Guardian Angels' Newsletter Term 3 Week 7 2024
Coming Up
Week 7 | Term 3
Friday 23 August
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Sunday 25th August
Angels on the Oval, 11.00am - 300pm
Week 8 | Term 3
Monday 26 August
Uniform Shop Open, 7.30am - 10.30am
Last Day to order for Father's Day Stall
Tuesday 27 August
Run Club, 8.05am
Confirmation, 5.00pm
Father's Day Stall Prep - Year 2
Wednesday 28 August
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Auskick Prep - Year 3, 7.30am
Last Day to book Parent & Teacher Interview via PTO
Thursday 29 August
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Uniform Shop Open, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Father's Day Stall Year 3-6
Friday 30 August
Pupil Free Day
Week 9 | Term 3
Monday 2 September
Uniform Shop Open, 7.30am - 10.30am
Parent Teacher Interviews
Tuesday 3 September
Run Club, 8.05am
Parent Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 4 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Auskick Prep - Year 3, 7.30am
Bravehearts Ditto Show Prep
Year 3-6 Dance makeup lessons
Assembly, 1.50pm
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday 5 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Uniform Shop Open, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Market Stall Year 5-6
Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday 6 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Dance Concert Year 3-6 2.15pm MC Shed
Parent Teacher Interviews
Week 10 | Term 3
Monday 9 September
Uniform Shop Open, 7.30am - 10.30am
Tuesday 10 September
Run Club, 8.05am
Celebration of Learning 8.30am-9.15am
Wednesday 11 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Auskick Prep - Year 3, 7.30am
Thursday 12 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Uniform Shop Open, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Friday 13 September
Tuckshop Open (limited menu, order must be in by 7.30am)
Last Day of Term 3
From the Principal
Guardian Angels’ School Partnership Review (23rd August 2024)
This Friday, 23 August 2024, we welcome an expert review team to our school to facilitate our School Partnership Review.
The review team consists of: Mike Armstrong (Principal Advisor: Panel Chair), Kathy Fuller (Principal Advisor), Adam Bennie (Principal Secondee School Improvement), Tony Barron (Principal Secondee School Improvement) and Jenny Hart (External Panel Member).
During the review, staff, students, and a representation of our parent community will engage in brief, 20-minute conversations with one of the panel members.
During this review process, we will be able to reflect on ‘what is working well’ and share in our school’s achievements and successes. Additionally, we will be able to consider the areas that we want to build on and those that we are still working towards and identify some considerations for future planning.
Our School and BCE look forward to talking to our parents and the wider school community to ensure that the opportunities for improvement directly benefit our students and sustain the long-term success of our school. We are committed to supporting students in their learning journey and joining with parents to enable students to achieve the best possible learning outcomes. I look forward to sharing further updates with you in the coming weeks.
Book Week: What makes a favourite book?
I stumbled across an article by Michael McVeigh in an old issue of the Australian Catholics Magazine that shared the little known story behind one of the greatest run chases in the history of Australian cricket, by Australian cricket legend, Justin Langer. I’m sure that fellow cricket fans would know the Hobart innings and would agree that it is a remarkable cricket story in itself; one of concentration, resilience and success. However, what I found intriguing in the article was that Justin attributed much of his ‘intense concentration’ that would be talked about for years to come, to something that he had ‘read’ on the flight over.
I thought this article a timely find, given that this week is Book Week, and our staff and students are celebrating their favourite books, authors and characters. I’m sure that we can all recall those special books that have made an impression on us for many different reasons. It could be that we identify with characters or storylines, we could have been challenged to explore the limits of our imagination, or maybe they triggered memories from the time that they were read. Whatever the reasons are that we think of them as our ‘favourites’, the books have made a connection that has had a lasting impact on us. A favourite book is like an old friend. If we want to remember this friend then we need to take the time to revisit the memories; to reread and reconnect.
So what was it that Justin Langer ‘read’ that inspired his unforgettable innings and that had such a powerful influence on him? He read a verse from the Bible. In fact, it was a short verse from Ecclesiastes, ‘I can do everything through God, who gives me strength.’ For Justin, this stood out and inspired him to fully realise the importance of the spirit in his journey. How often do we stop to consider that what we read has the potential to make real changes in our lives?
