Term 4 Week 7

17 Nov

Written By Resurrection Catholic Primary School

This Week’s Newsletter Items:

Remembrance Day & Prayer Service
Parent Teacher Learning Conversations
2023 House Captains Announced
Canteen Committee Members Needed
Tabloid Sports Day
Professor Bunson (Grade 3’s)
2022 School Fees & 2023 School Fees & Levies
This Sunday’s Gospel & Reflection
Student Of The Week Awards

Reminder: School Closure This Monday 21st November

Advent To Come Early

Next Monday, as students are home, the school is being prepared for Advent & Christmas. Given that we don’t see the season through as a school, we are beginning a week early to enable our students to learn and engage in the season of Advent while at school.

As We Gathered To Remember…

Last Friday, we gathered as a school to commemorate Remembrance Day. The pictures above highlight very well how reverent and engaged our student were. Their prayerfulness, and silence paid both respect and honour to those who have given their lives so that we can experience peace. Lest we forget.

Parent Teacher Online Learning Conversations

Dear Parents and Carers,

Parent Teacher Online Learning Conversations are due to be held on:

Tuesday 6th December (3:45pm - 8:15pm)
&
Thursday 8th December (3:45pm - 7:15pm)

These meetings are an important opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress in relation to the curriculum, the Semester Two report and future learning directions.

As with the beginning of the year, all of these meetings will take place online using Google Meet. Once you have made a booking, you will receive a confirmation email indicating the time, date and google meet link. Please keep this email in order to join the meeting at your allocated time.

Attached to this note is all the information you require for making a booking for the Parent Teacher Online Learning Conversations. Bookings are now open and will close on Friday 2nd December at 12:00pm.

Make Your Booking Here!

Please note that interviews are for 15 minutes and spaces are limited. If you require more time with a particular teacher, please arrange a separate meeting by contacting your child’s teacher directly.

Warm regards,

John Hein
Deputy Principal – Curriculum

2023 School Captains Announced

On Thursday 10th November, 52 Grade 4 and 5 students delivered their leadership speeches to their houses. After listening to all of the candidates, each student voted for one Grade 4 and one Grade 5 student to represent their house, using the preferential voting system.

This was also a very special week as our four house names were announced to our school community in our whole school assembly on Monday 14th November.

We thank all of the candidates for their effort and commitment in preparing and delivering their leadership speeches. We can’t wait to see all of the amazing ideas implemented next year as we continue to develop our house identity here at Resurrection.

The updated timeline for the School Leader Speeches is as follows:

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).

Congratulations to our newly appointed House Captains for 2023 and good luck to our candidates preparing for speeches to be delivered in Week 8.

Teresa House Captains (Blue)

Sebastian House Captains (Green)

Pedro House Captains (Red)

Mackillop House Captains (Yellow)

Our House Saints

Over the past two years, the student leaders have taken the initiative to identify, research and learn about different saints from the cultures that represent our school to help choose a saint that would best fit each house.

This year, with the help of the company Our House Spirit, our student leaders have been able to take on more leadership and understand what it means to be in a House. Our leaders have learnt that a House System is about belonging and that everyone that is a part of the house is a valued member. The students have created their own house activities, led their houses in chants and have created a sense of belonging within their houses, particularly with those in Prep as they made their house bag tags.

Resurrection Primary School is pleased to announce after a long period of deliberation, consultation and inut from both students, parents and staff, the following four saints have been chosen.

These saints are:

St Sebastian
St Pedro Calungsod
St Mary Mackillop
St Teresa of Calcutta

We have republished a small autobiography of each Saint so as to refresh in our communities mind the background of each saint and the qualities and values they each represent to our students.

