Thursday February 23, 2017 No. 4 - 2017 St. Damian’s Newsleer 5 Settlement Road, Bundoora 3083. Phone: 9467 8566 Email: [email protected] St Damian’s School Leaders
Thursday February 23, 2017 No. 4 - 2017
St. Damian’s Newsletter 5 Settlement Road, Bundoora 3083. Phone: 9467 8566 Email: [email protected]
St Damian’s School Leaders
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PLEASE NOTE: SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS IS BETWEEN 8.30am TO 3.30pm ON SCHOOL DAYS.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Parent Information Evenings Thank you to all the parents who attended the Information Evenings held over the past two days. The large numbers indicated a true interest in your children’s education and we thank you for this. I also wish to thank the staff who have put in much effort and time into preparing for these and for providing informative sessions. This year, due to our straight class structure, we have had to accommodate an extra session per night, hence the slightly earlier start. We also tried to ensure that the individual sessions did not overlap as this was identified as an issue last year. We would be very appreciative of your feedback of these sessions so that we can continue to improve what we offer. Please look out for a feedback sheet to be sent home next week. Thank you all for your support. Ash Wednesday Next Wednesday, 1
st March, is the beginning of the Lenten period in the Church’s liturgical calendar. Lent is typically
considered a time of Renewal in preparation for Easter. We invite all our parents and families to join us for Mass at 9.15am where everyone is invited to receive the ashes. Learning Conversations We hope that all parents will be able to take advantage of this important opportunity and attend on either Tuesday March 7
th
or Wednesday March 8th. These conferences form part of the assessment and reporting accountabilities for schools and
recognises the important role that students have in their own learning. Where parents wish to raise concerns and issues which may be too sensitive to discuss in the presence of the children we encourage you to make a separate appointment for this purpose. Lookout for when the online bookings are open. Just a gentle reminder that students will be dismissed at 1.00pm on Tuesday March 7
th only. Thank you for your support and understanding. Camp Australia, our Out of School Hours
provider will offer care services from 1.00pm for families needing it, however there are additional costs involved. Please contact the service for further details on this. School Education Board I sincerely thank the many parents who expressed an interest in joining the Board and nominated for a position. I was very encouraged by the positive response. The voting process for Year Prep and Four has begun and we hope to have the results by next week. The Year Five voting process will happen next week so that all can be finalized ready for the first Education Board meeting to be held March. Open Day: Tuesday March 14
th
The main purpose of the Open Day is to provide prospective parents with an opportunity to visit our school. However if you are an existing parent and would like to tour the school, you are welcome to join a tour. Tours will be available at 9.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 6.00pm. Tours may also be organized by appointment outside of these times for families not able to attend on the official Open Day. School Photos School photos will be taken on Thursday March 2
nd. We would appreciate all students being in attendance and wearing their
correct summer uniform. Staff News Miss Jess Pace, one of our Learning Support Officers, is leaving St Damian’s at the end of next week. Jess has taken up an administrative position at the Toyota head office. We are very sad to lose Jess as she has always demonstrated understanding and care when working with students with additional learning needs. We wish Jess all the best for the future and know she will be missed. Mrs Carmen Bruce is still on leave and continues to be by her mother’s bedside. Please continue to keep Mrs Bruce and her family in your prayers during this time.
Prayer for the Week: Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices. (Prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Have a great week Rosanna
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2017 Student Representative Council (SRC) The students from Foundation/Prep to Year Six are provided with the opportunity to further their leadership skills by participating in the Student Representative Council (SRC). Class meetings are held prior to each SRC meeting. St Damian’s has an active Student Representative Council (SRC) comprising an elected member from each of the 17 classes in Year Prep to Year 6. The SRC provides the students with the opportunity to further their leadership skills. The SRC is responsible for providing a voice for the student body in making ongoing improvements to school resources and supporting student wellbeing.