When we revisit the many stories that we have read or that have been shared with us from the Gospels, we know that the challenge for us is to make these words personal, and in doing so ensure that they have real meaning for us each day. God’s Word empowers us to live for Jesus each and every day. If we are to truly become part of the experience and be closer to Him, then we need to take the time to reread and to reconnect; to be reminded. For even on the reread we can discover something new!
[Sources: McVeigh Michael, The Australian Catholics Magazine: Chasing something more; The Guardian. What makes a favourite book?; BBC online. You are what you read!].
Aerobic Results - Future Champions Cup
Congratulations to our aerobics team on their outstanding achievements at the Future Champions Aerobics Cup.
- Glitter (Yr 1 & 2 team): 6th place
- Galaxy (Yr 3 & 4 team): 3rd place
- Groovers (Yr 5 & 6 team): 1st place
- Glamour (Yr 5 & 6 team): 1st place
Galaxy, Groovers & Glamour are off to the National Championships next Saturday 31st August at the Gold Coast to compete against schools from around Australia. We wish them the best of luck & I'm sure they will make a big impression. We look forward to seeing their performances & showcasing their talents at an upcoming school event, details to be advised.
From the Assistant Principal Administration
Student Free Day
Every year in Term Three, schools throughout the Brisbane Catholic Education diocese have a Professional Development Day which is a STUDENT FREE DAY. We use this as a valuable professional opportunity to work together to strengthen teaching and learning practices throughout our school.
This student free day generally falls on the Friday of Week 8 in Term Three each year.
This year, the STUDENT FREE DAY is FRIDAY 30 AUGUST (Week 8).
Schools will not be open for students on this day so please ensure arrangements have been made to support your family. Those families associated with OSHC and who may require student care for Friday 30 August, please contact OSHC directly to make those arrangements.
Parent Teacher Interviews - Term Three
In the second last week of this term (Week 9), we will again be offering formal Parent Teacher Interview opportunities. These interviews are wonderful opportunities for parents to catch up with their child/ren’s teacher/s and celebrate the students’ successes and achievements. It is also allows for important discussion regarding ways that we, as a team, can support our students in areas of strength, challenge and with relationships with others. Parent teacher interviews will run from Monday 2 – Friday 6 September.
Parent Teacher Interviews are easily booked through the PTO (Parent Teacher Online) link in the Parent Portal. Interview times are now open to parents and will remain open to you until Wednesday 28 August. Be sure to book an interview time with your child/ren’s teacher/s and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to discuss your beautiful child’s progress and achievements.
Senior Shirts 2025
Lovely parents of our Year Five students, please be sure to read the email sent yesterday (Wednesday 21 August) regarding the ordering process for Senior Shirts (Year 6 students 2025). I will also send a hard copy of the email home this week.
Years 3-6 Dance Concert
It's almost DANCE CONCERT time!! Who is excited? (that would be me)
Friday 6 September our oldest angels (students in years 3-6) will showcase their groovy dance moves in the Superstars Dance Concert.
Our students in Years 3, 4 and 5/6 have been grooving and dancing with our friends from SUPERSTARS most Fridays throughout Term Three. They are ready to show you their amazing talents in one of the most joyous and fun-filled school events of the whole year. Our families and friends are invited to join with us on Friday 6 September to share in this great celebration of their learning.
Please find the details below:
When: Friday 6 September 2024
Where: MC Shed
Time: 2:15pm
School Entry: Pine Street gate (closest to the tuckshop)
What to bring: Chairs/Seating. The green tiered seating (running sideways down the shed) is also available for your convenience.
Dear parents, please take a moment to read and be familiar with the following important information in preparation for our wonderful dance concert on Friday:
- Every family has its own story/ways of working. At times, part of this story is reflected in the choices our parents make as advocates for their beloved children. This is particularly relevant in the choices our parents make regarding privacy and consent. Please do not video or photograph the performances on Friday. While I understand this is very difficult; especially when not all family members are able to be present, it is of utmost importance that we all respect every parents' right to make choices they deem appropriate and important for their child/ren. I would be most grateful if you could inform all family members who attend the concert of this very important requirement.
