Guardian Angels' Newsletter Term 2 Week 1 2024
Coming up @ GA
Prep Interviews | Monday 22 & Saturday 27 April
ANZAC Day Public Holiday | Thursday 25 April
Prep Interviews Cont | Monday 29 April
Week 2 | Term 2
Monday 22 April
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Prep Interviews - 2025
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Singing Program (Creative Kidz)
Wednesday 24 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Sports Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Choir - Music Room - 7:45am
ANZAC Day Liturgy - 2pm - Memorial Garden
Thursday 25 April
ANZAC DAY
Friday 19 April
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
P - 2 Dance Lessons
Week 3 | Term 2
Monday 29 April
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Prep Interviews - 2025
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Singing Program (Creative Kidz)
Wednesday 1 May
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Sports Aerobics - Hall - 7:30am
Choir - Music Room - 7:45am
Thursday 2 May
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm - 4pm
Friday 3 May
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
P - 2 Dance Lessons
From the Principal
Welcome to Term 2
A very warm welcome back to the new school term and I hope that your Easter was a time of celebration with family and friends. The Easter holidays really adds to family opportunities to rest and play together, and also to spend some time reflecting on the Easter story.
It was wonderful to join together for our Easter liturgy at the end of last term. Through our shared celebrations, we were reminded that Easter is not just a day or a weekend, it is a season that prompts us to pray for the grace, to be open to the work of the Spirit.
Often times, the routine rituals and readings of the Easter season can become familiar to us and we can disconnect from the importance of the message. A message that reminds us of the peace, forgiveness and reconciliation that God extends to each of us.
Although a familiar one, the message offers us strength, but it also challenges us to live in the present and to turn to our loving God, surrender our problems and allow Him to give us the forgiveness and peace we need.
ANZAC Day
At this time of year, we are reminded of the Spirit of ANZAC that is credited by many to have forged much that we identify with as a nation; and that informs many of the values that we live and instil in our students, including respect, resilience, integrity and hope.
ANZAC commemorations remind us of the importance of ‘simple gestures’ that reflect respect, gratitude and thanks to our veterans, those who have served and who currently serve our great nation. One such gesture is through the simplicity of giving your time in attendance at an ANZAC commemoration, and I look forward to sharing in these with you as a community. Next week, I invite all to gather for our ANZAC liturgy on Wednesday 24 April 2024 at 2pm, and to also encourage your participation in our local Wynnum ANZAC commemorations, as part of the Guardian Angels’ school.
As we move towards Anzac Day commemorations next week, may we be inspired to work for peace and love in our families and communities.
Playground Update: Reimagining of Outdoor Play Facilities MC Campus
The construction of the new play and outdoor facilities on MC Campus, Bay Terrace & Chestnut St, commenced over the Easter vacation.
As advised at the end of last term, the contractors are completing the project in two stages. This is to maximise the use of the oval and current play facilities during the project, for both school and OHSC.
The contractors have commenced work on Stage 1 with the operational arrangements in place outlined below:
- The play equipment and the oval green space outside the fencing can be accessed by students.
- Regular, timetabled, play routines remain in place at this time.
- Staff, students and parents must not enter the restricted work site area at any time during construction.
Stage 1: Retaining Wall and New Fencing along Chestnut St and Bay Terrace Oval
Access to MC Campus and OHSC will continue via Chestnut St gate entrance (near current playground) and the Bay Terrace entrance, as per regular routine.
- Fencing has been put in place to create an exclusion area inside the Chestnut St fence line (inclusive of the double gates). This extends along Bay Terrace.
- A reminder that vehicles are not to be parked in front of the double gates on Chestnut St at any time (as this is an emergency access area).
- Please ensure that you observe the work site fencing. This is a restricted area and is not to be accessed.
I thank you in advance for your flexibility and I will keep you updated around operational arrangements as the project progresses.
I look forward to sharing in another wonderful term at GA, as a community where we strive to LIVE the GA Way in all that we do.
From the Assistant Principal - Administration
Good afternoon lovely families,
Welcome back to Term Two; a term full of wonderful learning and fabulous fun.
