Term 1 Week 9 28 March 2013

CALENDAR

St. Elizabeth’s Parish Mass Times: Saturday, 6.30pm, Sunday, 8.30am, 10.30am and 5.30 pm

Monday, 15th April Term 2 Begins

Level 1, 2014 - Enrolments Open

School Assembly - 8.45-9.00am

Tuesday, 16th April L3 & L4 - Life Ed Van

Education Board Meeting - 6pm

Wednesday, 17th April L3 & L4 - Life Ed Van

School Tour - 9.30am

L1 & L2 - Literacy Information Night - 6.30pm

Thursday, 18th April L3 & L4 - Life Ed Van

Winter Inter School Sport - Round 1

Friday, 19th April Radio Assembly - 2HL

Dear School Community and Other Parishioners,

This is the last week of term 1, 2013, and it has been a great time to be at St Elizabeth’s.

We started the term with SWEL week and everyone got to know each other and everyone

got to know how we are expected to manage ourselves in our Learning Community. We

learned how we keep each other safe and how we help each other to learn. We got to know

our teachers and we saw how much they did to encourage us in our learning and to help us

make the right choices. We also began a weekly dance lesson with the Footsteps company.

Our Preps began a few days after we had started but soon settled in. They spent the first 2

weeks playing together in the back area but in Week 3 they came out to see what the big

kids do at playtime. It didn’t take them long to join in on the oval and on the adventure

playground equipment. The Preps are officially called Foundation Year now and that goes

for every state and territory in Australia, but we still see them as Preps!

I asked the Preps what they have been learning and they knew they had learnt some words

and ‘about books’ and they knew sounds and writing and numbers, but I reckon that what

they have also learnt is just as important - they have learned to be a team player, to share, to

take turns, to be patient, to help others, to make friends, to wait and to enjoy learning. Wow!

That is a lot of learning!

Then all students began ‘Screening Time’. In ‘Screening Time’ everyone completes lots

of tests in Literacy and Numeracy which helps the teachers to understand where children’s

strengths are and where the learning needs to be focused next. Our teachers use the

information gathered during ‘Screening’ to plan the learning for the year ahead for each

student. During this time, we also had Goal Setting and Information Evenings. Parents

and Guardians could also choose to have a second interview with the teachers if they wanted

extra time to share information. Then the learning began in earnest and everyone focused on

our learning goals.

Children are supervised on the playground during recess and lunch times. There is a teacher on duty on the playground before school 8.30am-8.55am and after school 3.15pm-3.30pm.

We ask that you collect your child promptly. If you are for some reason running late, please contact the school office on 9795 5258 and let us know.

At the Opening of the School Year Mass, we celebrated Eucharist together. That is a very important part of

what we do in our school, we are a Faith community. We also saw our School Captains enter with the house

flags, Red for McKillop, Green for Polding, Blue for Nagle and Gold for Chisholm. Then we heard about all

our Level 4 leaders and we all realised that student leadership is taken very seriously at our school. There

were lots of Level 4 children getting the Student Activity Learning Team badges. (SALT badges). Students

who lead as Captains of Sports got a badge as did the STEPS Radio team, the Mini Vinnies, the Sustainability

team and the members of the Student wellbeing Team and the Tech Angels!

Level 4 also began Interschool Sport. Some of the students found it a bit difficult the first time but over the

weeks everyone has learned the rules and how to manage the notices and organize belongings, and now it is

great fun participating in the various sports on a Thursday morning. The boy’s Softball Team has even made

it into the Finals! Good luck to everyone in the team. We have also realized how important it is to focus on

being the best sports people as well as being good players. Good sports people encourage others and make

sure everyone plays fairly, they accept the umpire’s decision even when there might be people who disagree

with his or her decision. We have a good reputation in the community as good sports people and we want to

keep it that way!

Easter was early this year and so we began the Lenten journey early in February. Ms Salierno helped us to

burn the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday and Fr Tad blessed them. They were then used to mark our

foreheads on Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday we are reminded that we need to choose the life giving

path that Christ taught and keep away from the sin that deadens us and breaks us. For the 40 days of Lent we

have been encouraged to think carefully about the choices that we make and if we are giving up something for

Lent we were asked to donate saved money into the Project Compassion boxes. That way our actions support

those in need in our world.

