Term 1 Week 3 of 10
Friday, 14th February 2025
Message from the Principal
Dear parents and carers,
In a previous newsletter I outlined school improvement plans for 2025. In this newsletter and
future newsletters I want to give more detail to each one of the improvement agendas for our school.
Improving teacher reading instruction and providing reading intervention is one of our major areas of
focus for 2025.
Reading ability is one of the main indicators of success in schooling. There is much we can do in
primary school to ensure this happens. Our focus for 2025 will include
Having an extra lesson devoted to reading per week.
Continuation of the Sounds-Write Program in Year Prep to Year 2 that focuses on teaching synthetic phonics which builds up our students ability to decode words.
Formation of a consistent P-6 explicit teaching model that includes daily reviews and checking for understanding in Reading to cater for all the needs in our classes.
8 teaching and LSO staff have been trained and are running intervention programs to help children who need support in reading.
Improved testing including the speech pathologist assessments in Year prep to find language issues early and make adjustments and interventions.
Improving content knowledge through our inquiry learning that supports comprehension development
I am passionate about no child slipping between the cracks and all children having their individual
needs met. Our school leaders and teachers have been and will continue to be involved in professional
learning in the new body of work around the “Science of Learning” and the “Science of Reading”,
and how this improves the way we teach.
Just a reminder of three upcoming dates
Thursday February 13 - School finishes at 12pm - Parent Interviews 12.40pm - 8.00 pm
Sunday February 23 - 10.30 Mass - Welcome to the School Year parish/school Mass
Monday February 24 - No School- School Closure - Staff professional Learning
Best wishes,
Deputy Principal: Learning & Organisation
Parent Teacher Interviews - Thank you!
What a wonderful opportunity to build connections and share important information about your child with their teacher. We thank you for making the time to attend an interview on Thursday and appreciate your continued support in your child’s education.
Please note: Meetings for students of 3C with Mr Coaley and 5C with Miss Stewart will take place from 1pm-8pm on Wednesday 26th February. Bookings through the portal are now open!
Professional learning for our leaders
On Monday this week, some of our leaders headed into the Catholic Leadership Centre to begin a teaching and learning masterclass with many other MACS schools in our region. The day was led by TeachWell and consisted of some important learning regarding cognitive science and how the brain learns, strategies for full participation for all learners in our care and the importance of teacher clarity when delivering content.
As Adrian mentioned above, we are passionate about ensuring no child slips through the cracks. On our journey of continuous improvement, we are having a relentless focus on instructional practices and how we spend the time delivering content in the learning spaces.
Our team leaders Carla, Joss and Katherine along with myself attended the day and are excited to bring back the content and ideas back to our teams to build ‘The Resurrection Way’. These are the types of things that the staff will engage in on our professional learning days, the next of which will take place on Monday 24th February (Week 5) - this will be a school closure day.
Parent Helper Training & Help Wanted!
It was great to have some parents come in this week to attend our parent helper training on Tuesday. We welcome anyone who is willing and available to attend one of our upcoming training sessions in Week 4.
We will hold another two sessions on Tuesday 18th February at 9am and 2:30pm. These sessions will be run by Ms Marie D’Orazio (Wellbeing, Child Safety & Community Leader) & Mrs Veronica Kulkewycz (Learning Diversity Leader). Please make yourself known to the office before the session start time. Please note you only need to attend one training session.
Want to help but can commit to times during the school day?
We have a large number of new books that have arrived that need to be contacted (covered)! If you are able to assist with this, please email the office staff and we will organise some items to be collected from the office.
A Reminder: School Advisory Council & School Parent Commitee (SAC)
A reminder that the School Advisory Council (SAC) will reconvene on Wednesday 19th February at 7:00pm in the school’s staff planning room. The primary focus of the SAC for this year is to build community connectivity and engagement. We would love to see a true representation of our community. Parents wishing to participate in the School Advisory Council this year are asked to please contact the office via email office@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
Take care and God bless,
Wellbeing, Child Safety & Community Leader
Safer Internet Day hub
Safer Internet Day – Tuesday 11 February 2025 – is a Global Day of Action dedicated to raising awareness of online safety. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to make online safety visible in your school, workplace, home or community.
Here are 10 top tips to help protect your children online:
1. Build an open trusting relationship around technology - keep communication open and supportive so your child knows they can come to you if something goes wrong or does not feel right online.
2. Co-view and co-play with your child online - This will help you understand what they are doing and why they enjoy an app, game or website, as well as providing a great opportunity to start conversations about online safety.
3. Build good habits and help your child to develop digital intelligence and social and emotional skills - such as respect, empathy, critical thinking, responsible behaviour and resilience — and practice being good online citizens.
