Term 2 Week 6 of 11
Friday, 24th May 2024
This Week’s Newsletter Items:
● Principal’s Letter
● Deputy Principal: Wellbeing & Community
● National Reconciliation Week
●Dance Battle
● Religious Education - Senior School Reflection
● Year Four Excursion to St Francis
● Gospel & Gospel Reflection
● Student of the Week Awards
● Term Two Dates
● Community News
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am pleased to share with you that we have recently appointed two new staff members! Nathan Koprek who will be supporting the Middle school students and Prep students on Friday as well as Olivia Duvcevski who will also be supporting middle school. Both Nathan and Olivia are in their final year of their teaching degrees, so will be bringing a lot of knowledge already to the role of Learning Support Officers. I can also share that we have appointed Ms Michelle Minos as a new Administration Officer. Michelle comes to us from Holy Trinity in Sunbury and brings much experience to the role of Office Administrator. Michelle will be working 5 days a week and will start on Wednesday the 5th of June. Rachael Bonavia will be moving into the Office Manager role still retaining her current days of work (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday). While we wait for Michelle to start at Resurrection, we will be asking some of our other staff to assist in the office. I ask that you are patient with the office staff during this time of change.
Best Wishes
Adrian Glasby
Deputy Principal: Wellbeing & Community
The Resilience Project (TRP)
Last week our staff participated in a professional development session led by Sam from The Resilience Project (TRP). Resurrection has partnered with TRP for the last 4 years as we believe their core values of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) will make a difference to the lives of our students.
Why?
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) and Emotional Literacy to build resilience.
The Resilience Project’s School Partnership Program has been independently evaluated by both The University of Adelaide and The University of Melbourne. Click the link
https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/home-2023/ or scan the QR code to find out more about the impact the program has on emotional wellbeing and behavioural changes.
WHAT CAN BE DONE AT HOME?
The Imperfects podcast, led by Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton and Josh van Cuylenburg, is all about how perfectly imperfect we all are. Hugh, Josh and Ryan chat to a variety of interesting people who bravely share their struggles and imperfections, and we all learn some valuable take-aways we can apply to our own imperfect lives.
Mrs Jess Davis
Deputy Principal Wellbeing & Community
Deputy Principal: Learning and Organisation
On Wednesday 22nd May, readers all over Australia took part in the National Simultaneous Storytime. This event took place for the 24th year in a row and aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. The idea is that readers all over the country take part in reading the same text at the same time (12pm). Last year, the NSS had 2.18 million participants at over 59,000 locations!
The picture book this year is 'Bowerbird Blues' written by Aura Parker. ‘This picture book stars a beautiful Satin Bowerbird on the search for blue! It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his ‘bower’ attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.’
Here are some photos of our wonderful readers across the school taking part in the special event along with millions of other readers across Australia. Our Grade 1 student even got to take part in this on their excursion to our beautiful Melbourne churches! A perfect opportunity to celebrate literacy and to encourage a culture and love of reading.
Mrs Shannon Betham
Deputy Principal Learning & Organisation
National Reconciliation Week
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024, 'Now more than ever', encourages all Australians to actively promote reconciliation in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise – and learn!
What is Reconciliation?
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. Over the last half-century, however, many significant steps towards reconciliation have been taken.
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort. In a just, equitable and reconciled Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will have the same life chances and choices as non-Indigenous children, and the length and quality of a person’s life will not be determined by their racial background.
Next week students at Resurrection will be reading different texts by indigenous authors. We will also be acknowledging the role we play in Reconciliation by having a display in the school foyer.
DANCE Battle
On Wednesday the 12th of June all of our Grade 5 students will be presenting a 'Dance Battle' performance featuring all students in 5A, 5B & 5C. Each class will perform a choreographed dance routine that they have put together during Performing Arts lessons this term.
All classes from Grades Prep, 1, 2, 3 & 4 will be attending the event. Parents are also most welcome to come along to the performance and cheer on the Grade 5 students! Please note that no filming or photography of the event is permitted. The school will be taking some photos of the event using the school camera to share with families in the newsletter and on Seesaw.
On the day, Grade 5 students are asked to bring to school a colourful t-shirt, long pants (comfortable for dancing) and runners to change into just before the performance begins.
