Friday, 4th August 2023

This Week’s Newsletter Items:

● Acting Principal’s Message

● Update from Mrs Betham

● Student Illness

● Resurrection School Disco

● Playground Pianos

● Scholastic Book Fair

● Year 6 Production

● Art donations

● This Weekend’s Gospel

● Understanding The Gospel

● Student of the Week Awards

● Term 3 Dates

Dear Parents, Students & Friends,

What a beautiful morning we had on Monday morning to celebrate book week with our annual parade. A HUGE thank you to all the parents who helped prepare costumes, the students looked outstanding! But it wasn’t just the children who got into the spirit of the day as the staff did as well. Some Fairy tales came to life such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, as well as Jack and the Beanstalk. Some children’s classics like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan were also on display.

I must say I was a little worried when our Grade 3&4 teachers started chanting “We quit, we quit” but then released that they were all crayons from the book The day the crayons quit!

Mr Dalton or should I say Captain Hook did a marvellous job as always as our MC for the parade, making sure that the audience was entertained with lots of pirate jokes.

The book week theme for 2023 is “Read, Grow and Inspire” and I know that a lot of students were inspired to read books based on the different costumes that were on display during the parade. As I mentioned to our staff during the week, Book Week is more than a week; it’s an opportunity to plant a seed, that seed being a love of reading – something which I believe has occurred this week!

Update from Mrs Betham in Rome!

Late last week we received an update from Mrs Shannon Betham who is currently attending World Youth Day in Rome, making her way to Lisbon with the other leaders as part of the MACS emergent leaders program, Shannon asked us to pass on this message to our community.

“Hello Resurrection Students and Families, it is Mrs Betham here writing to you from Assisi, where I have just returned from visiting the basilica and the sites where Sts Francis and Clare lived! It has been a very special time of prayer, spiritual reflection and learning. It is definitely a very peaceful and prayerful place.

Over the last few days, I spent time in Rome also known as the Eternal City. Here I was able to visit many, many churches and basilicas including St Paul’s outside the walls and St Mary Major Basilicas. St John Larteran’s was also very impressive which is the cathedral in Rome! I got to listen to some very important speakers who shared the importance of listening prayer and discipleship.

The biggest highlight so far was being in a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican! This was a big surprise for us all and a very rare opportunity. We were extremely blessed and a grateful to have had a 45 minute question and answer session with the Holy Father.

One important message from Pope Francis was a reminder to stay close to Jesus in prayer:

‘Even in the most difficult moments, he is always with us. He never tires of walking with us!’

May we all keep these words close to our heart.

I look forward to sharing more experiences with you all and are keeping our special community in my prayers as I continue on my journey.”

We continue to keep Shannon in our prayers as she makes the pilgrimage to Lisbon and can’t wait to hear more about her incredible experiences.

God Bless,

Jess Davis

Acting Principal

Can you spot Pope Francis or Mrs Betham?

Student Illness

In the past two weeks we have seen a rise in the

number of students arriving in sick bay prior to

morning recess and lunchtime.

We very much understand that a sick child for yourself can represent a day off work, or having to reschedule important meetings or appointments if a carer is not available. We have staff who, like yourself have children and have to make the same call from time to time, when their own child is ill.

There are two particular reasons that children are

excluded from school while they are ill, sick or

unwell. Firstly, so that they have the chance to

recoup and get well, and secondly, so that their

illness is not passed on to others. COVID-19 has

certainly reinforced why this action is necessary.

The following is a guide to assist you in making the call if to send them or keep them home. But please, if they are pale and clearly unwell, please do not send them to school. Home, bed and rest are the best medicines for improving their health.

Stay home when unwell

The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of illness is to ensure that any unwell staff and students remain at home.

Keep a Sick Child at Home if You See the Following:

Fever

This is one symptom that automatically rules out

school, no questions. Your sick child should be

fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours

before you send him/her back to school. As a

school, we do not administer over-the-counter

fever-reduction medication; instead, we believe

that it is definitely worth keeping your child home, making sure they drink plenty of fluids so they can recover from whatever they are battling.

Diarrhoea

This could be a sign of a viral infection, so it’s best to keep your child at home. It’s also important to keep rehydrating him/her with an oral rehydrating solution when s/he has diarrhoea, and the best way to do that is by keeping him/her at home.

