PINK UP PENOLA

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OCTOBER

25 STAFF PROFESSIONAL

LEARNING DAY

26-27 Pilgrim Dinner catering

28 Joeys transition

28-2 6/7 Canberra Camp

NOVEMBER

1 All Saints Day Mass

Assembly R - 5 2.30pm

4-8 SAPSASA Cricket Ade

laide

4 Joeys Transition

6 Yr 2/3 Class Mass

7 Count Us In - IGA

11.30am

8 R/1 visiting Pinchunga

11 Joey’s Transistion

REMEMBRANCE DAY

13 Yr 4/5 Class Mass

14 SPORTS DAY

15 Assembly Hosts 6/7

2.30pm

18 Joeys Transition

21-22 Engineering Challenge

Group Melbourne

All of October has been dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness through

the ‘Pink Up Penola’ October events. MMMS has been hosting the wellness

sessions in our school Hall where people from the community have partici-

pated in a number of different wellness activities; such as pilates and yoga.

They have also enjoyed a healthy breakfast put on by the ‘Pink Up Penola’

committee.

On Friday the Year 2/3 class visited Pinchunga—to ‘Pink Up

Pinchunga’. They engaged in a number of fun activities with the

residents; singing songs, telling jokes and playing games.

The R/1, 4/5 and 6/7 classes joined in with Penola Primary, Penola High and

McKay’s Children’s Centre to make a ‘pink lady’ on the oval at Penola Pri-

mary. All children were encouraged to wear a splash of pink and bring a

gold coin donation for the McGrath Foundation.

PINK UP PENOLA

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Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome to Term 4. I hope that everyone had a restful

and rejuvenating holiday as we start a very busy term

with a multitude of events and exciting learning experi-

ences planned for the students.

During the holidays Kimmi Varcoe and I attended

Phase 3 of the ‘Leading From Within Program’. This pro-

gram is facilitated by the Brown Collective, Stephen

Brown and Amanda Ypinazar, with the support of

Catholic Education South Australia Senior Leader men-

tors. The program aims to build capacity of middle

leaders in our region. It focusses on leading change in

a school and the values and disposition that are im-

portant as a leader. I congratulate Kimmi on the work

that she has done in this area and the leadership chal-

lenge that she has taken up in the space of improve-

ment in writing.

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY A reminder that this Friday 25th October is a Pupil Free

Day at MMMS.

ACTION RESEARCH 2019

This Thursday evening and Friday MMMS staff will partic-

ipate in AR19 (Action Research, 2019) with TWC staff.

The conference will be a celebration of the action re-

search that staff have conducted throughout the year

in regards to outcomes for students and building their

capacity as teachers. Staff will have the opportunity to

present their action research to colleagues from TWC

and to discuss its impact. I congratulate all staff who

have reflected on their teaching practice and sought

new ways to engage students in different areas of

learning to improve students disposition as learners,

their skills and their capabilities.

God bless, Nicole

CHOIR

Last night the MMMS choir performed as part of the

South East Music Festival. We were in the front row and

all members of our choir should be very proud with

how they conducted themselves during the perfor-

mance. You sang beautifully!

I would also like to mention the wonderful dancing by

Grace as part of the troupe, amazing soloist perfor-

mances by Hailee, Rosie and Emma and once again a

clear and well presented compere role by Johnny. To

have so many of our students in these roles is a true

reflection on the success of our Performing Arts pro-

gram at MMMS, which is run enthusiastically and pas-

sionately by Kathy O’Connell. Kathy has done an in-

credible job at training our choir over the course of

the year. Well done!

PILGRIM DINNER

This weekend Penola welcomes 28 Pilgrims from Sydney.

Notes went home early last week of what your family need-

ed to donate for the dinner. The dinner is one of the major

fundraiser for our school. Please ensure that your donation is

at the front office by the end of Friday.

CANBERRA CAMP

Next week we farewell our Year 6/7 class, Mrs O’C and Nick

Zema as they venture to Canberra for a week full of amazing

adventures and an opportunity to create new friendships.

We pray for safe travels and look forward to hearing all of

their exciting experiences for the week on their return. A re-

minder that the Monday following camp is a rest day and

the Year 6/7s will not be at school and neither will Mrs O’C!

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SPORTS DAY PREPARATION Sports Day is coming up very quickly. A note will be

sent home soon in regards to parent helpers. The for-

mat has changed a little and it will be essential that we

have designated helpers for different events during the

day. Please ensure that you fill in and return the note

promptly when it comes home. Many hands make light

work.

COUNT US IN

In a couple of weeks (7th Nov) the whole school will be

performing a song at the local IGA at 12 noon. This is

part of the initiative of Count Us In, where nationally

schools come together to sing the same song at the

same time. The song is chosen as part of a songwriting

competition. This year it is called ‘We Are’. We invite all

members of the community to join us on this day at

IGA.

WIRE DROPPING Thankyou to the many families who have helped over the

past two Sundays with wire dropping. Over these two after-

noons we were able to fundraise $5,500 for the school. A fan-

tastic effort.

2020 BEGINNING OF YEAR KEY DATES A detailed calendar for 2020 will be sent home at the end of

this term, however some key dates to note are:

Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd all teach-

ing staff commence with all staff attending one of the above

dates. (TBC)

Monday 27th January—Australia Day public holiday

Tuesday 28th January—Beginning of school year for all stu-

dents.

SUMMER UNIFORM It is extremely important that all students have a hat

that is in good condition and fits them well and is part

of the approved school uniform. Please ensure that

your child brings their hat to school as we have a ‘no

hat, no play’ policy. If your child needs a new hat,

please see Janice at the front office.

