8. 19th March, 2015 - St Thomas The Apostle
Transcription
8. 19th March, 2015 - St Thomas The Apostle
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE Telephone: 9434 4565 Fax: 9432 0415 251 Diamond Creek Road Greensborough North, 3088 No 8 19th March 2015 Dear Friends of St Thomas, Today Michelle Zeally facilitated a session for parents on speech patterns in young students. It is helpful to understand how speech plays such a critical role in all aspects of learning particularly literacy and especially comprehension. Socially, speech gives students the capacity to engage in conversation that can give them success, especially on the playground. When children have the gift of language, their capacity to find a friend, play successfully and respond to conversations is high. When this development is slow, children can feel frustration and excluded from others. They will often withdraw from social opportunities. This is often a cause for poor behaviour when speech is not a successful way of communicating a message. It is similar with hearing loss. Children will remove themselves from conversations when they feel they lack the auditory skills needed to respond. Give your child every opportunity to develop their speech. Applaud their conversations when you notice the introduction of new vocabulary. Explore the sound of words and recite poems. These are an excellent tool in strengthening muscles in the mouth and in the brain. Tongue twisters are also a great tool. The Dr Seuss poems are excellent for this purpose. Michelle works at St Thomas one day a week and is an excellent source to talk to if interested in speech support. Michelle has some excellent handouts left at the office from her session yesterday. Parents are most welcome to take a copy. Phonological Awareness (PA) The ability to attend to and manipulate sounds with words. *A slide from Michelle Zeally’s Early literacy skills. presentation yesterday. Phonological awareness is the biggest single predictor of future literacy success. PREPARATION FOR EASTER Today the Year 1 and 2 students performed their rendition of the Passion Play. The teachers tell me their knowledge has grown immensely in the area of deepening their understandings of the passion of Jesus and ultimately the Resurrection. Each year our hope is that the children grow more aware of this important liturgical season. ENRICHMENT AND CARE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION On Tuesday evening we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our Year 3 students. We understand that Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament. This experience is a personal encounter with Him. After we receive this Sacrament, children have a wonderful feeling of resuming their journey with renewed strength and a sense of joy. I thank Father Michael McEntee and the priests who came to support us last night, Father Terry Bergin, Father Owen Doyle and Father Vincent Le. Also thank you to Maria Smith, the Religious Education Coordinator and the Year 3 Team - Coral Scobell, Dolores Hodgkins and Christine Moore. Our Year 3 students will now be preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion which they will receive in Term 3. This is a the moment of closest encounter with the Lord through the Eucharist. In Year 3 they certainly deepen their understanding of their Sacramental journey and their membership to the Church. Year 5/6 SCHOOL CAMP INFORMATION EVENING On Wednesday night we spoke to families about our planned camp arrangements for early Term 2. A school camp is an excellent opportunity for students to have some time away from home, building relationships with students. On these camps we encourage students to be in varied groups and to rely on each other through a range of interactive activities. The more students discover new relationships and learn to get along with different people, the more resilient they become. We learn more about ourselves from difference. Our friends nurture us but discovering the qualities of others, less known, is such a strengthening experience. Teachers will be encouraging students to experience some challenging activities and learn to rely on each other. For example activities like rock climbing rely on the person holding ropes. It is about building trust. Our Outdoor Education Policy also extends to the juniors. The year four students will experience one overnight stay at Holy Cross in Templestowe in October. At the meeting last night it was also mentioned that our plans are to take the Year 5 & 6 students to Canberra next year. We expect that this will be scheduled for Week 2 in Term 2, 2016. ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS For those of us with even a hint of Irish in the blood… Happy St Patrick’s Day for Tuesday. It is a tradition with our Catholic schools here in Melbourne to celebrate a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral and then this is followed by a celebration in the Fitzroy gardens. Mrs Sholly went with several students across the levels to represent our school and I believe they had a wonderful day. Below are students on the steps of St Patrick’s Cathedral. There is much we can learn historically about St Patrick’s Cathedral. I recommend all families take their children to visit St Patrick’s Cathedral as it is steeped in tradition and has many signs and symbols of our faith throughout. Between 1801 and 1900, more than seven million people migrated from Ireland. Many of these made their homes in Victoria. It was largely from the pennies and pounds of these Irish Catholics that arose our magnificent St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne. They brought with them their particular spirituality and cult of saints. St Patrick, is the beloved patron of Ireland. ENRICHMENT AND CARE PARISH EDUCATION BOARD A note was distributed earlier this week with regard to a vacant position on the Parish Education Board. We invite parents to nominate for this position. Our Annual General Meeting will be held next Tuesday at 7:30p.m. At this meeting we will present any nominations put forward. There are six meetings a year and at each meeting we look at educational matters that impact on our school. This is an advisory Board to the Parish Priest and Principal. After each meeting the Principal’s Report is published in the school newsletter and spare copies are available for the office. GRANDPARENTS’ DAY Grandparents’ Day - Thursday, 26th March. We look forward to sharing this time with many of our grandparents. There will be some parents directing traffic before our service at 12:00 p.m. I ask all parents to remind their families to keep an eye out for these parents as we have quite a crowd on these occasions. Traffic congestion and confusion can happen quickly. Please refer to the flyer in this newsletter for more information regarding Grandparents’ Day. A FEW THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER Will the school holidays be planned in such a way that the children will have balance, including some reading, sports activities, etc. Keep an eye on the use of computer games as we know these are easy babysitters. Start looking at the winter uniform. We have a month into the new term before we make the change. The SCA currently have a Hot Cross Bun drive. Remember, all fundraising will go to the Library section of our Discovery Centre this year. Every packet of buns sold could be the purchase of a new book! Consider nominating for the Parish Education Board. There are six meetings across the year. The school will close at 2:30p.m. on Friday. 27th March. This means an early pick up, otherwise OSHC is available from 2.30pm. If you are planning to leave earlier on the last day due to holidays, could you please inform the teacher earlier. If your holidays extend into the new term, please give the teacher an official note. Have you any lost items of school clothing? The lost property bin is already growing rapidly. In preparing for winter uniforms, don’t forget to label new items of clothing. ENRICHMENT AND CARE OPEN MORNING A thank you to our Leaders. I thank the Leadership Team who have supported these mornings over this term. I particularly acknowledge our Student Leadership Team who were so helpful on these occasions. They are great representatives of our school and the new families were so impressed with their maturity and professionalism. VERTICAL TUTOR GROUPS FOR OUR BOYS In conjunction with our Student Well Being Coordinators, we are piloting some vertical tutoring. This involves some younger boys being given a mentor from the Leadership Team who support them on the yard and teach them effective ways to play and engage with others. This sets up new connections, friendships and a great sense of caring for others. Caring underpins all positive relationships as outlined by Seligman (2012, p20), who explains that very little that is positive is solitary. Teaching boys to interact in a positive manner with each other, building caring and positive relationships is essential for them to go on and have productive, positive lives, in meaningful relationships with others. The Jubilee Centre for Character