Vomiting

Aside from the fact that your child won’t be

comfortable, s/he could vomit again. Keep

him/her home until s/he has gone 24 hours without throwing up – that way you won’t feel guilty if you send him/her to school and we call you up to come and collect your vomiting child.

Cough

Coughs can spread infection to other students. A

serious cough can also keep a child from getting a

good night’s rest, which means s/he’ll be too tired

for school in the morning. As a general rule, if your child has a wet cough, particularly if it’s

accompanied by breathing troubles, seek medical

advice/ get a COVID-19 test and keep them home

until the cough has subsided.

Rashes

Skin rashes could be a sign of a contagious

infection, such as impetigo. You should have a rash evaluated by a doctor before sending your child to school.

Conjunctivitis

This infection can quickly and easily spread from

one child to another, as many parents of primary-

school age children already know all too well. Keep your child home until the doctor says s/he is

no longer contagious.

Stomach ache

This one can be tough to call. If s/he doesn’t have

diarrhoea and isn’t constipated, tummy trouble

could be caused by any number of things from

anxiety to food poisoning. If the stomach pains are

minor enough to allow your child to continue

walking and behaving in his/her usual boisterous

fashion - and there are no other symptoms – this

might be one of those times worth risking sending

him/her to school. Later, you can talk to him/her

about any emotional issues that may be on his/her

mind.

Ear infection

As with coughs, you should evaluate all his/her

symptoms before making the call. If s/he has mild

ear pain, s/he’ll likely be fine; but if s/he’s clearly

uncomfortable, s/he will have trouble

concentrating in class anyway and should be kept

at home. And if there are any other accompanying

symptoms such as a fever, it’s a definite sick day.

Trust your instincts. If your child seems lethargic and is just not themselves (if s/he’s not interested in playing, that is often a big clue), keep him/her

home and monitor him/her for any signs of illness.

If we follow these simple guidelines, our children will be far healthier and happier. Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

RESURRECTION SCHOOL DISCO

The Resurrection School Disco is happening on Friday the 18th of August. The times are as follows

o Prep to Grade 2 = 5.15 to 6.15pm

o Grade 3 to Grade 6 = 6.30 to 7.30pm

The cost of the disco is $5.00 per student which will need to be made prior to the disco. Please scan the QR code below to make payment.

Parents will also need to complete the Operoo form (which was sent out on Monday) indicating your child’s attendance at the Disco.

Please note that this is an event for current Resurrection students only. Parents are not required to stay unless you have been contacted to assist as a parent helper

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO ASSEMBLY ON MONDAY DUE TO WINDOW CLEANING IN THE CHURCH!

PLAYGROUND PIANOS

The sound of music has been heard during playtimes at school as students play our two upright pianos in front of the Junior building. The pianos have now been painted white and decorated with musical notes and symbols in a style inspired by our two piano design winners, Keiara D from 4C & Taylor M from 3A, earlier this year.

A big thank you to Mr Mo for helping to choose our two winning design entries and for helping to decorate the pianos with the music notes and symbols.

It is wonderful to see the musical talent of our students being expressed for all to enjoy as well as seeing many of our students just walk up to the pianos and discover what sounds they can create. We definitely have some amazing pianists at our school. Keep up the fantastic music making, everyone!

Miss Banks

It has been great to see so many families and friends purchasing books from our book fair this week. The school does make a small profit from the bookfair which we will put toward new books in the school library.

Thank you for continuing to encourage your child/ren to discover the love and joy that is escaping with a good book!

If you were unable to make the book fair this week don’t forget that our school libraries are open each morning from 8.15am for you to utilise with your child.

The local Brimbank libraries are stocked with amazing resources, so if you haven’t visited your local library lately it might be time to check out what’s new!

GRADE 6 PRODUCTION 2023

THE TREASURE MAP

***An exciting & hilarious pirate adventure!!!***

MEET THE CAST

Each week we will be introducing some of the amazing characters and actors from the show!

Ajak as the first mate JULES, Alex as CAPTAIN TREASURE, and Ashton as JOLLY the parrot!

Dylan as JACK the cabin boy, Alarii as PATCH the lookout, and Calvin as SIDNEY the accountant!

