DON T FORGET BOOK WEEK PARADE TOMORROW

Transcription

1 ST RITA S SCHOOL, SOUTH JOHNSTONE Weekly Newsletter Term 3, Week August 2016 DON T FORGET BOOK WEEK PARADE TOMORROW Principal s Report Dear Parents and Caregivers, This week the school is abuzz with talk about Book Week costumes. All parents are welcome to come along tomorrow morning for a fun filled event our annual book week parade. Prizes are given for best boy, best girl, best look alike, and best homemade costumes. Each year I am amazed by the creativity that exists in our parent community. I ask you all to read the letter attached to this newsletter re satisfaction surveys. These are to be done a little differently this year. Though not compulsory I ask all parents to take the time to complete the survey as it helps us shape future plans and decisions regarding the school. If your child came home yesterday all excited about electricity, we had a demonstration from a visiting scientist, showing how to create electricity with every day items and the positive and negative effects of electricity. The children were extremely engaged during the show. Year 6 are excitedly gearing up for their camp next week to Charters Towers. We head off on Tuesday and return on Friday, with a very full itinerary in between. Our final camp for the year, the Year 2/3 camp will be held early next term. Just a friendly reminder to parents re The Code of Conduct for Parents as set down by Catholic Education Services Cairns. NO parent, regardless of the situation, can approach any student in the school regarding problems being had by their child/children. All grievances MUST come through the leadership team or classroom teacher to be dealt with. This Friday, Mrs Devaney begins well earned Long Service Leave. During her absence in the class, Mrs Renee Sinton will be taking on her teaching load. We wish Mrs Devaney and her family safe travel and see her back, in class, after the school holidays. Have a great week, God bless. Vicki Religious education news Watching the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games on Sunday it was particularly moving to witness the host nation pay tribute to the influence of black women on Brazilian culture through the craft of lace weaving. While the display was visually spectacular with huge projections of traditional intricate lacework digitally beamed across the stadium floor, the underlying message was far more significant. In her online article, Women in White Honor at the Closing Mariella Mosthof suggests that while most commentators recognised how pretty the presentation was with several Afro-Brazilian women dressed in white singing and dancing, it

2 really was about more. It served to remember and honour the past and the contributions of black female slaves. She explains how back in the day, the slave women were authorized by their masters to sell lace products in the streets. They made some magnificent designs. She concludes by saying that, the webs on that projection on the floor are supposed to represent the power, the collective work, the special art of these women. And that s what is pretty. Remembering is an important part of every country, every culture and every generation. It is no different in our faith. We learn so much from the past and from people who made great sacrifices. AS AUGUST DRAWS TO A CLOSE We remember During the last few days of the month of August we remember some significant people within the Catholic Church and reflect on their contribution to our world and our faith. AUGUST 27 th : Dom Helder Camara (Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Brazil) Often referred to as the Bishop of the Slums, Dom Helder Camara was one of the most influential religious figures of the 20 th century. He was an instigator of the liberation theology trend in Latin American Catholicism and a campaigner against military dictatorship. He served from 1964 to 1985 a period when the country had a series of military rulers. He was known for his concern for the poor and his fight for justice in Brazil. Dom Helder Camara preached non-violence as the only lasting way to improve the lot of the poor. He lived the simple life that he preached. AUGUST 27 TH : Memorial of St. Monica On this day we remember St. Monica, a strong Christian woman of North Africa. When her son, Augustine, joined another religion Monica never stopped praying that God would help him see things more clearly. And she never stopped teaching him the truth of the Christian religion. After many years, Monica s prayers were answered. Augustine became a Christian. After her death in 387 Augustine wrote that those who knew her gave great praise and honour to God because, they recognized God s presence in her heart. AUGUST 28 TH : Memorial of St. Augustine As a young man Augustine (the son of Monica) studied many ideas and religions, but he was never happy with what he found. Finally, after many years God word came to him and he realised the truth of the Gospel. It changed his life. Augustine was baptized, and he returned to his home in Africa. There he became a great bishop, preacher and writer. His most famous book tells the story of this life. It is called The Confessions of Saint Augustine. It is the story of God s love pursuing him. AUGUST 29 th : Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist On this day we remember the death of John the Baptist. John told people to be sorry for their sins and to turn to God with all their hearts. He baptized them as a sign of God s forgiveness. John bravely told King Herod and his family that they, too, were sinful. King Herod had John thrown into prison. This day is a day to consider how some governments sometimes ignore the rights of people and act with injustice. John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus. COMMUNAL CELEBRATIONS: THIS WEEK AT ST RITA S On Wednesday the Year 5/6 children will go to Reconciliation with Fr Kerry in the Church. The Year 5 s will receive the sacrament at 10.00am and then the Year 6 s at am. On Friday this week our Prayer Assembly will be facilitated by the children in Year 3 /4. It will begin at 9.00am in the Little Hall. Please feel free to come along to any of these special occasions. We certainly welcome your participation.

3 Wishing you all a bright and beautiful week ahead. May the peace of Christ be with you all. Regards, Denise (Acting APRE Assistant to the Principal, Religious Education) ASSEMBLY schedule Approximately 9am in the Little Hall unless otherwise advised. Please note the schedule is subject to change if necessary. Week 7 26 August Week 9 9 September Week September (NAIDOC Assembly) Have any of your details changed?? Address? ? Phone Numbers? Medical information? Emergency person information? Please advise the office or . A shocking experience at yesterday s science presentation tuckshop There is tuckshop this week so please ask your child for a menu. CALENDAR OF EVENTS New dates in yellow TERM 3 24 Aug Book Week Parade 30 Aug-2 Sept Yr 6 Camp Charters Towers 2 Sept Father s Night 16 Sept End of Term TERM 4 3 Oct Queen s Birthday Holiday 4 Oct Start of Term Oct Year 2/3 Camp 25 Oct Wonder of Living Afternoon Parent Session 26 Oct Good Counsel College Year 7 Orientation Day 27 Oct Wonder of Living Class Sessions 1 Nov Melbourne Cup 11 Nov Remembrance Day Fri 25 Nov Year 6 Graduation Dinner 30 Nov Christmas Concert 2 Dec 12.30pm School Finishes Presents Central Intelligence (M) 26, 27 & 28 August 7.30pm Admission $8.00

4 Well Women s Clinics (These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients) Innisfail Hospital Monday 22 nd August Ph: Service includes Pap Smears, Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Domestic Violence, etc. All services are provided by a specially trained Women s Health Nurse.

5