ST PETER S CATHOLIC PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL Friday 26th October 2018 Week 3

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1 ST PETER S CATHOLIC PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL Friday 26th October 2018 Week 3 To the St Peter s community, In Mark s Gospel this weekend we hear about the blind man, Bartimaeus who called out to Jesus, asking for sight. Jesus granted his request. And when Bartimaeus could see, he stood up and followed Jesus. Bartimaeus reminds us that we have a choice. We can be blind. We can turn away from people and problems that call us to show compassion and sacrifice. Or we can ask Jesus to help us see. But sometimes Christians focus their vision just on helping others. The good thing is that Jesus helps us see more than that a lot more. He helps us see how valuable we are to God and how much God loves us regardless of our strengths or weaknesses. God helps us to see the good friends coming into our lives through our service and discipleship. He helps us see that we can t help everyone that it s critical to say no at times in order to rest, relax, and avoid burning out from helping others. So don t feel down when you feel exhausted and just want to just turn away. Ask Jesus to help you see why you should turn back to him and where you can find the support you need to keep going. He ll show you. And, like Bartimaeus, you ll see that the best choice in life is to get up and start following Jesus again. The historical Jesus of Nazareth was all about seeing. His ministry revolved around a belief that God s kingdom is close at hand, right before our eyes. God is working effectively in our everyday lives -- something most people never seem to notice. They presume God is securely hidden in heaven, not active here on earth. That s why Jesus demands a repentance of those who receive this good news. They must go through a complete change of their value system. Jesus tells Bartimaeus, Go your way; your faith has saved you. In a sense, Jesus is saying, I don t have to give you your sight; your faith has already done that. Faith in me enables you to see what I see. Mark provides us with a glimpse of the perfect disciple. Bartimaeus, Mark tells us, followed him on the way. That way leads to Jerusalem, to suffering, death and resurrection. Whoever thought a blind beggar would actually show us what to pray for? It s all a matter of noticing what s before our very eyes. Have a wonderful weekend, Kerry Miller Principal We Pray Holy Spirit, please help me to be a true follower of Jesus. Amen. ADMINISTRATION Notices: POPPY APPEAL FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY The Year 6 leaders will be selling Poppies next week at playtimes and lunchtimes. Poppies are $2, wristbands - $3, larger poppies- $5. There is also a limited number of hand knitted poppies available for $10. This is to support the great work of the RSL and commemorate Remembrance Day (11th November). A group of senior students have been invited to a Remembrance school service today on Friday 2nd November to lay commemorative crosses and poppies at the Epping RSL cenotaph. Each level will commemorate Remembrance Day with a service on Monday 12th November. All families are invited to attend the Remembrance Day Service at Epping RSL on Sunday 11th November. DATES TO REMEMBER Monday 29th October 9.30am - Grandparent s Day Tuesday 6th November - Cup Day Public Holiday Monday 29th October 2.00pm - Prep 2019 Orientation Monday 5th November - School Closure (Staff Professional Practice) Deborah Racina - Director of First Impressions office@stprepp.catholic.edu.au

2 EDUCATION IN FAITH Middle School News On Wednesday the 23rd of October, the Mini Vinnies leaders, Mrs Sgarlata and Olivia (Marcus mum) went to the Mission Mass at St Patrick s Cathedral. The St Peter s Mini Vinnies leaders were able to collaborate with students from other schools to understand the positive impact that the Catholic Church has on people in need. It was a chance for all involved to bring faith into action and deepen personal commitment to mission. Prep 2019 Last Wednesday our 2019 Preps joined their Year 4 buddies from St Peter s for Parish Mass. The parishioners and students gave a warm welcome to our newest school members and their families. Father Joel gave the children and their families a special blessing. We look forward to welcoming them back on Monday for their next orientation session. LEARNING & TEACHING Presentation of Learning at the Melbourne Zoo Last Tuesday a group of students and teachers from our school were invited to present their learning at Melbourne Zoo. Our focus was on how we use Provocations to engage and empower our learners. Put simply, provocations provoke! They provoke thoughts, discussions, questions, interests, creativity and ideas. They can also expand on a thought, project, idea and interests. Provocations come in many forms at St Peter s: An interesting experience, photo, picture or book, Nature (e.g. specimens) Conceptual (e.g. changing seasons, light) Old materials displayed in a new way, An interest that a child or children have, Object (e.g. magnets, maps) New creative mediums, Questions (from any source i.e. What is gravity?) An event (e.g. a presentation, a holiday) Whether it ignites an inquiry or shifts the gears of learning, if it s fuelled by careful consideration and clear learning intentions, a provocation can drive powerful learning. In considering the power of provocations teachers explored the purpose of provocations, what could be used as a provocation and the teacher s role in the provocation process. The most important question, though, is what might the provocation reveal about our learners, their thinking and learning and where to next? A provocation provides hands-on exploration for children to practice, test, construct and deconstruct their ideas and theories. When we pay attention to the interests of children, children get serious about learning. When teachers listen keenly to a child or group of child negotiating an idea something magical happens.