The story of Pedro Calungsod shows us that young people can do great things. Born in the Philippines, Pedro was only 13 when he joined a group of Spanish missionaries who were going to travel to the Marianas Islands to teach the native people about God.
Pedro loved the Church, and he received the Sacraments whenever he could. He was eager to share what he knew about Jesus with others. He did well, and many people were baptized into the faith because of his efforts.
But some people did not trust the missionary priests. Often the medicine men in the village viewed the missionaries as a threat to their power. One night, when Pedro and a priest arrived in a village to baptize the chief’s daughter—at the request of the chief’s wife—they were killed by assassins led by the chief. Pedro died for his faith in 1672, when he was only 17.
In 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified Pedro, telling the crowds that gathered for the ceremony, “From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call. Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist.”
Pedro Calungsod was canonized on October 21, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI.
Words to describe St Pedro Calungsod:
- Devotion
- Faith-filled
- Strong
St. Mary Mackillop is the Patron Saint of Australia. Her feast day is August 8th.
Growing up, MacKillop and her family struggled financially. The family farm never had much success. During most times, the family had to survive on the small wages the children were able to bring home. She worked on her Aunt and Uncles property, tasked with looking after the children and teaching them. MacKillop, determined to help the poor, including the other farm children on the Cameron estate in her care.
She began working with Father Woods and opened up a school which eventually led to the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart opening a new school, at the request of the bishop, Laurence Bonaventure Sheil. Their school was dedicated to the education of the children of the poor and became the first religious institute to be founded by an Australian.
Father Woods and MacKillop developed the "Rule of Life" for the community. Their rules, approved by Bishop Sheil, emphasized poverty, a dependence on divine providence, no ownership of personal belongings, faith that God would provide and willingness to go where needed.
MacKillop and her Josephites also worked within an orphanage; with neglected children; girls in danger; the aged poor; a prison; and with the incurably ill. Her most famous of sayings is “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
MacKillop was beatified on January 19, 1995 by Pope John Paul II and she was canonized on October 17, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, making her the first Australian saint.
Words to describe St Mary Mackillop:
- Dedication
- Teacher
- Helping
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death.
In 283 AD, Sebastian joined the Roman Army and quickly distinguished himself and for his excellent service, he was promoted to serve in the Praetorian Guard to protect Emperor Diocletian.
While serving as a Guard, twin brothers, were imprisoned for refusing to make public sacrifices to the Roman gods. During their imprisonment, their parents visited them to implore them to renounce Christianity. However, St. Sebastian convinced both parents to convert to Christianity.
This led to his discovery and he was reported as a Christian. The Emperor scolded Sebastian and ordered him to be killed by having him tied to a stake on a training field and used as target practice. Archers riddled his body with arrows. Believed to be dead, the archers left his body for retrieval and burial. He was recovered by Irene of Rome. Irene discovered that Sebastian was still living and she hid him and nursed him back to health. Once back to health, Sebastian encountered the Diocletian and criticised him publicly, leading to the Diocletian ordering his former guard to be beaten to death with clubs, then thrown into the sewers.
After his passing, he was commonly invoked as protector against the plague due to the Pagan beliefs that pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above.
Words to describe St Sebastian:
- Persistent
- Protector
- Healer
St. Teresa of Calcutta is the patron saint of World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity and a co-patron of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, alongside St. Francis Xavier. Her feast day is celebrated on September 5.
St. Teresa left her home in September 1928 at the age of 18 to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto, in Ireland. From here she went on her first journey to India and landed in Calcutta. She taught at St Mary’s school.
Noted for her charity, unselfishness and courage, her capacity for hard work and a natural talent for organization, she lived out her consecration to Jesus, in the midst of her companions, with fidelity and joy.
It was on September 10, 1946 during a train ride from Calcutta to Darjeeling for her annual retreat, that Mother Teresa received her "inspiration, her call within a call." On that day, in a way she would never explain, Jesus' thirst for love and for souls took hold of her heart and the desire to satiate His thirst became the driving force of her life. Jesus revealed His pain at the neglect of the poor, His sorrow at their ignorance of Him and His longing for their love. He asked Mother Teresa to establish a religious community, Missionaries of Charity, dedicated to the service of the poorest of the poor.
After a short course with the Medical Mission Sisters in Patna, Mother Teresa returned to Calcutta and found temporary lodging with the Little Sisters of the Poor. On December 21, she went for the first time to the slums. She visited families, washed the sores of some children, cared for an old man lying sick on the road and nursed a woman dying of hunger and tuberculosis. She started each day with communion then went out, rosary in her hand, to find and serve Him amongst "the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for." After some months, she was joined, one by one, by her former students.
Mother often said, 'Holiness is not the luxury of the few, it is a simple duty for each one of us. May her example help us to strive for holiness: to love God, to respect and love every human person created by God in His own image and in whom He dwells, and to care for our poor and suffering brethren. May all the sick, the suffering, and those who seek God's help find a friend and intercessor in Mother."
Words to describe St Teresa of Calcutta:
- Unselfish
- Courageous
- Mother

URGENT

〰️

URGENT 〰️

URGENT – Canteen Committee Members Needed

Having now readvertised for a second time and receiving no respondents, we are again requesting for parent volunteers, to assist us in putting in place a canteen development plan for our school.

