Principal's Report

Expect Great Things!

Welcome to the new school year with all its hidden joys and challenges.  2017 has very quickly come upon us following what has hopefully been a restful and enjoyable summer break.  As we set out once again on a new year of learning and discovery, I invite you to share in the challenge of all that lies ahead.

We all know that children receive the best education when parents and staff work as a team.  Parents’ enthusiasm, support and involvement are integral to the success of our school as are the skills, dedication and professionalism of teachers.  Together, staff and parents can provide educational excellence for every student, so that they can achieve their personal best.  Together, we can support one another to provide a friendly learning environment and celebrate our achievements.

I hope that throughout the year, our school will be a place where staff, students and families have opportunities to experience God’s presence in our lives.  Although he lived about two and a half thousand years ago, the prophet, Jeremiah, has words that are still relevant for us at the beginning of this new school year:

“The Lord says, I know the plans I have for you…… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Within our school, we can all try to model God’s love for each one of us, by being a renewing community where all members are valued, affirmed and empowered; where our commitment to Gospel values is expressed in every facet of our school’s endeavours.  For this sentiment to continue throughout the year, it will require our collective wisdom and generosity of spirit to be at the forefront of all our communications.

Education today is a complex engagement because of the intensity and variety of external influences particularly through various forms of media and electronic communications.  Our school has a special role in assisting every parent with the education of their children, so that all children will develop a sense of personal responsibility and learn the correct use of freedom.  Throughout the year, our school will also provide experiences of liturgy and prayer as invitations to know and experience the enormous love and special friendship of God.

May the school year ahead, see staff and parents in genuine partnership in our collective role of secular and faith education.

New Families

In a special way, I would like to welcome all those who are new to the family of Infant Jesus School.  My prayer and hope for you is that your association with the school will be long and lasting, and one filled with many memorable memories. May your settling in be a gentle one.

Along with new families, we also have some new faces who have joined our staff for 2017. We welcome the following new staff members:

• Miss Mitzi Phoebe
• Miss Sophie Houston
• Mrs Amanda Edwards
• Miss Yen Wong
• Mrs Francesca Ienco

As they too begin their time at Infant Jesus School, I have no doubt that you will join with me in making their transition into the school community as smooth and as welcoming as possible. I am sure that before long, they will also come to experience something of the warmth and school spirit, which is unique to Infant Jesus School

We also welcome back to school, Mrs Janelle White and Mrs Leanne Griffin who are rejoining the staff after taking leave.

Prayer

God, our Father,

we ask that Your Spirit be a constant 

influence in the lives of all who make up 

our school community this year.

 Help our students to be discerning, so

 that the outcomes of their choices will be

in according with Christian values.  

Amen. 

Theme for the Year

Theme for the Year

Infant Jesus School offers so many exciting opportunities and I encourage students and parents to attend relevant events and to be as involved as possible in the life of the school. We have a very ambitious vision for our school, and that is to be ‘A Leading Learning School’, where we aim to:

• empower confident life-long learners,
• foster personalised and collaborative learning; and
• build home/school, local and global connections.

For this to happen we need to ‘Expect Great Things’ both from ourselves, as well as each other. When we foster and develop the partnership between the home and the school – great things will happen and our children will flourish! 

Listed below are some important dates and events that have been scheduled for the first term, as well as some other information about ‘life at Infant Jesus School’.

Commissioning Mass

The Commissioning Mass is a time for the whole school to come together to celebrate the beginning of the school year, as well as recognise those members of the community who will play integral parts in our school and children’s development.

All students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend this celebration on Thursday, 2 February (tonight) at the Infant Jesus Church. The Mass will commence at 6.00pm. Students in Years 1 – 6 will be required to wear their school summer uniform as this is a School celebration. 

Letter from the Archbishop

Attached is some words of encouragement in a letter from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe as we commence another school year.

School Prospectus

The Prospectus is an important document as it articulates key aspects of the school, as well as expectations for all members of this school community. Included in this School Prospectus is a copy of the mandated Code of Conduct.

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to outline minimum standards of conduct in all behaviour and decision making to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

The Code of Conduct applies to staff, students, volunteers, parents and guardians as applicable.  There will be more information regarding this Code of Conduct and the implementation throughout the course of the school year. 

Parent Information Evening

The link between home and school is very important when trying to give our children the best education we can. The Parent Information Evening is scheduled for Tuesday 7 February commencing at 6:00pm. I strongly encourage attendance at these sessions as important information is provided that will support your child’s progress at school. It is a chance for you to meet your child’s teacher as well as ask any general questions you have at this stage of the year.

The evening will commence in the hall, with parents moving to their respective classrooms after a short presentation. For those parents who have two or more children in the school, a repeat of the class presentation will occur at 7:15pm. – for those families with more than two children at Infant Jesus we invite you to make a time with your classroom teachers to meet and familiarise yourselves with the classroom program. I do hope that as parents you have made the time to attend these evenings to meet your child/ren’s teacher for the year ahead.

Back to School Picnic

I encourage all families to attend this event on Friday 24 February. This event is coordinated by the Infant Jesus School P&F Association. This occasion is a way of celebrating your child/ren’s first few weeks at the school, as well as an opportunity to meet other parents and welcome NEW families to the IJ’s community. This will be held on the School Oval from 5.30pm until 7.30pm.

As in the past, you are encouraged to bring your own picnic dinner, or avail yourself of the food trucks which have been organised for the evening.  Once again this promises to be a fabulous community gathering to start the school year. 

Parent Representatives

We all know how difficult it can be to stay on top of everything your children are involved in, both at school and outside of school. This is why we believe Class Representatives will play an important part in our school communications.

Parents are encouraged to consider the role of Class Representative for 2017 and are able to nominate at the Parent Information Evening. We require one per class (two per year level) with the Class Representatives working in conjunction with the Class teacher, Principal and P&F Association in disseminating information and building community spirit.

Student Medical Details

Parents of students who have had a change in their medical information, need to access the Infant Jesus Medical Action Plan on the school website to update medical needs. Parents are required to complete this as soon as possible. 

Parents are reminded that an appointment should be made with their child's class teacher to discuss the Medical Action Plan as appropriate. Furthermore, if the medical needs of the child are significant, then an appointment should be made with the principal.

Did you Know . . . ?

• If you combine all the ants in the world, they’ll weigh about the same as if you combine all the people.

A snail can sleep for more than three years at a time.

Baby rabbits are called… kittens.

Your heart beats 101,000 times a day. During your lifetime it will beat about 3 billion times and pump about 400 million litres (800 million pints) of blood.

Thought for the Week

The world is a great mirror.  It reflects back to you what you are.  If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful to you.  The world is what you are.  

Thomas Dreier 

Best wishes for the week ahead

Paul Hille

Principal