Principal's Report

Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

 

During the first week of November our Catholic Christian community commemorates two important feast days namely, The Feast of All Saints, which celebrates the recognition given to ordinary people who developed their personal qualities to an exemplary degree, and The Feast of All Souls which celebrates the life of people, especially those people who have gone before us in our own family and who are now part of the Resurrection that Christ showed and promised.

 

The concept of “holy souls” is somewhat easier to grasp than that of “sainthood,” for we have all experienced the departure of family or friends.  We pray for them after they have gone and hope that they are with God and enjoying the perfection of whom they strove to be whilst they were alive.

 

However, “saints” are far more difficult to comprehend as we have never had first-hand experience of a “saint” and tend to rely on the traditional names.  Probably, we have never thought too much about some of the ordinary people in our lives as being saints in the making or that we are called to sainthood from the time of our Baptism.

 

Sometimes when we read the story about Jesus and the little children coming to him, we think what a wonderful expression of love and concern.  However, after a few minutes Jesus could hand them back to their parents who were the real carers and who had the real experiences - not always positive - of trying to provide total care.  The following insight into parenting has a nice balance of reality and ideal:

 

 

“Oh, Lord Jesus,

 

Some days I wonder what you saw in them.

 

How could you gather those whiny, crabby little humans into 

 

your arms and bless them?

 

Did they push and shove to get to you,

 

Or worse, yet, take cuts in line?

 

Did they tattle on their best friend or ruthlessly tease the victim of the week?

 

That’s the reality of kids, Lord.

 

Oh, but help me remember that no less real in their curiosity,

 

 their openheartedness, their zest.

 

Nowhere, but in children, do we see such receptive, eager and humble learners.

 

So, Lord Jesus,

 

Remind me of what you saw in them:

 

The very kingdom of heaven.”

 

Parents are the ones with the responsibility to provide a “home” where children can develop and learn to discern what is helpful and what is harmful; where they can ask questions without fear of rejection; where they can discover their own identity, and develop the esteem and confidence to eventually leave home and travel on.  So, in effect, children are “guests” to whom we respond and never “possessions” to use for our own ends.

 

Additionally, we have this wonderful role to encourage children to “sainthood” by allowing them to develop their qualities to the highest degree.  As well, I suppose we are revealing ourselves to them by what we do do and say to them; I wonder what type of “holy souls” we’ll be remembered as being!

 

Next Wednesday, to commemorate the occasion students from Pre-Primary - Year 6 will join with the Parish to celebrate a Mass at 9.00am next Wednesday 1 November. Parents and carers are most welcome to attend. Please come along and join with the school in commemorating this great celebration.

 

Interschool Athletics

Best Wishes to the members of the Interschool Athletic Team as they prepare to compete at tomorrow's Interschool Athletic Carnival at the State Athletic Stadium in Floreat. Parents are most welcome to come along and support and cheer for the Infant Jesus Interschool Team.

 

China Sister School Partnership

Parents may recall that last term we hosted a number international visitors from the Xiacheng District Education Bureau of Hangzhou. 

 

 

Feedback from their recent training program, was that they were most impressed with their visit to Infant Jesus School, talking with the School Leadership, visiting the iLab and speaking with the students and teachers about their learning. The 23 experienced Science and IT teachers from China were very captivated with what they saw at Infant Jesus School.

 

Since that visit we have been approached by the Principal of one of those visiting schools to invite Infant Jesus School to become their Sister School. The Chinese school is called Sports Park Campus of Hangzhou ChangJiang Experimental Primary School. The Sports Park campus is an offshoot of the famous Hangzhou Chang Jiang Experimental School perhaps one of the most well-known quality schools in Zheijiang Province.  

 

The Principal, Ms Gan, is very keen to develop the relationship with our school further. To this end, we have been invited to China to participate in a special Signing Ceremony and work with some of the Teachers, parents and students at this school. 

 

A Sister School Partnership is a meaningful, reciprocal and hopefully sustainable long-term partnership between two schools aimed at fulfilling a range of purposes to enhance our students learning as Engagement with Asia (China), is one of the three cross-curriculum priorities outlined in the Australian Curriculum.    

 

Australian Curriculum states that, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, will allow all young Australians to develop a better understanding of the countries and cultures of the Asia region. Though this study, students will develop an appreciation of the economic, political and cultural interconnections that Australia has with the region.

 

Specific activities that can result from an active Sister School relationship are; exchange of teachers for short term professional experience, exchange of IP and knowledge, development of a buddy system for children from both schools, opportunity for skype lessons and an opportunity for the Chinese school to offer online Chinese language and cultural sessions for the Infant Jesus children.

 

We believe establishing this Sister School Partnership with Sports Park Campus of Hangzhou Changjiang Experimental Primary School  is a great way to motivate our students to learn more about China. It will provide opportunities for our students and staff to:

•    Learn a Chinese language

•    Broaden international perspectives

•    Promotion of multi-cultural prosperity

•    Provides opportunity for us to strengthen 

       cooperative exchanges related to teaching

•    Given that we live in a digital world it is

        important for our students to learn more 

       about what is happening outside Australia

•    Strengthen and promote friendships

•    Communicate globally

 

The second opportunity that has been made available is an invitation from the Hangzhou Institute of Education Sciences, the Hangzhou Education Society and the Hangzhou Education Bureau for Infant Jesus School, to pres

Annual Community Meeting

The date for the Annual Community Meeting has been changed from the 14 November to the 28 November at 7:00pm. 

Prayer

How blessed we are in this country of ours

 

With our sunny days and our long daylight hours

 

Our oceans deep and our desert plains

 

Our temperate forests, our tropical rains.

 

May we cherish and protect this beautiful land

 

This magnificent work of your creative hand.

 

 

As we celebrate our faith

 

We take time to reflect, to remember the ways

 

That so many people have contributed to us,

 

Convicts, settlers, migrants and indigenous.

 

May we work together for this “lucky country”

 

Towards harmony and stability for many a century.

 

 

May we love our country and play our part

 

In building its future with minds, hands and hearts.

 

May we use our gifts in the service of others

 

And accept all the people as sisters and brothers

 

Help us God to contribute our share

 

to be proud of our country and show that we care

 

Amen.

Infant Jesus Family

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Nguyen Family at this very sad time. Tan and Teresa Nguyen are a former family here at Infant Jesus School along with their children Aimee and Anthony. Tan who is an Acolyte at Infant Jesus Church passed away suddenly after a short illness. Please hold the family in your prayers as they cope with the loss of their beloved husband and father..

Did You Know...?

A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated

Almonds are a member of the peach family

Thought for the Week

“What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.”

 

 

God Bless,

 

Paul Hille

Principal

#ExpectGreatThings