Term 2 Week 2 of 9
Friday, 5th May 2023
This Week’s Newsletter Items:
● Stay Informed
● Whole School Photo Day
● Celebrating Mother’s Day
● Parent Advisory Council
● School Office Peak Times
● Mass On Pentecost – Celebrating our Cultures
● Eucharist Formation Evening
● Melbourne Zoo – Senior Excursion
● Why God Made Teachers
● New Books To Read Every Month
● This Weekend’s Gospel
● Understanding The Gospel
● Prep Excursion - LegoLand
● Term 2 Dates
● School Is Better When Your Child Is Here
● School Photo Booking Process
Dear Parents, Students & Friends,
Each week, the school makes every effort, through the newsletter, to keep you informed of upcoming events or information that assists in helping you and your child make the most of what Resurrection can provide. We provide this information through three mediums, hard copy, email and the school’s website.
To simplify the sourcing of information relevant to yourself and your child, the newsletter, on the front cover, provides an index of what is being discussed. With so many events and activities occurring at Resurrection, both involving yourself and your child, it is important to keep up to date and to know what is happening.
Being informed and knowing what is happening makes anyone’s day easier.
2023 Whole School Photo Day
Next Thursday 11th May
Instructions On How To Order Photos Are At The Back Of This Newsletter.
At the back of our last newsletter (Term 1 Week 10) and this week’s newsletter, you will find the instructions for ordering this year’s formal school photos.
To ensure that there is consistency across all photos regarding the wearing of the school uniform and that our formal school photos (Thursday 11th May) represent both your child and the school as best we possibly can, we had asked that all students are in the school’s Winter Uniform by this Friday 5th May.
I ask that parents who have not yet arranged a winter uniform for their child, please do so as soon as possible and preferably prior to this coming Thursday.
Junior school students are asked to wear their normal school winter uniform next Thursday instead of their sports uniform.
We are aware that there are several families that will be away on extended holidays so we have arranged for a photo catch up day just in case you’re not back by the 11th May. The photo catch up day has been booked for Thursday 18th May 2023 with only sibling (family) and individual photos to be taken.
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Thank you to all our parents who have already responded via Operoo. So far, we have had over 200 mums confirm their attendance.
Mass will commence at 9.00am with mums and special visitors invited to join their children after Mass to participate in a classroom activity. At approximately 10.20am, our amazing mums and special visitors will be invited to a delicious morning tea to be hosted in the school hall.
Disability Parking - We expect the school carpark to be quite full and ask that you take care when parking. Please note that the disability parking spaces at the back of the church will not be available until 8.45am due to the dropping off of children until that time.
Families requiring disability parking are asked to use the spaces available at the front of the church prior to 8.45am.
Parent Advisory Council
Thank you to our parents who attended last Tuesday nights Parent Advisory Council meeting.
It was definitely a productive meeting with parents reviewing our school’s Vision – Mission Statements that will be used to drive the school improvement plan for the next 5 years.
Our next Parent Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday 13th June. We would be very grateful to see more parents participate as it is a way to contribute your knowledge, skills and passion toward enhancing this amazing school.
Our next Parent Advisory Council is to occur next Tuesday evening at 7.00pm. The primary agenda item for this meeting is to finalize the school’s Vision & Mission statement in preparation for the School Improvement Review.
On the following evening, the Canteen Committee will meet to discuss the what will discuss the feedback received from last term and put in place actions for this term.
School Office Peak Times
The school office is a very busy place at the best of times, however between the hours of 8.30am – 9.30 am and 2.45pm – 3.30pm it is extremely busy.
We strongly encourage parents attending the office at these times to please be patient as we are doing everything possible to attend to your questions and needs as well responding to internal matters such as children’s medical needs, attendance rolls, phone calls and the like.
If you are able to visit the office outside of the times mentioned above, you may experience a far quicker response.
Ruth, Rachael, Anna & Susan do an amazing job. Let’s help them out and make their day a great one by being as positive as they are when trying to assist and help you.
