· web viewhowever, if you do need to find activities, then look locally. walk the dog, let the...
TRANSCRIPT
Dear, Parents, Guardians, Students and other Parishioners,
Our school holidays this year start well before Easter and we will not be able to help your children talk about and understand the events that the Church celebrates during Holy Week. So we will prepare the children before the end of the term and we will walk the Way of the Cross together as a Community but it will be the responsibility of parents to actually help the children remember and try to make sense of what happens during Holy Week.
It is important to link the events of Jesus’ life during his passion and death with experiences that they see in life here and now. Talk to them about suffering and talk about the way that Jesus managed it. Talk about the depths of his integrity, his faith and the way in which he stood up for his beliefs, but did not act aggressively or with anger. Just that much alone is a powerful lesson for all of us. Give them examples of people who have met suffering with dignity and then come through that experience with joy. You may know someone in your family or neighbourhood who lives out that experience or it may be a story of someone in the news.
Easter will be celebrated on the last weekend of the holidays and then staff will be going away on our bi-annual Staff Conference to learn more about the links between biblical history and today’s spirituality from Dr Michael Theophilos, a lecturer from Australian Catholic University in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy and a renowned international biblical scholar.
So it is important to note that Term 2 for our students will begin on Thursday the 20 th of April.
I often hear from parents that holidays are difficult times for parents, at the same time they are meant to be a great time for the children to relax. That is the most important thing about holidays, children do need the time and opportunity to relax. They need down time. A time with no bells, no high expectations, no formal rules, just time to sit and chill out and recharge their batteries. All of us need down time, but in today’s world, we often ignore it. The same thing applies to children. Children do need times when nothing is scheduled. Nothing is organised. They just have time to daydream. The result of too much organised time is a loss of creativity and in some cases, a loss of pleasure in being alive.
St. Elizabeth’s Parish SchoolNewsletter: 23rd March 2017
Childhood is precious, we need to protect it.
However, if you do need to find activities, then look locally. Walk the dog, let the children ride bikes, fly kites and walk and run in the parks around our area. Jells Park is not far away and offers many opportunities for relaxation.
The Greater Dandenong Council has also organised many activities for young people over the term break. You can find details on their website. I have included a sample below. The activities are free or low cost. There are activities for children aged 5-12 years old, as well as young people aged 12-25 years old.
Browse the events below or download the School Holiday Fun brochure (PDF- 2MB) to discover all of the awesome activities and events for 5-12 year olds.
Check out the Greater Dandenong Youth Services website for activities and events for 12-25 year olds.
view more events
Australia Animals and Scats
4 Apr 2017 11am
These school holidays get along to Heritage Hill and learn how to identify Australian animal’s tracks, in an interactive and crafty workshop at Heritage Hill...
The Mad Science Show
4 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of Greater Dandenong's School Holiday Fun Program, head down to Springvale Library and enjoy a jam-packed show of BIG WOW...
Weaving with Rachel
5 Apr 2017 11am
These school holidays get along to Heritage Hill to continue learning more about weaving with Rachel as you learn experiments with a variety of colourful fabrics and textures...
Insect Hotels
6 Apr 2017 11am
These school holidays get along to Heritage Hill as you build your own insect hotel for all of your little friends who live in your garden...
Flash Twinkle Toes' Silly Circus Show
6 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of the Greater Dandenong School Holiday Fun, head down to Dandenong Library and watch some plate spinning, juggling, magic, comedy at the Flash Twinkle Toes' Silly Circus Show...
Martial Arts Shadowdancing Workshop
7 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of the Greater Dandenong School Holiday Fun, come along to Springvale Library and learn martial arts moves in a fluid dance style...
Heritage Hill Open Day
9 Apr 2017 11am
Bring your family and friends to Heritage Hill and take part in a fun-filled, creative and entertaining day as you enjoy the magnificent gardens in the heart of Dandenong...
Plan, Buy, Cook
10 Apr 2017 11am
These school holidays, join the team from Plan Buy Cook to learn about some yummy ideas on how to make a waste-free lunches for school...
Little Devils Circus School
11 Apr 2017 10:30am
These school holidays get along to Heritage Hill as your child runs away with the circus with the Little Devils Circus School…
Duck Cameron Australia's Master Magician
11 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of the Greater Dandenong School Holiday Fun, head down to Springvale Library and enjoy a captivating and spectacular magic show...
