St Gerard S CatHOLIC Primary School 71 Gladstone Rd, North Dandenong 3175 Ph: 9791 7553 www.sgdandenongnth.catholic.edu.au NEWSLETTER #11 28 APRIL 2017 SCHOOL CALENDAR TERM 2 Tuesday May 2nd Parish Education Board Friday, 5 May Gala Day Yr 5/6 Monday, 8 May School Photos May, 9 11 NAPLAN Thursday, 11 May Parent/Child Reconciliation Night Thursday, 18 & Friday 19 May School Closure Tuesday, 23 May 6:30pm AGM Student movie night & community conversation Wednesday, 24 May 9:00 am Whole School Assembly Our Lady Help of Christians Friday, 23 June Mid Year Reports go home Whole School Assembly, Sacred Heart of Jesus, time TBA June 27 & 29 Parent/Teacher Chats Friday 30 June 2:30 pm End of Term 2 Tuesday, May 23 6:30 pm Parent Meeting & student movie night The Season of Easter 30 April 2017 (Third Sunday of Easter). The Emmaus Story The journey of the two disciples from Jerusalem to Emmaus was a little further than 11 kilometres. So much had happened in the last three days. Jesus had died. Some of their group had said that Jesus had come back to life. They did not know what to believe. They were engrossed in their own thoughts. A stranger falls into step with them. They do not recognise him. The stranger encourages them to tell him what is on their mind. Jesus showed here that it is sometimes good to listen to others before we share our own thoughts. The two disciples spoke of their dashed hopes. They had hoped that Jesus would free their nation from the rule of the Romans. Jesus had come to offer freedom, spiritual freedom. They had forgotten this. God can empower even those who are physically constrained to be free in spirit. Many have lived with a form of disability and managed to survive and prosper. Jesus had said, I am the way, the truth and the life. Jesus shows us the way to travel through life. Jesus shares with us what we need to know for the journey. Jesus bestows upon us his energising strength for the trip. Jesus shares with the two disciples insights about himself from the Jewish scriptures and once the two disciples had arrived at their destination, Jesus does not impose himself any longer upon them. He is prepared to go on further, but is open to their invitation to stay. Jesus stands and knocks at the door of our hearts too, waiting to be invited in. If we invite him in, he is overjoyed, sits us down and waits on us. If we do not invite him in, he goes away, but he will return later and knock again. May we keep reminding ourselves that the risen Lord is not far from us. The Lord has risen and is close at hand. Uniform Shop In the Parish Hall each Monday 8.30am 10.00am
PRINCIPAL Dear Parent, The move into the new building is going to happen after NAPLAN, which means we will not move for another two weeks. The Old Testament teaches us of the virtue of patience, things come to those that wait. It will be worth the wait. All the Year 3 and 5 students will be completing NAPLAN from May 8 to May 11. If you do not want your child to complete the NAPLAN assessment please come and discuss this with me or the class teacher. On May 23 at 6:30 pm we will be having the Parish Education Board Annual General Meeting. The evening will focus on parent involvement and engagement in school life. We will be discussing how we can work more closely together to further build a community of hope, faith and forgiveness and increase the already great results the children are achieving. The children will have a sausage sizzle and movie night and the parents will have a light meal, tour the new building and have a discussion about school life (as explained above). I hope to see you then. The school is having a review of all it s practices, achievements and areas for improvement. This occurs every 4 years and is conducted by Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM). As part of this the staff reflect on the past 4 years and make recommendations for improvement. This is then ratified by CEM and we write a school improvement plan for the next 4 years. Parents and students will be involved in the process through focus groups and will be asked to give their opinions. As part of this the school will be closed on May 18th and May 19th. Please remember it is really important for your child to arrive at school by 8:40 am so they are ready to begin their day with their teacher and class. We often have children arriving late and this disrupts the child and the class. For pick up to work safely and quickly we need all parents to cooperate and follow school procedures. Before 3:20pm you must park your car, after 3:20 pm you may queue in the drive through. Parking in the drive through before 3:20 pm causes much frustration for the other parents we must be considerate. Please always follow the walk-way and do not walk through the car park and children and adults must always use the pedestrian crossing where there are lights and supervision. Have a safe weekend Regards Chris RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Project Compassion Thank You Thank you to the Social Justice leaders who organised the raising of funds for Project Compassion last term. We raised $693.85 The winning class that raised the most money is: Grade 1/2P will be able to wear casual dress on a date to be advised. Whole School Masses: Wednesday 24 May Friday 23 June Level Masses: Years 1/2: Years 2/3/4: Prep and Years 5/6: Our Lady Help of Christians at 9:00am Sacred Heart of Jesus (time TBA) Thursday 4 May Thursday 27 April Thursday 8 June 2
