Term 4 Week 6
This Week’s Newsletter Items:
2023 School Captains
Supporting St Vinnies – An Advent Gift
Remembrance Day & Prayer Service
Grade 6 Graduation Week – What’s Happening!
Term 4 Dates
2022 School Fees & 2023 School Fees & Levies
This Sunday’s Gospel & Reflection
Student Of The Week Awards
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Dear Parents, Students and Friends of Resurrection,
I write this newsletter from the confines of my home having unfortunately caught COVID for the first time since the outbreak in 2020.
Here was I thinking that I’d never catch it. Sadly, I was very mistaken. In the words of the actor Michael Corleone, in the movie ‘The Godfather’, “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in again.” and so I hope to be back on board this Monday.
The school is blessed to have people such as Jess Davis (Deputy Principal- Wellbeing & Organisation), John Hein (Deputy Principal – Curriculum), Ruth Galea (School Administration Manager), along with our team leaders, who continue to not only maintain but improve the level of educational leadership, organisation and management needed in running our amazing school. None of this is possible without the goodwill offered and given by all staff at Resurrection. Planning for 2023 is well underway along with setting in motion those events that celebrate this year’s achievements.
Let’s make the next five weeks matter!
Des Noack
Principal
2023 School Captains Announced
On Friday 4th November, eleven Grade 5 students delivered speeches to their cohort to explain why they would make excellent School Captains for 2023. We are so proud of every student who stepped forward and bravely spoke in front of an audience of peers, teachers and leadership.
We are proud to announce that the School Captains for 2023 are Olivia V and Alexander V.
This exciting news was shared at this week’s assembly, where the two students also received a blessing. We trust that both Olivia and Alexander will happily fulfil their roles as School Captains with pride and continue to be fantastic role models to their peers and younger students. We thank all of the candidates for their effort and commitment in preparing and delivering their leadership speeches.
On Thursday 10th November, Grade 4 and 5 candidates for the eight House Captain roles delivered their speeches to their houses. The votes will be counted and the captains will be announced on Monday 14th November at the whole school assembly. We will also be announcing the long-awaited House names at this time.
The updated timeline for the School Leader Speeches is as follows:
Week 7: House Captains 2023 announced at assembly (Monday 14th November)
Week 8: Social Justice, Sustainability and Environment and Faith and Life Captain candidates deliver speeches (Friday 25th November)
Week 9: Social Justice, Faith and Life and Sustainability and Environmental Captains announced (Monday 28th November)
Week 11: All student leaders receive their badge for 2023 (Friday 16th December).
Thank you to all of the candidates awaiting the announcement of House Captains and good luck to those who are preparing for the upcoming speeches in Week 8.
So It Is Christmas….And What Have We Done? The Gift Of Giving
Resurrection school and parish have a very strong tradition and culture of helping out those in need. The motto “We Care” emblazoned on many of school symbols bears testament to this.
As we commence the Season of Advent leading to Christmas, and in the same spirit of giving that we undertook during Lent, we are asking families to contribute one non-perishable item per week for the next four weeks, to be collected in the classroom tub and presented to the parish and distributed by the St Vincent De Paul volunteer group of St. Albans West.
This same group of wonderful volunteers has also set up a small Christmas tree at our church with tags attached for young children 0-14 Years.
We would love for our families to choose a tag and if you can donate a small gift - a toy or book towards our Christmas give away, it would be hugely appreciated, especially by the child that benefits from your selfless generosity.
An unexpected small present will surely put a smile on any one’s face!
REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
No matter how you choose to commemorate Remembrance Day, all we really ask is that you remember to remember.
Originally known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day commemorates the signing of the peace agreement that ended World War I at 11am on 11 November 1918.
For most of us, war is a phenomenon seen through the lens of a television camera or a journalist’s account of fighting in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, and diaries can seem vague and unconnected to the life of their owner. For many of us, these family heirlooms may have come from countries Australia was at war with. Yet it does not take away, nor diminish the need for us to stop for one minute and reflect and honour in thought and prayer, the sacrifice these people made for what they believed in.
For those of us born during peacetime, all wars seem far removed from our daily lives. One only has to reflect on the current conflicts within the world to appreciate how distantly removed it can be. Yet for some of our school families whose extended families are caught within those conflicts, or who have fled their country because of conflict, it can be all too real.
