Issue 11, 30 June 2023

In Week 10 we will celebrate NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is 'For Our Elders'. NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration held across Australia. It celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all members of our school community to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and celebrate all that it continues to offer us today and into the future.   

We are excited to engage in a range or events and activities next week as part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations. Our Year 7 and 8 students will gather at Gladstone Square on Tuesday afternoon to engage in cultural performances. On Thursday the Years 5-6 and Years 8-9 student leaders will join the community at Central Oval for a range of NAIDOC Youth Day themed activities.  

Good luck to all of our Year 11 students next week as they undertake work experience placements in Week 10. This opportunity is valuable in supporting students to explore possible post school pathways. We look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return to school.  

Attendance at school is important. We know that every day counts when it comes to your child’s education. Consistent school attendance helps to: 

• develop a sense of belonging
• develop and maintain friendships
• be more engaged at school
• progress with their learning
• be more aware of career and life options.

If your child misses 1 day a fortnight, it equates to 4 weeks of school each year. If this pattern of non-attendance were to continue over the course of their entire schooling, then they would miss the equivalent of 1 year of school! 

Being consistently late to school can have a similar impact, yet in a more subtle way. If your child is 10 minutes late to school each day, it equates to missing more than a whole week of school each year. Being late for class often means important instructions are missed and the class is interrupted. School is meant to be organised, scheduled and predictable for students. It prepares them for life beyond school, even from an early age. 

Of course, there are legitimate reasons for when students are absent or late. It is important that these reasons are communicated to the school in a timely manner. Parents/caregivers can do this by using the school SMS number (0428 071 211) or communicating directly with your child’s teacher or the front office. 

If, however, a student is away for extended periods of time or absent without reason then the school has legal responsibilities and obligations to follow it up and report this to the relevant authorities. Importantly, if there is a pattern of lateness or non-attendance then we become concerned that a child’s sense of belonging, relationships at school, level of engagement and learning progress may be hindered. Thank you for working with us and ensuring that every day counts for your child’s education.  

We will begin next term with a few staffing changes. We look forward to welcoming Mr Steve Kuerschner back from long service leave where he has been enjoying some time away with his wife travelling interstate. I am pleased to welcome Mr Neil Rossouw into our school community. Neil is an experienced teacher and will work across our secondary year levels in a number of learning areas. I know you will make Neil feel welcome in our school community. 

Mr Milo Press will finish his time with us as an Educational Support Officer (ESO) at the end of this term. Milo has offered excellent support to a number of teachers and students in our primary and middle years. We thank Milo for his contributions and wish him all the best as he heads off to Adelaide to commence university studies.  

The first day of next term (Monday 24th July) is a student free day. Staff will be engaged in professional development and learning at school. As a community of learners, it is important that staff continue to challenge themselves with new and ongoing learning opportunities. Specifically, teachers will explore new methodologies and pedagogies in Mathematics and also analyse and reflect on data and evidence relating to student learning and growth. Students will return to school on Tuesday 25th July. 

Parents/caregivers will be able to access your child’s report at the end of Week 10. Year 3-12 will be able to access reports on SEQTA Engage, Reception - Year 2 reports will be generated and sent home with your child on the last day of term. If you have any issues or questions about this, please contact the school and we are happy to assist. Please take this opportunity to celebrate your child’s successes and achievements for the year. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to discuss their child’s report with their teacher(s) if you have any questions. 

In recent weeks staff have reported a number of parents/caregivers either parking in ‘no parking’ zones near emu crossings or performing U-turns within close proximity of the emu crossings. Both of these actions are unsafe and can be potentially dangerous for children who are coming or going from school.  As part of our road safety training, staff are told they should record the details of any incidents and refer them to police if necessary. In order to keep our children and young people safe, please remember to adhere to the road rules at all times.  

The Witness is our Diocese’s bi-monthly publication that specifically targets Catholic faith adults and children. You can access The Witness online here. It is a great way to nurture your faith and stay up-to-date with what is happening around our Diocese. 

On Thursday, we celebrated the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. These two saints played an important role in Jesus’ story and how we understand the impacts of his teachings.  

Peter, originally named Simon Peter, was a fisherman called by Jesus and eventually became a leader. Peter stayed loyal to Jesus, even after denying him. Jesus forgave him and had faith in him as the "rock" on which our Church is built on, becoming the first Bishop of Rome almost 2000 years ago. It is in the story in Luke’s Gospel of Peter fishing with Jesus and being amazed at the number of fish caught that we hear the well known verse, “Do not be afraid” as Jesus calls the first disciples to begin their missionary work. 

Paul, originally named Saul, underwent a transformation when he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. He then passionately preached the Gospel of Jesus throughout many countries in the first century, establishing the first Christian communities in many towns throughout modern day Turkey. The letters we read in the Bible – Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Corinthians – have been attributed to Paul. Paul’s letter to the Colossians has a significance to us here at Caritas College this year with its connection to our Call to Community. 

The stories of both St Peter and St Paul are intertwined and complement each other to highlight humility, trust in God, forgiveness, and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. 

Last weekend, the children who received their First Holy Communion concluded the program with their Commissioning Mass. This commissioning recognises their commitment to serving Christ in the world.

Last weekend, the children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation started their program with their Enrolment Session. The Rite of Commitment for children and their families will be at masses this weekend, as children will make their commitment to the program and ask for blessings and prayers from their parents and the parish community. Families are reminded of the ‘spare weekends’ in the program if they are unable to attend one of the programmed weekends. 

We continue to pray for these children and their families as they continue their faith journey together. 

Throughout this term, our Year 9 students have been learning about relationships and how these bring meaning to our lives, as well as sin and how this can impact the relationships that we have with others, and what healing means to others, both in relationships with others and with God. 

Students explored a range of events throughout both the historical and modern world at where sin was present and where it was challenged to transfer their learning in different contexts. From discussions, students shared with eachother their discoveries as they explored events and people such as Nicky Winmar, Rosa Parks, the Holocaust, 9/11, and how these have impacted individuals, communities, and the world throughout the world. 

For the last few weeks of the term, students will have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and how these can bring about healing and forgiveness. 

To celebrate the upcoming Feast Day of Saint Joachim and Anne – Jesus’ Grandparents, the Reception to Year 3 students will be hosting a Grandparents and Grand-persons Day Liturgy on Friday the 28th of July. Families will be invited into the school to participate in the liturgy starting at 11:30, followed by time in classes. The celebration will end with a sausage sizzle at the Nature Play area, with students returning to normal lesson at the end of lunch.  

This is an opportunity for students to share their classes and the work they have been doing with their families, and to recognise the important role Grandparent and Grandparent figures play in our lives.

More information, including a reply form, will be sent home in the coming days and formal invitations will be sent home at the start of Term 3. Families can complete the catering form here.  

Please mark the date in your calendar and share it with the Grand-people in your lives!