4th May, 2017 Dear Families,

ANZAC DAY

Every year, on the 25th of April, marches are

held in the capital cities and townships all

around Australia. Soldiers who fought in these

costly wars and military conflicts meet to

renew friendships forged in the smoke and

bloodshed of war. They also meet in

remembrance of those friends who did not

return. The years have taken their toll. None of

the thousands who fought in World War One

are alive. The ranks of our World War Two

veterans grow thinner and thinner, as do

those of the Australian forces that fought in

other military campaigns.

Like hundreds of thousands of Australians, who

gather at memorials in cities, suburbs and

towns across our country, a group of St Alipius

community members gathered to

commemorate one of the most significant

events in our national calendar and to place a

wreath at the cenotaph.

I thank those children who came in uniform to represent our school and their families who

supported them to do so.

I am always moved by the ANZAC day service; the conflicting concepts of war and peace

and national and familial pride bring strong emotional responses. I always find myself

praying, almost unconsciously, throughout this ceremony.

On Monday we gathered as a school community to recognise the place the ANZAC story

plays in our community and to pray for peace. Our year 1s and 2s led a beautiful prayer

time and created a focus for us as we reflected on what ANZAC means to us.

We pray to our loving God

In the midst of conflict and division,

We know it is you

Who turns our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your spirit changes hearts:

Enemies begin to speak to one another,

Those who were estranged join hands in friendship,

And nations seek the way of peace together.

DATES TO REMEMBER

5th May Whole School Prayer 9am

8th May Assembly – 2.45pm

10th May Omaha Presentation 3.30pm

12th May Mothers’ Day Stall, Liturgy and

Luncheon

19th May Whole School Prayer 9am

22nd May Assembly – 2.45pm

23rd May First Eucharist Preparation

Session 1 6.30pm

24th May Ange Simpson – Talking all

things health

26th May Cluster Day with Emmaus

26th May Whole School Prayer 9am

30th May Year 5’s visit Damascus College

30th May First Eucharist Preparation

Session 2 6.30pm

2nd June Whole School Prayer 9am

5th June Assembly – 2.45pm

6th June First Eucharist Preparation

Session 3 6.30pm

7th June Year 5’s visit St Pats & Loreto

9th June Whole School Prayer 9am

Let your spirit be at work in us.

Give us understanding

and put an end to strife,

Fill us with your mercy

and overcome our denial.

Grant us wisdom and teach us to learn

from the people of the land.

Call us to justice.

(Adapted from the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer for the Mass of Reconciliation 11)

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council

Parking and Child Safety

Student safety is everyone’s responsibility at St Alipius.

It interests me that year 5 and 6 students can let me know that some parents are

ignoring road rules and parking signs.

I wonder what we are teaching our kids when, as adults we ignore what our society says

are important laws.

Each of us, who has a licence knows that it is our responsibility to read and adhere to the

rules of the road; and when these rules are for the safety of children it is even more

important.

Thank you for your co-operation.

School Sports/Zone Athletics

The miserable weather last week convinced us to transfer our school athletics sports to

term 4 – we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a pleasant day.

One of the things that our School Sports does is identify students who qualify to attend

the zone athletic sports in June. Allana Kane has collected data from her PE lessons and

we will use that information to shortlist students in years 3-6 who could qualify for the Zone

Sports.

If you are interested in the qualifying times and distances, please email the office and

we’ll send them home with your child.

Taiko Tour

Yesterday our Taiko Team – with the support of Adam Cameron and Sho – took their skills

‘on the road’.

They visited St Columba’s, Our Lady Help of Christians and Emmaus to share their Taiko

drumming skills and their knowledge of Japanese culture.

You may have caught them on WIN TV last night.

A comment from a St Columba’s parent ‘I had the absolute pleasure of watching

Adam, Sho and our Taiko team play at St Columba’s today! What amazing ambassadors

they were for the school and I was incredibly proud to witness not only their performance

but their informative cultural presentation on Taiko and Japanese language and culture

- they had the Preps, grade 5/6's absolutely captivated (which is not mean feat!!)

Congratulations one again Adam and team.

Staffing We wish speech therapist Lorelie Merton well as she leaves St Alipius to prepare for the

birth of her third child.

Lorelie’s contribution to building the speech and language skills of our students is of great

value and support to their learning. Miranda Pearse will replace Lorelie so that we can

continue this important programme.

ST ALIPIUS ART CLUB

Hello to all St Alipius Artists!

This term I would like to offer students

the opportunity to be part of the St

Alipius Art Club.

We will be meeting each Friday

lunchtime to create artworks, learn

some new skills and have some fun.

If you are interested in signing up for the term or finding out more about Art Club please

meet me in the Library at 1.15pm this Friday lunchtime.

You must attend this information session if you want to sign up (if you have another

commitment or are away sick just let me know or leave me a message at the office).

There will be approx 10 places available for Art Club this term. Looking forward to

catching up and creating together!

Thanks Melissa

St Alipius Parish School Ball 21st October 2017

Presents:

Our kids, their health and creating nutritious lunch boxes

Presented by Rebecca Warke

Rebecca is a Nutrition, Health and Wellness Coach who is passionate about kids nutrition. Come along and learn about our kids’ health and how food choices may affect their behaviour and

learning ability. Learn some tips on creating quick and easy nutritious snacks for your children’s lunchboxes.

Bring the kids along to test taste some whole food nutritious snacks!

Meal Care Program. It is so appreciated!

Term 3 Week Starting Volunteer

Week 3 Monday 1st May Lynda Calistro

Week 4 Monday 8th May Renae O’Brien

Week 5 Monday 15th May Erin Kanoa

Week 6 Monday 22nd May Claire Stewart

Week 7 Monday 29th May Carlie Bix

Week 8 Monday 5th June Allana Kane

Week 9 Monday 12th June Trish Simmons

Week 10 Monday 19th June Liz McCartin

Week 11 Monday 26th June Allison Monk

Term 3 Week Starting Volunteer

Week 1 17th July Jane Berriman

Week 2 24th July Glenn McKenzie

WHEN: Wednesday 10th May TIME: 3:30pm WHERE: St. Alipius Primary

Week 3 31st July Natalie O’Brien

Week 4 7th August Amie Whelan

Week 5 14th August Daphne Buch

Week 6 21st August Sarah Eddy

Week 7 28th August Lara Davie

Week 8 4th September

Week 9 11th September

Week 10 18th September

Volunteers who can be called on to provide a meal at short notice:

Julie Howes Mary-Jane Sherman Ebony Stewart

Sally Poulton Amy Everard Sharee McKay

Leonie Weston Leanne Richards Sherree Martin

Allana Kane Danielle Neil Chenay Wilkinson