A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 29th November at 7.00pm for the committee (still to be formed) to meet and commence the process.

If you wish to be part of this committee, please email the office on: office@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au

The following data was presented at the last School Advisory Board meeting and highlighted there is a desire to have an operational canteen.

How often would you use the canteen?

1 day per week = 116
2-4 days per week = 44
Everyday = 7
Occasionally = 90
Never = 30

Why would you use the canteen?

Convenience
Occasional treat
Supplement to food from home if still hungry

Would there be any barriers to your use of the canteen?

I don't feel the canteen offers healthy enough food = 17
I want complete control over what my child is eating = 42
I would prefer more choices were made available = 156
The food is too expensive = 55

If you have used the canteen in the past, which items do you generally order?

Drinks
Hot Foods
Lunch specials
Zooper Doopers
Sandwiches

What additional services would you like to see the canteen offering?

Online ordering,
A separate menu for special events,
A cashless system

Tabloid Sports Champions!

Whilst the wild weather caused chaos for our cancelled Athletics Day, the Resurrection spirit shone through on what proved to be another challenging weather day for our Tabloid Sports event. Fortunately, the Resurrection staff worked hard to ensure no stone was left unturned by creating an indoor Tabloid Sports event.

In the morning block the House Team spirit was in full force with Prep to Year 2 students competing in numerous events such as; cup stacking, obstacle course, tunnel ball and many, many more. The most impressive aspect of the activities was the students' commitment to challenging themselves and supporting their teammates.

After the lunch break the middle and senior students prepared for battle. Each classroom worked in their house teams to compete in a range of activities such as; crab walk, soccer dribble and charades to name a few. The fierce competition was met with a great sense of humility and comradery as students participated knowing that the real winner on the day was sportsmanship.

During assembly the school community were introduced to the 2023 house captains before the announcement of the Tabloid Sports results.

In the end it was the Red House who were victorious.

Congratulations to all students on their positive attitude and competitive spirit!

Professor Bunson - Our Visiting Science Teacher (Year 3’s)

"The purpose of the inclusion was to understand about solids, liquids and gases. My favourite experiment was the mug and the propeller because it used the steam in the mug to turn the propeller.

As the second lesson started we went to the hall. Then Prof. Bunsen welcomed us as we sat down. After Prof. Bunsen did lots of experiments. One of them was the playdough that turned into all different colours when mixed with hot/warm water and turned back with cold water." - Jason N

"On Friday all the year threes went to the hall for our new inquiry unit. We sat down and Prof. Bunsen introduced himself. After that he did some science experiments. My favourite experiment was when Prof. Bunsen made Bie P hover with a leaf blower." - Bahnam Q

"Firstly on Friday, all the Year 3's gathered in the hall for a science incursion for our new inquiry unit. Next we settled down and met Prof. Bunsen, our science teacher. We learned about solids, liquids and gases. My favourite experiment was when he made the slime change colour by putting the slime in hot water." - Apiok M

Key Upcoming Dates

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 2023
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.

This Sunday’s Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 23:35-43

Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.

The people stayed there before the cross watching Jesus. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer him vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus,’ he said, ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied, ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’

© 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.

Gospel Reflection

The choice of today’s gospel passage in the lectionary appears to be twofold. Firstly, the inscription above the crucified Christ reads, ‘This is the King of the Jews’, one of the scriptural references to Christ’s kingship – although that reference is more complicated than it first appears. Secondly, the feast of Christ the King marks the end of the liturgical year and the end of the year-long journey through the gospel of Luke. Given that the second half of the gospel is a physical and psychological journey towards Jerusalem and the death that awaits Jesus there, it is fitting that the final reading for the liturgical year is the crucifixion.

