SCHOOL NEWS
Learning
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The Innovation and Technology Centre is a brand new addition to Infant Jesus School this year.
This learning environment is rich with possibilities where students and teachers come together and learn new skills and are not fixed by a set of materials and spaces. It provides many opportunities for learning to be enhanced through collaboration and project based work.
The space provides creative time and space for teachers and students to explore, fail and retry, bounce ideas off one another and build something together which may not always have digital technologies as the focus.
This wonderful new learning space will focus on the Technologies Curriculum and will integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) into the student’s classroom learning. Students will visit the Innovation Centre with teachers once a week, with sessions making cross-curricular links with class themes/topics.
All classes have now had a session in the room and the excitement levels were high! Here is a brief snapshot of what the Pre-Primary, Year 2 , and 6 classes have been learning .
Pre-Primary are developing their photography skills. They will discuss what a good photo is using the ipads, focus on taking steady pictures and applying different editing features to enhance their work. This will be integrated in with the class topic of Feelings.
In Year 2, students have been connecting to places all around the world – and even visiting them! Using the Green Screen and the iPads, the Year 2’s were able to use images of their selected places and to make it look it like they were there. They are in the process of using these pictures as writing prompts to create postcards. They also are using the App, Chatterpix to help explain their connections and bring their postcards to life.
In Year 4, students have been learning all about Aboriginal culture in class. They have used some of their STEAM time to investigate iMovie, story-boarding and different camera shots. They are now in the process of transferring their information about Aboriginal culture into scripts and filming a BTN style report with iMovie. They are sure to be a hit!
In Year 6, students discussed the importance of digital citizenship and the THINK acronym. As the school leaders, they will be creating posters and short movies about the expectations of students in the new Innovation and Technology room to display for all classes to see. They will also use their STEAM session to build on class work about circuits.
PERCEPTUAL MOTOR PROGRAM
Our Pre-primary children commenced the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) on Tuesday. The program consists of ten stations and the children rotate through three stations each morning (Tuesday and Wednesday). The children were fantastic in demonstrating their fundamental movement skills and had great fun at each station. We must say a big thank you to all the parents who have offered their time to help with the running of the program and we are all excited to continue the program next week!
Mrs Jenkins
Sport Specialist (Pre-Primary and Year 1)
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
SEESAW PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
As you are aware, this year Infant Jesus has embraced the application Seesaw across all year levels. We are using this to transform our learning journey from the classroom and into our individual households. Seesaw is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what's happening in the classroom. Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student gets their own journal and will add things to it, including photos, videos, drawings, or notes.
A parent workshop has been scheduled for the 16 March at 3:30pm - 4:00pm & then repeated again at 6:30-7:00pm. Please fill in the survey to indicate your attendance at these workshops.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FX53WLP
P & F News
FREE DRESS DAY!
Get ready, Free Dress is tomorrow! Children are encouraged to come to school in appropriate clothing of their choice for a gold coin donation. Please send your child in closed shoes. The P&F will be handing out free ice creams to the kids, so this is a day they will not want to miss!
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.
P&F MEETING
The next P&F meeting will be held Tuesday 21 March at 7pm in the school office. Agenda items include: Quiz Night, Loose Change Challenge. We'll see you there!
Nicola Cecchele - P&F President
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
Accountability
PARENT - TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Our Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held next week.
Teachers have timetables displayed outside classrooms for parents to select a time to meet with their teacher.
This meeting is to to discuss your child’s progress
and to ensure that the school and home continue the important partnership of working together.
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
Feast Day of St Patrick
17 March
How do you teach a classroom that's as big as a whole country? How do you teach a whole country about God?
St. Patrick's classroom was the whole country of Ireland and his lesson was the good news of Jesus Christ. How in the world did he do it? Well, it was only possible because he depended totally on God. But letting God give him strength and direction didn't always come naturally to St. Patrick. That was a lesson he had to learn himself. And he didn't get to learn it from understanding, gentle teachers in a comfortable classroom. He learned it from a band of thieving, roving pirates.
Although we think of Ireland when we talk about St. Patrick, he wasn't actually born in Ireland. He was born in Britain, perhaps even in Scotland. His father was a deacon, and his grandfather had been a priest. But Patrick didn't think too much about God. We don't really know why this was. He probably thought he didn't need God. He probably thought other things could bring him as much happiness as God could. God just wasn't on Patrick's mind as he roamed the fields of his homeland, tending animals and learning how to be a man.
But his happy, carefree life ended one day when crowds of strangers appeared on the horizon. They looked dangerous and frightening, and they were. They were pirates and thieves, on their way to capture slaves to take back to Ireland. Patrick was one of those hundreds of captives. He was snatched from his family and his home. He was taken from all of his future hopes and dreams. Patrick was thrown on a ship, bound in chains, and taken over the sea to Ireland. He was sixteen years old. For six years, Patrick was a slave in Ireland. He was put to work watching sheep and cattle. Patrick had just enough food to live on, and when he wasn't working, he tried to rest in tiny huts that were damp and cold.
But something strange and wonderful happened in Ireland. All alone, frightened for his life, and among people who worshiped trees and stones, Patrick opened his heart to God.
That happens to a lot of us, doesn't it? When everything's going great, we don't have any time for God. But then something awful and painful happens, and there we are, back at God's feet.
During those years, Patrick started to pray. He thought about God all the time, and it gave him peace of mind. He knew that no matter how much he was suffering, God loved him.
Eventually, Patrick escaped from slavery and travelled to France, which in those days was called Gaul. We're not sure exactly how much time Patrick spent in Gaul. But it was enough time for him to draw closer to God as he prayed and studied in a monastery.
