Welcome to the first St Luke's Way Newsletter for Term 2, 2024. Following, you'll find newsletter articles from St Luke's Principal, Matthew Hughes, as well as all main areas of the School. Please open your newsletter article of choice by clicking on the options below.
ANZAC Services
Reverend Erika, Mr Cathcart and Mrs Griffin led the School in a truly wonderful ANZAC service on Tuesday this week. Bernie Strohfeldt, committee member of the Returned & Services League of Australia, Bundaberg Sub Branch, Veteran of the Australian Army, and parent of the School, was our guest speaker. It was a privilege to have Bernie speak at our service, where he told the students a number of stories about the important work that animals play in defending Australia. Later in the service, Reverend Erika brought the spirit of the ANZACs together with the commandment that Jesus gave - “that you love one another as I have loved you.” which is followed by “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Truly, at this time of year, it is right to reflect on the love expressed through the sacrifice by so many Australian and New Zealand service people.
At the conclusion of our School service, the recessional song was What Would I Say, by Jacob Vincent. It is a moving song, and I would encourage you to watch or listen to it if you haven’t heard it before. Some key lyrics, which feature towards the end of the song, are the answer to Jacob’s question, “What would I say?”. Jacob says, “I’d speak to him in actions, in what I say and do … respect others, live in peace, the only true thank you.” It is a poignant way to end the song and one I would encourage our students to think on as they try to live the St Luke’s Way. What we say, but more often what we do, demonstrates our character, and we owe it to the people who have provided us with a safe, prosperous and free land to make the most of what we have.
It was heartening to see St Luke’s students turn out in numbers at the various services around the region, yesterday, and in some cases play key parts in these services. I estimate that the number of young people attending with their schools, other organisations, or simply with their families is more than I’ve seen in the past decade. This is encouraging, as with more and more veterans being unable to attend services, or passing on, it is important that our young people take up the torch to preserve the memory and spirit of our defence personnel.
Community Fair and Day in Lieu
As it is coming up soon, I wanted to remind parents about the day in lieu on Friday 31 May, the day after the Bundaberg Show Day holiday. The School is closed on this day for Prep - Year 12 students, in place of attending the Community Fair on Saturday 3 August. For parents with children attending the Early Learning Centre, it will operate as usual on 31 May.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our School.
Mr Matthew Hughes
Principal
Welcome back
We hope everyone enjoyed a lovely break over Easter with family. It was such a joyful sight to see all those smiling faces greeting friends and sharing their exciting holiday adventures. Children have happily settled back into routine and eagerly engaged in meaningful learning experiences and play. Routines and transitions help children to develop self-control, independence and decision making. Consistent or flexible but predictable daily routines support active learning and provide children with a sense of belonging.
This week, to commemorate ANZAC Day, children engaged in age-appropriate conversation to discuss why and how we remember the Anzac soldiers. We also celebrated Earth Day and learned the importance of protecting our environment.
Lastly, a reminder of the upcoming special event at the ELC, ‘Mother’s Day’. Mums or Special Persons are invited to share a morning of fun activities and a delicious morning tea with their child. An email will be sent out to families next week with more information on dates and times.
Warmest regards,
Mrs Catherine Donaldson
Director of Early Learning Centre
Welcome back to Term 2! We would like to welcome Mrs. Corpe back to our Year 2A classroom. With this term only being nine weeks, it will again be another busy term with lots of exciting activities already starting this week.
Building a National Picture of Child Health
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) that provides a comprehensive picture of children's development by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years.
Children won’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs and identify the services, resources and support they need. AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool. Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing programs.
Participation in the AEDC is voluntary; however, the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.
To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit: www.aedc.gov.au.
Further information regarding participation will be sent home to parents shortly
Year 5 Camp
Just a friendly reminder that our Year 5 staff and students will be attending Camp Maranatha - Tuchekoi campus from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 May 2024. Should your child be required to have medication on camp, please have this delivered to the Primary Office by no later than Monday 29 April, along with both medical forms completed. After this date, it will need to be provided to the camp teachers on the morning of camp. Enjoy the experience, have fun and we look forward to seeing some great photos and hearing all about it.
Friday Afternoon School Sports
For parents of our Year 4 to 6 students, could you please ensure that every Friday your child wears their Interschool Sports Uniform to school. Those students participating in Soccer and Rugby League are reminded to also bring their navy blue socks to school. If your child is playing Rugby League, they are also required to have a mouthguard and football boots as per the letter that was sent home on 18 April. If your child is playing Soccer, they will also require a pair of shin guards. The navy blue socks that students will be required to wear are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop. All students are required to bring a water bottle to attend Friday afternoon school sport.
