Principal's Report
Respectful Relationships
Dear Parents,
There is no doubt that our earliest relationships provide a model for all our future relationships, and learning to trust other people as feeling, thoughtful human beings, will form the basis for having happy, satisfying relationships. To develop these happy, satisfying relationships, we will need good manners and basic courtesy.
Good manners need to be taught for they are important skills that our children should develop when they are young, so they can enjoy the benefit of them for the rest of their lives. It is in the family home that the “manners seed” needs to be planted and nurtured, along with core values and ethics. It is in the family home that children learn to be considerate, tolerant and respectful; this learning comes through parental guidance and example.
When children are polite, kind, honest and cooperative, they develop character and exhibit social skills that help others feel comfortable. These relationship building skills, also help children -and adults- to get on with friends and neighbours and, if the occasion arises, to resolve differences of opinion in a courteous and healthy way.
It has been said that “Rudeness is the weak person’s imitation of strength” - Author Unknown.
It is also an expression of ignorance of courteous behaviour and children who do not have social skills, can have a difficult time making lasting friendships with their peers and being accepted generally. They have missed out on learning the “Golden Rule”: Treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated.
Manners are respect in action and should be learnt and taught through the experiences of daily living. “Mind your manners” often used to come from the lips of parents and indicated that their children knew what it was that needed to be “minded”. In a society that rarely offers example or support for parents, teaching manners to our children can be lonely and tedious. However, to see our children grow in respect and consideration for themselves and others will be a rich reward for effort.
Week Three of the term generally brings with it a satisfying relief that the year has begun successfully and that life within the school has once again settled comfortably into a productive routine. The hype and anxiety that is often attached to the return to school is now almost a distant memory, and students are hopefully a little more certain of new expectations, which are often encountered with new teachers and a changed learning environment. It is important that as parents we remain supportive, particularly in these first few weeks, as students settle into these new routines and accustom themselves with different expectations and teaching styles which may vary from teacher to teacher, class to class.
A positive working partnership between home and school is absolutely vital in ensuring that a shared sense of responsibility is geared towards always maintaining what is best for each and every child.
Keep up the good work!
Power of One
Parents that attended the recent Information Evenings would have been informed about the ‘Power of One’ initiative the staff have adopted this year.
This year the staff of Infant Jesus School will develop a program called the ‘Power of One’ where they contribute one hour a week of Christian Service over a selected period of time. Throughout the year, staff of Infant Jesus School will work voluntarily, to integrate the principles of Catholic social teaching into practical experiences of service to others in society. This has commenced already, with Nicole Boddy conducting singing lessons with interested students and other staff cooking food to support those in need within the parish and community.
With LENT not too far away, I would like to conduct a LENTEN program titled “Up From the Waters”. This is a six-week LENTEN program reflecting, sharing and living the Gospel and is also being run in the Infant Jesus parish. The program focuses on the significance of the waters of Baptism in each one of us.
Parents are invited to register their interest in this program that will be conducted at the school each Wednesday evening at 7pm, commencing, Wednesday, 1 March.
These Lenten reflections will take place at the school in a very non-threatening and prayerful environment. Interested parents are asked to register for this program by filling out the attached survey link. I believe that this is a wonderful way for parents of the school to come together, giving witness and sharing their faith and preparing themselves for Easter.
Dates for this LENTEN program are as follows:
- Wednesday 1 March
- Wednesday 8th March
- Wednesday 15th March
- Wednesday 22nd March
- Wednesday 29th March
- Wednesday 5th April
Please register your interest via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7BLVBKC
“When Jesus had been baptised, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (John 3:16)
Prayer
Loving God,
You have called us into your family.
Strengthen us by your spirit to live always according to your will. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
School Uniform
It has been pleasing to see many students wearing their new school uniform with great pride during the first weeks of school. Each student is expected to be properly attired in full school uniform at school and when travelling to and from school. Uniforms are to be clean, pressed and in good condition. Shoes are to be well polished and white sport shoes kept clean.
A uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school.
Our school uniform not only provides a sense of belonging and pride of association in students at Infant Jesus School, but also promotes the safety and security of students by allowing for the ready identification of students as belonging to our school. Equality is fostered through this Uniform Policy.