CSI Forensic Science
11 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of the Greater Dandenong School Holiday Fun, come along to Dandenong Library and discover the techniques used in criminal investigations at this CSI Forensic Science workshop....
Printing in Autumn: Foam Printing
13 Apr 2017 11am
Learn the easy and safe technique of foam relief printing these school holidays, and make a set of unique printed artworks…
The Chemistry Show
13 Apr 2017 2pm
As part of Greater Dandenong's School Holiday Fun Program, head down to Dandenong Library and see bubbling dry ice, growing crystals...
Christine [email protected]
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
School Liturgies and Celebrations:
All families are invited and very welcome to come to all liturgies and prayer celebrations.
Tuesday 28th March: Stations of the Cross. All day in Level 3 link.Wednesday 29th March: Stations of the Cross. All day in Level 3 link.Thursday 30th March: Stations of the Cross. All day in Level 3 link.
FOUNDATION PRAYER IN PJ’S NIGHT:
Thank you to all the families of Foundation students who attended the Prayer in PJ’s night. It was a wonderful night when all the families participated in a range of fun prayerful activities.
ST PATRICK’S DAY MASS:
This week, Miss Lim and Mrs. Fenton took our 4 school captains to the St Patrick’s Day Mass which was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. They travelled to the cathedral together with school leaders from Nazareth College. The Mass was followed by a wonderful concertat the Treasury Gardens. They had a terrific day celebratingSt Patrick’s life of service.
DONATIONS FOR MATUTINAO:
Thank you to all the families who donated generously with goods to stay clean and healthy. Thank you to all the families who donated
money towards paying to send boxes packed with resources and helping our friendship school purchase much need food and supplies. Another box is ready to be sent.
ALTAR SERVERS:
We have had a great response and many students have chosen to become, or continue being, Altar Servers. Altar Server training will continue throughout the term on Thursdays at lunchtime in the church. Altar Servers will serve at whole school Masses and community Masses. They are also encouraged to serve at weekend Masses at St Elizabeth’s Parish.
TERM 2 REMINDERS
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Sacrament of First Reconciliation
A reminder for families to bring back their purple decorated candle to school in the first week of Term 2 in preparation for the First Reconciliation evenings
Thursday 27 April: Session 1 - 3.30 pm. First ReconciliationThursday 27 April: Session 2 - 6.00 pm. First Reconciliation
Sacrament of First Eucharist Commitment Mass – Saturday 6 th May 6.30 pm
Please arrive 15 min early so the children can process in with Fr Tad.
Maria Popowycz Ianthe LimReligious Education Leader Religious Education [email protected] [email protected]
STUDENT WELLBEING NEWS
De-Escalation
We last looked at stress and how this impacts our body as well as using brain breaks to help us de-escalate.
Some other strategies that may help us to de-escalate and regulate our emotions are:
Using humour: telling or listening to a joke Tai chi Games like ‘silent ball’ Breathing exercises Art activities: look at the rise in adult colouring books recently! Running Swimming Swinging on a swing Jumping on the trampoline Sitting in a rocking chair Drumming Dancing Listening to music Meditation
It’s important to remember that each of us will respond to these strategies in different ways on different days.
Thank you to 3/4HMP for sharing a video at assembly this week that talked about some of the strategies they use in their community.
Rebecca [email protected]
LEARNING AND TEACHING NEWS
Privacy in the age of Messaging Apps
Young people in particular are flocking to messaging apps, from Snapchat to Facebook Messenger. It’s challenging for us to stay in control of our privacy, especially when we’re being encouraged to share, use photo filters, upload a ‘story’ and ‘follow’ and ‘like’ and post, post, post.
Here are three cyber safety tips to consider when using messaging apps:
1. Messaging apps are like social media sites - they collect any information you volunteer. Assume your photo, text or video lives on and on and on, online. Then make the decision to send or not send it.
2. Location, location, location. Information about your location is embedded into most things you do now. Ask yourself if you’re OK with the world knowing precisely where you are at any given moment. You can always turn off geo-location.
3. Parties. No, not the fun kind - ‘third parties’. Most apps will share user information with other companies, or ‘third parties’. Where, oh where will you information end up? And why?