The Dance Battle will be held in the school hall from 12.15pm-1.15pm and will be judged by using an 'applause meter' app which measures the volume of an audience's applause after a performance. The winning class will be announced at the end of all of the performances, with the winning class receiving a trophy to display in their classroom!!!
Ms Banks - Performing Arts Teacher
Hear are some photos from the 2023 Dance Battle
Religious Education
Senior School Student Reflections: Jesus’ Resurrection
Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost - it is the feast in which we celebrate the Holy Spirit descending to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. This feast also marks the end of the season of Easter, which spans each year for a period of 50 days. During the Easter season, our Year 5 and Year 6 students reflected on Jesus’ Resurrection and His impact on society. Students wrote a persuasive piece on this and a few students shared these reflections during their Year Level Mass last Friday:
Jesus is a real person because He was born as any other human being. Mary gave birth to Him. He experienced a real feeling of hunger, thirst, sadness and pain like any one of us. The Bible is a proof of Jesus’s existence. Many of His miracles that He has performed during the time has been noted in the Bible which was witnessed by His Apostles, Disciples and Believers. Until today people around the world still feel Jesus is real even though you can not touch him or feel him he is real. He works miracles and he is the hope of many people. Jesus is the way of life.
To me Jesus means power, there is no one else more powerful than Jesus. To me Jesus means Love. His love has taught the world to love and be loved. To me Jesus means life. With every breath I take I remember Jesus and the life he’s given me and with every breath I praise him. I love him and I adore him.
Rayyann 6A
Jesus is Real
Most people in the world believe in Jesus while many others don't believe he is real. These reasons I am about to say are why you should also believe that Jesus is real. In the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, ample evidence is hinted that Jesus is real. If you don't believe me then scientists compared old scrolls to newer scrolls and there was word for word accuracy by 95%! People also recently discovered a man named Jesus of Nazareth that existed in Palestine. If you still don't believe me then hundreds, maybe even thousands of people witnessed Jesus’s death on the cross, why would there be a massive fake event to fool people for thousands of years! Recently, a body of a crucified man was discovered by people near Jerusalem, many people believe that this is one of the people crucified with Jesus.
In conclusion, I believe that Jesus is real and these reasons are why you should believe in Jesus too!
Jason 5B
Jesus is alive. He was seen by many people after his death. There is the testimony of the female disciples, Mary is one. She really saw Jesus alive. At the time she saw him people did not believe women. There were eyewitness testimonies, for instance Jesus spoke to 500 people after his death, he went to see his disciples and he spoke to them. Jesus changed the lives of his followers and although they were afraid they had faith to follow him. St Paul’s conversion is a great sign that Jesus is truly alive. He used to arrest Christians, he hated them and wanted to get rid of Christianity. As Paul traveled along a road Jesus spoke to him. “Why do you persecute me?” he asked. Paul became a Christian, a devoted follower of Christ. His disciples so believed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ they gave their lives for their faith.
Jesus has the power to change lives. He changed the lives of all who followed him then and he still has the power to change the lives of all who believe in him today.
Essa 5C
It was a joy to listen to these wonderful insights and it was wonderful to hear about the deep learning happening in classrooms in regards to the Resurrection narratives.
In Faith,
Mrs Erica Aclan
Religious Education Leader
St Francis and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Excursion
On Monday, we went to 2 churches in the city. The names of the churches were St Francis and St Patrick's Cathedral. First, we went to St Francis where we prayed to the monstrance and had a little look at the statue of Mother Mary. Then we had lunch. For lunch I had a ham and cheese sandwich for that time. After that we went to St Patrick's Cathedral and it was HUGE! We had plenty of things to look at such as statues, stained glass windows and paintings of holy people like Jesus. Afterwards, all of the grade 4s had snack, and for me? I had biscuits and Shapes. After, we had mass until 1:30 then took a 30-minute bus to school. The excursion was super fun and fantastic!
By Charlotte 4A
On the 20th of May we went on an excursion to the city to help us prepare for our Eucharist. The first church we went to was St Francis. We saw monstrance on the Altar.
The monstrance holds the blessed host, which is Jesus. People were engaged in adoration by looking at the monstrance. We knelt quietly and prayed for some time. After we entered the Lady chapel, it was amazing because there were statues and pictures of Mary on the stained glass windows. It was beautiful.