IJ's P&F Association
Next Tuesday evening the Infant Jesus P&F Association will hold their first meeting for the year. I really encourage parents to come along to this meeting, firstly to find out a little bit more about what is happening in the school, and secondly to show your support for the P&F Association.
We have a very committed and enthusiastic P&F Executive comprising of:
Mrs Nicola Cecchele President
Mrs Sarah Ruggerio Vice President
Mrs Jenny Allpike Treasurer
Mrs Marisa Gulluni Secretary
The P&F Executive, along with all members of the P&F Association are very supportive of the school as it strives to provide better opportunities for the students who attend Infant Jesus School and look for ways to engage with parents and families to build the community spirit.
Student Medication
If your child requires medication to be taken during school hours, it is important that you complete an ‘Infant Jesus Student Medication Request/Record' form which is available from the front office and on the school website.
- Medication is to be delivered to the School Office by the parent/guardian in its original pharmacy labeled container. Please be aware that parents are responsible for delivering prescribed medications to the school and collecting it at the end of the day.
- The label on the original medication or a special letter outlining medication from the doctor must clearly state: (i) the name of the child (ii) the dosage and times required.
Please ask your pharmacist for this
information when the medication is issued.
- All medications are stored either in the school office/medical room or in a locked cabinet in the classroom, except where either refrigeration is required (e.g. antibiotics) or in the case of self-administered asthma reliever medication.
- Asthma medication (reliever puffers only) may be held by a child for self-administration, only when parents/guardians have notified the school and given permission via the Student Medication Request/Record form. Preventer medications will be held in the Medical Room.
- It is the parent’s responsibility to collect any ‘out of date’ medication for safe disposal. It is also a parent’s responsibility to collect any unused medication at the completion of treatment.
- Student Medication Request/Record forms for children receiving medications on a regular basis are to be reviewed each term, with a new permission form completed at the start of each year.
- Parents/guardians must notify the School Office and complete a new Student Medication Request/Record form if there are any changes to details such as dosage or type of medication.
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
As there are children enrolled at Infant Jesus School who have allergies to a variety of substances, we ask that children do not share food at school. We appreciate your support in avoiding sending any foods that contain NUTS. A few children may experience very serious and even life threatening reactions to any food containing nuts or traces of nuts.
Library & Innovation Centre
Big changes are happening in our Resource and Innovation Centre over the next couple of weeks. Next week the carpet will be replaced. The furniture for the Innovation & Technology Centre should arrive the following week. Some parents and students would have already noticed the addition of some new technology in both the library and the old computer lab as well as the LEGO Wall. The technology and construction areas will all form part of the new design in the centre, which will be quite exciting when completed.
I am really appreciative of the efforts of Miss Mitzi Phoebe and Mrs Jenny Houwen as we make the alterations to this room. Many thanks also to the parents that assisted this week packing books into boxes.
We hope that this room will be completed by the first week in March and available to the students the following week.
Twitter @infantjesus54
Past Students
Three past Infant Jesus students were awarded medallions for Academic Achievement at Chisholm College. The award is for the top 2% of Year 8 2016 students – it is calculated across all subjects and can only be awarded now as they include the end of year exam results.
Only 6 students received the award and three were girls from Infant Jesus.
The students are :
- Elise Panicciari
- Imogen Bowley
- Teresa Tran
Parking & Drive Through Areas
Parking, especially at the beginning of the year, is very much at a premium. Please be patient with the parking situation. It will ease as the term progresses and more parents use the drive through to pick up and drop off children. We also ask parents to be considerate of others to ensure that traffic flows smoothly. We need to be courteous of our neighbours and follow the No Standing street signs at all times to avoid being issued with fines.
Drive Through
This is for parents who wish to drop off or pick up their child/ren without parking. Students will be supervised by a staff member to ensure they are collected safely by the child’s parent, or someone who has parental permission, at the end of the school day. Parents are reminded to be extra vigilant in their cars at this time as children depart the school grounds.
Did you Know
- Did you know that August has the highest percentage of births
- Did you know that unless food is mixed with saliva you can't taste it
- Did you know that the average person falls asleep in 7 minutes
Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
Thought for the Week
Teaching kids to count is fine; but teaching them what counts is best.
Loris Malaguzzi
May your week be filled with many blessings
Paul Hille
Principal