SCHOOL NEWS
Learning
YEAR ONE NEWS
The children in Year One have had a wonderful start to the term and are very excited about their upcoming adventures. They have settled back into the routines and are looking forward to continuing their learning.
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Ms Jessica Lucas, our new Year One Blue teacher, who has taken over from Mrs Archer this term. We hope that she settles in well and we wish her all the best as she joins our Infant Jesus Family!
Here’s a short letter of introduction from Ms Lucas!
My name is Jessica Lucas and I will be your child’s teacher for the remainder of the school year. I am originally from the sunny state of Florida in the United States of America. I am coming to your lovely school from the far northern remote community of Halls Creek. I have been teaching since 2003, when I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. As a teacher, I firmly believe that all of my students are capable of achieving their personal best in all subjects. I look forward to working with you this year to assist your child’s academic and social growth.
Thank you for being so welcoming during my first week in your child’s class.
This term the children will investigate the changes in the world around them, as well as how their choices affect the environment they live in. The children will build upon their existing relationships with one another and discover how their choices can impact on other people.
Our Religious Education program for this term will focus on the following three units of work. We begin with Wonderful World. This unit will help us explore how Jesus wants people to experience the joy of Creation. The second unit We Make Choices, enables the children to realise that Jesus wants people to make loving choices, such as choosing to be friends with one another. The third unit Friends Together, gives the children the opportunity to wonder at God. The children will become familiar with Bible stories that support them to wonder at how we can live like Jesus and be loving and caring towards each other.
In English, the children will continue to develop their reading and writing skills. When writing, they will explore narratives, informational texts and recounts. Throughout the term the children will learn the structure of each text, how they are written and what makes them different. They will be exposed to an array of texts within each genre to immerse them in a language rich program.
The reading program has two aspects. During class time our focus is on teaching the children to read for understanding. Aspects of this include accuracy, fluency and decoding. Each child is involved in the Individual Reading Program which focuses on each child's development ensuring they build upon their comprehension, fluency and expression. In Word Study this term we will continue to build on our sound and letter identification. The children will learn familiar blends, which will support both their reading and writing development.
In Mathematics we will be exploring Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Location and Transformation.
In Number and Algebra, the children will continue to develop number sequence skills to and from one hundred. They will count collections to 100, partition numbers using place value, explore different number combinations and identify symbols associated with adding, subtracting and reading a total amount. Throughout the term the children will be working towards recognising, modelling, reading, writing and ordering numbers to at least 100. The children will locate numbers on a number line and continue to develop their confidence in counting forwards and backwards.
This term in Humanities & Social Sciences,the children will build on their knowledge of families and family structures. They will explore the past and observe some of the changes that have occurred in our world through growing and changing. They will describe differences in family structures and roles today and how these have stayed the same or changed over time. They will also compare the differences and similarities between students’ daily lives and the life of past generations.
History and English will be integrated with our Design & Digital Technologies program this term. Miss Phoebe will be assisting the children in learning how to use some amazing new apps to allow them to imagine what they may look like when they are older! They will also make some slideshows based on how they have changed from birth to present. The children will compare toys from the ‘olden days’ to the toys they play with today and then following the engineering design process; (Think, Design, Create, Evaluate, Share), they will create their own toy.
During their Science learning time, we will be working with the children to build upon their existing knowledge and understandings of the changes that occur in daily weather. They will consider the reasons linked to why we change our behaviour, the way we dress and how weather conditions can affect animals (i.e.: pets, animals that hibernate etc). The children will investigate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people interpret concepts of time and weather patterns.
The Health program, we will help the children to focus on their own personal strengths, as well as the strengths of others. They will explore their own individual achievements, sharing how they felt and how it influenced personal identities. The children will participate in games and activities which will encourage them to observe how other’s strengths contribute to successful experiences. From this the children will learn the importance of positive encouragement towards others.
MUSIC NEWS
CATHOLIC PERFORMING ARTS
Entries have now closed for the 28th Catholic Performing Arts Festival. Thank you to all the students who have entered this year’s Festival. I am sure all students will represent Infant Jesus School with excellence and we shall all look forward to expecting great things from the participants.
The Choir have been working diligently this term in readiness for the Festival and will be performing at the next scheduled Assembly on Thursday 18 May when they will also receive their badges.