Next, we went to St Patrick’s Cathedral, when we entered the cathedral, we were AMAZED by all the statues and pictures on the stained-glass windows in the church. We prayed and then left to eat lunch. After we ate lunch, we went to the church for a mass. During the mass we went to get a blessing from the priest and he talked to us for a few minutes and we left and got back to school. Thank you Mrs Aclan, for taking us!
By Pinidi 4C
Year 4’s went on an excursion, by bus to St Francis and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. At St. Francis we each went in by classes. So, when it was our turn, we knelt and prayed when we saw the monstrance. Then we looked around the church and saw some stained-glass windows and paintings. I was amazed how pretty it looked from the inside and outside! Next, while we waited for the other class to finish, we ate some of our lunch. Then they had finally finished, so we hopped on to the bus to go to St Patrick’s Cathedral. When we arrived, we gathered together and talked about what the church looked like. I thought that it looked like a Kings Castle! Then we looked in the church and saw lots of statues and beautiful stained-glass windows and also saw angel status above our heads on the ceiling inside! Then we joined to kneel during the mass. Then we received a blessing and the Mass was done! I had so much fun being part of the two masses.
By Isla H 4B
SUNDAY GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:16-20
Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’
Gospel Reflection - Proclaim the good news
The Easter season celebrates some of the most important events and beliefs in Christian tradition. In the last seven weeks, we have remembered Jesus’ Last Supper with his friends (regarded as the institution or establishment of the Eucharist); Jesus’ death on the cross; the discovery of the empty tomb on Easter Sunday; the appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples; the Ascension into heaven; and finally, the Holy Spirit filling the disciples at Pentecost. They are events that have shaped Christian belief for nearly 2,000 years. They provide the basis of beliefs and teachings such as: Christ present in the Eucharist; the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of resurrection for all people; the divinity of Jesus; and the ongoing action of the Holy Spirit in the world. The period of Easter-Pentecost celebrates these truly momentous events, beliefs and teachings. Almost to round off this extraordinary focus on Christian beliefs and teachings, the Church this week celebrates the central doctrine of Christian faith: the Trinity. The belief in the Trinity is the belief that there are three ‘persons’ in the one Godhead: Father; Son; and Holy Spirit. The understanding and articulation of this doctrine occurred over time and was not until well after the writing of the gospels and other New Testament letters. Consequently, there are no specific scriptural passages that identify explicitly the doctrine of the Trinity. This week’s gospel passage, the commissioning of the disciples from the Gospel of Matthew is perhaps the closest any New Testament writer comes to an expression of the Trinity when Jesus instructs the disciples to baptise ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.
Historical Pentecost - I Beleive
The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear anywhere in the New Testament although one can certainly see the beginnings of ideas about a Trinitarian God. It was not until 325, at the Council of Nicea, that the doctrine of the trinity was established as being orthodox teaching. This council sought to officially define the relationship between the Father and the Son as a response to the arguments of Arius (later known as Arian heresy). The statement of beliefs developed by this council in 325 is the Creed (credo = I believe) that is used in Catholic churches around the world today.
Have you thought? Mystery
I always thought that to describe the Trinity as a ‘mystery’ was a bit of a ‘cop out’ for not offering a decent explanation. However, a theological ‘mystery’ is defined as something that not only are we incapable of discovering except through divine revelation, but that even when its truth has been fully revealed, we are incapable of fully grasping it. Our understanding can never be any more than partial, even when we fully accept it. This is a concept with which our world struggles – that there is something that is not fully able to be known but it’s OK not to fully understand it.
Living the Gospel – The Sign of the Cross
Jesus’ instruction that the disciples go out to all the nations and baptise them ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ is an instruction that is still being carried on today. Those precise words are used by the priest at every baptism. They are also the words used in the sign of the cross – whether that is a personal, private blessing of oneself or a blessing of a group as in the introductory and dismissal rites as part of a Eucharistic celebration. When we make the sign of the cross we use the words of Jesus.
Student of the Week Awards
Week 6
Prep A
Ric Martin
Cedar Z - For being a responsible learner and always playing with your friends fairly. You always use kind words when speaking to your peers, this makes everyone smile!
