You will have seen the news of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID -19) on the television or radio. While this news can be upsetting for many people it is important that we work together to minimise the spread of the virus to protect our community.

Please find below the most current information available from the NSW government regarding exclusion from school

Students/staff currently excluded from school are those who:

• have been in or transited through China within the last 14 days
• have been in or transited though Iran within the last 14 days commencing 1 March 2020
• have been in or transited through the Republic of Korea (South Korea) commencing 5 March 2020
• have been in or transited through Italy commencing 11th March 2020
• are under medical assessment or
• have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 or
• have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection

Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.

Students and staff who have returned to Australia and have shown no symptoms during the 14-day self-isolation period are able to return to school or work.

The NSW Ministry of Health has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia. It is advising these close contacts about not attending work, school or early childhood and childcare services.

Catholic Schools NSW continues to work closely with NSW Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to developments and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.

Practising Good Hygiene:

Maintaining good hygiene standards is an important way to reduce the risk of acquiring and spreading respiratory infections. We ask staff, parents and carers and students to promote good hygiene, including handwashing with soap, as handwashing is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease.

Cough and sneeze etiquette also reduces the spread of airborne particles.

When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth. Dispose of the tissue afterwards. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.

Avoiding close contact with people who are ill and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth are sound health practices.

Posters are attached to assist us to communicate a consistent message in teaching our children about these safe practices.

All classrooms have soap for handwashing purposes. Teachers will be encouraging students to wash their hands during the day especially before eating. Parents are encouraged to foster these hygienic practices at home as well.

If children are feeling unwell it is highly recommended that they remain at home so that they can rest recuperate and recover before returning to school. Your support with this matter is appreciated.

"Bear your share of the hardship for the Gospel", St Paul tells Timothy in last weekend's second reading.  What sacrifice is asked of me for the sake of the Gospel?  How willing am I to bear my share?

Second Sunday of Lent

Last Sunday at Mass, we heard from the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9, where the friends of Jesus saw a glimpse of his humanity and divinity.

“Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray.  As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning”.

This would have caused Peter, John and James to see Jesus in a different way, unlike they had ever really seen him before. They were probably left somewhat confused and amazed. They also heard a voice at that time saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to Him”. This glimpse into the relationship between Jesus and God would have enabled Peter, John and James to see the deep connection between the two. This confirmed the deep interconnection between God and Jesus. At our baptism we also become children of God. We too are called to be in relationship with God and Jesus.

The Gospel of Matthew challenges us to our own moments of transfiguration, when we are called to see others in a different light as Jesus would. This is not an easy road to take as we need to perhaps show forgiveness, compassion and understanding. Through the example of Jesus we are challenged to see glimpses of divinity in the everyday human moments of our lives. Jesus himself experienced moments of abandonment and isolation, just as we sometimes do.

The Gospel also reminds us that we never journey alone. Like Jesus, we have companions who are with us through all the ups and downs that life can bring. We also need to remain open to experience moments of transfiguration in the ordinary moments that can change into the extra-ordinary with the help of Jesus.

PB4L

It is clear the pride the students take in wearing our school uniform correctly. I thank the students for this and you, the parents, for your support with this. As a part of our PB4L process, house points are given each week to students wearing the correct uniform, this could happen at any day over the week when the teacher decides to focus on this. At times teachers will focus on sports uniform or school uniform or even having raincoats in wet weather. The students enjoy getting the extra house points, especially now as we are getting closer to the end of the term and finding out the winning house for the term. House points are also given each week for complete homework and borrowing books from the library. It will be interesting to track the house points over the coming weeks with many different opportunities for house points to be awarded like Cross Country, Athletics and also through our next Project Compassion fundraiser, the Coin Trail.

NAPLAN

Next term our Year 3 and 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN (National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy). This assessment is completed by all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This year, similar to last year, NAPLAN testing will be online and as a system and as a school we have prepared for this. The teachers will also be preparing the students for this throughout the term and the students will be participating in a practice online NAPLAN test on Monday 23rd March (Week 9). To be ready for this students must download the NAP app and make sure they come to school each day with their iPad fully charged and have their headphones at school. Further information about NAPLAN Online and the National Assessment Program can be found at:

Alison Fazio

Assistant Principal

Coin Trail

This Project Compassion fundraiser will be on Thursday 19th March.  Students can bring in their coins from Wednesday 11th March until Wednesday 18th March.  They will be given the opportunity to donate in their classrooms throughout this week.  In addition to this, students will also be able to donate at Break 1 outside the canteen from these dates.  On Thursday 19th March, classroom teachers will bring their students out to the basketball courts where they will place their coins, collected from the classroom, under their house colour.  The house colour with the longest line and the house colour who raise the most money will win points for their house.

