Term 1 Week 6 of 9
Friday, 8th of March 2024
This Week’s Newsletter Items:
● Principal’s Letter
● NAPLAN
● The Resilience Project
● Easter Hampers
● New Basketball Court
● Community News
● 2025 Prep Enrolments Now Open
● Our House Spirit
● Sunday’s Gospel
● Understanding The Gospel
● Student Of The Week Awards
● Term 1 Dates
● Fundraising Flyer
● Highschool Tours Flyer
● Youth Mental Health Flyer
Dear Parents, Students & Friends,
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Dear parents and carers,
This is my first official newsletter as Principal of our amazing school. Thank you again to everyone for the warm welcome.
Over the coming weeks I am meeting with all of our staff about what they think works well in our school and what could be done even better.
This allows me to get insight into our school, to continue the great work already done and to be on a journey of continuous improvement.
I look forward to having similar discussions with parents.
I have been so impressed with the wonderful sense of welcome and community at our school. The way our students were involved in the beginning of year Mass was such an uplifting experience and was a real life example of a faith filled school with strong links with our Parish.
As you would be aware, Resurrection underwent a review in 2023. Catholic primary schools are reviewed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) every four years. At the end of the review schools develop their new School Improvement Plan which is basically a master plan of improvement for the next four years.
In upcoming newsletters I plan to share a section of that plan at a time and talk about what we are doing this year to continue to embed the great things that are happening and to improve our school in these areas. I look forward to sharing this with you.
I look forward to working together with staff, parents/carers, the parish and the wider community to strive to make our school the best it can be in order to meet the needs of our students.
I invite you all to be on this journey with me
Best wishes always,
Adrian Glasby
Principal
Labour Day Public Holiday on
Monday 11th of March
Next week, our Grades 3 and 5 students will commence their NAPLAN assessments, beginning with the writing assessment on Wednesday 13th March. Here is some helpful information to assist you in understanding what NAPLAN is, why students take part in the assessment, how the assessments are conducted and when the tests will take place.
What is NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learnt through their regular school curriculum. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
How are the tests administered?
All but one of the NAPLAN assessments are online tests. The Grade 3 writing assessment is completed on paper whilst the Grade 5 is online. All other online tests are tailored (or adaptive) which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses.
What can I do to support my child?
You can support your child by reassuring them to simply do their best. Students are not expected to study for these assessments at home. Teachers have been exploring NAPLAN style questions in class to ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests as well as taking some time on the practice test website.
What if my child is absent from school on NAPLAN test days?
We will have make-up sessions in Week 8 for students to complete any tests in the case of absence.
The dates for the assessment are listed below:
Wednesday 13th March: Writing
Thursday 14th March: Reading
Monday 18th March: Conventions of Language and Numeracy
Although NAPLAN does measure some of the literacy and numeracy skills that are taught at school, it does not measure bravery, honesty, fairness, kindness, teamwork, creativity, passion, resilience, curiosity, positivity and empathy which are embodied by so many of our students each and every day.
I wish our Grade 3 and 5 students the very best as they engage in the assessments in Weeks 7 and 8.
Mrs Shannon Betham
Deputy Principal: Learning & Organisation
I am excited to share that again this year we will be partnering with The Resilience Project!
The Resilience Project is committed to teaching positive mental health strategies to prevent mental ill-health and build young people’s capacity to deal with adversity.
We will be implementing their evidence-based Teaching and Learning Program throughout our classrooms, staffroom and school community. Teachers and students will engage in weekly lessons and activities around the key principles of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM) & Emotional Literacy.
EVIDENCE-BASED
The Resilience Project’s School Partnership Program has been independently evaluated by both The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne.
WHAT CAN BE DONE AT HOME?
To learn more about The Resilience Project and get involved from home, you can start exploring the ideas, activities and resources which bring Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) to life on TRP@HOME.
Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness (GEM) can help us feel happier, notice the positives and cope better in challenging times. Practicing GEM can be as simple as weaving it into our daily chats, whether it's during car rides home, in the classroom, or around the dinner table.
Here are three prompts to get you started:
Mrs Jess Davis
Deputy Principal: Wellbeing & Community
Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser
On offer this year for ordering will be
Traditional Hot Cross Buns ($10.00 per 6-Pack)
Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns ($10.00 per 6-Pack)
Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns ($10.00 per 6-Pack)
Orders can be made via the Square app http://resurrection-catholic-primary-school.square.site/ and will close on Monday 18th of March at 9.00am. The Hot Cross Buns will be distributed on Monday 25th of March to the eldest child in the family.
