SCHOOL NEWS
Learning
With second semester well upon us, the Year Two children are immersed in their learning and continue to work towards being the best that they can be.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Religious Education unit begins by wondering at the human experience of being alive and able to love. The students will be introduced to the source of these experiences, the human soul. The students will be introduced to reasons why Catholics celebrate the Eucharist (Mass) using special actions, vessels and words. Finally the unit explores ways in which Christians are called to love God and love others.
The second unit begins with wondering at the human experience of belonging to a family. This leads people to wonder at God, who gave us our families to love each of us personally. We explore ways in which Jesus lived in a family and this shows us ways of loving family members. Finally, the unit explores ways in which members of God’s family are called by Jesus to love each other as he loves them.
ENGLISH
Our daily dedicated Literacy block is divided into three specific areas targeting Reading, Writing and Word Study. During third term the children will be learning about the structure of writing persuasive and informative texts as well as consolidating their understanding of writing narratives, retells and recounts. With persuasive texts they will be formulating arguments to support a variety of topics. They will continue to edit their own work and progress to publishing their writing.
The children are also building and consolidating strategies to assist them with literal and inferential comprehension. We ask that you continue to support your child in this area at home during their daily reading sessions by encouraging your child to predict, recall and discuss what they have read.
MATHEMATICS
Our Maths’ dedicated time will continue to support children in their understanding of Place Value. The children will be exploring the concepts of multiplication through repeated addition, groups and arrays as well as division through sharing.
In the area of Data Representation and Interpretation we will continue to collect and represent data through graphing and tallies. In the Measurement and Geometry strand we will explore the concept of telling the time using both analogue and digital clocks. We will specifically be learning about o’clock, half past and quarter past/quarter to.
INTEGRATED STUDIES
Our conceptual focus this term is examining the changes in technology and the impact this has had on our lives today. Through discussion and research we will explore the history of music/entertainment devices and how technology has changed the way generations of people live out their daily lives. We will also be exploring the impact developing technology has had in various areas of our lives especially communicating with others both near and far.
In Science we will identify and discuss the many properties of different materials and the way in which these materials can be used and recycled. Through experimentation, the children will manipulate materials, test ideas and assess the suitability for different uses.
Mathematics
It is important that everybody learn to do some calculations mentally when paper and pencil or a calculator is not handy. Over the next few weeks we will be look at the development of beginning mental math strategies that a parent might help a child learn at home.
Mental math should not be confused with the memorisation of basic mathematics facts — such as knowing the times-tables by heart. While memorising basic facts makes mental math easier, doing mathematics mentally requires both memorised facts and the manipulation (strategies) of numbers and operations in order to solve problems that are much more complex than the simple number facts we can easily memorise.
The following mental math strategies are arranged in general order from the easiest strategies children can learn to perform in their head to more difficult and challenging mental math gymnastics.
STRATEGIES FOR ADDITION
Doing addition problems in your head is probably the best way to start doing mental math. Even young children — 5, 6, and 7 year- olds— can do the easiest strategies below. While the first few may seem trivial to adults, they are a good way for children to begin learning to do mental math.
When the words “hearing” and “saying” are used in these strategies, they mean “hearing in your head” and “saying in your head.”
MAKING-TEN(S)
Since ten is the basis of our number system, students who know all the single-digit combinations that equal 10 can make good use of them in doing mental math. The making-ten strategy involves memorizing the number combinations that add to ten: 7 + 3, 8 + 2, 5 + 5, etc. —they are not as useful if children need to think hard to remember these combinations. Once students memorize these, counting-on or other strategies become easier. For example, 6 + 4 = 10 may be a trivial problem, but if you know your combinations of ten, this strategy can then be extended to harder problems, such as 76 + 4, since76+4=70+6+4=70+10=80—easy!
Pastoral Care Ministry News
The Pastoral Care Ministry has spoken to each year level informing them about the St. Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. The Winter Appeal is an appeal for items that will keep the homeless warm this winter. We are collecting items that are in good condition and that will keep people warm. These items may include, blankets, jumpers, coats, beanies or sleeping bags. Please place your donations in the boxes that are in your class’ wet area by Friday 4 August.
We are also continuing to collect ring pulls for Brother Ollie’s Wheelchairs. These ring pulls are donated to Brother Ollie who turns them into wheelchairs for the less fortunate. Any aluminium ring pull can be placed in the green container located near the iLab.
Thank you.
Technology
During lessons throughout the school day teachers have observed that some students are dimming their iPad screens to conserve battery life. When the screen is dimmed the children’s eyes must strain to see the screen. We ask that parents remind their children to set their screen brightness to an appropriate brightness and remind them to charge their iPads each night.
iPads run on lithium batteries which respond well to frequent charging. It is recommended to not let iPads regularly drain completely before charging as this can harm the battery. The iPad battery has a built in sensor to prevent it from overcharging so the best time to charge your device is overnight. More information on this topic can be found
here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-9732
Engagement
P & F
INFANT JESUS QUIZ NIGHT
Tickets are on sale NOW!
- To book a table please email president.pafc@gmail.com
- Tables of 8-10 only, no individual tickets
Tables are LIMITED and selling FAST so please book quickly!
YEAR 3 TERM 3 EVENTS
Coffee - Thursday 3 August at The Coffee Club, Galleria straight after drop off
Dinner - Friday 1 September 7pm at Two40Three, Coventry Village - RSVP by 28 August
Hope to see you all there - Justine & Sherrie
FATHER AND SON CAMP
Please see attached information regarding this year's Father and Son Camp.
Woolworth Earn and Learn
This year we are participating in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program. Through this program we will be able to get new educational resources for our school – and all we need you to do is shop for your groceries at Woolworths. From Wednesday 26 July to Tuesday 19 September we are collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Stickers. You will get one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco and gift cards). Place the Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker onto a Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet and when it’s complete, the Sticker Sheet can be dropped into the Collection Box here at the school or at your local Woolworths.
At the end of the promotion, we’ll be able to get some great new equipment. The range is extensive and offers lots of items ideal for our students – including resources for Maths, English, Science and some fantastic fun supplies for Arts & Craft and Sport. If you’d like to know more visit woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn.
A box has been placed in the office for you to put your completed sticker sheets. If you have any questions about this promotion then please come and see me.
Year Five Student Author
Congratulations to Victoria Mok in Year Five who recently had her historical narrative, ‘Digger’s Dream’ published in the iBook store.
Victoria’s book can be downloaded from: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/diggers-dream/id1265009244?ls=1&mt=11
Seasons for Growth 2017
A program to help children adjust and learn ways of coping with loss and grief or other significant changes in their lives. Further information and participation consent form is attached.
Penny Storey - Social Worker
Tuning Into Kids - Parent Program
Infant Jesus School will be offering the Tuning in to Kids parent program over six weeks, commencing in Term 3, Week 3. Further information and registration form is attached.
Canteen Roster
TERM 3
Friday 4 August
Belinda Chami, Billie Dewitt, Rosanna Monastra
Monday 7 August
Nicole Mesiti, Leah Wilson, Tracy Caputo
Wednesday 9 August
Olivia Ikos, Alison Wilathgamuwa, Justine Scriva
The attached Winter Menu continues for Term 3.
Accountability
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.
VISITING THE SCHOOL - NEW SIGN IN PROCEDURES
An iPad is now available for entering the school during school hours. This replaces the sign in book. Please follow these procedures:
- Sign in and receive a Lanyard or Exit Card
- Enter the school
- Sign out and return the Lanyard
All visitors to the school must sign in i.e. Parents dropping things off, Parents picking up students, Volunteers helping Canteen or Class, Students arriving late, Maintenance workers etc.
PROLONGED ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL OF A STUDENT DURING SCHOOL TERM
There is an approval procedure that must be followed if you are taking your children out of school for several days.
- Letter or email must be sent to the Principal and Teacher advising the school of the circumstances of the absence.