When the feast of Christ the King was first conceived by Pope Pius XI in 1925, its intention was to emphasise the majesty and power of Jesus Christ, King and ruler of the world. However, our understanding of ‘king’ as it can be applied to Jesus has changed significantly in the intervening years. Despite earthly notions of kingship and the role of the Messiah, Jesus completely rejected such expectations and assumed the role of servant to the poor and outcast. As we have seen throughout this year, the gospel of Luke depicts in great detail the emphasis and priority that Jesus gave to the lowly and marginalised.

The theme that flows through the gospel is again captured in the account of the crucifixion. At this most critical point, it is a criminal, crucified alongside Jesus, who responds in faith to Jesus and asks to join Jesus when he enters into his kingdom. The criminal has a much better idea of the nature of the sort of king that Jesus really is than is revealed by the sign that Pilate has had nailed to the cross.

Historical Context – Christ the King

The Feast of Christ the King was introduced to the liturgical calendar by Pope Pius XI in 1925. The establishment of the feast took place in a world that had suffered through the First World War and was unknowingly heading towards the Second World War. In this setting, the world was experiencing a dramatic growth in secularism and an even more dramatic growth in dictators who were rising to power in various states. The introduction of the feast was a call back from the secular and a call to remember Christ as having authority above and beyond any earthly leader.

Scriptural context – Shepherds and Criminals

The gospel of Luke is underlined by a message of hope for those who are afflicted, outcast and poor. In this gospel, the message and ministry of Jesus are directed specifically to these lowly ones. The significance of the role played by the poor is highlighted by the framing of the whole narrative in this gospel: the birth of Jesus is celebrated by shepherds and his death is accompanied by criminals. Shepherds and criminals – two classes of people on the absolute fringe of society; not dignitaries or wise men from afar – are witness to the birth and death of Jesus.

Gospel Focus – A kingdom of inclusion

In response to the criminal’s faith, Jesus assures him, ‘today you will be with me in paradise’. There is a certainty and immediacy about the response. Jesus does not tell him that sometime in the future he will be rewarded for his faith. No, it is today that the criminal will join Jesus in paradise. It is an expression of the welcome and inclusion that Jesus has extended to the outsider and undervalued throughout his ministry. It is a clear indication that the Kingdom of God that Jesus has worked to bring about is a kingdom of inclusion and welcome.

You’re a Star!

PA - Shelby Nightingale

Oscar M- For being an enthusiastic learner during literacy by sharing great ideas to create interesting stories in our narrative writing!
Angelina L- For being a kind, caring, respectful member of our classroom when explaining activities to your peers.

PB - Anna Druitt

Mary L - For being a knowledgeable learner when writing a detailed description on a character for your narrative.
Bawi Bik L - For being a knowledgeable learner when he was able to identify different 3D shapes. Great work Bawi Bik!

PC - Carla Tirotta

Harlow M- For being a reflective learner when making 3D shapes and identifying ways to make your cube more stable.
Simon V- For being a risk-taker with your learning during writing time and always attempting to spell unfamiliar words on your own.

1A - Tina Naumov

Ramthathang T (Matthew) - for being a knowledgeable learner when using compound sentences in his Narrative writing. Amazing learning Matthew!
Ezra R - for being a reflective learner when showing incredible editing skills when checking her Narrative writing pieces. Keep up the great learning Ezra!

1B - Aoife O’Flynn

Nyidier M - for using her thinking skills to complete a subtraction think board with pictures and number story. Great subtracting Nyidier!
Chloe V - for being a risk taker when using her five senses to write a descriptive paragraph about the beach. Well done Chloe!

1C - My-Linh Tran

Aeyana C - For being a thinker when using her prior and inferred knowledge to enhance her understanding of new ideas. Great learning Aeyana!
Jayden C - For being a caring member of our classroom and consistently showing compassion towards others. Well done Jayden!

2A - Barbara Zerzouri

Andre V - for including so many reasons to persuade his reader when writing his persuasive text.
Charlotte V -For excellent writing in Persuasive text when working with Mrs Ferraro.

2B - Jake Moloney

Isla H - for being a risk-taker when measuring classroom items using Dinosaur footprints. Great measuring Isla!
Isaac M - for being a reflective learner when brainstorming ideas for his narrative. Great thinking Issac!