Please note there will be no cash payments accepted nor late orders accepted.
Easter Hampers
The fundraising committee are asking all students to bring in donations of the following items:
● Chocolate Easter Eggs
● Hampers or Baskets
● Ribbons / Cellophane
● Anything else Easter related!
We are asking students to bring these items into school from Monday 18th of March until Friday 22nd of March.
Our New Basketball Court
We would like to know about when your community groups are celebrating special events or when your child/ren have sporting wins, dance exams, language school awards etc. We would love to be able to publish these celebrations in our newsletter (with photos of course) to acknowledge all the different communities and groups that our families are part of.
Please note that this is not an opportunity to advertise for local sporting groups or businesses providing a community service but more a celebration of all our all the community groups, clubs and organisations who make up our Resurrection community.
If you have an item you would like to share with our school community please email
2025 Prep Enrolments Are Now Open
We are already receiving many enrolment applications from new families; which is a wonderful sign!
To assist us in our preparation and planning, we are encouraging our current parents to please collect and complete an enrolment form and to return it as soon as possible.
If you know of a family who is interested in enrolling their child into Resurrection Catholic Primary School, let them know that EVERYDAY is open day and that school tours are always available.
Our House Spirit
On Thursday the 29th of February, the Grade 5 and Grade 6 student leaders participated in our first House Spirit session. Our House Spirit representatives, Karen and Patrina, come to the school to support the student leaders by helping them develop their leadership skills. They asked us what it took to be good leaders in our school and we learnt that good leaders have to be brave and good role models for the younger students. They helped us plan an activity for our new Prep students which will help them learn more about their house colours. We are excited to plan more events for our school and participate in the House Spirit sessions again next term.
Ashton 6A
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3: 14 - 21
God sent his Son into the world that we might be saved through him.
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘The Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.
No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world
men have shown they prefer
darkness to the light
because their deeds were evil.
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it,
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth
comes out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
Gospel Reflection
To fully understand this week’s gospel passage, it is important to take the first reading into consideration as well. The account from 2 Chronicles describes the way in which the people began to neglect their relationship with God. Despite prophets and messengers being sent to them, they turned their backs on God. At about this time the Israelites were conquered, the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed and the survivors taken into exile in Babylon. For many, this was seen as a punishment from God because of their neglectful and selfish behaviour. But the reading demonstrates God’s infinite patience with humankind. God gives the people another chance and calls on them to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. God is willing to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. It is in this context that we must understand the gospel passage. In yet another attempt to demonstrate love and forgiveness, God’s only Son – the Word made Flesh – is sent into the world to lead the people from darkness to light. Despite the many, many attempts by God to demonstrate love and foster a relationship with humankind, the people have repeatedly rejected the relationship with God and preferred to live a life of selfishness and darkness. Yet we see through both of these readings the unquenchable nature of God who keeps giving humankind one more chance.
In our day to day relationships, it is true that we often seek to test the limits of the love that is expressed. Young people in particular often test the boundaries of their parents’ love and the boundaries of others who care for them. It is often a test to reassure themselves of this love – will you still love me, even if I do this? Today’s readings portray the people of God as adolescents constantly testing out the limits of God’s love. In a remarkable act, God’s own Son is sent into the world to die as a sign of the lengths to which God will go to assure humanity of the love that is theirs for the taking.
Have you thought? God in popular culture
Think for a moment of the last time you saw or heard a reference to God on a television program, in a song, or some other popular medium. Chances are, the reference was one of a judging, vengeful, punishing God. This sort of image plays particularly well with a modern audience. It’s easier to dismiss God as irrelevant if we can paint God in that sort of image. TV sitcoms do it particularly well with thunderclaps, bolts of lightning and booming, disapproving voices from above. It’s much harder to dismiss a God of love who will go to extremes to demonstrate that love.
Gospel Focus – Not to condemn …
The gospel passage tells us that God’s Son was not sent into the world to condemn it, but rather, ‘so that through him the world might be saved’. It also tells us that whoever refuses to believe ‘is already condemned’. God does not condemn the world, nor individuals within it. Indeed, God is absolutely determined to save the world. However, we do sometimes condemn ourselves. When we turn our back on love; when we hide from relationships; when we wallow in selfishness – we shut ourselves off from relationship with God and condemn ourselves. We only have to open our eyes to see the alternative!
