ST JOHN S PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

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1 ST JOHN S PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 23 March 2016 From the Principal Dear Parents, I cannot believe that Term 1 has come to an end! Term One is always one of the busiest of the year and this year was no exception, especially with the Fete. Again, I would like to thank all staff for their commitment and dedication in providing the best possible education for the children, this is clearly evident and reflected in their practice. Finally, I would also like to congratulate all the children for their efforts this term. They have worked very hard and are deserving of a holiday. I particularly wish to congratulate the prep children who have settled in very well to the start of their schooling and who are, I m sure, desperately looking forward to a two weeks break! As the term concludes it once again acts as a reminder to all of us of our hectic lives and schedules that exists in our daily lives. With this in mind and with Easter this Sunday I ask you to remember that Easter recalls the tragedy of the suffering and death of Jesus followed by the triumph of his resurrection from death. God of great compassion and love, turn your ear to me and listen to my prayer. When I am full of fear, and afraid, and don t know where to turn, surround me with your love. When I am lost and confused and all seems hopeless, surround me with your love. When I am in the depths of sadness and melancholy, surround me with your love. When my heart is broken and I am crushed, surround me with your love. When my strength is gone and I am weak and tired, surround me with your love. Stay close to me, be my rock, my shelter, my comfort. Surround me with your love. Amen. CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK Catholic Education Week is an annual state-wide event that promotes the distinctive mission of Catholic schools throughout Victoria. The week is celebrated by all schools through a range of activities, liturgies and events. One of the events that we e participated in was sending some of our students to the St Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral last Thursday, St Patrick's Day Mass. Thousands of students from across Victoria participate in this celebration of the Eucharist. A highlight of the Mass is the procession of Banners. 55 Cape Street, Heidelberg Vic 3084 Ph E. office@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au

2 My thanks to Elizabeth Williamson for coordinating our participation in this event and to Mrs Armiento who escorted the children who were such wonderful representatives of our school. GRANDPARENTS / SENIOR FRIENDS DAY CONCERT 4 th MAY A reminder that this wonderful event takes place on Wednesday, 4 th May. This has become one of our most popular events on the school calendar. For new families, we invite the children s grandparents to join our school community on the 4th May, and for those who cannot have a grandparent present, the invitation extends to a special family relative or friend. The morning includes a 'concert', followed by an invitation for parents and grandparents to visit classrooms and then an opportunity to have a morning tea in the Hall. Details will be available at the start of Term 2. END OF TERM ONE Term 1 will conclude on Thursday 24th March at 3.20pm. The children will commence for Term 2 on TUESDAY, 12th April at 8.45am. SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - MONDAY, 11th APRIL The school will be closed on Monday, 11th April as we are setting the day aside to focus on a number of pressing Curriculum issues that we need to address. Please note therefore, that the first day of Term Two will be Tuesday,12th April. START OF TERM TWO - 12th APRIL Term Two commences on TUESDAY, 12TH APRIL AT 8.45am 2017 PREP ENROLMENTS SIBLINGS FINAL REMINDER A final reminder for ALL SIBLING ENROLMENT FORMS to be returned to the school office IMMEDIATELY. Applications are available from the front office and should be completed and returned to school NOW! It is imperative that applications are completed and returned to school as soon as possible so that planning and school structure for 2017 can be confirmed. 2

