SCHOOL NEWS
Learning
YEAR SIX NEWS
Our focus for Year Six and throughout the school this year is ‘Expecting Great Things’.
This term in Year Six we began the year by focussing on the qualities of good leaders. We learn about Blessed Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) who lived her life by the saying; ‘Never see a need, without doing something about it.’ We also look deeply at the life of Mother Teresa and how, inspired by the Holy Spirit, she made radical choices in the way she lived. The challenging call that Jesus asks us to take throughout our lives as members of His family is deepened even more as we approach the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The first Religious Education unit this year was wondering at the human experience of emotions. This leads people to wonder at the God who created emotions and to celebrate what has been revealed about God. The unit then explores ways in which Jesus showed how we must love in times of emotion. Jesus wants Christians to love like God. Christians learn from the Bible how to do so. They also celebrate the stories of the Bible. We also explore more deeply the Season of Lent and Easter, understanding the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus that shows God can triumph over all human limitations, including death. During the term the children will also begin their learning in regards to the Sacrament of Confirmation and throughout this learning we will look at the lives of saints in the Church.
As leaders in the school we are continually thinking and using the role model of Jesus to assist us in all that we do. Our focus is; ‘Through the self-discovery of our strengths and weakness we move into identifying the qualities possessed by influential leaders of the past and present. Students look leaders and are encouraged to develop their own leadership qualities.’ The children have definitely worked hard to create a high standard for being, learning and growing in Year Six.
This term we will also have our first Year Six excursion to Parliament House.
In English, our focus is on improving our literacy skills and writing using different genres. We will look at these genres and continue to find ways to improve them – or take them to the next level. We will focus on literary elements, such as humour and persuasion to develop further understanding.
In the Mathematical Learning Area, we will focus on open-ended tasks that require problem solving skills and the correct application of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The children need to work collaboratively to create and learn through taking risks.
As leaders within the school, the children are continually challenged. After our initial training this term, children will begin to take active roles in all the student ministries and will participate in the activities such as: sports carnivals, assemblies, fundraising and a focus on environmental practices for a more sustainable future. As leaders they are continually thinking of ways, not only to be seen more, but to be visible for all the right reasons.
This year the Year Six Camp, will once again be located at Forest Edge in Waroona. We are looking forward to this exciting event which takes place at the beginning of Term Two.
MUSIC NEWS
This term the Infant Jesus Choir have been working hard, studying effective vocal techniques to improve tone production and paying particular attention to the blending of voices to produce a seamless choral tone. They have also delved into learning successful performance skills and how it is imperative to work together as a team. The Choir will have their first Choral Performance on Thursday the 30 March at the Assembly. Please feel free to come along and support them in this endeavour.
Singing Lessons
Just a note for parents of children who attend Wednesday afternoon Singing lessons. The Week 9 Singing lesson will be cancelled due to a prior family commitment. The Week 10 lesson will proceed as usual.
Also please see attachment for Jazz for Juniors coming up at His Majesty's Theatre for children aged 4-7 years.
Nicole Boddy
Italian Festival 2017
The Italo Australia Welfare and Cultural Centre are running a number of competitions for the Italian Festival this year, one of which is the children's colouring competition. This year the topic for the colouring competition is 'L' Anno Internazionale del Turismo Sostenibile/The international Year of Sustainable Tourism.'
We are asking all parents to encourage their children to participate and do their best. It is a State competition and certificates and prizes are awarded from the Centre. Also could you please sign and send back the entry form available from our Italian Teacher Signora Cole.
Engagement
P&F News
P&F FREE DRESS DAY
Congratulations and thank you to all the students who participated in the fantastic Free Dress Day organised by the P&F last week. Some of us even dressed in green to recognize and celebrate St Patrick's day!
It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the treat very kindly provided by the P&F.
We also extend our appreciation to everyone for their generous gold coin donations which will contribute to funds to improve our school.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE - QUIZ NIGHT
Planning of the P&F Quiz Night has begun. The next meeting will be held Tuesday 28 March at 6.30pm at Fast Eddy's Morley. All are welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FUNDRAISING
Infant Jesus School is raising funds. Here's how you can help...
We are raising as much as we can to support our technology and innovation room, and we need your help! Order your NEW 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Book or Entertainment Digital Membership now. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and help our fundraising at the same time!
"The Entertainment Book is such a great way to try new restaurants. It’s also a great opportunity to help community organisations."
MAD CAMP
It’s that time of year again, MAD (Mother & Daughter) Camp.
Let’s get physical and have fun with our friends while meeting new ones.
This year promises to be full of fun with lots of laughs. The camp will be held on 26-28 May 2017 at Point Walter Reserve.
