Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

Time does go fast with only four weeks left before the end of Term 1 and the start of the Easter holidays.  The students and staff have packed a lot into the short time we have been at school, including the school swimming carnival, opening school mass, teacher professional development on top of the many opportunities for students to learn inside and outside of the classroom.

Our role as a school is to provide opportunities for all students to achieve their best, no matter the pathway they decide to pursue.  In doing so, we focus on our students in a holistic way; encouraging them to identify their gifts, engage in their learning and be the best person they can be while also learning what it means to be an authentic human being.  We do this through our teaching practices, extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

We want our students to open the blinds to the windows of opportunity offered to them, peer through and when they are ready, take the leap.  This can be a challenge for some, where disengagement from learning can close some of those windows.  We aim to assist students and their caregivers to embrace these challenges and continue to thrive.

How can you help your child better engage in their learning and be successful?

Engaging in conversation with your child about school/their learning.  Asking your child, the following question of an evening for example:

1. What was the best thing about school today?
2. What did you learn today?
3. How are you going?
4. Is there anything you need help with?
5. What did you do if you didn’t understand?
6. How can you improve your learning?
7. What are you most proud of today?

Questions adapted from Lyn Sharratt’s five critical questions for students.

Helping your child with Homework or Assessment Tasks

“Homework is designed to help students reinforce key concepts, process and solidify new information, provide time for extra practice of skills, and reflect on how much they’ve learned,”

‘Susan Becker, M. Ed.’ 

1. Don’t do the homework for your child. Most teachers use homework to find out what the child knows.  Make sure homework is completed and review any mistakes to see what can be learned from them. 

2. Don’t do your child’s Assessments. Help support your child’s learning and make sure they have what they need to accomplish a task.  Read the Assessment Task outline provided to your child for each task.  Check with your child’s teacher about the requirements of the task if unsure and review it with your child. 

3. Set up a good space to work. All children need the same thing: a clean, well-lit space.  However, keep in mind that each child may work differently; some will do their work at the kitchen table and others at their desks in their rooms. 

4. Become aware of the right time to begin their work. Some children will work best by doing homework right after school; others need a longer break and must run around before tackling the work.  Most will need a snack.  If your child does after-school activities, set a homework time before or after the activity, or after dinner.  Whatever routine you choose, help your child stick to it. 

5. Find out how your child studies best. How does your child like to study?  For example, some kids study through rote learning (repetition), others are visual learners (creating diagrams, using images).  The environment is also important.  Some children may want to listen to music, some are helped by being in the middle of noise, and others need absolute quiet. 

6. Stay close by; remain available in case they need your help. Possibly read a book or do your own work at the same time.  Remember that not all homework is equal, so not everything will need your attention.  Keep in mind that it is their homework/task. 

7. Limit media exposure. Turn off the TV or any visual distraction.  Remember the computer is a learning tool to assist student learning and only needs to be used when it is required to assist in completing homework or assessment tasks. 

8. Let the teacher know if you gave your child a lot of help with homework or a task. If your child needs extra help, or truly doesn’t understand something, let the teacher know.  Write on the assignment, ‘done with parental help,’ or write a separate note.  If your child resists, explain that homework is used to practice what you know and to show the teacher what you need help learning more. 

I hope this article helps you, the parents/carers, in supporting your child’s learning and my intention is to include in each newsletter something that can help parents/carers support their child’s learning at home.  As a parent of a Year 12 student, and the last of my four children to finish the secondary schooling, I am fully aware how difficult it is to be a parent in an ever-changing society and thus helping our children to be the best they can be in all facets of life. 

Yours in Christ

Phillip Gibney
Principal

Mass Times

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish

Current Mass times are Saturday, 5 pm, Sunday 8 am and 10 am.

Further updates can be viewed on the Forster-Tuncurry Parish Website:

Taree Catholic Parish

Saturday
4:00 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Reconciliation & Rosary
4:45 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Mass
6:15 pm Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass

Sunday
9:30 am Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass
7:30 am every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month Our Lady of Fatima, Old Bar:  Mass
7:30 am every 2^nd Sunday of the month St Therese, Lansdowne:  Mass
7:30 am every 4^th and 5^th Sunday of the month Star of the Sea, Harrington:  Mass

Further updates can be viewed on the Taree Parish Website:

Opening School Mass

Project Compassion

Project Compassion 499.44 KB

Students were required to install the locked down browser for NAPLAN during CLARE.  Instructions are below.

If you have any trouble, please see Mr Gibbs in the library during recess or lunch. 

It is essential that this is completed by Friday this week.

Mrs Avery
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching

This term our staff have been working very hard to complete training around introducing Jesse, our wellbeing dog, into our school community on a more permanent basis.

In order to completely understand the process, we are engaging in as a community, we ask that you click on the following link to watch a brief explanation about the program.

Community link

Please also ensure that the Family Considerations form, sent home earlier this week, is returned as soon as possible.

This is a very exciting time for our school and I look forward to keeping you up-to-date with Jesse’s journey.

Marian Parvin
Assistant Principal
Wellbeing

Year 8-1 Geography class enjoyed their Assessment Task Water Classification activity in the Science Lab.  We were learning about the classification and sustainability of water in the world, so that we can be more aware of the amount of freshwater on earth and consider how to use it more sustainably.

Measuring tablespoons of water into the fresh water jar
Domonik Croker topping up the fish tank to show the total amount of water on earth

We filled the fish tank with water to show all the water on earth, we then extracted only 25 tablespoons of water from the tank and placed it in the large, clear jar labelled “freshwater.” Leaving 97.5 % saltwater in the fish tank.  We then moved water from the freshwater jar to show how much is groundwater and in another jar how much is in rivers and lakes.  The jars had very little water in them in comparison to the fish tank.  We considered all the percentages and graphed the results for the assessment task.  The students worked very cooperatively in the lab and in the following lessons to complete their Assessment Task Part A.  Assessment Task Part B will be conducted later this term showing how a catchment can be easily polluted with a variety of activities along the river before the water arrives in the ocean.  Thanks to Mrs Eloise Thomas for coming to our lesson in the lab to share with us the joy of water activities.

Rhys Shanahan, Max Schilt, Tayte Rutledge, Reef Rosamond & Domonik Croker
Ava Doherty

Mrs Tilbrook
Geography Teacher

Calling All Artists… 2023 UNESAP Lets Hang It!

The University of New England School Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP) is held annually with the purpose of encouraging talented young artists in regional New South Wales and this year is its 20^th year.

Students from Year 7 to 12 are encouraged to enter one artwork into this competition.  10 students will be awarded prizes and four (first place) artworks will remain permanently in the University of New England’s art collection.  All other finalists’ artworks will be exhibited at the New England Regional Art Museum.

There is no limit to the subject matter or theme of the artwork, however, the artwork must be two dimensional and be in any of the following forms:

• Digital art
• Photography
• Mixed media
• Assemblage or collage
• Painting (acrylic, oil or watercolour)
• Graphic work
• 2D relief sculpture
• Jewellery
• Textile work

The maximum size of the artwork is to be 60 x 80 cm.

So if you are creative and interested in submitting one of your artworks in this prize, either speak to your Visual Arts teacher or see Mrs Huett in the staffroom recess or lunch for further details.

Entries close 19 May 2023.

Mrs Rebecca Huett
Creative Arts Leader of Learning

RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition for 2024

The RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration was first held in 1953, co-hosted by RSL NSW and the Department of Education. Proceedings, held at the ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park in April each year, are delivered entirely by school students including the Master of Ceremonies, keynote address, readings, and musical accompaniment.  The Service also includes an Inspection of the Guard by the official party, The Ode, The Last Post, and Rouse.

To mark the 71^st Anniversary of this service RSL NSW, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW are launching an art competition to NSW school students.  Two artworks will be selected for the cover of the 2024 service program.

All finalists’ artwork will be displayed at the Anzac Memorial and included in the program.

Last year, Georgia Hartley of Year 8, was a finalist and her artwork will be on exhibition at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney from 3 to 30 April 2023.  Georgia’s work and the work of the other finalists and winners can be viewed at

For more information, including the guidelines, how to submit artwork, judging and FAQs, please see Mrs Huett in the Staffroom at recess or lunch.

The competition closes on Friday, 22 September, so time to get involved and be creative!

Mrs Rebecca Huett
Creative Arts Leader of Learning

St Clare’s Swimming Carnival 2023

It was a sensational return to a full school Swimming event.  Hot conditions greeted the students, making for a high participation rate as students sought to ‘cool off’ and earn a point for their house.  Congratulations to Kendall on claiming the overall title!  A combination of highly competitive swims from nominated swimmers and significant participation rates from others was clearly the recipe for success.

