Term 2, Week 7 June 7, 2019 Auschwitz Principal's Editorial Auschwitz. Just the name brings up memories of ugliness, evil and death. But occasionally in the middle of danger and despair we can find a ray of hope, a little glimpse of beauty. Like a flower in the middle of a rubbish dump is the story of Franciszek Gajowniczek. (It’s a good thing I’m writing this and don’t have to try and pronounce that one!) Anyway, Franciszek finds himself in Auschwitz – a place where around 4 million Jews died during World War 2. A place where half a ton of human hair is still preserved. A place where the poison gas showers are still there to this day. It’s 1941 and the Nazis are in full control and they have a quaint, little custom where for every successful escape they kill 10 innocent prisoners. The method is a little different too - the prisoners are taken to a cell where they receive no food or water until they die. In July, someone has obviously escaped and so all the prisoners are herded into the courtyard and they listen as the names are called out. One by one a prisoner steps forward as his name is called and in doing so, signals the end of his life. Nine names have been called. Those who remain are hoping against hope that theirs will not be the last name. The Commandant calls the last name: Gajnowniczek. Immediately a crying, sobbing sound is heard as Gajowniczek falls to the ground mumbling something about his ‘wife and children’. Suddenly from back in the crowd a movement is heard. The Officers swing round and watch as a prisoner leaves his spot in the parade square and pushes his way to the front. A guard calls out for him to stop. Still he comes. Rifles are raised and ready. But still he comes. Again someone calls out for him to stop and all he does is say “I want to speak to the Commandant.” The prisoner arrives and stands in front of the Commandant. "What is your name prisoner?" barks the Commandant. “My name is Maximilian Kolbe. I am a Franciscan priest. I want to die instead of the prisoner.” The words were uttered clearly and without hesitation. “I have no family,” and remembering the way the Nazis thought he added, “I am old and of no use to anyone. Let me die instead.” Kolbe was well known to the prisoners. He regularly prayed for them and often gave up his food to share with others. The prisoners had called him the ‘Saint of Auschwitz.’ So what happened to him? Along with the other nine prisoners the ‘Saint’ was put into a cell and given no water or food. But he didn’t die of thirst or starvation like the other prisoners. Finally the camp authorities became impatient because he wasn’t dying, and so on the 14th August 1941 the camp doctor injected a poison into Kolbe’s heart ending his life. And what about Gajnowniczek? What happened to him? Well, back on the parade square Gajnowniczek was unable to thank Kolbe because prisoners were not allowed to speak. All he could do was thank him with his eyes. After the war (yes, he survived the holocaust) Gajnowniczek continued to visit Auschwitz each year on August 14 to thank the man who died in his place. Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ said in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In the very next verse he said. "You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you." We all know that not long after he spoke those words Jesus laid down his life for everyone, and since then, his friends have had good reason to thank him. It’s worth a thought. Mark B Vodéll Principal July June August Pupil Free Day First Day Term 2 Term 3 Fees due (4% discount) Whole School Photo Secondary Production '12 Angry Men' Yr 9&10 Careers Expo Yr 3&4 Hooptime Yr 5&6 ASV Basketball Mon 15 - Tue 16 - Fri 19 - Mon 22 - Wed 24 - Fri 26 - Fri 26 - Wed 31 - Queens Birthday Holiday L4L Urban Day Yr 12 GAT Open Morning 9:30- 10:30 Working Bee Yr 7/8 SSV Division Sports Day Yr 5/6 District Volleyball Yr 10 Work Experience Festival of Faith Primary Parent Teacher Interviews Last Day Term 2 Festival of Faith Church Service Term 3 Fees due Yr 7-12 Combined School Worship Public Information Night L4L Service Day Primary Production 'Intrigue in the Palace' L4L Service Day Working Bee Week of Spiritual Emphasis Yr 5&6 District Hoop Time Book Week Mon 10 - Wed 12 - Wed 12 - Thur 13 - Sun 16 - Thur 20 - Thur 20 - 24-28 - 24-28 - Tue 25 - Fri 28 - Sat 29 - Fri 9 - Fri 9 - Tue 6 - Thur 8 - Tue 13 - Thur 15 - Sun 18 - 19-23 - Wed 21 - 26-30 - NEWS LETTER 17 www.gilson.vic.edu.au Phone: 03 9717 7300 370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
Transcript
Term 2, Week 7 June 7, 2019
Auschwitz Principal's EditorialAuschwitz. Just the name brings up memories of ugliness, evil and death.
But occasionally in the middle of danger and despair we can find a ray of hope, a little glimpse of beauty. Like a flower in the middle of a rubbish dump is the story of Franciszek Gajowniczek. (It’s a good thing I’m writing this and don’t have to try and pronounce that one!) Anyway, Franciszek finds himself in Auschwitz – a place where around 4 million Jews died during World War 2. A place where half a ton of human hair is still preserved. A place where the poison gas showers are still there to this day.
It’s 1941 and the Nazis are in full control and they have a quaint, little custom where for every successful escape they kill 10 innocent prisoners. The method is a little different too - the prisoners are taken to a cell where they receive no food or water until they die.
In July, someone has obviously escaped and so all the prisoners are herded into the courtyard and they listen as the names are called out. One by one a prisoner steps forward as his name is called and in doing so, signals the end of his life. Nine names have been called. Those who remain are hoping against hope that theirs will not be the last name. The Commandant calls the last name: Gajnowniczek. Immediately a crying, sobbing sound is heard as Gajowniczek falls to the ground mumbling something about his ‘wife and children’. Suddenly from back in the crowd a movement is heard. The Officers swing round and watch as a prisoner leaves his spot in the parade square and pushes his way to the front. A guard calls out for him to stop. Still he comes. Rifles are raised and ready. But still he comes. Again someone calls out for him to stop and all he does is say “I want to speak to the Commandant.”
The prisoner arrives and stands in front of the Commandant. "What is your name prisoner?" barks the Commandant. “My name is Maximilian Kolbe. I am a Franciscan priest. I want to die instead of the prisoner.” The words were uttered clearly and without hesitation. “I have no family,” and remembering the way the Nazis thought he added, “I am old and of no use to anyone. Let me die instead.”
Kolbe was well known to the prisoners. He regularly prayed for them and often gave up his food to share with others. The prisoners had called him the ‘Saint of Auschwitz.’ So what happened to him? Along with the other nine prisoners the ‘Saint’ was put into a cell and given no water or food. But he didn’t die of thirst or starvation like the other prisoners. Finally the camp authorities became impatient because he wasn’t dying, and so on the 14th August 1941 the camp doctor injected a poison into Kolbe’s heart ending his life. And what about Gajnowniczek? What happened to him? Well, back on the parade square Gajnowniczek was unable to thank Kolbe because prisoners were not allowed to speak. All he could do was thank him with his eyes. After the war (yes, he survived the holocaust) Gajnowniczek continued to visit Auschwitz each year on August 14 to thank the man who died in his place.
Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ said in John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In the very next verse he said. "You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you." We all know that not long after he spoke those words Jesus laid down his life for everyone, and since then, his friends have had good reason to thank him.
It’s worth a thought.
Mark B Vodéll Principal
July
June
August
Pupil Free DayFirst Day Term 2Term 3 Fees due (4% discount) Whole School PhotoSecondary Production'12 Angry Men' Yr 9&10 Careers ExpoYr 3&4 HooptimeYr 5&6 ASV Basketball
Mon 15 -Tue 16 -Fri 19 -
Mon 22 -Wed 24 -
Fri 26 -Fri 26 -
Wed 31 -
Queens Birthday HolidayL4L Urban DayYr 12 GAT Open Morning 9:30- 10:30Working BeeYr 7/8 SSV Division Sports Day Yr 5/6 District Volleyball Yr 10 Work ExperienceFestival of Faith PrimaryParent Teacher InterviewsLast Day Term 2Festival of Faith Church Service
Term 3 Fees dueYr 7-12 Combined School WorshipPublic Information Night L4L Service DayPrimary Production 'Intrigue in the Palace' L4L Service DayWorking BeeWeek of Spiritual EmphasisYr 5&6 District Hoop TimeBook Week
Mon 10 -Wed 12 -Wed 12 -Thur 13 -Sun 16 -
Thur 20 -Thur 20 -
24-28 -24-28 -
Tue 25 -Fri 28 -
Sat 29 -
Fri 9 -Fri 9 -
Tue 6 -Thur 8 -Tue 13 -
Thur 15 -Sun 18 -19-23 -
Wed 21 -26-30 -
NEWSLETTER 17
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
Our Mission Statement -Our Vision -
Our Motto -
Through excellence in education to develop people of integrity and Christian character.
Nurture for today. Learning for tomorrow. Character for life.
Nihil Sine Deo - Nothing Without God
Value For Week 8 General News
JusticeJustice is doing what is right and in the best interests of people, especially those people who are exploited, disadvantaged, or who have no voice of their own.
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” - Isaiah 1:17
“If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice" - Dorothy Law Nolte
PB4L Focus I care for the environment; I ask for help if needed
Enrolments and Open MorningTell your friends, family, neighbours, your dentist, your sports mates about our Open Morning.
Invite them all to join us this Thursday, 13th June at 9:30am in the Acacia Room to learn about our College.
If you know someone who might be interested in enrolling their child/children here at Gilson College, pick up a flyer from Reception and invite them to come along. Places in the Foundation classroom are filling fast.
Food Drive 2019Whittlesea Emergency Relief Network Mid-Year Food Drive 2019 is running from the 3rd of June to the 28th of June. A large box will be at reception for kids to drop their donations into. For more info please see the Flyer attached to this newsletter.
Nurturing Young MindsComputer Game Addiction and Mental Wellbeing
In 2012, approximately 1200 South Australian secondary school students were surveyed from fifty randomly selected schools, investigating problem teenage video game use in Australia. The study found that approximately 1.8 per cent of students had ‘pathological video gaming’ and ‘11 per cent of students had ‘pathological technology use’.
In 2014, 3000 teenagers from 6000 families were surveyed in a Second Australian National Survey on Adolescent Mental Health. They found that adolescents with major depressive disorder had a higher prevalence of problem internet or electronic gaming behaviour than adolescents with no identified mental disorder.
Adolescents had to have at least four of the following five indicators of problematic use: • Went without eating or sleeping, • Feel bothered when not doing (psychological withdrawal), • Use when not really interested, • Spend less time with family or friends or doing school work, • Unsuccessful attempts to control gaming.
They also found that approximately 10 per cent of teenagers spend nine hours or more on the internet on weekdays. Approximately 11 per cent of males aged eleven to fifteen years played electronic games for five to eight hours per day on weekdays.
Points to consider:
Parenting Point #1: A computer in their room increases the risk of internet gaming problems.
Parenting Point #2: Give your child a five minute warning to save and finish their game.
Parenting Point #3: Parental supervision.
Parenting Point #4: Whether real-life expectation's are too great.
Nurturing Young Minds Edited by Dr Ramesh Manocha pages 102-109
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
Primary News
Flu-ShotsIt’s not too late to have your flu shot and Council are still offering FREE flu vaccine for all children up until the age of 18 years.
The vaccine is available at all public sessions and no appointments are necessary. Check out their website to find a convenient session for you to attend. www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/immunisation
Woolworths Earn and Learn This year we have signed up for the Woolworths Earn and Learn sticker program!
If you find yourself (or Grandma, Grandpa or your next-door neighbour) restocking your pantry at the supermarket, please collect the stickers for our school. You can stick the stickers onto the sheets provided and send them in to school or stickers can be left on the tape and we’ll do the rest. Extra sticker sheets are available at the office.
The more points we earn, the more we can redeem from a choice of over 10,000 educational resources including Mathematics and English resources, art and craft materials and much, much more!
We are grateful for your support and look forward to a successful program.
Foundation PerformanceOn the last day of school this term, Foundation students will do a French performance in Assembly at the start of the day. Parents and siblings are invited to attend and watch their performance, in the Acacia Room. The students will perform the latest song and dance that they have learnt in French classes.
ChapelThis week Year 4 led out in the Primary School Chapel program. They had a great time sharing the value of the week, self control, through song and drama. It was very special to have some of the parents attend. Thanks for your support!
Collingwood Children's FarmOn Tuesday, Foundation embarked on a very long bus journey, to Collingwood Children's Farm.
With fresh air on our faces, mud on our boots and noses blocked, we explored Living Things on a Farm setting. From giant pigs, hungry sheep, head butting goats and fluffy guinea pigs, we were able to consolidate our learning of Living and Non-Living things in an adventurous way.
It was a fantastic day full of exploring, learning, "Are we there yet's?" and "My feet are tired!" Thank you to May and Simon for your help on the day.
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
Each year, the Whittlesea Emergency Relief Network runs a food drive to assist families in need. You can help by donating non-perishable food items, toiletries and nappies. Please see below for wish list of items and drop off locations.