Historical Context – Babylonian Exile
In the book of Leviticus (25:4), it is commanded that every seventh year, the land was to be allowed to have a ‘Sabbath year’ – no tilling soil, no planting, no harvesting. The people failed to observe this command and the prophet, Jeremiah, interprets the destruction of the Temple and exile into Babylon as God’s opportunity to enforce the period of Sabbath rest for the land. The people were in exile in Babylon for 70 years, ending about 537 BCE when the Persian emperor, Cyrus, conquered the Babylonians and agreed to return the Israelites to their land. He also returned to them all of the treasures looted from the Temple so that it may be rebuilt.
Student of the Week Awards
PA - Ric Martin
Teigan F - For being an inquirer during learning time, often asking questions during writing time to find sounds to make new words.
Alyanna L - For being a thinker during mathematics time and always trying to share your understanding with the class.
PB - Jacinta Polh
Diyani T - For being a very caring member of Prep B. You show compassion towards your classmates by using your words to comfort your peers.
Stephanie P - For being an inquirer in class. You have shown independence and you ask clarifying questions to help make connections to yourself.
PC - Carla Tirotta
Hugo O - For being a risk taker with your learning, especially when trying to write new words, keep up the incredible effort!
Ethan V - For being a knowledgeable learner when independently ordering numbers from smallest to largest up to 30! Keep up the amazing effort.
1B - Matt Galea
Van Tha Par T - For being a reflective learner when seeking feedback on her learning and using it to improve her writing.
Thangsang T - For being a knowledgeable learner by demonstrating his understanding of numbers up to 1000.
1C - Thomas Pham
Cristian K - For being a risk-taker by sharing to the whole-class, how to show a 3 digit number using MAB blocks. Well done Cristian!
Dylan N - For being caring when he helped to tidy up the classroom after finishing his learning task. Congratulations Dylan!
2A - Belinda Collins
Adam F - For being a thinker and connecting different mathematical ideas.
Akur L - For being a principled learner and always following classroom rules.
2B - Annette Lee
Dinnas - For an amazing start at Resurrection! It is great to see you making new friends and settling into our class- keep up the great work effort!
Mary C - For being a knowledgeable learner by writing all the months of the year in order- well done Mary!
2C - Dorothy Hall
Adior D - For being a knowledgeable learner, using her understanding of numbers and their place value to solve problems.
Thadeus M - For being an effective communicator; sharing his ideas with the class in all learning areas.
3A - Ella Nowak
Emma A - For being a knowledgeable learner when showing how to solve an addition equation using the jump strategy. Keep it up Emma!
John A - For being a risk taker in his learning and independently using a strategy to assist him with spelling unfamiliar words. Keep it up John!
3B - Kurt Caguin
Nyidier M - For being an effective communicator, setting a scene and painting a picture with words in writing. Amazing work Nyidier!
Ezra D - For being an inquisitive and enthusiastic inquirer, working well independently and with others in all aspects of her learning. Keep it up Ezra!
3C - Joss Coaley
Jor D - For being knowledgeable as well as resilient, continuing to have a go and completing his Multiplication Grid! The third time's a charm! Well done Jor.
Akoch D - For being a communicator, sharing his thoughts and feelings towards his learning with the people around him. Keep it up Akoch!
4A - Natalie Donevska
Joy M - For being a risk taker in his learning by showing his working out when solving an addition number sentence and sharing his reasoning with the class during class discussions. Well done Joy!
Nithatling H- For being a responsible and a reflective learner in the classroom by attempting all tasks with a positive attitude and applying the feedback from the teacher in her learning. Well done Nithatling!
4B - Enza La Rosa
Dylan N - For being a risk taker in Mathematics by applying known skills with challenging concepts.
Well done Dylan!
Sally V - For being an inquisitive learner by asking questions to further her understanding of the structure of Narrative writing. Well done Sally!
4C - Brittany Davidson
Julia E - For being a responsible learner when trying her best during literacy tasks, and for her resilience and positive attitude during her first few weeks at Resurrection. Well done Julia!
Parker C - For being a risk taker in his learning by setting himself goals to achieve, and a reflective learner when seeking feedback on his learning to further improve. Well done Parker!