We congratulate the following students who will form the 2017 Student Representative Council (SRC). Members were presented with their SRC badge at the Assembly last Monday Mrs Jenny Rubira Deputy Principal
Class Class
Prep S To be announced in Term 2 4M Olivia K
Prep B To be announced in Term 2 4DA Alexander P
1T Andrew G 5L Zara S
1MO Billy B 5SF Alana C
2BW Rafael S 5C Dakota T
2M Megan D 6C Mannix PM
3J Gennaro T 6G Frank G
3CW Rafael M 6M Jade P
4C Billy G
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Faith News
Sacrament Bookings A reminder that online bookings for Confirmation and Eucharist are now open. Please note that some sessions are already booked out. The website is www.schoolinterviews.com and the relevant booking codes are below. Confirmation booking code: nxwms Eucharist booking code: mvah7 Sacramental Evening A letter was sent home last week regarding our Sacramental Evening on Tuesday 28
th February ay 7:30pm in the School
Hall. Michael Yore will be our guest speaker for the evening. This evening is a parent only event and though it is aimed to-wards parents of students in Years Three, Four and Six, all parents are welcome to attend. Tea and coffee will be available from 7pm onwards so please come along and relax before Michael shares his insights with us. Sacrament of Reconciliation Parish Presentation Masses take place this weekend, Saturday 25
th at 5:30pm and Sunday 26
th at 10am.
As many of our students are preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation it is an opportune time for our communi-ty to reflect on what reconciliation means in our own lives. The message below from Pope Francis reminds us of the joy of forgiveness.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE THIRTY-FIRST WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016
In Chapter 15 of Luke's Gospel we find the three parables of mercy: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the parable of the prodigal son. In these three parables we are struck by God's joy, the joy that God feels when he finds and forgives a sinner. Yes, it is God's joy to forgive! This sums up the whole of the Gospel. "Each of us, each one of us, is that little lost lamb, the coin that was mislaid; each one of us is that son who has squandered his freedom on false idols, illusions of happiness, and has lost everything. But God does not forget us; the Father never abandons us. He is a patient Father, always waiting for us! He respects our freedom, but he remains faithful forever. And when we come back to him, he welcomes us like children into his house, for he never ceases, not for one instant, to wait for us with love. And his heart rejoices over every child who re-turns. He is celebrating because he is joy. God has this joy, when one of us sinners goes to him and asks his for-giveness" (Angelus, 15 September 2013). Aoife McCarthy Religious Education Leader
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On Tuesday the school swim team competed in the BDSSA Swimming Carnival held at Watermarc. The students all swam well with St Damian's managing to finish in second place overall. The scoring for the day was as follows: 1st = Plenty Parklands (408 points) 2nd = St Damian's (368) 3rd = St Francis of Assisi (354) 4th = Mill Park Heights (228) 5th = Mill Park (204) We have many students who have now qualified for the Whittlesea Division Swimming Carnival to be held on the 6th of March. Congratulations to all students involved in the team and good luck to those that are progressing. Thank you to Mr Connor (6C), Mrs O'Donnell and Mrs Prisc for supervising the students on the day. Sporting Schools Tennis Also on Tuesday, some Year 3/4 students started their after school Tennis Program with John and another coach from Gripping Potential Tennis. John was impressed with the talent shown by our students and is now looking forward to working with the Preps and Year 1/2. These programs will run for four sessions. Tim Watson Physical Education Coordinator
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February
Saturday 25th Reconciliation Presentation Mass at 5.30pm
Sunday 26th Reconciliation Presentation Mass 10am
Tuesday 28th Sacramental Evening for Parents at 7.30pm
March
Thursday 2nd Parish School Social Events Committee Meeting at 7.30pm in the Dunlop Room
Monday 6th School Assembly at 2.30pm; Class 5L
Tuesday 7th-10th Fire Carriers Art Exhibition
Tuesday 7th Learning Conversations 2-8pm
Wednesday 8th Learning Conversations 3.30-5.30pm
Monday 13th Labour Day Public Holiday (School Closed)
Tuesday 14th Open Day/ School Tours Foundation students commence full time
Friday 17th St Patrick’s Day
Monday 20th School Assembly at 2.30pm, 6G
Wednesday 22nd Reconciliation Ceremony at 7pm
Year 5/6 Camp
Thursday 23rd Year 5/6 Camp
Friday 24th Year 5/6 Camp
Friday 31st End of Term 1
TERM ONE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Second Hand Uniform Shop
2.30pm to 4.00pm in the Dunlop Room DATES FOR TERM ONE
24th February 10th March 24th March
All uniform Donations can be placed in the box in the school office.