THE TREASURE MAP Show details…

WHEN: Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th September

WHERE: School Hall @ 7.00pm

Help wanted

We are looking for any parents or grandparents from across the school who would be able to help with sewing some of the costumes for the production. Please contact the school office via email office@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au to let Miss Banks know if you would be able to help with this. Thank you for your support!

Art Donations

For Visual Arts this Semester, we are looking at reducing waste and the best way to accomplish this is by reusing and repurposing resources. This Semester we are kindly asking for donations of small plastic reusable soft drink bottles. Thank you so much for your generosity, but we still need a few more.

The 300ml size bottles are ideal, but we are welcoming all small bottles. Please ensure that the bottle has been emptied and rinsed before depositing it in the art donations wheelie bin.

A blue and clearly labelled wheelie bin will be placed outside the art room for drop off. The wheelie bin will also contain a picture of that month’s resource.

If you see Mr Mo, whilst dropping off resources, please give him a friendly thumbs up.

Thank you for your support.

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (17:1-9)

His face was shining like the sun.

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

Gospel Reflection

Jesus takes his most trusted disciples up a high mountain to allow them to share in what he knows is about to occur. It is a very clear teaching moment in which Jesus hopes the disciples are going to finally grasp the truth about him. As the disciples stand by, Jesus is transformed before them – suddenly bathed in light and his clothes become dazzlingly white. The disciples also see Moses and Elijah standing and talking with Jesus. Moses was the great Law-giver of Jewish tradition and Elijah the great prophet. Together, they represent the Law and the Prophets – the combined wisdom that make up the tradition of Jewish teaching and Jewish scripture. It is the Law and the Prophets that Jesus’ life and ministry brings to fulfilment. It is fitting that Moses and Elijah appear beside Jesus, as the three figures combined represent the fullness of Jewish tradition – the Law of Moses; the challenge and promise of the Prophets; and the compassion of Jesus that completes the other two.

Sadly, the disciples don’t really get the point of what they see before them. Peter, caught up in the moment, wants to build tents on the spot to mark the moment and to continue to dwell in the moment. Jesus, however, leads them back down the mountain – back into the valley; back into the reality of life; back into the tragedy that he knows lies before them. No matter how powerful a religious experience may be, Jesus shows us that we always have to return to real life. It is not possible to remain on the ‘mountaintop’ as Peter would have liked to do; we have to take the experience back into the everyday of our lives.

Historical Context – Moses & Elijah

Both Moses and Elijah had powerful encounters with God on the top of a mountain – it is appropriate that it is they who appear beside Jesus in the transfiguration account. Moses travelled up Mt Sinai to receive the Law from God in the form of the Ten Commandments. When Elijah was fleeing for his life from Queen Jezebel he fled to Mt Horeb. The word of the Lord came to Elijah and told him to stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord was about to pass by. Elijah experienced the Lord in the whisper of a gentle breeze.

Have you thought? Transfigured / Transformed

Jesus’ transfiguration was a physical transformation that was able to be witnessed by his disciples. In our lives we have many transforming moments but they are rarely as physically obvious to others as Jesus’ transfiguration. Sometimes we fail to recognise a transformative event until well after the fact – sometimes years later. It might be nice if our clothes began to shine white whenever something significant and transformative was happening to us! It might help us to pay attention to the important and life-changing moments of our lives instead of letting them slip by!

Living the Gospel – Down from the mountain

Sometimes we experience powerful moments of connection with God or with other people. Sometimes this might be through a special experience of nature; a meaningful retreat experience; a powerful sense of being ‘in tune’ with another person; a reflective prayer experience; or some other significant experience. The temptation when we have these experiences is to wish that we could remain in the experience. The challenge, however, is to take that experience back into the everyday of our lives – changed by it without remaining in it.

Week 4 Student of the Week Awards

PA - Anna Druitt

Summer Z - For being a knowledgeable learner when writing a detailed recount from our visit from the Paramedics. Well done Summer!

Magdalene H - For demonstrating resilience as a learner, when independently recording sounds you hear in words. Keep up the fantastic work!

PC - Carla Tirotta

Helen T - For being an independent learner and including lots of detail in your writing when recounting our visit from the Paramedics, well done!