Project Compassion

Throughout the season of Lent we continue to raise money for Project Compassion.  Each class has a Project Compassion box on their class prayer table.  We encourage students to look for ways that they  might be able to give to others and contribute to the great work of Project Compassion.

Outside of Kindergarten is our "Giving Wall".  For every $10.00 we raise as a school, a heart goes up on the wall.  As part of our Shrove Tuesday fundraiser we were able to raise $240.00.  We look forward to adding more hearts to our wall and contributing to the great work of Project Compassion.

Candles

We currently have a surplus of blessed candles that we would like to offer to the community to use for prayer at home.  If you would like a blessed candle for your home please see the office or send a note with your child to collect a candle.

Dear students, families and school communities,

Thank you for your school's participation in Catholic Schools Week from 1-7 March. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase many of the fantastic things happening in your school every day, and in all our Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong.

We thank you for working together in partnership with us to help make your school community such a vibrant, nurturing place of learning, faith, belonging and hope.

If you or a family member or friend would like to enrol your child in one of our schools, please download an enrolment package here.

Have a look at our Catholic Schools Week video below, celebrating what our students across the diocese love about their Catholic school. Can you spot the students from your school?

Western Region Swimming Carnival 

On Tuesday 6th March some of our primary students attended the 2020 Western Region Swimming Carnival, representing our school.  It was an exciting day and it was great to see so many students ready to compete.  The students demonstrated a great level of support toward their peers and showed a wonderful level of sportsmanship throughout the day. 

Isaac Athanassiou went on to compete at the Selection Trials at Corrimal on 9th March.  He did a wonderful job representing the school!

Thank you to Mrs Cotterill for organising the students for the day and supporting them throughout.  Thank you also our our fantastic parents helpers:

Mrs Barrington, Mr Dunbar, Mr Drake, Mr MacDiarmid and Mrs Tabone.  Your help is very much appreciated.

A reminder that all our parent helpers at the sport carnivals and gala days are awarded 10 house points to their child's house colour.

Cross Country

Tomorrow, Friday 13th March, is our 2020 Cross Country Carnival.  The carnival will commence at approximately 9.00am on the John Therry oval.  Please join us and bring a blanket or chair for your comfort.

Athletics Carnival 

Monday 30th March is our Athletics Carnival at Campbelltown Athletics Carnival.  We would like to remind parents that the permission note for this event was sent our via the Compass app.

Active Kids Vouchers 

The NSW Government is helping children get active with the "Active Kids" program.  The Active Kids program provides two $100.00 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and active recreation costs each year.  For more information visit "https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/active-kids"

Congratulations and happiest of birthdays to the following students who celebrate their day of birth in March:

Deric Abraham, Sophie Collet,  Austin Dellis, Mia Gemayell, Alexander Jallad, Sean Joseph, Letwin Karimusango,

Hannah MacDiarmid, Kamryn MacDiarmid, Aleesha McVittie, Joanna McVittie, Mia-Rose Melhem, Amelia Meoushy,

Isabelle O'Toole, Eloise Soriano.

Bakers Delight Loyalty Card

We apologise to all the families that are yet to receive a Bakers Delight loyalty card.  We have requested more to be sent to the school.

Easter Egg/Chocolate Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone that brought in an Easter egg on Tuesday.  Tickets for the raffle will be sold in the week commencing Monday 23rd March and will be drawn the following week.  Prices are $2.00 a ticket or three for $5.00.  Thank you for your support.

Athletes Foot, Macarthur Square

Did you know that when your purchase your school shoes at Athletes Foot, Macarthur Square, $5.00 from your purchase will be donated back to the school.