Year 7 Taster Day
Last Friday our Year 6 students attended the Middle School Year 7 Taster Day to have a taste of what Year 7 would be like. They were split into groups with each group having the opportunity to try HPE, Food Technology, Design Technology and a Drama Class. The students had a fantastic day and shared with us some of the highlights of their day:
Year 7 Taster Day was a jam-packed day full of fun and activities. The Taster Day was about experiencing the different electives available throughout the Middle School (Years 7, 8 and 9). We learned where each electives' room was, and found our way around the Middle High School buildings. The teachers that the students met were super nice, welcoming and encouraging to all students, regardless of whether they knew them or not. Again, the Taster Day was full of fun activities and was a great experience for us and we are now looking forward to High School even more. - Freya B
The Year 7 Taster Day was a day where we could connect and link with new kids enrolling for our school. From things like cooking, physical activities and art, the Taster Day was a day for all kids to enjoy and hopefully change minds on their first impressions here at St Luke’s Anglican School. As for the activities, in our wonderful lesson in Food Tech, the students baked deliciously made Jam Drops and Choc Chip Cookies which you couldn’t have enough of. For Physical Activities, an exciting game of Mexicans and Texicans came as another fun game of kick/throw tennis followed. When looking at the day we had at Engineering Technology, just how could you forget it with all of the fun. We made bag tags by first heating them up in ovens, and then we grabbed our gloves and started to twist. Last but definitely not least, we went to art class with big smiles on our faces. We made little wooden figurines and had the choice of Bees or Jets which sounded amazing in my opinion. If we could ever have a day to throw back the time then without a doubt this would be at the very top because when you have an experience like this, you just can’t let go of it. - Renesh G
Primary Mother’s Day Stall
On Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May, our Prep to Year 6 students are invited to bring in some money to purchase some Mother’s Day gifts. Students will be allocated times during the day to attend with their class and can purchase up to two gifts, with prices ranging from $2.00 to $10.00. Sales will occur during rostered class time and not before school.
Primary Mother’s Day Morning
We would love for all our mothers and any other important people in the students' lives to attend our Primary Mother’s Day Celebrations on Friday 10 May. Guests are invited to join their children in class from the start of the day. Guests are then welcome to stay and enjoy a shared morning tea near the Primary office from 9.45 am which will be provided by the School. Students are required to bring their own morning tea.
Bundaberg District Primary School Sport - Cross Country
Best of luck to the following students who will be competing for St Luke’s at the Bundaberg District School Cross Country at Avoca State School on Friday 17 May:- Harper K, Matilda S, Casey M, Victor L, Zia N, Florence M, James K, Asher J, Laura B, Zahli G, Renesh G and Leo T.
Kind regards,
Ms Tonia Lassman
Head of Primary School
Dear Middle School Parents and Caregivers,
The St Luke's Middle School newsletter is recorded as a video by myself and Head of Senior School, Mrs Robyn Deer, and then uploaded to YouTube. For this fortnight's newsletter content please visit the following YouTube link.
Alternatively, you may wish to jump ahead to specific topics within the same video. If so, please go to the following category links.
Kind regards,
Mr Mark Fancourt
Head of Middle School
Welcome to the Senior School newsletter for this fortnight. Head of Middle School, Mr Mark Fancourt and I have recorded a video update and uploaded it to YouTube for your convenience. To watch this fortnight's newsletter content for Middle and Senior School, please visit the following YouTube link.
Alternatively, you may wish to jump ahead to specific topics within the same video. If so, please go to the following category links.
Kind regards,
Ms Robyn Deer
Head of Senior School
Interact Club Update
On Friday 22 March, the Interact Club ran a sno cone stall for the Middle and Senior School. The stall was well supported by students who queued up at the lunch break to purchase a
sno cone for $2.50. Fourteen Interact members assisted with the first shift. This shift proved very busy, with three serving stations required to fill the orders. The second shift was not
quite as hectic, with nine Interact members being kept very busy. $302 profit was made from the stall. These funds will go towards the Interact Club’s annual giving to worthwhile local
charities.
On Tuesday 26 March, the Board Members of the Interact Club were inducted. It was truly a pleasure to have the honour of Inducting the nine members of the Interact Board at the school Assembly. The Year 12s who willingly came forward at the beginning of the year to make themselves available for the Board are deserving of the recognition they have received. The Interact Board is very important to the club, as it is the Board that drives Service activities and sets a good example for other Interact members to follow.
Interact Club Board Members - 2024
The Executive
President: Shanae
Vice President: Reese
Secretary: Karleigh
Club Directors
Community Service: Providence and Poppy
International Service: Jorja and Aritha
Club Service: Kaelen and Samantha
Spectacles Recycling Program
On Wednesday 24 April, thirty members of the Interact Club met to pack approximately 1,000 spectacles for recycling to Pacific Island countries. Many people in countries such as Papua New Guinea and The Solomons do not have access to spectacles as we do. This program offers a very significant reward for those with vision impairment in countries where people are much less fortunate than ourselves. To give these people spectacles to see clearly, for perhaps the first time in their lives, is very rewarding. Already this year, the Interact Club has sent approximately 3,000 spectacles overseas.
Neil Robinson
Interact Club
National U18 Discus Champion
Last week, our 2024 Sports Captain, Jonty, continued his journey as a young athlete in pursuit of his dreams. Following his success at the Queensland State Championships earlier this year—where he won an impressive four State titles—Jonty was selected to represent Queensland in both the U18s and the U20s age group at the recent National Championships held in Adelaide.