I’d just like to take a moment to genuinely thank you all for supporting us throughout Term One. We are all part of a significant relationship (yourselves, your beautiful children and the school); a privilege and responsibility we take very seriously. Like all relationships, sometimes things can be a little challenging or cause some worry. Thank you all for always working with us in true partnership to celebrate the successes and work through any concerns so that we can make Guardian Angels the most wonderful place for your little angels and your family.
CURRICULUM NEWSLETTERS
The classroom teachers and specialist teachers have been working to prepare the CURRICULUM NEWSLETTERS for Term Two. I know at times we can become inundated with emails and correspondence from so many places/people. The Curriculum Newsletter (released at the beginning of every term) is a really worthwhile read; providing information about the incredible learning that will take place in Term Two, as well as important excursion and date/event information.
The Curriculum Newsletters will be uploaded to the Parent Portal next Monday 22 April.
DANCE SUPERSTARS (Prep-Year 2)
Yes! Yes! Yes! …. One of my favourite times of the year!!!! The Superstars dancing lessons will begin with our students in Prep – Year 2 next Friday 26 April. Every Friday until 14 June (Week 9) our little ones will enjoy a specialised dance lesson with our friends from Superstars. This culminated in, what I like to call, a DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA! You may think I am talking it up a bit … I AM NOT. This is one of my favourite days of the year because when you see those little angels dancing their little hearts out, showcasing the dance they have been learning all term, it will make you cry with happiness and pride … well, that could just be me … I ALWAYS cry when I watch the concert at the end of the term.
Of course our beautiful parents and families are invited to join us for this concert so be sure to pencil it in to your diary and come along if you can. Friday 14 June at 2:15pm in the MC Shed. I have timetabled the concert so that it should finish just before 3:00pm. Please note that students in Prep – Year 2 will be expected to return to class following the concert for the end of the school day. They will be released from class when the bell sounds at 3:00pm as usual and will not be permitted to leave the school early (requiring the leave early process through the office). Of course the exception to this will be appointments etc. I will provide more information and reminders about this as the event draws closer … but trust me … if you ever want to see me cry … oh and of course see your little ones dancing … then be sure to join us for this great celebration of learning.
LIFE EDUCATION
We are so excited to welcome our friends from Life Education back to Guardian Angels in a few weeks’ time. From Monday 29 April our Life Education friends (including Healthy Harold) will join us at GA for just over a week.
Life Education has been working with Queensland students for over 30 years; empowering our wonderful children with knowledge and skills that encourage healthy, safe lives.
In the world around us, these life skills are as important as ever. Through the Life Education programs, the students learn about key influences on health and well-being; including nutrition and body systems, bullying, friendships, emotional health and relationships. This is done in an informative, age appropriate and entertaining manner .. and the students really love to ‘chat’ with Harold the Healthy Giraffe.
We are currently in the process of selecting the most appropriate modules for our students from Prep – Year 6. When this information is finalised, I will communicate all details about the modules with you via the next full newsletter.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Our official school photos day is scheduled for Monday 3 June. Historically school photos have been taken over the course of two days, however they will be taken on the one day this year. I just want to let you all know as I know that some people make appointment plans around the photo day.
There will not be any catchup photo days at school so it would be wonderful to have as many of our beautiful students here as possible.
It is an expectation that all students wear their FULL FORMAL SCHOOL UNIFORM for School Photo day. Of course this includes correct hair ties, shoes and socks. Our Prep students will wear their sports uniform as usual.
The students in 2 Red will have HPE in the afternoon on Monday 3 June. These students must also arrive at school in their full formal school uniform please. Of course you may pack their sports uniforms in their bags if you want them to change for their sport lesson in the afternoon. This is optional. The students can certainly participate in their sports lesson in their day uniform as a one off. I will schedule these Year 2 students early in the day, allowing time for them to change into their sports uniform if you feel that is necessary.
I have contacted our School Photo contractor to get the instructions for ordering so that I can communicate these with you. I will forward ordering instructions to you as soon as I receive them.
