Padbury CPS Newsletter
Issue #1 - ???? 2022
Newsletter #11 - 28 July 2023
MERCY VALUE
Mercy
Be thoughtful, warm and respectful in all you do and say
PADBURY CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL ONLINE
Bushfire Plan
As Bushfire season approaches in the Summer months, a copy of our Bushfire Plan can be found here on our website - https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/formsandprocedures
UPCOMING EVENTS
SCHOOL COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Please check the PCPS community calendar for upcoming and future dates as the calendar is regularly updated https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/community-calendar
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents
Welcome to Term 3!
As I walk around the school it was wonderful to see that the children have settled back into school routine after the holidays and are already producing some amazing work. Term 3 is always filled with many exciting events.
Please continue to refer to the electronic school calendar, school website, school Facebook, PCPS Instagram and newsletter for important information which is regularly shared with the community.
Sacrament of the Eucharist
Please keep the Year Four children in your prayers as they commence their preparations for the Sacrament of the Eucharist which will be held later in the term.
Please see the Religious Education section of the newsletter for dates and further information.
Mary Mackillop
Mary Mackillop is Australia’s first saint. She believed everyone, no matter how rich or poor should have the chance to learn. Mary was canonised a saint and as we celebrate her feast day on 8 August, let us remember some of the words she lived by:
Find happiness in making others happy
Assumption of Mary
On 15 August we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. As a fitting reward for the life she dedicated so wonderfully to God, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up to Heaven, body and soul, when she died. Father Cyp will be celebrating mass on 16th August at 2pm in our school hall on this day and all parents and families are invited to join us.
Star Warts Musical Production
WOWEE! What a fabulous Musical production of Star Warts!
The musical commenced with a matinee on Wednesday performing to three local schools with opening night last night, a show tonight and Saturday evening and a Saturday matinee!
I was super impressed at the opening night performance last night and was amazed by the children's talents, they were so professional and polished! The backstage crew also need a special mention as they are a vital part of the production and were awesome!
The energy, excitement and joy on the performers faces was a delight to see, Super Stars!
So many creative talents unleashed! I had a constant smile on my dial throughout the show and am so very proud of our senior students. Congratulations!
Our Production Team are stars too – Mrs Bastow and Mrs Ewen excelled in their Director roles! Big thanks also to Music and Choreographer Managers – Mrs Twine and Ms Capriotti and Backstage Manager, Mr Randazzo. The team all worked seamlessly together as a Team, and it certainly shone through in every aspect to make the Musical such a huge success. Special thanks also to Mrs Bubnich who spent many hours working on costumes and to Mrs Barry and Mrs Wardrope for coordinating the Candy Store and to all the staff who assisted before and during the musical with various tasks. PCPS staff teamwork shining through! Many thanks to Mrs Bonny's husband for sharing his creative talents in making some incredible props.
I have already had many emails and parents in passing saying how much they loved the show last night and how appreciative they are of having a specialist learning area for Drama/Art at PCPS.
We have a very well-rounded curriculum and extra curricula programme at our school catering for all children.
Congratulations all round once again to the senior students in the Star Warts Musical and all the Production staff!
Catholic Performing Arts Festival
Our Arts programme continues to shine this term with…...
The Catholic Performing Arts Festival is up and running again. Children have been entered into a number of events – class choirs, small group (contemporary band/ small group singers) and soloists (piano, vocal, instrumental), Musical, so that they can share their special gifts and talents with others. We wish all our entrants the best of luck!
One Big Voice is on this year with PCPS participating in Australia’s largest choir.
Big thankyou to Mrs Twine for preparing the children and practising with them for the events above.
Edu dance is well and truly underway this term with the children thoroughly enjoying expressing themselves and unleashing their creativity through the medium of dance. We look forward to the concerts later in the term. Big thanks to Ms Capriotti for coordinating this programme.
School Climate Survey
Every 2-3 years Catholic school communities in WA take part in a school climate survey. The survey allows an opportunity for parents to tell the Leadership Team how things are going for you and your children.
Similar surveys will be administered to staff and students from Yr 3-6 (and a sample of students from PP-Yr2) to enable us to capture a community snapshot. All responses are confidential and will be used for school improvement purposes.
Further information about the surveys was sent out via email yesterday with surveys being open now until 3 August 2023.
The Leadership Team values your feedback and impressions and the data collected by an external company, will be part of our school improvement journey.
PASTORAL CARE
Congratulations to the Reilly family (Miles Kindy Gecko) on the arrival of their baby boy, Ethan who we are sure will bring lots of love and joy to your lives.
ENROL YOUR CHILD NOW
Due to our excellent reputation in the wider community, we are currently experiencing high enrolments.
If you have a little one at home that has not yet commenced at PCPS, I urge you to submit an application immediately to the school.
Some of our families have missed out on a position as they forgot to submit their enrolment form.
