Newsletter
Address: 2 Dawson Street, Lismore
St Carthage’s School Lismore
Phone: 02 6621 5529
(P.O. Box 1114, Lismore)
Website: www.stcarthlism.catholic.edu.au
Wednesday 1st June 2016
Email: [email protected]
From our Principal
Mrs Janelle Heffernan
Dear Families,
Earlier this year, as part of a Diocesan initiative, our school was involved in the School Improvement Survey. The resultant
data will be used to bring about improvements in our school effectiveness. The survey was completed by Year 6 students,
all staff and sent out to 60 randomly chosen families. The results were returned to the school and recently the Leadership
Team together with a Catholic Schools Office Consultant spent time examining and interpreting the data. Some of the data
is quite complex and will need some time to decipher.
Overall our surveys were completed by 32 staff, 52 students and 47 families and showed positive results that we
celebrate, whilst areas that need some in-put and further attention were also highlighted. The areas covered in the survey
included Community Engagement, Learning Opportunity, Staff Engagement, Student Engagement, Peer Relations and
Student Behaviour.
We will be working through our survey data as a school and in the near future propose to get feedback from you on ways
in which we can improve. We wish to continue to do well in our strength areas and will work to improve areas which
require attention.
Thanks to our parents who assisted us by completing the survey.
SCHOOL REPORTS AND INTERVIEWS
School Reports will be sent home in Week 9 and interviews with teachers will be held in Week 10. We will again be using
the online booking format for Parent/Teacher interviews and more information will be sent home with the Event Code and
a reminder on how to book these interviews electronically in the near future.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY REMINDER
A reminder that our next Professional Development Day for this year will be on Friday, 1st July, the last day of Term 2.
Staff will be engaged in how to permeate a Catholic Worldview into our curriculum. There will be no school for students
on this day. Active Kids Care will be available. For further information or to make a booking please go to our School
Website Active Kids page or phone Wendy Pizzol on 0417 276 407.
COMMUNICATION TO PARENTS
We are receiving an increasing number of phone calls from parents calling to confirm details about events which are
happening around the school (e.g. times, places, uniforms etc.). We certainly don’t mind answering these questions but
they do sometimes arise on the weekend (as parents begin to organise students for the week). For all general queries, we
suggest parents refer to our School Website in the first instance. Answers to most of these questions can be found there.
Newsletters, copies of notes etc. are placed there for your information also. We now also offer a St Carthage’s School
Facebook page. We post information about coming events, changes to times etc on this page for parents who access this
form of communication.
If you have not already done so, please consider downloading the Schoolstream App. to your smartphone. We are using
this App. to let parents know of changes to routine, important information (e.g. upcoming events, changes to routines, Staff
Development Day reminders etc.) and even to access the Newsletter. It is an important communication tool for us and
ensures you know what is going on at school. Go to schoolstream.com.au and download the app for our school or see
instructions below. You can also access it via a link on our School Website Home Page.
SCHOOL PROTOCOL
There are times when issues may occur at school, both in and out of the classroom, that may need clarification. It is
important that concerns related to school are directed back to the teacher or myself. I am disappointed when I hear of
these issues being spoken about negatively in the community, when a simple phone call or appointment with the
classroom teacher can clarify or allay concerns. We pride ourselves on working in partnership with parents and sometimes
these conversations can undermine trust and confidentiality.
At times, there are incidents which occur on the playground that require intervention from teachers. There are rare
occurrences which may not be reported to teachers. Under no circumstances are parents permitted to approach a student
to gain information or deal with such issues. There are protocols to be followed in these situations. A parent must report to
the Office and make an interview time to talk with a teacher or myself according to school procedure. I appreciate your
understanding and support in dealing with these matters.
From our Assistant Principal
Mrs Janette McFadden
th
STAGE 3 Parents and Students- Working Bee Sunday 29 May.