By remembering the service and sacrifice of those who went to war, who continue to seek to make this a more peaceful and just world, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought and fight to preserve.
On this Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served and serve their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought so hard to achieve.
Lest we forget.
Remembrance Day Prayer Service 2022
We have included today’s prayer service so that if at work at at home, you may take a moment for yourself to reflect and pray.
Introduction
Today we gather on the 11th day of the 11th month, to commemorate the ending of the Great World War. Traditionally, it has now become a day where we honour all the courageous men and women who have died in the line of duty. As we remember the lives that have been lost, may our prayer today be one for peace, as we work for the freedom of all who are oppressed in the world today.
We also take this moment to remember the First Nations people who fought in our wars, and acknowledge the Wurrundjiri people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Today on Remembrance Day, may we engage in meaningful prayer and sincere reflection to give thanks, and recognise our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.
Lighting of the Cauldron - Miss. Hall & Mr. Pham
Miss Hall to light the Cauldron
Mr. Pham: The Eternal flame, lit in war memorials around the world, is a symbol of eternal life. We light this cauldron remembering all who have given their lives for our country, may the legacy of their service remain eternal.
Sign of the Cross
Mrs. Aclan: We begin our prayer service.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer - Miss. Banks
Miss. Banks: Father, You sent Your only begotten Son into this world so that all who may die, may have eternal life with you. We pray for those who have died, especially those who we have lost due to war and conflict, and we commit their lives into your hands. You are a God of peace. Lord, teach us to be peacemakers. As we walk in your Spirit, may we reflect the wondrous peace your Son set as an example for us all to Love One Another.
Amen.
Gospel Reading – Miss. Davidson
Leader: The Gospel according to John
All: Glory to You O Lord
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
Reflection
Mrs. Aclan: Jesus calls us to love one another. Let us now pause to reflect on Jesus’ message, that we should love each other just as Jesus loves us.
…(Pause)...
Pope Francis reminds us that, “...Jesus Christ came down from Heaven for the very purpose of restoring amongst men the Kingdom of Peace …and it was His will that it should rest on no other foundation than that of brotherly love’. May we strive for peace by showing love to one another.
Laying of Flowers
Mrs. Aclan: I now invite students from each class to lay the flowers they have created in class, where they have also included special messages dedicated to those we remember today. Poppies are a universal symbol of the lives that have been taken by war.
…(Silence)... Students will now process to the cauldron to place their class’ poppies.
Ode of Remembrance / Minute of Silence
Mrs. Aclan: Let us recite the Ode of Remembrance together:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.
Mrs. Aclan: We will now pause for one Minute of Silence
Mrs. Aclan: Lest we forget
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Participating in This Year’s Grade 6 Graduation Week
Year 6 Graduation Week is an exciting time for our Grade 6 students and their parents as the memories of the past seven years of schooling become the forefront of the celebrations in the last weeks of this school year.
This year, the Grade 6 students have been able to complete a full year of schooling and there is plenty to celebrate including finishing school, completing their sacraments, being resilient during remote learning and much more.
To celebrate the success of the Grade 6 students we have many events planned for both our parents and our students.
Below is a list of events for our parents and students.
Week 8
Friday 25/11
2023 Prep & 2022 Grade 6 Parent Dinner
Week 11
Tuesday 13/12
Grade 6 Graduation Liturgy (6.00pm)
Wednesday 14/12
Whole School Carols Evening
Thursday 15/12
Grade 6 Big Day Out
Friday 16/12
Last Day Of Term
Whole School End of Year Liturgy 10.00am
2022 End of Year Awards 2.00pm
2023 School Captains Announced
2022 Grade 6 Farewell 3.00pm
School Dismissal 3.15pm
2022 Grade 6 Parent and 2023 Prep Parent Dinner
The 2022 Grade 6 Parent and 2023 Prep Parent dinner is a great opportunity for our parents who have been here for seven years to speak to our incoming parents about their experiences at Resurrection as well as giving them advice on what to look for at our school.
Grade 6 Graduation Liturgy
On Tuesday 13th December, we have our Graduation Liturgy where all students (in full summer uniform), will participate in a final liturgy as Year 6 students and receive a blessing from Father Gerard.
Whole School Carols Evening
Wednesday 14th December sees the Whole School Carols Evening where the Year 6 students have their final opportunity to showcase their many talents to the Resurrection School Community and lead us in singing Christmas Carols.
Grade 6 Big Day Out – Go Ride A Wave
The Grade 6 Big Day out is on Thursday 15th December where students will be taken to Anglesea Main Beach (100 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea) to learn how to surf with the company Go Ride a Wave. On this day, we would love parents who would like to join their child in learning to ride a wave and assist with cooking the sausage sizzle to join us. Further information will be sent out regarding this day. Parents who have already decided that they would like to come along are asked to ensure that they have a current Working With Children Check.
Final Day & Farewell To Grade 6’s
Finally on Friday 16th December, we celebrate our final day of the year. We ask that parents, if able to, join us for both the Whole School End Of Year Liturgy at 10.00am and the End of Year Awards Ceremony at 2:00pm.
At 3:00pm, weather permitting, we will gather on the school oval to give our Grade 6’s a final farewell. Students will then be dismissed at 3:15pm.
This is an exciting time for our students who have grown, learnt and formed strong friendships over these last seven years of primary school. Let’s together make their final weeks at Resurrection as special as we possibly can.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office or your child’s Grade 6 teacher.
Key Upcoming Dates
School Fees In Arrears
For families who are currently in arrears for the 2022 school year and have not made an arrangement with the school, it is essential that you please attend to your account as soon as possible or to contact the office prior to Friday 18th November 2022.
We truly thank our families who have ensured that their child’s school fees and levies have been paid or who have contacted us to put in place arrangements to suit the family budget whilst being able to access the educational services of the school.
Working together makes a huge difference to ensuring we are able to provide you and your child with the best learning and community experience possible.
Fees & Levies for 2023
Our school has much to offer and provides a very affordable Catholic education for our students. All it takes to appreciate this is to visit some of our local Catholic schools and enquire as to their specialist programs, services provided, and the costs involved.
To keep our own costs as affordable as they are, we do everything possible to maximise our resources and the grants that are made available to us.
However, the payment of the school fees and levies is what makes the biggest difference.
Without families contributing to the running costs of Resurrection, we simply could not achieve, nor do what we do.
The School Family Fee for 2023 is: $915.00. This fee is billed to each family regardless of the number of children enrolled and provides funds for the development of learning resources as well as the maintenance of school facilities and grounds.
The School Family Fee will be payable in three instalments over the first three terms of the school year. This billing process aims to remove expenses from Term 4 where people have other priorities including Christmas.
The Student Levy of $420 per child, reflects the individual costs associated in engaging each child in their learning experiences and activities. The Student Levy specifically covers costs associated with curriculum and excursion expenses for each child.
The only additional costs relate to the swimming and camping programs.
The cost of the Camping Program is as follows:
Year 3: $210
Year 4: $280
Year 5: $360
Year 6: $360
The cost of the Swimming Program is as follows:
Prep: $90
Year 1: $90
Year 2: $90
Please note that there will be no further request for funds throughout the year.
We take pride in the fact that we are able to achieve excellent educational outcomes for our students whilst providing an affordable Catholic education.
In keeping our costs low and affordable, it is essential that families contribute to their child’s education by ensuring that payment of the fees and levies are made each year.
For 2023, the Family Fee is to be paid in three (3) instalments with the Student Levy being paid in full by the 10th March 2023.
Instalment 1: 10th March 2023
Family Fee $305 + Student Levy
Instalment 2: 10th June 2023
Family Fee $305
Instalment 3: 10th September 2020
Family Fee $305
Please note that all school fees are due at the beginning of each billing period as per the instalment dates or as arranged with the Principal. Any alternative arrangements need to be organised with the Principal during the first term of 2023.
Again, I remind families that are in financial difficulty or require assistance to please contact the school so that we are able to assist you at this time. Fee concessions are available.
Sincerely,
Mr Des Noack
Principal
This Sunday’s Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:5-19
Your endurance will win you your life.
When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’
‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said, ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’
Gospel Reflection
This week marks the final week of Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar and draws us almost to the end of our journey through the gospel of Luke. Next week’s reading of the crucifixion concludes the Year of Luke. It is in this context that we need to read today’s gospel passage. Jesus and his disciples are gathered around the Temple in Jerusalem in the final days before he is to be put to death. The end is imminent and Jesus takes the opportunity to reassure the disciples that, although they are about to experience a period of distress, betrayal and persecution that will stretch well into the future, ultimately, God’s love and mercy will triumph – not only in their own lives but also in the world.