SEMESTER ONE REPORTING
Semester One is an important time in the formal reporting cycle at Guardian Angels. Our parents enjoyed some valuable time with the classroom teachers at the end of Term One in the Parent Teacher Interviews. These interviews will be offered again at the end of Term Three. Terms Two and Four see the formal Summary of Achievement (reports) for each student. All classroom and specialist teachers will be working extraordinarily hard over the next several weeks, preparing and completing these reports. These reports will contain important information about your child/ren’s Academic Achievements and efforts over the course of this past semester (Terms One and Two). They will also contain some important information about the manner in which our students exemplify our school framework LIVE THE GA WAY.
The digital reporting system BCE schools had been using for the past several years (at least ten years) is quickly becoming outdated, as always happens with technology. The SRS reporting has served our schools well over the past number of years, and it time now for us to bid this system a fond farewell. BCE schools will be transitioning to an updated online system for student reporting called THE LEARNING DASHBOARD (TLD). In essence, the information our parents will receive will be the same (achievement and effort for every learning area), as well as information around LIVE THE GA WAY (formerly THE LEARNING POWERS). There are some changes for the staff with regards to the reporting process and we have already begun our professional development in this area.
Parent access to the reports will still be via the Parent Portal, however the reports will look a little different in format and the information you receive about your child/ren will remain consistent. Parent access to student reports will run to the same timeline as always: Tuesday of the last week in Terms Two and Four is when our parent community will be able to access the student reports.
As in previous years, it is important to know that, as these reports exist in an online and BCE systemic environment, parents should always download save and/or print your copies for future reference. Of course I will provide more information regarding the reporting cycle and access to reports as Week Ten draws closer (it seems so far away now; however it will be here before we know it).
Blessings to you all for the coming weeks
Nicole Waller
From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Welcome to Term 2, I hope that you were all able to have a safe and relaxing Easter break. We are very much looking forward to a wonderful term of learning.
Season of Easter
“Alleluia, He is risen”
While we were on school holidays, we experienced an important part of our faith; the Resurrection of Jesus. This event is the most significant foundation of what it means to be Christian. Easter did not stop on Easter Sunday. The Easter season, symbolised by the colours white or yellow, lasts for the next 40 days, finishing with Pentecost. During this time, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us.
Project Compassion
Thank you to all our families who have supported and donated to our Project Compassion Appeal this year. This year we raised $1364.25. Thank you for generosity and support of this appeal.
ANZAC Day
As a school community, we acknowledge those who died at the rising of the sun in Gallipoli on April 25th 1915, we also take the time to remember all the service men and women who have served our country and continue to protect us. For them, we say THANK YOU! We will acknowledge this day with a whole school liturgy on Wednesday the 24th of April at 2pm.
A parent slip has been sent with details for the ANZAC Day March. We hope you can join us on the day.
LIVE the GA Way
This term we continue to strengthen our LIVE the GA Way. At Guardian Angels’ we foster a community that believes in developing the whole child - academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We understand we are a teaching and learning environment, and it is important we focus on a holistic approach for our children, so they have the opportunity to develop into happy, productive and successful members of society - 'To Achieve Life’
We embed through all we do and say, the GA Way:
Each fortnight at assembly we will share recipients of LIVE the GA Way. They are for students who have demonstrated they are LIVING the GA Way in all they do and say. We will announce our valued recipients at our whole school assemblies. To receive a LIVE the GA Award you need to be LIVING the GA Way by demonstrating one or more of our ways of living. For example, you may be living I – Inspire Others by being like Jesus and helping a friend or you may be living E – Engage Responsibly by making positive choices in the playground. Students can also earn tokens that will go towards a whole school reward. To get yourself a token means you need to show that you are living the GA Way. At our junior and senior assemblies, we will be watching our token tower grow! We achieved our goal last term and all students received an extra 15mins of play!!! Well done!!! This term we are working towards a student vs teacher relay!! Will we reach our goal and I wonder who will win – teachers or students?
