Dear Parents,

Last week the Wollongong Diocese launched the 2019 Catholic Mission's appeal.  The theme of the 2019 Launch was "Do Not Fear For I am With You". The focus for the Diocesan Mission Appeal this year is the country of Ghana. In Ghana there are many children who go to school, hang out with friends and family, and do fun things like sport. Distressingly, some children, especially those with a disability, struggle to have their basic needs met, such as food, clean water, healthcare and education.

Catholic Mission aims to support the generous work of Missionaries in countries such as Ghana. One of the initiatives by the Catholic Church in Ghana is the Nazareth Home for God’s Children. This program was developed to nourish the country’s most vulnerable young people. The survival of this program and other initiatives and the quality of life these children and young people experience relies so much on the support school communities like ours can provide. Our Mini Vinnies Team is planning a day next term where we, as a school community, will raise funds for this worthwhile appeal. 

Social Justice Sunday will be celebrated this weekend on 29 September. This year, the Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement titled: Making it Real: Genuine human encounter in our digital world, considers the great changes that modern communications technology has brought to our lives. The Statement affirms the positive possibilities for encounter and solidarity offered by new digital media, while warning of those elements of our digital world that may be harmful. These include information overload; social isolation; marginalization of the vulnerable; consumerism and fake news. 

Pope Francis is calling us to ‘boldly become citizens of the digital world and to ensure it is a place of genuine human encounter.’ We all have a role in making this new digital world one where hatred and divisions are rejected and our love of God and neighbour is always fostered. 

Congratulations to those children who represented our school at the Western Region Basketball Gala Days on Thursday and Friday. All children are to be congratulated on their behavior and the sportsmanship that they displayed throughout the competition. Thank you to Mr Brooks, Mr Kan and Mr Puckeridge for managing the teams and to those parents who supported the teams. Thanks also to Mrs Booth, Mr Warren and Mrs Grados for organising and preparing the children. 

As we come to the end of another busy Term at Mary Immaculate I take this opportunity to thank parents for your support and assistance. We as parents, staff and parish community are partners in the education of our children and your contributions are valued. I wish each of you a happy and relaxing holiday with your children and I look forward to working with you all again when school resumes on Monday 10 October. 

HAIR STYLES/ UNIFORMS - During the holidays children will undoubtedly have haircuts etc in preparation for the term ahead. A reminder to parents that hairstyles for the school term should be one’s which do not attract attention. Hair for both boys and girls should be neat, tidy and of natural colour. Shaved indents and shaved patterns are not an acceptable hairstyle.

A reminder also, that all children are expected to return after the October break in their Full Summer Uniform. Thank you for your support.

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

Lillian Del Giudice

Acting Principal

Congratulations to the following children who have won a Morning Tea with the Principal:

• Kiara Reihana - Kinder Green
• Nicolas Oricchio - 1 Green
• Benjamin Collins -  3 Green

Happy Birthday to the following children who will be celebrating a birthday this week:

Brodie C, Miyah M and Steven M.

Happy Birthday to the following children who will be celebrating their birthday in the School Holidays and the first week back at School:

Isaac C, Alex I, Riley S, Terez K, Angelina M, Angelo A, Martina B, Jacob S, Siannah D, Isaak R, Sophia T, Danielle Z, Mario A, Patrick W, Anne W, Bethany S, Anthony P, Summer B, Lani G, Jonathan M, Sophie C, Giselle K, Brock T.

What’s on…

• Thursday, 26 September Mini Vinnies Commissioning Liturgy

Christmas Art Exhibition - Hall

We love to celebrate our successes!

Many parents have taken the opportunity to view our Year 5 and Year 6 artworks that have been displayed in the hall. The students have created a range of stunning pieces that reflect their understanding of the Christmas Story. 

This exhibition is open until Thursday afternoon, so please drop in if you have a free moment.

 Mini Vinnies Commissioning - Thursday

We currently have many excited Year 5 children who are eager to be commissioned as Mini Vinnies members of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The St Vincent de Paul Society was formed so that men and women might live out the Gospel by serving people in need. Frederic Ozanam and his young companions founded the Society in 1833 in Paris, and placed it under the patronage of the apostle of the poor, St Vincent de Paul. Primary school members of the Society meet in groups called Mini Vinnies. Students meet together to grow in awareness of the issues faced by people who experience disadvantage, to reflect upon the connection between faith and action, and to do good works to help those in need within their school and local community.

We would sincerely like to thank this year’s team and give a warm welcome to the students who will be commissioned this week.

Prayer Reflection:

Lord, Open our eyes that we may see the needs of people. Move our hands so that we can feed the hungry. Touch our hearts that they may bring warmth to those who are sad. Let us share our time and possessions with those in need. May we all be a source of support and encouragement for each other as we strive to build a more loving world. AMEN

Mrs Kirsty Simpson

Religious Education Co-ordinator

Congratulations to the only class to earn a gold star last week – well done 5 Green!  Many other classes did well with their borrowing too, a great effort.  We would like to ask everyone to have a look at home for the loan Library Bags we keep in the Library to lend to students who might have forgotten theirs – ALL of our Loan bags are out at the moment, so there are none available. Please just see if there are any at your place. We also ask that any outstanding loans are returned. We do encourage all to read during the holidays, it’s a great time to catch up on our reading. Don’t forget the local library, the staff at Eagle Vale Library are always willing to help you find what you are after.

This week in Library lessons all students are becoming illustrators. We have been studying the style of different illustrators and looking at the difference the illustrations can make to the story.  The students are aiming to reproduce an illustration from one of the books we have read, in the style of the particular illustrator. Kinder will be doing an Alison Lester illustration, Years 2 and 3 are re-creating Stephen Michael King’s Rainbow Bear, and Years 3 and 4 are using Jeannie Baker’s technique of collage to create their illustrations. Years 5 and 6 are presenting a slide show about Anne Spudvilas.

Next term in Library lessons we will be looking at Poetry and how it is a great way to express our interests and emotions; then we will be learning about Digital Citizenship and Cyber safety. Lunchtimes will see our annual Chess Tournament – students are invited to register their interest in participating by coming to the Library at Lunch 2 to put their names on the list.

Thank you to our wonderful helpers who keep the library going throughout the term – we could not manage without our Home Covering parents. We are continually grateful for your valued support.

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."

 Jacqueline Kennedy

Happy reading!

Mrs Sue Bryant

Teacher Librarian

A reminder that THIS Friday is DONATION DAY for the Spring Fair, please send in the following donations:

GOLD COIN OR CHOCOLATE WHEEL PRIZE

Message from Parish:

Before and After School Care at Mary Immaculate. Responding to the high demand, please be advised that a decision has been made to run Before and After School Care at our Parish. A local provider, Oosh Zone, has won the tender. The objective is to start first term 2020, provided that all necessary approvals will be granted by this time.   

Fr Slawek Plonka OMI

MARY IMMACULATE EAGLE VALE PARISH