Dear Families,

This week we celebrated Catholic Education Week. This year Catholic Education Week focused on Valuing the dignity, differences, and infinite possibilities in each student. Catholic Education Week at Galilee has included the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the celebration of St. Patrick's Day and a very special Year 3 Reconciliation Reflection Day that will occur tomorrow.

On Tuesday, we gathered together to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students from Galilee have been preparing to receive the Sacrament for the first time this term. They have participated in a Family Faith Night, a series of sessions at school led by Sue Kidd and a unit of work taught by the Year 3 classroom teachers. They were very well prepared and it was wonderful to witness their excitement and enthusiasm on Tuesday evening. Next Wednesday the remaining candidates will participate in the Sacrament for the first time at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Another highlight this week at Galilee was St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and therefore important for all Catholic School in Melbourne. The festivities on Wednesday were a joyful celebration of faith, culture and art.

Tomorrow all our Year 3 students will be involved in a Reconciliation Reflection Day at Galilee. Students will be participating in activities that allow them to pause and reflect on their faith journey. We thank Helen our Religious Education Leader, Sue Kidd an educator from our Parish and our Year 3 classroom teachers, Charlotte and Laura for preparing the students for Reconciliation and for organising the Reflection Day. It promises to be a fantastic day for our Year 3 students.

Harmony Day: Friday, March 26th

This week is Harmony Week in Victoria. The message of Harmony Week is that everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, united by a set of core Australian values.

So that the school can celebrate as a whole, Galilee will celebrate Harmony Day on Friday next week, March 26. On this day, we are all invited to wear orange clothing or dress in our families' culturally traditional clothing. Children will be participating in a range of Harmony activities in their classrooms.

These celebrations create opportunities for all of us to think, talk about and recognise how our differences make Australia a great place to live. To support our diverse community, our school Wellbeing Team would like to take the opportunity to donate to the Cathy Freeman foundation, which supports life-changing education programmes so that more indigenous children can reach their goals and dreams through education.

Children are asked to bring a gold coin donation on the day.

Label Uniform

Please, please, pleeease clearly label all pieces of uniform - hats, rugby jumpers, woollen jumper, jackets, headbands etc. Items have gone missing for some students so checking your child has their own uniform would be a great help. You can hand any lost uniform into the office.

School Photos

School Photos have been scheduled for the next Wednesday, 24th of March. Envelopes to order school photos have been sent home. Our code for online ordering from The School Photographer is X3036PC42G. If you require an envelope for a sibling photo, you can get one from the office. The sibling photo order can be added at the end of the student order before payment. Envelopes only need to be returned to school if you are paying by cash.

Wellbeing

Grit and Growth

By learning that having grit is using your strengths to lift your efforts to overcome challenges, you will enjoy achieving things you are passionate about. It takes courage to be in control of your emotions and to not give into yourself when things get hard. By developing gritty determination in yourself, you will be able to accomplish what you really want to do to build your best possible self. This is what your true growth is.

Head Lice

We have had a few cases of head lice reported at Galilee.

Please check your child as soon as possible, and remove any live or dead lice and ALL EGGS.

We have managed to them under control for a while – however we really need each family to check weekly, if we are to continue successful management school wide.

If your child's hair is shoulder length or longer, we ask that they have it tied back while at school.

Thank you for your understanding and prompt reporting of head lice incidences.

Year 5 Camp to Merricks

On Tuesday 16th March, our Year 5 students attended their camp at Merricks lodge for 3 nights. The students and staff have had a wonderful time and perfect weather for their water activities. They will return around 3pm tomorrow. Thank you to Miss Coome, Mr Martello and Paul for attending.

PE Uniform

Please note the days that your child/ren needs to wear their PE uniform next week. As we are celebrating Harmony Day on Friday, students who need to wear PE Uniform on Friday will still be invited to wear orange clothing or dress in our families' culturally traditional clothing. However, it would be a good idea for these students to wear their runners or keep a pair of runners in their bag so they can participate in sport on the day.

These are days that students need to wear their PE Uniform next week:

Prep S: Monday and Thursday

Prep P: Monday and Thursday

Prep M: Tuesday and Friday

Year 1J: Tuesday and Thursday

Year 1B: Tuesday and Thursday

Year 2R: Tuesday and Thursday

Year 2J: Wednesday and Friday

Year 2E: Wednesday and Friday

Year 3M: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Year 3B: Monday and Friday

Year 4R: Monday and Thursday

Year 4H: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Year 5C: Monday and Thursday

Year 6M: Tuesday and Friday

Year 6F: Tuesday and Friday

Hockey Incursion on Monday

On Monday 22nd March our Year 3-5 students will be participating in a Hockey Incursion. We thank Mr. Hill for organising this opportunity for the students. All Year 3-5 students will need to wear their sports uniform on Monday 22nd March for the incursion.

