ST JOHN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

55 Cape Street, Heidelberg Vic 3084 Ph. 9459 2963 E. office@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au

From the Principal

20 April 2016

Dear Parents,

ANZAC DAY

Monday, 25th April

Monday is ANZAC Day. This is probably Australia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. It is also a day of remembrance where we can express our gratitude to all those men and women then, and since, who have helped keep our country free from invasion; to acknowledge our debt to these men and women, their wives and hus-bands, mothers and children and our obligation to those who gave their lives to protect our way of life. A journalist once wrote "Anzac stood and still stands for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never own defeat. It has become synonymous with the determination and spirit of our armed forces." There are a number of options of taking part in ANZAC Day services in the area, but I'd particularly encourage you to at-tend the one organised by the Heidelberg R.S.L. Meet on the corner of Burgundy Street and Studley Road at 7am and then proceed to the Heidelberg Football Club for the ceremony at 7.30am. If you decide to attend, I'd encourage children to wear their St John's winter uniform.

For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon

They shall grow not old,

As we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, And in the morning,

We will remember them.

In support of the ANZAC Appeal, the following items are available to purchase from the school office - pins, pens, bag tags and wristbands.

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SCHOOL’S OBSERVATION OF ANZAC DAY A school-based observation of ANZAC Day will take place on the top yard this Friday, 22nd April at 10.40am. You are of course welcome to attend. SCHOOL CLOSED - ANAZAC DAY A reminder that the school will be closed on Monday, 25th April. ANZAC Day

TIQBIZ- A WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS

I’m pleased to inform you that we have just launched a school app titled TiqBiz which we will use to communicate with you electronically. Information on how to register for this app was sent home yesterday. If you have not received this information, please contact the school office for details on how to register. The benefits of TiqBiz for our school community are: Instant messages can be pushed out to your smartphone or tablet as a “push notification” - Push Notifications will

contain reminders and timely information about events happening around our school. You will also be able to add these school based events to your personal calendar.

You can also access school newsletters via your smartphone You can notify the school if your child is absent by sending a message from your smartphone The TiqBiz app is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android Phone, Android Tablet and Windows phone devices. If you don’t have a mobile device, there is also an app available for the computer, both on Mac and PC. We kindly ask that you download Tiqbiz to one of your devices. Once you do that, you’ll be able to receive information with a push notification – much like a text message directly to your device. The app has some great features that will allow us to get information through to you easily and quickly. WINTER UNIFORMS/SUMMER UNIFORMS Due to the warm weather that we are currently having – I am more than happy for children to come to school wearing their summer uniform on those days that would be appropriate to do so. YEAR 5 AND YEAR 6 SCHOOL CAMP The Year 6 and Year 5 have left for the annual senior school Camp. Their Camp experience this year will take place at a venue that we are attending for the first time – Alexandra Adventure Resort. I’m sure that the Campers will have a wonderful time as they explore and challenge themselves with many new experi-ences. One of the many reasons we provide the Camp experience for our children is to allow them to face many new challenges and then giving them the opportunity to confront and tackle these new experiences in a caring and supportive environ-ment. To this end the children are always supported by our teachers. I am always proud by the commitment and dedication of the teachers at these camps, ensuring that the children are always cared for and supported as they undertake complete responsibility for every moment the children are under their care. Throughout this time, they certainly strive to ensure that they meet the needs of individual children as much as possible in a positive environment. Thank you teachers!! Yours sincerely

Nick Marinelli Principal

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RE News - Elizabeth Williamson, Education in Faith Leader

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,

though they die, yet shall they live."

ALLELUIA HE IS RISEN

Fourth week of Easter

Easter Celebration The whole school gathered in the church on Friday to celebrate Easter. Father Mario led the celebration at which there was a focus on the Easter symbols of water and light. Every student and teacher came forward to the sanctuary and blessed themself with the Easter water. Project Compassion Boxes Now that Lent is finished your family Project Compassion Box can be returned to school. It can also be left in the church in the container on the sanctuary or at the presbytery. Thank you to those families who have returned their box. ANZAC Ceremony This Friday, April 22nd at 10.40a.m. Years Prep - 4 will gather at the flag pole for an Anzac Prayer Ceremony. All wel-come. Years 5/6 will participate in a ceremony at Camp Alexandra. ‘It is important that even the smallest children learn to be still and just not be quiet. It is in their stillness that God

can speak to their hearts and they can discover the love of God for each of them personally’. Bishop Michael Putney, Townsville

Bishop Michael Putney, Townsville Christian Meditation It was decided late last year that Christian Meditation be introduced to all the students. The staff undertook profession learning both last year and earlier this year in preparation for this. On Monday of this week we commenced the practice with the students. Teaching students a practice of Christian Meditation as a way of prayer is to give them a gift that they can draw on for the rest of their lives. The approach that is taught is a simple one of saying a sacred word or mantra from the beginning to the end of the medi-tation period. It is a practice that is deeply embedded within the Christian tradition of prayer. Christian Meditation:

Enables and nurtures spiritual development

Expands the capacity to share in God’s presence with us.