As a staff we commit to helping to build our student’s awareness and understanding of LIVE the GA Way. We have developed a yearly overview of a learning and teaching sequence provides learning moments for each of the LIVE the GA Ways to be unpacked and connected to our Franciscan Charism through keys words of wisdom shared by St Francis. The learning and teaching sequence will be used at key times throughout the year to help our students embed LIVE the GA Way in all they do and say.
Class Mass Timetable – Term 2
This term we will continue our class masses. We will be combining our class masses with sacred singing and over the course of the year all classes will have a chance to host Mass in our beautiful church.
Below are the dates, time of mass and hosting classes, we hope to see you there.
Important Dates:
· Wednesday the 24th April – 2pm - ANZAC Day Liturgy
· Thursday the 16th May - 9am - Pentecost Mass
God bless and take care,
Rhiannon
From the Primary Learning Leader
Welcome to Term 2! It has been lovely visiting our learning spaces during dedicated English Blocks and already seeing some wonderful work taking place.
What is an English Block?
At Guardian Angels’ we recognise that English is the keystone upon which all learning is built. By using research-proven precision pedagogy, a dedicated English Block is implemented in every learning space from Prep – Year 6. We believe that all students can achieve success in English given sufficient time and support. We believe that focused teaching, engaged learning time and high expectations for all students impact on their literacy outcomes.
From Prep through to Year 6 the children are exposed to quality texts that are modelled and shared to reinforce textual understanding to reinforce reading mechanics. They are exposed to rich and engaging literacy experiences that build on their speaking, listening, reading and writing.
During English blocks, students become increasingly proficient in using decoding, analysing, evaluating, examining, responding to and creating texts, to build meaning. Students learn, apply, integrate and adapt strategies and skills as they engage with increasingly complex texts, for a range of purposes. Texts include components of print, image, sound, animation and symbolic representations, in a range of forms including digital.
The English Block is made up of shared, guided & independent reading and writing opportunities, word study and explicit teaching around grammar, punctuation and spelling in context.
I am looking forward to working with our dedicated and hardworking teachers again this term to continue supporting our students to move their learning forward.
Elisha Thatcher
Primary Learning Leader
Awards
Congratulations to the following students, who received a LIVE the GA Way Award at assembly. These students demonstrate they LIVE the GA Way in all they do and say:
Louie R, Laike L, Joe G, Olivia O, Sofia F, Lewis F, Zy E
From the Tuckshop
Wednesday 24 April - Helper Needed
Thursday 25 April - Closed ANZAC Day
Friday 26 April - Gabrielle Soler
Wednesday 1 May - Helper Needed
Thursday 2 May - Rachel Williams
Friday 3 May - Jess Zaska, Extra Helper Needed
Please contact Kylie Culwick - kculwick@bne.catholic.edu.au - if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen in 2024.
Before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the online volunteer training. This training needs to be renewed annually and can be found here: https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/students-parents/student-protection/Pages/Student-Protection-and-Code-of-Conduct-Training-for-Volunteers-and-Other-Personnel.aspx
From the Church
The Parent Session for First Holy Communion Preparation for 2024 will be held on 24th April at 6pm at the Guardian Angels Church.
Father Joshy will brief parents (no need to bring the kids) on this year’s new program.
This session is for parents of last year’s Confirmation Cohort (Children who received their Sacrament of Confirmation on 2023).
An email reminder has been sent to enrolled families last week.
Kindly contact Wendy at the Parish Office (Wed, Thurs, Friday 9am to 4pm) for more information.
The Guardian Angels Parish Mums and Bubs Group is coming!
Launching Monday May 6.
If you have any of the following good quality items which you would like to donate to help us get started do feel free to drop them at the Parish Office.
For more information, please call or message Alice 0438 880 051, Jessica 0448 780 521 or Paola 0498 649 931. Thank you.
- A change table.
- Children's tables and chairs.
- Board Books
- Wooden Blocks
- Wooden Train sets
- Play Kitchen
- Children's percussion instruments
- A play pen
- Infant toys in as new condition.
- Items for a children's liturgy table, such as a wooden cross, small table, resin or plastic statue of Mary/Jesus/family of Nazareth.