Admin staff are not aware if you have younger ones at home so an enrolment form is essential.
Even if your child is only a few months old, please submit an application form now.
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
End of Day Procedure
Students are to be picked up from their classroom door by a guardian or via the Kiss 'n' Drive on O'Leary Road.
Children playing on the oval after school are not being supervised by school staff.
Thanks for your support in this matter.
REACH OUT WITH LOVE PROJECT
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
Pyjama Day
At the end of Term 2, we held our Reach Out With Love - St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal.
The students and staff came to school dressed in their pyjamas and were very comfortable and warm on this day.
Our fundraiser was a great success as we raised over $700 and were inundated with so many wonderful donations of pyjamas, beanies, gloves, scarves, blankets and many other warm items.
This would not have been successful without the support of our wonderful families here at PCPS who are always so generous. We received a lovely letter from St Vincent de Paul Society this week thanking us all for our donations and our support is greatly appreciated by many who are experiencing difficult times at the moment within the wider community. We continue to keep them in our prayers and hope that our generosity will provide them with some comfort.
Thank you once again for your kindness and support in making this appeal a great success.
Ms Mac Callisto & Mr Peter O'Mara
Assistant Principals
CURRICULUM
Early Learning Matters Week
Early Learning Matters Week (24-28 July), is a special event dedicated to celebrating the significance of early learning and its profound impact on children's development.
This year's theme, "Learning Through Connection," highlights the importance of children's connections to their families, communities, cultures, and surroundings.
Throughout Week 2, our Early Childhood teachers utilised Seesaw to showcase the remarkable work accomplished by our students. We invite parents to participate by engaging with the displayed work on Seesaw and discussing it with your child.
It is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the incredible efforts and connections we foster during the Early Years, thereby emphasising the value of early learning within our school community. We encourage you to take the time to explore the work, provide feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with your child. Your involvement plays a crucial role in supporting their learning journey.
Mrs Aleshia Procopis
Early Childhood Key Teacher
Early Childhood Education
“Igniting Curiosity, Empowering Minds”
During ‘Early Learning Matters Week’ in Pre-Primary, we had an exciting encounter with two kookaburras who visited our playground.
In response, we created a visual chart to record our observations, thoughts, and wonders about these unique birds. To our delight, the kookaburras demonstrated how they eat worms from the grass in our play area, and we were even surprised to spot a third kookaburra watching us from the fence.
To learn more about kookaburras, we engaged in various activities. We read the story "Cheeky Kookaburrah" and explored informative videos to answer our curious questions. The children were eager to draw kookaburras, using artist chalk to depict them in realistic colors. Each child thoughtfully considered the background of their artwork, with some choosing a sunset, others a night sky, and some a leafy green tree.
In our quest to expand our knowledge and appreciation for nature, we invited a parent with Aboriginal heritage to visit us next week. She will teach us the Noongar word for kookaburra, allowing us to deepen our understanding further.
As part of our daily routine, we spend time outdoors, enjoying our meals while observing and listening to the birds around us. We take photographs and research the Noongar names for the various bird species we encounter. So far, we've identified a crow (Wardong), willy wagtail (Djiti-Djiti), and magpie (Coolbardie).
Recently, we were fortunate to experience a significant shower of rain, which was followed by hail.
Although the loud noise of the rain surprised us at first, we soon found ourselves excitedly watching as hailstones covered the playground. The hailstones bounced upon hitting the ground, and the Pre-Primary children hurriedly collected handfuls of hail to explore and examine closely.
What a wonderful start to the term!
Mrs Aleshia Procopis & Mrs Natalie Miller
Pre Primary Teachers
Extension
What an exciting time we have been having in our Extension classes. Our very clever students have been working on entering an ICT competition solving world problems.
I am very pleased to announce that we have 6 entries. These students will join a zoom meeting and present their ICT solution to their chosen problem.
A very big congratulations to our Six students Lucas, Sean, Naomi, Lucy, Matteo, Charlie, Milla, Caitlin, Isabelle, Eva, Catherine, Aaron, Lachlan, Elliot and Peter.
Each of these students has worked very hard and through their holidays to produce a comprehensive report outlining their Global Issue which has now been submitted to the board of examiners. We wish them all the very best.
Some examples of their topics include Preventing scamming, anonymously reporting bullying, Mental Health, Tracking Our Trees to protect our Environment, Anxiety Relief and Positive Pals.
I am extremely proud of our students dedication and intrinsic motivation to voluntarily work on this ICT competition and complete the report for submission.
Well done to all.
Mrs Rosalba Bottega
Extension Teacher
Sustainability
Waste-Free Wednesday is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and make a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste.
Waste-Free Wednesday is a weekly event where students are encouraged to pack their lunches and snacks using reusable containers, water bottles, and utensils. The goal is to eliminate single-use plastics and packaging, promoting sustainable practices and responsible consumption.