Our Mini Vinnies had a very special morning at Nazareth College working with the Mini Vinnies from

other primary schools in our Nazareth Cluster. Ms Popowycz and Ms Salierno went with them and they

worked with Jacinta, the School Liaison officer from the St Vincent de Paul Society. During the morning

they listened to each other’s plans as well as learning about the history of St Vincent de Paul and the work of

the St Vincent de Paul Society in the Dandenong Deanery.

I hope our Mini Vinnies can inspire our adult community to begin another branch of St Vincent de Paul right

here in our own parish of St Elizabeth’s. I am sure the need for support is there but I also know that we are

all busy with our own affairs. I just think that if a group of Mums and Dads could get together to start up a

St Vincent de Paul Society in our parish, it would be a wonderful modeling of what we think Christianity is

about. It takes real leadership to see someone else’s needs and to work with others to set about fixing it.

All through the weeks following Screening, great learning and teaching has been happening. Ms Vivienne

D’Cruze is a good learner and sets a great example to the students here. Even though she has a big workload

at school and a home to run, she managed to get a Diploma of Business in her free time. I was fortunate to be

invited to attend Ms D’Cruze’s Graduation in the new Catholic Leadership Centre. It was a very special day

for both of us.

In early March the St John’s Ambulance Brigade came in and put all the Teacher Aides, office staff, admin

staff and Mr Andrew through an intensive course in Anaphylaxis management. The rest of the staff revisited

anaphylaxis management led by Ms Perazzo. We have several children at our school who have an allergic

reaction to some foods especially nuts. That is why we ask that no-one brings nuts to school. We cannot

make our school nut free but we can try to keep our students as safe as possible. It is very important that

children with allergies learn to make independent and responsible choices as to what they eat, but this is a

caring community and we try to help by limiting the number of times they have to make those choices.

Lane Clark came out from Canada to work with us again on Tuesday and Wednesday the 11th and 12th of

March, but this time we did not close the school. We ran workshops for the teachers at each level and used

CRT staff to fill in as the teachers attended the workshops.

One of the great things we have all taken on is a tool designed by Lane called Author Think.

This is a publishing process which has a series of steps that takes a writer or producer through various steps

from planning an idea to actually publishing the finished product. I will give you details of what that will look

like in Term 2 as the children will all be using it from Level 1 through to 4.

On March 17th the captains and Ms Salierno and Ms Caia went to the St Patrick’s Day Mass followed by a

concert in the Park near the cathedral. The children love being part of this big celebration and it shows them

that we are part of a great system of Faith and Education. They are also blown away by the Cathedral itself. If

you ever need to fill in a day in the holidays, go to Mass at the Cathedral and enjoy the beautiful gardens

around that area. Its all free and it is a great day out.

I tried and tried all term to get a Glee Club up and running for the children at lunchtimes. Unfortunately,

although very generous in offering support, Nazareth College could not get its timetable to fit ours so that

senior students could lead the activity. I advertised the position on Gumtree and didn’t get a single offer.

I am now investigating a company that offers music teachers including singing teachers to see if they can help!

This last week of term has been a very important week for many of our Level 3 children as they received the

Sacrament of Reconciliation. We celebrated 5 times with the biggest number ever taking advantage of the

daytime session. I always love the peace and sense of goodness associated with this sacrament. Well done to

all the children who took part, thanks to families who supported them and congratulations to Level 3 teachers

for the way in which the children embraced the grace of forgiveness. I hope this understanding of owning our

mistakes, saying sorry and moving to restore peace in the situation will become part of their lives forever.

We finished with the children celebrating the Stations of the Cross using their own art works. Many of you

joined in with them. As we prepare to journey through the misery of Good Friday, the hopelessness of Easter

Saturday and the joy of Easter Sunday, I hope that many of you will take part in Parish celebrations wherever

you are.

Term 2 commences at the usual time with assembly in the PAC at 8:45am on April 15th. Happy Easter to all

of you.

