Prayer
World Teachers’ Day is Celebrated this Friday, 31st October so
we pray for all our wonderful teachers.
God of Love. Thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift. Thank
you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for teachers who
expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for the special teacher
each one of us remembers.
God of Mercy. Sustain teachers who give everything they have and feel abandoned
when society expects too much. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so
many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest.
God of Strength. Encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate
teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning fun for children.
We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five-year-olds or help
fourth grade girls be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy middle school
writers, or teach physics or math or civics. We cannot even imagine how to help
every single student achieve Adequate Yearly Progress. Bless the people who are
expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when
miracles don’t happen.
God of Justice. Help our nation find a way to steward our vast wealth to support
teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever the race or
religion or gender or wealth of the children.
We pray these things in the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, 28th October 2014
Term Four, Week 4
‘30th Sunday in Ordinary Time’
‘Readings for the week:
Ex 22:20-26
Thess 1: 5-10
Mt 22: 34-40
(The Greatest Commandment)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday 30th October
Crazy Socks Day!
Wear your crazy socks to school and
bring a gold coin donation for
Socktober
Friday 31st October
Feast of All Saints Day
9.30am in Sacred Heart Church
Sunday 2nd November
Sacred Heart Parish Fete
(on school grounds)
from 11.30am
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World Teachers’ Day
Dear Teachers
On behalf of all the St Patrick’s School Community, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks
to each and every one of you for the work you do. Teachers work is often a career that
many people choose not to do, yet you give yourselves every day, making time to
support our children in so many different ways. Thank You! We are very fortunate here
at St Patrick’s to have such as dedicated, professional and hard working team of
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teachers, education assistants, ground staff and administration staff. On Friday 31
October you along with teachers in over one hundred countries will be acknowledged
and I encourage students and parents to demonstrate their appreciation for the
contributions that teachers make to St Patrick’s and the school community. Happy
World Teachers’ Day! God Bless you David
and the Leadership Team
Parish Fete
This weekend our Parish and school community will gather for the annual Parish Fete.
Last Friday every child in the school received a letter seeking assistance for the Parish
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Fete to be held this Sunday November 2 starting at 11:30pm. Parents, if you can assist
your time and energy would be greatly appreciated. The Parish is very supportive of our
school and the various projects such as the Masterplan for the school. I encourage all
families to make time this Sunday and come along to what will be one of the best Fetes
held. There will be stalls, food and games for all to enjoy and friends to catch up with.
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See you at the Fete this Sunday November 2 from 11:30am onwards.
Principal visit to Year Six
This week I visited the talented Year Six students and Mr Moraschi. The students were given a
problem to build a dome to a certain height, work collaboratively in groups and use only certain
resources such as newspaper and masking tape. A dome is an element
of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome
structures were made of various materials have a long architectural
lineage extending into prehistory. Wow!
Corbel domes and true domes have been found in the ancient Middle
East in modest buildings and tombs. The construction of the first
technically advanced true domes began in the Roman Architectural
Revolution when they were frequently used by the Romans to shape
large interior spaces of temples and public buildings, such as
the Pantheon. Our students like the Romans are proving to be creative
engineers building their domes out of newspaper. One thing is for sure,
these domes will prove to be interesting reading! Well done, Mr Moraschi and Year Six. Now that is
the spirit of creative and collaborative learning! Want to see more photos? Visit our website and
our Facebook page. Next week, I look forward to re-visiting the Kindergarten students.
