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St Kieran Newsletter Term 4, Week 3 - 26 October 2023

Principal's Message

“I believe that the measure of a person’s life is the effect they have on others.” -Steve Nash

With two MVP’s, 8 all star appearances, and 5 seasons as the assist leader, Hall-of-Famer Steve Nash’s career was nothing short of amazing. Perhaps his most noteworthy influence on the game was not the numerous flashy passes or leading his team’s fast paced offense, but his touches. 239 touches per game; not the amount of times he touched the ball, the number of times he encouraged his teammates. During the season 2009-2010 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns had an intern count the number of high fives Steve Nash gave during an average game, and he counted 239. These simple, seemingly meaningless gestures may be the catalyst for individual and team success.

Touch, support and positive encouragement is vital for trust, cooperation, and group functioning. It reduces feelings of threat and reinforces that teammates are operating for the good of the group and not playing selfishly. It determines how well teams cooperate which determines how well they perform.

Touch, Trust and Cooperation, in the form of unselfishness and efficiency, was also measured. These interdependent behaviours included talking during the game, passing to a teammate who is less closely defended, helping other teammates on defense, setting screens to get teammates open, and other displays of relying on teammates even at the expense of individual performance. In contrast, behaviours that display lack of trust were also measured such as taking closely defended shots, not passing to an open teammate, and other self-reliant actions.

Just by looking at the number of team acts during a game at the beginning of the season, researchers predicted which teams would have the best records at the end of the season. They were right. The best NBA teams were always getting into tight huddles and high-fiving. Inevitably, they played like they trusted each other. They found the best shots on offense, helped each other on defense, talked more, and of course, won more games.

The worst teams in the NBA barely touched and had terrible body language. As a result, they consistently made selfish, inefficient plays, and their record showed it.

Steve Nash had only 1 scholarship offer out of high school. Standing at 6’1, he looked more like runner or athlete. Yet, he was able to play basketball at the highest level for 18 years. How? He made himself extremely valuable by being the best teammate. He got his teammates involved, encouraged them, acknowledged them, earned their trust, and his team followed his example of unselfish play. Not only did this earn Steve Nash a legacy of being the ultimate teammate, he won more games because he was a great teammate. Being a great teammate helps your team win.

Steve Nash was successful at every level because he was intentional about always giving his best. He gave his best effort to his teammates in the way he treated them, and he gave his best effort in every workout, practice, warm up, and game. Be enthusiastic and be engaged, because giving your best for your team will always bring something good for you.

So…how does this translate to a school. Well I am going to go down this path…support and positive encouragement doesn’t just relate to school, but it relates to we make other feel. When people feel part of a 'team' or and organisation you get a sense of belonging. This belonging to the St Kieran Family is really important to us - it is your place, you family. Each and every week we get to see the St Kieran Family work in many different ways, to pushing cars, buying food, supporting with clothes and furniture, proving meals and just encouraging one another!

Welcome to all our new families coming into Kindy 2024, that tonight will start their journey with the St Kieran Family and no doubt those families that have been here a little while will bring them onboard.

I hope you have all had a great week.

Take care and stay safe.

Daine Burnett
Principal
daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au

Staff News

It is with mixed emotions that I am able to announce that Mrs Denise Brown, after more than 30 years at St Kieran Catholic Primary School, will be retiring from her role at the end of 2023. 

  Mrs Brown has been an integral part of St Kieran for so many years and in so many different roles across over that time. She has been an amazing staff member and will be greatly missed by all the staff, students and the community. Words obviously will not be able to convey our thoughts and feelings regarding Mrs Brown, including the overwhelming time and commitment she has personally and professionally given to the St Kieran community. We of course will say goodbye at the end of the year to Mrs Brown thank you and we do wish you all the very best!

  While it is always difficult to say goodbye to a staff member, I will explain the following, so you are aware how we are moving forward. Mrs Brown's role is integral to St Kieran and to ensure that we continue to develop the family relationships, trust, respect and the C Centre, I am pleased to announce that Mrs Sally Hart will be taking over this role in 2024. Sally will continue as an Assistant Principal, however with new responsibilities. Congratulations and thank you Mrs Hart!

  To cater for this staffing change we have been granted permission by CEWA to appoint a third Assistant Principal. This position is currently being advertised and we will let you know the successful applicant as soon as this is finalised.