P&F Committee
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Happy Birthday to the following students who
will celebrate their birthday:
February
23rd Mannix 6C
24th Isabella 6C
25th Zachary 4M
26th Anjelica 6C
Daniel 4M
27th Joanne 4M
28th Grace 3J
Tomi 5L
March
Santino PB
An 2M
Prep S Isabel For doing her best by being an excellent listener
1MO Geselle For doing her best to find letter blends in her books
1T Alannah For always doing her best and often helping others to succeed
2BW Julian For ―Doing your best‖ by setting into Grade two with ease
2M Bailey For doing his best in his first week of school by working hard to follow classroom expectations!
3CW Archer For helping others to succeed by listening respectfully to his peers when they share in class and responding in a courteous manner.
3J Karen For always doing her best by modelling good behaviour and being an active learner
4C Jacob For being an enthusiastic and positive learner who always tries to do his best. Welcome to St Damian’s
4DA Jasmine For helping others succeed by always being willing to assist classmates with their work or answer any questions or queries. Keep it up!!
5C Andrew For doing his best and completing work with detail and effort
5L Bruce For doing the best he can in all subject areas since his arrival at St Damian’s in 2017
5SF Erin For helping others succeed by sharing her maths strategies with classmates
6C Daniel For always doing his best by asking questions and focusing during Integrated studies conversations
6G Sasha For helping others to succeed in tennis at Interschool Sport
6M Isaac For helping others succeed by guiding group members through problem solving strategies in mathematics
Student of the week
St Damian’s Primary School
ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR FOUNDATION YEAR (PREP) 2018
OPEN DAY TUESDAY 14 MARCH 2017
Tours available: 9.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm, 6.00pm (No appointments necessary)
Prep 2018 Information Evening Wednesday, May 10 2017, 7.30 pm
School Office Contact: (t) 9467 8566
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ST DAMIAN’S CATHOLIC PARISH 2017 LENTEN TIMETABLE
ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES,1 March 2017: 9.15am (with school) & 7.30pm
LENTEN PRAYER MEETINGS: With Pastorelle Sisters *Wednesday Evenings: 7.15pm – 8.15pm at Pastorelle Sisters’ Convent 5 Nash Court, Bundoora (Wednesdays: 8, 15, 22, 29 March & 5 April) STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Friday Evenings: 7.30-8.00pm
(3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March & 7 Apri l – with Legion of Mary)
INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION (1
st Rite):
Saturday evenings 5.00 – 5.30pm (Before Vigil Mass) Holy Saturday, 15 Apri l 10am—11am WEEKDAY MASS TIME: Tuesday to Friday: 9.15am
SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP PRICE LIST School Jumper $ 10.00 Sports Jumper $ 8.00 Sports Pants $ 8.00
Girls Summer Dress $ 8.00 Girls Pinafore $ 12.00
Girls Green Pants $ 8.00 Boys Grey Pants $ 8.00
Boys Grey Shorts: $ 5.00 Sport Shorts Green $ 5.oo Green Sport Skirt $ 5.00
Short Sleeve Gold Polo $ 6.00 Short Sleeve Red Polo $ 6.00 Long Sleeve Gold Polo $ 8.00 Long Sleeve Red Polo $ 8.00
School Bag $ 10.00 Green Rain coat $ 10.00
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OPEN DAY – WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 2017
2:30pm – 6:30pm
Santa Maria College is a Years 7 to 12 Catholic Girls’ College. We are an International Baccalaureate World School delivering an international standard of education through the Middle Years Programme (Years 7 to 10).