I would like to send out a huge thank you to the following Stage 3 families – The Dunns and the Browns plus Mrs Atlee and
her two children, Mr McKay and Mrs Heffernan who joined myself and my husband at our working bee. It was very
disappointing not to have had the community support this working bee, as we had many tasks to do. Everybody worked
like Trojans and we were able to replant plants in the hill garden and mulch the hill area as well. I must say it looks pretty
good. All we need now is some good soaking rain. We plan to have another working bee early next term before the fete.
Please save these dates on your calendar, Sunday 26th June and Sunday 7th August.
“Valuing Ourselves and Others”-VOO
Our School Values are: Respect, Cooperation, Inclusion, Tolerance, Compassion, Honesty and Trustworthiness.
During this week our value focus is Inclusion. We show INCLUSION by being welcoming,
accepting all people and by playing fairly. During week 7 our value focus will be Tolerance. We
show TOLERANCE by being patient with people and accepting others differences and opinions.
We want to be able to catch the students demonstrating our values in the classroom and out in
the playground. WE are looking at behaviour merit awards for VOO. These will include the
students caught demonstrating our values and they will receive a small merit award. Five merit
awards will lead to a Bronze VOO Award, ten awards will lead to a Silver VOO Award and
fifteen will lead to a Gold VOO Award. We will be running a competition as we would like our
VOO Award to be designed by one of our students. We are still in the early stages in developing
this idea.
I would love to hear any comments that your child/ren bring home to share with you about our
VOO Groups. Just email them into school.
High Expectations
High Expectations from all students is a focus on which we have been working throughout the last two terms. Once
again parents, we would like you to have the conversation with your child/ren about these expectations.
Playground Expectations

Responsibility
 Balls in bags until you are on the playground.
 Follow the rules of the games.
Stop activities when the bell rings - go directly to lines.
Return all play equipment to the right place.
Respect
 Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Safety
* Stay in bounds.
Be respectful of adults.
Respect the area by keeping it clean.
* Keep hands and feet to yourself.
* No hat, no play.
* No playing with sticks.
* Walk on concrete.
Walk on the footpath, keep to the left.

Craft Items for the Fete
If you are a crafty person who likes to knit, crochet or sew please feel free to make goodies which you can donate to our
fete. You can leave them with Mrs McFadden any time. Knitted coat hangers, appliquéd tea towels and hand towels are
always a favourite at our fete.
ICAS Competitions
The students sat for their second competition - Science on Tuesday. There was an error on the original note which went
home earlier. It stated that the Writing competition would take place between 13th – 17th May, when it should have said
June. Remember students if you want any practice papers just come and ask me.
Resource Recovery
A reminder that St Carthage’s School is a collection point for the MRF Resource Recovery.
Items such as:- household batteries, mobile phones, glasses, printer cartridges, CD’s & DVD’s,
Wine Corks, X-Rays etc. can be dropped into a box which is found inside the office. Keep
sending them in.
MISSION MATTERS
Danny Hatchman Assistant Principal - Mission
Head, Heart and Hands
When our students leave our school we would like them to have knowledge in their HEADS about GOD, a love of Jesus,
themselves and others in their HEARTS so that they also ACT according to their faith. In essence, we have to get students
to buy-in intellectually (HEAD) and buy-in emotionally (HEART) so that their behaviour reflects their faith (HANDS).
The buzzword for this is Intentional Student Discipleship and while there is no magical formula for developing Intentional
Student Discipleship, one thing is sure: it is absolutely necessary that Parish, school and family are on the same page. If
we are not in synch children pick up mixed messages. Where the parish, school and family are in synch, our children
benefit. There are many ways our Parish, school and families are invited to ‘be on the same page’.
The Parish
We thank our Parish which continues to support the efforts of the school in this process of influencing the HEADS,
HEARTS AND HANDS of our students. It’s very important for young people to see ‘faces’ from the parish and so
we are always grateful for the presence at school of people like Deacon Chris who guides our classes through Adoration,
Deacon Graeme who is the face of Caritas and our Anzac Day prayer, Fr Nicolas who currently teaches Year 4 Religious
Education and our Chaplain, Fr James who is an ever-present smiling ‘face’!