3 WINTER UNIFORM - TERM 3 A reminder that the children are required to wear the Winter School Uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Winter Uniform for Girls (Terms 2 and 3) Knee-High Navy Blue Socks or Navy Tights Winter School Pinafore Skirt St John s Light Blue Skivvy or Shirt Navy Blue St. John s School Jumper Black School Shoes Winter Uniform for Boys (Terms 2 and 3) Short or Knee-High Navy Blue Socks Navy Blue Trousers St John s Light Blue Skivvy or Shirt Navy Blue St. John s School Jumper Black School Shoes Uniform can be purchased from Noone Imagewear, 283 Lower Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe East TIQBIZ IS COMING IN TERM 2 Tiqbiz is a communication App that connects schools directly with parents and other carers via Android and Apple smartphones. The app is free with the school paying a fee to enable the cloud-based service. The heart of the system and the vehicle for communication is a 'news feed'. Typically, there will be separate feeds for whole-of-school messages and each year level, pushing out important information, reminders, newsletters, permission forms and much more. Information regarding how to get started will be handed out in the first week of Term 2. EASTER WISHES On behalf of the staff I would like to wish that on Easter Sunday the risen Christ may bestow his Easter gift of peace on all people and especially the community of St Johns. May you all have a safe and enjoyable two weeks of school holidays with your children. Yours sincerely Nick Marinelli Principal St John s 165th Anniversary Celebration On Sunday 17th April at 11.30am (after 10.30am Mass) St John s is hosting our 165th Anniversary Celebration so join in the fun with a free lunchtime BBQ, entertainment and children s activities including a jumping castle. For catering purposes please go to: 3

4 Thursday, March 24th Dear Parents, Every year in Lent, we provide an opportunity for our community to give alms as part of our preparation for Easter. This year is no exception. As part of our support for Caritas Australia and their amazing work, both here and overseas, we are focusing on their Lenten fund raiser Project Compassion and, more specifically, on the opportunity to provide them with funds that will go towards providing clean water to all their projects. Our children love their water bottles and fill them regularly during their school day. Imagine if they had to walk several kilometres a day just to access water and then not be sure that what little was available was clean! In our busy lives, we do not have the time to improve this situation ourselves, but we DO have the means to support those who do! On Thursday, 24 th March, we ask that the students bring a gold coin (or two!) to add to their class s cup so that we, as a community, do what we can to provide Caritas Australia with the means to ensure that all children and their families have easier access to clean, fresh water on a regular basis. We know that you will support this generously and we thank you warmly in advance! The Education in Faith Team Gold coin donation... Can you fill your class s cup? 4

5 RE News - Elizabeth Williamson, Education in Faith Leader Holy Week and Easter Celebrations St John's Catholic Parish Heidelberg Holy Thursday March 24th 7:30pm Mass of the Lord s Supper and Washing of the Feet followed by Adoration. Evening Prayer at 10:00pm Adoration continues after Evening Prayer. Good Friday March 25th 11:00am Stations of the Cross in the church and school grounds 3:00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord s Passion at the Our Lady of Mercy College Gym (on Yarra Street) Holy Saturday March 26th 9:00 am Morning Prayer 8:00 pm Easter Vigil Easter Sunday March 27th 8:30am Mass 10:30am Mass (Please Note: No evening Mass on Easter Sunday) Holy Week Celebration On Thursday the whole school will be celebrating Holy Week, remembering the last few days of Jesus' life. You are most welcome to join us for this commencing at in the lower playground. Every child is invited to bring a piece of palm, olive branch or other piece of greenery for the Palm Procession. Easter Bunting Making Activity Your family will receive an Easter Bunting Making Activity that we hope you will enjoy completing together. Your decorated bunting will announce the joyous message of Easter, He is Risen. Please feel free to let your creative juices flow, using a variety of materials and ideas. Once your decorations are complete, cut out your bunting and string it up on the ribbon provided. Please take a photo of your family celebrating Easter with your bunting included and a copy to ewilliamson@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au We will use the photos we receive to create a whole school display to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. An example of the finished product is below. 5