Of course, messaging apps are crrrrraaa-zy fun. But don’t be a dupe. Don’t be ‘owned’ by social media companies - control what you choose to share.
Snapchat have recently rewritten their Privacy Policy in plain speak. Check it out to get a better sense of it all.
From The Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
Rebecca [email protected]
SPORTS NEWS
Our Year 3 to 6’s have begun their orienteering program. It will run for 6 lessons and is great for the student’s fitness whilst developing their map reading skills. The sport is very popular with our students and several children have asked about the sport out of school.
MelBushO (http://www.melbusho.com/) run events throughout the year very 3 weeks on Sundays at various venues. Their next event is held locally at Wellington Chase, Ryans Road, Lysterfield. Details can be found on the website. It is inexpensive, a great family activity and caters for all levels of fitness.
Yours in Sport
Dean AndrewSports [email protected]
SCHOOL BANKING
Remember, Tuesday is School Banking day and students should bring in their weekly deposit. For every deposit made at school, students will receive a silver Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for an exclusive School Banking reward item in recognition of their regular savings habits.
School Banking is also a great fundraiser for our school, raising 5% on every deposit made through the school (to a maximum of $10 per individual deposit).
If your child has lost their book, they can bring their money to school in a sealed envelope with a note on the next School Banking day. We will issue them with a replacement. Thank you for supporting the School Banking program at St. Elizabeth’s. We would also like to thank Dee, who volunteers as our School Banking Co-ordinator and processes our banking every week.
ST. ELIZABETH’S COMMUNITY
The Easter Raffle will be drawn on the last day of Term 1, so please don’t forget to bring back your money and tickets. The cost is $5 for 10 tickets or 50 cents per ticket.
Donations of Easter Eggs are also appreciated and are to be left in the box at the front office, or sent with your child in a plastic bag in their school bag. These donations will be collated to make the Easter raffle prizes.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Wellington Tennis Club Open Day
Wellington Tennis Club are holding an Open Day at Rupert Drive, Mulgrave (Mel 804 F4) on Sunday the 26th of March 2017 at 11am-2pm. FREE Coaching and sausage sizzle. Test your serve. No racquet - no problem! New players of all ages are most welcome.
More Info: Andrew Cosham 0419 525 875 Coach: Jake Eames 0422 648 776
Greater Dandenong City of Opportunity
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Please contact Elarine on 0422 803 709 if you wish to book your child/ren or wish to discuss this further.
ST ELIZABETH’S - UPCOMING CURRICULUM DAYS
St. Elizabeth’s will be closed on Tuesday the 18th of April and Wednesday the 19th of April 2017.
There will be a program offered by our Out of School Hours Care Program on this day. The Centre will only open if we have a minimum of 10 children.
Please contact Elarine 0422 803 709 if you need care on that day.
St. Elizabeth’s Out of School Hours Care Program …
YOUTH LEADERSHIP VICTORIA PRESENTS – ST ELIZABETH’S OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Contact Details ….111 Bakers Road,
Dandenong North
Ph. 0422 803 709
Before School Care
Permanent: $13.50 /Casual $16.00
6:30am to 8:55am Monday to Friday during school term, excluding all Victorian Public Holidays.
After School Care
Permanent: $14.50 /Casual $17.00
3:15pm to 6:15pm Monday to Friday during school term, excluding all Victorian Public Holidays.
Vacation Care / Pupil Free Days
Per Day: $50.00
6:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday
(The School Holiday Programme in January will be held at St Anthony’s and St. Marys)
Late Pick Up Fees: Per minute: $1.00
For enquires or further information, please contact Elarine on 0422 803 709 during session times.
Fortnightly Activities …Monday 27th March to Friday 31st March
Monday Puff Painting,
Water Colour and Paper towel art
Tuesday Tissue paper picture
Glittery tape art
Wednesday Art of Graffiti writing
Oil pastel drawing
Thursday Make a monster puppet
Shaving cream art
Friday Goop making
Pop Corn
If you need care, please contact Elarine, or Shayanika on 0422 803 709
TERM 2 CURRICULUM DAYS
St. Elizabeth’s will be closed on Tuesday the 18th of April and Wednesday the 19th of April 2017.
There will be a program offered by our Out of School Hours Care Program on this day from 7am-6pm. The Centre will only open if we have a minimum of 10 children.
Please contact Elarine on 0422 803 709 if you need care on that day.