The Family
Jesus meant it when he said ‘Let the children come to me’. His welcome to little children was very counter-cultural 2000
years ago and it’s radical now. We need to encourage children to love meeting with Jesus and their church family each
week. Wisdom suggests ideas such as the following;
Practise sitting quietly at home reading a book or listening to a podcast or audio book - good preparation for sitting
quietly on a Sunday.
Gently whisper to explain to your children what is happening during Mass
For the little ones, bring a bag of quiet activities: stickers, dressing paper dolls, threading with wool, ‘quiet’ books and
colouring in books which keep little ones quiet for a small time anyway!
With older ones the promise of a breakfast somewhere special such as at a friend’s place after Mass can sometimes
get them out of bed on cold mornings.
Taking advantage of activities such as Childrens’ Liturgy which allow the younger ones to hear the Gospel proclaimed
and explained at their own level by dedicated Catechists.
Once more we invite you to our Family Parish Mass at 5pm this Sunday. Overwhelming scientific evidence links prayer and
belonging to a faith community with improved health outcomes in wellbeing, coping skills, protection against adolescent
substance use, anxiety, depression and delinquency. We invite you to make use of this opportunity to make an investment
in your childrens’ faith and healthy future.
The Catholic school - giving students a ‘voice’ in the Year of Mercy
In the Year of Mercy a school goal is to give students a ‘voice’ in deciding the values which we should value and
encourage through actual ACTION. As a result, children from the Incitāre and Youth Ministry Groups now lead all Year 6
students in nominating, and at our Monday assembly, publicly recognising students who display mercy or compassion.
The school has also placed a ‘Mercy Box’ and ‘Mercy Cloth’ in each classroom. When children have witnessed an act of
mercy or compassion they are encouraged to write or draw what they have witnessed, place it in the Mercy Box and place
a fingerprint on the Cloth. By the end of the year we will have real samples and proof of how our students have put their
faith into ACTION.
Let’s stay on the same page for the benefit of our children.
Diocesan Cross Country
The Diocesan Cross Country was held in Bowraville on Friday May 27 th. We would like to
congratulate all the following students for their wonderful efforts on the day; Lara Carlson, Ruby
Barnes, Shailyn Gooley Maya McGrath, Bo Brown, Ava Brickley and Ali
Donaldson.
Their efforts contributed to the Richmond Zone team winning the Diocesan
Carnival- a wonnd
derful team achievement. A special mention to Maya McGrath (2 ) and Ava Brickley (6th) who
have both qualified to represent the Lismore Diocese at the Polding Cross Country Carnival on
17th June in Sydney. We wish them all the best. I would like to congratulate especailly our two
8 year old students, Caitlyn Halliday and Joe Parsons, who both finished in the top three at our
Richmond Zone Carnival in Goonellabah but did not have the opportunity to go onto the Diocesan level for their age event.
St Carthage’s Athletics Carnival
The St Carthage’s Athletics Carnival will be held this Friday June 3rd at Riverview Park,
South Lismore. The students need to wear their colour house uniform. A canteen will be available on the day (no lunch orders). If you have not returned the permission note for your child to
attend, please do so. Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered on the day- your help
will be greatly appreciated.
Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival
The Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 28 th July (Term 3 week 2). We
have completed our Long Jump, Shot Put and 800m qualification trials at school. At the
completion of our school athletics carnival, where the main focus is on the 100m, 200m and
relay events, we will be able to let the children know if they have qualified for the Zone Carnival.
Please be aware that Zone qualification is done in the following age groups:
Seniors
(12/13 years), 11 years and Juniors (10, 9 and 8 years) for Shot Put, Long Jump, 800m,
and 200m. The 100m will have representatives from each age
division (from 13years
to 8 years). There will be a Senior and Junior Relay team for boys and girls.
