Issue #16, 17th September 2025
Principal's Update
Year 5 Camp Our Year 5 students had a wonderful time at camp last week. They travelled to Milson Island for the night, and enjoyed obstacle courses, challenges, damper making and archery tag, as well as plenty of free time to play with friends. While it rained to begin with, the sun was shining from lunchtime onwards. I was so impressed by the students and their maturity, friendliness, eagerness to try new experiences and the teamwork they showed. Their behaviour was outstanding. There would have been some very tired children last weekend!
Building works You will have noticed that the initial set up and site clearing for the building works has begun. This week, a temporary staircase has been constructed in our quad, to allow the staircase on the oval-end of the Year 6 building to be demolished. Our new classrooms with be joining at this spot. Once we return from school holidays, you will notice a significant change.
Arriving at school From next term, our school's pedestrian gates will remain closed until 8.10am. This ensures the safety of our children and that a child is not on the school site unsupervised. Sometimes, we have children arrive at school well before most staff have arrived. No children should be arriving at school prior to 8.10am. Supervision from staff does not begin until 8.30am. If you child needs to arrive earlier than 8.10am, please call Tania in OOSH to arrange care before school.
Year 5 Camp
Father's Day Recently we celebrated our dads and father figures with a wonderful series of events. The Father’s Day Stall was fantastic, followed by Friday’s delicious breakfast, a beautiful Liturgy led by Year 2 and our much-loved Dads vs Year 6 soccer game. Thank you to all our parent volunteers, especially Corinne I and Maria M, for their role in coordinating the breakfast and stall. We were delighted to see so many families join us in saying thank you to the amazing dads and role models in our community.
Carpark Safety Thank you to everyone who continues to use our carpark safely and with care. A reminder to please help us keep our carpark safe for all families. We ask that cars are parked in marked spaces only, with rear-to-curb parking. Please drive slowly, take extra care at pedestrian crossings, and avoid using the area outside the oval as a kiss-and-drop zone. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe. We received notice from a parent last week of another near miss in our carpark.
Grade Assembly It is assembly season: we have a number of classes and grades presenting their annual assembly in the coming weeks. Year 4 did a wonderful job last week presenting about their learning, thank you! Year 1 is tomorrow, 18th at 1.50pm. Year 6 is Monday 22nd at 1.50pm and Year 3 Green and White are next Thursday 25th at 1.50pm. As always, they will be held on the top playground, or in the hall if the weather is not ideal.
Spelling Bee Over the coming days, our Spelling Bee finals are being held. Congratulations to all of our finalists: Kinder - Lucy A, Jarek C, Madeleine C, Olly J, Myah M and Cora S. Year 1 - Evie A, Billie A, Jayjay J, Thomas L, Jenson P and Bodhi T. Year 2 Finn A, Xavier D, Arthur H, Kaia M, Sofia P and Jenny R. Year 3 Leonardo C, Lucas G, Madeleine J, Henry M, Noah M, Tori M, Isaac P and George R. Year 4 Sophie A, Andy C, Missy D, Edward D, Mackenzie O, Sienna R. Year 5 Benji A, Talan C, Adriana C, Indianna H, Katy-Leigh P and Darcy P. Year 6 - Eden M, Evalata M, Charlie M, Lachlan M, Rhys M and Jackson Q. Congratulations to you all for making it to this level. Our presentation for this will be next Thursday 25th September at 9.00am.
Polding Athletics Success A huge congratulations to Flynn B, Evie C and Madi R who all competed in Polding Athletics last week. It is an impressive achievement to reach this level. You all competed so well. Congratulations to Evie and Madi who placed in the top three in the 1500m finals and are now off to the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park next term.