Nicole Boddy
Music Teacher
Book Club Announcement
The best gift any parent/carer can give their child is the love of learning and the joy and benefits of quality literature. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
Please support our School by ordering Scholastic Book Club. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our school. A Book Club catalogue will come home with your child twice a term during the school year. It contains a vast selection of books offered including a wide range of reading levels and interests. You’ll find award-winning books, as well as old and new favourites.
Every catalogue now contains gold coin books which are only $1 or $2, making it even more affordable to participate. It is easy to order. Just look over the catalogue with your child, select the books you want, mark them on the order form on the back of the catalogue and either:
- 1. Return the order form to the office with payment of cash by the due date.
- 2. Log onto a computer and sign into the Loop website and pay by credit
- 3. Download the App and order on your phone/tablet. https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au
Our first catalogue will be sent home with your child tomorrow and orders must be completed by Friday 12 May. If you have any problems please contact Jenny in the library.
Thank you for your support.
Jenny Houwen Library Officer
Engagement
P&F News
P&F MEETING
The next P&F Meeting is being held Tuesday 16 May. All parents are welcome and we hope to see some new faces come along.
LOOSE CHANGE CHALLENGE
This challenge is NOW ON! The rules are simple - there will be a change jar in every class for two weeks. The class who raises the most wins! The winners will receive a pizza lunch, juice, a longer lunch break AND a secret surprise!
With Y6 children away at camp, we have decided to extend the challenge into next week and it will now officially close at 9am Monday morning.
The results are very close. All the kids are excited about this one, so please send in your change!
MOTHERS DAY MORNING TEA
The P&F would like to thank all members of staff for the beautiful Mothers Day Mass and Morning Tea held on Tuesday. There was a record number of Mums and Grandmothers who felt very loved and appreciated throughout the Mass. We sincerely loved the company of our children in the hall for morning tea and we thank you for that gift.
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."
A Sample Book and Order Forms are available in the School Front Office if you wish to have a look.
Nicola Cecchele - P&F President
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.
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.
Linda Prestianni 0433 925 857
Ardrian Gonsalves 0403 439 888
3 YEAR OLD (Pre Kindy) PLAYDATE
Venue: Mighty Jungle, 10 Boag Rd, Morley
Date: Wednesday 17 May
Time: 9am
Please bring socks!
YEAR 6 LUNCH
Year 6 Lunch at Our Table, Grand Prom, Bedford from 11.30am this Friday 12 May.
RSVP: Ida: 040-9977-524, Liselle: 0409 297 193 or Connie: 0412 036 072
Canteen Roster
TERM 2
Friday 12 May
Pauline Spence, Billie Dewitt, Rosanna Monastra
Monday 15 May
Nicole Mesiti, Geraldine Soh, Leah Wilson
Wednesday 17 May
Sara McMenemy, Alison Wilathgamuwa, Justine Scriva
Please see the attached Canteen Winter Menu for Term 2 and 3.
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 (18 May)
We congratulate the following students:
PPB Sam Johns, Jessiah Vesco, Christian Clarke, Joshua Waters
PPW Cooper McGuire, Daniel Boni, Laken Kaiwai, Tiana Easley
1B Aidan Antulov, Cameron Chami, Marcus Xiong
1W Lucas D'Souza, Allegra Ielati, Kaitlin Soh, Mack Wilson
2B Orlando Favaro, Charlie Gioffre, Asher Jupp
2W Ricky Mesiti, Bianca Notte, Cameron Soh, Raymond Nguyen
3B Minh Thu Do, Vaishvi Kittan, Amelia Yates
3W Antonella Mammone, Meghan Marino Dayan, Alexis Chan
4B Antonio Pelle, Madison Mertens, Marie Murace
4W Tahlia D'Souza, Daniel Fiorucci, Olivia Poropat, Taya Coates
5B Elaria Pillera, Royce Paskin, Grace Modica, Terry Nguyen
5W Joshua Fosberry, Shanice Penwald, Declan McCulloch
6B Cronan Mulvey, Daniel Gianatti, Arcangelo Mammone, Katia Panicciari
6W Alessio Colli, Jackson Bogaers, Cassidy Doudakis.
