VERITAS 

Principal's Report

Learning Journey 

Dear Parents,

 

The end of the term is rapidly approaching with only one week remaining.  It has been a very busy, yet a rewarding term with wonderful achievements noted.  It is pleasing to watch students and teachers engage in daily activities and to note the satisfaction in achieving pleasing outcomes. 

 

All staff are to be commended for their interest and commitment to working with young children who require positive role models in their formative years. 

 

The support from parents and the very strong partnership between home and school are highlights in this community. As Principal, it is most encouraging to have the active and positive support of both the Infant Jesus School Board, led by Mr Ric Olivieri, and the Infant Jesus School P&F Association, led by Mrs Nicola Cecchele. Both of these organisations are fantastic supports for the school.

First Communion

What a great opportunity for the community to come together for the celebration of our First Communion recipients last weekend. Congratulations to all our students on receiving this special Sacrament and they were most fortunate to once again participate in a parish mass today.

 

We particularly thank Fr Greg Burke, Miss Rebecca O’Connor and Miss Stephanie Duffy for their efforts with the Year 4 classes and for being present at all the masses. We also recognise the efforts of Frank Colangelo, Melissa Myles and the Parish Sacramental Team (Mrs Faith Rico and Mrs Sue Goodwin) for coordinating and helping with the organisation at the various masses.

 

The generosity and commitment shown by staff by attending these masses over the weekend was wonderful.  Thank you!

Farewell Father Sunny

As parents are aware, Father Sunny will be leaving the Infant Jesus Community at the end of September. Yesterday will celebrated a special mass of thanksgiving to pray for Fr Sunny and wish him well as he takes up his new position at St Ives in Sydney.

 

At the end of Mass, we presented Fr Sunny with a few gifts on behalf of the students, staff and parent community of Infant Jesus School.

Best Wishes Fr Sunny!

 

Learning Journey

At Infant Jesus our goal is to develop a community which fosters life-long learning and an attitude which promotes achievement of full potential in an environment embedded in our Gospel values.

 

Our Learning Journey session enables parents, children and the school to come together to support, share and celebrate each child’s learning.

 

At Infant Jesus our Vision for Learning is based on our beliefs that:

  • Children are competent and bring a wealth of experiences and knowledge to the learning task.
  • Children are involved in making choices which supports their unique way of learning.
  • Children are engaged in meaningful and purposeful tasks which include action and reflection.

The aims of a Learning Journey are:

  • To allow children to take responsibility and be accountable for their learning.
  • To help children build reflection and goal setting for their own learning.
  • To help children develop a love of learning and begin to see themselves as life long learners.
  • To encourage a wider range of child/parent communication.
  • To enhance / support parent communication and participation in school.
  • For children to develop pride in their learning.
  • To encourage communication that focuses on learning and development.

At the end of the Learning Journey session, parents are encouraged to fill out a short survey in the class. As a school, we are keen to get feedback on how we can improve our Teaching and Learning and this is one strategy we are adopting to gather some further information about our school.

 

Parents are reminded that the class Learning Journeys will take place next Monday afternoon from 3.30pm - 5.35pm. available times have been posted outside each classroom.

Footy Finals Fun Day

The Wellness Ministry have been busy organising the Footy Finals Fun Day to celebrate the end of the Australian Rules football season. Tomorrow, all children are invited to wear an item of clothing that represents their favourite football team- this could be at national level (AFL), state level (WAFL) or local level in exchange for a gold coin donation. All money raised will go towards supporting our Infant Jesus Parish.

 

After lunch, the children from Pre-Primary to Year Six will be placed into teams and participate in a variety of activities. Parents are welcome to attend and lend a hand. Many thanks to the Year Six Wellness Ministry and Mr Sheridan for organising this event.

Reconciliation Sacramental Program

This weekend the children in Year Three begin their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

 

Their preparation begins by attending Mass at 6.30pm this Saturday, or this Sunday at 9.30am or 6.00pm. Families only need to register their child in the foyer of the Church before or after the Mass.

 

Next term the preparation will continue with a Reconciliation Parent Night on Monday 23 October. The children will attend a retreat at the Schoenstatt Shrine on Wednesday the 25 October, all parents who have completed the volunteers workshop are welcome to attend.

 

The children will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Week 5 of Term 4.  The Parish will be providing more information for parents as the children continue their preparation to receive this sacrament.

