simon the apostle primary newsletter · $610 is due by friday 22nd may. statements will be sent...
TRANSCRIPT
S i m o n t h e A p o s t l e P r i m a r y N e w s l e t t e r
T e r m 2 I s s u e # 1 5 6 5 1 2 t h M a y , 2 0 2 0
As partners in Faith and Education, we can empower students to embrace learning to shape their tomorrow
As we act to slow the spread of coronavirus, the message to students and parents is clear: all children
who can learn at home must learn from home – with exceptions only in extremely limited circumstances.
Victorian State Government, 7th April 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope that all the mums, grandmothers and loved carers received a little bit of extra love and appreciation on Sunday for Mother’s Day. It was a day that gave the opportunity to reimagine the simple ways we can show our mums and loved ones how much we cherish and love them.
Breaking NEWS!
Today (Tuesday 12th May) the Victorian State Government made an important announcement about the return of schools to face-to-face teaching. The key dates in relation to the return of school are as follows:
• Monday 25th May - Pupil Free Day - Preparation for the return of face-to-face teaching and learning
• Tuesday 26th May - Students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 return to classrooms for face-to-face teaching.
• Tuesday 9th June - Students in Years 3-6 return to the classroom for face-to-face teaching.
During the response to the coronavirus crisis the arrangement for Catholic schools in Victoria is to heed advice from Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM) and Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV). These two organisations are working side by side with the Victorian Department of Education and Training. At the time of writing I am awaiting further details of beyond the key dates above. The Leadership Team will be working with teachers, support staff and CEM colleagues to put in place a plan for students to return to the school in a measured way.
Whole School Community Wellbeing
As we head into Week 5 of this term of remote learning, it is clear to me that students, families and staff are displaying a general fatigue across the board. This is completely understandable given the amount of immense change we have been required to do in response to the coronavirus crisis. On Wednesday 13th and Wednesday 20th May we will have school wide St Simon’s Wellbeing Wednesdays. Here is an outline of what each day will entail:
Wednesday 13th May
• Scheduled Google Meets will take place as per arrangements within year levels.
• Apart from Google Meets, students are encouraged to choose some learning activities that take them away from device screens. Year level teams will provide a list of options for families to consider. There is no formal following up or due date to complete these activities. This is about creating space for wellbeing.
• Teachers will be taking a break from screen use during these times (except for scheduled Google Meets with students)
Wednesday 20th May
• No scheduled Google Meets with students.
• Students and families are encouraged to choose some learning activities that take them away from device screens. Year level teams will provide a list of options for families to consider. There is no formal following up or due date to complete these activities. This is about creating space for wellbeing.
• Teachers will be using this time to review the next steps for learning and teaching for Term 2.
• Families with students who would ordinarily be attending onsite supervision on Wednesday 20th May are encouraged to consider other arrangements for Wellbeing Wednesday. For families where other arrangements are not possible, Beyond Edu Care will be providing supervision and care of students at no cost to families. If you would like to access this service please send an email to [email protected] for further information.
These two days will provide our entire community with the opportunity to recharge our batteries and be ready to move ahead with our learning and teaching for the remainder of Term 2.
Parents Association Meeting
The Parents’ Association will be meeting this Wednesday 13th May at 7pm via an online video conference.
School Board Meeting
The School Advisory Board will be meeting on Wednesday 20th May at 7pm via an online video conference. I am looking forward to meeting formally with the parent representative group of the school community as we explore some of the possible directions the Board will work through in 2020.
Enrolment 2021 - Existing Families: Spread the Word
During Term 2 the School begins the formal process of securing the following year’s Prep enrolment. Thank you to those existing families who have responded to the communication regarding the enrolment of a sibling into Prep 2021. “Word of mouth” is our biggest asset when it comes to building our enrolment so I encourage you to consider sharing with your family, friends and neighbours what you value the most about St Simon’s School. This is a way of promoting our school in the community and any family who is interested in enrolment needs to go to the school website and click on “Enrol Now” to find out more about the process.
Catholic Education Today - Term 2 Edition
View this at cem.edu.au
Student Wellbeing Checklist for Primary
Coronavirus: A Guide for Parents delivered by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
Emerging Minds - Supporting Children During three COVID-19 Pandemic
Managing the disruption caused by COVID-19
Michael Carr-Gregg: School TV Click image
God bless
Tom Wursthorn Principal
The impact of the COVID-19 restrictions are having a massive influence on the economy and job security. Any school family who is experiencing financial hardship and needs assistance with school fees obligations is encouraged to contact me via email ([email protected]) to discuss how we can help at this time PRAYERS COSTANZO-VIDOT FAMILY Please keep Ena (6B), Melia (5G) and Pasquale (1G) in your prayers and thoughts as their Grandfather passed away recently.