Please fill in the attached Registration Form, pay the deposit via EFT and pass your form into the office for collection. The deposit needs to be paid by Friday 31st March 2017 and the form handed into the office. Any queries please contact one of us on the form.
INFANT JESUS FAMILY CAMP 2017
A big hello to all the families. At this stage we have confirmed the date for the 2017 Family Camp. This will be during the middle weekend of September/October school holidays, being Friday 29 September, and concluding Sunday 1 October.
We have reduced it by one night, but extended the last day until the afternoon. This will not be the long weekend, giving families the option to still make use of the Queen's birthday long weekend.
We will be having another meeting on Monday 27 March, 8pm at 32 Browning Street, Yokine.
We are hoping to get the old, and some new fresh faces attending, whether you are willing to join this exciting committee, or just volunteer your time to help out. Family camp has been going for over 40 years, and we need to keep this tradition going as it has made some of the best school memories for both the parents and the kids of those who have ever attended.
If you could please let me know if you are able to attend, otherwise if Monday doesn't seem to suit, I can change it around.
Kind regards
Commandants
Linda Prestianni 0433 925 857
and
Ardrian Gonsalves 0403 439 888
YEAR 2 COFFEE CATCHUP
Thursday 30 March at Slate Cafe, 12 Dulwich Street, Bennett Springs
Time: Straight after school drop off
RSVP to Nicole Mesiti or Maree Previti
YEAR 3 PARENT CATCHUP
YEAR 5 COFFEE CATCHUP
Date: Friday 7 April
Time: from 8.45am
Venue: Coffee Club Morley
AND save the date: Friday, 28 April - Dinner!!
Canteen Roster
Friday 24 March
Rosa Ridolfo, Simone McGuire, Emma Yates
Monday 27 March
Sandrine Teo, Franca Colli, Olivia Ikos
Wednesday 29 March
Marisol Rapy, Cheryl Barras, Pramila Crasta
Please Note: Vegetarian Pasta, Arancini and Fish Burgers will be sold in lieu of meat products every Friday during Lent. This is in keeping with our Catholic Lenten Practice of Fasting.
Please see attached the Canteen Menu for Lent.
Accountability
MERIT CERTIFICATES
At Infant Jesus School we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our children and all their hard work. Congratulations to the following students who will receive an Honour Certificate at our assembly next Thursday morning (30 March)
We congratulate the following students:
PPB Daniel Yate, Adrian Dawe, Brody Ridolfo, Mia Condello
PPW Kahlan Jovanovic, Alden Bao, Elijah Watson, Yvonne Tran
1B Joshua Parise, Miranda Doudakis, Xavier Bettles
1W Lilly Emselle, Nate Radacis, Ashley Suarez
2B Carla Previti, Luca Prokscha, Sabelle Chami
2W Amy Pham, Liam Leach, Sophia Ruggiero
3B Tayla Waters, Alissa Dawe, Zara Ielati
3W Sam Napoli, Ava Zirino, Eva Cecchele
4B Lia Mathew, Ashlen Pandamanukum, Ben Pinneri
4W Adam Romeo, Chloe Gianatti, Mia Adams, Aurelia Leach
5B Mdfpbodooarcus Petrolo, Maria Suarez, Anthony La Macchia
5W Cooper Thornley, Calum McGrath-Hogan, Chloe Caputo
6B Emily Morgan, Helena Sparks, Jiada Olivieri, Kasey Pham
6W Troy Buckley, Isla Reynolds, Cristobal Rivera
VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP AND CODE OF CONDUCT
To assist with school based events, please ensure that both of these have been completed.
1. Complete the Volunteer Workshop
2. Read and Sign the Code of Conduct which is new in 2017.
It is a requirement that not only the Parent Volunteer Workshop has been completed, but the school based Code of Conduct has been signed and returned to the office.
Copies of the Code of Conduct are available from the front office or online.
Discipleship
Feastday of St Joseph 19 March
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
Look! The virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel, (see Isaiah 7:14) a name which means “God-is-with-us.” When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home; he had not had intercourse with her when she gave birth to a son; and he named him Jesus.
—Matthew 1:18–25 NJB
A few verses in Matthew and Luke tell us all we know about St. Joseph. They provide just enough information to demonstrate why he was the divine choice to become the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. Joseph was genealogically perfect for these roles. A distant descendant of King David, he gave Christ the King his royal lineage. Joseph also came from the right hometown. He was from Bethlehem, the city that Scripture predicted would produce the messiah (see Micah 5:1). And as a carpenter (see Matthew 13:55), Joseph was poor—Christ’s condition of preference.
