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NEWSLETTER no.4 Wednesday 16th March 2016 WEEK 8, TERM 1

St Andrew’s Parish

CORPUS CHRISTI PRIMARY SCHOOL

29 RUSSELL STREET, WERRIBEE VIC. 3030

Telephone: (03) 9741 8440 – Facsimile: (03) 9741 8038

www.ccwerribee.catholic.edu.au

From the Principal

Dear Parents / Carers,

It is difficult to believe this is the final newsletter of the term. We’ve had a great Term One with so many people contributing so generously to the life of Corpus Christi School. The most important feast in the church’s year, Easter, will be celebrated during the school holidays. It is a time when we rejoice in the new life Christ gave us through His death and resurrection. We wish every family a very peace-filled Easter and restful holiday.

SENIOR CAMP

It’s great to have our campers back safe and sound!! All staff, students and parents had a most worthwhile and enjoya-ble time in spite of some extreme weather! It has been great to hear about many of the great experiences that were had at this interesting setting. The children truly did us proud once again with their fantastic behaviour and participation in all experiences. Well done children!

Many thanks go to Miss Dundov, Ms Spence, Mrs Baird, Miss Vella, Mrs Ware and Miss Padula for their great work in organising and managing all aspects of the Camp Program including the challenging weather and facility conditions. They did an exceptional job in supporting all children throughout the three days!

A special and huge thank you goes to the parents who gave their time so generously to support the children and staff during the camp: Mr Paul Ballan (Jye) Mr Andrew Klyscz (Thomas) Mrs Belinda Delaney (Flynn) Mrs Christina Tullio (Aidan), Mr Mario Muraca (Ebony) , Mr Greg Musarra (Hayley), Mr Kyle Dent (Bryce), Mr Justin Bailey (Annabel), Mr Rob Portogallo, (Jade) and Mr Dean Trovarelli. Your support throughout the camping experience was greatly appreciated and valued. Thank you!

I would like to thank and to make special mention of Miss Dee Dundov for undertaking the role as Camp Leader and ensuring the program ran extremely smoothly. Well done everyone!

School Camps sometimes experience the unexpected! In my case, while at our Senior camp I planned to join a basket-ball game, tripped, fell very hard on my knee and fractured my shin bone - the tibia. Unfortunately I will be out of action for some time, but fortunately will have the term holidays to help with my recovery.

STAFF NEWS

Mrs Adamko will be on Long Service Leave from 16th March and we wish her all the best as she travels overseas. We look forward to Viv's return on 18th April. During her absence please direct any queries to Mrs Peta Cesarec and Mrs Anne Walton.

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

Thank you to all the wonderful support we received from many of our parents on our School Photo Day on Thursday 3rd March. The day ran extremely smoothly because of the time and help offered by many of our parents throughout the day to ensure all children ‘looked their best’ for their 2016 school photo.

TWILIGHT FAMILY FUN NIGHT - We look forward to seeing many of you tonight at our Family Fun Night commencing at 5:00pm on the school oval where families will be involved in a number of family fun activities. Following this at 6:00pm on the basketball courts and front grassed area families are invited to

bring a picnic dinner or enjoy a sausage sizzle, which will be available for purchase from 6:00pm. Best wishes to all for a Happy, Holy Easter and a Safe Restful Holiday. With kindest regards, Linda.

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EVERY DAY COUNTS - SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and everyday.

Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future - a student missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the year. By Year 10 they’ll have missed more than a year of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school - each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.

Coming to school every day is vital, but if for any reason your child must miss school, there are things we can do to-gether to ensure they don’t fall behind.

∙ Speak with you classroom teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up

∙ Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

In accordance with Corpus Christi School Policy regarding School Attendance, if a child is going to be absent from school, a courtesy telephone call, from either parent, may be made to the school. Upon returning to school Parents must supply a note to the Classroom Teacher explaining why your child was absent from School whenever he/she is absent - along with a medical certificate where applicable.

If a child is going to be absent for a prolonged period of time, a dated letter giving the reasons for the absence, and the expected date of return, is required. If a child is absent and parents do not supply an absence note an official letter requesting that parents explain the reasons for the child’s absence on a particular day of days may be sent home.

WEEKEND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Our weekend maintenance program will re-commence for another school year starting on Sunday 10th April. Please keep a look out for your Reminder Notice which will be sent home in the lead up to your rostered weekend. The first four weekends of the new roster have been included in this newsletter. Families may contact the school office for assistance should they require further information. The support of our families is greatly appreciated.

WINTER UNIFORM As our climate seems to be ‘warming up’ and we quite often experience warm weather into May, children will have a ‘change over’ period during which you can choose either the winter or summer uniform. This period will go from our first day back in Term 2 – Monday 11th April to Friday 6th May 2016. Could all par-ents please check the names on your child’s jumpers/windcheaters to ensure that your child has the correct item of clothing. If your child has mistakenly taken the wrong uniform please return to school and we’ll try to locate the correct item for your child.

EDUCATION IN FAITH

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A BLESSING FOR EACH OTHER

May the Lord broaden our love for each other,

May we find in each other the love that God willingly wants us to share,

May we be a sign of God’s love to each other.

May we be the living action of the love of God in each other’s

life. Amen

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EDUCATION IN FAITH

OUR LENTEN TIME continues as we journey to Easter . Dur ing our Lenten journey we are invited to reflect upon and renew our own faith. Journeying with each other, encouraging each other to be the best person we can be. Traditionally it is a time where we try to spend a little more time in prayer, practice a little self-denial by fasting or giving up something that we like/love, and assist those less fortunate through almsgiving (donations).

PROJECT COMPASSION Lent is a time where we traditionally suppor t Project Compassion through the Catholic relief agency Caritas. Each learning community has a Project Compassion box and we ask students to think about how they can support this valuable charity by perhaps doing an extra little job or two to earn a little bit of money to donate.

RECONCILIATION some of our students have celebrated God’s love and forgiveness through the formal Sacrament of Penance (also known as Reconciliation)on Saturday 5th March and more will do so this Saturday 19th March. Children have explored what Reconciliation means in our lives. We realise we celebrate this sacrament every day, by the way we forgive, or the way we try and make things right when we have hurt someone through words or actions.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK is celebrated across the Archdiocese of Melbourne this week. An annual event, this year’s theme "Opening Doors in the Year of Mercy . Our Senior Leaders, Mrs Ware and Mrs Baird will join with many others across the Archdiocese at the Mass of St Patrick in St Patrick’s Cathedral tomorrow. Our twilight sports tonight form part of our celebration of this special week.

JUNIORS will celebrate Mass on Thursday 17th March at 9:00 in the MFR.

HOLY WEEK liturgy will be held next Wednesday 23rd March at 9:00am, led by our Middle Learn-ing Community. This commemoration of the events leading up to Easter will be prepared by our middle unit. Please join us if you can to recall the events leading up to our Church’s major feast of Easter. EASTER We will celebrate Easter when we return after the holidays on Thursday 14th of April at 9:00am. Our Junior classes will prepare this celebration. A reminder that Easter Sunday begins the season of Easter which lasts for 40 days. CONFIRMATION COMMITMENT MASS will be celebrated on Thursday 21st April at 9:00am here at school. Our families are warmly invited to be part of this liturgy where our Confirmation candidates com-mit to the process of celebrating this sacrament.

DO YOU WISH YOUR CHILD TO BE BAPTISED? If your child is school aged and you are wanting Baptism for him/her, it is Parish policy that they undertake a Baptism preparation course. There are two opportunities only during the year for this course. Please contact the Parish House on 9741 4144 for further information. SPECIAL MORNING : GRANDPARENTS AND PARISHIONERS As part of our celebration of Family

Week which we are celebrating on the week beginning the 2nd of May this year, we will be having a special

morning for our Grandparents and for the Parishioners of St Andrew’s. This will be on Wednesday the 4th of

May . We invite our student’s grandparents to join us from 9:00am – 11:00am to tour our school, visit their

grandchild’s classroom, join in a special prayer service where we will give thanks for the gift of grandparents

and then share lunch or morning tea with their grandchild/ren. Parishioners from St Andrew’s parish will

also be invited to join us on that day. A letter with more information will be coming home this week.

Mrs Viv Adamko, Deputy Pr incipal

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SWIMMING CARNIVAL

What a day we had at the Division Finals on Thursday 10th March at the Werribee Outdoor Pool. The damp weather didn't stop the 20 Corpus Christi students from representing the Werribee District with such enthusi-asm, as we swam against the Hoppers Crossing and Truganina Districts.

Congratulations to all the children - they swam brilliantly. Those who placed 1st or 2nd in individual events and 1st in team relays have qualified to swim at the Western Metro Region Finals at Geelong on Tuesday 22nd March.

The results were:

Enrico D 1st Butter fly, 1st Freestyle

Ebony M 2nd Backstroke

Kai C 1st Freestyle, 4th Breaststroke

Jade P 2nd Freestyle

Jake J 4th Breaststroke, 1st Butter fly

Zavier P 4th Backstroke

Lachlan R 5th Backstroke

Declan F 2nd Backstroke

Open Girls Medley Relay 2nd (Ebony M, Tahlia K, Cailey D, Jade P)

Open Boys Medley Relay 1st (Declan F, Enrico D, Jake J, Oliver R)

9/10 Girls Freestyle Relay 5th (Tae L, Charlie L, Ashley P, Bridget F)

9/10 Boys Freestyle Relay 1st (Zavier P, Obie M, Ethan M, Enrico D)

11 Boys Freestyle Relay 4th (Lachlan R, Adam P, Kai C, Tristen R)

12 Girls Freestyle Relay 2nd (Ebony M, Cailey D, Tahlia K, Jade P)

12 Boys Freestyle Relay 2nd (Declan F, Thomas K, Oliver R, Jake J)

We wish those children (underlined above) heading to Geelong next week all the best. Go Corpus!

Mrs Michelle Portelli, Physical Education Leader

P & F ANNUAL EASTER RAFFLE Tickets to this year’s Easter Raffle have been

sent home

“Free Dress Day” will be on

Monday 21st March Children come to school out of uniform and bring along a donation for our Easter Raffle!

Once again we ask for parent assistance to make up hampers. If you can assist please complete the slip sent home with tickets!

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Learning and Teaching 2016

Understanding How to Pick a Good Fit Book ! It is important for children to be able to pick a book that is challenging yet allows them to have success and enjoyment reading it. We know that children learn 90% of new words by just reading so it is important for them to experience the right book!

Here are 2 ways to help your child choose a Good fit Book. The first strategy is called: I PICK

I = I choose a book P= Purpose: why do I want to read it? I= Interest: am I interested in it? C= Comprehend: do I understand what is in the book? K= Know: do I know most of the words?

The second strategy that can be used combined with IPICK is: The Five Finger Rule

Open up a book to the middle pages without a picture and begin to read some of the words. Hold up a finger each time you see a word you do not know.

0 - 1 finger = Too easy 2 fingers = Perfect choice 3 - 4 fingers = Might need some help but give it a try 5 fingers = Too difficult

Reading should be enjoyable at any age so by using these two easy strategies when choosing books with your child I hope you will find success in choosing that Good Fit Book . Below is the 5 Finger Rule and the IPICK book mark to use or cut out and put on the fridge!

Peta Cesarec, Learning and Teaching Leader

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SENIOR UNIT

We survived camp! Students were fanatstic in the manner they worked as a community and challenged themselves in different ways. Many exciting stories about the flying fox, giant swing, rock climbing and horse riding trail. Amazing talent was also on display with Corpus Christi’s Got Talent Show! An we enjoyed swimming and hanging around the pool together! Listed below are some snapshots students wrote as part of a camp reflection:

Click! The carabiner slides into the clip on my harness that has been pulled so tight I can’t move. I hear someone call out ‘Pull’. All of a sudden, my harness jolts and I’m lifted off, into the clouds close enough to touch. I stop with a click that made my mind start ticking and thinking many thoughts. The breeze was cool and fresh across my face. I look down and my stomach churns into more knots. “1..2..3..” echoes in the distance and signals for my hand to pull the green ball…..but nothing happens. I pull again … 20 metres I drop! For a second I thought my stomach was still up in the clouds. I flew with the breeze as I look down at the ants below. This is one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.

Flynn Delaney

As I pulled the hard string, I turned my weak legs to the side. Sweat dripped down my warm, boiling, red face as I aimed towards the yellow circle. Then whoosh! Sun shined onto the silver stick. I quickly closed my eyes until I heard it bang! I slowly opened my eyes and suddenly shouted “Nooooooo”. It landed on the green, grassed ground. I slowly ran to the arrows and took them off the ground. I was amazed with myself, even if I didn’t get a bullseye.

Glory Ne

A sour, musty smell entered my nose and mouth. “Errrrrk, yuck, disgusting,” I said beneath my breath. It was so strong I could taste it. Frankie slows down and makes a weird sniffing sound. I don’t blame him as it was Jokers worse one yet. As we continued along the track, spikes and thorns brushed my skin. Frankie bent down again to eat. I pulled on the reins “Not yet buddy” I whispered, as I finally got his head up. I ran my fingers through his long, tough, stringy mane. At last we were back at camp. “Bye Frankie” I said with a slight bit of sadness in my voice. What a great day of horse riding.

James Reginato

Thanks to all the parents who joined us on camp and worked as part of our community: Andrew Klyscz, Kyle Dent, Mario Muraca, Paul Ballan, Rob Portogallo, Belinda Delaney, Justin Bailey, Greg Musarra, Dean Troveralli and Cristina Tullio.

Students will continue to explore wonderings by researching aspects of how they can make choices to be the best version of themselves physically, emotional, socially and spiritually during Inquiry sessions. Students will present their learning as part of a Rich Assessment Task (RAT) that includes a success criteria to check and work towards.

Narratives in the form of myths and legends will form the Literacy focus that continues into next term. We

will continue to expand our number sense by exploring a variety of strategies and ways of solving problems through subtraction workshops.

Regards, Leanne Spence, Senior Unit Leader

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JUNIOR UNIT

The Juniors have been preparing for our Mass on Thursday 17th of March. Our theme for mass is forgiveness and we have been exploring this topic in Religion at the moment. We have looked at the story of the Forgiving Father and investigated different ways we can ask for forgiveness. We have written sorry prayers to ask for forgiveness from God.

We have also been looking at what it means to show Mercy, as it is a Jubilee year of Mercy in the Catholic Church. We can be merciful towards others by showing forgiveness. We have responded to artworks depicting Mercy in our prayer books and have made doors of Mercy for our Reconciliation display.

Regards, Miss Jessica Padula, Junior Unit Leader

MIDDLE UNIT

The Middle community are looking through their safety lens to become 'Safety officers' at Corpus as part of their Inquiry, " How do our choices impact on ourselves and others?". Students have audited the safety of all children on the playgrounds, oval and around the yard and will work in small groups to research what actions we can take to ensure that any issues or accidents are minimized and managed here at Corpus. Students will target specific learning areas and what this might look like - from Prep to Seniors and even teachers.

From their research, students will create presentations for their specific audience informing them of different ways they can play safely. Students are very excited about the opportunity to become safety experts and the creativity they can use to present to their audience.

Regards, Mrs Kim Gleeson, Middle Unit Leader

PREP UNIT

What big eyes the Preps will have this week! We will be visiting Grandma and looking at the choices Little Red Riding Hood made. We are almost at the end of learning all the letters of the alphabet and will naturally revisit all of them over time.

We will be looking at objects in the classroom to see what is long and what is short. You might get a fright when you see the scary shape monsters we have created out of 2D shapes hanging up in our classroom!

Regards, Bernie Wall and Laura Sgro

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Wellbeing & Community Partnerships

LEARNING WALKS As advertised in our last school newsletter, parents and carers are invited to attend a Learning Walk this Thursday or Friday. Learning Walks will be offered each term as an opportunity for parents to walk through the learning communities to see contemporary learning in action. This term, Learning Walks will be offered:

Thursday 17th March 2:00pm – 3:05pm OR Friday 18th March 8:45am – 10:00am

LEGO donations A shout out! Please ask your friends, grandparents, cousins, neighbours… anybody who has Lego they no longer require. We are currently seeking donations of Lego blocks for a new club starting next term. Donations are being collected by Mrs Elissa Ardizzon and can be left at the school office. We thank you in advance!

National Day of Action Against Bullying This Friday 18th March, Corpus Christi will be participating in the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. On Friday, students will participate in mixed group activities, learning and discussing what is and isn’t bullying and completing a group artwork which will display positive strategies to be a kind friend, block bullying behaviours and how to ask for help. Further information and resources for parents and children can be found at: http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/

Students and staff are encouraged to come to school wearing a touch of orange with their school uniform to promote and unite our school community.

WHAT’S ON IN WYNDHAM?

Family Bush Dance Come and enjoy family fun, learn some bush dances and raise funds for the community. 6pm, this Saturday 19th March at Our Lady of the Southern Cross PS, Manor Lakes. For tickets, contact St Andrew’s Parish ph 9741 4144… $20 adult, $10 child 6-12 yrs, Family ticket $50 (2 adults + 2 children)

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BUSY BOX

Busy Box has resumed for this year every Thursday morning from 8:45am - please come to the office to sign in and to collect the ‘busy box’. Thank you .

PLAYGROUP

Every Wednesday morning from 9:00am to 10:00am free for pre school aged children and their parent / carer - no booking is required. Playgroup is held in the back of the Library. For further information please do not hesitate to contact the School Office.

PLEASE NAME ITEMS We have 9 jumpers or windcheaters in lost property at the moment. One jumper looks nearly brand new. These have no name, a name of a past student or an unreadable name. Can you check and name your child’s clothing so it is clearly readable. There are snack and lunch boxes too starting to pile up looking for owners. Thankyou to those that have done this.

STUDENT BANKING

Banking is done every Friday please send bank deposit books in to school office on Thursdays via Home Group Note box. Thank you.

PIANO & DRUM LESSONS - Available for students, conducted at school see school noticeboard or

for more information contact Richard Allison on 9388 2251.

GUITAR LESSONS - Music lessons are conducted at school during school hours. For more infor-

mation you may contact Sonia Overton on 0418 541 213.

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ST ANDREW’S PARISH NEWS

PALMS FOR PALM SUNDAY – If you can help with providing us with palm or olive branches for use on Palm Sun-day, we would appreciate if they could be dropped off outside the Presbytery by Friday, 18th March 2016. Parishioners are invited to bring palms and children to bring streamers with them on Palm Sunday. Thank you.

CASSEROLE BANK – We would be grateful if parishioners could help out again by providing casseroles for our freezer to be delivered to families in need in our Parish. We can accept meals in disposable containers (plastic contain-ers or ice cream containers), labelled with all ingredients used. Please provide your name and contact phone number when dropping the meals off at the Parish Office. Thank you for your generosity, it is greatly appreciated.

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH FAIR COMMITTEE has been elected for this year . The roles of Treasurer , Assistant Treasurer and Entertainment Coordinator still need to be filled. If you are considering volunteering your time for a Parish activity, are able to attend a few meetings during the year and a full day on 19th November 2016 for the Fair, then this might be for you. General Committee Members are also most welcome. For more information or a position description on the Treasurer’s role, please contact the Parish Office on 9741 4144.

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PARISH

Werribee Car Wash, 100 Ballan Road, Werribee have set up a “Wash Code” in support of St. Andrew’s Parish. Each time the “Wash Code” is entered for a $14 Deluxe Wash through the Automatic Car Wash, they will donate $1 to St. Andrew’s Parish. Please encourage your friends and family to support this initiative for the benefit of our Parish. See flyer attached and on notice boards for all details. Thank you.

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2016 SCHOOL CALENDAR & IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday 16th March Twilight Family Night Fun Night 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Activities commence at 5pm on school oval, followed by picnic dinner or sausage sizzle from 6pm

Thursday 17th March Junior Unit Mass in the MFR 9:00am - Families welcome to attend

Learning Walk - 2:00pm and 3:05pm - Parents & Carers Invited to attend

St Patricks Mass - Senior Student Leaders attend St Patricks Cathedral

Friday 18th March Whole School Assembly 2:05pm in the MFR - All Welcome to attend!

National Day of Action Against Bullying - Students can wear a touch of orange with their uniform today!….Student participation in activities, learning and discussion.

Learning Walk - 8:45am and 10:0am - Parents & Carers Invited to attend

Saturday 19th March First Reconciliation Celebration 10:00am and 4:45pm

Monday 21st March P & F Free Dress Day - students come to school in casual clothes and Easter hamper donation!

P & F Subway Lunch Day Today!

SCHOOL TOUR 9:30am and 2:00pm - Please call office to book

Tuesday 22nd March Senior Unit - Excursion to St Patricks Cathedral, Melbourne

Wednesday 23rd March Holy Week Liturgy 9:00am prepared by Middle Unit and followed by …...

…..P & F Easter Raffle Drawn today after Holy Week Liturgy in MFR - All Welcome!

Thursday 24th March Last Day of Term 1 - Students dismissed at 1:00pm

TERM 2

Monday 11th April Students return to school today - first day of term 2

Thursday 14th April Easter Liturgy prepared by our Junior Learning Communities 9:00am - All welcome.

Friday 15th April Whole School Assembly 2:05pm in MFR

Tuesday 19th April Family Numeracy Evening

Wednesday 20th April Cuppa with the Principal at 8:45am in the MFR - All Welcome to come along

P & F Meeting 7:00pm

Thursday 21st April Year 6 Confirmation Commitment Mass at 9:00am - Families are warmly invited.

Friday 22nd April Anzac Day Liturgy 9:00am - All welcome to attend in MFR

Monday 25th April Anzac Day Public Holiday - No School Today

Tuesday 26th April Prep Faith Evening

Wednesday 27th April Junior Excursion to The Shrine

Friday 29th April Whole School Assembly at 2:05pm in MFR

Tuesday 3rd May School Board Meeting 7:00pm in Staffroom

Wednesday 4th May Grandparents & Parishioners Special Morning 9:00am to 11:00am

Parish AGM - Penola Hub, St Andrews at 7:30pm

Thursday 5th May SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - No School Today

Friday 6th May SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - No School Today

Monday 9th May Mother’s Day Prayer Service - Prep Community Leading

Thursday 19th May Prep Unit Mass

Friday 20th May Confirmation Reflection Day - Senior Unit