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Dear Parents / Caregivers and families,
In the gospel on Sunday, the Feast of Jesus Ascension was celebrated. The passage from Luke’s gospel described how Jesus disappeared from the view of his disciples and how ‘he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven.’ Rather than experiencing great sadness because Jesus was no longer present with them, the disciples were described as ‘full of joy.’ Strangely, when Jesus was no longer with them the disciples seemed to find a greater capacity to appreciate his presence. The old saying that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ certainly seemed to sum up the reactions of the disciples. They were forced to look within themselves, to recall the essence of who Jesus was and what he meant to them. They needed to reflect upon and remember the lessons they had learned, the moments of grace experienced during their time of ministry with Jesus. They also needed to be more attuned to the ‘Jesus moments’ within the context of their present reality.
Unlike the disciples, we as modern followers do not have direct experience with the person of Jesus. We learn our faith through a very different route. My faith journey began with the witness and example of my parents, their dedication to supporting an ongoing growth in understanding through the conscious choice of a Catholic Education and by a connection to our parish community. These are the foundations upon which my faith journey was built and nurtured to continue to this day.
When we put our faith into action we directly connect to the disciples and the messages of Jesus, and in doing so we have an opportunity to experience the grace these ‘Jesus moments’ can bring to our own lives.
Enjoy your week and the moments of grace that may come your way.
Tina Murray
Principal
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSENT
During the enrolment process parents are requested to provide direction regarding consent to use photographs, visuals, audio content and other work relating to their child for promotion and communication within the school and or the Diocese of Wollongong. This information must be updated each year to allow us to update our Compass records. If you believe this information has not been updated recently please return the consent form attached below. Additional information about consent is included on the form.
Yuna K 1 Blue, Ysabella S 6 Gold, Joshua C 6 Green, Austin S 6 Blue, Lual M 4 Gold, Zara S 3 Green, Kirubel G 1 Blue, Danniella L 6 Gold, Reon D 1 Green, Bonnie-Lee M 4 Green, Marie P 1 Gold, Zahra M 4 Gold, Mayom D 4 Green
This week there are a number of events happening throughout the school.
Students have been involved in creating ribbons to remember Reconciliation Week.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2022 is Be Brave, Make Change.
Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Jarrod and Alana from 6 Blue spoke about learning what reconciliation really means – reflecting on the past and doing better in the future. We are going on a reconciliation walk around the school to get a broader understanding about what reconciliation is and to see other people’s perspectives. It’s about acknowledging the past and renewing acceptance, about treating each other equally.
Some students from Year 4, 5 and 6 at Mary Immaculate are also involved in the SPLICED program. They are working with Mrs Simpson and Mrs Young to pose problems and investigate these ideas. Samuel is investigating how Soccer brings communities together and Kara is investigating how we can find purpose and meaning and cherishing life both within ourselves and others. Ysabella is investigating how believing in superstitions can change a whole person’s way of living. Steven is investigating human evolution and how DNA makes us who we are. Andrea is studying how we speak but do not communicate and how we listen but do not hear.
Over the last 3 weeks, the school has also been involved in the Mini Vinnies initiative to collect clothing, food and toiletries to support the people of Tonga. The Parish of St Johns reached out to schools in the area for their support. Mary Immaculate is one of four schools helping to support this appeal. St Johns Parish will be shipping these donations in containers to the island of Tonga.
Mrs Lillian Del Giudice
Assistant Principal
Sacred Heart Mass - Friday 24 June 2022
Every year we hold a very special Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. During this Mass we award one student our very special Sacred Heart Award. This is awarded to a student who has displayed loving, caring and empathetic qualities towards others and who opens their heart to the needs of others.
Mrs Debusch, who used to be a Principal at our School, introduced this award many years ago. This award is a long standing tradition at our School.
Assembly - Friday 3 June 2022 at 1:45
This week Year 4 would like to invite you to their very special prayer about Pentecost.
Happy Birthday Father Slawek!
Yesterday Father Slawek visited the school and shared a meal with us to celebrate his birthday. We are always very grateful for the support and connections we have with our Parish.
Congratulations to all the students who are consistently remembering their Library Bags so they can borrow. We still have quite a few classes waiting for their first Gold Star, let’s try to remember our Library Bags so we can borrow the wonderful books in our Library!
LESSONS THIS WEEK
Thursday – Year 3
Friday – Year 2
NEXT WEEK
Tuesday - Year 4
Wednesday – Year 1
Thursday – Kindergarten
This term in Library lessons we are looking at how we can use non-fiction texts and the internet to find the information we want. Year 4 students are looking at the impact of the First Fleet on the Aboriginal Community, and Year 3 are examining how our lifestyle - healthy eating and physical activity - influences our health and wellbeing.