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Wishing the following students a very happy birthday.
Emmanueel Guirgis (5Y) Mya Lane (6G) Lily Sloan-Raso (3R) Dante Kazakoff (6R)
Jesse Castellucci (3G) Daniel Yi (6B) Xavier Zagari (3B) Anneliese Ravat (4Y)
PREP ENROLMENT 2021 CURRENT FAMILIES Please contact Rita via email [email protected] to request an Enrolment Form for next year. These can be filled out, signed and emailed back to Rita as soon as possible. SCHOOL FEES The 2nd instalment tuition fee of $610 is due by Friday 22nd May. Statements will be sent home soon. Those families on a monthly credit card plan or those families who have made contact with Tom, please disregard this deadline. Due to the current situation of COVID-19, families are asked to make payment either via direct bank transfer, email Rita at [email protected] for school bank details, or by credit card instalments. SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD SECRETARY We have a vacant position on the School Advisory Board for a secretary. The role requires sending out the agenda and taking minutes on behalf of the board. Should this be of interest to you, please email Tina Costanzo, Chair [email protected] who can explain further and provide you with a nomination form. PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FUNDRAISER Is now available. See flyer attached for details. https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/187n821
Wellbeing News
How does mindfulness help to lessen worry?
Mindfulness has been proven to reduce the size of our Amygdala (which we can call our ‘Alarm Bell’
part of the brain). This part of our brain helps to alert us of
danger. Sometimes our alarm bell goes off when there is
no danger such as when we become worried.
The more we practice Mindfulness, the ‘alarm bell’
becomes smaller which helps us to feel less stressed or
worried. This means we are less likely to feel stressed or
become stressed easily. So, the more we ‘work out’ the
thinking brain, the less the ‘alarm bell’ works.
Mindfulness also helps us to be more in the present
moment so we don’t get caught up in worrying and
thinking. The more things we do in the present, the less
we will worry. It’s normal to worry from time to time - this is what the brain likes to do so we can
keep ourselves safe. However sometimes we can worry too much which stops us from feeling good
and having fun. - Georgina Manning
Week 5 Meditation - Worry Spot You can listen to the worry spot meditation every time you feel worried or stressed.
www.peacefulkids.com.au/meditations
Click here to listen
* Sit or lie down
* Place hands on your belly
* Notice how you are feeling in your body
* See if you can notice a particular spot where you feel
anxious or worried such as feeling sick in the tummy or tight
muscles
* Breathe into this spot and imagine that the breath is calming
the worry with each breath
* Imagine breathing out through the soles of your feet so the
worry can leave your body and you are left feeling calm.
Nicole O’Sullivan Learning Diversity and Student Wellbeing Leader
A Snapshot of Remote Learning in Level Five
A Snapshot of Remote Learning in Level Five
The Year 5 students are learning new and wonderful skills during remote
Learning. We are learning how to make our writing more interesting by using the 7 Steps to Writing
Success!
We are learning about the importance of a society and how we can create a
society that benefits all members.
A Snapshot of Remote Learning in Level Five
At the core of Religious Education sessions is our Wellbeing. We are learning about
the Catholic Social Teachings
A Snapshot of Remote Learning in Level Five
A Snapshot of Remote Learning in Level Five
In Mathematics we are investigating the concepts of area and perimeter. We are
using our maths knowledge to construct our own farms!
www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/187n821
St. Simon the Apostle Parish
Phone: (03) 9764 4058 Address: 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville 3178 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Tue to Fri 10.00am - 3.00pm Website: stsimonsparish.com.au YouTube Channel: tinyurl.com/s36hstf
May 10, 2020 – 5th Sunday of Easter
His was a face, which became familiar to us all during the December/ January bushfire crisis. That he was the
Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service of New South Wales didn’t make Shane Fitzsimmons any less important
to Australians from other states who saw the daily press conferences where his firm yet calm demeanour exuded
a sense that he was someone who could provide genuine leadership,
especially in a crisis.
His story was told last Monday on the ABC’s “Australian Story”. At first glance,
it was simply an inspiring story of a young man who grew up amid domestic
violence and a troubled childhood. None the less, the young Shane not only
“made something of himself” but found and followed, an opportunity to serve
his country with great courage and distinction.
The program related how his father, George, was a dedicated firefighter with the RFS, but had major alcohol issues
throughout his life. At age 52, George was one of three firefighters killed in a National Park burn-off gone wrong.
Introduced by former Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, the story showed how Shane Fitzsimmon’s extraordinary
leadership had been developing over many years, and a mixture of the talent and daring shown in his youth was
transformed into an ability to lead those in his charge with a magnificent mixture of compassion, strength, wisdom
and common sense.