Reduces anxiety and nervous tension Enhances learning

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Family Offertory Roster

165th Celebration On Monday May 16th the school will celebrate the 165th anniversary of the school and parish. The students are asked to dress in colonial clothing on this day. More details to follow. God bless you and your family. Elizabeth Williamson (Education in Faith Leader)

Saturday 6.00p.m. Sunday 8.30a.m. Sunday 10.30a.m. Sunday 5.00p.m

Saturday April 23rd/Sunday April 24th

Tamis (Leon)

Thomas (Ryan)

Taouk

Tran (Hunter)

Saturday April 30th/Sunday May 1st

Uliana (Cristiano)

Vanderheyden (Noah)

Williams (Tiffany)

Watts (Harry)

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Term 2 – another exciting time for inquiry learning at St Johns! The following table summarizes the inquiry focus for each level this term.

PREP Key Concept: Systems Question for inquiry: What do living things need to survive? Understandings: Living things have particular needs to live and grow Every living thing has its own lifecycle The physical characteristics of living things help them to survive Living things behave in ways to help their survival Changes in the environment, including weather, affect living things. What we take from the land, we must give back.

YEAR 1 & 2 Key Concept: Cause & Effect Question for inquiry: Where is the science in our lives? Understandings: We use and are affected by science in our everyday life There are different types of sciences that help us under-stand how the earth works There is a procedure to scientific inquiry -Science in-volves asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events

YEAR 3 & 4 Key Concept: Culture Question for inquiry: How does the past make us who we are? Understandings: Immigration has shaped the Australian way of life and changed over time European settlement has contributed to Australia’s history. Australia’s indigenous culture has changed and developed over time. Australia is a diverse nation made up of many cultures. Significant past events have contributed to our culture. Australia has similarities and differences to its neighbouring countries.

YEAR 5 & 6 Key Concept: Identity + Perspectives Question for inquiry: How has our past shaped who we are today? Understandings: We are all a part of history History helps us understand the world today and what happens today will be the history of the future Significant events and people change the world in posi-tive and negative ways The way history is shared has changed over time

Help Needed!

To help extend the children’s learning we are seeking expertise from the school community. The areas of ex-pertise/ interest we are especially looking for this term include animals or plants (Prep), science (Yr 1 & 2),

immigration stories (Yr 3 & 4) history (Yr 5 & 6)

If you (or a family member) are willing to share an area of expertise/interest that matches any of the Inquiries please fill in the form below and return to school ASAP. Alternatively reply via email to your child’s classroom teacher or to: cwalsh@sjheidelberg.catholic.edu.au

Many thanks for your continued support.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: …………………………………………………… Email………………………………………………………

Child’s name and Grade ……………………………………………..

Area of interest

I am willing to be a guest speaker in the classroom

I am willing to answer children’s questions via email

I would be interested in speaking to the class via Skype

I can offer:

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From the PIC

Dear Parents,

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and we are looking for helpers for our fantastic stall. Below are details of our gift wrap-ping day and the stall so if you are available to assist please fill out the attached form or email me on the address listed below.

When: Tuesday 3rd May 2016

Where: OSH Club/PIC Meeting Room

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (come for an hour or stay the whole time).

Help Needed: Volunteers to wrap, stick, tie and/or box up all our Mother’s Day gifts

Can you make some gifts? Are you capable of sewing an apron, or cooking a sweet treat? Please contact me asap if you are able to provide something suitable for the stall. All efforts are greatly appreciated. Also if you are able to help make some gifts, I will be in the OSH club on Tuesday 19th and 26th April 2016 9am till 12 pm, making things and your help would be great. Or bring along your own activity and have a coffee and chat!!

Be a part of the team and share the joy of helping St John’s students find the perfect gift for their mum:

When: Thursday 5th May 2016

Where: St Monica’s room

Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm (come for an hour, the morning or stay the whole time)

We appreciate your support! Julie Thorn Juliethorn99@hotmail.com 0419564622

................................................................................................................. Please complete and return this form to your classroom by Monday 2nd May:

PARENT HELPERS: Yes, I am able to help with the (please tick one or both):

¨ Gift Wrapping morning on Tuesday 3rd May 2016 ¨ Mother’s Day Stall on Thursday 5th May 2016

Name __________________________________ Phone ___________________

Mothers Day

Gift Wrapping & Stall

Gift Wrapping session

Volunteers to ‘man’ our Mother’s Day Stall

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BIRTHDAYS

April 22 Alyssa V 5/6B

April 23 Maja R 3F

April 24 Noah E 5/6C

STUDENT AWARDS

Raf P 1L, Alexandra O 1L, Giacomo C 2N, Maira W 2N, Donncha O 2T, Joel B 2T, Tess B 4D

Jasmine L 4S, Harry H 4S

We have a box that was left behind after the School Fete.