Christine Ash

Principal

Religious Education News ...

‘I will never forget you, my people;

I have carved you on the palm of my hand.’

A very special ‘Congratulations and Thank You’ to the Level 3 children who celebrated Reconciliation for the first time. It was a joy filled and prayerful celebration shared with family. In trying to say ‘Thank You’ to all who contributed to the celebration I must say a very special thank you to Fr Tad, Mrs. Christine Ash, Mrs. Nan Perazzo and the Level 3 staff: Mrs. Kris Hall, Miss Gayanji Amunagama, Miss Delphine Lubin, Miss Tania Baldetti and Mrs. Sigrun Hurren.

Over this week, 34 children from across Level 3 have celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. On Tuesday we had 2 ceremonies, one beginning at 6.30pm followed by one at 7.30pm and 3 ceremonies on Wednesday, one beginning at 2:15pm, then 6.30pm followed by the last one at 7.30pm allowing the children to experience the Second Rite of the Sacrament. The Second Rite of Reconciliation brings us together in community, in our families, where we hear and reflect on a Scripture passage. We look at the scripture of, “The Forgiving Father - The Lost Son,” from Luke’s Gospel to help us reflect on our own need to turn back to the Father, seeking forgiveness, seeking the wholeness that comes with being welcomed back joyfully into the community. Families were then given time to think about themselves and the things that happen in their daily life that they need to name and seek forgiveness for. The children were then invited to move across to the Reconciliation room where they met with Fr Tad and celebrated the sacrament. We then came back together again as a community for a final sharing of prayer and to receive a Blessing. These children’s sacramental journey continues as next term they focus on preparing for the Sacrament of First Communion, Eucharist. I take this time to thank everyone for a wonderful, but busy term. Please enjoy the Easter festivities with your families and loved ones. Take time to reflect and spend time together. May these holidays be full of adventure, but also rest! I look forward to another exciting term ahead. Keep smiling!

Elisabetta Salierno

Catholic Identity Coordinator (CIC)

saliel@sedandenongnth.catholic.edu.au

SACRAMENTAL NEWS:

Confirmation Candidates:

As we come to the end of this term, I take this opportunity to thank the Confirmation

candidates with their families for their continued support of the weekly mass here at

St Elizabeth’s.

Now as we look to begin the new term and move into the joy-filled Easter Season we again

ask families to nominate 3 weekends on which they will attend mass as part of the

St Elizabeth’s parish community.

‘Hope is patience With the lamp lit’.

TERTULLIAN

Student Wellbeing News ...

CHORES Children need opportunities to belong to their families through their contribution. Until recently, children’s help around the house was essential – families were bigger and there was little technology to lighten the load. Even though we live in a more automated age than our grandparents our lives are just as busy. The need for children to pitch in and help is just as pertinent today. The expectation that children should help at home sends a powerful message that their contribution is valued. Children learn to be contributors rather than mere takers within their social groups. Helping at home is an opportunity for children to make a contribution to the family, rather than their moneybox so the following ideas may help you develop the helping habit in children. 1. HELP IS HABIT-FORMING - When you consistently expect children to help from a young age, their

contribution not only becomes a habit but it soon becomes a family value. 2. MAKE THE HELP REAL, NOT PHONEY - Give them real tasks such as emptying dishwashers,

collecting mail and cooking meals rather than time-fillers. (Visit our website: www.parentingideas.com.au for a list of jobs suitable for each age group).

3. DON’T DO THE JOBS (‘HELP’) FOR THEM - Sometimes it is easier for parents to do the jobs

themselves, but this encourages children to leave it up to their parents. 4. USE GRANDMA’S PRINCIPLE TO KEEP KIDS ON TASK - My grandma used to put things in the

right order so I wasn’t allowed to watch television until the table was cleared after a meal. 5. USE THE TERM ‘HELP’, NOT ‘CHORES’ - Image is everything. The terms ‘job’ and ‘chore’ sound

like hard work and can be extremely off-putting.

