Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
Recently, a friend of mind went to a series of talks, which emphasized the values of “Positive Thinking”, a type of “Always look on the bright side of life”, and to avoid, as far as possible, indulging in activities, which might produce “negative vibes”. According to my friend, newspapers and television news were top of the list of things never to be read or watched because they are full off “doomsday messages” about wars and robberies and bashings and plane crashes and road accidents and so it goes.
Sometimes after a winter that has been difficult with “flus and viruses” we might need to take stock of the attitude that we have towards our own life. This doubles in importance when we consider that, as parents and teachers, we are in a position to influence how children might feel about themselves. Unlike the newspaper and television news of today, we here at Infant Jesus School can view life with a completely different set of eyes because of the hope our faith offers.
Teachers and parents have limited chance of influencing the world’s major events, but we can be powerful in our school and in our home to instil in children some of the great positive Gospel values: love, respect, kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, sacrifice of self for another, gentleness, sharing and the list can go on. The development and presentation of these “positive” Christian values will help children become happy, well-balanced and confident human beings, capable of loving and caring for one another, their cultural heritage and their environment. When collectively, our children (and parents) are surrounded by these positive values it has an overwhelming optimistic effect on how we view the world in which we live. #ExpectGreatThings is our goal at Infant Jesus School.
We come to the end of another successful term here at Infant Jesus School. This term, has just ‘flown by’. It has been an extremely busy term with numerous events planned within the school. Most importantly, however, it has been the preparation and participation of the students in Year 4 in the Sacraments of First Eucharist. We congratulate these students once again on receiving this very special and sacred sacrament.
It is appropriate at the end of the term to thank a number of people for their efforts and contributions over the past 10 weeks. It is important to recognise the efforts and dedication of the Infant Jesus Staff. The teachers and ancillary staff of this school are most professional in their approach to the development of the students within their care and the advancement of the school as a whole. We particularly thank Miss Melissa Myles who has step into the role as Acting Assistant Principal. Melissa has made a wonderful contribution to the leadership team, staff and school in this role. She has committed herself and embraced all facets that these leadership roles bring with them in school leadership teams. Congratulations Melissa on a job well done.
We are appreciative of the numerous parents from the Infant Jesus School community who have offered their assistance and help to the students, staff and Leadership Team in some way over the term. This support is priceless and certainly assists in the overall operation of the school. Many thanks to all for your efforts.
Lastly, we applaud the students, who have worked productively in class to produce some quality work and pleasing results. Our students have also participated enthusiastically in the various academic, musical (Performing Arts) and sporting pursuits over the term. Well done to you all.
Faction Athletics Carnival
Many thanks for everyone's efforts on Friday with the running of the Annual Athletic Carnival. It was great to see all the children involved in the various events, having fun and enjoying the sunshine. Thank you to the staff and parents for the assistance in setting up the carnival on Friday morning. A lot goes intro preparing a sport carnival and a critical element to this is the setting up for the day. Yesterday morning, was a little challenging with the weather, but we got there in the end!
We are also very grateful to the parents who lent a helping hand at the carnival with judging, marshalling and distributing place ribbons.
Thank you to IJ's P&F Committee for their efforts and support through the running of the canteen. The morning tea, coffees and cake were well received and appreciated by the parents gathered. The lunches were well coordinated. Thank you to all those who assisted with this in some way.
Well done to the Red Faction (Lima) on winning the carnival, in which was a very close result. Congratulations to all the individual winners and the respective place getters in each of the age groups and to all the boys and girls on their wonderful efforts and team spirit.
Lastly, but most importantly, we congratulate to Mr Michael Sheridan for organising and coordinating another successful carnival. It went very smoothly and all the student's participated enthusiastically. We received some really positive feedback throughout the day.
Parents & Friends - Quiz Night
This week we held another very productive P&F Meeting. The group of committed parents is continuing to work hard for the students and community of Infant Jesus School.
The Quiz Night held last Friday evening was an Outstanding Success. The School Community would like to officially thank the P&F for their tireless work in organising the School Quiz night for 2017. The enjoyment and success of the evening was due to the excellent organisational skills where this seamless event was well planned and ran like clockwork. Thank you to the all the people who had a role before, during and after the event. By all accounts a fantastic evening was had by all.
Learning Journeys
It was wonderful to see our families gather on Monday night as the children shared their learning with their parents. The Learning Journey session provides an opportunity for parents, children and the school to come together to support, share and celebrate each child’s learning.
We also invited parents to share feedback on how we can improve our Teaching and Learning at Infant Jesus School. It was wonderful to hear that many parents are pleased with the Teaching and Learning program at the school.
“Infant Jesus is leading the way, we feel, in education in comparison to some other schools.”
“It is reassuring knowing that my girls are happy and eager to come to school!”
“We are very happy with the teaching and the many ways it is gone about in the school.”
“We are very happy with all aspects of Infant Jesus School including the community spirit.”
The feedback we received will be shared with all members of staff and analysed to assist us with developing a plan for the future.
Term 4 Planner
Monday 9 October - PD for Staff
Tuesday 10 October - Students commence
Tuesday 5 December - Christmas Concert
Friday 8 December - Year 6 Graduation & Thanksgiving Mass and last day for all students
Year 3 Parent BYOD Information Night
All Year Three students at Infant Jesus School require an iPad as part of their booklist. To assist parents with this transition and to provide some further information and detail we will be holding a Parent Information Night for our Year Two parents on 18 October 2017 . This will be held in the School Library commencing at 6.00pm.
All current Year Two parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. Information presented on the night will include how the day to day use of technology enhances the learning for all children, an outline of the BYOD program and further information on Cyber safety.
Further information will be sent out early next term.
Prayer
September 27th is the feast of St Vincent de Paul. He was born in France in 1580 and spent his life loving and serving the poor, especially children. Today, St Vincent de Paul Societies, supply food, money and clothing to those in need. The following prayers reflect the life of St Vincent de Paul.
Dear God,
Open my eyes that I may see the deepest needs of men, women and children
Move my hands that they may feed the hungry;
Touch my heart that it may bring warmth to the despairing;
Teach me the generosity that welcomes strangers;
Let me share my possessions with people in need;
Give me the care that strengthens the sick;
Help me share in the quest to set prisoners free;
In sharing our anxieties and our love,
Our poverty and our prosperity;
We partake of your divine presence.
Amen.
Best Wishes - Maureen O'Neill
We take this opportunity to wish Ms Maureen O’Neill all the very best as she embarks on her well-deserved Long Service Leave. We are sure that Maureen will have a fantastic break and we look forward to seeing Maureen in 2018. Stay safe and well!
Miss Leesa Hermanns will be assuming responsibility for the Year 2 class for the remainder of the school year. Miss Hermanns has been teaching in Year 3 and Year 6 this term.
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.
Annual Community Meeting
The date for the Annual Community Meeting has been changed from the 14 November to the 28 November at 7:00pm.
Did You Know...?
• All mammals have tongues.
• Dogs and cats, like humans, are either right or left handed...or is that paws?
• The earth rotates more slowly on its axis in March than in September.
• When you walk down a steep hill, the pressure on your knees is equal to three times your body weight.
Holidays
No doubt, both staff and students are looking forward to a well-earned break. We pray that all families stay healthy and safe over the holidays, and return rejuvenated and revitalised in preparation for Term Four.
School commences for all Students (Pre-Primary – Year 6) on Tuesday 10 October and will conclude for all students on Friday 8 December.
Thought for the Week
If you were another person , would you like to be a friend of yours?”
unknown
God Bless,
Paul Hille
Principal
#ExpectGreatThings
