This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. Where does the Feast of the Ascension fit into the picture of Jesus’ life and death? For our answer to this question, we need to look at the human condition, because that was where Jesus lived his life, and where he died. When a human being dies, a member of our own family for example, there is always a period of mourning, a time when we have to let go of those who have left us. There is sadness, certainly, but the time after someone’s death is very suitable for us to remember all the good things that we know about the person’s life. Doing that, the remembering, helps those who grieve to let go of the human person, and to take within themselves the person’s spirit, and the things by which they can be nourished and strengthened and grow. Having done that, they can then get on with living their lives in a positive fashion. That was what was happening during the weeks after Easter in the life of Jesus.

When listening to the readings at mass over the last few weeks we have heard of the various appearances of Jesus to the disciples, some of which were devoted to helping them remember what he had taught them, and others urging them to let go of the human being they had known. The Ascension of Jesus into heaven celebrates their letting go of Jesus, and next week, at Pentecost, we see them strengthened by all their experiences, and beginning to be very positive about living as Jesus had taught them to. When the Holy Spirit comes, Jesus had told them, the Spirit would remind them of all that Jesus had said and done.

Letting go of the past, letting go of the people in our lives, can be very difficult, but also very rewarding. We could, for example, sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, and somewhat afraid, as Jesus’ disciples had done, but that is not a very fruitful way of living. That way does not bring happiness. The positive way to spend this day is to make our own, all the good things that Jesus said and did, and live by them. (Exert from Vincentian Fathers Australia)

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Last Sunday was National Sorry Day, when we remembered and marked our country's troubled history with First Nations peoples. National Sorry Day is also the start of National Reconciliation Week. The theme of the week this year is, 'Grounded in truth - Walk together with courage'. The campaign this year calls for a comprehensive process of truth-telling about Australia’s colonial history - understanding the past so that we can build a future together. In the Gospel reading last Sunday we heard how Jesus tells his disciples, ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.' There's a challenge there for Jesus' followers, to turn their love for Christ into action to keep Christ's message alive in the world. Reconciliation Week is a reminder that if we are to keep Christ's word - if we are to make a home with God - then we need to reach out with love to our First Nations peoples (from Michael McVeigh, editor of Australian Catholics)   

ACTIVATE FIRE

Yesterday, Year 6 students from Holy Family Ingleburn and St Francis Catholic College Edmondson Park joined our Year 6 students in celebrating the ‘Activate Fire’ Spirituality Day. The day was facilitated by the Wollongong Diocese Youth Mission Team. The day allowed the children to experience and share scripture through song, dance and discussion. I thank the parents of our school who helped on the BBQ and provided the fabulous hospitality. I also thank Mrs Simpson for her work in organising the day. All children in attendance agreed the experience was most enjoyable.

PDHPE SURVEY – request from Catholic Education Office Wollongong.

Dear Parents,

The new PDHPE Syllabus has been released and support materials are currently being developed for teachers within the Wollongong Diocese. The following survey will provide helpful information that will inform the collaborative writing team. Your assistance in completing this short survey is greatly appreciated. We value your input in improving student learning experiences. Please click the link to complete the survey.”

Have a great week and let Christ be our way and life.

Don Spencer

Principal

Staff Development Day – Pupil Free Day
A Staff Development Day for the staff at Mary Immaculate will be held on Friday 14 June, 2019 (Friday, Week 7, Term 2). The focus of the day will be related to the teaching of STEM. Children are not required to attend school on this day.

OPAL CARDS

A reminder to the parents of children who commute by bus to and from school to please ensure that their child has the correct Opal Card. If the Cards are lost then please log on to the Opal Card website and order a new Opal Card which will block the old one.  I have had several bus drivers who have raised the concern of children not producing their card. Thank you for your co-operation.

For information regarding obtaining a Student Opal Card please click on the following link:

To Apply for an Opal Card please click on the following link:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

At Mary Immaculate the staff has an ongoing commitment to professional learning. The staff benefits from attending inservices, in curriculum areas, that assists them in providing quality learning opportunities for the students in their class. The following staff have or will attend professional learning and hence will be away from school.

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Sadly our third week in a row with no Gold Stars, but there have been a few timetable changes, which can be confusing! Let’s try harder this week for more Gold Stars!!! There are still four classes waiting to get their first Gold Star for the year, maybe next week! Thank you to all those people who have returned our Library Loan bags, we have a few now at the ready!

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. Each grade is studying different topics, related to their class units. Year 6 is researching information about Afghanistan, linking with the book they are reading in class, Boy Overboard, by Morris Gleitzman.

Premiers' Reading Challenge: Remember to keep reading for the PRC, we have quite a few students who have already completed the challenge, and many who have logged in and registered their books read so far. Login details have been issued to all students who wish to participate this year, Year 3 students, as well as any new students in Years 4 - 6. If you are having difficulties logging in to register the books just come in to the Library at Lunch 2. The website has the list of books as well as the login button for each student:

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/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.

Daily Reading: Don’t forget to try to take at least ten minutes out of your busy day to read with or to your children.

"I beg you all to read superb books aloud to your children! Begin on the day they are born. I am very serious about this: at least three stories and five nursery rhymes a day, if not more, and not only at bedtime, either!.”              Mem Fox

 "Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."

                                                       Maya Angelou, Poet