The language of passages like today’s gospel can be off-putting at times and can also be seized upon by those who would interpret scripture literally. The graphic descriptions certainly lend themselves to predictions of gloom and doom. However, we must also remember that the gospel was written some 50 or more years after the death of Jesus. At the time of writing, many of these things had already come to pass. The message for the community who were suffering through these very experiences is that they should not despair because all of this was anticipated by Jesus and that ultimately the reign of God will come about and the effort and distress that they have endured will be vindicated.
Unfortunately, the lectionary has the passage concluding at verse 19; the complete passage continues on for another 17 verses and so we don’t get the full effect of Jesus’ speech. In the latter portion, Jesus assures the disciples that the kingdom will surely come to pass. It is a promise that we affirm every time we say the Creed.
Living the Gospel – Comfort
We must remember that the gospel of Luke was written 50-plus years after the death of Jesus. Whilst Jesus may have said something like what is ascribed to him in this passage, we have to accept that the words are influenced to a great extent by the gospel writer. The gospel is not written as a biography but as a means of conveying a message about Jesus. To this end, the writer seeks to give comfort to his audience by having Jesus ‘predict’ all the things that have indeed come to pass in their community. The message to a struggling community is to ‘keep going.’
Historical Context – Expectation
When the gospel of Mark was written around the year 75 of the 1st Century, the people of that community firmly believed that the world was about to end and that Jesus’ return to earth was going to happen any day. Another 10 or so years later, the communities of the gospels of Matthew and Luke were enduring persecution and great hardship. They felt that surviving through this time of struggle would be rewarded with the return of Jesus. However, by the time of the gospel of John, another 10 years later, we see an acceptance that the end is still to come some time in the future.
Scriptural context – Apocalyptic writing
Hollywood has done very well out of movies about the end of the world and the term ‘apocalypse’ has come to have this meaning. However, ‘apocalypse’ comes from the Greek word meaning, ‘to lift a veil’ or ‘to reveal’. The apocalypse is not the end of the world, but rather the revelation that will come at the end of the world. Writings such as today’s gospel passage about what will happen at the end of the world and how God will be revealed are described in the Christian tradition as ‘apocalyptic writing’. The most famous of these writings is the book of Revelation.
© 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.
You’re a Star!
PA - Shelby Nightingale
Mia B- For being a knowledgeable learner when writing about discovery learning. You are doing a fantastic job including detail in your writing.
Nicholas D- For being a risk taker in your learning when writing and sounding out unfamiliar words.
PB - Anna Druitt
Sahasrith R - For being a risk taker by showing increased confidence when sharing his ideas during whole class discussions.
Cungbawilian L - For being a caring and compassionate student by always showing a willingness to help your classmates.
PC - Carla Tirotta
Madeleine B- For being a knowledgeable learner when using counting strategies to solve subtraction problems.
Tha Tha T- For being an independent learner taking risks during writing time. You are doing a wonderful job including detail in your writing.
1A - Tina Naumov
Thiik D - for being a great communicator when sharing his Show and Tell topic news. Fantastic language skills Thiik!
Genevieve M - for being a risk taker and displaying her wonderful imagination and understanding in Narrative writing. Keep up the brilliant learning Genevieve!
1B - Aoife O’Flynn
Athieng M. - being a thinker during Maths class when learning how to partition 3 digit numbers. Great thinking Athieng!
Luca M - for using his communication skills when sharing how to spell words that contained ‘r’ controlled digraphs. Well done Luca!
1C - My-Linh Tran
Calvin N - For being a thinker in order to expand on the noun groups in his sentences. Great learning Calvin
Kiana L - For being a risk taker when using her imagination to write a creative narrative. Keep up the great learning Kiana!
2A - Barbara Zerzouri
Ajok M - for setting a great example to others by reading independently in the library.
Ayak L - for setting a great example to others and reading independently in the library.
2B - Jake Moloney
Jamie C - for utilising his critical thinking skills to effectively measure objects in the classroom using informal measuring instruments. Great measuring Jamie!
Giselle J - for showcasing her creative thinking skills during a retelling of Jesus’ visitation of Mary and Martha. Great thinking Giselle!
