School News
Winter Uniform
The official change over date for winter uniform is Monday 16 May, Week 4. If the weather is cooler beforehand students may begin to wear their full winter uniform earlier.
2023 Kinder Enrolments
The enrolment package is available from our school or online at www.dow.catholic.edu.au
RECORDING OF ABSENCES ON COMPASS
Please see communication below from the Catholic Education Office in regards to the requirements and changes to recording attendance.
Dear Parents/Carers,
The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence.
During the next school holiday vacation period the settings in compass will be adjusted to reflect the requirements of the Education Act (1990). After seven days, absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school is not provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven day period.
The school will continue to support Parents/Carers and frequently send home letters giving Parents/Carers the opportunity to provide the school with an explanation for absences.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you require further information regarding the change.
Reporting Timeline - Years 1 -6
Towards the end of Term 2, Year 1-6 students will receive their Semester 1 reports. The Semester 1 report, will demonstrate student’s academic achievement in relation to what they have learnt in Term 1 and Term 2. Reports will be released via Compass on Friday 24 June, Week 9. This will be followed by Parent/Teacher Interviews in Week 10. There will be one late night of interviews on Tuesday 28 June. Interview bookings will be released closer to the date.
Change in Student/Family Circumstances/Contact Information/Medical Conditions
Please ensure that the school is notified of any changes to family circumstances. All details on Compass including contact details, changes in address must be notified and updated. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Little Learning Labs - UOW
The University of Wollongong invites students to LITTLE and EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic and creative arts enrichment holiday program. The program targets students from Year 1 to 6 who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.
Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 7th – 8th July 2022
Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 4th – 6th July 2022
Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)
Applications close: Wednesday, 18th May 2022
LITTLE AND EARLY LEARNING LABS program brochure
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Parents/Guardians visit the website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “Workshop Descriptions” section.
- Parents/Guardians fill out the online application form.
- This is an academic and creative arts enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website).
- Learning Labs is registered as COVID-Safe and follows the guidelines set out by the NSW Government here.
Assemblies
This term we will hold our assemblies on a Friday at 2.30pm in Weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10. Parents are welcome to attend assemblies to be held in the hall.
Walk Safely to School Day - Friday 20 May
National Walk Safely to school Day is on Friday 20May. The annual campaign encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers to walk safely and regularly to school. The event seeks to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.
The objectives of National Walk Safely to School Day are:
- To encourage parents and cares to walk regularly with their children, all or part of the way to school
- To promote the health benefits of walking and create regular walking habits
- To help children develop vital road crossing skills and ensure children up to the age of 10 yrs old hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road
- To reduce car dependency and traffic congestion, especially around schools
- To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles
- To promote the use of public transport
Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT- Upcoming Free Parent Webinar on Online Safety
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT have arranged to hold a free webinar with the eSafety Commissioner for parents and carers of children aged 5-12 years.
The title of this year’s seminar is: Helping Kids Thrive Online.
This Term 2 webinar offers tips on how to support young people to socialise, learn and have fun online in a safe manner. It explains how to access information, use technology safely and navigate new online platforms.
It will cover:
- how to talk to young people about online risks on different social media platforms and games
- how to help young people develop skills to protect themselves when they are online
- where to go for help if things go wrong and how to access mental health support and information through eSafety.
Who should attend? Suitable for parents and carers of children aged 5-12 years
Date/Time: Wednesday 8 June at 7:30 pm
If you have any questions or require additional resources please contact Clare Dunstan.
GARDEN CLUB TERM 2
This term we have started our Garden Club which consists of two students from each class.
The Garden Club is on every Friday at 1.15pm after eating time. It involves weeding the garden beds, preparing the soil and subpods and planting new veggies and herbs. So far we have cleaned up the area and we are ready for the planting process. The students have been so enthusiastic and I would like to thank them for the help they are giving each week.
