Term 1 Week 3
This Week’s Newsletter Items:
Ash Wednesday – Next Wednesday 9.00am
Renewing Our School Vision
Manners & Courtesy – Our Children Are Watching
School Canteen Committee
Fundraising Committee
Sacrament Of Eucharist Sessions
Who Do I Contact?
Meet Some Of Our New Staff
Supporting St Vincent De Paul
2023 Grade 6 Leaders Badge
Weekly Gospel
School Library
Grade 5 & 6 Students Making The Most Of Great Weather And A Great Playing Surface
Dear Parents, Students & Friends of Resurrection,
Next Wednesday, we commence the season of Lent with a whole school Mass at 9.00am.
It is an important moment in the liturgical and religious life of the school and provides all of us with a moment to reflect and acknowledge our failings, our regrets and to seek to make peace with God, ourselves, others.
Your child, as part of the liturgy, will receive a cross on their forehead.
In the early Christian church, it was the practice for penitents and sinners to begin their period of public penance on the first day of Lent in preparation for their restoration to the sacrament of the Eucharist. They were sprinkled with ashes, dressed in sackcloth, and obliged to remain apart until they were reconciled with the Christian community on the Thursday before Easter. Today, we symbolize this by placing ashes on our foreheads.
You may have heard the expression “Love your enemies!”. This weekend’s Gospel is exactly about that. I strongly encourage you to read the Gospel & reflection contained in this week’s newsletter written by Greg Sunter. Even I, who has continued to study scripture, find his reflection insightful and enlightening.
You may or may not read it, however, if you do, consider how you can apply it into your daily living.
We are entering a time of reflection, a time to acknowledge the impact, be it positive or negative through our words, thoughts and actions on others. Consider how we can improve on being the best we can to and for others so that others can see and experience the gift of faith that God has bestowed upon us.
With every blessing upon you and your family,
Des Noack
Principal
Renewing Our School Vision
These past few years has provided us all an opportunity to reflect on what Resurrection stands for and aspires to be. Challenging times can bring out the best, and sometimes the worst in all of us and COVID has certainly shown us examples of both.
We commenced the journey in 2021 to define what our school vision & mission is. Over the next 10 weeks, it is our endeavor to finally proclaim Vision & Mission Statements that proclaim who we are, what we value and what we aim to achieve.
Above is a simple image that states the words that our families in 2021 used to describe our school.
These words together with the sentences that you had provided became the basis of a distinctive Vision / Mission statement.
It is evident that the school’s motto is “We Care!” However, what is it that we care about? The answer to that is found in those things we value.
As we work through this process, we will continue to engage you and our students in formulating the statements that set us apart and not only declares why we do what we do but ensures that we maintain that vision and mission.
The next step in this journey is to define what we value, what our aims are, what our beliefs are, and finally what our mission will be for the next 5 years.
Next Monday, an Operoo form will be sent home seeking for you to name the three (3) things that you VALUE about Resurrection that informed your decision to enrol your child into Resurrection.
The form will provide a list, best described as examples and options, for you to choose from and also the opportunity to name your own.
We will publish your responses in the newsletter once they are received and compiled.
Again, thank you for your continued participation and engagement. In doing so you make it real and purposeful.
Manners and Courtesy – Our Children Are Watching
This last week, we have noticed a decline in good manners and simple politeness by parents attending and interacting with school office staff.
Our children mostly learn manners and courtesy within the family home. At school, we reinforce these expectations through the daily interaction that occurs between students, staff and parents.
We as adults, in our own interactions with each other, model to our children behaviours that demonstrate respect, courtesy and understanding.
When we demonstrate behaviours that are disrespectful, aggressive or discourteous, we are sending the message to our children that such behaviour is “Ok.” As a community, we know that such behaviour is not.
We ask that if you’re having a bad day, if things just aren’t going your way, take a breath and allow the best of you to shine. Poor manners do not bring out the best in anyone, especially the people that are trying to help you.
School Canteen Committee
The Canteen Committee convenes this coming Tuesday 21st February at 7.00pm in the staffroom. We are aiming, as a start to provide a lunch order option on a Friday later this term.
Fundraising Committee
At our last School Advisory Council Meeting, held last Tuesday evening, it was decided to initiate a Fundraising Committee to support the school financially with specific projects and as a way of further engaging parents and the community.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 28th February at 7.00pm in the staff planning room.
An Operoo Form will be sent out next Tuesday seeking parent participation.
Sacrament of Eucharist Sessions
The First Communion Preparation Sessions have commenced with only two (2) more sessions available.
Please note that attendance at one of these sessions is required for your child to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion this year.
Fr Gerard has set aside 4 opportunities for families to attend a preparation session with now only two sessions left. The dates are as follows:
Saturday 18th February, after the 6pm Mass
Sunday 19th February, after the 10.30am Mass
Who Do I Contact With Concerns Regarding Diverse Learning Needs or Medical Needs?
