Tuesday 12th May 2020 ISSUE 8

Catholic Education South Australia

From the Principal

Welcome to Week 3. We’ve had what one would describe as an unusual start to the term! During this transition back ‘to the new normal’ in schools I have been most impressed with the enthusiasm the children have shown and their willingness to engage in all school activities upon their return. For many of our children the extended break of 4 weeks can present some challenges in the return to the routines of the school day. Whilst we have experienced a slightly higher level of anxiety for some students, given the nature of what all of our families have had to endure, the impact on work and home life, the financial strains and the social challenges, I think we are coming through this time very well. Our teachers remain vigilant in supporting all our children and I encourage you to be in regular  communication with your child’s teacher/s to ensure the best possible support structures for each and every student are in place. Please do not hesitate to call if there is something the school can do to help you in this time of transition.

With every challenge there comes some learning and some positives. The requirement for parents to drop the children at the school gate each day and not enter the school has required some planning and new strategies for families. All of a sudden we are expecting our children to become more independent, manage their belongings and take on self-responsibilities that previously were just left to Mum or Dad to manage. Well, I’m sure you would agree, our children have been extremely successful in taking on their self-management of tasks. We don’t know at this time how long restrictions will be in place for parents but my strong recommendation is that once the bans on entering the school have been lifted, don’t fall back into the mode of doing everything for your child. They can and will cope with this change and this can only lead to greater independence and build resilience for every child.

On a few occasions I have noted when the younger children are carrying their bags, how heavy they seem to be. I’m not sure why this would be the case, they really only need their food, their reader and for the older children, their device. Lugging huge numbers of books back and forth to school each day is unnecessary and there are storage places in every classroom for these items. In the self-management process I encourage you to check your child’s bag and talk to them about what they do and don’t need to carry each day.  Keeping the bag light and only containing the essential items will be a much better way to help support this move to greater independence.

As you know, our calendar has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and many events have had to be cancelled or postponed. We will soon put out a revised calendar with new dates for school based activities. One date I can provide for you though is June 5th being a Pupil Free Day. This day was booked at the beginning of the year and set aside for staff professional learning. In amongst all the disruptions to regular teaching and learning it is still necessary for staff to access quality professional development and continue to experience new learning to support better student outcomes. This date is the Friday before the June long weekend and it may be a really great opportunity with restrictions lifted on regional travel for a short family getaway somewhere in country SA. I thankyou in advance for your support with this. We will be offering the OSHC program on this day for families who may need child care. Enjoy your week.

James Meiksans

 
 
 

From the Aprim

Sacramental Update

Last week a letter was sent home via Skoolbag informing registered families that the Parish has not received any updated decisions in relation to Sacraments of Initiation.

Nothing further has been communicated from Archbishop's office since then. At this point all Church gatherings, including preparation meetings and celebrations for big groups are suspended. Our Parish is in communication with Elena Moffa who is a consultant at the Family and Parish-Based Catechesis Office. When Elena receives notifications from the Archbishop’s office we are then informed. In the meantime families can access liturgies for families with children prepared by the Catechesis Office to reflect on the Gospel from each Sunday. They can be found at this link on the Archdiocesan website  Also, our Parish streams live Masses on their Facebook page  

The focus at this point in time is for on-going family faith formation. As mentioned in the letter to families, a Family Activity Book has been purchased for each family and will be sent home via students when they arrive.
 

Laudato Si’ Week May 16 - 24

Laudato Si, was Pope Francis’ second encyclical of his pontificate and released in 2015. He invites us to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week “Laudato si' Week” May 16-24.

The opening line, quotes St. Francis of Assisi’s canticle ... “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” “Praise be to you, my Lord”. As a Franciscan community I invite you to read the whole encyclical if you haven’t already done so.

Last year our Year Five students were asked, What do you think the school could do with the empty space left over after the old OSHC building was removed?  Ideas were flying left right and centre as the students creative minds, energy and enthusiasm went into overdrive. With Sustainability in mind they came up with a proposal for the site for Mr Meiksans to consider. The proposal was passed. As it currently stands there are established garden beds, a variety of vegetables (many grown from seed by the children) including lettuce, spinach, snow peas, tomatoes, capsicums, pumpkins and beetroot.

The children have seen their focus, goal and intentions come to life. We thank Fred (our groundsman) for his amazing efforts in helping the children with the back breaking work of the garden. Anita Kielo, for supporting them in propagating and growing seedlings, giving up her own time to support the project and providing her wealth of knowledge in all things gardening. Thanks to Alison Hubner for her support in guiding the students through STEM lessons, teaching them how to create tags for the garden plants using 3D printing technology and physical support in establishing the garden. We thank Peter Vorassi and Alice Chigwidden for their support and successful application of the Landcare grant that enabled the funding for this project to commence.

How can we work in partnership with you as a school community to take care of our  outdoor spaces and continue with in our journey toward better care of creation? If you have a passion or skill set in this area please let us know your ideas and when the COVID-19 rules are lifted we would be delighted for you to register and join the SFOA garden committee 2020.

Josie Cochrane

 
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Scholastic Bookclub

We’re really excited to have BOOK CLUB running this Term, but it will look a little different! It will be a virtual catalogue rather than the printed catalogues you’re used to receiving.

See the virtual catalogue here

Parent login for LOOP orders

 

St Vincent De Paul Society Newton

WINTER APPEAL

 

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

We are in strange times with these Covid 19 restrictions and we are unable to address you, at Mass, as we have done  during so many Winter Appeals in previous years.

Although the Government has done so much to assist those who are out of work because of these restrictions, many people and families are still struggling (we have visited over 30 homes since these restrictions were put in place).

With the church doors closed, these same restrictions have also made it hard for the St Vincent de Paul Society to obtain the cash and food required to enable us to continue to help needy families. Besides this, the Society has had to close its shops which are the Society’s main source of income. As a result, the Vinnies conference here in Newton parish has had to assist the needy with smaller food parcels and smaller supermarket vouchers. Our pantry is almost empty, our cash holding greatly reduced. The Winter Appeal is one of two major fundraisers for us during the year.

More than ever, we need your help this winter.

If you can donate money, you can obtain a donation envelope from the Parish Office. There is provision for receipts and credit card donations.

If you have food or cash contribution to donate, and you are unable to get to the parish office, contact Charlie on 0402109266, Please do not leave food outside the church doors.

We thank you in anticipation, knowing your wonderful Christian generosity of previous years.

May God bless and spare you, your family and friends  from the Covid 19 virus.

 
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The Southern Cross Newsletter

Please follow the link to the latest edition of the Southern Cross 12/05/2020

 
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As a School community, we would like to wish all Mothers and Grandmothers a 'Belated' Happy Mother's Day for Sunday 10 May.