the WA Maritime Museum for up to 4 people,

Discounts or ‘2 for 1’ offers at lots of holiday dining favourites such as: MacDonalds; Missy Moos; Fast Eddys; Hogs Breath; Outback Jacks; Burger Edge; Applecross Pizza; Flames; Canning River Café; Jesters, Krispy Kreme; Eagle Boys; Baskin Robbins…..the list goes on and on!

You’ll make your money back in no time, and help support your school in the process. Order NOW www.entbook.com.au/8325j6 Contact Deanne Strommen on 0407 986 269 or parents.friends@qoa.wa.edu.au for any queries.

From the Board Chair

P&F

Come in to the school office for your $5.00 entry pass Valid only for shows on 1st, 2nd and 3rd July

LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME BASIS – GET IN QUICK!

Community News

The Riverton Dental Therapy Centre will be closed for the school holidays, from Thursday 30th June and will re-open on Monday 18th July. For any emergencies during the holidays,

contact the South Thornlie Dental Therapy Centre on Ph: 9459-4270.