In the U18 division, Jonty showed impressive form to win gold in the Discus and silver in the Shot Put before stepping up in age and weights to compete in the U20 division. For a young man of 17 years to compete against older athletes at this level is an accomplishment in itself. But being the fierce competitor he is, Jonty refused to be intimidated, showing tremendous focus and determination to win bronze in the U20 Men’s Discus and earn 4th place in the U20 Men’s Shot Put—a truly remarkable effort!
BDSSS Cross Country
Earlier this week, over 60 St Luke's students competed at the BDSSS Cross Country against athletes from other schools in the Bundaberg District.
Each student represented St Luke's with tremendous pride and we congratulate the following Age Champions:
Open Girls - Maya
15 yrs Boys - Xander
Open Boys - Chris
Mr Dwayne McKay
Acting Director of Co-curricular (Sport)
Eisteddfod Season
Eisteddfod season is rapidly approaching, and we encourage all families to make sure that your entries are in via Comps Online by Tuesday 30 April. Please note that if you are entering duets and trios, you will need the name and birthdate of all group members to be able to enter them.
Rehearsals for all groups are very important, and regular attendance ensures that your child is confident and ready to perform when the time comes. As the colder weather creeps in, it can be a great life skill to teach your child that being on time for rehearsals is important.
Home Practice is an important part of your child’s musical development and allows them to consolidate and perfect the skills that are taught in lessons.
From our Out of the Box Captain, Kira Bryant
Out of The Box is an extracurricular Drama Club that is open on Tuesdays from 3.15 pm until 4.30 pm. If you enjoy drama, then it's a really good place to develop various skills. Often, each term will start off with various activities, such as chorus and group work, to help develop drama skills such as tension, focus, as well as directing and spacing. Later in the term, we create a production. This term, our production is going to be “The Ghost of Miss Annabell Spoon”. During the production process, many different ideas from people through the club are involved. Productions such as this also make use of freeze frames, movement pieces, and different aspects of drama that you may not usually get to experience or practice. If you are interested in becoming involved but not quite sure yet, or even if you are interested in any form of drama, then you are welcome to come along to the performance night of “The Ghost of Miss Annabell Spoon”, which will be held on the 4 June June.
Mrs Nicole Strohfeldt
Director of Co-curricular (Culture)
Hello Parents, Caregivers and Students of St Luke's.
Visit our webpage where you can find everything you need to know about the Turtle Café, including this term's downloadable Turtle Café and ELC menus, and our Flexischools ordering system. It's all located by clicking right here.
Yours in Nutrition,
Mrs Kylie Johnson
Turtle Café Convenor
Shop Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (with the exception of Public holidays), 7.45 am to 11.00 am and 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, and on Wednesday from 7.45 am to 12.00 pm.
New Uniform Items Now Available
Our new track pants have now arrived and are available both in the Shop and online with Flexischools. The trackpants come in sizes 2 – 5XL and are $50.00 each. These match our new Winter jackets that arrived last year.
With the Rugby season around the corner, we have St Luke's Rugby shorts for $41.50 and the thin skin socks available for $13.00.
Sport duffle bags are also available in the Shop and would suit those with extra sporting commitments. These are $54.50 each.
Boys' grey crew socks are also now available for Middle and Senior students as an alternative to the long grey socks.
Items Back in Stock
Our Middle and Senior Boys' long grey socks and our Sport shorts are back in stock and available for purchase.
Online Ordering
Online ordering from the Uniform Shop is available and can be placed via Flexischools. To find out more information, please click here.
Mrs Fiona McCartney
Shop Supervisor
There is no update this fortnight from the Learning Hub.
Ms Sarah Simpson
Learning Hub Manager
School Fees
All school fee accounts for term 2 have been emailed out to families and are due for payment by Wednesday 15 May 2024. Family statements can also be viewed on the Parent Portal under Accounts and Payments.
Overdue accounts will be considered acceptable if a regular payment arrangement is in place and is being honoured, otherwise a $25 per month Administration Levy Late Fee is applicable.
The School has a variety of payment methods available for your convenience. Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Susan Browne or Mrs Michelle Prickett on 4132 7555 if you would like to set up a payment plan or have any queries regarding your account.
Notice of Enrolment Termination
The Notes to the Schedule of Fees lists the following requirements for withdrawal of enrolment:
If the student is to leave the School the parent agrees to give at least one term’s written notice to the School. This notice should be received:
not later than the first day of term at the end of which it is intended that the student should leave, or
if it is intended that the student should leave during a term, not later than the first day of the immediately preceding term.
If the parent intends to cancel or (with the School’s agreement) postpone or otherwise vary the student’s enrolment, the parent will give notice to that effect to the School no later than the first day of the term immediately preceding the date of entry.
If the parent fails to comply with either of the above paragraphs, the parent will pay or forfeit (as the case may be) to the School one term’s fees and charges in lieu of notice unless the Business Manager, in his/her sole discretion, agrees to remit payment of those fees wholly or partially.
To view St Luke's past newsletters, please choose from any of the dates below.
Type on the line above then press the Enter/Return key to submit a new search query