Welcome back!

Welcome back to all of our wonderful families and what will be a very busy Term 2 ahead. Late last term on Wednesday 4th April Gawura attended its first cultural excursion for the year. The destination was La Perouse where we met with local indigenous elder Uncle Bunno (Vic Simms). The students were greeted with a smoking ceremony followed by a very informative session on local bush foods and medicine.  Uncle Bunno had a variety of plants on display and local remedies which he described in how they would be used for traditional health and wellbeing. Uncle Bunno then lead the group of over 50 students and adults on a bushwalk showing the location of the historic mission at La Perouse eventually leading us out onto a rock escarpment which had truly beautiful views over all of Botany Bay. The students were amazed at the knowledge Uncle Bunno shared with us. We made our way back to the park at Frenchmans Bay where everyone enjoyed a BBQ lunch.

This term has many significant dates (see below) some of which are happening in the next fortnight. Firstly this Thursday 3/5 our Gawura students and Junior School choir will be attending the ICC at Darling Harbour to take part in a performance for our corporate partner and sponsor Lendlease. This Friday 4/5 out Gawura Stage 3 students will be attending the Sydney Writers Festival at the Sydney Town Hall.  The following Friday 11/5 there will be JSGS Autumn high tea to celebrate all the mum’s, nan’s, aunties and carers of both the Junior and Gawura Schools. If you have not replied and would like to attend this yearly event then please let me know.

Finally I would like to invite everyone to attend our very first cultural awareness training/meeting which will be run by the indigenous Mirri Mirri group. This is an invitation to all Gawura and Junior School parents who are interested and would like to attend.  Please see below for further details.

In week 3 of this term the annual NAPLAN asessments will take place. The students have returned to school energised and ready to go with a full term of engaging, fun and creative learning. We look forward to the term ahead.

May everyone have a safe and wonderful fortnight ahead.

Mr John Ralph
Head of Gawura

Want more photos?

For more pictures of the La Perouse Excursion please visit the Gawura Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gawura.sacs/

Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their learning are more likely to achieve. There are many different ways that parents and family members can be involved in a child’s learning.

Learning at home

You can be involved in your child’s education by assisting their learning at home. You can do this by reading with them, engaging in play-based learning for younger children, helping them with study techniques such as time management, and even just by talking to them about their day.

Be clear and encouraging

When children know their parents expect them to do their best, they tend to do so. Let them know you believe in them and that you know they can do well at school if they try. Give your child authentic encouragement and praise them for their efforts and achievements.

Volunteering at school

Some parents engage in their child’s learning by helping with school activities such as fundraising events, school camps, class reading and excursions. Speak to your child’s school about events and activities you can assist with. You can also support your child’s learning in school just by keeping in touch with their teachers and participating in parent–teacher interviews. When schools and families work together, children do better and stay in school longer.

School decision making

You can become involved in school decision making by communicating with your child’s school teachers and leaders, and getting involved in school boards and committees. Talk to your child’s school about how you can get involved in school decision making.

'This article is reproduced from Learning Potential, a product of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. For more great articles visit www.learningpotential.gov.au and download the app.’

Your invitation to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture

Dear Junior School and Gawura parents and carers,

You’re invited to an experience not to be missed - our inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness session conducted by Mirri Mirri in the Heath Centre of St Andrew’s Cathedral School. The session will be conveniently run after school, on Wednesday June 6, from 3.15 to 4.45pm on Level 5.

Mirri Mirri is an Aboriginal owned company helping all Australians improve their understanding and awareness of our Indigenous cultures. They will guide us through traditional dance, music and spirituality, within Indigenous culture. The session will be both interactive and educational and show the connection with aboriginal people and land.

Lendlease, our new corporate partner, is providing funding for this initiative so the session will be free for you and the family. While parents can attend individually, we highly recommend you bring along your children so you can learn and enjoy the experience together.

Please RSVP either online via trybooking www.trybooking.com/UHNZ or by texting Neil on 0439 653 334 and you will have the opportunity to win a free family pass to Taronga Zoo!

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) 2018

Congratulations to the following students who have completed their challenge:

Violet Bloxsom
Oscar Liu

For more information and the booklists visit the PRC website https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

*If you attended a different school and completed the PRC there, please come and see me so I can request that your records be merged. Otherwise, this will be your first PRC year. This is especially important if you are eligible for your gold or platinum certificates this year and if you are looking at earning your Premier’s medal.

Parent / Teacher Challenge 2018:

We’ve launched this again this year too, so come on teachers and parents, grab a book and read alongside your child/ren and complete the Parent / Teacher Challenge this year.

Congratulations to the following parent who has completed the PTC:

Mrs O’Reilly

Requirements for completion:

Read any 6 titles (in any language)
Email me spaul@sacs.nsw.edu.au the titles
I’ll add you to our wall of wonderful reading role models

Holiday borrowing:

At the end of term 1 we doubled our borrowing limits for students so they’d have lots to read over the break.  Please remember to return all these extra titles.  Normal borrowing limits apply again, so if all the holiday books haven’t come back students won’t be able to borrow.