Baby News

Ms Carnovale and Mr Hill are expecting their first baby in late August. We wish them all the very best with the exciting times ahead!

Building News

Demolition of the old building has finished with storm water drains and piling worked on over the last week. Footings are currently being implemented with erection of walls to begin late in the school holidays. Work on the building project is continuing on schedule. We are still anticipating access to the new building, barring any unexpected delays, from the beginning of the 2022 school year.

To reduce playground congestion at recess and lunch we have:

added more structure and increased the amount of areas open (i.e Park St),
established a number of clubs accessible to students,
rostered on Year 3-6 classes each Friday to visit Sol Green Reserve,
created links with Danceworld with cohorts of students visiting recess and lunch, four days a week.

We are also exploring the introduction of Running Club at a surrounding park and if an extra day can be staffed at Sol Green.

Although students are being provided with reduced opportunities to run or play ball games, there are many positive outcomes from the temporary changes to playground availability:

Students are being provided with more opportunities for creative play,
School Office staff report a significant reduction (more than 50%) in the number of students being hurt or injured during recess and lunch breaks.

D.O.G.S

The D.O.G.S. (Dads of Galilee School) Golf Day is happening next Saturday 27th March, further details below.

If you are keen to participate let me know, by RSVPing to dogs@gsm.vic.edu.au.

Numbers are limited, due to the golf course availability.

It is sure to be a fun day and a great way to meet new people within the Galilee community.

Details:

Albert Park Golf Course

Saturday - 27th March 2021

Tee Off from 9:30am

18 holes.

Price $55.00

After the golf, we will be heading to the Middle Park Bowls Club for a BBQ and drink.

Hope to see you there.

James

Danceworld

To book your child into Danceworld lessons during recess/lunch or for more information, visit www.danceworldstudios.com/galilee or feel free to visit the studio next door to Galilee.

Easter Raffle

Tickets

Raffle tickets were sent home with students on Tuesday 9th March. This is an Easter Fundraising event to raise money for our school.

Tickets - $2 each or 3 for $5

Please clearly label each purchased ticket with your child’s name and class.

These envelopes must be returned to class teacher by Friday 26th March.

*Additional raffle tickets will be available at the school office if you wish to purchase more.

There is no obligation to purchase tickets.

Easter Raffle Donations

The Easter Raffle will be drawn at 12.30pm on Thursday 1st April, the last day of Term 1 and the lucky winners will take home their goodies!

We are hoping to give out at least 1 prize per class so we are asking for donations of Easter bunnies and Easter eggs. (We recognise some children have food allergies, we will try to accommodate this where possible)

Please drop donations to the office by Friday 26th March.

Religion

The Year Three students celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time at Sts Peter and Paul’s on Tuesday, 16 March. It was a very prayerful and reverent experience for the students and their families. Many of the students had big smiles on their faces after they received the sacrament!

The students who attend our Lady of Mount Carmel will receive this sacrament next week.

Many thanks to everyone who have kept these children and their family in their prayers.

The Social Justice leaders attended a special mass at Saint Peter and Paul’s to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17. This was a very reverent and special experience for them.

All members of Galilee had a fun day learning about Saint Patrick, wearing green items of clothing, learning Irish dances, telling Irish jokes or doing craft activities.

Scripture of the Week

Food Drive

If you could bring to your classroom a can of baked beans, or any other nonperishable food, for those who are less fortunate in our community, that would be great. This drive will run until 26th of March.

All food donated will go to the Friars Kitchen.

-TC, Social Justice Captain

SACRAMENTAL DATES 2021

Reconciliation:

OLMC - Wednesday, 24 March 7:00pm

Eucharist

StsPP - Sunday, 6 June 2:00pm

OLMC - Wednesday, 2 June 7:00pm

Confirmation

StsPP- Thursday 19 August 7.00pm

OLMC - Wednesday 18 August 7.00pm

Many of our Year 3 students will be making their First Reconciliation in March. Please keep them in your prayers:

A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates

Loving God, teach your children that you love them totally and unconditionally.

Help us to encourage each other to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive.

Help us to pray for these children and to share our faith with them as we journey together.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Simon Millar

Principal of Galilee

Galilee Bulletin

Issue 7 · 18 Mar 2021

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