6 Easter Meal Prayer (a grace prayer before a meal) Lord, As we gather together as family and friends we invite you once again into our lives underneath the banner of your life, We thank you for all the wonderful food that we can now enjoy, to celebrate your glorious resurrection. Thank you Lord. Amen. Project Compassion Boxes Project Compassion boxes can be returned to school tomorrow or in the first week of next term. The box can also be left in the church in the blue box on the sanctuary. Anointing Mass and Luncheon On Thursday March 17th, Year 6W attended the Anointing Mass with some of the St John's parishioners. Attending this mass with the parishioners and serving them lunch afterwards is part of their Confirmation programme This is an account of the experience from a Year 6 student. On Thursday March 17th, Year 6W attended the Anointing Mass with a number of parishioners. It was an excellent ceremony. It started with meeting the parishioners and sitting beside them in mass. Father Mario applied oil to the parishioners forehead and hands. He spoke about the life of St Patrick. After mass we made our way to St Monica's to enjoy a St Patrick's Day luncheon together. It was a great event. (Massimo F) St John's Parish Family Offertory Gift Roster (Preps) Saturday March 26th/ Sunday March 27th 6.00p.m 8.30a.m a.m. 5.00p.m Harika family Horsley family No Elias (Liam) evening mass Saturday April 2nd / Sunday April 3rd McKirkle family (Callum) Javier family (Veronica) Mercuri family Elissa Jose family (Ann) Saturday April 9th / Sunday April 10th Monardo family (Brianna) Miranzi family (Joshua) O'Neil family (Eve) Rose family (Hannah) 6

7 Trip to St Patrick's Cathedral On March 17th, eleven chosen students went to St Patrick's Cathedral as part of Catholic Education Week to celebrate St Patrick's Day. The cathedral was huge. When we went inside we were amazed. The interior was so wonderful. I was blown away. Flabbergasted! The cathedral was full with over 200 schools present. The choir was the best part of it. After mass we had a photo taken with Archbishop Hart. It was an amazing experience. (Caroline T Education in Faith Student Leader) Wishing you and your family a happy and holy Easter. Elizabeth Williamson, (Education in Faith Leader) Student Services News - Judy Doupe, Student Services Leader As part of our Kids Matter Action I am pleased to inform you that our school can now provide confidential on-site counselling for our students. Healing Minds Psychology are a counselling service that offer up to 10 sessions of free counselling to students at St John's School. Counselling can help your child s wellbeing so that they can learn to cope with everyday stressors, and have the resilience to be a better student. The Psychologist who will be working at St John s on a Monday is Naomi Tham. If you would more information on this service please contact me on: jdoupe@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au 7

8 STUDENT AWARDS Matthew A Prep C, Tiffany W Prep C, Veronica J Prep C, Ann J Prep C, Jacob W 1L, Adele M 1L, Alma K 1P, Ruby C 1P, Giuliano P 2N, Lara E 2N, James L 3F, Grace E 3F, Kasey P 3V, Chris D 3V, Natalie G 4S, Jonas P 4S, Sierra D 4S, Pierre A 4S BIRTHDAYS 24 March Leonardo T 1P 30 March Giselle G Prep C 25 March Amelia B 1L 31 March Allessio C 5/6B Eve O Prep P 27 March Samuel V 3F 5 April Ella B 3V Darcy P 4D 28 March Benedict F 1L 8 April Aimee M 2T 29 March Massimo F 5/6W Alexandra R 5/6B 9 April Petria S 5/6B 11 April Taylah G 5/6C 8

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11 Hours of Operation: Before Care 6:45am-8:45am After Care 3:20pm-6:00pm Staff: Deanna Bellen & Jill El-Khoury Hi everyone, Last week at OSHClub was a crazy whirl wind of fun! We created tin foil monsters, building block works of art and had French toast for breakfast on Wednesday morning which the children loved. This week we had wide selection of activities ranging from our awesome Drawing/Colouring competition to games of Cluedo, spit (card game) and Dodge Ball! We also announced the winner of our Lego building competition from last week - Congratulation James C! OSHClub asks that each child attending have their own hat for both before and after school care in terms one and four. They are able to leave their hat at OSHClub which will be kept in a zip lock bag with their name on it in the hat box. There will no longer be spare hats provided as it is against our health and hygiene policy. So unfortunately if your child does not have a hat they will not be allowed outside to play in terms one and four. If your child/ren are absent from school or other arrangements are made for them, could you please let us know that they won t be attending afterschool care. On the day cancelations/bookings must be made with a phone call or text to the program number on You will not be able to make online bookings or cancelations on the day. Online bookings or cancelations can be made up until midnight the night before. We hope to see you at OSHClub! Enjoy the rest of your week. NEXT WEEKS ACTIVITY Before Care Activities Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Making Wool Easter Chicks Making Fruit Smoothies Good Friday Easter Monday Holiday Program After Care Activities Dying Easter Eggs Easter Egg Hunt Good Friday Easter Monday Holiday Program Parent Information OSHC program phone: Coordinator: Deanna Bellen Assistants: Jill El-Khoury OSHClub Head Office: All families must be enrolled to attend the program, remember this is Free!! Please create an account online at 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. 11