Normal borrowing limits:

• Kindergarten – 2 books
• Years 1 and 2 – 3 books
• Years 3 and 4 – 4 books
• Years 5 and 6 – 5 books

Library opening hours:

• Monday 8am – 4pm, plus lunchtime
• Tuesday 8:30 – 4pm, plus afternoon tea
• Wednesday 8:30 - 3:15pm, plus afternoon tea
• Thursday 8am – 4pm, plus lunchtime
• Friday 8am – 4pm, plus lunchtime

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away. And in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall." — Roald Dahl

Svetlana Paul
Junior School and Gawura Teacher Librarian

Winter uniform requirements for Term 2

St Andrew’s Cathedral School is one of the most visible schools in NSW with students moving between buildings throughout the day, seniors visiting the Town Hall Arcade during lunch and over a thousand of our students catching public transport all over Sydney and beyond as they travel to and from school. Parents send their children to St Andrew’s because of its high standards in academic, pastoral care, co-curricular and Christian education. In turn, St Andrew’s has high expectations of students. Literature also shows that good uniform standards lead to reduced discipline problems, an increased sense of belonging and higher academic engagement and standards. It also shows pride in the school.

Winter uniform is to be worn from the beginning of Term 2, students have been reminded of our uniform standards.

Below is an outline of the topics that have been discussed:

• Hair – to be neat and tidy. Hair cuts must be conventional and unlikely to cause comment. No shaved sections, no facial hair. Girls’ hair to be completely tied back; boys’ hair to be cut above the collar and eyebrows.
• Shirts & Ties –shirts must be tucked in, top buttons done up and boys’ ties worn correctly at the neck. Shirt sleeves not to be rolled up.
• Blazers – to be worn to and from School and between buildings. (If it is very hot, I will communicate to students a variation to this rule on the day)
• Jewellery – no rings, bracelets, necklaces. Only one pair of earrings for girls - small sleepers or simple studs only. No other piercings allowed. No earrings for boys.
• Makeup – no makeup or nail polish allowed.
• Sport Uniform – students to wear SACS tracksuit/sports uniform to and from venues.
• Shoes – black leather traditional school shoes. No casual style allowed. Please see student diary for allowable styles.
• Socks – Boys must wear grey or black socks. Girls must wear white plain socks that sit above the ankle. Socklets are not allowed.
• Skirts – skirt hems should be at the knee. Skirts must not be rolled.

Please be aware that these expectations and standards remain applicable to the very last day of the school year. For those who have winter uniform requirements, please contact Mr Ralph or the Uniform Store, on 9286 9547 for a fitting time.

• Please label all new (and old) items of uniform.
• The Uniform store normal Hours of Operation are:
• Monday – Wednesday – Thursday  |  8am to 3.30pm

Wiradjuri Language Nest – Gawura and SACS parent workshop

The parent Wiradjuri workshop has started for 2018. This is an amazing opportunity to support and contribute to the revival of Indigenous languages. I am delighted to say that the program is absolutely free. The weekly workshop is on Tuesday afternoons, 3.15pm-4.15pm and is open to all Gawura/SACS parents and family members.

Please contact Mr Ralph on 0411 040 193 if you are interested in joining the group.

Term 2 is an exciting term for sport!

We’ll see our annual Junior School and Gawura Cross Country Carnival being held at Queens Park on Monday 7 May. It’s an exciting opportunity for Year 3-6 students to represent their house with the challenge of the cross country.

Year 1-2 will be doing gymnastics at the Eastern Gymnastics Academy for Thursday sport, where they’ll explore fundamental movement skills in a safe and structured environment. Winter sport opportunities have arrived, with soccer, netball and rugby all becoming available for Year 3-6 students!

Tony Dunseath
PDHPE Teacher

Please remember your drink bottle, school cap and tracksuit top, and ensure that all the uniform/sport equipment is clearly named.

Uniform Store

For those who still have 2018 uniform requirements please contact the Uniform Store, on 92869547 for a fitting time. Remember that students in Kindergarten to Year 6 wear the same uniform so please label all items of uniform.

Mobile phone use

Older students, who travel to and from school on public transport and have a mobile phone, need to ensure that they are switched off during the school day and kept in school bags or handed to your child’s/children’s teacher each morning.

Health Centre

Please send in a note detailing any daily medication needs. Daily medication is to be dispensed by the School Nurse at the Sick Bay. Any medication to be dispensed by the School Nurse must be given to the nurse in its original box (containing the prescription label and your child’s name).

Absences

If your child/children are absent from school, I ask that you text or call Neal or the Reception on 9286 9500 before 9am to notify us. The school requires a note from a parent or guardian explaining any absence from school.