Scholastic Book Club
The brochures are going home this week for Issue 4, ordering is available ONLINE ONLY as indicated on the brochures. No orders or money are able to be accepted at school. If you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us in the Library before or after school. Orders close for this issue, Issue Four, on Friday 10 June. Thank you for your support of this program, it is a great way to buy books for your children.
Premiers' Reading Challenge
We now have quite a few students who have already completed the challenge, and many more who have logged in and registered their books read so far. Keep up the great work! It is not too late to start – we have till August. Remember if you are having difficulties logging in to register the books just come in to the Library at Lunch 2 for help. The website has the list of books as well as the login access for each student:
https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html
Our Oliver Library catalogue will let you know what books from the lists are available in our Library. Go to oliver.dow.catholic.edu.au/miev and type ‘premier’ in the search box. Then select the level required and the search results will indicate available titles.
"I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers. To become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage."
Roald Dahl
Happy reading!
Mrs Sue Bryant
Teacher-Librarian
Today and Thursday the students at Mary Immaculate will partake in a Reconciliation Walk to acknowledge Reconciliation Week, Be Brave Make Change for 2022.
Students have written messages about what Reconciliation means to them and the teachers have transferred these messages onto ribbons for the students to read throughout the week.
Each class will have an opportunity to take the walk around the school and read the messages and discuss their significance with their teachers and peers.
We would like to extend an invitation to all parents to come and take the journey of Mary Immaculate’s Reconciliation Walk with your child/ren on Friday 3 of June, Mabo Day from 8:00 am to 8:30am.
Year 6 students will guide you throughout the morning and be present as you make your way to each stop to read the messages of Reconciliation.
We hope you are able to join us as we conclude this significant event on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Calendar.
Mrs Danielle Grados
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordinator
Year 3 Classroom Teacher
On any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are experiencing homelessness. This figure includes a staggering number of children and young people:
- More than 17,000 Australian children under the age of 12 have no permanent home
- 60% of the homeless population is under the age of 35 and in the prime of their life
- Children face an 18% higher risk of poverty compared to other age groups
So how can we support these people and put our faith in action?
We need to experience and feel what these people do, therefore we will be hosting a Mini Sleepout.
What is A Vinnies School Sleepout?
The Vinnies School Sleepout allows students and school communities to get a glimpse of the realities of homelessness on a personal level by ‘sleeping rough’ for one afternoon. The Sleepout encourages students and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of homelessness, raise awareness of the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness and raise funds to support Vinnies homeless services in the local community.
Mary Immaculate will host a Mini Vinnies Mini Sleepout on August 12 (Term 3 Week 4) 3pm - 6pm for interested Year 5 and Year 6 students.
Interested students will be asked to sign up via compass in the coming weeks and then organise sponsorship for themselves prior to the afternoon.
What can your donations do?
- $15 pays for a day’s meals for a family struggling to put food on the table.
- $30 provides someone a bed for the night.
- $50 provides school supplies and excursion fees for a child experiencing disadvantage.
- $80 pays for a course in life skills such as cooking, preparing for job interviews or basic computer skills at TAFE.
Further information and details to be provided at a later date.
On Tuesday 31 July Father Faleki, from St John’s Parish Campbelltown, came and spoke very passionately to the students of Mary Immaculate about the Tongan Appeal that has been happening at our School, and in other Parishes around the area.
He spoke about his home country of Samoa, how thankful he is to everyone who has already been so generous to the Tongan Appeal and how we are called to start the journey of being generous from our very own hearts.
It was an amazing experience for students as Father Faleki added some flare to their answers by having them stand on the pews to share their knowledge.
Student feedback from Year 3:
Father Faleki made a strong connection with the students of Year 3. Their cultural connection resinated closely with them as well as his energy, joy and friendliness.
As a school we have worked together for so many people affected in Tonga. We have been able to collect many donations which will be shipped next week to the island. If you still have something to contribute then all donations need to be at school by this Friday 3 June.
Thank you for your support.
Mini Vinnies Team
THE UNIFORM ROOM WILL BE OPEN:
MONDAY MORNINGS AT 8:30 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M.
AND
THURSDAY MORNINGS 8:30 A.M. TO 9:00 A.M.
GIRLS LEMON BLOUSES AVAILABLE (SIZE 8, 10 & 18)
THE UNIFORM ROOM HAS NEW GIRLS LEMON PETER PAN COLLARED BLOUSES IN SIZES 8, 10 AND 18. THESE SIZES ARE OUT OF STOCK AT LOWES.
WE DESPERATELY NEED UNIFORM DONATIONS IN THE 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM WE ARE RUNNING VERY LOW IN STOCK.