Growth of St Patrick’s
In my meetings with the School Executive and Catholic Schools Office, I am
excited to announce that St Patrick’s will be advertising for three permanent
teaching positions for beginning next year, 2015. Two of the positions have
come about through steady growth of school enrolments and the third
position is the permanent replacement of Ms Georgia Hutcheon who has
moved to Wagga. Although it is with sadness that I accepted Ms Hutcheon’s
resignation, it is another exciting part of her journey. The school community
and staff will have an opportunity to officially farewell Ms Hutcheon later
this term. In reference to the placements for the positions that will be
advertised, our school Executive team along with Fr Grace and a member
from the School Council will form a panel that will engage in the
appointment process. This appointment process is a defining feature for our
School because firstly we are in a position at a local level to select high quality first rate teachers that are the best and brightest
and secondly, the teachers we select viewed teaching as a calling. So once our teachers are selected we provide them with a
mentor and training through our induction program that ensures teachers pursue their passion and professional journey. My
commitment for luring the best and brightest teachers to St Patrick’s is on the same par as Singapore, known as one of the best
education systems in the world. Have a look at what they are doing at the link below.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/luring-the-best-and-brightest-singapore-has-much-to-teach-on-education20141024-11b2v7.html#ixzz3H7xLuv4i
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Staffing Process
Since the beginning of the school term, the staff have been and continue to
be in the process of formulating the class lists for 2015. In recognising
parents as the first educator, I wish to thank parents for their referrals in
regards to their son /daughter for 2015 as this process closed last Friday. Our
timeline for the development of class lists will conclude by the end of this
week. With the new teacher appointments to be fulfilled, it is anticipated
that there will be movement of teachers in regards to year levels for 2015. As
with any movement of teachers across the school, I ask you all to direct your
enquiries to either Mr Wedesweiler or myself as final staff placements will
not be known until the end of November or early December. Once they are
confirmed I will notify the community, so stay tuned to our newsletters.
Building Program in 2015
At our last School Council meeting, we have decided to move forward with a building program for 2015. Last week I met with Mr
Laszio Szoboszlay our school Architect to discuss a scope of works for the refurbishment of buildings. We anticipate that the
building program will mostly occur over the holiday period and that local builders will be sourced through our tender process.
The first stage for scope of works will be around the Kindergarten and Years One and Two. As we confirm our process, I will
continue to keep the community informed. I wish to acknowledge the school council for their support in moving our school
forward.
Mark McLean Visit in November
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If Rip Van Winkle awoke in the 21 Century after a hundred year snooze he would, of course, be utterly bewildered by what he
sees-men and women dashing about talking on small metal devices pinned to their ears. Young people sit at home on sofas,
moving miniature athletes around on electronic screens. Older folk defy death and disability with metronomes in their chests and
with hips made of metal and plastic. Airports, hospitals, shopping malls, houses, in fact every place Rip goes just baffles him. But
when he finally walks into a schoolroom, the old man knows exactly where he is. “This is a school.” He declares. “We used to
have these back in 1907, only now blackboards are white interactive boards. School Design: Be the Change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk35mLDSjWA
Mark McLean from Holy Spirit
Primary School in Albury will be
visiting our community again in
November. For all those parents
who missed out on Mark’s
presentation last term, this will
be an opportunity for you to
hear firsthand about
contemporary education. Mark
will share with you the journey
of teachers and parents who
became the change that they
wanted to see in the world at
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Holy Spirit. To cater for parents and community members Mark will present two workshops on November 18 at 1:30 until 3pm
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and in the evening from 7pm until 8:30pm in Classroom 601 and 602. On November 19 Mark will present at 9:15am until
10:30 pm in Classroom 601 and 602. All members of the school and wider community are invited to attend and hear about
changes in schools that are reflected across this country and the world. I encourage you to visit this YouTube link below that
highlights Mark’s School in Albury Lavington http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBSsCAFCBHY
Enrolments Now Open Years 1-6
We are now accepting enrolments from Year One through to Year Six. Parents, if you know of
families who are moving to Griffith or who are considering an enrolment in a Catholic school,
please direct them to the school office on 6964 2888 for an information package. Our school
website and Facebook page are an excellent referral in order to gain an understanding of our
Catholicity, education and sporting achievements, resources, facilities and grounds. Please do not
leave it to the last minute and be disappointed- as there are now only limited spaces in certain year
levels. Make an enquiry today!
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Classroom Connections
Another busy week with visits from Kindy Lane Preschool, birthdays
celebrated, we welcomed a new family from Darlington Point region,
students engaging with computers, students playing volleyball on the new
court, new soccer balls and equipment used, staff working closely with
students, Mr AJ umpiring soccer with Year One and Two, students enjoying
time in the library, upper primary students practising their dance routines
with the brilliant Ms Melissa Brown and Year Six students using their
engineering skills to build domes. Now that is the spirit of learning!
Congratulations Students
Well done to all our students at assembly this week. I am so proud of you all!
It is truly a wonderful moment when students, parents and staff gather together to acknowledge the hard work you do. Enjoy
the week and keep up the spirit of learning!
Principal Away
This week from Wednesday until Friday I will be away at a Principal meeting in Mulwala. As I am still gaining confidence with the
geography of New South Wales and the many beautiful towns, I will be travelling with Ms Christine Calabria to ensure I don’t get
lost! In the interim please direct all enquires to Mr Wedesweiler
who will be Acting Principal during this time.