6. PLACE IMPORTANT HELP ON A ROSTER - Allocate help with children’s assistance then place their names on a roster next to the tasks. You can use symbols rather than words for pre readers. When children complete a task they can place a sticker on the matching symbol on the roster. This serves as a record of their contribution. It is a good idea to change the roster around frequently to share the less appealing tasks.

7. SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THEIR HELP - Let them know that their contribution to the family is valued. If you do it often enough they may even show their appreciation to you in return.

8. KEEP HELP AND POCKET MONEY SEPARATE - It’s reasonable to expect that children should help around the house without expecting a reward.

The notion of helping fits in with the philosophy that a central task of parenting is to promote a sense of generosity and community-mindedness in children. As most research indicates these core values are primarily learned at home. Published by Michael Grose Presentations (03) 5983 1798. All rights reserved. For more great ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient young people visit: www.parentingideas.com.au Nan Perazzo Wellbeing Coordinator

School Sport News ...

Holy Week Timetable

Parish Reconciliation 7pm - 8pm Tuesday 19th March, Wednesday 20th March and Thursday

21st March..

HOLY WEEK

Palm Sunday: 24th March Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am and 5:30pm.

Holy Thursday: 28th March No morning Mass. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30pm.

Good Friday: 29th March Stations of the Cross 10am (St. Mary’s Seminary in Jacksons Road Mulgrave).

Following the Stations of the Cross; Reconciliation will be available.

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Death 3:00pm (St. Elizabeth’s Church).

The Easter Vigil: 30th March

8:00pm.

Easter Sunday: 31st March

8:30am and 10:30am.

Please note there will be no Evening Mass on Easter Sunday.

Community News ...

What A Fun Filled Term 1 ...

SWEL WEEK WELCOME TO

OUR 2013 PREPS

BURNING OF

THE ASHES

COMMISSIONING

OF MINI VINNIES

ST PATRICKS

DAY MASS

School News...

St. Elizabeth’s Netball Team

If you are interested in joining the St.

Elizabeth’s Netball Club or if you have

any questions please don’t hesitate to contact :

Melinda Ware-Drakeford on 0459 444 463 or Jackie

McCarthy on 0419 867 296.

Netball training is held every Wednesday after

school at the St Elizabeth’s courts (PAC if raining).

The new season commences on Saturday 23rd March

at Greaves Reserve, Bennett St, Dandenong. (There

are no games or training over the school holidays).

The netball uniform consists of a maroon netball

skirt, navy blue polo shirt or t-shirt and runners.

EASTER FUNDRAISER

It is with thanks to the

generosity of our school families

that ten prizes were drawn and

sent home with the prize winners.

The ten winners were : Mrs Claxton, Christian

G, Elarine (OSHC), Alex S, Jonathan S,

Robert M, Pia A, Perry S, Mrs Claxton and

Peraveen T.

Thank you to all who donated to and brought

tickets for the Easter Raffle.

The amount of $998.40 was raised through

the Parents and Friends Easter Raffle and

Hot Cross Bun drive.

Thank you

Reminder: When shopping at Bakers Delight in Waverley mention our school name, and they will donate a percentage of your purchase back to the school through their Dough Raiser Program.

Woolworths Earn & Learn 2013 Yes we are registered!

Beginning on Monday 8th April.

It's simple to take part, when you shop at Woolworths collect points from the checkout operator and place them on point sheets. There'll be one point for every $10 spent

(excluding liquor, tobacco, and gift cards)

Once completed, send the points sheets into school. We will do the rest.

Last year we received a lot of new furniture and games

which are being used in the Prep rooms.

It is very easy to help raise funds for our school:

The next Parents and Friends meeting

will be held on Monday 22nd April at

2:20pm until 3.10pm in the staffroom.

All very welcome.

Come along, join in and meet the

friendly parents who make up the

Parents and Friends Association.

ENROLMENTS FOR LEVEL 1, 2014

Enrolments for Prep 2014 will open 1st week

of term 2. Any existing families with

younger siblings due to start next year and

wanting an enrolment form, please collect

from the School Office, and make an

appointment for your interview.

If you know of any children wanting to enroll

at St. Elizabeth’s in 2014, could you please

let the School Office know.