I am pleased to announce that Miss Kirsten D’Cruz will be joining us in 2024 as our Music Teacher. We look forward to welcoming Miss D'Cruz to St Kieran Catholic Primary School in 2024. Congratulations Miss D'Cruz. To ensure we continue the Dance element within the school we have re-engaged with Make-A-Move who will undertake this program in Term 3 2024 for our students. Many of you would remember Make-A-Move being so successful at St Kieran and it is great to be able to welcome them back.

Parking

As the building has now concluded please make sure the front of the school is kept free and that the ACROD Bays are used for those that have permits. The parking at the front of the school is used for C Centre students. Please don’t hold these bays up waiting for other reasons.

I would also like to raise a very dangerous action we are seeing out the front of school on Tyler Street with cars stopping and letting children out on the road. Please ensure you park and let your child out safely.

Term Calendar

A reminder to keep an eye on the school website for other important dates during Term 4. These often need to be updated and finalised as the term progresses so please keep referring back to these. We conclude school this term on Friday 9th December.

School Fees

A reminder to all families that school fees are due and that if for any reason you are falling behind you need to make an appointment with the school principal to address these and the payments required.

Annual Community Meeting

Our Annual Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd November at 5pm in the Upper Learning Area. This will be a combination of the School Advisory and Kieran Connect Meeting's.

The School Advisory Committee operates under the Terms of Reference, and these are listed on our school website. As a School Advisory Council, we continue to look to support our school values and those of CEWA. If you ever have any questions regarding the School Advisory Council please contact Mr Burnett.

Kieran Connect

We are calling all parents within the St Kieran Community to consider taking a role within the Kieran Connect Committee.

Current role vacancies for 2024:

Committee Chair
Parent Representative Coordinator

Join our dynamic team and be a part of the group that helps make a difference in our community. If this seems like you, then please email us at kieranconnect@cewa.edu.au

Kindy Induction Night

Just a reminder that we have our 2024 Kindy Induction night on Thursday 26th October at 6pm in the Upper Learning Area. All parents in Kindy 2024 are expected to attend this night to find out about 2024 and meet the families in this year level. Parents must make sure they sign in on the night. Please enter through the Morgans Street Gates.

Enrolments 2024

We have a very limited number of positions available across the school in a variety of year levels. Please contact the administration office for further details.

3 Year Old Kindy 2024

We are currently undertaking enrolments and conducting interviews for 3 Year Old Kindy 2024. Please make sure that you let your family and friends know and if you have a sibling please ensure that you have completed an enrolment form. There are very few spaces for 2024 remaining so please make this a priority for your family. Please contact the office if you require more information or refer to our school website.

Students Leaving St Kieran

Can you please let the school know as soon as possible if your children are moving on from St Kieran in 2023. We currently have families on our wait lists and would like to accommodate as many people as possible. Please note a terms notice should be given in order to not be charged any subsequent fees.

Uniform Rescue - Pick Up Dates

The drop off will be before school in the Undercover Area on Tuesday 7th November and Wednesday 8th November. This is only for the 'old style' St Kieran Uniforms that will be obsolete at the start of 2024.

We would ask all parents to refer to the requirements below. The items must be packed as stated below - no plastic bags or boxes at all.

How should uniforms be packed? 

We require items to be neatly folded and tightly packed in re-usable sealed backpacks, sports bags and non-plastic bags (not garbage bags). This is so they can be easily transported and are more sustainable (e.g. do not create plastic-based waste). Cardboard boxes can be accepted, but are not preferred. 

What items are accepted? 

We accept clean uniform items in a condition that can be worn (minor stains and signs of wear are acceptable, but zips, buttons and other fastenings must function). Items include clothing (formal and sports), bags, accessories (ties, belts, socks), hats and shoes. 

NAPLAN Feedback

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is seeking feedback from principals, teachers, parents and carers on the NAPLAN changes introduced this year. NAPLAN moved from May to March this year, and changes were made to reporting in order to provide simple, clearer and more meaningful results. ACARA is keen to hear from principals and teachers, as well as parents and carers, on these changes. Feedback is being collected until early December 2023. A link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRTZCHN You are asked to share the survey with your school communities and participation is encouraged by principals, teachers, parents and carers.