Mass on Pentecost
Celebrating our Cultures
May 27th /28th May
As part of our Mass on Pentecost weekend, in addition to children receiving their First Communion, there will be a focus on the multi-cultural aspect of Pentecost and our Parish.
We are encouraging all our families to come along to the Mass on that weekend dressed in traditional /cultural attire. We would especially love to see our children celebrating their culture at Mass in this way.
Eucharist Formation Evening 2023
On Tuesday evening, we gathered families within the parish community whose children are candidates for their First Eucharist this year. To prepare families for this significant event, we invited Fr. John Madden to speak in more depth about this Sacrament.
I’m sure all who attended can agree that his great knowledge, paired with his charisma, allowed all to engage and extend our learning. We thank all families who attended, showing their unwavering commitment to their child’s Sacramental journey.
During this evening, we also outlined some practical items in regards to your child’s Sacrament of First Eucharist. Please see these items below:
Attire
Girls: White dress (extra accessories optional)
Boys: Neat Casual/Formal Clothing
Timing
20-15 minutes before Mass. Please note that arriving any earlier may cause traffic congestion, especially during back to back masses.
Photographs
There is an opportunity to take photos before and after the ceremony. As the Mass is a sacred and reverent occasion, we ask that no photos are taken during the ceremony.
Allocated Seating
Eucharist Candidates will be allocated a row in the church for themselves and their families.
Booking links have now been distributed since the return of completed Sacramental Passports.
Please ensure you have accessed this on Operoo.
In Faith,
Erica Aclan
Religious Education Leader
Melbourne Zoo Senior Excursion
What a wonderful way to start Term 2!
Our Senior School students headed to the Melbourne Zoo on Friday 28th April (Grade 5) and Monday 1st May (Grade 6), and represented our school beautifully. As part of our inquiry into ‘How the World Works’, students engaged in a zoo-led program called ‘Animal Adaptations and Features’ and explored how living things need to adapt as their environments change over time. They had time to explore most areas of Melbourne Zoo, and took observational notes as they went. They learned some very interesting facts such as an elephant has around 40,000 muscles in their trunk alone, whereas humans have only around 600 muscles in their whole body! Let’s see what Kiara and Kriselle from 5C thought about their day.
The Melbourne Zoo
The Grade 5s went to the Melbourne Zoo on April 28th to learn about animal adaptations. We saw a lot of animals and some that we've never seen before. Here is a snapshot of what we did on our trip.
When we arrived, we headed to the education centre where we met the kind staff and the zookeepers that told us where we were going to go and the animals we were going to see. Our first stop was the Gorilla Rainforest where we saw lemurs, cassowaries, and tree-top monkeys. It was a fascinating experience to see.
The next stop was the ‘Trail of the Elephants’ where we explored a variety of animals. We saw elephants, butterflies, and tigers. In the butterfly house we saw different kinds of species of butterflies that fluttered above us.
After that we walked to the ‘Wild Sea’ exhibit and were welcomed by different sea creatures like the big pufferfish and stingrays. We also decided to see the ‘Growing Wild’ section, where we visited tortoises and meerkats. We learned many interesting things about them!
While we were there we went to a ranger and learned about adaptations of different animals. It was so cool being able to see how their bodies function. We still had some time left so we stopped by at the ‘Australian Bush’ and spotted many birds and koalas. There was a nosy bird that was following us back so we quickly walked away.
Although we had so much fun, sadly it was time to go. Even if we couldn't stay for longer we had such a great time and this was one of the greatest experiences that we will never forget!
Zoo Reflection
On Monday, the Grade 6s went to the zoo and we were able to touch and interact with skulls in our learning session. We learnt how to identify if the animal was a predator or if the animal was prey. Afterwards, we took a walk around the zoo and saw some incredible sights. My favourite part of the walk was when we visited the elephants. They were definitely my favourite because they were play fighting and it was just so astonishing to see. I also really enjoyed the butterfly house. It was very humid inside. The butterflies were beautiful shades of blues and greens and lots of other colours too.