One night, deep in a dreamy vision, Patrick heard voices. He heard many voices, joined together, pleading with him. “Come back,” the voices cried, “come back and walk once more among us.” Patrick knew it was the Irish people calling him. Strengthened by the courage that only God can give, Patrick went back. He returned to the very people who had stolen him from his family, worked him mercilessly as a slave, and knew little, if anything, about the love of the true God.
Before he left Gaul, Patrick was made the Bishop of Ireland. He then travelled across the sea to teach the people of Ireland about Jesus Christ.
Patrick had a big job ahead of him. He had to show a country full of students that there was no point in worshiping nature. Trees can't forgive your sins or teach you how to love. The sun, as powerful as it is, could not have created the world. Patrick explained things using simple examples that people could easily understand. For example, he used the three-leaf clover to show people how there could be three persons in one God.
Patrick preached to huge crowds and small villages. He preached to kings and princes. He preached in the open air, and he preached in huts. Patrick never stopped preaching, and he never stopped teaching. He couldn't stop—the whole country of Ireland was his classroom, and he couldn't afford to miss even one student!
Soon, Patrick had help. Men became priests and monks and women became nuns. Wherever they lived, those monks and nuns settled in monasteries and set up schools. More students were being reached every day.
But, of course, the greatest help Patrick had was from God. When he was young, Patrick had forgotten God, but that would never happen again. He knew that God supported him in every step he took. God gave Patrick the courage to speak, even when Patrick was in danger of being hurt by pagan priests who didn't want to lose their power over the people.
Patrick's most famous prayer shows us how close he was to God. It's called “St. Patrick's Breastplate.” A breastplate is the piece of armor that protects a soldier's heart from harm.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left.
Parish News
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Sacrament of Confirmation 2017
We thank all the families who attended the Confirmation Enrolment Masses last weekend.
Kindly complete and return the enrolment forms along with the necessary attachments as soon as possible.
Important Dates to Remember:
Commitment Masses - Confirmation
- Saturday 1 April at 6.30 pm OR
- Sunday 2 April at 9.30 am OR at 6.00 pm
Parent Information Night - Confirmation
- Monday 1 May 7.00 pm
Parents and Child Workshop - Confirmation
- Monday 22 May 7.00 pm
Confirmation Retreat, Episcopal Visitation and Formal Practice
- Friday 9 June at 9.00 am
Sacrament of Confirmation Masses
- Saturday 10th of June at 12.00 pm and at 3.00 pm (For your Mass time allocation, please see the enrolment confirmation email sent to you)
Enquiries: Faith Rico, Sacramental Coordinator at ijsacramental@gmail.com
TUESDAY 21 MARCH AT 7.30PM
INFANT JESUS CHURCH
In the middle of Lent, come and experience a reflective and relaxing hour of prayer in the style of Taizé; music, silence, candlelight and prayers of petition based around the Gospel of the Third Sunday of Lent. The perfect sustenance for the remainder of the Lenten journey. ALL WELCOME.
“Return to the Lord, your God….
…for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
– Joel 2:13
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.
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***
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
Canteen Roster
Friday 17 March
Billie DeWitt, Pauline Spence, Rosanna Monastra
Monday 20 March
Felicia Castrianni, Nicole Mesiti, Leah Wilson
Wednesday 22 March
Sara McMenemy, Alison Wilathgamuwa, Justine Scriva
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.
Project Compassion
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, a Caritas Australia partner, offered Uncle Richard and other former Stolen Generations survivors the chance to heal after a childhood of suffering.
"We’ve still got a lot of anger but we’re controlling it now, coming together."
Uncle Richard
First Australian Uncle Richard is a survivor of the Stolen Generations, forcibly removed from his family as a child and taken to Kinchela Boys Home (KBH) in NSW. Hundreds of Indigenous boys were incarcerated there between 1924 and 1970, suffering ongoing physical and verbal abuse. They lost every aspect of their identity – their names, their culture and their families.
When Uncle Richard left KBH, he struggled with the legacy of pain, trying to find relief through his work as an artist. But he attributes the beginning of his healing to something even more powerful than his creative work, his reconnection with former KBH boys.
The KBH Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC) was established by KBH survivors to reunite with one another and begin healing. KBHAC’s Unlocking the Past to Free the Future Program works to restore the social and emotional wellbeing of the survivors and their families. The former KBH boys have realised that their shared suffering has created a brotherhood. They support each other by sharing their stories, and coming to a common understanding of how their experiences have impacted on themselves and their descendants.
Through KBHAC, the men are also opening the door to the wider Australian community, inviting everyone to journey together as neighbours in the healing process. Caritas Australia supports KBHAC and is proud to walk alongside in partnership on the journey to wellbeing.
"We can hopefully show the way for other people to learn from our pain. And we're trying to be the leader, a role model for our kids." - Uncle Richard
Please donate to Project Compassion 2017 and help Australia’s Stolen Generations and their families to heal from the pain of the past. You can donate through School boxes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.
Infant Jesus School Kenya Outreach
A few years ago Infant Jesus donated leftover polo shirts from our Uniform Shop to the Southern Cross Kenya Aid to Educate (SCKATE). Jenny Gartrell is the contact for SCKATE and has kept in touch with our School since. Jenny has sent through some photos of the children who had received the shirts.
Pick up arrangements
Please make sure your child understands the pickup arrangements for each day when you drop them off. Last minute phone calls to the school to run messages when the office is already busy runs the risk of the message not getting through.