- All students will return to their classrooms at the conclusion of the dance concert to finish their school day with end-of-day processes/procedures. I have tried to time the concert appropriately (start time 2:15pm) so that it should finish quite close to 3:00pm. This should allow time for our students to return to their classrooms, engage in the end-of-day procedures, collect their bags and make their way to their collection points eg Pick Up Zone, shade sails in GA playground. We respectfully ask that, without valid reason, parents do not seek to have their child/ren signed out through the office/s at the conclusion of the concert. This can cause undue chaos as appropriate safety protocols are always followed as per our responsibility to your child. I am hopeful that, by adjusting the start time slightly, the concert should finish close to 3:00pm, ensuring our dear parents will not have too long to wait for their child/ren to finish the school day. Ultimately this will also ensure that each one of our students is safely and soundly accounted for at all times.
OPTIMINDS
This Saturday (24 August), Elisha Thatcher (PLL) and I will join three groups of students in Years 4-6 at the OptiMinds Challenge day for 2024 at Griffith University.
These students have been working very hard (in their own time) since the beginning of this term to prepare for this challenge day. They have gathered after school every Tuesday, during their lunch time every Tuesday and Thursday, and they even spent three hours here at school on a Sunday! They showed such great commitment and enthusiasm. Mrs Thatcher (PLL) and I are so very proud of them all.
The OptiMinds (creative and sustainability) Challenge is a team challenge that encourages and empowers students to THINK, CREATE and COMMUNICATE. This challenge is a wonderful opportunity to participate in open-ended, creative problem-solving events, with exciting challenges that require collaboration, cooperation, experimentation, divergent thinking and creativity.
Guardian Angels has been able to enter three teams in the OptiMinds challenge this year. That’s a lot of teams for a school of our size. Our students will participate in the category of Social Sciences. These teams were assessed on their problem-solving ability, use of sustainable practices, teamwork and creative thinking skills.
Our teams are made up of the following students who I know will represent Guardian Angels beautifully on Saturday:
Social Sciences 1: Lily, Rooni, Julieta, Sofia and Daisy
Social Sciences 2: Georgina, Miles, Aaron, Caitlin and Oliver
Social Sciences 3: Ellie, Arya, Fern, Marta, Hayley, Charlotte and Evelyn
My genuine thanks to the wonderful parents of all of these special OptiMinds participants. Your support in this space was so appreciated. And special thanks to Mrs Elisha Thatcher (PLL), Mrs Walters and Mrs Carroll who worked throughout this term to support, encourage and guide our OptiMinds superstars.
Blessings to you all for the coming weeks
Nicole Waller
From the Assistant Principal Religious Education
Confirmation
Next Tuesday some of our students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We keep these students in our prayers and look forward to celebrating with them.
QCMF
Congratulations to the GA Choir and GA Rock Band for outstanding performances at QCFM last Friday. Both the Choir and Band receiving silver awards for their respective performances, with an excellence award being given to the band’s guitar players.
A huge thank you to Mrs Danielle Clever for her efforts to prepare the choir or co-ordinate our school’s participation, and Julian from Creative Kidz for teaching the students and overseeing the band and to our wonderful parents for supporting this opportunity.
A big thank you to our students for their commitment and effort towards their preparation; you have made everyone in the school community very proud.
Father's Day
Next week is our P&F Father’s Day Stall. We hope all our Dad’s and Fatherly figures enjoy these amazing gifts. Thank you to your hard-working volunteers!
As we look to celebrate our Father’s this weekend, I invite you to spend time in prayer, thanking God for the wonderful gift of fatherhood……
Class Mass Timetable – Term 3
This term we are excited to continue our class masses. We will be combining our class masses with sacred singing and over the remainder of the year all classes will have a chance to host Mass in our beautiful church.