Phoenix B - For being a considerate member of the prep community, consistently using whole body listening during class time and responding to your peers and teachers with kind words and actions.
Prep B
Jacinta Polh
Emmanuella K - For being a kind and caring addition to Prep B. Thank you for joining the Resurrection community. Keep up the respectful choices you have been making.
Crescent T - For showing kindness towards your classmates and teachers. You’re always using your manners throughout the day. Keep it up!
Prep C
Carla Tirotta
Aimee J - For always demonstrating respect and kindness to your classmates. Your smile always brings joy to everyone around you.
Minh T - For being a responsible learner when demonstrating whole body listening. Keep up the amazing effort.
One B
Matt Galea
Osten T - For demonstrating respect to his peers in the classroom by actively listening to the speaker and cooperating with others.
Madeleine V - For being respectful to all members of the Resurrection community by listening to all staff members and caring for her own and the school’s belongings.
One C
Thomas Pham
Cilping T - For being respectful and considerate of all of your peers and teachers. Congratulations Cilping!
Eamen KS - For being caring by considering how you would respond to a situation where your friend is being bullied. Well done Eamen!
Two A
Belinda Collins
Sui Chin L - For being a kind and considerate member of 2A and always making sure your friends are OK.
Simon N - For being a friendly and respectful member of 2A.
Two B
Annette Lee
Tyson M - For supporting his friends during the Maths test, you offered kind words and made everyone in your group feel supported- well done!
Sang Sang Z- For being a great classmate to your friends by coming to school each day with a big smile and caring words- well done!
Two C
Dorothy Hall
Blake H - For being a kind and considerate member of 2C, always attempting to make others feel comfortable and included.
Caterina N - For always being a cheerful and friendly classmate, and always seeking to engage with others.
Three A
Ella Nowak
Mia R - For being a kind and caring member of 3A and always looking for ways to help her friends and teachers.
Shayden F - For always demonstrating kindness and respect to his class members and teachers. Keep it up Shayden.
Three B
Kurt Caguin
Victor T - For being respectful and responsible in class, actively listening to others and making meaningful responses.
Noah M - For being a kind and caring classmate, engaging in interesting conversations and being a positive role model for his peers.
Three C
Joss Coaley
Biephatha A - For being respectful to his classmates; jumping straight into activities when they are set and making the most out of his learning time.
Genevieve M - For being kind and caring in the playground and in the classroom, through her thoughts, words and actions.
Four A
Natalie Donevska
Dawt T - For being a kind and responsible member of 4A. You always use your manners towards your peers, teachers and follow classroom rules and instructions. You are an incredible role model. Fantastic work Dawt!
Ebenezer H - For being a cheerful and reflective member of 4A. You are always applying your best in all class tasks and happily contribute to class discussions. Your positive energy brings a lot of joy and encouragement to the classroom. Well done!
Four B
Enza La Rosa
Rhys S - For being kind and using his manners towards his friends and teachers. Well done on making huge progress in reading. Great work Rhys!
Elizabeth C - For being a respectful and kind class member and for being a resilient learner in applying new words to expand her sentences in writing! Excellent work Elizabeth!
Four C
Brittany Davidson
Sannamahn Z - For being a reflective and responsible learner when applying herself during learning, producing some amazing sentences based on the book ‘Waves’. Well done Sannamahn!
Julia E - For being a reflective learner when taking on feedback and applying it to her learning, challenging herself with more difficult multiplication equations. Well done Julia!
Five A
Lavina Stewart
Ken M - For being a responsible learner and always being willing to help his peers when it is needed. Well done Ken!
James K - For being a reflective learner when sharing his amazing inferences about the text 'Suri's wall'. Keep it up James!
Five B
Malae Suaesi
Kohoe T - For being a resilient learner when always trying his best to complete his work with different tasks. Well done!
Simone D - For being a reflective learner during Maths when asking questions to help her better understand solving problems. Great learning!
Five C
Rosie Nojdek
Riley L - For being respectful, and considerate of others. Riley cooperates well and always uses his manners. Well done!
Essabella C - For being a responsible, kind and compassionate leader.
Six A
Katherine Salloum
Rosemary E - For being responsible by ensuring that the classroom is left neat and tidy at the end of each day.