Have a great week and thanks for reading.
David Adams-Jones,
Principal
Merit Awards at Assembly
Kindergarten
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Lidia DalBroi
Tahli Connor
Gurnoor Sahota
Orlando Guidolin
Nicholas Sergi
Natasha Stradiotto
Emily Ferris
Maddison Armanini
Emily Laurent
Isabella Cavallaro
Summer Carlon
Aiden Trotter
Elise Calabria
Harry Holloway
Liam Codemo
Renee Collis
Mason Salvestro
Enrico Bianchini
Rebecca Ikenasio
Jessica Sergi
Luke Gulielmini
Tapie Chiweshe
Nicolas Minato
Molly Laurent
Mutsa Maveve
Lachlan Chant
Eva Catanzariti
Year Four
Year Five
Year Six
Aryellah DalBroi
Megan Balind
Fergus Shelton
Xavier Serafin
Rocco Barbaro
Khush Patel
Isabel McDonald
Michael Singh
Felicity Bonny
Jashan Toor
Amanda Rizzeri
Mark Guieb
Grace Adams-Jones
Ned Stewart
Ane Miller
Lucy Patsalides
Aidan Scoble
Aditha Jayasuriya
Grace Murray
Nathan Bruss
Francesca Franco
Annalise Bugge
Abby Favell
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From our Assistant Principal
2014 Concerts Announcements
The students and staff are excitedly preparing for the 2014 Concerts. They are a magnificent
opportunity to showcase the student learning and achievements in the Key Learning
Curriculum Areas of English and Creative Arts. Please put the following dates into your diary:
Kindergarten, Year One, Year Two Christmas Concert:
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Friday 12 December starting at 10 am in the Fr. O’Dea Hall followed by picnic lunch in the
school grounds. Entry by gold coin donation.
Years Three to Six Concert:
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Monday 10 November – Full rehearsal in FrO’Dea Hall – all day.
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Tuesday 11 November – Full dress rehearsal at Griffith Regional Theatre – all day.
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Wednesday 12 November – 11am Matinee performance and 7pm performance. K-2 St.
Patrick’s students attending Matinee (no cost) Tickets available for purchase for Matinee and
Evening performance.
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Thursday 13 November – 7pm performance. Tickets available for purchase.
Tickets available for $15 for parents, friends, family via the Griffith Regional Theatre website or Box Office from 10am on
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Monday October 27 , 2014.
Parental engagement
More than ever parents are turning to schools for advice, information
and direction about how to raise their kids. Yet their issues are
increasingly complex, demanding specific advice. At St. Patrick’s we seek
to provide assistance often and share our experiences and information
to help you. Attached to this newsletter is an article by Parenting Ideas
writer Laksmi Singh who looks at the vital role parents play in monitoring
and controlling the TV content children are exposed to.
2015 Kindergarten Orientation
This term we have begun welcoming our 2015 Kindergarten students as
they continue their transition to Primary School. This Transition Program
is aimed at having fun, with hands on activities promoting a learning and
stimulating environment, giving our 2015 Kindergarten students an
opportunity to interact with one another under the careful supervision
and leadership of one of our Kindergarten Teachers and a Teacher’s
Aide. Our current Kindergarten students will continue their learning
program as per their normal routine with one of our regular casual
teachers leading the learning.
This year, there will be three groupings for Orientation Days with each
group completing 2 sessions. Below are the dates for the children. A
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reminder that the program commenced last Friday 24 October. When I
went to visit the students as they were eating, I was warmly welcomed
with inquisitive looks and questions such as“ What do you do?” All of the
students were very settled and engaging in their learning fantastically.
Thank you Louise Hill and Donna Cavanagh for your working with the
students, introducing them to school.
Group #
Group #1
Dates
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Day 1 - Friday 24 October
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Day 2 - Friday 31 October
Group #2
Day 1 - Friday 7 November
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Day 2 - Friday 14 November
Group #3
Day 1 – Friday 21 November
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Day 2 – Friday 28 November
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Times
9.30am -12pm in room 501
9.30am-12pm in room 501
(information session for Parents from 11am -12pm in Fr. O’Dea Hall)
9.30am -12pm in room 505
9.30am-12pm in room 505
(information session for Parents from 11am -12pm in Fr. O’Dea Hall)
9.30am -12pm in room 502
9.30am-12pm in room 502
(information session for Parents from 11am -12pm in Fr. O’Dea Hall)
Maintain & share your awesomeness,
Alan Wedesweiler, Assistant Principal
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Teacher supervising
Mrs Louise Hill
Mrs Louise Hill
Mrs Sarah McNicol
Mrs Sarah McNicol
Miss Kayla Page
Miss Kayla Page
Congratulations
Congratulations to Mrs Josie Ponticello (Featherston)& her husband John on the birth of their son Hugo
David Ponticello. He was born in Canberra on Sunday 26th October. We wish Josie all the very best on the
wonderful journey of parenthood.
