Dear Parents,

Next Friday is a busy day for St Mary’s with reports and class lists available to parents via Compass and our Christmas Carol evening commencing at 5.30pm.

The feedback from last year’s carol’s night was extremely positive and the night will again feature ‘O Christmas Trio’ as well as each student from St Mary’s performing with their classmates. Families are invited to bring along food and refreshments and sit on a blanket in front of the stage.

We will again be catering with chicken burgers, hamburgers and sausage sandwiches available, along with snacks, drinks and treats. We are looking for parent helpers to assist on the night. If you can assist for any length of time please contact the front office or simply come and see us on the night. 

You are more than welcome to invite other members of your family and friends who may wish to attend.

Next week we also celebrate the graduation of our Year Six students as they complete their primary school education and prepare to enter high school. On Thursday we have the Farewell Mass and awards at 9am at St Mary’s Church and that evening we hold their Graduation Celebration. They are a wonderful group of students and we wish them all the best next week.

MULTI-AGE LITERACY

How does English get taught in a multi-age class?

The NSW syllabus for English, like Mathematics, is structured in stages. In the primary school setting these are Early Stage One: Kindergarten; Stage One: Years 1 and 2; Stage Two: Years 3 and 4 and Stage Three: Years 5 and 6.

In English, the syllabus falls into 8 key areas within every Stage. These are:

• Oral Language and Communication
• Vocabulary
• Reading Fluency
• Reading Comprehension
• Creating Written Texts
• Spelling
• Handwriting and Digital Transcription
• Understanding and Responding to Literature

Within each of these key areas there are multiple sub areas of content, all requiring students to to develop their skills along a continuum from the beginning of Stage 2 through to the end of Stage 2. Teaching begins at the point(s) of need of the students. In a Year 3-4 multi-age class you have, like all classes, children working at different levels. You may have students in Year 3 easily contributing to discussion with peers and able to stay on topic, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own ideas, while some students in Year 4 are not yet able to or confident enough to to contribute and share their ideas within the group. Teacher design lessons that are tailored to allow for all students to engage in the activity but challenge those that need to be extended. Often teachers will find children working on outcomes from a higher stage.The tasks set by the teacher are for students in the class, not two separate activities. 

Kind Regards

Mrs Katie Thompson

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Will my child be doing Year 3 work in Year 4? Or Year 4 work in Year 3?

There really isn’t such a thing as ‘Year 3 work’, or work specific to a grade level. The curriculum is arranged in Stage outcomes which students work towards throughout the two years in that Stage. Some Stage 2 students might have already achieved those outcomes and be starting on Stage 3 outcomes; some students might still be working toward Stage 1 outcomes in some areas. This is the case in a single-grade or multi-age class.

Our teachers all work hard to differentiate the curriculum, through providing modifications (scaffolds and supports, extensions and enrichments) to enable students to work on a common task, or a range of tasks, at their level.

My child has learning difficulties – will they be lost in a class with older kids doing more advanced work? OR My child is an advanced learner – will they be held back by being with younger children?

Single grade classes also have students with wide ranges of learning abilities, and we differentiate to meet their needs. While the range in multi-age classes is wider, quality teaching, flexible grouping strategies and differentiated tasks will ensure that every learner is met at their point of need. Our teachers are already experts in differentiation, and are continually working on more strategies to support the range of abilities in their classrooms. 

Will my child be intimidated by older children in their class? OR Will the younger children in their class be too immature?

Children are used to collaborating with and socialising with children of other ages. Think about their neighbours, their cousins, family friends and friends from sport, dance and other extracurricular activities. It is rare that they are all from the same year level at school, and yet they (usually!) get along well and have positive relationships. Interacting and befriending children slightly older and younger develops social skills and broadens the pool of possible friendships. If there are problems between children, our teachers will work with students and families to resolve them, just as they would in single-grade classes.

How will the teacher run two programs for the two grades in the class?

They won’t. The class will work on the same focus areas in different curriculum areas, but they will be differentiated to meet the learners at the point of need.

For example, in a Stage 2 lesson focusing on reading …….

'When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?" And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." Then he will say to those on his left hand, "Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food, I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink, I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, lacking clothes and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me." Then it will be their turn to ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or lacking clothes, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" Then he will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me." And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.'

REFLECTION

Today Jesus is talking with his disciples about the time when the Son of Man will come in glory.  He is telling them that everyone on earth will be gathered together and He will separate the peoples, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep will have a privileged place on his right hand and the goats will be on his left.

To the sheep, Jesus says: “You will be at my right hand. You fed me when I was hungry and you cared about me and you were attentive to me.” However, the people listening to Jesus were confused. They knew that they had not clothed Jesus, nor had they quenched his thirst.  The people asked Jesus: “When did we do these things?”  Jesus told them that when you fed the hungry, clothed the naked and helped others in a multitude of physical or spiritual ways, you helped me.  Clearly, Jesus is instructing them that whatever goodness and kindness they do for the people around them, they also do for Him. 

The goats then begin to complain or make excuses to Jesus. They tell him that they had not had the opportunity to serve Him in this way. Jesus bluntly tells them that they were not concerned with the people who were in need. They did not clothe them or feed them or minister to them.  They simply ignored them. 

Jesus makes it clear that what we do or do not do for others is a determining factor for our future. In a real sense, we are the ones who make the choice about our future.  We have the power to choose to help others or to ignore them and their needs. If we choose to help others, hopefully it is not simply because we want to be with Jesus in heaven.  Hopefully our desire to help others flows from our concern for them and perhaps our gratitude for the times when someone else helped us.  Perhaps we wish to help others as we have been helped. 