and Values(201#) states: “schools should aim to develop confident and compassion students who are effective contributors to society, successful learners and responsible citizens” (p1). Education Today, Term 1 2015, p23 BOOK OF THE WEEK When I’m Feeling Scared by Trace Moroney Sometimes children feel scared over small matters. This book teaches children that many things we think are scary, aren’t scary at all. This book is aimed at the junior levels. There will be a series of new books purchased for the Parent Library over the school holidays. ENRICHMENT AND CARE IRISH BLESSING FOR THE WEEK May God give you… For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer. PRAYER FOR THE WEEK May you live these Lenten days Not in purple penitential denial But in joyfulness of the intimate embrace Of your Blessed God. May you hear on the Lenten winds Your Beloved calling you daily To go apart from your routine time To spend desert time with your God. Then your heart can be freshly aflame With a lover’s delight in your God. May you have a blessed and grace-filled Lenten season so as to be a new person. Cheers ENRICHMENT AND CARE Diary Dates MARCH 15th -22nd 19th 25th 24th 24th 26th 26th 27th 27th (Updated 19/3/15) Catholic Education Week – “Seek God with all your heart” Holy Week Reflection, Year 1 & 2, 12.15pm Feast of the Annunciation Open Morning, 9.30 -11.00am, Prep 2016 PEB AGM, 7.30pm Grandparents Day – Prayer Service and Activities beginning at 12pm Hot cross bun orders—’for collection ’& delivery to classrooms’ . Collect orders between 2.15pm and 2.45pm in the office foyer. Prep Easter Bonnet Parade, 9.00am End of Term 1, students finish at 2.30pm APRIL 13th Term 2 commences for staff and students, 8.45am MAY 1st 4th 4th 8th 10th 14th 16th 17th 19th 19th 22nd 31st Year 5/6 Camp Rumbug, Foster School photos, (winter uniforms only) SCA Meeting, 7.30pm staffroom Mother’s Day “High Tea” Mothers Day Year 1 & 2 Extended Day Program Presentation Mass for children preparing for First Eucharist Presentation Mass for children preparing for First Eucharist PEB Meeting, 7.00pm Prep 2016 interviews commence In-service – No students Working Bee, 9.00am – 12.30pm 13th 15h 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 29th 30th SCA meeting, 7.30pm staffroom Beginning of Term Mass – 10.00am Assembly, Shared learning, Yr 5/6 Open Morning, 9.30 -11.00am Prep 2016 Information Evening, 7.00pm Anzac Day Prayer Gathering, 10.00am Year 5/6 Camp Rumbug, Foster Year 5/6 Camp Rumbug, Foster JUNE 1st 12th 12th 12th 13th 14th 16th 17th 26th SCA Meeting, 7.30pm Feast of Sacred Heart, Mass, 10.00am School Reports sent home today SCA Social Night for families Commitment Mass – Yr 6 Confirmation Candidates Commitment Mass – Yr 6 Confirmation Candidates Parent Teacher Interviews Parent Teacher Interviews End of Term 2, students finish at 2.30pm JULY 13th 22nd 25th 26th 28th Term 3 Commences Reflection on the Sacrament of Eucharist, 7pm First Eucharist, 6.00pm First Eucharist, 10.30am PEB Meeting, 7.30pm ENRICHMENT AND CARE END OF TERM REMINDER Just a reminder that the school term ends on Friday, 27th March at 2:30 pm. OSHC is available if you are unable to collect your children at 2.30pm. ICY POLE ROSTER Icypoles are on sale this Friday, 20th March. Cost is 50c each. Helpers rostered on this week are: Jaimie Rotin, Barb Carr, Suzi Tanfara, Linda Wein, Dani Fletcher, Susan Key, Carly Broadbent, Kellie Schmidt. EASTER RAFFLE 3 tickets for $5.00 3 great hampers to be won which include either a $300, $200 or $100 Rebel Voucher and lots of chocolate! ENRICHMENT AND CARE GRANDPARENTS’ DAY Slide Show Request Please email Mr Wals, a photo of your child’s grandparents, to be used in the slideshow that will be shown at the Grandparents’ Day Prayer Service on Thursday 26th March. Please, only one photo per grandparent. Email to: [email protected] PREP ENROLMENTS 2016 We are currently accepting enrolments for Prep 2016. Current families wishing to enrol a younger sibling are requested to stop by the office and collect an enrolment form. When submitting a Prep Enrolment Form for 2016 please ensure you attach a copy of the lowing: Birth Certificate Baptism Certificate Immunisation Certificate ** fol- ** This certificate can be obtained by contacting Medicare directly /by phone or by downloading from the Medicare website. PREP 2015— REMINDER—OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATES A number of 2015 Prep families received a phone call requesting outstanding birth, baptism and/or immunisation certificates for our records. If these could be