As always, the carnival extended beyond a regular sporting event with a range of participation activities that added to the fun atmosphere of the day.  It was also great to see the house chants to conclude the day.  Year 11 Sports Captains were exemplary in their leadership of the students in their house to encourage each member of their house to participate in the swimming, singing, dancing and overall participation to ensure that students and staff were able to enjoy the day.  This leadership, in creating a house culture, is what continues to make our carnival unique.

A huge thank you must also be extended to the Taree Torpedoes for assisting with their resources and time.  Thanks also to the YMCA for presenting a wonderful facility.  We certainly must thank the hard-working staff of St Clare’s for ensuring that the day runs smoothly whether that be through starting, timekeeping, marshalling, catering, supervising and everything in between.

We were very grateful to be able to welcome parent/carers and families in a full capacity back to the event this year.  A significant sense of community on the day is created by the support of parents/carers and families.  It is great to be able to welcome new families each year and, for those who continue to support the event, we extend a big thank you.

Please check out the following details on House Standings, Age Champions, and Record Breakers.

House Standings

1 Kendall – 900 points
2 Paterson – 718 points
3 Gordon – 664 points
4 Lawson – 647 points

Age Champions

12 Years
Boys – Ashley Allan
Girls – Adele Whitehouse-Miotto

13 Years
Boys – Mac Randall
Girls – Jaylah Koenig

14 Years
Boys – Denver Purdon
Girls – Sophie Scislo

15 Years
Boys – William Gibson
Girls – Elise Zammit

16 Years
Boys – Dylan Kinkade
Girls – Gemma Eady-Muxlow

17+ Years
Boys – William Gregory
Girls – Amy Rowell

Record Breakers

Adele Whitehouse-Miotto – 12G - Lawson
12G 200m Freestyle – 3:09.66
12G 100m Freestyle – 1:29.87
12G 50m Butterfly – 57.79

Jaylah Koenig – 13G - Lawson
13G 200m Freestyle – 3:29.57

Amy Rowell – 17+G - Paterson
17+G 200m Freestyle – 3:03.91

Sophie Scislo – 14G – Paterson
14G 50m Backstroke – 31.56
14G 100m Freestyle – 1:07.21
14G 50m Butterfly – 32.38

Ashley Allan – 12B – Lawson
12B 100m Freestyle – 1:30.21

Charlie Gibson – 13B - Kendall
13B 100m Freestyle – 1:21.89

Elise Zammit – 15G - Kendall
15G 100m Freestyle – 1:27.42

William Gibson – 15B - Kendall
15B 100m Freestyle – 1:10.58

Luke Rowe
School & Representative Sports Coordinator

Diocesan Swimming Championship 2023

The Diocesan Swimming Championship was held on Tuesday, 7 March at The Forum Aquatic Centre in the picturesque grounds of The University of Newcastle.

All students attending displayed effort and a willingness to compete and do their best in each event in which they participated.  It was pleasing to see the students willing to put their hand up to compete on the day.  Thank you to all the parents that attended to support the St Clare’s students and thank you to the Mrs Dunn and Mr Koenig for their assistance at the event.  There were several placegetters on the day.  When student results are finalised and sent out to schools, a summary of these will be printed in an upcoming Newsletter.

The St Clare’s swim team on the day consisted of the following students:

Ashley Allan, Piper Bamford, Yasmin Cassidy, Charlotte Cooper, Gemma Eady-Muxlow, Finlay Elmer, Sandzia Gates, William Gibson, Charlie Gibson, Lee Hinchliffe, Tara Isbel, Dylan Kinkade, Jaylah Koenig, Grace Randall, Mac Randall, Rufus Rowe, Amy Rowell, Benjamin Scarlett, Sophie Scislo, Callum Sheridan, Samuel Stephens, Blake Stewart and Adele Whitehouse-Miotto.

Luke Rowe
School & Representative Sports Coordinator

Diocesan Touch

On Thursday, 2 March, seven St Clare’s students travelled to Maitland to trial for the Under 15’s Diocesan team.  They all played very well in hot conditions.  Four of our students were successful in being selected for the diocesan team – Rory Clarke, Hayden Robertson, Sara Harris and Marley Brown.  We wish them the best of luck when they compete at the NSWCCC Touch Football Selections in Wagga Wagga on 3 and 4 April. 