From our Religious Education Coordinator
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Don’t forget to wear your crazy socks to school on Thursday, 30 October for a gold coin donation to help other
children not as fortunate as ourselves. The money will go to The Catholic Missions Organisation. You can make a
difference in a very simple, fun way.
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On Friday the 31 October, we will participate in a Mass for All Saints Day at 9:30am. The Kindergarten classes have
organised the Mass. Everyone and anyone are welcome to come join us.
Take care
Maryanne Dodd
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Pastoral Care Corner: Seasons for Growth
Dear Parents & Carers,
Seasons for Growth is on pause while Mrs Vickie Wigg is away, and we will advise parents when the program will be starting up
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again. A wonderful suggestion for us Catholics is to read the ‘Catholic Weekly’ this week (dated 26 Oct), the amazing
happenings of the Extraordinary Synod, issues on the family for our modern times.
Thank you for your patience & understanding,
Cath Catanzariti, Pastoral Care Coordinator
Please Pray for
We pray for all the members in our school community who
are sick and for all families who have lost loved ones.
If you have any special intentions for prayers that you would
like us to include in this section, please email Alissa in the
office on [email protected].
Extend
Dear Lord,
We entrust to your love, care & healing all families
who are experiencing grief as a result of the loss of
loved ones. May your healing spirit also restore to
good health all who are ill and others that may be
enduring difficult times in their lives.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Our Weekly Recap
We finished off a hot week with great birthday party for Ellie with lots of cake and lollies for everyone. The week was filled with
lots of Christmas card making for our Basket Brigade drive to help needy families during the festive season.
Our Extend Superstar is…Julia C. for always following instructions
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Planter Boxes
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Cooking
Monday 27 October
Tuesday 28 October
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Wednesday 29 October
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Thursday 30 October
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Friday 31 October
Bookmark Monsters
Bird Feeder
Pom Pom Shooter
Administration
In reference to the Administration Office Hours in previous newsletters, please note that during
‘Office Closed’ period times (Tuesdays from 12.30- 1.30pm & Thursdays 12.30-1.30pm) carefully
selected, skilled staff will be monitoring any emergencies that arise. An answering machine will be on
for our landline (6964 2888). In the event of an emergency you can contact David Adams-Jones on
0459 142 177.
Canteen
Canteen Roster:
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Wednesday 29 October: D Della Franca, J Calabria, R Torresan
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Thursday 30 October: D Taylor, M Macrae
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Friday 31 October: L Sergi, A Sergi, M Sergi, S Sergi
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Monday 3 November: B Aventi, R Carlon, N Restagno
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Tuesday 4 November: D Salmon, K Beltrame
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Wednesday 5 November: K DeMartin, C Snaidero, S Bell-Smith
Parish Fete
Trash ‘N Treasure / White Elephant Stall
SOS: Clear all your cupboards of pre-loved or unused saleable items – display plates, Bric-a-brac, CD’s & DVD’s,
Non electronic games, crockery, crystal, toys etc. (NO CLOTHING THANK YOU). Items may be dropped off
before the Fete in the box provided at the front of the Admin Office Block this week.
Contact Liz Sergi 0448 004 118 for more information.
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News from St Patrick’s School Council
The St Patrick’s School Council annual general meeting (AGM) is fast approaching and that means if you are interested in joining
the School Council in 2015 then you need to nominate now! School Council members are elected for a 2 year term and are able
to sit on Council for up to 3 terms. Current members are eligible to stand for re-election at the completion of their term. Any
parent of a child enrolled at St Patricks in 2015 is eligible for nomination. This year, 4 board members finish their 2 year terms.