I really enjoyed the day.
Vivienne N (6A)
The Amazing Trip To The Zoo
The trip to the zoo was amazing. We visited so many animals such as giraffes, elephants and my personal favourite, gorillas. When I saw the elephants and the giraffes, they looked so unreal to me.
We learnt about adaptations of animals within their habitat and how the animals support the ecosystem they live in. The guy who guided us name was Simon. He told us how we could tell which ones were prey or predators by the size and shape of their skeleton or skull.
I learnt that the animals that were considered prey had eyes at the side of their heads to look around for predators while they eat. He also told us how the animals features help them survive.
I had a great time at the zoo, learning with our classmates and eating together.
Written by Chuol A (6A)
Excursion To The Zoo – Emily L 6A
Grade 6’s were fascinated by the experience that was given to them when at the zoo. They saw many animals and many animals that were unknown to them.
We also had learning sessions with a zoo worker named Simon, where all the Year 6’s discovered and felt the skulls or bones of the numerous animals. We learnt what each feature meant on the animals such as if they were a prey or predator.
The orang-utans were sleeping with their luscious hair, the chimpanzees were swinging on the trees like crazy and the elephants were fighting, then soon gave up and started to roll on the ground. It is clear to say that most of those animals are family oriented.
At school, the Year 6’s have already learnt that palm oil has a huge responsibility to many animals’ habitat loss and being endangered due to the many products that constantly need palm oil. Towards the end of the excursion, we started to run rapidly to see the snow leopard, Sumatran tiger and reptiles.
WHY GOD MADE TEACHERS
When God created teachers,
He gave us special friends,
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.
When God created teachers,
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.
Why God created teachers,
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.
THANK YOU MISS.DAVIDSON & MRS. JOLENE !
Did you know that every month we get new books in the library?
Did you know that every month we get new books in the library? They are put out on display so that any visitors to the library can see the new titles. These range from picture story books, short chapter books, novels, non-fiction books and graphic novels. There are always so many new books coming in to the library. All you have to do is go in and take a look.
These books are hand selected by publishers and sent through to schools to save the Librarian or a staff member from having to know all the new titles that come out and select the best ones. Reflecting on that we pondered, but what books do our students want to read?
In response to that, late in Term One we surveyed all the students in the school to find out what books or types of books they wanted more of in the library. And we were amazed at the variety and the number of responses that came through. There were classics such as ‘The Rainbow Fish’, modern titles that included Akissi and books from Raina Telgemeir to more books about dinosaurs. Such a wide variety to choose from.
If I asked my children, and I’m sure there are a few other parents who would get the same response, what would you like for dinner? The answer would be take-away or something they have had before that is a favourite. The problem with those two answers is:
Take-away: Take away all the time will not nourish your body, it will keep you alive, but you won’t get all the nutrients you need to thrive and grow.
A favourite: It is hopefully healthy, but it isn’t new, it is the same thing, which whilst familiar and comfortable and enjoyable, it isn’t giving you anything fresh or new.
That is just the same as children and their reading. We want them to have a varied selection of books, some easy, some challenging and some new. It is our hope that each and every child falls in love with reading and finds the joy of reading.
After reviewing the titles in the library and contacting distributers, we are so happy to share that we have purchased quite a number of books from the wish list. Whilst we were not able to buy all of them, we hope that the books you find in the library are to your liking and that you find a new favourite.
Some of the new books that are on their way include:
· Diary of a Wimpy Kid
· A Series of Unfortunate Events
· Amulet
· Billie B Brown
· Percy Jackson
· Harry Potter
· Sisters
· Sam Kerr Soccer
· The Baby-Sitters Club
· Murder Most Unladylike
· The Trials of Apollo
· Enola Holmes
· Real Pigeons
· Dragon Girls
· Geronimo Stilton
· And there are some Bluey books coming too!
