Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers,
Over the last few weeks Mrs Del and I have been involved in conducting enrolment interviews for the incoming Kindergarten cohort of 2021. Due to the restrictions of COVID-19 our interviews have been very different and have involved telephone conversations rather than in person interviews. We have tried to mirror our normal interview process ~ unpacking the information provided in the enrolment form and attempting to gain a snapshot of the child. I have found this new method extremely life-giving and have been impressed by the detail and perceptiveness of the comments made by the parents about their child’s development. Conducting enrolment interviews, especially with parents who have submitted an application for the enrolment of their first child is a wonderful privilege. In our conversations with intending families one of the topics touched upon is the motivation behind choosing Mary Immaculate as the school for their child. In outlining the reasons behind the desire to enroll at Mary Immaculate, the conversation invariably turns to the fundamental differences between a Catholic School and the other schools in the area. Our surrounding area is blessed with many quality schools. All strive to be places of quality learning and teaching, and all implement the common curriculum provided by the NSW Board of Studies. We are alike in so many ways. The fundamental difference however, is imbedded in our identity as a Catholic School. Our school actively promotes, teaches and celebrates our Christian faith, values and our Catholic traditions. Catholic Schools enroll approximately 20% of Australian students and whilst we teach the same curriculum as our government colleagues, the primary difference centers on the primacy of our faith in all that we do. We proudly and willingly identify ourselves as Catholic as we strive to bring to life the gospel teachings of Jesus in the day to day interactions within our school.
The passage from Matthew’s Gospel last Sunday described how Jesus commissioned his followers to 'make disciples' and to do this by teaching them to observe all the commandments, remembering that he was always with them. When Jesus finally left his disciples rather than experiencing great sadness, the disciples experienced ‘great joy.’ Paradoxically when Jesus was no longer present the disciples seemed to have a greater capacity to appreciate his presence. To do this they were forced to look within themselves to recall the essence of who Jesus was and what he meant to them. They needed to be more attuned to the ‘Jesus moments’, the moments of grace in their lives. Unlike the disciples, we as modern followers have not had the opportunity to actually see Jesus, but we do share with the disciples the search for the moments of grace that allow us a glimpse into who Jesus was and the ways he can still be present with us, as he promised he would be, in our daily lives. As the majority of our students have returned to us this week, I have certainly witnessed many moments of grace. Some of these include; the lengths our staff have taken to ensure our students feel safe, secure and welcome as they returned to their classrooms, the reactions of students as they reconnected with friends, the compassion of students who have looked for opportunities to support their nervous peers and the courage of our youngest students as they have made the long walk through the gates by themselves and the trust and support parents have demonstrated by standing back so their children can exercise this necessary independence.
For all the moments of grace that may come our way, we are indeed very grateful.
May we be more attuned in the week ahead to Christ present in our way and in our life.
Tina Murray
Principal
WINTER UNIFORM
Just a reminder that we have now made the official changeover to the Full Winter Uniform. I have been extremely impressed with the wonderful way students have been wearing their uniform and the pride this reflects in being part of our school.
We understand that in some instances students may not be able to wear part of their uniform (e.g. they have outgrown shoes or misplaced their hat). If this occurs, we ask parents to please send a note explaining the circumstances so that students have permission to be ‘out of uniform’ for a short period of time to allow the issue to be rectified.
Please ensure all items of clothing and belongings are clearly marked with your child’s name so we are able to return items to the rightful owner. Please also check your child’s bag regularly and return any items that may have been mistakenly packed into the wrong bag.
It has been wonderful to welcome all of the children back to school this week and watch as they settle back into their classrooms with their teachers and friends. They have shown excitement as they reengage in their learning within the school environment. Some children have not attended school regularly for a number of weeks, so it is important that we re-establish routines both at school and home, to ensure that all children have a smooth transition back into everyday schooling.
Morning Routines: To help your child be successful, discuss what their morning routine will look like. This way, your child knows what will be happening and has clear expectations that are valuable to them under the time pressure of getting ready for school. Provide your child with simple, well-defined, and easy steps for their routine so that they have a clear idea of what you expect and so that it’s easy to follow along with you! Having an easy-to-reference schedule, maybe with pictures, can engage your child and provide a visual guide for what they need to do next. Giving specific praise when they complete each step lets them know that you love what you’re seeing. This will increase your child’s chances of success in the future, and help build their self-esteem.
Homework: Like the morning routine, providing your child with a structured schedule can help them stay focused and motivated. Completing homework as soon as school is over and with continuous parental support will take advantage of the daylight hours and provide encouragement, motivation, and assistance when needed. Snacks are a great way to keep your child’s energy up while they work through these activities. Letting your child know that you understand the hard work they are putting in and being ready with frequent positive feedback for their effort can help motivate them to get homework done.
Bedtime: Bedtime is one of the hardest transitions. As with the morning routine, having a schedule at night can assist in creating a structure for your child. Set your child up for success with clear expectations, simple step-by-step instructions, and praise at the completion of each step. Additionally, visual reminders can help your child have something to refer to as they go about their routine. Most kids want more time watching their favourite TV show or finishing that last level of a videogame, and setting tmie limits can be a great way to put a boundary around the winding down time that they need each evening.
Mrs Lillian Del Guidice
Assistant Principal
Happy Birthday to the following children who will be celebrating their birthday this week:
6th Week of Easter (Year A)
On Sunday, we commemorated Jesus’ ascension to heaven. His disciples spent the days after ascension in prayer. Just like us, they were looking forward to the arrival of the Helper or Comforter, the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Easter and it is this Sunday. We celebrate the entry of the Holy Spirit into the life of Christians.
‘Tweeting with God’ is a great book if you are interested in knowing more about our faith. It is a compilation of the most asked question of people from around the world that have recently been published.
Laudato Si’
Last week was the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si’. Throughout the week, Pope Francis urged us to continue to care for all of creation, which is truly a gift of the good God our Creator. On Sunday, Pope Francis asked all Catholics to join together in a global prayer, to be united in spirit during Laudato Si’ week. I thought this week I would share this prayer with you.
Mrs Kirsty Simpson
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Welcome back to school for our onsite learning, it is good to be back. For the time being we will not be borrowing but we can still use the Library and enjoy our lessons. We all need to return the books we have now had on loan since last term. Thank you to all those students who have already returned their books, it is important that we all remember to bring them in as soon as possible please.
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 Six will be looking at the way our Governments work, and Year Five will be examining how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things.
National Simultaneous Storytime
NSS is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. Celebrating its 20th successful year, it is a fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Kinder to Year 6. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian Author and Illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, homes and bookshops all around Australia. All classes are participating in this project this week, reading the fun book "Whitney and Britney: Chicken Divas" written and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford.
Premiers' Reading Challenge: Remember to keep reading for the PRC, we have plenty of time to read the required number of books and register them online. 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.
Scholastic Book Club: The brochures have been sent home this week for Issue 4, ordering is available online as indicated on the brochures. No orders or money are able to be accepted at school. Orders close for this issue, Issue Four, on Friday 12 June. Thank you for your support of this program, it is a great way to buy books for your children.
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.
"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
Happy reading!
Mrs Sue Bryant
Teacher Librarian
IF YOU CAN SPARE AN HOUR EACH MONDAY MORNING TO HELP RUN THE 2ND HAND UNIFORM ROOM PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE.