Newsletter No: 11 Wednesday, 20 th April 2016 Dear Parents and Friends, Please read below an excellent address by Bishop Vincent Long exploring the importance of the Jubilee of Mercy. For Pope Francis, the Church is not a museum for saints but a field hospital which heals the wounded, strengthens the weak and lifts up the lowly. Our very credibility is at stake when we lack merciful and compassionate love for those who are on the periphery or estranged from the Church by one reason or another. The Jubilee is opportune for us to respond anew to the clarion call of the Council to engage with the hopes and joys, the griefs and anxieties of the people of our age. In the words of Pope Francis , “The time has come for the Church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.” Through the lens of mercy, we learn to be a missionary and inclusive Church – a Church that reaches out to those who struggle and fall short of the Christian ideal. We are reminded of how the early Church accommodated and enabled people like Thomas to make their personal journey from doubt to faith. Today more than ever, we are called to make this ecclesial inclusiveness, this big tent church a real experience for all of our brothers and sisters. We are called to be instruments of mercy, which means that we have to open our hearts to those living on the outmost fringes of society. We are called to believe that no one is ever beyond hope, past the point where God’s grace and love apply to them. God does not give up on people, even if they give up on themselves. After all, we are not called to have all the answers or fix everyone’s problems. But we are called to love especially the least of our brothers and sisters, to assuage their wounds, to heal their hurt and brokenness. We can only be effective instruments of mercy when we recognise our own sinfulness and our need for metanoia or conversion. The Royal Commission into sexual abuse has revealed just how far we have drifted from the vision of Jesus. It is a shameful indictment not simply on the perpetrators and their enablers but the Church’s collective systemic betrayal of the Gospel. We cannot preach mercy without taking a long hard look at this collective systemic failure. Mercy then is not only reaching out to those on the margins. It is also an introspective exercise through which we reach in the depths of our soul and reclaim the innocence and powerlessness of the humble Servant-Leader. In this Jubilee of Mercy, let us reflect on and live out how we can best be the church of the poor and for the poor; how we can be an oasis for the unchurched and the disenchanted; how we can facilitate an encounter with Christ’s radical equality, inclusiveness and justice for the marginalized, wounded and victimized. Let us also reflect on and live out how we can be a more repentant, humble, listening and learning Church, the Church that does not prefer status quo but leads people in the direction of the kingdom, the Church that points humanity to fuller life, inclusion and justice. Let this Jubilee of Mercy be a time of true conversion to God’s total self -emptying in Christ and his audacious identification with those on the periphery. Let it be a time in which we as the Church reclaim the powerlessness of Christ and the fundamental ethos of care for the weak and justice for the excluded. Then the Church can truly “stand with confidence” as the conduit of mercy and the sign of hope for all . Address by Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv (Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne) during a special Holy Hour on the Occassion of the Opening of the Holy Door of Mercy at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 13 December 2015 Term 2 WEEK 2 Mon 18 th – 24 th Apr Thur Yr 6 visit HSC Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival 5.30pm Fri Assembly - Yr 6R ANZAC Day WEEK 3 Mon 25 th – 1 st May Mon ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY Tues Yr 7 (2017) info evening HSC Fri Assembly - Yr 1P
Transcript
Newsletter No: 11 Wednesday, 20th
April 2016
Dear Parents and Friends, Please read below an excellent address by Bishop Vincent Long exploring the importance of the Jubilee of Mercy. For Pope Francis, the Church is not a museum for saints but a field hospital which heals the wounded, strengthens the weak and lifts up the lowly. Our very credibility is at stake when we lack merciful and compassionate love for those who are on the periphery or estranged from the Church by one reason or another. The Jubilee is opportune for us to respond anew to the clarion call of the Council to engage with the hopes and joys, the griefs and anxieties of the people of our age. In the words of Pope Francis, “The time has come for the Church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.” Through the lens of mercy, we learn to be a missionary and inclusive Church – a Church that reaches out to those who struggle and fall short of the Christian ideal. We are reminded of how the early Church accommodated and enabled people like Thomas to make their personal journey from doubt to faith. Today more than ever, we are called to make this ecclesial inclusiveness, this big tent church a real experience for all of our brothers and sisters. We are called to be instruments of mercy, which means that we have to open our hearts to those living on the outmost fringes of society. We are called to believe that no one is ever beyond hope, past the point where God’s grace and love apply to them. God does not give up on people, even if they give up on themselves. After all, we are not called to have all the answers or fix everyone’s problems. But we are called to love especially the least of our brothers and sisters, to assuage their wounds, to heal their hurt and brokenness. We can only be effective instruments of mercy when we recognise our own sinfulness and our need for metanoia or conversion. The Royal Commission into sexual abuse has revealed just how far we have drifted from the vision of Jesus. It is a shameful indictment not simply on the perpetrators and their enablers but the Church’s collective systemic betrayal of the Gospel. We cannot preach mercy without taking a long hard look at this collective systemic failure. Mercy then is not only reaching out to those on the margins. It is also an introspective exercise through which we reach in the depths of our soul and reclaim the innocence and powerlessness of the humble Servant-Leader. In this Jubilee of Mercy, let us reflect on and live out how we can best be the church of the poor and for the poor; how we can be an oasis for the unchurched and the disenchanted; how we can facilitate an encounter with Christ’s radical equality, inclusiveness and justice for the marginalized, wounded and victimized. Let us also reflect on and live out how we can be a more repentant, humble, listening and learning Church, the Church that does not prefer status quo but leads people in the direction of the kingdom, the Church that points humanity to fuller life, inclusion and justice.
Let this Jubilee of Mercy be a time of true conversion to God’s total self-emptying in Christ and his audacious identification with those on the periphery. Let it be a time in which we as the Church reclaim the powerlessness of Christ and the fundamental ethos of care for the weak and justice for the excluded. Then the Church can
truly “stand with confidence” as the conduit of mercy and the sign of hope for all.
Address by Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv (Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne) during a special Holy Hour on the Occassion of the Opening of the Holy Door of
Mercy at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 13 December 2015
Term 2
WEEK 2
Mon 18th
– 24th
Apr Thur Yr 6 visit HSC Catholic
Schools Swimming Carnival 5.30pm
Fri Assembly - Yr
6R ANZAC Day
WEEK 3
Mon 25th
– 1st
May Mon ANZAC DAY
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tues Yr 7 (2017) info
evening HSC Fri Assembly - Yr
1P
CONGRATUALTIONS
Congratulations to Jess and Joel Steel who welcomed a baby boy, Finn Steel into their family on Sunday 10
th April. Finn is a
brother to Ella and Marli Steel.
FAREWELL Today we farewell Zarnae Whitehead (1P) and her family. We wish you all the best at your new school.
MOTHER’S DAY STALL
There will be a special Mother’s Day Stall operating at MacKillop on Friday 6
th May. The P&F will be conducting our annual stall
for any ‘treasures or surprises’ that children might like to purchase for their mum for Mother’s Day. Each class from Prep to Year 6 will be rostered to visit the stall to see if they can find that ‘special something’ for their mum. There will be a range of gifts available starting at $1.00 to $5.00. Thank you to Stephanie Neal for her hard work organising the stall. Those who volunteered to assist with the Mother’s Day stall on the ‘Just One Thing’ form should have received a letter home this week to check that you are still able to assist on the day. Thank you!
SCHOOL BOARD
Our School Board met on Tuesday evening for our monthly
meeting. At this meeting we revisited and updated our MacKillop
Guidelines to Bullying and reviewed our Commercial Fundraising
Policy. We welcome two new parent members to the Board –
Penny McGuiness and Alister Paskins.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The annual Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival will be held this Thursday 21
st April at the Pioneer Swimming Pool at 5.30pm.
Competitors are encouraged to be at the pool by 5.15pm. Entry prices are $5 per adult, $3 for high school students or $5 per family. Information regarding this carnival was sent home last term with students who have been invited to compete. Selection for this team has been based on results from our school carnival.
GO BLUE FOR AUTISM DAY
Friday 29th April is Go Blue for Autism Day. The aim of the day is
to help raise awareness and funds to support Queenslanders
living with ASD.
On this day children are asked to wear blue and bring in a gold
coin donation.
A reminder children are expected to wear SunSmart clothing
including shirts with sleeves, closed in footwear and their school
hat.
ANZAC DAY LITURGY
MacKillop will celebrate our ANZAC Day liturgy on Friday 22nd
April at 8.45am in the hall led by Year 6R. ANZAC Day reminds us of the selfless acts these people did in serving others. Thank you to Helen Privett and Helen Ringelstein who have organised the liturgy. You should have received a note home last term about participation in the ANZAC Day march. Children that are participating will need to assemble behind the MacKillop school banner at the “old” Coles’ car park in Sydney Street, near the Red Cross building by no later than 8.15am to allow time to settle children into their positions.
The march commences at 8.40am and exits onto the road via the Red Cross side of the car park on route to Jubilee Park. All participants will need to be in the BLUE FORMAL SCHOOL UNIFORM, including MacKillop school hat (except for Prep
students) to participate. If children wish to wear medals belonging to a family member, they are to be worn on the right hand side of their shirt. In the event of rain students may wear raincoats. Students will be fully supervised by MacKillop Staff. At the completion of the march, at approximately 9.15am, students are to be promptly collected from the marshalling area in Nelson Street beside Central State School. Look for our school banner and our staff representatives when collecting your child/ren. Our school leaders will lay a wreath on our behalf at the ceremony following the march.
P&F ASSOCIATION
We had our P&F Meeting on Monday evening. Our new P&F Executive members for 2016 are: Natalie Mogg (President), Elizabeth Ellul (Vice- President), Melissa Durnsford (Secretary), Rachel Bettinelli (Treasurer) and Vera Ramshaw (Regional Delegate). I would like to thank these ladies for taking on these positions and I look forward to working with you this year.
URGENTLY NEEDED PLEASE! CLASS CO-ORDINATOR FOR 4C & 4S, 2016
We still have vacancies for Class Co-ordinators in the following classes: Years 4C and 4S. We really need these positions filled. You may even like to share the role with another parent in the class. If you can assist please contact the office.
PARENT INFORMATION EVENING WITH INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER
Parents are invited to attend an evening with Dr Debbie Pushor at St Francis commencing at 5.30pm, Tuesday 3
rd May. She
currently works as a Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Dr Pushor is the Keynote speaker at the State P&F Conference in Rockhampton and will be travelling to Mackay after the conference to provide another opportunity for meetings. The topic for the meeting is, ‘What does Parent Engagement and Parent Voice look like in your Catholic school in the future?’ Please let the office know if you would like to attend so we can confirm numbers with St Francis. Thank you, we would love to see some parents attend.
MACKAY CRIME PREVENTION Mackay Crime Prevention have recently launched a project that we would like you to consider being involved with. It is simply recording on our police systems the fact that you have CCTV recording equipment at your home. Registration is free and confidential. Your involvement may assist in the future investigation of a crime somewhere else in the community as your system may have recorded evidence to assist police arrest offenders. If you follow the link below you will see a link to the registration page, one for commercial and one for residential premises. http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/mackay/community-camera-alliance/
PREP ENROLMENTS 2017 Enrolments for Prep for 2017 are now being taken. If you have a child due to commence Prep next year (born between 1 July 2011 and 31 July 2012), please complete an enrolment form available from the office or on our website. Enrolments for Years 1 -6 are also currently being taken for 2017. When returning the enrolment form, please ensure that there is a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate and immunisation records. It is essential that we have our current families accounted for so that we know the number of places available for new families.
PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers the following people who are unwell: For anyone who is sick within our community, we pray for God’s healing and restoration.
Keep Smiling
Allison Blakey Principal
Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton
presents
Easter to Pentecost
Parish communities, school communities, families and individuals are invited to interact with this resource. The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday and is an opportunity for us to reflect on what living the spirit of the Easter season in this Jubilee of Mercy means in personal and practical terms. Access www.eastertopentecost.com.au for parish liturgies, individual reflection and understanding of this season through to Pentecost Sunday.
‘The Ode’ is the verse that identifies Anzac Day for us all and reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice
made by so many.
The Ode
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. Lest We Forget. The Ode comes from ‘For the Fallen’, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in 1914. This verse, which became the Ode for the Returned and Services League, has been used in association with commemoration services in Australia since 1921.
Monday is Anzac Day and MacKillop children are invited to
show their respect for those who ‘fought’ for the freedom we enjoy in our country today, by taking part in the Anzac march on Monday morning. A separate permission letter has been sent home with students. On Friday morning we commemorate Anzac Day here at MacKillop. Year 6R will lead us in a prayerful and reverent remembrance of Anzac Day and why it is important to us as a nation. We gather to remember those who have served and still serve in wars, and the sacrifice of those who have died. We remember their sacrifice, so that today in Australia, we can live in peace; in a country where we experience freedom, safety and hope.
ANZAC DAY MARCH!! Children are to wear their BLUE FORMAL UNIFORM and
assemble in the ‘old Coles’ car park by 8:15am. They can be collected (by parents only) from a staff member opposite the MECC building following the march. If children wish to wear medals belonging to a family member, they are to be worn on the right hand side of their shirt. Our school leaders will lay a wreath on our behalf at the ceremony following the march.
SACRAMENTAL DATES!
Sacramental Interviews – 18th
/19th
/20th
April Sacrament of Reconciliation – 10
th/11
th/12
th May
Family Preparation Day – 2pm Sunday 15th
May Confirmation Practice – Monday 23
rd 3:30pm
Confirmation Ceremony – Tuesday 24 May 6:30pm Eucharist Practice – Friday 3
rd June, 3:30pm
Eucharist Celebration – 4th
/5th
June Weekend Masses Ritual of Commissioning – 18
th /19
th June Weekend Masses
Please pray for all those who continue their preparation for the Sacraments.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord
God Bless, Helen Privett Assistant Principal Religious Education We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and pay respects to their Elders and all Elders, past, present and future.
Please note: * Run during school terms excluding holidays
Issue 3 Book Club order forms were handed out to
students last week.
Closing date for Issue3 is Wednesday 27th
April, 2016.
Scholastic Book Club has 3 easy ways to pay:-
1. By Credit Card using the Loop.
www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP When you order
your items online there is no need to fill in the
order form or send anything back to the school.
2. Cash – please place cash in an envelope or a zip
lock bag with your child’s name and class on the
front.
3. Cheque – If paying by cheque, please make sure
they are payable to Scholastic Australia and
attach it to your order form and place in an
envelope or a zip lock bag with your child’s name
and class on the front.
With every purchase from the Scholastic Book Club
Catalogues our school receives 20% in Scholastic
Rewards of all book club sales. We then can use the
rewards to purchase books and resources throughout the
year for all the students of MacKillop.
I hope you all enjoy browsing through the new Scholastic
Book Club Catalogue and thank you for your support.
Many thanks
Marie Schembri
Library Coordinator
HOCKEY NEWS !!! TRAINING DAYS – Subject to ground and weather conditions U7 – Mackillop School 3.15pm on front oval – day to be changed U11 – Hockey fields 3.30pm on Thursday’s on Bridge Road side DRAW FOR SATURDAY 23rd APRIL U7 Mackillop team 8.00am Field 1B v Emmanuel Blue U11 Mackillop/Vic Park team 8.55am Field 3 v West Leopards PLAYING DATES NO GAMES on Saturday 30th April (May Day Weekend) due to Mackay holding the Zone Representative Carnival. Please contact Stacey Davidson for enquiries. Ph: 0409982184 Email: [email protected]
Second Hand Uniform Shop has moved!!!