School Banking

School banking day is Friday.  No deposit is too small.  Children that have left the school are still welcome to bank, as long as they are under 18 years of age and have a sibling banking through the school.  Please send their deposit wallets in with their sibling on Fridays.

Clothing Pool

The Clothing Pool is open every Wednesday from 8.00am - 8.20am.  The Clothing Pool is located between the Years 1 and 2 classroom.

A Note from the School Counsellor

"Bullying. No Way!"

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. March 20, 2020

What is bullying?

"Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening"

Preventing bullying involves everyone talking together openly and respectfully.

Bullying can have a lasting impact on everyone involved, including those who witness it, so it is important to work together to create safe school communities for everyone.

Children and young people need to know that they are being heard, that their feelings matter​ and that their issue will be investigated respectfully. Bullying should be taken seriously.

What can you do as parent/caregiver:

• Talk about the value of diversity within the community and understanding that each individual is unique and brings with them individual differences that should be valued and respected.
• Talk about bullying with your child at home to make it easier for them to tell you if something happens. Make sure they know what bullying is and how they can respond. Help prepare your children to prevent online bullying and to know what to do if it happens.
• Recognise the warning signs of bullying. Although there may not be an issue, you should talk to your child if you have any concerns. Raise the topic generally if you don't want to ask directly. Be aware that many times children and young people won't ask for help, so it is important to know what to look for.
• Learn about how to respond appropriately if your child tells you about bullying. You can reassure your child by remaining calm and being supportive.
• Find out as much as you can about what has happened by talking calmly with your child. A good understanding about what has happened, can also help you in communicating with the​ school about the situation.

Please visit bullyingnoway.gov.au for more information.

Grace Barton

Counsellor.

CatholicCare Relationship Counselling

CatholicCare offers a range of affordable support services to those in need.  A flyer is attached with information regarding the areas they cover and contact details.

As part of the National Pilgrimage, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Rosemeadow, will be hosting the relics of the much loved St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower”, together with the relics of her recently canonised parents, Ss. Louis and Zelie Martin in our parish church on Thursday 19 March from 4.30pm to 9.30pm. People from all parishes in our region, and indeed anyone, are welcome to come and venerate these holy and unique relics of the only family to be canonised.

The schedule will be as follows:

4.30pm: Solemn Liturgical Reception & Enthronement of Holy Relics in Sanctuary

               Reflection: A Family Bringing Blessings

               Silent Veneration

5.45pm: Reflection: The Relics of Ss. Louis, Zelie, & Therese Martin

               Silent Veneration

6.30pm: Reflection: St. Therese of Lisieux

               Silent Veneration

7.30pm: Solemn Mass

8.30pm: Silent Veneration

9.00pm: Holy Rosary

9.30pm: Final Prayers & Departure of Holy Relics

Lenten Penance

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday all who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60th year, are bound to fast and abstinence.  All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain from meat.  Pastors, teachers and parents are to ensure that those who, by reason of their age, are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence from meat, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Paschal Precept

Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year.  This is to be done between Ash Wednesday (26th February) and Trinity Sunday (7th June) unless for a good reason it is done at another time during the year.  All the faithful are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Lenten Devotions

Every Tuesday during Lent, following Mass at 6.30pm, the Rosary will be prayed at 7.00pm followed by the Stations of the Cross at 7.30pm.

Bell Ringers

The "new" church has two towers - one for a peal of eight bells (rung for Mass and special occasions) and another to house the tolling bell (for chiming only and used for the Angelus and Call to Mass).  They were first rung on 26th May 2019 by people who helped with the project and ringers from nearby towers.  A new band was formed from OLHC parishioners and have been training under the patient supervision of Ron Shepherd.  The Parish is encouraging anyone interested to join for a practice on Monday evenings about 5.00pm.  If you are interested contact the Parish Office on 4628 1385.

A Walk through Rosemeadow

A beautiful hard cover book on the theology and spirituality underpinning the design of the church, written by Father Sarkis, it contains full colour pictures of all the windows, art works and photographs from the Mass of Dedication.  This book captures and explains the design and art of the church and gives simple spiritual synthesis of what we believe as Catholic Christians.  Available to purchase from the Pious Goods Store - parish price $59.95 with cash or credit card only - for EFPTOS facilities, please visit the parish office during business hours.  All proceeds from the book go to the church.