Monda M - For being a risk-taker and confidently role-playing different community workers who keep our community safe, well done Monda!

1A - Enza La Rosa

Sans Sang Z - For being a knowledgeable learner when sharing his thoughts of his likes and dislikes about Goldilocks characteristics. Well done Sang Sang!

Christina T - For being a motivated and resilient learner when applying her knowledgeable skills to communicate how to get from place to place using directional language. Well done Christina

1B - Matt Galea

Xavier T - For being a risk taker by presenting to the class his understanding of the Biscotti Kid. You were amazing and presented with great confidence.

Anna V - For being a communicator by asking the teacher for support when she is unsure of how to complete her learning. Well done Anna.

1C - Natalie Donevska

Maryjones K - For being an inquisitive thinker when writing her response to who God is during religion and for being an effective communicator when sharing her response with her peers. Keep up the great work.

Jordan N - For being an effective communicator during writing, by sharing his thoughts and ideas that he can include in his plan to make his narrative interesting. Well done Jordan.

2A - Rebecca Koutivas & Shannon Ziebell

Amos L - For being a risk taker in Maths when learning how to use grid coordinates to locate different places on a map.

Riley V - For being a risk taker in your learning and independently writing a descriptive sentence about how Phoebe felt in the story ‘Feathers for Phoebe’.

2B - Ric Martin

Amelie L - For being a knowledgeable learner when sharing about a character's feelings and using information from the text to support her understanding.

Akoch D - For being a risk taker with your reading and making predictions about the text using information.

2C - Dorothy Hall

AJ A - For being a risk taker and challenging himself to use grid coordinates to locate different places on a map.

Liam D - For being a knowledgeable and creative communicator when drafting his narrative about our robot vacuum.

3A - Ella Nowak

Varaoso K - For being a knowledgeable learner and writing a detailed procedure on how to make a cake. Well done Varaoso!

Emma N - For being a knowledgeable learner and showing great motivation to learn her multiplication facts. Keep it up Emma!

3B - Emma Lyons/Sophie Duddington

Nithatling H - For being a responsible and caring member of 3B. You show great motivation in your learning and you always show kindness and compassion to your classmates. Keep it up, Nithatling!

Lucy L - For thinking critically about the parables that Jesus told and sharing your understanding with your peers. Fantastic work Lucy!

4A - Lavina Stewart

Ni Tha Sui - For being a knowledgeable and great communicator when sharing her predictions during group discussions. Well done Ni Tha Sui.

Jordan W - For being a risk-taker when applying the split strategy to help solve multiplication problems. Well done Jordan! Keep up the awesome learning.

4B - Thomas Pham

Dwayne L - For being knowledgeable by showing your understanding of matching appropriate adverbs to add description to verbs in a procedural context. Congratulations Dwayne!

Maclachlan JR - For being a communicator by consistently sharing your ideas and taking risks in exploring new ideas during whole class discussions. Congratulations Mac!

4C - Brittany Davidson

Chantelle V- For consistently demonstrating caring and responsible behaviour in the classroom and yard. Well done Chantelle!

Thien T - For being a communicator when asking questions and sharing your ideas throughout the week. Thien, it has been so great to see you show more confidence in the classroom. Congratulations!

5A - Katherine Salloum

Thien-Ann N - For being a caring and risk-taking member of 5A. Your dedication towards translating learning tasks from Vietnamese to English has been wonderful to see!

Rayyann N - For being a risk-taker during class tasks by independently gaining assistance when constructing angles and bettering your understanding. Great learning Rayyann!

5B - Shannon Betham

Abigail L - for being a communicator when writing a diary entry from the perspective of Riley. You expressed many emotions and used interesting sentences. Fantastic writing, Abigail!

Mason B - for being a risk-taker by consistently sharing your ideas, thoughts and knowledge during all classroom discussions. Thank you for your effort, Mason!

5C - Malae Suaesi

Robert R - For being a knowledgeable learner, when analysing and exploring different techniques the author uses in the text. Great learning!

Nehemiah L - For being a reflective learner when considering how to transform and rearrange a sentence to improve his writing.

6A - Annette Lee

Kayla D - For being a risk taker in her learning by attempting new strategies in her investigations of angles. Well done!

Charli G - Well done Charli for being a reflective and balanced learner! You always give your very best and can be proud of all you are achieving - Great effort!