Polding Touch Trials
We would like to wish Ali Donaldson and Alana Albertini all the best
when they attend the Polding Touch trials on Friday 3rd June. They
have done extremely well in reaching this level of competition and we
are very proud of them both.
NSW PSSA Boys Hockey
Good luck to Luka Venables and Maddox
Hannigan when they travel to Wollongong to
participate in the NSW PSSA Boys Hockey.
We hope they have a wonderful trip and enjoy
the experience.
NSW PSSA 11 Years Rugby League
Good luck to Kye Cooper who will travel to Tamworth for the NSW PSSA
11 years Rugby League Carnival. We know he will enjoy playing League all
week and we look forward to hearing about his experiences.
NSW Schools Cup Netball Competition
On Wednesday 25th May the St Carthage’s Netball Squad participated in Round 1 of the NSW Schools Cup Netball
Competition. The girls played 6 games and had 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. All 10 players, Georgia Maslen, Ali Donaldson, Caitlyn Osborne, Lana Cotterill, Lilia Hine, Taya Cottee, Jessica Tulk, Brianna Healy, Eloise Davis and Ava
Brickley displayed excellent enthusiasm, team spirit and sportsmanship. They should be very proud of their awesome efforts and results. Many thanks to our team scorer, Sonia Osborne, Umpire, Kylie Davis and all the parents
and grandparents who supported the girls on the day.
AFL
Last Wednesday 28th May, 47 girls and boys travelled to Ewingsdale, Byron Bay for the AFL Queensland
Cup. The boys team played with great enthusiasm and heart and ended up 3rd on the day. There were
2 girl’s teams after the prize of the Cup. The A team were the overall winners of the day. Both teams
were fierce competitors and gave it their all. All students played with great sportsmanship and their
behaviour was exceptional. A big thank you to Miss Buchanan who helped out on the day. Also Phil
Knowles who gave his expertise on the game. Thank you to all parents who travelled to watch and
support the teams. Lastly to Laura Connelly who gave up her time to help run the girls A Team. Overall a
hugely successful day.
Janelle Connelly
Diocesan Primary Athletics Carnival
Students wishing to compete in DISCUSS and/or HIGH JUMP at the Lismore Diocesan Primary
Athletics Carnival on Friday, 19th August will be required to nominate for the event. If your child
is interested in competing in either of these events, please see Mr Matthews for a nomination
form before Friday 24th June.
Get involved in the School Banking program
THANK YOU to the parents who attended the recent School Banking Account Opening Session at
our school. You will receive your child’s Youthsaver Account Number shortly so they will be able to
start School Banking very soon. Remember, School Banking day is on TUESDAY.
If you were unable to make it to the Account Opening Session and would like your child to participate
in the School Banking program, you can get involved by opening a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver
account at any Commonwealth Bank branch, over the phone on 13 2221 or via NetBank if you are an
existing customer with NetBank access.
Remember to take in identification for you (driver’s licence) and your child (birth certificate).
You will receive a Dollarmites wallet and deposit book which your child will use to participate in the
program.
When your child makes their first deposit at school they will earn their first Dollarmites token and our school will also
receive $5 commission, as well as 5% commission for every deposit made at school. Commission raised for Term 1
is $359.45 an amazing amount. Thank you for supporting our school and helping teach your child the benefits of saving regularly. .
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our School Banking Co-ordinators by leaving your contact
details with the staff in the Front Office.
HELP from Year One
-
Year 1 is co-ordinating a Badge Stall for the fete in Term 3.
We would like to collect some materials in advance and would be grateful for any donations of
scrapbooking paper, embellishments and stickers (no bigger than 3cm) which could be used. Please send
to the Year 1 teachers. It would be very appreciated.
NSW Transport New Single
Application Forms
An updated online form to apply for free travel
between home and school is now available for
students attending schools in rural and
regional NSW. The form can be used by
parents, guardians and students applying for
free school student travel under the School
Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) and
provides a single application process for School
Opal cards and free school travel across NSW.