2C - Rebecca Wright

Joy M - for being a risk-taker when measuring classroom items using Dinosaur footprints. Great measuring Joy!
Bailey M - for being a risk-taker when trying new strategies whilst reading. Great persistence Bailey!

3A - Joss Coaley

Charlotte L T - for being a risk taker and producing fantastic poetry using a number of different strategies. Great work on focusing on some amazing verbs! Well done
Kevin N - for maintaining a positive learning mindset and sharing your wonderings and knowledge with others. Amazing effort, well done!

3B - Thomas Pham

Hugo M - for being a creative Thinker when he created a Modern Day version of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Congratulations buddy!
Jason N S - for being a Communicator when he shared his Modern Day version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep during sharing time. Congratulations mate!

3C - Ella Nowak

Jack L- For being knowledgeable when using his skills to teach others in the class how to use the partition strategy to complete addition equations. Amazing learning Jack.
Christar T- For being knowledgeable and writing a detailed reflection on the Mr Bunsen incursion. Great reflecting Christar.

4A - Linda Oxley

Tlamen T T- for being an inquirer and developing learning skills in Literacy groups.
Ulette L- for taking risks in class by contributing in class discussions and voicing her opinion.

4B - Lavinia Stewart

Isabel W - For being a creative and critical thinker when showing her understanding of the three states of matter. Congratulations Isabel!
Orlando M - For being a risk taker and showing resilience when facing challenges in his learning. Keep up the great work Orlando!

4C - Brittany Davidson

Nikita N- For striving to improve her learning and sharing her thoughts during class discussions. Well done Nikita!
Cung Tin L- For being a risk taker and becoming much more confident and vocal during class discussions. Keep it up!

5A - Dorothy Hall

Christina L - For being a thinker and an inquirer when taking notes on who, what, when, where and why/how and using them to summarise a text.
Olivia V - For being a principled communicator, organising herself to pre-record her leadership speech for school captain.

5B - Malae Suaesi

Benjamin V - For being a risk taker in attempting to record and understand the significance of using hyphenated compound words.
Alex V - For being a risk taker and showing perseverance in his attempt to run for school captain’s role year 2023. Congratulations Alex!

5C - Lisa Hughes

Daniel C - for being an inquisitive learner and asking questions to increase his knowledge and understanding in all subject areas. Keep it up Daniel!
Elianna L - for being a risk taker when participating in class discussions to share her prior knowledge and asking questions to acquire new knowledge. Well done Elianna!

6A - Katherine Salloum

Tyson M - for being a knowledgeable learner by practising his times tables and achieving his highest score for the Multiplication Grid this year. Great learning, Tyson!
Pirlo Q - for being an inquirer when researching and creating an action for the Social Justice Fair about homelessness. Great learning, Pirlo!

6B - Jane Huang

Jamie K - for demonstrating resilience to solve real life Maths problems by investigating and calculating percentage discounts.
Hni Chai C - For being a responsible learner by continuously focusing on his learning and finishing learning tasks with time management.

6C - Matt Galea

Shayne T - for continuously showing care to his peers and challenging himself with his learning.
Chloe F - for communicating effectively with her teacher to ask for support and feedback to improve her learning.

Specialist Awards

Japanese: Yumiko Aiki

Liam S (4A)- For being a responsible and independent learner who strives for Japanese study. Congratulations on your conscientious and dedicated attitude that you apply to your work.

Performing Arts: Jody Banks

Liela M (1C)- For being an independent learner and working out the notes for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on the xylophone. A fantastic musical effort, Liela!

Visual Arts: Tosh Kaan

Isaac M (2B) - For demonstrating resilience and perseverance when weaving his God’s Eye. Because of his open-mindedness he was able to weave his art piece like an expert. Well Done Issac!

S T E M: Matt Dalton

Charlotte V (2A) - For being an inquisitive learner during STEM. You demonstrated enthusiasm and curiosity using the Bee-Bots. Well done Charlotte!

P.E: Tom Nguyen:

Kiana Le (1C) - For being a risk taker and consistently challenges herself with her learning when attempting a new task. Well done Kiana!

Resurrection Catholic Primary School