At the program’s conclusion, viewers learned, that he “had left the Rural Fire Service and is now New South Wales’ first
Commissioner for Resilience”.
Some might say … “Commissioner for what? Resilience?” At first, the title might appear to be some sort of trendy
“buzzword”. But “resilience” is defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties” and “the ability to cope
in spite of setback, barriers or lack of resources”.
On that basis, Shane Fitzsimmons is the right person for the job, and the job is one, that will be sorely needed into the
indefinite future. “Resilience” is something we will all require in abundance, both as a society and as individuals, as we
try to cope with the many “setbacks, barriers and lack of resources” which are and will continue to be the consequences
of the COVID-19 crisis.
The kind of moral leadership Shane Fitzsimmons has provided in New South Wales, will most certainly be needed
in Victoria and in every state. That such a position, is needed is clear. But who might be the right person with the proven
leadership qualities to lead Victorians in the quest to recover from the difficulties COVID-19 has brought
with such speed and intensity?
Were it not for his personal health challenges, Neale Danaher might be an ideal, proven leader in “resilience”.
But there are others, who have already demonstrated their personal resilience, and who clearly have the ability
to transmit their own courage, compassion and resilience to others.
Let’s give some serious thought and prayer, both to the position itself and the most suitable Victorian
who could be entrusted with a task which, in the right hands, could make a world of difference for us
all in the months and years ahead. A note to the Governor or Premier might just spark what is, needed
for the kind of inspirational moral leadership we will require in abundance.
Fr. Kevin Dillon
Parish Notices All Scheduled Masses at St. Simon the Apostle Church are SUSPENDED Church is now closed until further notice. Masses can be viewed online www.stsimonsparish.com.au
Soup & Soul >>> Zoom & Soul
This Thursday, May 14th, at 7.30pm. We have zoomed back into the picture despite the shutdown. It would be good to gather, together virtually to share our experiences: 1. How, is God carrying you in this challenging time? 2. What sustains and uplifts you? 3. What is God asking of us at this time? We have a short inspirational video to help stimulate our discussion. To join us and receive Zoom details, please email Loretta (Pastoral Associate) at [email protected] or call the Parish Office on 9764 4058.
Bible Study via Zoom on Matthew’s Gospel
Commencing 1st Tuesday in June. The program will run for 6-week nights from 7.30pm to 8.30pm To Register: Email Loretta at [email protected] or call the Parish Office on 9764 4058.
Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle - New Dates
Due to the current restrictions imposed by the Victorian Government, we have applied and received approval for an extension/postponement of our 2020 Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle to the following dates:
Draw Date: 26 September 2020 at 7.15 pm Draw Venue: 2 Taylors Lane, Rowville (St Simon's Church) Publication of Winners Date: 30 September 2020
Parishioners & school families of St Simon’s are to return their Raffle Tickets latest by Friday, 7 August 2020 please. Thank you all for your support and co-operation.
Cinema or Movie Clubs
Any parishioner who would like to be involved with a Movie or Cinema Club (this is possible, even within our “Lockdown” situation) is invited to contact Fr. Kevin (0421 777 360 or [email protected]). We will need six or more people to form a “club” where a book can be read or a movie viewed, with “members” coming together online for a discussion and social catch-up.
Parish Office In these challenging times, we ask for your help so we can reduce the risk to you, our vulnerable parishioners, our staff and volunteers. If you have any of the symptoms, which may indicate you have coronavirus (COVID-19), then please do not come in to the Parish Office as you risk transmitting it to others, especially the vulnerable. The Office will be attended Mon-Fri. between 10.00am – 3.00pm for those who wish to call or drop in the Office. Please ring the doorbell and someone will let you in, one at a time. God Bless, keep safe.
Volunteer Needed
As you may have seen, the Parish is providing pre-recorded services online through our YouTube channel. This is proving an important way for parishioners to experience a form of Mass. Now that we have finished the Easter services, we will be trying to do this for weekday services from Monday to Friday and for the Sunday services. We are seeking volunteers who can help with the video editing of the pre-recordings for the weekday Masses to help our Business Manager, Peter Evans, who has been doing all the editing. (Peter will continue to do the Sunday Masses as this also has to be prepared for rebroadcast on The Light FM radio station.) As Peter is using a Mac running FinalCut Pro, his preference is for someone who has this platform at home and has skills with it. If you think you can help, please contact Peter on 9764 4058 or [email protected] Thanks!
Are you wondering how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the Church around the world? Visit: www.aidtochurch.org/covid-19 to read messages from bishops, priests, brothers and religious sisters serving in some of the most remote and dangerous countries in the world. Be Not Afraid sung by Catholic Artists from Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoBg&feature=emb_rel_end