And these are just some novels and chapter books.
Keep an eye out for a book titled ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse’. There are a few copies of this one coming and it is quite simply one of the most beautiful and soulful books that the world needs. No one is too young or too old to take something away from this piece of art. If you love books with meaning, graphic novels and text that is not too challenging, then this is the book for you!
Keep an eye out in the newsletter in the coming weeks, as I’ll share with you new titles that we have in our library and give you an idea of what they are about and who might like to read them. If you read one of them, I’d love to share your story. Please feel free to email me on glewis@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au to have your book review placed in the newsletter!
Sincerely,
Grant Lewis
We refer to the Gospels so many times in our life as the basis of our faith, belief, values, morals & religion. But do we actually read them, and more importantly understand their meaning.
Each week, the coming weekend’s gospel is published with a reflection that provides some insight into its context, meaning and relevance to our lives.
Regardless if you will or won’t go to Mass this weekend, give yourself the opportunity for some spiritual nourishment.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (14:1-12)
I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am now going to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’
Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
‘I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.’
The gospel readings for this week and next week shift the focus away from the resurrection and begin to set us up for the departure of Jesus from the earth – the Ascension – and the sending of the Holy Spirit – the Pentecost event.
Today’s gospel passage comes from the very long Last Supper discourse in the gospel of John. When Jesus speaks about ‘going away’ for a time it could be interpreted as the period of his death and rising that are about to occur in the chronology of the story. However, the gospel of John is written a very long time after the death of Jesus; perhaps as much as 70 years after Jesus. Given this period of time between the events and the writing, we know that the writer was also referring to this longer time of Jesus ‘going away’. By the time of the writing of this gospel the early Christians were starting to come to terms with the fact that Jesus probably wasn’t going to return in their lifetime. They had seen the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in 70CE which they thought had signalled the end of all time. However, here they were, still alive and still no sign of Jesus’ return.
The theme of being present and being absent is very strong in this gospel. The discussion about Jesus and the Father being one is part of this theme. Jesus is God present in the world. God has come to dwell among the people. When Jesus speaks of preparing rooms in the Father’s house, it is a reference to preparing the disciples to ‘live’ in God; to dwell in God just as God has dwelt in the people.
Historical Context – It is for the best…
At the time of this gospel’s writing, some 70 years after the events it describes, amazing things have taken place in the early Christian community. Rather than everything falling apart with the death of Jesus, the message of Jesus has spread further than he himself could ever have accomplished. It is the departure of Jesus from their midst and the sending of the Spirit that really prompts the disciples to act on what they had experienced while Jesus lived among them. The gospel writer has Jesus saying that he has to go away so that the disciples can reach their potential.
Scriptural context – The gospel of John
The gospel of John is very different from the other three ‘synoptic’ gospels. The other three have a very narrative style and can be seen together as different recounts of the same events. Whilst the gospel of John also has some beautifully narrated stories, it is better known as a more theologically reflective piece of writing. It assumes that the readers of this gospel are already familiar with one or more of the others, so it doesn’t need to tell the story again. Rather, it presents a sweeping image of God, through Jesus, reaching out, in, though, and with love to the people.
Living the Gospel – The Way, the Truth and the Life
When Thomas asks, ‘we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answers by saying, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ The reader of the gospel has known this truth all along from the opening line of the gospel, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ Our aim, as Christian people, is to be one with God, not only by sharing in the resurrection but also in the way we live. Jesus makes clear that the way to be with God is by following his example.
Prep Excursion
We are excited to share with you the wonderful experience that our Preps had during their recent excursion to the LegoLand Discovery Centre in Chadstone. As part of their learning journey in the unit of inquiry, "How the World Works", the Preps had the opportunity to explore and engage in various activities that allowed them to develop their understanding of design thinking and the principles of force and motion.
The students were immersed in interactive building zones, where they designed and created their own unique structures using different Lego bricks. They were also challenged to build towers and buildings that could withstand the test of an earthquake table.