forwarded to the office asap it would be greatly appreciated. ENRICHMENT AND CARE CLASSROOM HELPERS As you are all aware, we at St Thomas’ value and appreciate the support that we receive from our parent community. Part of that ongoing support has been the fantastic contribution of our classroom helpers in Literacy and Mathematics learning sessions. If you wish to help in your child's classroom and have completed the workshops, currently or in the past, (taken by Anna Sonza), you can speak to the classroom teacher and advise them of your desire to help and what day suits you. You will also need a current “Working with Children Check”. Classroom support will start in the junior classrooms in second term, but you can speak to the teachers this term and they are then able to work out the timetable and be organised for next term. Thanks for your ongoing support Anna Sonza Literacy Leader P-2 ENRICHMENT AND CARE ENRICHMENT AND CARE Join our school team Team Name: St Thomas the Apostle PS Team ID: st-thomas-the-apostle-ps ENRICHMENT AND CARE OSHClub News Program Update Hello families and friends, We hope you had a great week last week! We certainly did at OSHClub! Congratulations to Yasmin Naval-Thomas and Nicolas Poloni who were our Raffle Ticket WINNERS from last week. They collected a slinky and Lego as their prizes. We hope they enjoyed using them over the weekend. Good luck to everyone for this week! Last week we planted our very own vegetable patch J Charles, William, Amelia and Isaac helped us to dig up the garden and plant the seeds, and every morning we have Ava P, Eliza and Nicolas help us water the plants to make sure they grow. We planted tomatoes, carrots, lettuce and cucumber. We also have a compost bin that is next to the garden which we hope the worm really like. Last week we also played poison ball and cricket, and did painting, jewellery making, hama beads and paper plane throwing competitions. Photos of the week Bookings: Please remember to book your child into the program. While we do take casual bookings on the day, we ask that bookings are made at least 24 hours before via your account on www.oshclub.com.au to ensure we have enough staff and enough food for the session. We staff based on the numbers of enrolments and buy food based on this as well. All of our sessions are becoming quite full so bookings are essential. Please note: If you are making an on the day booking (casual booking - less than 24 hours before the session), you must call or text our program number as well as call the St Thomas Office. The office is ONLY responsible for letting your child know that they must come to us after school. They do not take bookings for us, and are not responsible for letting us know of any bookings, cancellations or parent picks that are communicated through them, so it is essential that you make us aware of your child’s attendance or non-attendance so we can change your account accordingly. ENRICHMENT AND CARE OSHClub News Monday Tuesday Before Care African Tissue Irish Duck, Activities Paper Animals duck, goose After Care African St Patrick’s Day Painting Cookies Activities Wednesday Italian Flag Making Venetian Masks Thursday Friday Marshmallow Create a DioraTower ma Spanish Fly North America Game Dream Catcher Next Week’s Activities: THEME IS Easter! Monday Tuesday Before Care Egg Prints Easter Bunnies Activities After Care Easter Basket Easter Puppet Activities Making Show Wednesday Thursday Friday Egg Race Easter Hama Beads Gymnastics Decorate an Easter Egg Easter Card Making Paper Bag Easter Bunnies Program Information OSHC program phone: 0402 762 562 Coordinator: Nicole Assistants: Sue, Stephanie, Brianna, Mikayla OSHClub Head Office: 03 85649000 All families must be enrolled to attend the program, remember this is Free!! Please create an account online at www.oshclub.com.au all bookings and cancellations can also be managed via your online account. For on the day bookings please contact the Coordinator direct at the program. LOST PROPERTY Lost sports jumper, size 6 clearly labelled Max Hume on underside of tag Please return to Max Hume, 1LC ENRICHMENT AND CARE ENRICHMENT AND CARE HOT CROSS BUNS The School Community Association (SCA) is having a Hot Cross Bun fundraiser. There will be a choice of Traditional, Chocolate Chip and Fruitless hot cross buns. The Hot Cross Buns from Brumby’s, Montmorency will cost $6.90 per pack of 6. For each pack sold our school will receive $3.20 per pack!! Ask your family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues to help us out. All orders are due in by Friday, 