Sara Harris, Marley Brown, Rory Clarke & Hayden Robertson.jpg

Sara Harris, Marley Brown, Taylor Brown, Logan Clarke, Rory Clarke, Hayden Robertson & Lachlan Polson

Jane Polson
Science Leader of Learning

Mathematics Workshop and Homework Support will take place on Mondays at lunchtime in room 10.  Students have the opportunity to have support for homework or be in a space with a mathematics teacher present to complete more challenging work or preparing for tasks.  This is available to all year groups.

Michael Morson
Leader of Learning, Mathematics

Careers Corner

HNEH Health Careers Forum

On Tuesday, 7 March, 22 students, Mrs Nicole Lovern and myself attended the HNEH Rural Education centre for the annual Health Careers Forum for students in this area.

It was an excellent excursion and a great opportunity to find out about the many different careers in health that are available post school.  There were a series of different presentations which showed a couple of different health scenarios and the many different health practitioners involved in each situation.  Each practitioner then gave information about the pathways into each career and what opportunities are available within those.

There was then an opportunity for the students to talk to each of the different practitioners and find out more about each one.

The students were a pleasure to accompany and certainly impressed the staff at the HNEH Centre.  Thanks to Mrs Lovern for giving up her time to come with us.

White Card

On Thursday, 16 March 17 students will be completing their White Card at St Clare’s.  This was supposed to occur on Friday, 10 March, but had to be postponed due to registration issues with Safe Work NSW.  This will be conducted by Learning Live and enables the students to do Work Experience, Work Placement and to actually work in the Construction Industry.

The latest information from the CAA is as follows:

Course Changes & New Courses

ACU’s new Bachelor of Arts / Masters of Teaching (Secondary) course

An initial teacher education course, this new double degree is fast-tracked so students will be able to graduate with an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification in just four years. Find out more:

Courses & Workshops for Students

National Institute of Education (NIE): Simulated UCAT Day

Attention Yr. 10, 11 and 12: UCAT Preparation Workshop (live online interactive). The National Institute of Education is conducting a full-day UCAT Preparation Workshop on 5 March 2023 (9am-5pm). To register: visit

For further enquiries please contact NIE at enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 4367 0404 / 0404 197 178 /

NIE: 11 Day Career Experience for School Students in Sydney

Medicine, Psychology, Engineering, Business Management, Creative Writing, International Relations, Veterinary Studies 3 - 13 Jan 2024 at the University of Sydney for students 13 - 18 years of age. Enquiries: (02) 4367 0404 or mob. 0412 439 115 / enquiries@nie.edu.au All details following via the link:

Subject-specific HSC Seminars (Year 11 & 12)

A series of live and online seminars are being held on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th March at Macquarie University. Hear from expert HSC teachers in the following subjects: English (Advanced & Standard), Mathematics (Advanced & Standard 2), Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Legal Studies, PDHPE & Physics. Learn more at

JMC Academy High School Competitions

JMC Academy are launching their 2023 competitions - The Mocktails, The Canvas Art Award and Song writing Competition! The competitions are open to Year 9 - 12 students. For more information, please go to

Resources for Students

Request ACU’s new course guide

Want to know what courses ACU offers? Complete a publication request to get the 2024 Undergraduate Course Guide delivered to you. Digital versions of the guide are also available for you and your students. Request a hard copy now

NIE: UCAT and Interview Preparation Resources and Services

NIE is Australia’s oldest and most reputable training organisation in the industry, providing assistance to medical applicants, students, parents, and teachers. Contact details: enquiries@nie.edu.au call (02) 4367 0404 / 0404 197 178 / www.nie.edu.au For resources and training services visit:

On-campus residential for regional Year 12 students – April Holidays! (The University of Sydney)

Regional Year 12 students on an ATAR pathway are encouraged to register for the April Residential. Dates: Mon 17 – Fri 21 (travel on Monday and Friday). This will be an immersive experience where students participate in workshops and information sessions to plan and prepare for HSC studies, navigate study options and experience the University of Sydney student life. Register now:

Sydney College of the Arts Tours - The University of Sydney

Interested in a guided tour of the Sydney College of the Arts studio facilities, workshops and labs? Book for the last Thursday of each month starting at 4pm. To book a tour, contact sca.enquiries@sydney.edu.au For more information, visit:

