Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
This is a good place for us all.
This is a nourishing place for us all.
This is our school, and we are proud of it.
I have always considered Catholic schools to be happy places. Places where ‘growth is witnessed’ and where ‘life is shared’. I do not need to remind parents of how fortunate we are to belong to a school such as ours. The educational opportunities, resources and facilities available to our children are indeed, very good. As we approach the end of another school term, we can reflect on some enriching, memorable and successful undertakings that have taken place at Infant Jesus School during the term. We have many very committed and enthusiastic people, including staff, parents and children, who give their own time and talents to create a positive atmosphere at this school.
First Communion
This weekend we turn our attention to another community event, namely the Sacrament of First Eucharist. A couple of years ago, Pope Benedict had a question and answer session with a group of First Communion children. When the Pope was asked about his memories of his First Communion, his response contained the following. "I understand that Jesus had entered my heart, he had actually visited me. And with Jesus, God himself was with me. And I realised that this is a gift of love that is truly worth more than all other things that life can give."
Holy Communion is an incredible gift and the amazing thing about the gift is that it can be unwrapped time and time again in our lives and every time we do this, the gift will be brand new. Each new unwrapping gives us the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what the gift actually is.
In 2003, Pope John Paul II published a letter on the Eucharist which gave a clear insight into the nature of the gift: “We talk of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, because Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is a presence in the fullest sense, where Jesus is wholly and entirely present. The Consecration at Mass changes the whole substance of the bread into the Body of Christ and the whole substance of the wine in the substance of his blood.”
For us, who have so many distractions in life, we might sometimes forget about God, forget about the Eucharist, forget to pray each day, forget to attend Mass. First Communion Day for a family member, can be a time of renewal for all family members, perhaps a time to unwrap the gift again and discover an understanding that is truly relevant to where we are in life. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of God’s love and love is something that all of us can use plenty of.
This weekend, approximately 72 students from the schools and parish will celebrate their First Communion. The children, their families and their teachers have been preparing for many weeks for this important occasion. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation in our Catholic faith – the other two are Baptism and Confirmation. The Eucharist is the continual celebration of our Christian life.
In Holy Communion, Jesus comes to each one of us. Sharing this mystery together makes us one with each other and one with Jesus. We are joined in a special way with Jesus and the family of God. For many of our Year 4 students, these coming weekends will be a special time when Jesus comes to be one with them as they continue on their faith journey and grow into strong and loving people in the family of God.
As a school community, we keep in our prayers the students and their families from the school and parish who will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist over the coming weekends and celebrate the communion it brings to us all.
Mia Adams
Grace Astone
Madeline Autunno
Dorothy Bao
Lydia Brisbane
Angelique Clayton
Taya Coates
Emma Cosa
Ella Delpero
Tahlia D'Souza
Daniel Fiorucci
Chloe Firns
Madison Fosberry
Sophie Gaston
Chloe Gianatti
Leo Gjini
Lilliana Herrmann
Zac Jacobsen
Jenna King
Joseph Kolarikal
Aurelia Leach
Kieran Letizia
Eva Lombardi
Andre Lucano
Rosaria Mammone
Emma McDonnell
Maya McGuire
Matilda Meade
Madison Mertens
Lilly Middleton
Alissa Miranda
Marie Murace
Kristy Nguyen
Mathia NguyenLe
Amie Notte
Jack Oakley
Emilia Olivieri
Noah Ortin Sieczka
Jazmyn Papa
Makala Parker
Antonio Pelle
Marcus Pereira
Dan Pham
Benjamin Pinneri
Emily Poat
Olivia Poropat
Domenic Pugliese
Antonio Radice
Adam Romeo
Julian Romeo
Lucas Rossi
Lydia Sammells
Justin Soh
Alyssa Soh
Sarah Sparks
Sophia Tan
Simon Tran
Jacob Wilathgamuwa
Mack Williams
iLearn at Infant Jesus
Yesterday we hosted the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA, his Directors, a number of Catholic school Principals and members of their school leadership teams, educational consultants and teachers to our school to share in how Infant Jesus School is trying to challenge and reshape the teaching and learning program through our innovative approach to pedagogy and technology.
Principals and lead educators heard teacher’s stories, visited our student’s classrooms, and listened to children sharing their learning experiences.
The response from the day was very positive, with guests remarking on how well spoken our children were when asked about their learning. The day allowed Infant Jesus Staff to not only share their own practice, but also collaborate and network with staff from like minded schools.
Infant Jesus Website Relaunch
The Infant Jesus School Website has been updated and relaunched. We are very excited to share this new and improved website showcasing a more contemporary picture of our school community. Our new website features many new items and reflects our thinking and direction as a LEADing Learning School.
http://www.infantjesus.wa.edu.au
Parish Celebrations
As you aware our former parish priest, Father Sunny Peackal, will be moving to his new pastoral appointment and will be relocating at the end of the month to NSW. We also officially welcome Father Greg Burke back to our Infant Jesus Community.
We have decided that it is fitting as a school to farewell Father Sunny and welcome Father Greg at a Eucharistic celebration. This event will take place next Wednesday, 13 September, at 11:00am in the Parish. We welcome all parents and friends to this special celebration in the life of our church.
From My Readings
I recently came across this parable from an unknown author which encourages us to reflect on how we cope with adversity.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and turned each hot plate to high. Soon the pots came to the boil. In the first pot she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last pot she poured ground coffee beans. She let the three pots sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see". "Carrots, eggs and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however, after they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
Which are you?" she asked her daughter. When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Are you the carrot that seems strong but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose strength? Are you the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did you have a fluid spirit but after a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you become hardened and stiff? Does your shell look the same but on the inside, you are bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Have a wonderful week.
Prayer
As we pray, we remember those students who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, their parent’s families and teachers.
Jesus,
On the night of the Last Supper you gave us yourself in the Eucharist
To unite us with you and with one another.
You teach us with your Word,
You nourish us with Holy Communion,
You strengthen our faith in you, Lord.
You help us to serve others as you did,
You listen to our prayers and petitions,
You bless us with grace in abundance,
You forgive us our faults and our wrongdoings,
You bring us your life and your love.
Through our celebration of this sacrament,
May we come to you in thankfulness.
May we never forget your great love.
Draw us closer to you, fill us with your love
And help us to serve you in those we meet.
Amen
Infant Jesus Family
Our Thoughts and prayers are with Tina Fazari (Teacher KW) whose beloved Father passed away recently.
We pray also for the Commisso Family (Isabella 2W) whose beloved Grandfather passed away recently.
Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen
Best Wishes -
Mrs Irene Baginski
We wish Mrs Irene Baginski, our School Bursar, all the best for her Long Service Leave. We hope she has a wonderful break and returns refreshed and energised for the start of Term 4.
Did You Know...?
- The average child recognises over 200 company logos by the time they enter first grade.
- Tasmania is said to have the cleanest air in the world.
- In an average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.
Thought for the Week
A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.
God Bless,
Paul Hille
Principal
#ExpectGreatThings