Our second hand uniform shop is open Monday
and Friday after morning assembly, in the tuckshop store room.
Swimming caps have arrived and are available for purchase in the office for
$2 each.
Due to the resignation of Sue Walker our Tuckshop
Coordinator, there will be no tuckshop in Term 2 until further
Saige Sharpe We were so impressed when you confidently named all the vowels in your name. “I have 3 vowels in my name, a, i, and e”. Keep up the awesome effort Saige!
Baylen Smith
Wow! What a fantastic start to the term you are having. Your “Parts of a Flower” drawing was done with such care and detail. It looks amazing! Fantastic effort!
Harley Jewell
Thank you for sharing your Peter Pan costume with the class for show and tell. You showed so much confidence and enthusiasm when presenting it, using a loud voice and lots of expression. It was lovely to see.
Prep E Cassidy Blakey Cassidy has made a fantastic start to Term 2!! She has been coming in ready to learn every morning with her sightwords, letters and numbers which is Wonderful! I have loved how Cassidy is beginning to write her words as well! Great work, Cassidy!!
Nate Vlekken
Nate, I would like to congratulate you for knowing all of your first 200 words! And you read Andy Griffiths books with speed and accuracy!! What a clever student you are!!! Awesome work Nate!
1P Michael Punzell
Well done Michael on an excellent start to Term 2. Your listening is improving and you are trying to get your work done quickly. Keep up the super effort!
Genevieve Grandcourt
I really enjoy reading your writing Genevieve. You take the time to spell your words carefully and you always remember your full stops. This week it was great to see you having a go at editing your work too. Keep up the wonderful work!
2D Flynn Bailey
Wow Flynn you thought of so many short vowel words! You were able to recognise, sort and spell these words correctly. Well done!
Gemma Matheson
Thank you for sharing so many comparisons about a television from the past and present. You really knew your facts!
2S Nathan Peever
I was very impressed at how hard you were trying with your typing in the computer lab. You were really taking care to type with accuracy and speed. Well done!
Holly Hill
It is wonderful to see you taking more care with your writing. You are trying hard to ensure your letters are formed neatly in the lines. Well done!
3J Andre’ Doumergue
What an awesome visualisation picture. It depicted exactly what was read aloud. You ensured your picture was coloured beautifully also. Great job!
Chelsea Nield
For a terrific narrative writing piece. You utilised appropriate adjectives. All punctuation was correct. I loved reading your story.
4C Nickolas Punzell
I was very impressed with the way you completed your “Magic Potion” Maths activity so quickly and accurately. Keep up the awesome effort Nickolas!
Andre Rosales
You have begun Term 2 demonstrating a great enthusiasm to learn. I like the way you have contributed your ideas to class discussions this week. Well done Andre!
4S Sarina Hooper
For your fantastic efforts during handwriting sessions. You are concentrating hard on forming your letters correctly and on joining accurately when using cursive writing. Wonderful Sarina!
Montana Hobbs
For your excellent work during Mathematics this week. You listened carefully during direct teaching sessions then persevered when working independently to create your own Fact Families. Keep up the super effort, Montana!
5D Braiden Paton
For staying on task in researching your Geography assignment. Well done!
Rory Barrie
For the excellent manner in which you have applied yourself for the beginning of Term 2. You are a pleasure to teach. Keep this up.
5K Matty Miller
For a good start to the term. You are listening and participating well in class. Keep up the good effort.
Sean McKenzie
For your insightful ideas and knowledge that you eagerly share with the class. You are a legend.
6M Joele Cruikshank
For displaying great reading and group management skills from the author’s chair. Well done!
William Perfrement
For the interest and enthusiasm you take in writing narratives. I look forward to reading your stories this term. Well done Will!