Discover Our School
Open Day is an annual event held at Santa Maria College. The primary aim of Open Day is to showcase what is on offer at
the College for prospective students. Current students at Santa Maria will take you on a tour around the College to discover
the amazing array of subjects and opportunities that are available. Students and staff prepare and facilitate activities and displays which provide an insight into life at Santa Maria College and what being a ‘Santa Girl’ is all about. Open Day is not to be missed for any student considering enrolment at Santa Maria College. You will be provided with an opportunity to:
undertake a guided tour of the College and its facilities
see learning in action
visit the range of learning spaces
meet the Principal and staff
experience the welcome of our students and staff
collect an enrolment pack
enjoy afternoon tea
ACADEMY UNIFORMS NOW
AVAILABLE ONLINE Academy Uniforms can now be purchased on
line using the code: Bundoora
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As A FIRE Carrier school, St. Damian’s supports the ‘Opening the Doors Foundation’
The Opening the Doors Foundation addresses the severe educational disadvantage still being experienced by many
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, by providing assistance so that they are able to choose and successfully
maintain a positive education environment for their children.
The Foundation provides grants towards the funding of educational costs not otherwise funded from government or
other educational funding sources to cover costs such as school uniforms, books, school camps and other school
associated costs.
Founded in 2001 the Foundation financially helped 32 students at Catholic schools, in 2003, the Foundation received
DGR status and expanded support to Aboriginal families choosing any non-government educational setting. Over the
next few years numbers steadily increased and in the 2010 school year the Foundation supported over 460 students.
The Opening the Doors Foundation operates with the aid of a mix of funding from grants, donations, bequests, sponsorships, and fundraising. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
Your Donation will be used to help the Foundation: empower and support Aboriginal families to make choices in educational opportunities for their children; help open the doors of independent educational institutions in Victoria for Aboriginal students; and be a model of self-empowerment and self-determination by creating an organisation that responds directly to the needs of its own community.
How your Donation Makes a Difference*:
$800 funds a secondary students booklist for a year;
$750 dresses a student in their winter uniform;
$500 covers extra tuition for VCAL subjects;
$450 provides a talented student with musical instruments and/or lessons;
$300 sends a student on school camp;
$200 purchases a calculator for a secondary student;
$100 provides a new pair of school or gym shoes;
$80 supplies a student with a new school bag;
$20 buys a school hat.
*examples only
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NORTH EASTERN ZONE FIRE CARRIER
ART SHOW
St. Damians’ School is excited to announce that we will be hosting the Zone FIRE Carrier art show. The pieces of this exhibition were created by the 20 schools within the North Eastern Zone. They were a culmination of learning, ideas and inspirations that arose from the Student day at Amberley student day last year. The exhibition of work was displayed during NAIDOC week 2016 at St. Francis church Melbourne last year and has since being travelling to the 20 schools to be shared with each school community. St. Damian’s will host the Art Show in week six of term one. The art will be open for viewing during the week of the Parent, Student Teacher learning conversation evenings and after school during those weeks. We invite all students, teachers, parents, grandparents and family members to visit
and support this exhibition.
We will be asking for a Gold coin donation on entry. This money will go to the Opening the Doors Foundation which you can read about within this newsletter. We thank you in anticipation of your support.
Mattie Dragonetti on behalf St. Damian’s FIRE carrier leaders
The dates are as follows Tuesday 7th March 3:30- 7:00pm Wednesday 8th of March 3:30- 5:00pm Thursday 9th of March 3:30- 4:00
Friday 10th of March 3:30- 4:00