JOEY’S TRANSITION

This term we have welcomed ten children to the Jo-

ey’s Transition program. Each Monday this group of

children come to school and spend time with the

teachers and other children of the school, particularly

in the Early Years, to make a smooth transition. They will

all start at the beginning of 2020.

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CHOIR

Our choir rehearsed and performed at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mount Gambier this week. We had 21

choir students from our school singing, speaking and dancing. Selection in the front row was a wonderful privilege,

and our students can be very proud of their outstanding performance and conduct. Special congratulations to

our wonderful soloists: Hailee Pearce, Rosie Thring and Emma Stokes; Grace McCarthy who danced beautifully as

part of the Dance Troupe and Johnny Gosse, our outstanding student compere. We are so very impressed with all

of our choir students.

OUR CHOIR BANNER 2019

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THIS SUNDAY READING 27th October

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Green

Luke: 1: 9-14

O God be merciful to me a sinner

ALL SOULS DAY 2ND NOVEMBER

We pray for all those family and friends who have

passed away before us.

Creator, their statues are not in churches but their pic-

tures are in our homes and their stories alive in our

community, and in us. We know of their goodness and

their struggles. We now pray for them, and remember

them with love, celebrating in faith their journey to

God, now within the great communion of saints.

PENOLA PARISH

Parish Priest: Fr Michael Romeo

Mass Times: Sundays 9:00am

SOUTHERN CROSS

Please find the link below for the latest

Southern Cross https://thesoutherncross.org.au

Liturgies and Masses Term 4

Save the dates:

All Liturgies and Masses will be celebrated at St Jo-

seph’s Church.

Week 3: 1st November All Saints Day Mass (whole

school) at 9.15am

Week 4: 6th November Year 2/3 Mass @ 9.15am

Week 5: 13th November Year 4/5 Mass @9.15am

Week 7: 29th November Advent Liturgy (led by

Year 6/7) @ 9.15am in school hall

Week 8: 4th December R/1 Liturgy @ 10.30am

Week 9: 9th December End of year Mass @ 6pm

Please mark these dates in your calendar.

ALL SAINTS DAY 1ST NOVEMBER

All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic

Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is

dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those

who have attained heaven.

May all the Saints, pray for us and for all those whose

lives we touch.

May God, Who loves and holds us all, let the Spirit

guide all our days in the ways of compassion and jus-

tice.

May we reflect the heart of God, sure in faith, strong in

hope, built on love and become all that we are called

to be.

And may our journey lead us into God’s gentle and al-

mighty Presence, our God whom we will one day see

face to face.

Amen.

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VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christmas can be a very difficult time for families in cri-

sis, in particular those who are experiencing poverty

and disadvantage. The concept for the year’s appeal

is ‘Help a family celebrate Christmas’. Your support this

year can help assist the families who turn to St Vincent

de Paul for support over the festive season. Our school

is supporting the Vinnies Christmas Appeal this year

through the collection of toys and food. Donations of

gifts and/or non-perishable food items can be placed

under the wishing tree in the front office.

Together we can make a real difference to those less

fortunate.

LEADERS IN JOSEPHITE SCHOOLS

Last Friday I attended a formation day in Adelaide for

leaders in Josephite schools. The focus for the day was

centred around ‘Keeping God on our doorstep.’ Keep-

ing God central in our lives brings everything together.

It is praying together, celebrating together and being

still together. It is my hope that everyone who enters

our school encounters God and that God not only

stays on the door step but comes into the office, class-

room and playground. It is through relationships with

children, staff and families that we will not just keep

God on our doorstep but let him inside.

Pip Schinckel

NATIVITY SCENES

As the season of Advent is approaching, we begin to

prepare for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus. As

part of this preparation, children in all classrooms will

have the opportunity to begin to create their own

nativity scenes which will then be sent home for chil-

dren to complete in their own time. An invitation is

extended to all children and their families to have

their nativity scene blessed by Fr Michael on Sunday,

8th December at 9am mass.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

This week you will receive a note regarding the Sacra-

mental Program for 2020. Sacraments are central to

Catholics and the initiation of children into the sacra-

mental life are special occasions for experiencing

God’s saving presence. The Sacramental program in

2020 will be a parish based program led by Fr Michael

for children in Year 4 and above in 2020. Please return

the enrolment form to the front office no later than Fri-

day, 22nd November.

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Hello everyone,

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians are affected by

mental illness!!!! WOW!!!! This should be something that

we talk about as our mental health is so important.

World Mental Health Day was on 10th October and the

theme for this year was ‘Do you see what I see?’ Have

you heard the radio add about anxiety where some-

thing small can become a really big issue in someone’s

head? Please remember this! Here are some things we

can do to help:

Share your feelings with family and friends

Check in by giving a friend a call and time to talk

Go to mindshare.org.au and find people who

may be experiencing the same difficulties as you.

Seek support – There are many places and peo-

ple to help you if you are feeling really down

such as Beyond Blue, Reach Out, Headspace

and Lifeline 131114.

Kind regards,

Cara

This picture called “Shades of Grey” by Jane Borda

was found on mindshare.org.au.

BIRTHDAYS

This week we wish a very Happy Birthday to Lola (27th). We

hope you have a great day Lola.

SOCCER

Guy Detot is offering soccer lessons on Tuesday after-

noons from 3:20-4:20 at the Penola Primary School

Oval. This week (week 2) is a free come-and-try op-

portunity. Lessons will start Tuesday (29th October) and

will cost $5 per session per child (paid to Guy). Places

are limited. Please let me know if your child/ren are

interested in participating. Phone PPS on 87372300.

VACSWIM

A reminder that online enrolments for our December

programs close Monday the 2nd of December, while

enrolments for January programs close Monday the

16th of December.

BOOK CLUB

Book Club is due back to the Office by October 29th.

Our new bench seating.

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