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ANZAC Day |
Uniform - Term 2 |
Pupil Free Day |
NAPLAN |
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Confirmation |
Athletics Carnival |
Social Media Information |
Canteen (change of hours) |
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Mother's Day Stall |
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Last Sunday's Gospel ...
A woman who was caught sinning was brought to Jesus by the people to trick him rather than get justice. When he wrote their own sins in the dirt he pointed out that none of us has a clean slate. They walked away and Jesus didn’t condemn her either. He did say however “Go and sin no more.” He forgives us always but we sometimes forget the part where he challenges us to do better.
Did you know ...
Stoning used to be a method of execution. A crowd literally threw rocks at a person until they were dead. St Stephen, the first martyr, was killed in this horrible way.
Stewardship Thought ...
St Paul said, "For his sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth." Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same?
Eleven weeks have passed by, full of learning, sporting carnivals and very special religious celebrations. It has been rewarding to see our students achieve learning goals already and feel great about their achievements. Please try to get your children to put down their devices for a short time each day and enjoy a book – either with you or by themselves. Reading is foundational for everything else – including using technology effectively, and if we can maintain their levels over the break, it makes for a successful start to term 2.
We have a two week transition period with uniform after the holidays where you can choose either full summer or full winter uniform for your children according to the weather. Please refer to the uniform policy, or ask, if you have any questions about uniform. We have a very high standard thanks to your support – thank you!
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter filled with the hope the Resurrection holds for us all. Jesus brought us all back to God by his sacrifice and also conquered death for us all. We share in His eternal life. Enjoy the break with your children. You might like to set up a big jigsaw at the end of the dining table or play a board game every evening to encourage some family gathering time. Children learn a great deal about taking turns and not getting upset if they lose by playing board games. There’s always next time. You create memories they will always remember from these precious times together. If you are travelling, take care on the roads. I want to see everyone back safe and sound in two weeks.
Remember our Staff Development Day on the first day back of term 2 – Monday 29th April. We will see you all back again on the first day for students, Tuesday 30th April.
God Bless.
Michelle Rolfe
Principal
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of Term 1 but it comes with much relief as I am sure we are all looking forward to a well deserved break; students, teachers and parents alike. As always Term 1 is jammed with all our big sporting events - Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics Carnivals as well as Surf Days. Congratulations to the students who performed well in our recent carnivals and who will be going through to represent our school at the next level.
Our Religious Education team, led by Mr Vincent, have been working hard to help us think of others less fortunate than ourselves during this Lenten season. We are also acknowledging the events of Holy Week with our special prayer services on Monday, Thursday and Friday morning.
Our teachers have been working hard getting to know all of the students in their class this term and are continuing to use Learning Intents and Success Criterias to drive the learning in the classroom. Some classes have moved onto the next step in this process by allowing the students to look at the feedback they are getting through their Success Criteria and to set themselves a Learning Goal in that area. Please remember the importance of continuing to read in the holidays, maybe visit the library as a family to borrow some books of interest or buy a book for a treat/reward instead of a toy.
Next term our Years 3 and 5 students will be sitting their NAPLAN assessments during weeks 3 and 4. Last week these students sat a practice test for this to allow us, as a school, to see that we are set up to administer this test as this is the first time it will be delivered online. We ask that all students remember to charge their iPad each night and that they have their headphones at school ready for this assessment next term. There will be a more detailed note and timetable sent home with these students at the beginning of next term. Further information about NAPLAN Online and the National Assessment Program can be found at www.nap.edu.au/naplan .
As we are heading into the holiday break, I also take this opportunity to remind families of the expectations around hair and earrings in our school’s uniform policy. The emphasis is on “neat” and “tidy” hair so girl’s hair, which is longer than the shoulders, must be tied back using accessories to match the colours of the school uniform. Boy’s hair must be evenly cut without any extremes like shaved lines or sections. Please also pay attention to the ear-rings the girls are wearing to school as they are only allowed to wear plain gold or silver studs or sleepers. We appreciate your support in this.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday and may your Easter weekend be a blessed and holy one. I look forward to seeing all of you at the beginning of Term 2.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
Please keep in your prayers the children of our parish and school community who will be making their Reconciliation this week.
ANZAC Day
We will be commemorating ANZAC Day on Friday afternoon, 12th April, with a short reflection. It would great to have you come along and be part of it. It will be held in the flag raising area at 2.15pm.
Project Compassion
Thank you for all of your support this Lent with raising money for Caritas Australia. As a school community we have raised just under $840 which is a wonderfully generous amount. I hope the children have enjoyed the different fundraising activities made available throughout Lent, as well as working towards their classroom fundraising goals. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers and students who have worked very hard to organise all of the events, giving up a lot of personal time, to ensure the students have a good time whilst helping those most in need. It could never have happened without your support.
Andrew Chinn Concert
On Wednesday 1st May, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our children. Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up!” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Parents/parishioners are warmly invited to be a part of the celebration of faith and fun. There is no charge for adults. The concert will take place in the John Therry School Hall, at 1.25 pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
Sacrament of Confirmation
This Sacrament will be celebrated on Saturday 1st June. It is available to all children who are in Year 6 or above who have made their First Communion. If you wish your child to make this Sacrament and did not come to the enrolment night last year, you need to attend the first lesson of the programme on Saturday 4th May (If enrolling, please arrive at 3.45pm to the Parish Meeting Room to complete all necessary paperwork). Please bring a copy of your child's baptism and birth certificate to attach to the enrolment form. Lessons will commence at 4.15pm. Children will participate in small group lessons within the parish classrooms. The programme fee of $25.00 is also payable at the first lesson.
Peter Vincent
Religious Education Co-ordinator
School-wide Positive Behaviours for Learning
When students exhibit positive behaviour, by following our school rules, their name is written on a raffle ticket and is entered into a draw where two winners are selected at flag-raising. The students receive a voucher for use at the canteen.
Congratulations to the following students who were drawn from the entries:
Emma Bolshakova (1M - Ingham), Joanna Pinto (4M - Rose),
Benjamin Robin (5M - Sarkis).
Parents and care-givers are reminded that we will be having a pupil free day on Monday 29th April (first day back of Term 2) and will need to provide alternate arrangements for the care of their children on this day. We look forward to all our students returning on Tuesday 30th April.
Uniform Term 2Students may return in Term 2 in winter uniform, however, depending on the weather, they have the option to wear either their summer or winter uniform for the first two weeks of term. Whichever uniform is worn, it must be either full summer or full winter, not a combination of the two. Winter uniform will be compulsory from Monday 13th May.
Applications for Kindergarten 2020 are now open and forms are available from the office. If you cannot return the application and documentation prior to the end of term, please do not worry - applications will still be accepted in Term 2.
Assembly
Please join us at our next assembly on Friday 10th May at 1.50pm in the multi-purpose centre. Merit and Principal's Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Principal's Award:
| Ayrton da Silva (4W) | Toby David (4M) | Sienna Holmes (3M) |
| Bryson McIntyre (4M) | Lucas Nguyen (2M) | Kolten Opalniuk (5M) |
| Nolan Tran (1M) |
Athletics Carnival
Information Flyer for Parents/Carers re Social Media from Catholic Education Office, Wollongong (CEDoW)
Applications for Opportunity Class Placement - Year 7 2020
Be an Active Learner
Be Respectful
Be Safe
This month we congratulate our April birthday students - have the happiest of times on your special day!
| David Abraham | Maka Angianga | Alannah Bou Merhi |
| Alex D'Emanuele | Liam Denniss | Sienna Glover |
| Lincoln Hickey | Roselett Lijo | Elizabeth Lisita-Cocheci |
| Lucas Nguyen | Peyton Thorpe-Slifer | Jessica Tran |
| Emmanuel Venegas | Peyton Venters |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE CANTEEN
From Tuesday 30th April, the Canteen will be open from 8.15am - breakfast items may be purchased at this time. It will now close at 11.30am (the end of Break 1). There will no longer be a Break 2 service. The menu will remain unchanged, however, Made Fresh have added, as counter sales only reduced portion serves of hot food and snacks. We urge you to try these delightful little morsels. Please take note that the reduced portion sizes CANNOT be ordered as lunch orders.
The Canteen is run by Made Fresh. Should you have a need to contact the Canteen, please email Maria at "made.fresh@yahoo.com" or telephone 0410 481 150.
If your child wishes to order food at lunch (Break 1: 10.50am - 11.30am) please write your child's name, room number and what is required on a paper bag and include the correct money, if possible. Payment must accompany orders and treat eg. ice-creams cannot be ordered.
Mother's Day Stall
On Wednesday 8th May the P&F will be holding a Mother's Day Stall. Gifts will be sold ranging in price from $1.00 to $6.00.
Parent helpers are required - please meet outside the office at 8.30am on the day.
Thank you for your continued support and assistance - have a lovely Easter and holiday.
Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once per year. This is to be done between Ash Wednesday (6th March) and Trinity Sunday (16th June) unless for a good reason it is done at another time during the year. All the faithfull are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year.
Holy Week Ceremonies
Palm Sunday: Saturday 13th April: 6.00pm Sunday 14th April: 8.30am
Chrism Mass of the Holy Oils: Tuesday 16th April: 7.00pm St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Wollongong (includes renewal of Priestly Ordination promises by all Priests of the Diocese).
Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper: Holy Thursday - 18th April: 7.30pm, followed by Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose where exposition will continue until midnight. By tradition, The Church Sanctuary will be stripped, and statues covered until the Solemn Easter Vigil, in honour of the Lord's burial in the tomb. (No 9.00am Mass today).
Good Friday: 19th April: 10.00am - Stations of the Cross 3.00pm - Solemn Commemoration of the Lord's Passion and Death
Holy Saturday: 20th April: 7.30pm - Solemn Easter Vigil and Mass of the Lord's Resurrection
Easter Sunday: 21st April: 8.30am - Mass 10.00am - Solemn Mass of the Lord's Resurrection
Confessions: Saturday 1th April (5.15pm-5.45pm), Monday 15th April (7.30pm - Second Rite), Wednesday 17th April (9.25am - 10.00am), Friday 19th April (11.00am - 12.00pm). Please note: There will be no confessions heard on Holy Saturday, 20th April. By tradition, no sacraments are celebrated on Holy Saturday in the Church, in memory of the Lord's burial in the tomb.
Altar Servers: Please let Father Sarkis know which ceremonies you can serve at during Holy Week. Please ring the Parish Office (4628 1385) and leave your name and telephone number