Learning Diversity Needs
Our teachers continually fine-tune teaching strategies for our students and through this process may identify students requiring additional supports.
Your child may present with difficulties accessing and participating in education. In consultation with yourself, the school may access the services of the following consultants and/or allied health professionals in order to better inform the educational programming of your child:
psychologists
speech pathologists
learning consultants: diversity, autism spectrum disorder/behaviour, vision impairment, hearing impairment, physical/chronic health impairment and new arrivals/refugees.
If the school believes your child would benefit from these services, we will contact you and ask for your approval for the direct involvement of learning diversity staff with your child.
However, there will be times when you will have your own questions.
We ask that you please direct any concerns or questions regarding learning diversity needs to Mrs Kristine Smith (Learning Diversity Leader) by calling the school on 83126312 or emailing her via ksmith@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Kristine Smith (Learning Diversity Leader)
Medical Needs
Having returned to the school after almost six weeks of holidays, we have discovered that many of our students have either had their medications changed, have new medical needs or no longer require the assistance provided.
For all medical requirements, please contact the office either by:
Email – office@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
Mobile – 0498 989 398
Phone – 8312 6312
Meet Some Of Our New Staff
Supporting Saint Vincent De Paul’s Through A Weekly Offering of Non-Perishable Food
Starting this coming Monday, and each week throughout Lent, we would like to encourage all students, staff and families to donate weekly, a non-perishable food item to be placed in tubs allocated to each classroom.
Each week at the Sunday 10.30am Mass, our weekly Lenten offering will be brought up and offered to the parish in support of families in need.
We are sending out an Operoo Form to all families of students from Prep to Grade 6 seeking students and families to represent the school over the next 4 weeks at the 10.30am Sunday Parish Mass and to present our Lenten offering.
Our offerings will be presented in the tubs shown below, with each year level having their own tub.
2023 Grade 6 Leaders Badge
Last Monday, at assembly, our Grade 6 students were presented with a commemorative badge to recognise their final year at Resurrection and the role they now have in modelling, through their efforts, words and actions, what it is to be a great Resurrection student.
We are only in our third week and we can already see how committed our students are to improving their learning skills and knowledge, along with showing each other, staff and younger students, their commitment to making Resurrection a great school for everyone.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:38-48
Love your enemies.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter
Greg Sunter has worked in Catholic Education (Brisbane) for many years, most recently as a member of the Religious Education team and Mission and Formation team. He has extensive experience of praying with young people and forming others to lead prayer with young people. He is the author of books on adolescent faith, is a regular speaker at youth and evangelisation conferences, and is a retreat and reflection facilitator and presenter. His areas of interest include religious education, theology, scripture, spirituality, Catholic ethos, prayer, and ministry with young people.
The first part of today’s gospel passage is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ teachings. The notion of turning the other cheek usually brings up notions of non-violence, submission, or even sometimes a victim mentality. It seems an odd teaching to tell someone who is being hit to simply stand there and present the other cheek to also be hit. It’s odd because we generally fail to understand the cultural context that is the setting for this teaching.
In the first century, a master would discipline a slave or servant by striking them with the back of his hand. Assuming the master is right handed, a back-handed strike would be delivered to the right cheek of the person he faced. If the servant were to then present his left cheek to the master, it becomes impossible for the master to strike with the back of his hand and forces him into using an open-hand slap or a closed-fist punch to the left cheek. Not much of an improvement, you might think.
However, servants were disciplined with the back of the hand and only equals fought in such a way that would deliver blows to the left side.
What Jesus is saying to those who are oppressed is to offer no resistance but at the same time stand up for yourself and make your oppressor recognise you and treat you as an equal, not an inferior. It is extremely dangerous advice! Its aim is to shame the oppressor.
The other two examples, surrendering your cloak when sued for your tunic and walking two miles when required to walk one are also examples of seeking to shame the one who would use their power and strength against you. That’s not being a submissive wimp; that’s staring the bully in the eye!
Historical Context – Walk two miles
Roman soldiers were allowed by their own military laws to require any person to carry the soldier’s pack along the road from one milestone marker to another. That is, they could order a man to walk one mile with their pack. If they made someone carry their pack for more than one mile, the soldier himself was subject to discipline and punishment. Jesus says, ‘If anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him.’ Like turning the other cheek, it is turning the tables on the one who would oppress you and bringing shame upon them.
Historical Context – Let him have your cloak as well
This one is a little stranger to our modern cultural norms. In Jesus’ time, it was not shameful or embarrassing for a person to be naked but it was shameful for the person who caused them to be naked. By law, if you were unable to repay a debt, the person to whom you owed money could literally take your clothes as payment of the debt. What Jesus says is, if someone demands your tunic as payment of a debt, give them everything you’re wearing to shame them for making you naked to collect their debt.