The Build & Test zone was another exciting opportunity for the Preps to explore simple machinery, including pulleys and inclined planes. They designed their own race cars and tested their durability and speed on the test track.
The Lego City display, made up of over 1.5 million Lego bricks, was another highlight of the excursion. The students were in awe of the intricate designs and structures that could be created using Lego bricks.
The Preps had a blast on the two rides available at the LegoLand Discovery Centre. The Kingdom Quest Laser Ride took the students on an interactive adventure, where they battled against trolls and skeletons to rescue the princess. The other ride, Merlin's Apprentice, was a magical experience, where the students pedalled their way to the top of the ride.
The 4D Lego Movie was also a hit, with the students enjoying the sensory experience of wind, rain, and other effects that brought the movie to life. The Preps had an incredible time, with many of them wanting to go back for more!
Week 3
Monday 08/05
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am’
● Grade 3 / 4 Playground Excursion
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 09/05
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
● Grade 4 Sacramental Excursion
Wednesday 10/05
● Saint John De Avila
● Grade 1 Excursion to St.Patrick’s Cathederal
Thursday 11/05
● Whole School Photo day
Friday 12/05
● Saints Nereus and Achilleus
● Whole School Mass - Run by Seniors
● Mother’s Day Morning Tea
Saturday 13/05
● Our Lady of Fatima
Sunday 14/05
● 6th Sunday of Easter
● Mother’s Day
Week 4
Monday 15/05
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 16/05
● Learning Diversity Leaders Network
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 17/05
●
Thursday 18/05
● Saint John I
● Catch up photo day
Friday 19/05
● Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Middles
Saturday 20/05
● Saint Bernadine of Siena
Sunday 21/05
● Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord
Week 5
Monday 22/05
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 23/05
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 24/05
● The Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians
● Student Wellbeing Leaders Network
Thursday 25/05
● Saint Gregory VII
● Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
● Saint Bede
Friday 26/05
● Saint Philip Neri
● Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Juniors
● Staff Social Dinner
● Religious Education Leaders Network
Saturday 27/05
● Saint Augustine of Canterbury
● First Communion Masses
Sunday 28/05
● Pentecost Sunday
● First Communion Masses
Week 6
Monday 29/05
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 30/05
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 31/05
● The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday 01/06
● Saint Justin
● Deputy Principals Network
Friday 02/06
● Saints Marcellinus and Peter
● Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival (Backup date)
● Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Preps
● Deputy Principals Network
Saturday 03/06
● First Communion Masses
Sunday 04/06
● Solemnity Of The Most Holy Trinity
● First Communion Masses
Week 7
Monday 05/06
● Student House Activity Day
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 06/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Mary, Mother of the Church
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 07/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
Thursday 08/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
Friday 09/06
● Saint Ephrem
● Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea – Seniors
● ONWZ Principals Network Meeting
Saturday 10/06
● First Communion Masses
Sunday 11/06
● Feast Of Corpus Christi
● First Communion Masses
Week 8
Monday 12/06
● King’s Birthday – School Closure
Tuesday 13/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
● Parent Advisory Council 7.00pm – 8.00pm
● Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 14/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
Thursday 15/06
● Parent Support Group Meetings
Friday 16/6
● Instalment 2 - Family Fee Payment Due
● Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
● Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Middles
Saturday 17/06
● Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
● First Communion Masses
Sunday 18/06
● 11TH Sunday In Ordinary Time
● First Communion Masses
Week 9
Monday 19/06
● Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
● Reports back to teachers
● Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
● Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Tuesday 20/06
Wednesday 21/06
● Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
● Resurrection Day Celebration
● Resurrection Day Mass 9.00am (Whole School)
● Last Day of Term 2 Dismissal Time 3.15pm
● Semester 1 Student Reports Sent Home
Thursday 22/06
● School Closure Staff Faith Formation Day 1
Friday 23/06
● School Closure Staff Faith Formation Day 2
