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- GRANDPARENT AND GREAT PEOPLE DAY
- FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
- LIBRARY NEWS
- SPORTS NEWS
- CELEBRATING MALE ROLE MODELS
- WINTER SLEEPOUT
- WONDER BREAD BAG RECYCLING PROGRAM
- PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
- 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM
- SCHOOL PHOTOS - 7 SEPTEMBER 2022
- SCHOOL CALENDAR
Dear Parents and Carers,
We celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August. The Assumption is when we honour Mary's journey into heaven. The Feast of the Assumption is a celebration of Mary's life and ministry. All of Mary's roles - Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Lady of Sorrows - are tied in with her position in heaven, guiding, watching, and caring for God's children.
Mary's assumption reflects God's promise to all his children. We live in the hope of new life after death, just as Jesus was raised from the dead on the first Easter. Although, the church celebrates the assumption of Mary, we might wonder what this has to do with us. The answer is quite simple: Whatever God has done for Mary; God has done or will do for us. During the gospel, we hear Mary’s great prayer of thanksgiving (Luke 1:46 – 47), a prayer we are invited to make our own: Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour. The following story by Fr. Dennis Chriszt beautifully illustrates how this can become a reality.
Many years ago, when I was a seminarian, I did some volunteer work at an inner-city parish in Chicago. The pastor emeritus had been retired there for many years. When he was pastor in the 1960s and 70s, the neighbourhood around the parish changed. It had once been a large Irish Catholic community, but as Black families began to move in, most of the long-time parishioners began to move out. The pastor strove to welcome the new members of the community and at the same time to encourage the parishioners to stay in the neighbourhood and welcome their new neighbours, too. While many of the white parishioners moved away, he stayed. And when he retired, he asked the new pastor if he could continue to stay.
I got to know him as a kind, old man — a man of God — who cared deeply for the people of God no matter their race, colour, or creed. When I was a deacon, I would sometimes assist him at Mass. His vision was going, and he was sometimes forgetful, losing track of where he was in the celebration. After a while, he could no longer preside and rarely left his room, and on occasion I would bring him his meals and we would talk.
During one conversation, he told me that he wanted the Magnificat, the prayer of Mary, to be read at his funeral. He was afraid that whoever preached at his funeral would make him out to be a good and holy man, and he wanted none of that. What he wanted people to remember was what Mary wanted people to remember: “The Mighty one has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49). Mary takes no credit for anything and instead points to what God has done for her. The old, dying priest wanted to be remembered for what God had done, not for what he had done.
Every evening, millions of people in the church pray the Magnificat. Every time I pray it, I am reminded to remember what Mary and that old, dying priest remembered: “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
As Mary was assumed into heaven, a place in heaven awaits us. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.
Tina Murray
Principal
MORNING SUPERVISION
Parents are reminded that student supervision commences each morning at 8.00am.
Although we understand many parents have work commitments it is important to note that although a few staff may be on the premises early, gates for students to enter the school do not open until 8:00 am. Students remain the responsibility of parents if they arrive prior to this time. All students arriving prior to 8:00 am are responsible for maintaining safe behaviour.
The Aquamarine Drive and Emerald Drive gates are opened at 8.00am each day.
Students must wait in the admin undercover area until staff commence supervision.
The Aquamarine Drive gates are locked on the first bell (8.23am) to allow teachers to assume supervision of their own class. Students arriving from 8.23am must enter via the Emerald Drive entrance. Students arriving after the second bell at 8.25am bell are requested to collect a late arrival card from the Office.
The Parents & Friends Association are holding our Annual FATHERS’ DAY STALL across two days, Wednesday 31 August and Thursday 1 September 2022.
Students will have the opportunity to create a Mug or a Canvas.
If you would like your child to purchase a gift please return the slip below with money to the School Office by Wednesday 24 August 2022.
PLEASE NOTE NO ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER WEDNESDAY 24 AUGUST 2022.
Feast of the Assumption Prayer
WHEN: Friday 19 August
WHERE: 3 - 6 Assembly (Hall)
Time: 1.30 pm
REMINDER: BISHOP’S MASS - PLEASE ENSURE PERMISSION NOTES ARE HANDED IN
On Thursday, 18 August Year 6 students from the Catholic Schools in our local area will be participating in a very special Mass with Bishop Brian at ‘Our Lady Help of Christians’ Catholic School, Rosemeadow.
This is an annual event where our students are extremely blessed to gather with other Year 6 students from our Diocese, participate in Mass, gather for lunch and finally enjoy a special concert that will be held on the day.