Living the Gospel – Love your enemy
Jesus tells us that it’s easy to love those who love us – anyone can do that. The test of Christian love is to love those who seem unlovable or even seek to make themselves appear unlovable. It’s easy to stop saying hello to the person who never returns your greeting. It’s easy to avoid the person whose disability makes you uncomfortable. It’s easy to hate the person who’s nasty to you. But Jesus says that it’s these people who we must love. If we are only polite, pleasant and hospitable to our friends then we are failing to follow the footsteps of Jesus.
Using The School Library
It has been wonderful to see so many parents take up the opportunity to utilise the library spaces within the school each morning. We are fortunate to have multiple library spaces throughout the school that we open each morning at 8.15am. The table below highlights the locations and days that each of the libraries are available.
The library spaces can be found in the following locations
| Year Level | Library Locations | Days Available |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Prep shared space | Monday – Thursday |
| 1&2 | Junior Building | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday |
| 3&4 | Whole School Library (in Middle Building) | Monday – Friday |
| 5&6 | Whole School Library (in Middle Building) | Monday – Friday |
Week 4
Monday 20/02
2024 Prep Enrolments Open
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm (Parents welcome)
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 21/02
Shrove Tuesday
School Canteen Committee Meeting 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Wednesday 22/02
Ash Wednesday (Whole school Mass)
Prep Day Off - Scheduled testing of Prep students
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 23/02
Saint Polycarp
Friday 24/02
Saturday 25/02
Sacramental (Confirmation) Invitation Mass 6.00pm
Sunday 26/02
1st Sunday Of Lent
Sacramental (Confirmation) Invitation Mass 10.00am
Week 5
Monday 27/02
Prep’s Commence Full-Time (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.15pm)
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 28/02
Wednesday 01/03
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 02/03
Friday 03/03
Middle Level Mass followed by parent morning tea
Saturday 04/03
Sacramental (Confirmation) Invitation Mass 6.00pm
Sunday 05/03
2nd Sunday of Lent
Sacramental (Confirmation) Invitation Mass 10.00am
Week 6
Monday 06/03
Student House Activity Day (Clean Up Australia Day)
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Grade 6 Camp – Kyneton
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 07/03
Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Grade 6 Camp - Kyneton
Wednesday 08/03
Instalment 1 - Family Fee & Student Levy Payment Due
Saint John of God
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Grade 6 Camp - Kyneton
Thursday 09/03
Friday 10/03
Junior Level Mass followed by parent morning tea
Staff Social Event
Walk Safely To School Day
Saturday 11/03
Sunday 12/03
3rd Sunday of Lent
Week 7
Monday 13/03
Labour Day – School Closure
Evidenced based Assessment & Moderation Week
Catholic Education Week
Tuesday 14/03
Parent Support Group Meetings
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Wednesday 15/03
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Parent Support Group Meetings
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 16/03
Parent Support Group Meetings
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Friday 17/03
Solemnity of Saint Patrick (Dress In Green)
(Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral)
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Whole School Mass 9.00
Saturday 18/03
Sunday 19/03
4th Sunday of Lent
Week 8
Monday 20/03
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 21/03
Parent Support Group Meetings
Parent Advisory Council 7.00pm – 8.00pm
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Wednesday 22/03
Parent Support Group Meetings
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 23/03
Parent Support Group Meetings
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo
Friday 24/03
NAPLAN – Grade 3 & 5
Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Prep
Saturday 25/03
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Sunday 26/03
5th Sunday of Lent
Week 9
Monday 27/03
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 28/03
Wednesday 29/03
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 30/03
Friday 31/03
Saturday 01/04
Sunday 02/04
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Week 10
Monday 03/04
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 04/04
Saint Isidore
Wednesday 05/04
Saint Vincent Ferrer
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 06/04
Whole School Mass 9.00am
Resurrection Feast Day
Last Day of Term 1
Dismissal Time 3.15pm
Questions From Parents to Teachers
Parent Teacher Interviews are a great opportunity for parents and teachers to build a positive relationship regarding the welfare and learning of your child.
We have put together some frequently asked questions we receive from parents along with the answers.
● How do I get onto Seesaw?
Download the Seesaw family app
An email invite has been sent to each family. Once the invite has been accepted then you will be able to see your child’s work along with any teacher announcements.
● How can I contact you if I have any questions or concerns?
Email, phone call or face to face (please park at the back of the car park if meeting after school to avoid any parking congestion)
● How can I best support my child at home?
Be engaged in their learning – children know what you value
Ask them open-ended questions such as; what did you enjoy most about school today?
Listen to your child read
Actively engage in school community events
● My child has a learning need in …….. how can you support them?
We plan learning experiences for the child wherever they may be in their learning. We will support them to grow and develop and move forward from that point. If you have further concerns, please contact Kris Smith (Learning Diversity Leader) via the school phone or by email: ksmith@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
● Will there be homework? If so, how much?
See table on following page
