Principal's

 

Panorama

 Prayer for Flood Victims

Although Sister Jan wrote this prayer back in March is apt for now.  I shared this with students on Monday at  our Student Briefing.  Discussing the importance of not only prayer for those who have been affected by the flooding but also those first responders who are so critical in time of need.  Please join the prayer by reading Sister Jan's words below. 

At this time, we hold in our minds and hearts all those affected by the floods and pouring rain.

Our hearts go out to those whose homes, possessions and businesses have been destroyed or damaged by floods in Queensland and New South Wales (and now Victoria).

We remember in prayer: Those whose lives have been devastated,

Those who are feeling vulnerable and weak

Those who are stranded

Those who are facing both long-term and short-term needs

Those who are homeless in this crippling time 

We pray also for all those who are meeting needs at this time:Volunteers and community workers

Those working to rescue people who are stranded and feed the hungry

Those supplying food, water, equipment, money and urgent supplies

Those working to clear roadways and homes that have been damaged

Police officers, emergency personnel, medical and social welfare responders

Those seeking to offer protection from theft and fraud.

We pray that each of us will play our part in responding to the overwhelming conditions of this time, and particularly in reaching out to those who are struggling to rebuild their lives.

We pray too, that we will continue to urge the Government to play its part in strengthening structures that will heal our land, restore creation, and relieve those suffering homelessness and poverty.

We make all our prayers in the name of Jesus, who reached out always to those most in need. AMEN.

Jan Barnett rsj 

For the full prayer see: HERE

During this week I have been exploring the Catholic Social Teaching of Dignity of the Human Person.  I have been doing this though the lens of 'Heart Space' a weekly resource developed and prepared by a dear friend and my old Religious Education Leader at Sacred Heart School, Julie Cotter.  Julie now works in Castlemaine in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.  A wonderful woman who has overseen much of my learning in the CST Principles space.   

Two of the resources that have really hit home this week are; a video that explains Human Dignity  in the Catholic Tradition and shown HERE, and the final one titled "Be a Mr Jensen" accessed HERE.

For the child in the video, Clint, it took one teacher to truly see Clint for what he was capable of, to see the strengths of this student and foster these through a change in the educator and student's mindset.  This video demonstrates the huge impact that teachers have on the lives of students every day and a reminder for all of us to see the person behind the front face of the behaviour/action.

All people have the right to be recognised for their humanity. 

In John 4:7-15, 'When a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well', we look to Jesus' teaching of human dignity.  I wonder who do you speak to when others do not?

A wonderful discussion for the dinner table: 

"I wonder how you show dignity to all, even those you might find hard to be with or those your friends do not like you to talk to?"

As Term Four begins it's final charge toward the end of the year, there is much happening here at SMOTA.  Ranging from Learning Sprints and Impact Cycles in Kindergarten and 5/6 through to preparation for Creative Arts Evening, it is brilliant to see students engaged and putting their best into their learning.  I must say, having had a preview of both the 3/4 and 1/2 Creative Arts Presentations.. I am very proud of their efforts.  I hope you can all attend when we celebrate our students on the 4th of November.

The Leadership Team will head to St Joseph's, Glen Innes on Thursday for Annual Improvement Plan Reviews and forward planning for 2023.  We are certainly looking forward to hearing the successes and challenges that other schools in our Diocese have faced and learn from each other.

I would like to congratulate Miss Tiffany Martin of her successful appointment as our MaST Teacher for 2023, Miss Martin will be leading the delivery of the Catholic Schools Office Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) Program here at St Mary of the Angels in  Kindergarten to Year 2 2023.  Mathematics is a subject dear to both Tiff and myself, we are eager to see how this program will support all of our learners.

My thanks to the Parents and Friends Committee for their commitment to fundraising for our students and the P&F subcommittee still working on gathering financial support for the Year 5/6 Camp. 

For Your Information (attendance notes):

With us approaching the end of the year, the accumulating absences of students is flagged within the Catholic Schools Office.  Students who have been absence for 20 days and 40 days will receive a letter from the school highlighting the number of absences the child has had over the course of the school year. 

Sustained absence from school is certainly a cause for concern for parents and teachers, however please note it is a requirement that we send them from the school.  If your child's teacher was concerned about your child's social/emotional or academic wellbeing they would have been contact prior.  

We also understand the content of the letter does not read well in our current context, when we are asking parents to keep children home with flu like symptoms etc.

At St Mary of the Angels we will continue to expect and encourage all students, to stay home if they are ill.  

Reminder:

Although all initial contact for educators at St Mary of the Angels, should be via the guyadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au, as a school, we understand that on the rare occasion there will be information that is confidential or sensitive that will require a different approach. On these occasions, Parent/Carers should email the Principal at guyprincipal@arm.catholic.edu.au