12 Father Mario s Sermon 20 March 2016 (Palm Sunday, Year C) (Luke 19:28-40); Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 21:8-9,17-20,23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56. He assumed the condition of a slave! Today we enter the solemnity of Holy Week. We celebrate the solemn entry of Jesus in Jerusalem and also participate in the passion narrative according to Luke. In the gospel according to Luke, Jerusalem is the focal point of Jesus ministry. In his travels Jesus is always looking towards Jerusalem, where he knows he will face his passion and death. It is not by accident that Jesus dies in Jerusalem; he chooses to go there and travels towards the city in a determined way. Luke shows us a Christ who is always in control of what is happening around him and to him. Even on the cross he forgives those who were persecuting him because they do not know what they are doing; he interacts with the repentant thief, promising him that he will join him in paradise; and finally he commits his spirit into the hands of the Father. When Jesus is on the cross he is taunted by the leaders of the Jewish people, by the soldiers and by one of the thieves, challenging him to save himself. In the eyes of those present salvation could only come by his getting off the cross. What they could not realise is that Jesus was a saviour by staying on the cross and offering up his life in reparation for their sins and the sins of humanity. It is very enlightening to place the sacrifice of the cross within the context of the temple sacrifices described in the Old Testament. Jesus death is the ultimate sacrifice offered to God; he is the Lamb of sacrifice. Luke reminds us that after Christ s death, there is no more need to offer sacrifices in the temple; the curtain of the temple is torn and the priest no longer needs to go into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice. The perfect sacrifice has been offered once and for all. (The Jerusalem temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 after Christ!) In today s second reading from the letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us his own theology of Jesus passion, death and resurrection. Jesus, Son of God, set aside his divinity in order to enter our human dimension and participate fully in our life. He did not choose to be born as a king, even though he was the son of King David! Neither did he choose to be born in a noble or a priestly section of society. He did not even choose to be born as a free man. Paul tells us that Jesus chose to be born as a servant, a slave. Paul is attracted by Jesus total humiliation. (In his writing Paul uses the Greek word kenosis to explain the total self-emptying of Jesus, setting aside his own will and becoming entirely receptive to God's will.) As if this total humiliation of the Son of God was not enough, he even accepted his fate to die hanging on a cross. At the time of the Romans, this was the worst type of execution possible, reserved for hardened criminals. The prisoner was tied or nailed to a cross, naked, in a very public place, for all to see. In most cases the prisoner would have taken days to die, dragging out the torture. (Jesus died quickly as a result of his scourging.) This is the type of death afforded to Jesus he let himself be taken for a criminal! Today s narration of the passion concludes at the tomb. The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee witnessed Jesus passion and took note of the tomb and of the position of the body. This Holy Week we too are invited to reflect and meditate this great mystery of Jesus death. With the women let us witness God s great love and mercy towards us. God s love knows no limits; he goes after the lost sheep, looks for the lost coin and waits for the lost sons. He even gives up his life in order to save us. If, like Simon of Cyrene, we carry our cross behind Jesus, we too can celebrate the great glory of his resurrection in this life as we grow and mature in our faith and in the life to come! Fr Mario 12

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