12 April 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important dates

Tuesday 23rd April – first day of Term 2
Thursday 25th April – ANZAC Day
Monday 6th May – May Day Public Holiday
Thursday 16th May – School Council meeting
Tuesday 14th – Friday 25th May – NAPLAN
Friday 25th May – Year 9 Transition Visit to Centralian Senior College
Thursday 30th May – Athletics Carnival

From the Principal

Dear families

Incredibly we have reached the end of Term 1. It has been a busy and a full term with numerous highlights, but by now we have a number of tired students who will take advantage of the week off to rest, recuperate and spend time with friends and family. School returns after Easter, on Tuesday 23rd April.

As it is the end of the term we are posting home short progress reports that provide an indication of how your young person has started the year at CMS. This is not an achievement report and does not include A to E grades outlining achievement against the achievement standards. Achievement reports are distributed at the end of Term 2. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how students are going and on some reports we have specifically asked parents to get in touch with us to discuss their young person’s progress. Our formal Learning Conferences (Parent-Teacher-Student interviews) are held at the beginning of Term 3 but you can call up the school and can make an appointment with your young person’s teachers at any time.

We had a fantastic Youth Week Health and Wellbeing Expo yesterday with around 20 community agencies coming in to join us and meet with our students. We also welcomed 200 Year 6 students to participate. The purpose of the Expo is to help our young people be aware of and connect with some of the agencies in Alice Springs that support mental and physical health and wellbeing. As our young people continue on the path to adulthood we want them to know who they can go to for help if they need it. It was a really positive day. Huge thanks to Kirsten, our Counsellor, for organising and the agencies who came in for their support.

While the weather has not cooled off much, we are starting to see jumpers in the school. Please be aware that the only jumpers that students can wear are CMS jumpers. They will have to remove other jumpers and if they are cold we will call you to bring in or purchase a CMS jumper. Student Access is open from 8-8.30 and 3-3.30 daily if you wish to purchase an item. The office will be open next week for uniform sales as well. Thank you for your support in ensuring that your young person is in full school uniform every day.

Unfortunately we are farewelling a few staff today. Darren, our Maintenance Officer of 10+ years is moving to a maintenance role working across a number of buildings in Alice Springs. We will shortly be advertising the Maintenance Officer role so keep an eye on the NT Government Jobs website if you are interested or know someone who might be. Ms Rachel Helliwell, one of our Small Groups teachers, is moving to a role in the Positive Learning Centre which supports students across a number of schools. Mr Hans Westermann will be returning from leave in Term 2 to take over her teaching role. Mr Jack Talbot is taking leave for Term 2, due to return Term 3. And finally, Mr Zachary O’Connor has been with us for the last 4 weeks backfilling Ms Adrienne Grant’s leave. Mr O’Connor is returning to Darwin and Ms Grant will be returning at the beginning of Term 2.

I hope that you enjoy the week that you have with your young person and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday 23rd April, refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of another term at school.

Warm regards
Paul van Holsteyn
Principal

School news and updates

News from Clontarf

Taco Tuesday

Tuesday was a great day to have Taco’s for lunch as we had over 40 students in the academy room. Some of the boys invited some of their teachers as well to our Taco lunch. We had few the fellas also help out making and getting the food ready, the fellas got to interact with the teachers and Clontarf more and practiced using their manners and thanking the staff and students who helped out. Everyone had a great time together.

Early Morning Training

The Wednesday training pick-up challenge is getting more impressive each week. Last week we managed to get 45 fellas to training. The fellas are all training and having fun together as we play the Wide World of Sports, a new game the boys all love to play, which involves everyone in 4 sports in 1. No one misses out! Now and then we will surprise the boys with a “troopy challenge”, and whichever staff member picks up the most fellas across town (eg. Larapinta/Gillen, Eastside, North side) goes to the Gillen Club for lunch. This week Larapinta/Gillen were the winners of the pick-up Challenge getting 16 boys, but the other pick-ups are not far behind (eastside has 15 and northside 14)

Good Bunch Lunch (GBL) 100% School Attendance

Last week we had 25 of our Clontarf students made 100% attendance and with that we decide to make homemade hamburgers for the fellas, which they really enjoyed having and spending time together in the academy room.

“Healthy Legends!”

This week young Leroy Burdett and Michael Morgan are our “healthy legends” who received a basic check-up. They were awarded a deadly choices T-Shirt and both boys were delighted.

Bunnings Billy Cart Making

Our great partners at Bunnings are again sponsoring our entry into the annual Clontarf Billy cart derby event, and this year we are building 2 billy carts with 9 year 7 boys. Week one of the build saw the boys watch the DIY video on how to build the carts. The boys then grabbed a trolley each in their two groups on went and collected all the materials required for the build. The fella’s then put their maths skills to the test and marked out the timber in readiness to be cut to length by Jarrod the friendly Bunnings team member assisting. Thanks to Jarrod and Amber. Next week will see the boys start to assemble the Billy Carts.

Major upcoming Term 2 events for Year 7, 8, and 9 boys enrolled in Clontarf

• Year 7 Camp to Big 4 Caravan Park in Week 6
• Year 8 Camp to Uluru in Week 4
• Year 9 Camp to Black Tank Station in Week 8

Tips for a Healthy Headspace

While breaks provide time for our young people to recharge and reset after a busy term, the change of routine can be difficult for some people.

Headspace have released two resources to assist – ‘Tips for a Healthy Headspace’ and ‘Information for Parents and Carers’. You can access further support through a GP or directly from Headspace.

Community Announcements

Sports vouchers

There is a change to how Sport Vouchers are being distributed this year. Schools are not being provided with vouchers for each student. Rather, families have to apply for vouchers online. Go to:

Join Wests Footy Team

Desert Park School Holiday Program

Youth Week Activities

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