Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

Term 3 has commenced very smoothly, and the children’s joy and laughter has been a welcome and uplifting presence. 

The Visual Arts Curriculum includes Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts. For many years now we have had a dedicated Music specialist teacher at St Gregory’s teaching the students the music component of the curriculum. After unsuccessful attempts to recruit a music specialist for Term 2, we implemented ‘Amplify’, a commercially purchased music program, which the students enjoyed last term. For the last semester of this year the students will be participating in specialist drama and visual arts lessons. This will provide the students with an opportunity to enjoy new and exciting arts curriculum learning content from a specialist teacher. We are sure that the children will enjoy the opportunity to experience a range of components of the curriculum across the year in their weekly specialist class. Moving forward in 2025 it is envisaged that across the year the specialist teachers will teach the dance, drama and music components of creative arts curriculum with the classroom teacher continuing to teach the visual arts component of the curriculum. 

The end of Term 3 (25^th & 26^th September) will also see the Year 5 students presenting the musical, Aladdin. Tickets will be on sale later in the term so keep an eye out for them. It is sure to be a fabulous occasion. We are also planning an Art show for early Term 4 (Saturday 2^nd November) where the student’s artworks will be on display. More details will come out closer to the date, but pencil these dates into you calendars now.    

I would like to pray for all those in our community who are unwell or injured.

God our Father,

We pray for those whose lives are deeply affected by illness or injury.

When they feel fragile and broken,

remind them that you call them by name and hold them in the palm of your hand.

When they feel uncertain and fearful about the future,

lead them to that perfect love which casts out all fear.

May all of us never be so taken up with our own concerns that we do not see or respond to the needs of others,

especially those who suffer in our midst.

May we all live with courage to respond to the challenges we face.

Amen

Lord Jesus, You walked on the earth, understood the broken world, and healed with Your touch. We pray especially for Nicola Bono who is ill. Soothe Nicola’s pain, calm his fears, and surround him with Your peace. In Your mercy, restore him to health.

Please be with Nicola’s family, giving them Your strength as they love and care for their husband, father, nonno.

Amen.

 Have a blessed week.

Tiffany Reedy

2024 NSW PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

This year's Premier's Reading Challenge is nearing the end ... Less than 4 weeks to go! 

Please remember to log your child/ren's reading into the PRC website. If you are having any difficulties, please email me and explain the issue: natalina.ireland@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Congratulations to the following students who have completed this year's Challenge during the holidays: 

Kindergarten: Parker B, Koda B, Chelsea B, Lyanna D, Eleanor F, Leo S

Year 1: Sienna B, Grace D, Luka L 

Year 2: Ayda B, 

Year 3: Allistair H

Year 4: Florence T, George T

Year 5: Harry M

Year 6: Abigail H 

Please remember that this is a voluntary extra-curricular activity that needs to be supported by parents/carers and requires you (the parent/carer) to record and update your child's record. We help and support this activity, however you must be involved to monitor, encourage, and record online. 

Although its near the completion of the challenge, its still not too late to register your child if they are interested in the challenge. 

Please download and read the Parent Letter and return the registration form to the Library. 

It can be downloaded from the school's website - "Communications/Notes/2024 PRC Parent Letter".  

Even if you child has participated in previous years, we still require the registration form to be completed. 

Reading from 01 September 2023 to 22 August 2024 is eligible to be counted. 

The closing date for entering books on the website is 23 August 2024. 

BOOK WEEK

CBCA Book Week is coming up in Week 5 of term 3 (17-23 August).

We will hold our annual Book Week Parade at each campus: 

Wed 21/08 Macquoid St campus

Fri 23/08 Lowe St campus at 9.10am

So, time to start thinking about a character to dress up as. Look in your dress up box, wardrobe or the local Op-Shops for inspiration. 

Costumes don’t need to be elaborate or expensive and the most imaginative ones are often ‘put together’ or constructed at home. 

No prizes are awarded for costumes we just encourage everyone to dress up and join in the fun.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR IS COMING TO LOWE ST LIBRARY

Its time to RRRRROAR for reading! 

The Dino-mite Scholastic Book Fair is coming to St Greg's Lowe St Library in week 7 (03-06 Sept)!

There will be Dino-riffic activities and prizes to win! 

Scholastic Book Fair Lowe Street Library  (3-5^th September) 

Tuesday 3rd September: 815-10am and 2-5pm 

Wednesday 4th September: 815-10am and 2-5pm

Thursday 5th September: 815-855am and 3-4pm

BOOK CLUB

The latest Book Club catalogue will be sent home this week for Macquoid St students only. 

As the Book Fair is coming to Lowe St, the catalogues will not be issued to Lowe St students. 

Orders are due by Friday 23 August. 

The ordering is only available through LOOP - Linked Online Ordering and Payment. This means that we will not accept orders or payment at the school - this must all be done online. Please do NOT send cash to school. 

All orders are then sent directly to the school for submission to Scholastic. 

Books will be delivered to your child's classroom if you order by the close date. 

If you miss this close off date, you can choose to have home delivery at additional cost. 

There is no need to return any order forms or payment details back to the school. 

Congratulations to Toby Guy, Hendrix Imrie and Archer Gillis who represented St Gregory's in the SUBARU ACT/Regional NSW Regional Interschools Snowsport Championships last week. 

The boys competed in both the Alpine and Ski Cross events. They have placed 4th overall in their Division for Ski Cross, placing ahead of the local Jindabyne School and many of the well known Canberra Schools. The boys will now receive an invitation to compete at the State Championships in the Ski Cross event, to be held in mid-August 2024. We congratulate all three boys who predominately ski for fun, but have shown that their brave efforts have seen them through to the next round. Best of luck to them!! 

Embracing a New School Term: Finding Balance Amidst the Hustle

As the new school term begins, schedules ramp up, making life busier for parents and children. Take this article as permission to rest! Keep an eye on how your children are adjusting, and if you notice frequent post-school meltdowns, it might be time to scale back on activities.

Here are some tips to make late afternoons more peaceful when your child is exhausted from school:

Anticipate Post-School Meltdowns
It's normal for children to hold it together at school and then unravel once they're home. They spend all day following rules and engaging in social interactions, so they need a safe space to release that built-up tension.

Schedule Downtime
School days are exciting but also tiring, and kids need time to rest. If you notice a pattern of after-school meltdowns, try to clear their schedule in the afternoons and evenings. Postpone playdates, skip errands, and head straight home to let your child unwind.

Prepare Healthy Snacks
Your child might not eat enough at school. Drinking and eating are social in nature, and children just tend to snack until they are comfortable. Be ready for them to be "hangry" (hungry and angry) when they get home. Have a nutrient-dense snack ready to tide them over until dinner.

Don't Take It Personally
It's natural to want to hug your children and hear about their day when you pick them up from school. However, they might be too tired to share much. Remember, it's not about you. Give them space, time to rest, and some food.

Engage in Sensory Play
Draw a bath with lots of bubbles and their favourite bath toys. Or put on some calm music and let them relax with kinetic sand or any other sensory play. They will love it, and it will help them decompress.

Book Recommendation
One favourite book in our house (especially for junior primary school children) is "Today We Have No Plans" by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker. This delightful picture book explores the busy lives of families and the joy of a slower day filled with dreams and play. You can also check it out at local libraries.
More information can be found:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z863cxs