2C - Rebecca Wright
Sannamahn Z - For being a reflective learner when sharing what inspired an artist to create their painting during our Inquiry unit. Great thinking Sannamahn!
Khristian O - For being a knowledgeable learner when applying his understanding of location when mapping our classroom using a grid. Excellent mathematical thinking Khristian!
3A - Joss Coaley
Isaac S - for being an effective communicator and sharing your extensive learning on the different types of angles in our classroom. Great learning Isaac!
Essabella C - for continuously focusing on your learning and being a risk taker to always want to do better! Fantastic work Essa, well done!
3B - Thomas Pham
Chantelle V - for being a Communicator when she gave clear feedback to her classmates on the websites that they designed; using a star and a wish. Keep it up Chantelle!
Carol M - for being a digital Communicator when she created a well designed website with her partner on Deforestation. Fantastic layout Carol!
3C - Ella Nowak
Rayden V- For being a risk taker in his learning and continually striving to challenge himself in all areas of his learning. Keep up the amazing motivation for learning!
Anei A- For being a communicator and sharing his extensive knowledge on man made change and their impact on the environment. Keep sharing your amazing knowledge Anei!
4A - Linda Oxley
Anna R- for being a balanced learner and approaching all of her learning with a positive attitude.
Weston T- for being a caring learner and expressing his thoughts and concerns when trying to maintain a respectful learning environment.
4B - Lavinia Stewart
Olivia G - for being a reflective learner and proceeding to take on each learning task with a positive attitude. Keep up the awesome work Olivia!
Dave E - for being a great communicator when sharing his opinions and ideas during class discussions about the different perspectives of a shape when it is flipped and turned. Well done Dave!
4C - Brittany Davidson
Kriselle A- For demonstrating strong leadership skills within the class and consistently being a positive role model in her behaviour and interactions.
Jalen L- For approaching all learning with a positive attitude and role modelling positive interactions with his peers and teachers
5A - Dorothy Hall
Jake G - for being open-minded when taking on feedback and adding detail to improve his formal letter to Portsea Camp.
Mangtong T - for being a risk-taker when he volunteered a paragraph to be used as a class example of how to improve our writing by making authorial edits.
5B - Malae Suaesi
Awel D - being a risk taker in attempting to accurately order and represent fractions on a number line from zero to one. Great learning!
Clarisse O - for being reflective when considering how to use authorial editing techniques to improve the quality of her transactional writing.
5C - Lisa Hughes
Lelaina E - for demonstrating resilience to improve the quality of her transactional writing using authorial and secretarial editing. Fantastic effort!
Arsema T - for being a risk taker when contributing to class discussions through sharing and increasing her prior and newly acquired knowledge. Well done!
6A - Katherine Salloum
Jezvine T - for being a risk-taker in his learning by asking his teacher for help when working out the fraction of a quantity. Great learning, Jezvine!
Jasmine P - for being a reflective learner by constantly asking for assistance during class time to better understand the content being delivered.
6B - Jane Huang
Ro Hmun S - For being an inquirer and always raising questions for support and feedback to improve his learning.
Adhieu T - for demonstrating resilience by continually trying hard to work out the best way to convert percentages to fractions.
6C - Matt Galea
Miranda C - for taking a risk with her learning to present to the class independently rather than in a group, showing great confidence and speaking articulately.
Boi R - for being a caring and responsible member of 6C by making sure everyone feels safe and being the first to clean the room.
Specialist Awards
Japanese: Yumiko Aiki
Miranda M(6A)- for being enthusiastic and showing initiative during Japanese learning. Her positive outlook energises our Japanese learning environment.
Performing Arts: Jody Banks
Thaih Then T (PA)- for the excellent music skills he has displayed in Performing Arts class and for his positive attitude towards his learning. Great job, Thaih Then!
Visual Arts: Tosh Kaan
Biephatha A (1C) for being a thinker and pushing himself to apply shading/blending techniques to his artwork. Very impressive for a grade one; way to go Biephatha!
S T E M: Matt Dalton
Alyssia P (2A) - For being an inquisitive learner during STEM. You demonstrated enthusiasm and curiosity using the Bee-Bots. Well done Alyssia!
P.E: Tom Nguyen
Queensya Alexander (2C) for being a great communicator when playing “rapid fire” game for the last 2 weeks. Great learning Queensya!