4. Empower your child - wherever possible, help them make wise decisions for themselves, rather than telling them what to do. Try to provide them with strategies for dealing with negative online experiences that will build their confidence and resilience.
5. Use devices in open areas of the home - this can help you manage and be aware of who your child interacts with online through phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other connected devices
6. Set time limits that balance time spent in front of screens with offline activities - a family technology plan can help you to manage expectations around where and when technology use is allowed — search online for templates or examples.
7. Know the apps, games and social media sites your kids are using — make sure they are age-appropriate and learn how to limit messaging or online chat and location-sharing functions within apps or games, as these can expose your child to unwanted contact and disclose their physical location.
8. Check the privacy settings on the games and apps your child is using and make sure their profiles are turned on to the strictest privacy setting. Restrict who can contact your child or ask them to check in with you before accepting new friends.
9. Use available technologies to set up parental controls on devices that can filter harmful content, monitor your child’s use and limit or block their time on connected devices or functions (e.g. cameras, in-app purchases).
10. Be alert to signs of distress or when your child begins to withdraw, moods change or displays erratic emotions.
See link below for more helpful parent information:
https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/for-families/technology-support/cyber-safety-resources
Grade 6 Interschool Sports Round 1 Update
On the 7th of February, our Grade 6 Students commended their first round of summer Interschool sports playing an away game against Movelle.
The basketball teams secured the win with our first team scoring a tie game, and our second team getting the win allowing us to get the overall win for the round.
Cricket and handball also gained a win in Round 1. Our softball and tennis teams played hard and just fell short against the Movelle team.
The scores from round 1:
Basketball Team 1 - Tie game.
Basketball Team 2 - Win.
Softball:
1st innings - 6 home runs (Resurrection) to 7 home runs (Movelle)
2nd innings - 6 home runs (Resurrection) to 8 (Movelle)
3rd innings - 6 (Resurrection) to 7 (Movelle)
Tennis:
Movelle 8 games won (singles and doubles tennis) vs Resurrection 4 games won (singles and doubles tennis).
Overall, a great round for Resurrection claiming 3 sports won and solid team efforts. We received outstanding feedback from Movelle about our school and the students' sporting talent. Looking forward to the next round on Friday 14th of February against Deer Park North (home game).
Great start Grade 6 Students!
SUNDAY GOSPEL
This Sunday’s reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 6:20-26
Happy are the poor. Woe to the rich!
Jesus came down with the Twelve and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.
Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
‘Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as a criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’
Gospel Reflection
We are perhaps more familiar with the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew in which the kingdom of heaven is promised to those who are ‘blessed’ because of their afflictions. Rather than the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Luke presents the same event and teaching as the sermon on the plain as it occurs on ‘a piece of level ground’. This version may appear a little more confronting than the Matthew version. Rather than the afflicted being ‘blessed’, they are to be ‘happy’. It seems odd that anybody should be happy to be poor, hungry, mourning or reviled and we would certainly regard these as states of sadness and difficulty; not times for rejoicing at our good fortune! However, this gospel in particular frequently reminds us that God does not think, feel and behave as we might expect. God’s actions are frequently contrary to the expectations of society. The Gospel of Luke makes it plain that the reign of God will upend the structures of society. The lowly will be raised and the mighty will be brought low. It is in this context that the poor, the hungry and the outcast are regarded as happy. Their happiness comes from the reassurance that although they are rejected and dismissed by society, they are indeed the most favoured of God. Whatever the world dishes up to such as these, they can rejoice in the knowledge that in the reign of God their fortunes will be reversed and they will be favoured. However, just as the fortunes of the poor and afflicted will be reversed for the better, those who are rich, well fed, happy and well regarded will also have their fortunes reversed. Alas to them! Their comfort and joy leaves no room for the generosity of God!
Scriptural context - Message for all
Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the author is keen to demonstrate that the message of Jesus is for all people – not just the Jews, but for the Gentiles and Pagans as well. We can see this message revealed in the gathering of people who listened to Jesus’ sermon on the plain. We’re told there were people from all parts of Judea (all Jews) as well as people from the pagan lands of Tyre and Sidon. The first audiences of this gospel would immediately have recognised the significance of people from Tyre and Sidon standing alongside Jews from Judea.
Have you thought? - Gospel of prosperity
The sermon on the plain challenges our ideas about happiness and success – particularly those of us who live in a relatively prosperous society. Those who are rich and well regarded are actually condemned by Jesus. This also flies in the face of the so-called Gospel of Prosperity that has gained some prominence amongst Pentecostal churches in the last 20-30 years. This teaching holds that God blesses the faithful with wealth and influence. It doesn’t take a lot to see how this teaching is out of step with the gospel blessing of the poor and cursing of the rich.
