Welcome to Term 3 2022
- Executive Director's Welcome
- CSPA Parent Survey- we want to hear from you!
- Awards of Excellence Celebration 5th August
- CSPWA Pilgrimage 18th September 2022
- Term 3 COVID Update from Executive Director Debra Sayce
- 2022 Catholic Performing Arts- Can you Volunteer?
- Year 12 Exams
- National Child Protection Week 2022
Welcome to Semester 2 - the second half of the school year!
It seems that every newsletter for the past forever has started with something about Covid-19. I was hoping that would not be the case for this one, however I am not going to dwell too much on it other that to encourage you all to wear a mask to school if you can. It’s not a difficult thing to do, but from all accounts a sensible one!
As we return to term 3 after a welcome break for all, my mind turns to the Year 12 cohort for whom this is really their last term at school. I’m sure that you as parents of this group will be thinking where on earth the time has gone. I spent these past holidays looking through boxes of photos including lots of school photos of my two children. Whilst in one way I miss those days of Sacraments, sports carnivals and classroom rosters, I look at my son and daughter now and see what lovely young people they have become. We sit down now as adults together and have wonderful conversations about all and sundry, much of their input influenced by their Catholic education (I hasten to add, not all of it!) I guess the message I would give to those of you parents coming to the end of your young person’s journey at a Catholic school is that whilst a good education with good results will provide choice for their next step in life, the person they are is so much more important. It is also important for them to know that the choices they make now are not written in stone, they can change their minds, and should do, to find the pathway in life which will make them happy. The old proverb ‘find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life’ is so true and one that your young people should keep forefront in their minds as they step out of school and into the world beyond.
In the meantime, remind your Year 12s to take the time to enjoy this last term at school and all it has to offer. Gently prompt them to work hard until the end to ensure that when they do walk out the door of the school for the last time, they do so knowing, they have given it their best shot. All anyone can do! Your job of course is to keep the fridge stocked, ensure they get to bed at a reasonable hour and remember to say out loud that you will always love them no matter what!
I would like to draw your attention to the survey contained in this newsletter and which we have been talking about in the last couple of months. The survey is being conducted by Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA - national body) and is now live. I am very aware that we can sometimes feel a little jaded with surveys, nonetheless they are an important way of collecting information which can then be used to create postive influence and change. We know from conversations with parents over the past couple of years that the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people has become a significant challenge. This survey aims to collect information around how parents have been affected by this emotive issue, particularly as a result of Covid-19. The survey is being conducted in Catholic schools Australia wide and so it is vital that the West Australian parent voice is heard in it. We should also remember that if we say nothing the presumption is that everything is all right. You have until the end of August to complete it and of course please don't hesitate to call the office if you would like any further information or assistance.
The nominations for the CSPWA Awards for Building Positive School Communities have now closed. CSPWA are delighted to have received so many creative and heartwarming nominations this year and look forward to celebrating all the nominees and particularly the winners at our event on Aug 5. If you would like to join us on the night to hear our guest speaker Dr Laura Allison – CEWA Chief Psychologist whose presentation ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing – The Home/School Partnership’ will no doubt, be both informative and engaging, please register as per the flyer further down in this newsletter. We have extended the closing date for RSVPs until Friday 29 July.
Remember that volunteering at your child’s school in some way, whether by attending P&F meetings, assisting at events, or doing roster in the classroom, is a great way to be involved in your child's education. We know that the outcomes from this type of activity are hugely positive. Beneficial to yourself as a volunteer, to your school community and above all to your child/young person.
That just leaves me to say enjoy the rest of the term, whatever it brings!
God bless!
Siobhan
Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) will be working with state and territory Catholic parent bodies, school parents and friends groups, diocesan directors and principals on the rollout of a parent survey which is now available on the new ENGAGE website: CSPA 2022 parent survey on student wellbeing and learning
The survey aims to capture parent perspectives on issues of concern that impact their children’s health, wellbeing and learning, to help inform future federal government policy and the Catholic education community. Feedback through this survey will also add to the bank of evidence on how parent engagement can enhance student learning and wellbeing. CSPA has partnered with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) in relation to this work.
I urge you to take the time to complete the survey, especially if you feel that the past couple of years have been difficult for your family. As I mentioned in last terms newsletter, if we keep silent on these things it is likely the presumption will be that we are all okay.
