T4 W6 Newsletter 2021

From The Principal

EMOTIONAL SENSITIVITY  |  Some time ago I watched a video clip that had gone viral.  In it we see a mother singing a sad song to her baby who, while not understanding the words, certainly understands the emotion in the mother’s voice, and weeps.   I sent the link to my sister-in-law who emailed back within two minutes.  She had started playing it when her two-year-old told her to ‘stop the email.  It is too sad.’  We live in a sea of emotion and, too often, our children pick up on the feelings that are swirling around them without understanding their meanings.  It is part of our responsibility of care and love towards them to help them navigate these seas.  And at times these seas can be very calm, other times not so calm.

Emotions are an integral part of our humanity and are a gift from God to us.  Through them, we are connected to each other and to the world around us.  In a very real sense, they can be a sign, and even an experience, of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives.  But our emotions can also cripple us or be used to attack or negatively influence other people.  The challenge is to discover how to use them well in our lives.  This is one of the fundamental roles of prayer in our lives.  In some forms of prayer, we sit with God and use how we feel as the connection between us.  We tell God how sad or happy or confused we feel, then sit quietly and listen for God’s answer.  This won’t come in words but rather as a clarification of how we feel and how we should react in the situation that is causing our emotions.  As we learn to be more sensitive to and understand better our own emotions, we will learn the skills to help our children do the same. 

Loving God, you have created me with a variety of emotions that often seem like baffling forces within me.  Send me the wisdom of your Spirit that I might use my emotions to grow in love.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.  Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Messages

IMPORTANT DATES:

9 November - Bruce & Denise Morcombe visit St Anne's

12 November - Free Dress Day - Bring a bottle or can for St Michael's Fair bottle Stall
10 November - Final Swimming Lessons - years 3 to 6
11 November - Remembrance Day Liturgy
14 November - Sacrament of Reconciliation Workshop Two at 10.00am
17 November - Swimming Carnival
21 November - Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated
25 November - Mercy College & Catherine McAuley College Year 6 Orientation Days
26 November - Sarine High School Orientation Day
29 November - Year 6 Blessing Liturgy
1 December - STA Christmas Concert
2 December - Giving Mass
3 December - Farewell Assembly at 2.20pm in the school Hall - Term 4 End

CLASSES 2022  |  This term will see the year 5 teachers commencing the process to begin arranging classes for the 2022 school year.  This process is very deliberate and very time consuming but also very important to creating balanced classes throughout the school.  I’d like to provide parents with some of the underlying principles that drive our decision making: 

• We always aim to create classes that are balanced in need.  We consider the academic, social, emotional and behavioural needs of the children when placing them in a class.  This is never straight forward and needs considerable thought and time.
• We consider the gender balance within the group, the body of knowledge that we have gathered on each child and any parent input that may assist us.  While I always stipulate that parents are not able to request certain teachers and groups of friends, there is often information that, as a school, we are unaware of and would benefit from knowing.  Please be aware this information is to only assist us, not for you to take for granted that this course of action will most definitely follow.
• As you can imagine it is not possible and not desirable either, for parents to get involved in the placement of their children into classes.  Such an approach would pose numerous problems, so please trust that we do the best we can.  Having said that, if you have significant information relevant to your child’s placement, please make this known, in writing, to only me by 12 November 2021.   

 Please place this information in a letter, then address the envelope to me along with the words: 

“Mr John Ballinger-Oches  Private and Confidential” 

 Please do not email me this letter nor bring classroom teachers into the conversation. 

 We always endeavour to be just, fair and compassionate to the needs of each child. 

I would also like to stress that our staff know their students very well and will do their very best throughout this process.  I urge parents to trust us in making informed decisions that we consider will be the best for each child.

FREE DRESS DAY: Friday 12th November - To support St Michael's Parish Fair Bottle Stall

To support our local Church, St Anne’s will be running a free dress day.  The cost of being out of uniform is a bottle or tin that is in date.  If you are in a position of giving more then, on the behalf of the parish, we will accept the donations with much gratitude.

This year we have been teaching and try to embed the notion of Catholic Social Teaching across our whole school.  This is a great example of this.  When giving this is a great opportunity for you as parent to talk to your children about helping others.

Please send your donations in on Friday.  If you wish to give money instead that will also be humbly accepted.

Enrolments For 2022 Now Being Taken

ENROLMENTS FOR 2022  |  Enrolments for Prep are currently being taken for the 2022 school year.  If you have a child due to commence Prep next year, born between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017, please complete an online enrolment form available from the school website: https://www.sasrok.catholic.edu.au/

Enrolments for Years 1—6 are also currently being taken for 2022.  Interviews will commence in Term Two. 

For all enrolments we need to sight the original birth certificate or have a certified copy please.

Crossing Supervisor Position

CASUAL POSITION VACANT

A casual position exists for a School Crossing Supervisor at St Anne’s School.

The School Crossing Supervisor may be required to work five days per week in all weather conditions. The hours of work for School Crossing Supervisors are 1 hour a day and usually comprise of 40 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon Commencement date to be advised a Pay Rate of $30.34 per hour.

The successful applicants will be dependent on:

• The suitable outcome of a health assessment carried out by a GP of your choice according to the guidelines in the “Notes for Medical Practitioner” on the School Crossing Supervisor Scheme – Health Assessment Form; (this is paid by the Department)
• A Positive  Blue Card Notice (This is also paid by the Department and means you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position)

If you are interested in the position please collect an application form from the School administration or contact Karen Cantoni (Road Safety officer) on 49 518331.

The School Crossing Supervisors Application is to be returned to School for the school principals' recommendation.

Student Protection News

The Good News

Throughout the gospels, what Jesus appears to abhor more than anything else is hypocrisy.