20th March. Please place your order form and correct money (cash or cheque) in an envelope and return it to school marked “Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser” C/O SCA Cheques made payable to SCA. Correction: *Collection date will be on Thursday 26th March in the School Foyer between 2:15 – 2:45pm If you would prefer the SCA to deliver the hot cross buns to your eldest child’s classroom on Thursday 26th March, please fill in their name and grade on the order form. Thanks for your support. The SCA Team ENRICHMENT AND CARE Hot Cross Bun Fundraising Order Sheet Fundraiser Name ……………………………………………………………………………Class/Level ………… Collection Date ……………………………….. Collection Time ………………………………… Traditional Hot Cross Buns Purchaser’s Name & Contact Details Quantity (6 packs) Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Total $ Quantity (@ $6.90 each) (6 packs) Total $ (@ $6.90 each) Fruitless Quantity (6 packs) Total $ Total Paid Please tick: □ I will collect my Hot Cross Buns from the School Foyer between 2:15 – 2:45pm on Thursday 26th March OR □ I would like my Hot Cross Buns delivered to my eldest child’s classroom on Thursday 26th March. Eldest child’s name _________________ Mobile number: _______________________ ENRICHMENT AND CARE St Thomas SCA is holding a Ladies Night Winter Market on 12th June. We are now taking Expressions of Interest from our school & parish community before we open this to general public. We are looking for a diverse mix of stalls holders and business to maximise the experience for the ladies on the night. We are seeking: Stall holders - bookings now being taken online: w w w. b i t . l y / S t T h o m a s M a r k e t S t a l l I n t e r e s t Corporate Sponsors Silent Auction Items Items for Door Prizes If your business is interested in being part of this night please contact: Linda Wein Ladies Night Market Co-ordinator E: [email protected] M: 0409 007 815 ENRICHMENT AND CARE Day Retreat: Saturday 18. April 2015 MEDITATION ON JESUS FOR HEALING and WELL-BEING Through Postures, Breathing Exercises and Relaxation with Fr. Gilbert Carlo SVD From 9.00am to 4.30pm, Saturday 18. April 2015. Come and Experience Energizing, Recharging & Healing in Jesus. At: Janssen Spirituality Centre, 22 Woodvale Road, Boronia, Victoria 3155. Tel: 03 9762 6625 Email: [email protected] - ENRICHMENT AND CARE Mila Mitrevski (PMB) for being a role model and displaying beautiful behaviour. Well done! Paige Trajcevski (PMB) for being a role model and displaying beautiful behaviour. Well done! Tahlia Kidd(PMP) for listening well and writing lovely sentences. Jim Gilbert (1LC) for always being a wonderful role model to others and producing some great writing pieces. Keep up your great work Jimmy! Ethan Nardella (1LS) for being a great leader during our Easter Reflection rehearsals. Amelia Kardos (2LH) for her positive attitude and perseverance when counting a range of patterns forwards and backwards. Cooper Bartlett (2LH) for his attention to detail when using the pictures in a text to sequentially retell the story. Jazmine Sizeland (3CS) for her thoughtful reflection about her Reconciliation. Anthony Pinder (4ST) for demonstrating a positive attitude toward your work tasks. Great effort! Christian Musolino (5/6AP) for improving his organisation and effort in his work considerably towards the end of the term. Well done Christian! Mikeala Steinke (5/6CM) for her super organisation, thoughtful encouragement and being on top of all her responsibilities! Hunter D’Angelis (5/6LO) for persevering and completing and presenting a creative slideshow about generous people in the Catholic Church. Well done and keep up the good work! Corey Dwyer (5/6LO) for persevering and completing and presenting a creative slideshow about generous people in the Catholic Church. Well done and keep up the good work! Gabrielle Rizkalla (5/6SM) for always working hard in class to compete tasks quickly and thoroughly. Bridie Erwin-Keirl (MW) for showing enthusiasm and interest in all areas of her school life! ENRICHMENT AND CARE GOLD AWARDS Erica Butera, Sarah Davis, Lucas Popolas, Andrew Migotto, Benjamin Stefanidis, Sierra Filippone, Brendan James, Alexandar McMahon-Puce , Michael Polazzon & Jacob Vescio. GOLD PIN Shielyn Hosseini & Olivia De Marchi, They are able who think they are able. Virgil. ENRICHMENT AND CARE Happy Birthday to the following children who are celebrating birthdays this week…... Milla Garraway, Thomas Cardamone, Alix Andonovski, Alana Chiappa, Alannah Prendergast, Maddison Rottura & Joel Mariani. ENRICHMENT AND CARE