- School then formally approves the absence with a letter sent to Parents.
It is important to note that the Education Act states that all children need to be at school at all times during the school year.
Prolonged absences should only be taken if it is essential for illness, pastoral and family reasons. In this instance it is a requirement that parents provide a valid explanation in writing for children’s non-attendance at school.
It is also important to note that prolonged absence from school may impact on children’s learning.
Discipleship
POWER OF ONE
As part of the Infant Jesus ‘Power of One’ initiative, we will be having
Kids’ Konga classes for Years 1 – 6 children during Term 3. The classes will be a combination of aerobic fitness and dance, set to music. Further details are included in the attachment.
Parish News
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Tuesday 15 August
Mass Times: 7am, 9am (Whole School Mass) and 7:30pm
This feast is a holy day of obligation for all Catholics, celebrated each year on August 15. Feast of the Assumption commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven and signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life.
“Thy pure and spotless body was not left in the earth, but the abode of the Queen, of God’s true Mother, was fixed in the heavenly kingdom alone.” - St. John Damascene
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM - SACRAMENT OF FIRST EUCHARIST
The enrolment for the Sacrament of First Eucharist is now overdue.
Please complete and return your enrolment form as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
· Commitment Masses- Saturday, 19 August at 6:30pm, or Sunday, 20 August at 9.30am or at 6.00pm
· Parents Information Night- Monday, 21 August, 7:00pm at the Parish Centre
· Parents and Child Workshop- Monday, 28 August, 7:00pm at the Parish Centre
· First Eucharist Retreat and Practice - Friday 8 September 9am at Parish Centre
· First Eucharist Masses- Saturday, 9 September at 6.30pm, OR Sunday, 10 September at 9.30am OR at 11.30am
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
St Dominic
Truth was Dominic’s motto and his goal. Dominic was born in Spain, the youngest of four children. He was educated by his uncle, a priest. Dominic became a priest and joined a religious community. Soon he became the prior, or head.
Dominic might have lived his whole life in that monastery if he had not gone with his bishop to northern Europe in 1204. As they traveled, Dominic saw that many people were following heretics, or false teachers. One heresy was Albigensianism, named for the French town of Albi where it had begun. These who followed this heresy taught that people do not have a free will. They taught that marriage was bad, but suicide and the killing of elderly or fatally ill people could be good. Because these heretics lived strict lives with little comfort, people believed them.
Dominic saw that the Catholics sent by the pope to preach against the heresies lived in comfort. The people would not accept their teaching because their lives did not support what they taught. Dominic, his bishop, and three Cistercian monks went from city to city preaching the truth of Christ, using the Bible. They went on foot, depending on others for food and a place to sleep. Soon people returned to the faith—not only because of what these preachers said, but because of how they lived.
In 1206 Dominic began an order of religious women. At one point the bishop died, and the three monks left Dominic. To make matters worse, war broke out between the heretics and some Church members. Dominic’s mission seemed to be failing. At this time he was greatly supported by the prayers and encouragement of the Sisters.
By 1215 a few men had joined Dominic in his work of preaching. He founded the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans. Dominic urged his members to study and to pray. Then they would be ready to preach. Dominic realized that to be true witnesses of the Gospel, Dominicans could not be wealthy. His followers also deeply loved the Blessed Virgin Mary and spread devotion to her through the rosary.
Dominic’s community was different from most because his friars traveled and preached instead of staying in their monastery. Dominic’s order tried to reach the well-educated who were deceived by heresy, while the Franciscans went to the poor and uneducated.
While St. Dominic was on a preaching mission through northern Italy, he died, only six years after he had founded his community.
Dominic was able to draw the members of this community together and inspire them to love and forgive one another. He was outstanding for his love of truth, his clear thought, his organizing ability, and his sensitive, loving nature. For Dominic, love for people was part of his love for God.
Infant Jesus School is one of many schools in Western Australia established by the Sisters of the Dominican Order. Our newsletter, Veritas, reflects our Dominican heritage.