Importantly, on Friday, 25 October schools from across Australia will take part in the Daniel Morcombe Foundation's 'Day for Daniel'. We honour the memory of Daniel Morcombe as we educate children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives.
On Friday, 25 October, students are encouraged to wear something red to school for the day, to show support for and raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention. Please note, this is not a free dress day, but students may wear a red accessory such as red ribbons, or they might replace an item of their uniform with something red e.g., red socks, a red shirt.
Through our class and family chats our students become more empowered to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right. Thank you to staff, teachers and students for raising awareness.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety. If you would like further information or resources to help, our Health teacher Mrs Tracey Graham encourages parents and caregivers to consider the following:
The early years is the best time to start teaching children about personal safety. Many parents, carers and educators are unsure or overwhelmed. The Daniel Morcombe Foundation proudly presents Talk Early, a free workshop to teach parents and caregivers how to approach personal safety conversations with children aged three to eight years.
Year 5 Camp
On Wednesday, 23 October our Year 5 students left for three days of outdoor education and adventure activities at their camp at the Gold Coast. Camp for Year 5 is an important part of our school curriculum. The Year 5 camp has a focus on building confidence and interdependence in taking on challenges.
I wish students and teachers all the best for a wonderful experience.
Class groupings for 2025
I would like to provide the following information for the parent community in order to assist you in understanding how important the task of class groupings for 2025 is, together with the many aspects that the teachers and administration take into consideration when working on class groupings for the year ahead.
Our Prep to Year 3 teachers and school leadership spend an enormous amount of time on this task and in doing so they consider some of the following points:
- What are the best learning combinations (from what we know of students this year / last year / other years) for each class
- The special learning needs of each student, for example a student with a disability, a student with learning difficulties or a difficulty being experienced within a particular key learning area, a gifted student
- A balance of fast / independent learners
- A balance of slower / reliant learners
- Cultural considerations
- Boys and girls ratio
- Friendships between students
- Special family considerations, for example, keeping twins together or in separate classes.
This process takes many weeks. Parental input is welcome and considered seriously by the teachers and administration. However, it should be obvious that friendships cannot always be catered for, especially if teachers/administration know that such friendships hinder good classroom learning. Nor should requests be just about choosing a particular teacher that is preferred.
Therefore, requests for particular placement need to have educational reasons and need to be forwarded to me in writing by Friday, 8 November. All requests will be considered in conjunction with the points outlined above.
Class lists are always a difficult task, as together we endeavour to provide the best learning environment for your child/ren.
You will be advised of your child's class and teacher on Wednesday, 4 December.
Staying off the school site after hours
I'd like to remind families that outside of school hours, Christ the King School's grounds are considered private property and users of our grounds and facilities need permission to be on-site. An important part of the reason is our insurance and liability requirements.
Please do not come onto the school site on weekends, holidays or after hours unless you are attending a school-run event.
I appreciate your cooperation with this.
Damien Sullivan
Principal
From the Assistant Principal Religious Education
I'd like to offer a huge thanks to our wonderful families and staff who supported our school sponsored mas on Sunday, 20 October. Your support was greatly appreciated. It was fantastic to see families celebrating with our parish community and taking the opportunity to be active participants in the liturgy and of the Church.
A special thanks to Mrs Margaret Lawless and Mr Michael Doherty for leading us in song.
We were also extremely proud of Francesca K, Isabelle R and Harriet S who addressed the parish community on behalf of Catholic Mission. Well done girls.
World Mission Month
Here in Australia, October also marks World Mission Month, a celebration of the global work of the Church and the dedication of missionaries, both religious and lay, as they reach out and support children and communities in need around the world. Catholic Mission is the Pope's international Mission agency in Australia. An international organisation that partners with communities, helping them to flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including health care, education and spiritual care. Our network of religious and lay missionaries operates in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas.
This year we are raising awareness and funds for the Caring Centre in Mongolia. The Caring Centre provides a home for Otgonbayar and his friends who have nowhere else to call home. You can find out more about Mongolia online.
Pope Francis, in his 2022 World Mission Sunday message, invites everyone to answer the call to be missionary, sharing that 'Mission is carried out together, not individually...'.
At Christ the King School, we have shown support for Catholic Mission by participating in Crazy Sock Day. A massive thank you to all families who donated money. Collectively, we have raised $233.70.
Thank you teachers
On Friday, 25 October CTK School celebrates World Teachers' Day. We take this opportunity to say 'Thank you' to our teachers and school officers and to especially acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and expertise of those responsible for educating our children.
We thank God for the opportunity to learn from them and ask God to bless our teachers and school officers and strengthen them in their mission.
World Teachers' Day is a special day when we can appreciate the work, and influence, all those who work in schools have in the lives of their students. Many students experience success in different ways all due to the positive influence teachers have made to their lives.
We encourage our staff and community to leave a message of thanks via the Brisbane Catholic Education virtual message board and by using the hashtags '#ThanksCTKTeachers' and '#CTKSchoolGraceville'.
A Prayer for Teachers
Almighty God, we come to you today and give thanks for all our Teachers.
Thank you for the way in which they give of themselves each day in the classroom, serving and instructing the next generation of this land.
We thank you for all of them.
Father, please fill their hearts with courage now by your mighty Spirit.
Fill them with your strength, so they may rise to every challenge and not grow weary.
Fill them with your wisdom, so that they may be able to make good judgement when guiding and helping others.
Fill them with your peace, so that when stress and anxiety come it will not overwhelm them.
Fill them with your joy, so that the passion they have for their subject may become an infectious passion that spreads.
We ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus.
Amen
An invitation to CTK School's grandparents and special elders
In Queensland, Grandparents' Day is celebrated every year on the last Sunday in October. In 2024, it will be Sunday, 27 October.
Grandparents' Day recognises the contribution grandparents make to families and communities.
It's a day for Queenslanders to say 'thank you' to their grandparents for their care and support, and for sharing their knowledge, experience and traditions with younger generations.
Here at Christ the King School, we honour and value the influence and significant role grandparents and significant elders play in the everyday lives of our students. To show our appreciation, all grandparents and significant elders are invited to a special Prayer Assembly and Afternoon Tea on Wednesday, 6 November at 1:45pm.
For catering purposes, please register your attendance online.
Suzannah Halpin
APRE