Gospel Focus - Treated as the prophets
As part of his sermon, Jesus announces, ‘Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as a criminal, on account of the Son of Man… This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.’ The prophets of the Old Testament were the chosen spokesmen of God. Their message was often unpopular and they were often threatened and berated for challenging the social order. To be treated in this way is in fact something of an affirmation that one’s words and actions are reflecting the message of God. The Word of God is confronting and challenging!
Lent begins on Wednesday 5th March.
There will be 2 Masses:
9.00am with participation of our school children. Parishioners are welcome to attend this Mass and 7pm.
There will be sign-up sheets for this Mass in the narthex.
Please take home a Project Compassion box to support Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help support vulnerable people around the world, now and For All Future Generations.
With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to support vulnerable communities around the world to tackle poverty, food security, education, water and sanitation and disaster risk reduction. Project Compassion reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come to build a better future for all.
Welcome Mass
We will commence this year with a welcoming Mass for the Prep's followed by a sausage sizzle on Sunday 23rd February during the 10.30am Mass. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Children Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy is held every week during the school term at the 9am Mass on Sunday. We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping led the liturgy.
A WWCC card will be required for those over the age of 18. For more information, please contact Megan on 0401 477 879.
TERM 0NE DATES 2025
Week 5
Monday -24/2
SCHOOL CLOSURE: Resurrection Way PD
Tuesday - 25/2
Wednesday - 26/2
Prep Day Off - Scheduled testing of Prep students
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
School Open Night for 2026 at 7pm
Thursday - 27/2
Friday - 28/2
School Open Day for 2026 at 9:30am
Saturday - 1/3
Sacramental Launch (10:30am and 6pm)
Sunday - 2/3
Sacramental Launch (10:30am and 6pm)
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Week 4
Monday -17/2
2026 Prep Enrolments Open
Years 3-6 Assembly at 2:30pm - student of the weekawards begin and parents invited
Tuesday - 18/2
Parent Helper Training 9am 2:30pm (Legal & Classroom Support)
Wednesday - 19/2
Prep Day Off - Scheduled testing of Prep students
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
School Advisory Council Formation (SAC) 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Thursday - 20/2
Friday - 21/2
Senior School Year Level Mass 9am
Saturday - 22/2
Sacramental Launch & Family Mass (6pm)
Sunday - 23/2
School Parish - Family Mass and welcome BBQ for Prep & staff blessing at 10:30am
Sacramental Launch (10:30am)
Week 7
Monday -10/3
School Closure: Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday - 11/3
Wednesday - 12/3
First Wednesday for Prep students
School Advisory Council (SAC) at 7pm
Thursday - 13/3
Year 5 interrelate program session 1 of 3
Friday - 14/3
Junior school Year Level Mass 9am
Saturday - 15/3
Sunday - 16/3
Second Sunday in Lent
Week 9
Monday - 24/3
Prep - Year 2 Assembly at 2.30pm
Tuesday - 25/3
Wednesday - 26/3
Thursday - 27/3
Year 5 Interrelate program session 3 of 3
Friday - 28/3
Middle School Year Level Mass 9am (Reconciliation focus) Reconciliation Grade 4
Saturday - 29/3
Sunday - 30/3
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Week 6
Monday -3/3
Prep - Year 2 Assembly - student of the week awards begin
Tuesday - 4/3
Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday - 5/3
Prep Day Off - Scheduled testing of Prep students
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Ash Wednesday (Whole School Mass at 9am)
Thursday - 6/3
Friday - 7/3
Saturday - 8/3
Sunday - 9/3
First Sunday in Lent
Week 8
Monday - 17/3
Years 3-6 Assembly at 2:30pm
Tuesday - 18/3
Wednesday - 19/3
Year 6 Camp to Campaspe Downs
Thursday - 20/3
Year 6 Camp to Campaspe Downs
Year 5 Interrelate program session 2 of 3
Year Prep Level Mass 9am
Friday - 21/3
Year 6 Camp to Campaspe Downs
Saturday - 22/3
Sunday - 23/3
First Sunday in Lent
Week 10
Monday - 31/3
Years 3-6 Athletics Carnival - Parents Welcome
No Assembly today due to the Athletics Carnival
Tuesday - 1/4
Wednesday - 2/4
Thursday - 3/4
Whole School: Stations of the Cross run by Year 5. Parents Welcome
Friday - 4/4
End of Term Whole School Mass at 9am
Last Day of Term 1 - Students finish at 3.15pm
Saturday - 5/4
Sunday - 6/4
First Sunday in Lent