PARKING - Admin
Please do not pick up or drop off students in the Admin Carpark. This Carpark is for office business and visitors to the school only. It is not a safe area for students to be at anytime due to the amount of traffic and delivery trucks using the space. Please use the designated pick up and drop of areas.
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
LADY JULIAN OF NORWICH - Feastday 8 May
A plague had swept through most of Europe, killing thousands of people. The first outbreak happened in Britain at the end of the year 1348. It happened again 20 years later. In the city of Norwich in the east of England, the plague killed at least one person in three, perhaps one in two. That meant at least 10,000 people died.
When the plague was over, there weren’t enough men left plough the fields or gather in the crops. So food became scarce and expensive. The poorest people suffered most. And if that wasn’t bad enough news, England was at war, fighting the French. Then, in 1372, Spain joined in with France against England. There was a huge sea battle, and the English were defeated. Many English sailors were taken prisoner and an English treasure ship was sunk. Back home, there was another poor harvest. It was a miserable winter. But then came spring and Easter. Would everything get better?
Not for one woman who lived in Norwich. A fortnight after Easter, she was taken ill. She was so ill by Wednesday evening that everyone thought she was going to die. Then, early the next Sunday morning (May 8), her parish priest visited her, bringing a crucifix, with a small statue of Jesus on it. “Look at it, and be strong,” he said.
At first she was too weak to even move her eyes. Then she managed to look at the figure of Jesus on the cross. For a moment, the room seemed to go dark and she thought these were last moments—but then she was no longer in pain! Over the next 12 hours, she saw many wonderful things in her mind—but as clearly as if they were quite real. The Lady Julian got better. Later, she wrote down the many things that she had seen when she was ill. Just one of the many sights included “a little thing, the size of a hazelnut and round, like a ball.” Then an answer came to her. “It stands for everything that has been made and everything that will made.” Julian understood three things from the sight of this “little thing” in the palm of her hand:
God has made everything. God loves everything. God looks after everything. Julian felt God was telling her that, yes, things go wrong in the world. There is illness, war, and famine. It can’t be helped. That is the way the world must be; but because God loves us, in the end all will be well.
Julian is not officially a saint, but she is remembered on May 8 in Anglican and Lutheran churches and on May 13 in the Roman Catholic Church. (Loyola Press)
"See the hand of God in all that happens"
Mary MacKillop is in the company of all the great mystics here. It’s very human to kid ourselves that, if we flee the pressures that weigh us down, then touching the face of God would be possible.
We yearn for somewhere quiet and peaceful, but if God is truly God, then the Divine Presence is always with us.
Yet we keep wanting to look in other places. We can be unaware of the sacredness of where we are. We overlook the need to go inside ourselves, to seek the God within.
We wait for God to come to us, but, as Mary points out, God is always with us. It’s all about growing in awareness of this.
See the hand of God in all that happens – hard as that may sometimes be!
"In God we live and move and have our being".
(Acts 17:28)
enews@josephite.org.au
Parish News
THINKING OF BECOMING CATHOLIC?
BAPTISED BUT NOT CONFIRMED?
If you would like to find out more about what is involved in becoming a Catholic, or if you or another adult you know would like to receive the Sacraments of Communion or Confirmation, please come along to our enquiry night on
WEDNESDAY 24 MAY AT 7PM
All are welcome. Please call the parish office on 9276 8500 if you would like any more information or just turn up on the night.
CONFIRMATION
Important Reminders
Parents and Child Workshop:
· Monday, 22 May 7.00pm at Infant Jesus Parish Centre
Please remind your children to bring their pencil case.
Confirmation Retreat, Formal Visitation and Mass Practice:
· Friday, 9 June starts at 9:00am at Infant Jesus Parish Centre
Confirmation Mass:
· Saturday, 10 June at 12.00pm and at 3.00pm
(For your child’s allocated Mass time, please check your enrolment confirmation email)
SAINT NAME & SPONSOR NAME: We are now finalising the certificates of all the children, please submit your child’s Confirmation-Saint and Sponsor Name Card as soon as possible.
SASH: Each child will receive a plain white sash on the day of Confirmation, but if you would like to have it decorated/embroidered, you may collect your child’s sash early from the parish office starting on Wednesday 3 May during office hours. Monday-Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm
Please note that sash decoration is optional only.
Yours in Christ,
Faith Rico - Sacramental Co-ordinator
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