Forms are to be completed by parents or
guardians.
For a new application or to update details,
parents/guardians need to go to
www.transportnsw.info/schoolstudents.
Parents are required to apply for a
new application when students are
moving from Year 2 to 3 or 6 to 7.
ENROLMENTS FOR
KINDERGARTEN 2017
ARE NOW OPEN
Parents of children who are ready to start school in
2017 are asked to complete an Enrolment
Application Form and drop it into the School Office.
Applications must have Birth, Immunisation and
Baptismal certificates, so that we can begin the
enrolment process.
Please pass on this message to
family and friends who are intending
to enrol children in Kinder next year.
Children must turn five by 31st July
2017 to be enrolled in Diocesan
schools.
Happy Birthday!
To the following students and staff who will celebrate their birthdays in the coming
days: Jonah Hudson Sheaffe KBE, Jorgi Krieg 4MS, Talisha Stone 1RD, Lewis Allen 3KK, Lara
Carlson 3SB, Eli Connolly KBE, Jake Fowler 3KK, Lela McManus 4LM, Max Venables 2HD, Jackson Ware 6AE,
Michael Holl 3JD, Macushla McMahon 6AE, Ryan Partridge 4MT, Maisie Roff 3KK, Ashlee Rogers 6BM, Julia
Green 4MS,Billy Drooger 3JD, Harry Jenkins KBE, Alexa Johnson KKI, Miah Harris 4Gf, Zac Flood 5JS, Gemma
McPherson KKI, Lachie Schilling 4GF, Carly Hughes 2HD, Chloe Ryall 2JG, Zayden Perpignano 3KK, Ben Phan
1MW, Ryan Simeoni KCB, Isaac Wu 5TM, Lachlan O’Sullivan 3JD, Wez Weeks KBE, Loretta Farmer, John
Freebody.
2016 Important Dates
St Carthage’s
CANTEEN
ROSTER
Term 2 Week 7
TERM 2
Week 6
Reconciliation Week
6 June
Athletics Carnival Back Up Day
8 June
Dio Primary Rugby Gala day
13 June
Queen’s Birthday Holiday
Mon:
S.Beacroft
14-17
ICAS Writing
Tues:
E. Tulk
15 June
Year 6 RE Test—ICAS Spelling
Wed:
K. Auckram, A. Nestor
16 June
NORPA visit
17 June
Whole School Assembly 2pm
17 June
CCC/CPS Cross Country
26 June
Working Bee
27 June
Year 6 Science Day
1 July
PUPIL FREE DAY
Thurs:
S. Volpato
Fri:
M.Bray, C. Thind,
M. Landers, M. Fowler
Term 2 Week 8
Mon:
PUPIL HOLIDAY
Tues:
F. McCosker
Wed:
E.Youngberry,
S. Watson
Thurs:
S. Osborne
Fri:
S.Watson, S. Lavis,
B. Lynch
TERM 3 commence Tuesday 19th July
28 July
Richmond Zone Athletics
1st Aug
NADIOC WEEK
2 Aug
ICAS English
3 Aug
Netball Finals Casino
5 Aug
Whole School Assembly 2pm
9 Aug
Art Show Opening
12 Aug
Richmond Gala Day (Netball/Football)
14 Aug
ST CARTHAGE’S SCHOOL FETE
Care available for
PUPIL FREE DAYS
Year 2 Get Together
Monday
Regular Parish Mass Timetable
Carmelite Monastery
7:00am
Mary’s Grange
9:00am
Tuesday
Carmelite Monastery
Cathedral
5:20pm
Wednesday Carmelite Monastery
Thursday
Where: Nesbitt Park, South Lismore
When: Sunday 5th June 2016
7:00am
Friday
Time: 2:00pm– 4.00pm
7:00am
Cathedral
12:20pm
Carmelite Monastery
7:00am
Cathedral
12:20pm
Carmelite Monastery
7:00am
Cathedral
12:20pm
Carmelite Monastery
8:00am
Bring: Bikes, Soccer balls etc.