His harshest condemnation of the scribes and the Pharisees is that they are hypocrites. In this passage, whilst Jesus hates the scribes’ parading around and claiming honour that is not their due, what really sees him condemn them is their mistreatment of widows ‘while making a show of lengthy prayers’.

We cannot praise God in prayer while at the same time mistreating our neighbour. That is hypocrisy! Our actions are an extension of our prayer. We cannot celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays and fail to live it the rest of the week!

n the gospel, Jesus condemns ostentation. Some men wore religious robes in public, hoping that people would consider them prayerful. Others sought the most important seats in the synagogue or at banquets. Still others made sure that their temple offerings were acknowledged.

In contrast to this, Jesus pointed out the offering of a poor widow. She offered the smallest coins in circulation at that time, but she gave out of the generosity of her heart. Jesus spoke of the source of the offering. The wealthy donated from their surplus, what they did not need. The woman gave what she herself needed. Her total giving implied absolute trust in God. The passage that opened with a condemnation of the false piety of the unscrupulous, closes with praise of the genuine piety of the simple.

(c) Catholic Kids Media 2021. Video used with permission. 

This semester, Mrs Holmes and Mr Presley have been attending the 'Virtues Project' workshop facilitated by the Diocesan Catholic Education Office. 

To summarise, Virtues are our inner strengths, the content of our character, and the truest expression of our self. Respect, Integrity, Justice and Trustworthiness, to name a few examples.

Values are culture specific, while virtues are universally valued by people of all cultures. Virtues are the common thread that unites humanity.

The Five Strategies of The Virtues Project are practices that bring virtues to life in every relationship. They help us to live authentic, purposeful lives, to raise children of compassion and idealism, and to create a culture of character in our schools and communities. The Five Strategies apply through all stages of life.

These practices apply from the moment a baby is born, to companioning people at the end of life. At every season, the practice of love, patience, compassion, excellence, devotion, and joy allows each act and interaction to be meaningful.

1. SPEAK THE LANGUAGE

Language shapes character. The way we speak to one another, and the words we use, have great power to discourage or to inspire.

Learn how to speak the language of virtues when acknowledging, guiding and correcting to bring out the best in one another. When we speak the language of virtues we replace shaming and blaming of one another with gentle reminders of who we are and how we want to be.

2. RECOGNISE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

Recognising the gifts and life lessons in our daily challenges helps us to cultivate our character.

In everything there is virtue, either virtues being practiced or virtues needed. When we see any situation through the lens of virtues, we become more aware of the virtues we need to call on and the virtues that are already guiding us.

3. SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES

Boundaries keep us safe. In The Virtues Project, boundaries are based on virtues. What virtues are needed? How do we practice them? This practice creates clarity and a climate of peace and safety, in all of our relationships-- at home, in school, and in the community.

This strategy is needed when we have a problem in any area of our life. Personal boundaries help us to build healthy relationships, and protect our time, our energy and our health.

4. HONOR THE SPIRIT

This strategy begins with respect for the dignity of each person and encourages us to make time for wellness, reflection, reverence, and beauty. It is expressing what is meaningful in our lives by participating in the arts, honoring special life events, time in nature, and sharing our stories with each other. What brings you joy?

5. OFFER COMPANIONING

Learn how to truly listen and be present to another person. This is the strategy to use when someone else has a problem. One of the greatest gifts we have to give to another is our presence. By being deeply present and listening with both compassion and detachment, we help others to empty their cup and find their own answers. This approach empowers others to discern their teachable moments and to reflect on their virtues.

God's love, peace and blessings, 

Stuart.

Mr Stuart Presley

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

stuart_presley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Finance News

Term 4 Fees  |  The Term 4 school fees have now been emailed out to parents. These are due by this  Wednesday 10th November. If you do not believe that you can pay in full by the due date, and do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer, Sandy Vassallo to discuss options. 

Sports News

Swimming Carnival menu

End of Year Tuckshop Changes

As we are approaching the end of the year the tuckshop will be only doing a small number of specials due to reducing stock for the Christmas period.  Over the coming weeks you may notice some items go out of stock & this means they will continue to be out of stock for the remainder of the term! We thank you for understanding! Don’t forget to order your tuckshop through Flexischools by 7:30am on tuckshop day or place cash and order details in a brown paper bag and send to school with your child. 

The tuckshop will be closed for cleaning on the last day of school, Friday 3rd December.  If you can help with cleaning, please contact Ingrid on 0448456599.  

Tuckshop Volunteers

St Michael's Parish News

Student Leadership

Leadership is a quality that all students of St Anne's Catholic Primary School are encouraged and supported to develop.  These experiences ensure that students perceive themselves as leaders and have the opportunity and confidence to take on leadership roles and find their voice.

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |   Charlotte L, Molly M, Emily-Jo B, Monica Z, Taysha M, Chistopher B, Lillie P, Savanah B, Indee M, Tatum W, Eddie R, Lilly Z, Lily N, Katie B, VClancy S, 5HC, Brady A, StellaB, Mitchell A, Chase H, Anthony M, Flynn S, Brooklyn K, Memphis-Belle D, Zane L, Matthew F, Callum S.

Birds Of A Feather

New Harlequin School Bags

General Information

New Schoolzine App for Reading Newsletters

Schoolzine SZApp  |  As you are aware, at St Anne’s we have implemented a new format for our newsletter this year called Schoolzine. We encourage families to download the free SZApp which will enable you to easily see our newsletter on any device and receive alerts when the latest newsletter is available. The newsletter link will also continue to be emailed out to parents. 

Once thge SZApp is downloaded, please complete your registration, using our school passcode 4818. More instructions on how to install the SZApp are below.

Community News