Book Week
Next Monday 22 August is a very exciting day in the school; it is the day of our ‘Book Week’ parade. This year, the theme for ‘Book Week’ is ‘Dreaming with eyes open…’. All students in Kindy to Year 6 are encouraged to dress up in their favourite story characters to celebrate this event.
Proceeding will begin at 8:45am in the Hall with a performance by the school choir, followed by our ‘Book Week’ parade, beginning at 8:50am. We really look forward to a fantastic day.
On ‘Book Week’ parade day we will also have books outside the library that are available for purchase by parents, with the prices ranging from 50cents to $1. Feel free to come along and stock up on some great children’s books that can be read and enjoyed at home. During ‘Book Week’, there will also be lots of competitions for the students to participate in during their library lessons.
Yesterday, the students participated in a ‘Book Week’ incursion, showcased by ‘Perform Education’. The students were thoroughly entertained by the short plays that were based on the ‘Children’s Book Council of Australia’ 2022 shortlisted books. We thank Mrs Denning for organising this event.
NSI School Climate Survey
A positive school culture has a direct impact on the educational experiences and developmental outcomes for all of our students. We here at St Damien’s are very proud of our school, but we want to continue to look for opportunities to improve and make this school the very best place possible for our students to learn in.
To assist the school in continuing to promote a positive school culture, it is important that we pause for a moment and check in on our current performance. An integral part of our school’s success and improvement is to seek feedback from all stake-holders, especially from the parents. With this in mind, beginning next week all parents will be invited to participate in completing a ‘National School Improvement’ (NSI) survey. This survey will provide the school with reliable and valid information and will play a pivotal role in facilitating, supporting and promoting our school improvement efforts.
Parent feedback is really important for the school to validate what is going well and will be used as a foundation for guided changes in practice, where needed. The parent NSI survey will be open from Monday 22 August, and will remain open for a further 2 week period.
This is your opportunity to provide feedback to the school which will assist us in working towards building on from our amazing school, so please take the time to complete the NSI survey.
School Athletics Carnival
The School Athletics carnival is being held next Friday 26 August. The carnival is for all students in Pre Primary to Year 6. Whilst there will be some competitive spirit amongst the students, the main focus of the carnival is about participation and fun. All students throughout the school have been practicing their sprints, jumps, throws and team games, in preparation for the carnival next week.
Next Tuesday 23 August, some students in Pre Primary to Year 6 who qualified, will be competing in the ‘Jumps and Throws’ day. Parent help to measure and record student results is needed for this day, so if you are able to assist, please contact Miss Sanders or the office.
We hope and pray for wonderful weather next week so our athletics carnival can go ahead smoothly, as planned.
Athletics BBQ Volunteers
Athletics Carnival BBQ Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to assist with the BBQ at the Athletics carnival, next Friday 26 August. If you are able to assist, even just for an hour or so, could you please make contact with the office on 9583 2500. Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, Gilberts!
Last Friday, a representative from ‘Gilbert and Sons Fresh Market’ presented the school with a cheque for $1,850. This donation was a result of a percentage paid back to the school from families who have shopped at ‘Gilbert’s’ over the past 12 months. We are very grateful for the support from ‘Gilbert and Sons Fresh Market’ who have initiated their Peel School Program and for their generous donation to the school. I also thank families in the school who have been able to support this initiative and shop at ‘Gilbert’s’, when possible.
Year 4 'Taster Day'
Next Thursday 25 August, our students in Year 4 will be attending a ‘Taster Day’ at Mandurah Catholic College. This day provides the students with the opportunity to get an insight to what Secondary School has to offer and to engage in some fun learning activities. We hope our Year 4’s enjoy the experience.
School and Confirmation Preparation Mass
Last Sunday we held a school Mass at the St Damien’s Parish. This Mass coincided with the Preparation Mass attended by our Year 6 Confirmation candidates. Thank you to all of the students, parents and staff who attended the Mass and a special thank you to Mr Hazebroek for preparing the Mass and to Mrs Burns for her fantastic work with the choir.
Inter-School Basketball
Well done to our Senior Girls and Boys basketball teams who competed in the PSSA Basketball competition, last Tuesday. The girl’s team is to be congratulated for their efforts in finishing third in the event, with some very good games being played. The boys were very competitive, but unfortunately didn’t quite manage a win for the competition. Well done both teams for their fantastic efforts and competitive spirit shown throughout the competition.
Principal's Award
This week a student has been sent to my office to receive a Principal’s Award for completing some exceptional work. I congratulate Thomas Parke, from Year 5 Gold, for his outstanding work in Spelling. Well done and keep up the great work!
God Bless,
Daniel Gooch
Principal