Dave E - For being a respectful student by responding to his teachers and peers in a respectful and responsible manner.
Six B
Lena Aloi
Ignacio A - For being a kind and respectful member of the 6B classroom, always being polite to your peers and teacher.
Nathan N - For being a courteous and respectful student and always being supportive of those around him.
Six C
Jake Moloney
Olivia G - For being a kind and respectful classmate when assisting her peers with writing feedback. Well done Olivia!
Biak T - For consistently being a courteous and kind student when operating in small groups. Well done Biak!
Specialist Awards
Japanese:
Yumiko Aiki
Jeremiah M (6C) - For showing empathy and for always volunteering to lend a helping hand to his classmates and the teacher. Well done Jeremiah!
Performing Arts:
Jody Banks
Chris Q (5B) - For being an excellent Performing Arts student who constantly demonstrates respect, responsibility, kindness, diligence, and a dedication to achieving her best learning outcomes. You are a pleasure to teach, Chris!
Visual Arts:
Emma Lyons-Pell & Tosh Kaan
Van T (5C) - For being responsible and accountable with his learning time to effectively research and design his construction project. Way to go Van!
S T E M:
Matt Dalton
Kaida B (6A) - For being a kind and respectful person who makes an effort to encourage and support your classmates. Well done Kaida!
P.E:
Jen Barresi
Jalen L (6C) - For maintaining a consistent display of respectfulness in P.E. Jalen, you exemplify the ideals of a role model, embodying the valued qualities expected of a student at Resurrection. Well done!
TERM TWO DATES
Week 7
Monday - 27/05
Saint Augustine of Canterbury
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday - 28/05
Wednesday - 29/05
Saint Paul VI
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
School Advisory Council & Fundraising Committee (6.30pm - 7.30pm)
Thursday - 30/05
Friday - 31/05
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Year Level Mass followed by morning tea: Grade 1/2
Saturday - 01/06
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 6.00pm
Sunday - 02/06
Feast Of Corpus Christi
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 9.00am
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 10.30am
Week 8
Monday - 03/06
Saint Charles Lwanga
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday - 04/06
Wednesday - 05/06
Saint Boniface
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday - 06/06
Saint Norbert
Saint Marcellin Champagnat
Friday - 07/06
Instalment 2 - Family Fee Payment Due
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saturday - 08/06
Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 6.00pm
Sunday - 09/06
10th Sunday In Ordinary Time
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 9.00am
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 10.30am
Year 3/4 Sunday Family Mass 10:30am
Week 9
Monday 10/06
King’s Birthday – School Closure
Tuesday 11/06
Saint Barnabas
Parent Support Group Meetings
Wednesday 12/06
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Parent Support Group Meetings
Grade 5 Dance Battle 12.30 - 1.15pm
Thursday 13/06
Saint Anthony of Padua
Reports due to leadership for proofreading
Parent Support Group Meetings
Friday 14/06
Year Level Mass with Morning Tea - Middles Year 3/4
Saturday 15/06
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 6.00pm
Sunday 16/06
11th Sunday In Ordinary Time
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 9.00am
Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 10.30pm
Year Prep Sunday Family Mass 10:30am
Week 10
Monday 17/06
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Eucharist Reflection Day with Gen Bryant
Tuesday 18/06
Parent Support Group Meetings
Wednesday 19/06
Saint Romuald
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Reports back to teachers
Parent Support Group Meetings
Thursday 20/06
Parent Support Group Meetings
Friday 21/06
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Year Level Mass followed by morning tea: Grade Prep
Saturday 22/06
Saints John Fisher and Thomas More
Sunday 23/06
12th Sunday In Ordinary Time
Monday 24/06
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Printing and signing of student reports
Tuesday 25/06
Wednesday 26/06
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 27/06
Saint Cyril of Alexandria
Friday 28/06
Saint Irenaeus
Last Day of Term 2
Whole School Mass
Semester 1 Student Reports Sent Home
Dismissal Time 3.15pm
Saturday 29/06
Saints Peter And Paul
Sunday 30/06
13th Sunday In Ordinary Time
School Uniform Store
PSW Deer Park will be closed on Saturday 25th, Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th May due to renovations and rebranding. The PSW website will still be in operation accepting online orders.