religious education NeWS CONt d Confirmation: Year 6 Confirmation Retreat Day: Visit of Bishop Elliot: Confirmation: Confirmation Assembly: Tuesday 18 July TBA Wednesday 19 July, 7pm Friday 21 July Reconciliation: Year 3 Reconciliation Parent Information Night: Thursday, 11 May (please note changed date) Reconciliation Activity Day: Tuesday 6 June Reconciliation: All Year 3 s Thursday 8 June at 10:15 Reconciliation Assembly: Friday 9 June First Communion: Year 4 First Communion Parent Information Night: Tuesday 25 July 7pm, finishing with coffee and cake First Communion Reflection Day: Wednesday 16 August First Communion: Sunday, 20 August at 2pm (for Year 4) First Communion Assembly: Wednesday 23 August at 2:30 (as Thurs is Book Week Activity Day and Friday is Gala Day) Other Important Dates: National Sorry Day Assembly: Refugee Week Assembly: National Buddy Day: Harmony SEL Activity Day: Friday, 26 May at 2:30pm Thursday 22 June at 2:30pm Thursday 15 June Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Once again we ll aim to have our food cart to be filled to the brim for the St Vincent De Paul Winter appeal. The social justice leaders to collect food from week two and the collection will finish on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The class that brings in the most items will win a casual dress day. Please donate to this worthwhile appeal. Altar boy training Altar boy training will recommence next week, Thursday, 27 April. After that the boys train at St Gerard s Church each Thursday from 5.30-6.30pm. The boys are trained by Frederick Maroun and supervised by Ron Maroun. Please contact Ron Maroun or Dorothy Stack if interested in becoming an Alter Server. These are the results from the Project Compassion fundraiser. Well done to all the classes. A wonderful effort with a total $693.85 being raised. 3
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS (OSHC) NEWS Curriculum Days Thursday 18 and Friday 19 May Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) is available on 18 & 19 May for school closure days. Bookings MUST be made by phoning Marina on 0402192685 and all children need to be enrolled to attend. Enrolment information can be obtained from St Gerard s front office. Opening times are 7.00 am 6.00 pm. Full day program. $ Student Saving and Banking $ Student Banking is on again! If you want your child to learn the value of saving, St Gerard s School offer a CDF Student Banking Program. Opening a account is as easy as picking up a form from the School Office and returning it. Once processed your child will receive a welcome gift! For those students that have a account please ensure that you have your bank books in f fortnightly Thursdays. School Bank Book Days for Term 2 2017 Fortnightly Thursdays: 11 May 8 June 25 May 22 June OTHER SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL PHOTOS School photographs will be taken on Monday, 8 May. Envelopes have been sent home with your child. If paying online, please follow the instructions on the envelope, carefully. Please include child s correct name and correct class. If you intend to purchase a package, please ensure that your child s envelope is handed in prior to or on photography day. If you have more than 2 children attending this School, the 3rd and subsequent child s pack are free of charge, providing the Deluxe or Standard packs are chosen, for the first two siblings. Sibling photography envelope s must be picked up from the School office and handed in, either prior to or on the day of photography. MONASH HEALTH DENTAL TEAM Information has been sent home with your child regarding Monash Health Dental team visiting St Gerard s on Thursday, 8 June. Please read the information if you would like your child to participate dental checks. 4
Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund If you have a current Health Care Card or Concession Card you may be eligible for CSEF. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 30 JUNE 2017 An application form is available at the front office or feel free to speak with Helen. 5
2017 Family Week BREAKFAST Wednesday 17 May 2017 7:30 A.M. IN THE SCHOOL HALL Breakfast will be served from 7:30 am till 8:30 am Families are encouraged to come along and share breakfast together with other families and staff. Come and enjoy a delicious, healthy breakfast eggs and bacon, pancakes, toast, fresh fruit, tea, coffee and juice all cooked by the school staff. All children must be with a parent or guardian. This event replaces our end of year breakfast so don t miss 6