6R Baylen Walden
I really appreciated your contributions to our class discussions about the early Christian Church, during our Godly Play on The Twelve Apostles. You posed very thoughtful questions which generated a great deal of interest.
Connor Cridland
I love your enthusiasm for Mathematics! I especially loved the way you were able to verbally explain and write the multiplication and division of decimal numbers. Your working out in your Maths pad is crystal clear and accurate.
PE
Award Summer O’Neill
You are an amazing long distance runner. You ran the Cross Country with such ease by pacing yourself. Keep up the fantastic effort and you will blitz it on Cross Country day.
Kayne Russell
You are such a great sport during our PE lessons. You participate in all our games and activities with enthusiasm and encourage others along the way.
Visual Art
Award Gemma Smith
For being a willing worker in Visual Arts! You listened to the instructions and then began your work straight away and without fuss. Fantastic effort, Gemma!
Banjo Wells
For the mature way you participated in our first Visual Arts lesson. You concentrated well, listened carefully and made some valuable observations and comments. Well done, Banjo!
Principal’s
Award Marissa Bruton
In recognition of the way you worked so diligently in class when I was teaching 5K and your lovely manners. Thank you!
These children have been ‘Making Jesus Real’ at
MacKillop. Congratulations!
Apr 18 Ava Woods 23 Indigo Lui 24 Joele Cruikshank 24 Mersades Lawson
Spots are available to learn an instrument at MacKillop. The electric program includes Vocals, Electric Guitar,
Electric Bass Guitar, Keyboard and Electric Drums. The acoustic program includes the Flute, Clarinet, Alto
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion, Cello,Violin and Acoustic Guitar.
Expression of interest forms are available at the office or
call 1300 858 911 for more information.
Josh Notting
Musicorp
INDOOR NETBALL If there are any girls interested in joining an indoor netball team on a Thursday afternoon at 4pm please contact Karley Cunningham on 0408784950 for more information.
P & F MEETING Thanks to all who attended the P & F Meeting on Monday Night. We revisited the AGM and confirmed the election of a new Treasurer and Regional Delegate. Welcome to the team Rachel Bettinelli (Treasurer) and Vera Ramshaw (Regional Delegate). CENT SALE AND RAFFLE PRIZES We are starting to collect Cent Sale and Raffle Prizes for our Fete this year. If you wish to make a donation, please drop off to the office. SUPPORTER SHIRTS If you are interested in purchasing a School Supporter Shirt, there are sample sizes available in the office to try on. These are a fantastic idea for volunteers to wear to our school events! FETE MEETING Another Fete Meeting has been scheduled for Friday 29
th
April straight after school in the Library. Please come along if you wish to be involved in this fantastic event. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MASQUERADE BALL Tickets are now available to purchase for the Mackay Catholic Education Week Masquerade Ball. They are $125 each and include:
Glass of Champagne Upon Arrival
Seafood Buffet Deluxe
Live Music by “Kaviar”
Prize Draws throughout the Evening Tickets are available online via the Mercy College Website www.mercymackay.qld.edu.au. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Melissa Durnsford on 0428 842 080. If you have any suggestions for the P & F, please fill out a suggestion form available in the office and pop it into the red box. Alternatively you can email your suggestions to [email protected] Remember to check out the MacKillop P & F page on the website where you can find our contact details and the latest meeting minutes. MacKillop Catholic Primary School. Natalie, Liz, Rachel & Mel DATE CLAIMERS Fete Meeting – Friday 29
The P&F have decided to design volunteers shirts for parents to purchase. These can be worn when you volunteer or attend school
events and functions. These shirts are the same design as our MacKillop sporting teams.The cost of the shirts are $34. We have sample shirts in the office to try on for sizing. If you wish to purchase a MacKillop supporters shirt please complete the slip below and return to
the office with money enclosed.
Name: __________________________
I would like to purchase a MacKillop supporter’s shirt and have enclosed Size: (Please Circle)