Scripture portrays Joseph as open to God, obedient, upright, and, above all, kind. The saint displayed all of these qualities in his handling of Mary’s surprise pregnancy. Imagine the confusion of emotions that must have flooded him when Mary confided that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit! As a devout observer of the law, Joseph knew that he might have to repudiate his betrothal. But his kindness and confidence in Mary prevented his taking such a harsh step, which would have shamed her. It may have even put her in danger of capital punishment (see Deuteronomy 22:20–21). Joseph must have agonized over his decision, praying intently about it. Finally he decided to divorce Mary quietly. But Joseph was open to God, and in a dream a divine messenger told him to take Mary home as his wife. Joseph did exactly as he was told.
Joseph’s wise dealing with Mary is a model for us when we face complex moral and personal issues. He subordinated his feelings to do what God required. He was open to whatever God wanted, and when he sensed the divine will, he obeyed.
Parish News
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Sacrament of Confirmation 2017
A reminder to all families who have enrolled their child for the Sacrament of Confirmation at Infant Jesus Parish this year, that you are required to attend one of the Commitment Masses listed below -
Saturday, 1 April at 6:30 pm OR
Sunday, 2 April at 9:30 am OR
Sunday, 2 April at 6:00 pm
Please remember to bring your child's holy card and to mark your child's name at the registration before or after the Mass.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION ENROLMENT REMINDER:
A kind reminder to all the parents that the enrolment for the Sacrament of Confirmation is now overdue. Please submit all your enrolment forms with complete attachments as soon as possible
SECOND RITE OF RECONCILIATION
Wednesday 5 April at 7.30pm.
Join your parish family in this beautiful communal expression of repentance and sorrow in preparation for the great Feast of Easter.
Reflect on the Word of God, be led gently through an examination of conscience, be healed by individual confession. Go back into the world with a heart that is empty of all sorrow and regret and be filled with our loving Father’s unwavering love.
PARISH BUSY BEE FOR EASTER
SATURDAY 8 April 9am—1pm
We need many hands to help make our parish grounds and centre clean and fresh for our celebrations at Easter. There will be gardening, cleaning and small maintenance jobs to be done. Children are very welcome to come with their parents to help. Morning tea and a sausage sizzle lunch will be provided to all the workers. Lists will be in the foyer detailing the jobs that need to be done and the equipment required for each task. If you can bring your own equipment, that would be a help, but the parish will provide equipment if you do not have your own. It would be great to see some new faces!
MORLEY YOUTH GROUP
Infant Jesus Parish 24:7 Morley Youth Group
All youth in Years 6-12 are invited
Join us this Friday night, 6-8pm in the Parish Hall
For more info call Roger 0434 988 711 or Elizabeth 0410 554 393
***ADVENTURE WORLD TRIP*** (Flyer attached)
Youth from all 24:7 Youth Groups are invited to Adventure World on the 1st of April! For more information & to get a permission slip, please contact Roger 0434 988 711 or Elizabeth 0410 554 393
PRE-LOVED CHILDREN’S CLOTHING NEEDED
Harmony Place Women’s refuge in Highgate is running very low on children’s clothing. The refuge needs sizes 0 to 17 to assist the families in need. If you have any good quality pre-loved clothing you no longer need and would like to donate, please bring them to parish office. Thank you.—Sue Goodwin
Project Compassion
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR
Nguyet lives with a severe disability, and has suffered isolation in her native Vietnam as a result. A Caritas-supported program offered her education, creative outlets and much-needed community interaction.
"We have hope that she can be independent, and build the future she wants."
Tim, Nguyet's mother
In a small town in Vietnam, a severe disability kept young Nguyet behind closed doors. Constrained by the high demands of her condition, her parents were also isolated from their neighbours. There is a high level of disability in Vietnam, particularly as a legacy of war, but little support for families whose children have disabilities. People with disability have poorer health outcomes, lower educational achievements, lower economic participation and higher rates of poverty than people without disability.
The future seemed bleak for the whole family, until Nguyet’s family became participants in a program supported by Caritas Australia. A neighbour kindly introduced the family to the Capacity Building for Parent Associations Supporting Children with Disabilities program, which has given them support on several levels.
The neighbour, a teacher, has been able to offer Nguyet home-based education, and there is capacity building for her parents and others in the same situation, through their local Parents’ Association. At Association meetings, Nguyet’s mother has been able to increase her skills for managing her daughter’s condition, and share her experiences with other parents of children with disabilities.
Nguyet
"Nguyet has learnt to read and write and better manage her physical needs, and her creative gifts have been unlocked. Now she is increasingly engaging with her neighbours, and she and her parents are more confident about her future.
Whenever they are supported and cared for properly, children with disabilities can [achieve] change." - Duong, Nguyet's case manager.