Canned Fruit Cereal Tuna Longlife milk Rice
Canned Tomatoes Lentils + Chickpeas Pasta Toiletries Nappies and Wipes
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
If you’re the parent of an anxious child you’re most certainly not alone. The number of children experiencing an anxiety disorder is currently estimated at 117 million worldwide. Here in Australia, there’s an average of 2 anxious kids in every classroom; and they’re the ones with a diagnosis. Many more anxious kids are yet to have their anxiety identified and understood.
As much as we’d like to, we can’t rid our kids of their anxiety, but we can help them to manage it in ways that enable them move it from centre stage and get on with living a vibrant, rich and meaningful life.
Here are 6 tips to support you to parent your anxious child:
1. Explain anxietyAnxious kids can struggle to explain how they feel and can worry that no-one will understand what they’re going through. That’s why explaining anxiety is an important step in supporting an anxious child. The knowledge that anxiety is well understood, that other kids experience it and that it’s manageable brings them immediate relief.
Teach your anxious child that the part of their brain that protects them from danger is always on high alert. Called the amygdala, it’s meant to protect them from genuine danger but for anxious kids, it can be almost constantly activated.
Explain that when they feel anxious, their amygdala sends signals to their body to fight or flee from the threat, whether it’s real or imagined.
Next, talk about the body changes such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing and an upset stomach that power them up to fight or flee. They might even feel dizzy, hot, sweaty and panicked. Anxiety effects thinking and behaviour too.
2. Respond with empathyIn the midst of an anxious moment it’s natural to want to reassure anxious kids they’ve got nothing to worry about. Reassurance works in the short term but it soon wears off and they come back for more, which becomes an unhelpful pattern.
Instead, respond with empathy and validation. Use ahhh statements such as:
“Ahhh, I see you’re feeling really anxious right now, I know how hard this is for you”
We're a Parenting Ideas school parentingideas.com.au/schools
6 tips for parenting anxious kidsby Dr Jodi Richardson
insightsEMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
“Ahhh, I know you’re feeling really worried right now, it’s not much fun feeling like that is it?”
Anxious kids need to know you understand what they’re going through.
3. Show the amygdala they’re safeOnce the amygdala senses danger, the cascade of events that follow can’t be stopped. The body and brain will respond as if the danger is immediate. The best way to help an anxious child calm their anxious brain is to teach them to show their amygdala they’re safe. Deep and intentional breathing helps an anxious child to calm their amygdala and will begin to reduce their anxious symptoms. Practise intentional breathing regularly between anxious times before applying this technique in the midst of an anxious moment.
4. Practise mindfulness -the antidote to worryingAnxiety is distress now about a possible future event, which is why worrying is common for anxious kids. When an anxious child’s mind fast-forwards to an upcoming event or expectation, their amygdala can respond as if the ‘threat’ to their safety is immediate. The antidote to worrying is mindfulness. Put simply, mindfulness is paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment. It may take time to learn, but is a powerful anxiety management strategy once it’s mastered.
5. Practice defusing sticky thoughtsAnxious thoughts can get stuck, refusing to budge no matter how much attention is payed to them. Defusion is a strategy that helps anxious kids look at their thoughts rather than from them.
Imagine your anxious child is worried about an upcoming test. They’re thinking “I’m going to fail the test”. The thought makes them feel awful. Defusion helps kids (all of us) to look at their thoughts by reminding them that the words in their heads are indeed just words, not reality.
Your anxious child can defuse his unhelpful thoughts by putting a statement in front of the thought such as: “I notice I’m having the thought that I’m going to fail the test.” Alternatively, he can say the thought in a character voice like Darth Vader or Peppa Pig, or sing it to the tune of happy birthday or a nursery rhyme. Defusion puts distance between anxious kids and their thoughts and is a wonderful skill to learn.
6. Get the fundamentals rightAmple sleep, good nutrition and exercise are essential for anxious kids. Support your child to adhere to their optimal bedtime so they wake naturally around the time of their alarm, reduce their sugar intake to support their gut health and to exercise regularly for optimal mental health.
These are some of the many strategies that you can share with your child to support them to recognise and manage their anxiety so they can live life in full colour.
Dr Jodi Richardson
Jodi is a happiness and wellbeing speaker and writer, and is mum to two primary school aged kids who light her up. For more great ideas on flourishing mental health for the whole family, subscribe to her newsletter at drjodirichardson.com.au and say hello on facebook.com/DrJodiRichardson. Enquiries to [email protected]
We're a Parenting Ideas school parentingideas.com.au/schools
www.gilson.vic.edu.auPhone: 03 9717 7300370 Bridge Inn Road, Mernda, VIC, 3754