Saturday
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a
parent/carer for the whole event.
Cathedral Confessions Saturday
Saturday Vigil Cathedral
5:00pm
Confirmation Photos
Sunday
7:00am
12:00- 12:30pm
Carmelite Monastery
Cathedral
9:00am & 5:00pm
Confirmation Photos maybe
purchased from the School Office.
Dunoon
They are $15.00 a pack, which includes a
number of individual and class photo.
Goolmangar 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month
9:30am
Nimbin
5th Sunday of the month
9:30am
and Rosary - Saturday
5:00pm
Only available until Friday 10th June.
1st & 3rd Sunday of the month
9:30am
and Rosary - Wednesday
5:00pm
St Vincent’s 1st & 3rd Friday of the month
10:30am
St Carthage’s Rugby Team attends NSW All Schools Carnival.
St Carthage’s Rugby 7’s team qualified for the State Carnival by winning two Rugby 7’s carnivals
in Lismore earlier in the season. Our team, Far North Coast divisional champions, was one of
sixteen teams from across New South Wales to compete at the carnival. This follows a similar
pattern of our 2012, 2014 and 2015 teams. Over 220 teams entered this competition and to be
one of the final 16 teams to compete is a great achievement for the boys.
The State Carnival was held on Friday 27th May 2016. St Carthage’s was drawn to play the
following schools: St Mary’s Primary, Armidale, Brook Avenue Primary School and St Therese
Primary, Mascot. St Carthage’s finished 3rd in their division with one win and two losses. In each
of our defeated games our team played with determination and teamwork.
A special feature of this year’s competition was that the final game for all players was played at
Alliance Stadium, as the curtain raiser for the Waratahs (NSW) and Chiefs Super 14 game. For
our team this was a great experience and thrill. The game was also a play-off for the Plate Final
in which we played St Aloysius Prep, Sydney. Our team this year was a notoriously slow starter
which payed the price for this in by losing 4 tries to 2 in the final. This entitled us to claim 10 th spot
in the NSW State competition which is our best ever achievement.
Thank you to Will Cotterill for the time and effort he put in as our coach. His commitment to
bringing the best out of the boys and guiding them into a quality team allowed them to reach the
standard of representing the Far North Coast in Rugby. A special addition again this year for our
team was the role of our water boy, Ben Auckram. Ben willingly took the opportunity to be an
i mportant part of our team.
From a rugby point of view we can be very proud of St Carthage’s Rugby 7’s team. We are
definitely bridging the gap in competing with the best Rugby 7’s teams in the state. We were
placed 10th in the state out of 220 teams who nominated for this carnival.
The players in the team included; Ewan Reilly, Gabe Forzan, Issac Nelson, Darcy Colquhoun,
Joey Davis, Gammigal Franks, Caleb Swan, Cooper Graham, Henry Allen, Jess Cotterill, Kye
Cooper, and Aussie Ruane . We can be very proud of this team for the way they represented the
school on and off the field. The boys were at all times a credit to their families and their school.
Thank you to all the parents who supported the team throughout the season. A particular thank
you should go to the parents who travelled to Sydney to be with the team for the ‘Rugby
experience’. Many thanks also to Chris Ruane and Ron Graham who expertly drove us through
Sydney, from the airport to our accommodation and back. It was truly a team effort by the boys’
parents as well.
In conclusion I would like to acknowledge the following sponsors on behalf of the school and the
team, for supporting St Carthage’s Rugby team. Their generosity in support of the team is
genuinely appreciated.
Gabrielle Donaldson-Goonellabah Physiotherapy
La Baracca Restaurant
Dr Mark Pearce
Greg Clark Building Pty Ltd
Blok Agribusiness
Manager-Jack Sheridan