5A - Lavina Stewart
Zoe I - For being a responsible and caring learner when constructing and combining her inquiry design idea with her peers. Keep up the positive learning Zoe!
Marcus T - For being a risk taker in his learning by independently calculating the perimeter of a shape with little support. Well done Marcus!
5B - Malae Suaesi
Liam S - For being a risk taker when participating in sharing prayers of the faithful during the senior year level mass. Well done!
Eunice Z - For being a knowledgeable learner by recognising and understanding how a prefix can change the meaning of a word. Great learning!
5C - Rosie Nojdek
David V - For accurately measuring and recording area and perimeter of a variety of shapes. David is always up for a mathematical challenge. Bravo!
Essabella C - For sharing her knowledge and understanding in all subject areas. Essabella consistently does her best in all she does.
6A - Katherine Salloum
Anna R - For being a communicative learner by sharing her knowledge with the class when learning about literal and inferential comprehension strategies.
Carter M - For being a reflective learner by recognising a gap in his mathematical knowledge and asking for assistance to better his understanding.
6B - Lena Aloi
Brandon N - For being open-minded when listening to different points of view and respecting those who are speaking in his group. Well done!
Anthony L - For being an inquirer in his learning by asking clarifying questions in class. Well done!
6C - Jake Moloney
Robert R- For showcasing his knowledge of persuasive writing techniques when participating in a class discussion. Well done Robert!
Kiara F - For being a reflective thinker when problem solving during a whole class task. Great thinking Kiara!
Specialist Awards
Japanese: Yumiko Aiki
Amelie L (3A) - For being an effective communicator by actively incorporating Japanese words into her conversation both in and out of class, while maintaining appropriate manners. Well done Amelie!
Performing Arts: Jody Banks
Elsie B (PA) - For being a risk-taker when volunteering to demonstrate her dance movements in front of the class during Performing Arts. Keep up the excellent dancing, Elsie!
Visual Arts: Tosh Kaan and Emma Lyons
Maci W (5C) - For being a thinker when she used one tool to create a variety of lines.
S T E M: Matt Dalton
Christopher T (6B) - For being an effective communicator as demonstrated by his willingness to share his ideas and knowledge during STEM learning. Well done Christopher!
P.E: Jen Barresi
Debras P (1C) - For being a good communicator through using her voice to express herself. Great work Debras! Keep it up!
Colour Code Key
Blue = whole school events
Red = Public holidays or major events
Green = Mass/RE events
Purple = Parent advisory board etc
Orange = Interviews/PSGs/Parent helper training etc
WEEK 7
Monday 11/03
● Labour Day – School Closure
Tuesday 12/03
● Parent Support Group Meetings
Wednesday 13/03
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30 pm
● Grade 6 Camp - PGL (Campaspe Downs)
● NAPLAN - Writing Grades 3 & 5
Thursday 14/03
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Grade 6 Camp - PGL (Campaspe Downs)
● NAPLAN - Reading Grades 3 & 5
Friday 15/03
● Year Level Mass followed by morning tea: Grade 1/2
● Grade 6 Camp - PGL (Campaspe Downs)
Saturday 16/03
Sunday 17/03
● 5th Sunday of Lent
WEEK 8
Monday 18/03
● Solemnity of Saint Patrick (Dress In Green)
● Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30 pm
● NAPLAN - Conventions of Language Grades 3 & 5
● NAPLAN - Numeracy Grades 3 & 5
Tuesday 19/03
● Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Parent Advisory Committee 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Wednesday 20/03
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30 pm
● Eucharist and Confirmation Formation Evening 6.30pm
Thursday 21/03
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● First Eucharist & Confirmation Sacramental Sessions @ 6.30 pm
Friday 22/03
● Saint Turibius de Mogrovejo (commemoration)
● Year Level Mass followed by morning tea: Buddies (Grade Prep/5)
Saturday 23/03
● The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Sunday 24/03
● Passion Sunday
WEEK 9
Monday 25/03
● Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 26/03
Wednesday 27/03
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30 pm
Thursday 28/03
● Holy Thursday (Whole School Liturgy)
● Last day of Term 1 & Student Dismissal 3.15pm
Friday 29/03
● Good Friday
Saturday 30/03
● The Easter Vigil
Sunday 31/03
● EASTER SUNDAY