It has a number of items inside including a Kryal Castle Voucher.

If this is yours, please contact the school office.

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NEXT WEEKS ACTIVITY

Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday

Before Care Activities Silent

Ball Wink

Murder Making

Pancakes Run

If Jenga

After Care Activities

Feather Painting

Help Origami Dodge

Ball Making a

Family Tree

Parent Information

OSHC program phone: 0401 333 932

Coordinator: Deanna Bellen

Assistants: Jill El-Khoury

OSHClub Head Office: 03 8564 9000

All families must be enrolled to attend the program, remember this is Free!! Please create an account online at

www.oshclub.com.au all bookings and cancellations can also be managed via your online account. For on the day bookings

please contact the Coordinator direct at the program.

Hours of Operation:

Before Care 6:45am-8:45am

After Care 3:20pm-6:00pm

Staff: Deanna Bellen & Jill El-Khoury

Hi everyone, Last week at OSHClub was a crazy whirl wind of fun! We created feather paintings, played dodge ball and had pancakes for breakfast on Friday morning which the children loved. If your child/ren are absent from school or other arrangements are made for them, could you please let us know that they won’t be attending afterschool care. On the day cancelations/bookings must be made with a phone call or text to the pro-gram number on 0401 333 932. You will not be able to make online bookings or cancelations on the day. Online bookings or cancelations can be made up until midnight the night before. We hope to see you at OSHClub! Enjoy the rest of your week.

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Father Mario’s Sermon

17 April 2016 (4th Sunday of Easter, Year C) Acts 13:14,43-52; Psalm 99:1-3,5; Apocalypse 7:9,14-17; John 10:27-30. Listen to my voice! The gospel story today is part of a much longer discourse (some of which we will be reading during this coming week) where Jesus uses the Old Testament image of the shepherd and his sheep to describe his own relationship with his disciples.

In today’s short passage, Jesus reminds us that the sheep that are faithful to him and have chosen to follow him listen to his voice. The mark of the true disciple is the one who is attentive to the voice of the shepherd and is careful to follow it. Jesus speaks of a relationship of following the shepherd. We may be tempted to think that by being baptised we have acquired full rights of membership; or that by attending the weekly Sunday Eucharist we are safe. Baptism, Eucharist and the sacraments are all an important part of the disciple’s lifestyle based on being with and following the shepherd. If I find myself sitting comfortably, satisfied in the knowledge that through my Baptism I am now part of the herd, but am not careful to listen to the shepherd’s voice at all times, I risk miss-ing out on important instructions that the shepherd gives out. When the herd moves to fresher pastures, I may end up be-ing left behind and eventually even get lost – not because the shepherd does not care, but because I choose not to listen to his voice. There is a relationship that is happening between the shepherd and his sheep, between the master and his disciples. Faith and discipleship are part of a relationship with Jesus Christ the shepherd and master. As with every relationship, faith needs to be alive and maintained. Relationships that are not maintained run the risk of getting cold and even die; faith that is not maintained dies. In chapter six of his gospel John speaks of Jesus’ invitation to eat and drink of his body and blood to have life in him. Like any nourishment food and drink is important for us on our journey of discipleship; in any re-lationship, coming together to share a meal is an act of communion, a sharing of life. We gather each Sunday as a family community to celebrate the life of the shepherd with the shepherd. Listening to the words of the shepherd is equally important. In our Sunday gathering we listen to the word of God and re-flect on it. We are invited to eat and be nourished from the table of the word and the table of the Eucharist. A question we need to constantly ask ourselves is: how often do I listen to and reflect upon the word of God in my life? God speaks to me personally and to us as a community and as a Church through his word and I need to find time to listen to this message and to build my life according to this word. In our everyday world we are constantly being bombarded by different messages emanating from a range of different sources: the media, the internet, our politicians, our friends and other sources. Often the word of God has to compete with all these different voices. We cannot ignore the fact that since God is really present in our world he can also speak to us through these different voices, but we also need to give priority to the voice that comes to us from his word. The word of God in the scriptures in fact enlightens and helps us understand the other moments that God speaks to us. Do I give enough time to listen and reflect on God’s word in my life? It would be a very good practice to learn to stop for a few min-utes, at least once or twice each week, on your own or with your family, to read and reflect on God’s word in your life; the Sunday gospel would be a good place to start. Jesus has promised us that if we listen to his voice and follow him then we will not be lost. The good shepherd will guide us to fresh and fertile pastures. Listen to his voice! Fr Mario

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