6B - Lena Aloi

Alarii B - For being a motivated learner who is always on task and contributes to class discussions. Great job!

Ryan L - For being a caring, approachable and compassionate classmate who is always willing to help others inside and outside the classroom. Well done!

6C - Jane Huang

Lelaina E - For being an inquisitive and reflective learner by finding the connections between triangles and parallelograms and applying the knowledge in finding angles.

Olivia Vu - For being a balanced learner by being a responsible role model as school leader and also showing initiative in her learning.

Specialist Awards

Japanese: Yumiko Aiki

Efraim S (6B) - For being a thinker when building his Japanese characters and using this skill to read new vocabulary and sentences. Well done Efraim!

Performing Arts: Jody Banks

Ebenezar L (6A)- For being a risk-taker during rehearsals in preparation for this year’s Grade 6 production, and for taking on board feedback to further develop his acting skills. Excellent effort and enthusiasm, Ebenezar!

Visual Arts: Jake Moloney

Apiok M (4C) - For being a reflective learner, when considering her choices before creating a border for her ‘Watermelon Pixel Art’. Well done Apiok!

S T E M: Matt Dalton

Kerels K (5B) - For being an inquisitive learner during STEM. He demonstrated enthusiasm and creativity while coding. Well done Kerels!

P.E: Jen Barresi

Nyakir (6C) - For being caring and compassionate towards others and continuously demonstrating resilience and respect in P.E class. Nyakir, you are a true pleasure to teach. Keep up the wonderful effort!

Week 5

Monday 07/08

Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Grade 3 Camp - Week Away
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 08/08

Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop
Grade 3 Camp - Week Away
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday 09/08

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Thursday 10/08

Saint Lawrence

Friday 11/08

Saint Clare
Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Juniors
Staff Social Dinner
ONWZ Principals Network Meeting

Saturday 12/08

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

Sunday 13/08

19th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Week 6

Monday 14/08

Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 15/08

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday 16/08

Saint Stephen of Hungary
Student Wellbeing Leaders Network

Thursday 17/08

Friday 18/08

Proposed Student Disco Night
Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Prep
Deputy Principals Network

Saturday 19/08

Saint John Eudes

Sunday 20/08

20th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Week 7

Monday 21/08

Student House Activity Day
Saint Pius X
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 22/08

Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday 23/08

Saint Rose of Lima
VRQA Compliance & Preliminary Visit - Judi Gurvich

Thursday 24/08

Saint Bartholomew

Friday 25/08

Saints Louis and Joseph of Calasanz
Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea - Seniors
Religious Education Leaders Network

Saturday 26/08

Sacrament of Confirmation
11.00am
1.30pm

Sunday 27/08

Saint Monica
21st Sunday In Ordinary Time

Week 8

Monday 28/08

Saint Augustine
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Grade 4 Camp - Wyuna
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 29/08

Parent Support Group Meetings
The Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Parent Advisory Council 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Grade 4 Camp - Wyuna
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday 30/08

Parent Support Group Meetings
Grade 4 Camp - Wyuna

Thursday 31/08

Parent Support Group Meetings

Friday 01/09

Instalment 3 - Family Fee Payment Due
Father’s Day Morning Breakfast

Saturday 02/09

Sunday 03/09

Father’s Day
22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time

Week 9

Monday 04/09

Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 05/09

Parent Support Group Meetings
Staff Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday 06/09

Parent Support Group Meetings
School Review Day 1

Thursday 07/09

School Review Day 2
Parent Support Group Meetings

Friday 08/09

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Year Level Mass followed by parent morning tea – Middles
ONWZ Principals Network Meeting

Saturday 09/09

Saint Peter Claver

Sunday 10/09

23rd Sunday In Ordinary Time
Sacrament of Confirmation
1.30pm
4.00pm

Week 10

Monday 11/09

Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Exec Team 9.30am - 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Tuesday 12/09

NO Staff Meeting

Wednesday 13/09

Saint John Chrysostom
Senior School Production

Thursday 14/09

Senior School Production

Friday 15/09

Our Lady of Sorrows
Whole School Mass 9.00am
Last Day of Term 3
Footy Colours Day
Dismissal Time 3.15pm

Term 3 Week 4 of 10