At PCPS we believe in nurturing environmentally conscious individuals who understand the impact of their actions on the world around them. Waste-Free Wednesday provides a platform to educate our students about waste reduction, recycling, and composting, instilling lifelong habits that contribute to a sustainable future.
How can you and your child participate?
We invite you to join us in supporting Waste-Free Wednesday by packing your child's lunch and snacks in reusable containers and avoiding single-use plastics.
Here are a few tips to get started:
Use reusable lunch containers:
Opt for durable lunch boxes or containers that can be washed and reused instead of disposable bags or wrappers.
Pack reusable water bottles:
Encourage your child to bring a reusable water bottle to school. This not only reduces waste but also promotes healthy hydration.
Choose eco-friendly utensils: Include reusable cutlery or utensils in your child's lunchbox instead of disposable plastic ones.
Talk to your child about waste reduction:
Engage in conversations about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and composting. Encourage them to become environmental stewards by making conscious choices.
We are excited to see our students embrace Waste-Free Wednesday and take steps towards a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference and create a positive impact on the environment. Thank you for your continued support in making PCPS a greener and more environmentally friendly school.
Mrs Aleshia Procopis and Mrs Simone Passera
Waste-Free Wednesday Coordinators
Music
Performing Arts Festival
The Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival began last week and will continue throughout August. Padbury Catholic Primary School has students entered in the piano, guitar, violin, percussion and voice solo sections. There are also three group items including the Musical, which is being performed this week, Year 3 students performing in a liturgical choir on the 16th August and the Year 5 Choir performing on Thursday 24th August. There is a lot of excitement building as the children prepare for these performances.
Parents are welcome to attend any session of the Festival for a small fee. Tickets must be pre-purchased from the Spirit of the Arts website https://www.spiritofthearts.com.au/performing-arts-festival/
Last Friday some of the students performing solos showcased their talents to the school in a Performing Arts Assembly. All the students showed a high level of skill on their instrument and were very well-received by the audience. The concert was very helpful in building performance confidence before the actual event. The piano students were the first to perform in the Festival this week and have all received excellent feedback from the adjudicator.
Mrs Roslyn Twine
Music Teacher
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Committee has been busy working on some changes which arose from our parent uniform survey last year.
This term long pants will be introduced for the girls as part of our Winter uniform. The Uniform Shop will notify us as soon as these are available.
Our wool jumpers will be phased out and replaced by polycotton jumpers. Polycotton will be beneficial to those children who have skin allergies and the material is also very durable and less prone to shrinkage.
School shirts now come with an embroidered logo and we have added our school logo to our school hats.
The Uniform Shop Committee continues to work hard on ensuring that our children look proud wearing their uniform.
Uniform Shop Committee
Margaret Williamson, Mac Callisto, Maureen Lloyd, Simone Harding, Liz de Haas
PARISH NEWS
Mass Times
All Masses are held in the Church
Saturday - 8:30am; 6:30pm
Sunday - 8:00am; 9:30am; 11:00am; 5:45pm
Monday to Friday - 7:00am; 9:00am
24:7 Youth Group
For all youth in Years 6 to 12
1st and 3rd Friday @ Parish Hall, 7pm
Call Luke 0401822932 for more information.
Rev Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP
Our Lady of the Mission, Parish Website : www.olm.myparish.net.au
GLORY BE CAFÉ IS BACK
Glory be Café is back up and running every Sunday after 8.00am Mass and after the 9.30am Mass on every first and last Sundays of the month. All are welcome.
If you can assist with set up and serving roster, please contact the parish office or Alma and Jackie on 0414 061 237 / 0405 049 668.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Sundays 9.30am Mass, Parish Meeting room, OLM Church.
We invite and encourage all children aged from 4 – 8 years old to join the children's liturgy.
Children will return to church during the Offertory of the Mass.
Children under 4 can attend if accompanied by a supervising adult.
Contact: Renee 0425 698 735 or Renee 0413 225 560
COMMUNITY NEWS
Glitter Wands
Abbey Hrabar loved glitter wands. She carried one everywhere, including to her many appointments at Perth Children’s Hospital where they provided much needed comfort and distraction. Born with a genetic brain abnormality that affected all aspects of her physical and mental abilities, Abbey was a PCH regular but she lived life to the full.
When Abbey sadly died unexpectedly last year her family asked that in lieu of flowers, friends and family donate glitter wands to gift to other children and families at PCH.
More than 500 wands were received in 2022 and to continue Abbey’s legacy, her parents plan to make an annual donation. Recently they delivered a further 340 wands to put smiles on the faces of children in the general paediatrics department.
If you would like to donate a glitter wand please visit Abbey Hrabar Facebook page or drop your donation off to PCH
Padbury Catholic is a double-stream Primary School in Padbury Western Australia.