Congratulations to all those students who remembered their Library Bags last week, well done. Many classes came close to a Gold Star!! The Library timetable is included below, so please check to see when your children’s Library lessons are so you might remind them to bring their Library bags. Borrowing is an important component of the lesson, as it helps the students learn to choose what is appropriate in interest and reading level.
Tomorrow: Kindergarten
Next Week
Tuesday – Year 2
Wednesday – Year 5
Thursday – Year 3
https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/whiting-sue-speaker/
The Children’s Bookshop will deliver the books to school (free delivery).
Premiers' Reading Challenge – this comes to an end this week, so all students who are participating need to ensure they have finished their quota of books, and registered online. If anyone is having difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have almost 200 students who have already completed the Challenge, and quite a few who are almost there!
Let’s keep reading – try to read with your children for at least ten minutes each day.
"The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go."
Happy reading!
Mrs Sue Bryant
Teacher-Librarian
Conratulations to Larae A 5 Green who was successful in winning the 11 Years Girls 100 metre and 200 metre Running Race at the Wollongong Diocesan Trials. Larae will now be representing the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Trials. Good Luck Larae!!!
On Friday 12 August Mary Immaculate, Eagle Vale held its first ever Mini Vinnies Mini Winter Sleepout. Close to 40 students from Year 5 and 6, Mrs Murray, Mr David Gearing (from the Catholic Education Wollongong CLEM Team - Social Justice) and 7 teachers took part in this evening event.
All were able to experience for a few hours the coldness and discomfort that many of our community members do on a nightly basis as well as having to make their own shelter to survive the evening and share a small meal with their ‘street neighbours.’
Students also helped to make 25 care packages for those who live on the streets - these packs included thermal socks, beanies, gloves, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitiser, sanitary items and RAT tests. Care packages will be donated to St Vincent de Paul to be disturbed by the Street Van on their nightly patrol.
It was great to see students understand, sympathise and begin to empathise with those on the streets. It was a wonderful experience for both students and staff to explore ways to put their faith into action and be church in the world.
Our Winter Appeal this year - the sleepout and mufti day - has raised more than $3,500.00 for this wonderful initiative. Thank you to all who gave generously in sponsorship to students completing the sleepout.
Our top 5 fundraisers were presented with small prizes for their efforts at last weeks assembly:
1st Mark K (Yr6) $445.00, 2nd Jordan S (Yr5) $355.00, 3rd Chelsean D (Yr5) $220.00.
4th Adelle B (Yr6) $205.00, 5th Chloe K (Yr6) $204.10.
A big Thank You to everyone who has deposited their empty bread bags into the recycling box near the front office!
We have collected 4 full boxes of Bread Bags so far which means…..
FREE SPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR MIEV!!!
Mary Immaculate has been participating in the Wonder Bread Bag Recycling Program which is a great initiative to not only look after our environment but to also earn FREE SPORTING EQUIPMENT for our school! Simply send your empty bread bags and wrap bags to school to deposit into our Wonder Bread Bag box and help us to achieve our goal of 25 kgs of bread bags being recycled! For every 5 kgs of bread bags (14 - 16 bread bags filled with bread bags) we will earn points to spend on sporting equipment for our school.
You can send ANY brand of Bread Bags and Wrap Bags in - they don’t have to be Wonder brand!
Keep on collecting as we are very close to the end of the collection period!
Mrs Alford
FATHERS' DAY NOTE REMINDER -
The Parents & Friends Association are holding our Annual FATHERS’ DAY STALL across two days, Wednesday 31 August and Thursday 1 September 2022.
Please ensure you return the attached note before 24 August 2022. Please ensure you select whether your child would like to make a MUG or a CANVAS.
CRAZY HAIR DAY
8 SEPTEMBER 2022
CRAZY SOCK DAY
2 NOVEMBER 2022
THE 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM WILL BE NOW OPEN EACH
THURSDAY AFTERNOON FROM 2:00 P.M. UNTIL 2:30 P.M.
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY
FULL SUMMER UNIFORM
7 SEPTEMBER 2022
Dear Parents,
ENVELOPES WENT HOME LAST WEEK - School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your ONLINE payment details on it to our photographer on school photo day. CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
NEW
advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.
3 easy ways to purchase:
- LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
- Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
- Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day
Advanced Life Photo Ordering Link
Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code:
737 5JZ 8ZH
School photography information:
- Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school.
- Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos.
- Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately.
- Package delivery - photographic packages will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken.
- Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past.