Presentations Our Athletics Carnival presentation will be next week (Monday 22nd September, 9.00am) awarding 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age group 8yrs-12yrs (boys and girls). Our Broken Bay Badge Presentation will be held next Thursday 25th September at 9.00am. Broken Bay badges are sent to our school from CSBB for students who have represented Broken Bay in a team at Polding Trials. We have received badges for some sports, and are awaiting others. The ones we have received will be presented next week. This includes AFL (Madi R), Swimming (Flynn B, Ollie B, Oliver C, Lachlan B, Jase B and Rhys M), Rugby League (Benji A, Lennox K, Noah B, Flynn B and Koa F), Cross Country (Flynn B, Madi R, Ivy T, Isabella W) and Touch Football (Josi C, Evie C, Sienna H, Amarli M, Phoebe N, Madi R and Lennox K). Congratulations to these children. Badges for other sports, such as Golf and Athletics, have not yet arrived. These will be presented at an assembly during Term 4. This date will be advised once we have received the badges.
Baby News Congratulations to Mrs Erin Andrew, and her husband Mikey, on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby boy, Teddie! After a challenging start, Teddie is doing wonderfully and thriving at home. We send our love and best wishes to Erin and Mikey during this very special time.
Gala Days Yesterday, our Year 5 and Year 6 students represented our school well at the Stage 3 Gala Day at Adcock Park. It was a great day with lots of kids trying a sport that was new to them. Thank you to our parent volunteers. Next Tuesday Year 3 and Year 4 will also attend this Netball Gala Day. Our Year 2 students will attend a Touch Tag Gala Day next Wednesday. Parents, please note the venue has been changed to Adcock Park.
Term 4 Calendar and Dates for 2026 Our Term 4 calendar will be sent out next week once finalised. Please note, the starting dates for Term 1 2026 are: Thursday 29th January Year 1 to Year 6 students begin (summer uniform). Friday 30th January Kinder 2026 begin (sports uniform).
Kinder 2026 Transition Sessions If your child is starting Kinder next year, their Kinder t-shirt is ready to collect from the school office now. We encourage all children to wear these to their Transition Sessions. A reminder of the dates of these sessions: Wednesday October 15th, 22nd, 29th and November 19th. These run between 9.15am and 10.45am, and we encourage parents to attend our information sessions that run at the same time.
Achievement Congratulations to Macie B and Stella C, who will compete in the International Hip Hop Crew Finals next weekend. An incredible achievement as they’ll be dancing alongside competitors up to 12 years of age from different countries; well done, girls, and good luck!
Gorokan Preschool have their 50th Anniversary Open Day coming up soon. Please see the attached picture for more information.
Sister Sister This Friday 19th September our Parish and local Catholic Schools have organised an evening to fill the mind, body and spirit. We encourage any women in our community to get a table together of friends, or come along yourself, for a wonderful evening. Call our school office and speak to Victoria if you would like more information!
Moments that Matter Next term, Victoria our Parent Engagement Coordinator, will be hosting a number of afternoon sessions here at school, to connect families with each other and the parish. The flyer is below. Please call Victoria here at our school office for more information or register your interest through this link.
From our REC
Sacred Spaces - Kinder Blue and Kinder Green
Over the last two weeks our Kinder students have shared their learning in Religious Education. Kinder Blue shared their learning about the Parable of the Mustard Seed. They shared how tiny a mustard seed begins as and how it then grows into huge tree. Just like the Kingdom of God began small and continues to grow larger and larger.
Kinder Green shared the work of Mary MacKillop. They talked about all the wonderful work she did to help children get an education in Australia. We are so proud of how confident and well-spoken our Kindergarten students have been.
Confirmation
Earlier this term many of our students in Year 3 and above made their Confirmation. Unfortunately Bishop Anthony was unable to preside over the service due to illness. Father Brian Maloney led the liturgy. Thank you to Sr Jennifer for preparing our students so well.
Catholic Mission Fundraisers - Jersey Day and Crazy Sock Day
On Friday 26th September we will hold a "Jersey Day" to raise money for Catholic Mission. Students are encouraged to wear a Jersey of their favourite team. This could be netball, football, soccer etc. Students need to bring in a gold coin to support this initiative.
On Friday 17th October we will have our annual "Crazy Sock Day." This also supports Catholic Mission through their Socktober initiative. Students are encouraged to wear fun, colourful socks and bring in a gold coin to support Catholic Mission.
Sister Sister
Come join a wonderful group of women on Friday 19th September at 6.30pm to build faith, relationships and community. Please contact our Parent Engagement Coordinator , Victoria for further information. Tickets are $20.