Faction Athletics Carnival

The Infant Jesus School Athletics Carnival will take place next Wednesday at the Noranda Sporting Complex/Athletics Track (access via Wylde Road).  

 

The day will commence at approximately 9:15am and should conclude around 2:30pm.  All children are to arrive at school for the usual start time. Buses will leave school at 8:50am at the latest.  Similar to last year, the carnival will take on a tabloid format involving a rotation of team games as well as relays and individual races.          

 

Children are asked to wear a plain tee-shirt in their faction colour. If the tee-shirt has a motif on the front or back, children can wear the tee-shirt turned inside out.  We also encourage them to wear sunscreen because they will be out in the sun for the majority of the day. All items need to be clearly marked with their name. Mascots, hair ribbons and banners are allowed to encourage team spirit; however, NO HAIR DYE OR FACE PAINT will be permitted.

 

Please be aware that it is anticipated that the children will only be sitting in their bays during lunch time and during their designated rest time. On the day, they will need to bring their recess, lunch, hat and a bottle of water.  As children will be constantly moving to different stations, we invite all parents to follow along and support their children throughout the day. Spectators are allowed to sit in the marked viewing area only. This is to ensure the safety of all competitors.

 

Parents are asked to refrain from standing too close to the finish line or entering staff/student areas at all times.

 

If parents wish to take their child home at the completion of the carnival, a letter needs to be given to class teacher. Please note, children will not be permitted to go home with other parents or friends.  Parents are only permitted to take their child from the Athletic Carnival. Please do not ask on the day as the request will be denied as we have a duty of care and a responsibility of keeping accurate records with regards to children’s attendance.

 

I know that the children are looking forward to a fun day where they can showcase their athletic skills! 

 

P&F Quiz Night 

I wish the P&F Association all the very best for the Quiz Night tomorrow evening. Much work has gone on behind the scenes to make sure that this night is a success. Thank you to the organising committee for all their work and planning that has gone into this event.

 

I also THANK the many members of the Infant Jesus School community who have contributed donations, prizes and gifts for the night. This certainly assist the Quiz Night raise some funds for the school.

 

As I am one of the Quiz Masters tomorrow evening, I have a copy of all the questions (and answers). In the interest of raising further funds for the school I am open to 'bribes!'

 

Best wishes to all involved, I am sure it will be a very successful evening!

Prayer

The Beatitudes of a Different Kind

 

Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves:

They will have no end of fun.

Blessed are those who can tell a mountain from a molehill: They will be saved a lot of bother.

Blessed are those who know how to relax without looking for excuses: They are on the way to becoming wise.

Blessed are those who know when to be quiet and listen: They will learn a lot of new things.

Blessed are those sane enough not to take themselves too seriously: They will be valued by those about them.

Happy are you if you can appreciate a smile and   forget a frown: You will bring others to the sunny side of the street.

Happy are you if you can be kind in understanding the attitudes of others even when the signs are unfavourable: You may be taken for a fool but this is the way of the Gospel.

Blessed are those who think before acting and pray before thinking: They will avoid many blunders.                            

Happy are you if you know how to hold your tongue and smile, even when people interrupt and contradict you: The Gospel has begun to seep into your heart.

 

Above all,

Blessed are you who recognise the Lord in all whom you meet: The light of truth shines in your life for you have found true wisdom.

 

Amen

Summer Uniform

Next term, all students move back into their summer uniform.  Children are permitted to wear their winter uniform up until the end of Week 2 if necessary.

 

All students are required to be in the full Infant Jesus School uniform by week 3 of Term 4. Parents are reminded to have all items of school clothing clearly labelled as we constantly have items of school uniform in our lost property.  

Reminder

Last day of Term 3 is next Thursday 21  September.

 

School Resumes for all students on

Tuesday 10 October

Did You Know...?

  • If you take any number between 1 and 9 and multiply them by 9 the sum of the two numbers will always be 9. e.g. 7x9 = 63.
  • Baby elephants can drink over 80 litres of milk a day.
  • Australia is the only country that is also a continent.

Thought for the Week

Wisdom is knowing what to do next.

Skill is knowing how to do it.

Virtue is doing it.

(Thomas Jefferson)

 

 

God Bless,

 

Paul Hille

Principal

#ExpectGreatThings