CSPA recently launched the ENGAGE social media platform. This new site is tailored to inform parents and carers about issues affecting Catholic schools across Australia and has a major focus on parent engagement in student learning and wellbeing.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a special person from their school community, and congratulations to those who were nominated for an award. We received nominations from the following schools and we would love for you to come along to our awards night to celebrate the amazing work that is carried out within our Catholic school communities:
Parent Category:
| Helen K | Mater Christi Yangebup |
| Lindi Harding | St Augustine's Rivervale |
| Melissa Maiolo | St Michael's Bassendean |
| Greg Armstrong | St Columba's Bayswater |
| Anthea Turkington | Bunbury Catholic College |
| Yvette and Matt Bendall | St Luke's Karratha |
| Kate Price | St Anthony's Greenmount |
Parent Group Category:
| Notre Dame Parents and Friends | Notre Dame Cloverdale |
| Friends of Holy Cross | Holy Cross Ellenbrook |
| St Mary's Parents and Friends | St Mary’s Boyup Brook |
| Mater Christi Parents and Friends | Mater Christi Yangebup |
Principal Category:
| Darryl Winsor | Notre Dame Cloverdale |
| Carol Geurts | Kearnan College Manjimup |
| Ronan Kelly | St Mary’s Boyup Brook |
| Brett Wilkie | St Patrick's Katanning |
| Emma Bell | Mary's Mount Gooseberry Hill |
| Alanna Otway | St Luke's Karratha |
| Pina Hutcheson | St Peter's Inglewood |
Agnes Weymouth:
| Admin team | Mater Christi Yangebup |
| Justine O’Malley | St Elizabeth's Hocking |
| Suzzanne Cully | Kearnan College Manjimup |
| Sue Blair | Mary's Mount Gooseberry Hill |
| Stuart Dale | St Luke's Karratha |
| St Peter's Father Figure Committee | St Peter's Inglewood |
Parish Category:
| Holy Family Church | Mary's Mount Gooseberry Hill |
| Paul Brennan and St Peter the Apostle | St Peter's Inglewood |
| Our Lady in Ara Coeli | St Mary's Northampton |
| St Paul's Parish | St Luke's Karratha |
The awards night will take place on Friday 5th August from 6-9pm at the White Barn, Rose and Crown Hotel (105 Swan Street Guildford). Special guest Dr Laura Allison, CEWA Chief Psychologist, will be speaking, followed by a presentation of the awards. Laura is a wonderful, engaging speaker and the feedback from her presentations is always outstanding. Tickets are on sale now www.trybooking.com/CAHPO and will include drinks and food. For more information please see the flyer below. The RSVP closing date has been extended until the end of this week.
Pilgrimage along the Camino Salvado
REGISTER NOW!
The members of CSPWA Council and Staff would be delighted to have you join us for our first ever Parent Pilgrimage.
The Camino Salvado is a pilgrimage from Subiaco to New Norcia WA in the spirit of Dom Salvado, a pioneering monk from Santiago in Spain. The pilgrimage generally traces Dom Salvado's footsteps in 1846 when he founded Australia's unique monastery town of New Norcia.
The CSPWA pilgrimage will follow the first section of this pilgrimage route. It will commence at St Joseph's Church in Subiaco, go through the city to St Mary's Cathedral and along the river to Bardon Park in Maylands (a distance of approximately 8kms).
On Pilgrimage, we encounter God, ourselves, others and nature. The CSPWA pilgrimage will be an opportunity for participants to learn more about, and to experience the ancient faith tradition of pilgrimage, while spending time with others from our Catholic Community.
If you would like to attend, please book your place via this Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/CBKXV.
Earlier in the week, you should have received a letter through your school Principal, signed by Executive Director of CEWA, Dr Debra Sayce, the Acting Director General of the Department of Education, and the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools.
The letter asks that you encourage your child to wear a mask to school to keep our schools as safe as possible, with minimal disruptions to learning.
We have included a copy of this letter below for your information.
The 2022 Performing Arts Festival will take place from 22 July through until 2 September, accompanied by the Angelico Art Exhibition from 8–26 August. This years celebrations commence with a Praise and Worship Celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday, 21.
The festival organisers require assistance in the role of Door Staff from 8:30am - 4pm for various events which form part of the Performing Arts Festival. The role includes:
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Ensure VIP reserved laminated signs (20) are placed on best seats (front row) at every session. See List of VIPs attending (if any). When they arrive, please escort to their seat or show them their seat allocation. Most VIPs have indicated, however, some may appear on the day unannounced.
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Scanning tickets at the Door using the mobile phone scanner (provided with instructions). A hard copy print out of all patrons is also provided.
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Use the Eftpos Machine if a patron did not purchase tickets and requires to pay via a card (instructions provided).
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If all seats have been taken and maximum seating capacity reached— no further entry can be provided. This is a health & safety procedure. If VIP seats are free in a session, these can be utilised.
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Set up Covid Station (hand sanitiser, mandatory register + pens, Covid Posters on all entry/exit doors to venue.
Please see the 2022 Volunteer Help Request Form to review the dates in which volunteers are required, or contact the Catholic Arts office on 9278 0202.
The full Performing Arts Calendar is available to download here..
This term our year 12 students will be starting their mock exams. This can be a really stressful time for both parents and students (and siblings!) CSPWA have put together a resource with a range of tips to help you and your child through exam stress. To view the resource, click here.
As you will see in the document, there are a range of places you can go for support, including the following websites:
Reach Out: a great online resource for all things mental health, with specific
information on exam stress. https://au.reachout.com/study-work-and-money/exam-stress.
Head to Health: another online resource from the Australian government that has
information for everyone on anything mental health. . https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/work-and-study/study-and-education/
Kids Helpline: https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/exam-stress
National Child Protection Week will run from the 4th to the 10th September, supporting the overarching message that ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’.
This year, there will be a focus on what works to keep children safe and supported… what children are telling us… what families are telling us… what the evidence is telling us… and how to translate this knowledge into action.
The National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) website will have a range of resources and webinars available during the week, and activitiy sheets for children, please see: Get Involved - NAPCAN.
Some of the resources available include how we can support our children by really listening to them. Being listened to also helps children to practice putting ideas into words, explore their feelings, and develop self-confidence. For younger children, please see: Listening to children.
Young people also need to be able to express their ideas and values without feeling they are being judged. For a great resource on how to listen to our teenagers and young people, please see: Listening to young people.
For specific tips across various age groups, please see: Ways to encourage a child's right to speak and be heard.