3 Children come into the world wired to make sense of life. When we pay attention to the things that children are interested in, learning becomes incredibly important. Deep inside the thinking of children lies the fairy dust of education meaningful engagement! The Makers Fair was a perfect example of how the students used provocations to ignite their passions and interests making learning worthwhile. Thank you to our students, Nico, Patricia, Nicholas, Jada, Natalia and Emily and teachers, Silvana, sarah and Deb for the great presentation showcasing learning at St Peter s! Middle School News On Wednesday the 7th of November the Middle School Students will be heading to the Immigration Museum and ACMI. This is to help guide our new Inquiry Topic, Journeys, Stories and Voices. We would hope that the students will learn about the stories of people, cultures, communities and countries. Please read and return the permission forms that the students will be bringing home on Monday. Japanese Words of the Week はい Hai (yes) いいえ iie (no) STEAM News What a great evening the Makers Fair was last Thursday! It was so great to see the students sharing their learning with their families and friends. Below are some snapshots of the STEAM space and some of the learning that was shared. Julie Percy - Director of Learning & Teaching juliep@stprepp.catholic.edu.au

4 SCHOOL COMMUNITY Grandparents Day Grandparents and special friends are invited to join us in celebrating grandparents day on Monday 29th October, between 9:30-11 am. This term all students are focusing on Journeys, Stories and Voices in their learning. We ask that visitors bring along an item or photo that is part of their story. Entry and exit will be via the school s main gates on Wedge St. Emma Canning - Director of School Community ecanning@stprepp.catholic.edu.au STUDENT WELLBEING GRATEFULNESS/APPRECIATION AND GREETINGS Our whole school focus over the next couple of weeks is gratefulness, appreciation and greetings. It is amazing how being greeted in the morning can make a huge difference to the engagement of children. Being appreciative and grateful for what we have around us, the people we have met, the relationships we have built, the learning we have been part of, the environment around us and the list goes on. When we stop and take time to recognise and voice these things it makes a difference to the way we feel. In the learning spaces we will be recognising all of these things and making them part of who we are and what we do. Have the conversation with your children about what they are appreciative and grateful for and highlight the positives. Student Voice Walking around the school there is student voice evident everywhere. IS student voice the children making all the decisions and getting what they want?? NO. Student voice at school is about the children directing their own learning, making some decisions about what they are ready to learn about how they are going to learn, and allowing their passions can drive their learning, Student voice is in the children working with the staff in organising events, excursions and activities. We have some children working with staff in organising our sports day so stay tuned for more information about that. Student voice is important in engaging, motivating and allowing children to feel empowered. Jackie Fleischmann - Director of Student Wellbeing jfleischmann@stprepp.catholic.edu.au Extend After School Care Extend-a-Hand Learn Aid Appreciate Each year Extend launches Extend-a-Hand, a major social initiative that educates primary school children on the benefits to contributing to the wider community. This year, we are extending a hand to our hard-working farmers who have been suffering through one of the worst droughts in living memory. Learn Children will learn about weather systems and cycles, the impact of drought and who really provides our food. Aid Extend has partnered with GIVIT.org.au to raise funds for farmers and their farmers Appreciate Children will create handwritten letters and drawings expressing sentiments of gratitude and encouragement to the farmers and their families. Visit Extend s donation page via GIVIT and participate in this fantastic cause! Bookings: extend.com.au

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