Week 10 Term 4 2018

DATES TO

REMEMBER

December

Wednesday

19th Last Day of Term

for students

January

Wednesday

30th Students return

for first day of

Term 1

March

Friday 1st Vaccinations for

Year 7/8

Visit 1

Learning for Life

66 Eton St, SUTHERLAND NSW 2232 T 02 9521 3433 F 02 9545 3316 E minerva-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.minerva-s.schools.nsw.edu.au

MINERVA SCHOOL

To our Year 12 Graduates

Malachi and Andrew

Behind you, all your memories.

Before you, all your dreams.

Around you, all who love you.

Within you, all you need.

Week 10 Term 4 2018

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Dear parents/carers,

The year has come to a close and what an exciting and eventful year it has been. Upon

reflection of 2018 there have been many exciting programs, whole school events and

student achievements to celebrate. It makes me extremely proud to be working as part of

such an amazing staff and wider community. Throughout the year, I have had the absolute

privilege of being able to visit classrooms and witness the amazing achievements and

progress being made by each and every student. Minerva School has been built on the

strengths of the bond between the staff and parent community. I would like to take this

opportunity to thank all the parents, families and carers who have been actively involved and

supported the school and staff. The genuine passion, drive and commitment of the staff at

Minerva has provided each student with an opportunity to develop their specific social,

behavioural and academic needs.

Throughout 2018 we have seen the ongoing development and progress of the Learning for

Life Project. Across the entire school this focus has become part of all classrooms through

their routines and practices. Students have developed their ability to regulate their

emotions, identify signs and triggers whilst using effective calming tools to cope with

challenging situations. The tireless work of all staff in particular Ms Sarah, Ms Margot and

Ms Christine has provided direction, motivation and the required resources to ensure this

initiative is deeply embedded across the entire school community. The contribution and

support of the parent community through the coffee and chat sessions has enabled the

program to be supported at home. The project will continue in 2019 and for another 2 years.

2019 will also see the establishment of the school hall into a Health and Fitness centre to

provide staff and students with a learning space which will provide a safe and productive

space to deliver the Learning for Life project and the PDHPE curriculum. These

developments will include air conditioning, appropriate soft fall flooring, electronic

interactive whiteboard and the addition of many tools and equipment to assist in the

delivery of the required content.

One of the highlights for me personally this year has been the weekly visits I have received

from students to showcase their work, projects and achievements. Students have been

asked to visit and share with me their personal progress. There have been many work

samples and amazing works that I have displayed in my office. Thank you to each and every

class who have visited as it is a pleasure displaying the work and witnessing the delight

student’s show when sharing their work with me.

2019 will bring many more opportunities for students to continue to grow and develop their

friendships, academic progress and their social and behavioural needs. Minerva School will

be introducing an intensive reading program for identified students who will be withdrawn

and provided with an opportunity to participate in 3 day a week, one on one intensive reading

program. This program will involve one staff member receiving intensive training and

professional development. Literacy specific programming and educational opportunities will

Week 10 Term 4 2018

be a significant focus throughout 2019.

The ‘Crunch n Sip’ project has been a huge success this year and it has seen a significant

increase in students consuming healthy fruits and vegetables and also drinking water. In

2019 this program will continue and will be closely linked with the introduction of a new

whole school fitness program. The new program will involve a whole school morning fitness

session to aid in increasing student participation in physical activity.

I would like to also thank all of the transport drivers, support officers and managers who

have transported many of our students to and from school in a safe and comfortable

environment. The work of our transport workers is a critical part of student wellbeing and

safety and I would like to thank each of them for their support throughout 2018.

The end of year brings the opportunity to share student achievements and to thank the

parent and wider community. The presentation day and formal held on Wednesday the 12th

December was an amazing event and provided an opportunity to share with everyone the

successful year that 2018 has been. Thank you to all staff for their time in organising this

day and to all the visitors who attended including our special guests. On Wednesday the 28th

of November, I had the absolute privilege of nominating 2 staff members and attending the

Miranda Network Awards night held at Engadine High. This event is an opportunity to

recognise the outstanding work and commitment of staff across our network. I would like

congratulate Mrs Trish Palmer (SAM) and Mrs Merrel McAfee (SLSO) for their

nomination and award for outstanding service to our school.

During Week 4 & 5 in Term 1 2019 there will be LSP meetings that will be conducted. This is

an opportunity for parents and staff to discuss student goals, provide an update for health

care plans or any additional information. Further information regarding specific dates and

times will be sent home early in Term 1 2019.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and farewell our 2 graduating

students. Our two Year 12 students have been outstanding role models and represented the

school as our two outstanding school captains. Throughout their extensive time at Minerva

School they have developed individually whilst forming amazing friendships. I wish them

both all of the best in their future and hope that they achieve all of their lifelong goals.

It gives me great pleasure to wish Mrs Janine Martin all the best with the expected arrival

of her newborn baby early next year.

We will also be welcoming Mrs Michelle Benjamin who will be a part of our teaching staff in

2019. Michelle brings with her extensive experience in specialised settings and an English,

Art and Drama background.

Dates for your diary:

Tuesday 29th January First day of Term 1 2019 (staff only)

Wednesday 30th January Students return

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday and personally thank you for your ongoing

support.

John Mazzitelli Principal

Week 10 Term 4 2018

Bottle brush boys singing their times-

tables !

Malachi proudly receives his medallion

Daylan peels potatoes to make yummy

mashed potato and Kanes’ excellent

lego model of the Sydney Opera

House

Week 10 Term 4 2018

We’d like to thank two local

businesses have supported our school

over the past few weeks.

A big thank you goes to Sweet Mayhem for creating the most delicious cake and

cupcakes for our Yr. 12 graduation. They

make a wonderful coffee to!

Another thank you to the Grate Cheese

Co, they have been able to provide work

experience opportunities for students

through providing us pamphlets for a

letter box drop. These meaningful work

experience opportunities provide a

wonderful foundation to gain the skills

necessary to transition into the

community post school.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the

following students for the months

of December and January.

Samuel, Jaidyn, Charlton, Luke and

Kami.

Week 10 Term 4 2018

Class Banksia Here are the Haikus we did with Miss Jenny. Mr John liked them so much

that he framed them and put them on the wall in his Principal’s office.

We had a visit from Santa

Banksia collecting

awards at Assembly

Week 10 Term 4 2018

Banksia collecting produce from our veggie

garden to take to market

Goodbye Andrew and good luck

Merry Christmas from Banksia Class

Week 10 Term 4 2018

CLASS EUCALYPTUS have been busy—

William made a ghost for Halloween,

Luke assembled a landscape picture, Sip

and Crunch time for the class, parents

visited our class for KLA day and Santa

came to visit.

Week 10 Term 4 2018

Happy Birthday to the following students for the

month of May,

Martin, Luke and

Preston

Week 10 Term 4 2018

.

Class Wattle have had a

very busy Term 4. We have

been learning about the

weather and seasons in Maths

and Science, collecting

mulberries for Jam, making

healthy fruit kebabs and

participating in Christmas

craft. We also loved the

water play afternoon. Here

we are in action.

We wish you all a Merry

Christmas

Week 10 Term 4 2018

LIBRARY Across the school with the development of our Scope and

Sequence planning, we have purchased many new and

exciting texts. This term we have been exploring Asia

and reading associated texts, trying our hand at Chinese

calligraphy and writing Haiku poems.

Merry Christmas to all, have a safe and happy holiday

See you all again in the New Year.

Hope you get to enjoy some holiday reading

Week 10 Term 4 2018

Presentation Day

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Wishing all our families a wonderful and relaxing

Christmas holiday