This week’s Mass for Prep Green and 5/6 Green is unfortunately, postponed until October. Please keep an eye out for an email with the change of date details.
God bless and take care,
Rhiannon
From the Primary Learning Leader
Book Week
Thank you to our wonderful Guardian Angels’ community who came together yesterday to celebrate the Magic of Reading!
A huge thank you to our Drama teacher Mrs Vester, Mr Kay and our 5/6 Red students for the time and effort that went into creating such an amazing Book Week performance.
Books have a special way of transporting us to new worlds and old worlds, sparking our imagination, and helping us to see life through a different lens. This week, through our Book Week performance, exciting visits from our Poet Philp Wilcox & Author/Illustrator Jonathan Bentley and all the wonderful costumes, we certainly saw the magic of books come to life.
Optiminds
Opti-MINDS is an inclusive team challenge that empowers students to think, create & communicate.
We wish our three teams heading off to Griffith University this Saturday all the very best as they perform in the 2024 Opti-MINDS challenge. These students from years 4-6 have been working very hard during their lunch breaks and after school to work together to create a performance from the Social Sciences category – Can You Handle the Truth? ~ Real…or Fake News Stories.
We wish these students all the very best!
Student Awards
Congratulations to the following students, who received a LIVE the GA Way Award at assembly.
These students demonstrate the LIVE the GA Way in all they do and say:
Tyler E, Zoe M, Tillee B, Holly D, Ollie M, India T, Angelina S, Harrison C, Murphy H, Adelaide W, Harper LS, Hamish W, Elijah R, Hudson E, Sienna S, Brooklyn B, Isaac S, Jaxon B, Elise M, Macey C, Emma F, Mila C, Netanya M, Arturo MH, Kian R, Cruz MC, Samuel R, Georgia F, Hannah L, Jeremy P, Thomas O, Jake S, Cedar M, Harry H, Isabella C, Abbie F, Genevieve B, Hugo R, Josie H, Callum D, Riley D, Braxton T, Kadey P, Leo S, Alex C, Eimear J, Everly W.
BCE Connect & Parent Portal tips
Please follow the steps below if you are having trouble accessing BCE Connect/Parent Portal.
From Your Computer (using Chrome):
Open Chrome.
Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the browser toolbar (More).
Hover over “More Tools,” then select “Clear browsing data.”
In the “Clear browsing data” box, check the boxes for Cookies, other site data, and Cached images and files.
Use the menu at the top to select “All time” to delete all data.
Click “Clear data.”
Log off and reboot your computer.
Access the Parent Portal via the ‘Quick Link’ on the school website:
Parent Portal - Home - Guardian Angels' Primary School (bne.catholic.edu.au)In the top-right corner, click ‘Quick Links,’ then select ‘Parent Portal.’
Log in (you may be prompted to set a new password).
Use your email address that is registered with the school.
From Your Mobile Device:
- Delete the current BCE Connect App from your phone.
- Clear your phone’s browser history.
- Reinstall the BCE Connect App.
Email Support: Send an email to pwynnum@bne.catholic.edu.au with a screenshot of the error message you are receiving if the steps above are not successful. This will help the support team diagnose and fix the issue more efficiently.
Angels on the Oval - Get your raffle tickets
Purchase your tickets today and join us for a fun-filled draw this Sunday 25th August 2024 at 2PM (on the main stage).Good luck to everyone participating and thank you to our amazing sponsors for supporting Guardian Angels' School!
https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=vrpux
- Cedar & Pine
- Wynnum Golf Club
- Manly Pool
- Dash Dog Wash Manly
- Coffee N Bricks
- Manly Boathouse
- The Fairy Shop
- The Source Bulk Foods Manly West
- Little Gnome Bookstore & Coffee Shop
- Cambridge Hair Collective
- Lewis & Philip
- Little Toy Tribe
Volunteers Needed
We are excited to announce that bookings are now open for volunteering at Angels on the Oval!
Your support and willingness to contribute your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community.
Please follow the steps below to volunteer:
Make a new booking & use event code 8pun9
1. Enter your Details
2. Select Volunteer Roster
3. Select the choices that suit you best