As we go through our day today, may we be attentive to the times when someone could use a helping hand or a listening ear.  There are people in need all around us! The question is: will we see them and reach out to them? (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

ADVENT

On Sunday, we commence the season of Advent. It’s an important part of the year for Christians but is not always clearly understood by the general public. What is the Advent celebration all about, and what kind of messages can be derived by those who are not necessarily religious?

The word “Advent” derives from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” In this case, it refers to the coming birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ during the second coming. It begins on the Sunday that is closest to St Andrew’s Day, this year December 1st.

In the Catholic Church, the Advent season reminds us about the importance of Christ in our lives, prepares us to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas, and refers to his second coming at a future time. Catholics consider all three comings when they celebrate Advent. Traditionally, Catholics will focus more on prayer and an element of fasting through the period. Priests will wear purple vestments during this time, and it is traditional to have an Advent wreath as well.

ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE

Next Monday, Year 5 will lead us in the first of our Advent Prayer Services.  The celebration will take place in the Hall at 8:50am. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to join us.

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL

For many families in Young, the festive season will be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Because this year, Christmas is something they simply can’t afford, especially given they  can’t even afford to put food on the table each day. 

Your amazing generosity again this year will make a huge difference to many families.  On Monday, Mrs Murray and I will take the baskets to Vinnies where they will be distributed to help our community this festive season. On behalf of Vinnies and myself, we thank you for your amazing contribution to this wonderful appeal!

GRADUATION MASS

Next Thursday, 7th December, all students will be attending our Graduation Mass at St Mary’s Church at 9am. We ask that all students be dropped off at the church no later than 8:50am. Students who usually catch the bus are to exit at Hennessy. Teacher supervision will be provided from 8:30am outside the Parish Centre. All students will walk back to school following the award ceremony following the mass to commence their regular school day. We again welcome all members of our community to join us for this special congratulating our Year 6 students on reaching a milestone in their education journey.

God Bless,

Warren Ziebowski

(Religious Education Coordinator)

Archdiocesan Touch Football, Tennis & Basketball Trials

Congratulations to Daisy Sullivan, Jesse Gault, Chloe Buck, Molly Manchester & Kynan Burgess who were selected to represent the Archdiocesan Touch Football Team in 2024. An amazing effort!!

We wish Indianna Brown the very best of luck as she competes for selection in the  2024 Archdiocesan Basketball Team today in Canberra! We look forward to hearing about your experience!!

SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2024

The Primary Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 16th February 2024 at the Young Aquatic Centre. This event is open to students from Years 3 to 6 and any Year 2 students turning 8 in 2024 who wish to be considered for selection for the Western Region Swimming Carnival. 

Nominations for events via Compass:  All students need to nominate for events prior to the carnival, as this ensures the events run smoothly. An invite to this event has been sent out to parents for students in Year 3 to 6 in 2024 via Compass. Please use the opt in permission feature to nominate your child for an event. Heats will be made up from these nominations and children will not be allowed to nominate for events on the day. The events button can be found by clicking on the 3 horizontal lines titled More. Nominations for events can only be completed via Compass.

Year 2 students turning 8 in 2024: Any 8-year-olds that wish to compete for selection in the Western Region Swimming Team may attend the Years 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival on Friday 16th February at the Young Aquatic Centre. They will be able to swim in the 25m, across the pool or novelty events, however, they must nominate for a competitive 50m race to be eligible for these 25m events. If your Year 2 child who is turning 8 in 2024 cannot swim 50m please do not send them to the carnival. For safety reasons we may only have Year 2 students turning 8 in 2024 who are capable of swimming 50m in a competitive setting. Please email me to let me know your child would like to attend with the 50m events they wish to compete in at leonne.challen@cg.catholic.edu.au

Helpers: We would love some parents to help with Timekeeping! Many hands make light work which ensures our carnival runs smoothly and on time. If you are available to help out for an hour or two please email me at leonne.challen@cg.catholic.edu.au 

CSNSW Sport Aquathlon

CSNSW SPORT is offering a fantastic school holiday opportunity for students enrolled in Catholic schools in NSW. Our pilot AQUATHLON event is open to participation for students aged 8 years to 19 years with age divisions in both mainstream and Multi Class events.

Please see the attached a flyer or use the following link for more information:

https://csnsw.sport/sports/csnsw-sport-programmes/aquathlon

 Date: Tuesday 19 December 2023 - Term 4, Week 11

 Venue: Max Parker Leisure & Aquatic Centre

 Address:  Marco Avenue, Revesby NSW

Gender: Boys and Girls

Age criteria: 8 years to 19 years

100m Swim & 1km Run Event (8 - 11yrs)

200m Swim & 2km Run Event (12 - 19yrs)

To register for Aquathlon - log into the CSNSW Sport portal and click 'Register for a Sport'

This week, the students of Years 3, 5 and 6 cooked Bulgogi (불고기) as part of our Korean program. Next week, Year 4 will also be cooking it. The meal was extremely popular with many requests for the recipe, so if you are feeling adventurous and want to have a go at this delicious dish at home, here are the directions.

INGREDIENTS

• 500gboneless sirloin steak
• ½small pear, peeled and coarsely grated
• ¼cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2tablespoons brown sugar
• 2tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 3cloves garlic, minced
• 1tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1tablespoon gochujang, Korean red pepper paste
• 1tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2green onions, thinly sliced
• 1teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

• Wrap steak in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Unwrap and slice across the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• In a medium bowl, combine pear, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and gochujang. In a large bowl, combine soy sauce mixture and steak and cover; marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight, turning occasionally.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a frying panover medium-high heat. Add steak to the grill pan in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until charred and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. 
• Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
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