Information Sessions for Students & Parents

Engineering: the best, good news story ever! Panel session

7th March 9.45-11.30am Career Advisers, Teachers & Parents can find out more from current Student, Graduate & Professional Engineers as part of Women's Week! Why Engineering is the best news story for your female & non-binary students, and children!! Online or at Powerhouse Museum– or leave a question for the panel! Session will be recorded. Register:

Western Sydney University

The upcoming Discover Western Webinars kick off from 1 to 29 March. Learn about the range of study options Western offers with a focus on a specific area of study across the series. Each webinar will include virtual access into the facilities on campus. Register now:

ICMS

Year 10 Subject Selection Evening 16 June, 2023, 6pm – 8pm - Parents, teachers & students in Year 10 are invited to join this info session. Gain tips for admission from a representative of UAC, chat to current ICMS students, and have your questions answered by members of the Domestic Development Team. Express your interest in attending to Carmen – cherin@icms.edu.au 02 9466 1036.

The University of Sydney Info Night – Fairfield

Discover why the University of Sydney is the right place for you! Chat with current students and alumni from South West Sydney; learn about admission requirements, entry schemes, pathways, fees, scholarships, and other financial assistance and support services from expert staff and a UAC representative. Register now:

Webinar Wednesdays - The University of Sydney

The Weekly Webinar series is designed to help students discover what it's like to study a bachelor's degree here at Sydney University. These webinars are best suited for students from Years 10-12, and include tips on your school subjects, preparing for university and how to choose a course. The series also includes faculty-specific tasters. For more information and to register:

ACE the HSC Seminar - Year 11 & 12

Saturday 11th March 10am-11:30am - Join online or at Macquarie University to learn how you can ACE your HSC this year. Topics include; how to boost your marks in assessment tasks/exams, tips from high achieving students and how to maintain motivation throughout the year. To register for either live or online access please visit:

ANU Open Day - Saturday 18 March

ANU Open Day is your chance to tour the campus and accommodation, learn about the academic colleges, degree programs and support services, and chat to current students about campus life and their ANU experiences. View the program and register at

Other News

Western Sydney University

The Whitlam Institute’s annual What Matters? Writing Competition is back for 2023! Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of 600 words or less, and can be submitted quickly online. Open to students years 5-12. Entries close on Friday, 5 May 2023. Find out more:

Year 12 Careers Day

Our Year 12 Careers Day was held on Friday, 24 February at school.  The students checked and amended their NESA details – it is important that these are correct!  Please let Mrs Avery know if you need to amend anything on NESA.  Everyone has a NESA number and a PIN which will give them access to their information.

We were very lucky to have several guest speakers on the day from local industries and it was great for the students to see the variety of career opportunities in our area.  The depth and range in each industry is quite amazing and there are opportunities across our state, our nation and overseas.

Thank you to Nick and Stevie-Lee from R & R Properties; Karen, Emily and Blake from Dairy NSW; Corrine and Sophia from MidCoast Council and the team from Bunnings.

We really appreciate you giving up your time to speak to the students.  The feedback from the students has been excellent and in many cases, this was the best part of the day in their opinion.  Thanks to Erin Lute from RIEP for organising these presenters for us.

All of the students were given time to update or construct a resume and a cover letter and there will be more time in the coming weeks spent on this.  It is very important that each student has at least a basic resume which can be easily updated when needed.

Admiral McRaven had some very valuable information for the students – he encouraged them to “Make their Beds” each morning as this means they will have completed at least one task to start the day and even if nothing else goes right that day they will come home to a bed that is made.

Over the coming weeks there will be a great deal of information about university pathways presented as well as information about UAC and the process to be followed to register for this.

Please do not forget, that if you are interested in doing Work Experience, you need to come and see me to collect the paperwork.  Year 11 and Year 12 can do this at any time provided it does not clash with exams etc.  Years 9 and 10 have to complete this during school terms.

Usually, a student approaches a workplace to see if it is possible to do Work Experience and then lets me know where they wish to go, and then collect and complete the paperwork.  I contact the workplace to confirm the details and we go from there.

I am happy to approach a workplace on a student’s behalf, however, most workplaces like to hear from and meet the student in the first place, as this shows that the student is keen.

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Term 1 2023

Term 2 2023