They are Jane Bonny, Margaret Andreazza, Oscar Roche and Roy Catanzariti. Additionally, Robert Kelly has completed 6 years on
Council, 3 of which he served as Chairperson, and is departing us for good. I wish to thank all of these for their hard work, valued
input and commitment to our school during their time on the Council. The call is now being for made for interested parents to
nominate, re-nominate or nominate someone else for a position on the School Council. There are 4 vacant positions. The School
Council consists of: the Parish Priest, Principal, Assistant Principal, representatives from the P&F and staff, along with 8 parents.
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Members attend a meeting on the 2 Thursday of each month at 7:00pm. There are no more than 10 meetings per year.
Below you will find a nomination form. Simply complete this form and return it to the school office by the date noted. The AGM
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is scheduled for Thursday 11 December 2014.
Why should you join?
The School Council is an advisory board that assists the Principal in meeting his obligations to
education, parents and the community. The Council assists in policy making and financial control of the
school and as such is a vital component of the school. I urge you to consider a Council position or to
nominate someone you consider would work in the best interests of all members of St Patrick’s
community.
Anthony Salmon
Chairperson, St Patrick’s Primary School
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nomination for membership of St Patrick’s Primary School Council
I, Mr or Mrs ______________________________
Phone: ____________________
Wish to nominate _________________________________________________________
for a position on the St Patrick’s Primary School Council
Signed: __________________________________ Date: ______________________
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Nominations must be returned by 4:00pm Friday 28 November 2014
Sport
Diocesan Basketball, Tennis, Cricket and Softball Trials
Diocesan Sports Trials for Basketball, Tennis, Cricket and Softball for boys and girls for 2015
will be held this term. The reason we hold them at this time is because the MacKillop Trials
are later this term or early in term one 2014 we need to be organised to have our Diocesan
Trials started or completed this year. The students who can attend the Diocesan Trial would
more than likely be in Year Five in 2014 and should be playing in a local competition to a high standard. Year Six students in 2014
are not eligible as they will be in high school next year. Diocesan Trials are not “come and try” days.
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Nominations close on Monday, 27 October 2014. Forms are now available. Please see Mrs Dodd or Mrs Cavanagh for more
information.
WANTED
If anyone can donate empty 2 ltr white ice-cream containers for Year 5 for the concert. They can be left in the
office. Thanks in advance.
Calling for all parents/grandparents who can sew! We need help sewing together some costumes for the concert. The fabric will
be pre-cut, all ready to be stitched together. Vania Rizzeri is coordinating the group. Please contact the front office for more
information.
We are looking for a volunteer from our school community who would like to offer us a couple of hours
each term to look after the Clothing Pool. The job requires someone to maintain & keep the area tidy,
hang items on hangers and dispose of any unwanted items. Please contact the front office for more
information.
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YEAR SIX SUPER SPELLERS!
Can you spell stalagmite, eiderdown, deciduous, alluvium
or precipice? The super spellers of Year Six can spell these
words without even breaking into a sweat! This term Year
Six conducted a Spelling Competition. The Competition
consisted of three rounds with students required to spell
words in the written form and orally. Well done to the
finalists Aribo Kabiwa, Piri Karunapalan and Aditha
Jayasuriya (701). Samuel Ryan, Fakiha Mazumber and
Amrit Kaur (606). Nayani Navaneethan, Prerna Locham
and Kimberly Ma (605).
The final was tremendously close and
came down to a tie break between
Aribo and Piri. This was extremely
intense and still these two students
demonstrated amazing spelling skills
and strategies. In the end they could not
be split and were announced joint
winners of the Year Six Spelling
Competition! Congratulations Aribo and Piri!!
YEAR SIX PUPLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
Year Six conducted the annual Public Speaking Competition this term. Students were given the option to
compete in the competition. They were required to prepare and present
a five minute speech on a topic of their choice. Students presented their
speech to their class in Round One and two students were selected for
the final. The finalist from each class were:
701: Shantel Shipton (Bullying), Brock Twigg (JFK, Sydney Harbour Bridge,
Felix Baumgartner, World War Two, Faster Car in the World, Wright
Brothers, Australian Soldiers, Tallest Man, Television in Australia, FIFA
World Cup)
606: Aiden Scoble (Myths and Legends), Joanne Sebastian (Friendship)
605: Nayani Navaneethan (Poverty), Grace Murray (My Bucket List).
The final was judged
by Mr W and he had a
difficult time in
selecting a winner as
the standard of speeches was so high. After deliberating
for some time Nayani was announced the winner of the
Year Six Public Speaking
Competition for 2014.
Congratulations
Nayani!
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