16 February 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

“Leave the past in ashes, 

Let the old things give way,

Start a fresh, new life right here today,

In the ashes, from the ashes, out of ashes.”

The imagery used in this beautiful Ash Wednesday hymn reminds us what the season of Lent is all about; new beginnings. Lent is a time to take stock; to reflect on our lives and decide if there is something we wish to ‘leave behind’, something that is stopping us being the best person we can be. In the mess we sometimes make of our lives, and despite all our failings, God’s love and mercy is always there for us, bringing healing and new life.

Wishing everyone a blessed Lent.

This week's Mary Help of Christians Good Citizen award was presented to Peyton Brown from Year 3. Peyton’s teachers spoke of a considerate and kind young lady who is always thinking of others. Congratulations Peyton!

Looking forward to seeing those who can make it to the AGM of our Parish School Forum next Tuesday at 6pm.

Warm Regards,

Liz

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Monday 19th February - Eucharist small group commences
• Monday 19th February - Winter Sports Trials commence
• Tuesday 20th February - Year 6 Leadership Retreat at Sawtell Catholic Church
• Tuesday 20th February - P&F AGM, 6pm
• Wednesday 21st February - AXIOS parish youth group starts for 2024, 3pm at the Church
• Friday 23rd February - Diocesan AFL Trials
• Monday 26th February - Zone Swimming in Maclean
• Tuesday 27th February- Class Parents meeting
• Wednesday 28th February - Kinder Breakfast
• Tuesday 12th-13th March - School Photos
• Wednesday 13th March - NAPLAN testing begins
  
• Wednesday 20th March - Years 1 & 2 Breakfast
• Friday 22nd March - MHOC Cross Country
• Sunday 24th March - Save the Date - Bunnings Easter Raffle and Cake Stall
• Wednesday 27th March - Years 3 & 4 Breakfast 
• Thursday 29th March - Holy Thursday
• Friday 29th March - Good Friday
• Monday 1st April - Easter Monday
• Wednesday 3rd April - Years 5 & 6 Breakfast
• Saturday 6th April- First Eucharist (Holy Communion) - 9am
• Monday 7th April-12th April - Catholic Education Week
• Monday 8th April - 12th April - Australian Dental Health Visit
• Monday 8th April - Year 3 Learning Showcase, 2pm
• Tuesday 9th April - Years 4 & 1 Learning Showcase, 2pm
• Wednesday 10th April - Years 6 & Kindergarten Learning Showcase, 2pm
• Thursday 11th April - Years 5 & 2 Learning Showcase, 2pm

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Class Breakfasts 

Class breakfasts will be held later this term from 7:30am - 8:30am. Come along and meet the teachers and other parents in your child's grade.

Order now on Flexischools!

Wednesday - 28th February - Kindergarten

Wednesday - 20th March - Year 1 & 2

Wednesday  27th March - Year 3 & 4

Wednesday  - 3rd April - Year 5 & 6

Road Safety is a Back to School Essential

As children return to school, it is essential to keep safety in mind.  Talk with your children about safely getting to and from school.

• Keep children safe getting in and out of the car.  Always use the door closest to the kerb.
• Keep children safe by walking distraction-free.  Expect your child to take off their headphones while walking.
• Keep children safe getting on and off the bus.  Wait at the bus stop and stand at least one step back from the road’s edge.  Always meet your child at the bus stop.  Never meet them on the opposite side of the road and call them across.  Wait until the bus has gone before crossing the road.
• Keep children safe while using wheeled transport.  Children must wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place - it is the law.  Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective equipment.

Be a positive role model when you are a pedestrian, passenger and driver.  Children learn from what they see, as well as what we say.

Never sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/

Concussion

If your child suffers a concussion injury outside of school hours, please let the school know so that we can set the correct care procedures in place while your child is at school.

Pre-loved Uniforms

Click on this link if you would like to purchase (gold coin donation) or swap pre-loved uniforms.

Safe on Socials - Fortnite

Fortnite is an incredibly popular online multiplayer game that has attracted millions of players worldwide. It’s essential for parents to be aware of what their children may encounter while playing and to have open conversations with them about online safety and appropriate behavior. Here are some detailed tips on how to speak to kids about what they may encounter in the game of Fortnite.

LOVING LEARNING

Learning Time

Parents, please ensure your children are here before the bell each morning. Once we pray and our rolls are marked, we move on to a direct instruction literacy lesson. If children are consistently arriving 15-20 minutes late, they are missing crucial learning time.

Year 6

In English this term, Year 6 are learning how authors create engaging narratives through the development of descriptive settings, characters and developing action. We have been exploring Colin Thiele’s novel Storm Boy and this week the students wrote descriptive characters and settings of their own. 

Here are a few snippets of work from our Year 6 students:

As the vicious waves smashed against the smooth rocks, I gazed out to the gorgeous horizon for the last time, admiring its beauty. As I slouched down on my horse, I could hear the sweet gentle songs of the birds above. I could feel the soft wind brush past my body. I remember all the good and bad times in my life… And I have no regrets. These precious moments from the past have shaped me into the person I am today. The smell of palm trees comforts me as I watch the monkeys at play. I watch the shimmering waves wash over the pure sand, my heart aches as my internal pain overwhelms me.

Keeley Adamson

The sound of the prepossessing cerulean water gracefully following the wind as it trickles down a ledge while it glistens from the sun. The wind from the east fulfilling me with purpose. A bird whispering its sweet melodies to me as I uncover the secrets of this majestic piece of art worthy of the name The Promised Lands. Mangroves surround me as if they are walking right behind me. Like heaven on earth.

Maia Bennett

Florence was a kind hearted young girl with hair as dark as chocolate and as wavey as the sea. Her eyes were blue like the clear sky. She felt very restricted and only had one friend, her butler Mark, but even he had to go away sometimes which left her with her parents. Her dad was a great businessman and never had time for her. Her mum was into arts of all sorts and was always down in her bunker making a mess.

Mila White

FROM THE MISSION DESK

Jubilee Year

Pope Francis has decided that  2025 will be a year of Jubilee, something that takes place every 25 years in the Catholic church. The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.

Thank you

Thank you to those families who help out with our pastoral meal register on a regular basis. We can’t tell you what a big difference this makes to families when they are going through some of the lovely bumps life likes to throw at us!

If you’d like to add your name to the pastoral meal register, you can do so here.

Shrove Tuesday

On Tuesday, our Leaders of Social Justice served pancakes in the canteen to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, because historically, they were a  way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

A big thank you to our families for your generous donations. We raised a whopping $400 for Project Compassion.

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Ash Wednesday

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, where ashes in the shape of a cross are placed on our foreheads. It lasts for 40 days, which reminds us of the time Jesus spent in the desert, discerning his mission. It's a time to think about how we can be closer to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

Prayer: Loving God

Fasting: Loving yourself

Almsgiving: Loving others

Our Year 5 and 6 students attended Mass on Ash Wednesday, while all other grades participated in a special Ash Wednesday Liturgy at school.

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Term 1 Class Masses 

All parents are welcome to attend our weekly Tuesday Mass at 9:30am. These class Masses are held at MHOC Church Sawtell. Please see the timetable below for Term One.  Masses will commence in week 3.

Tuesday 20th February - Year 6  (Followed by Student Leadership Retreat)

Tuesday 27th February - Year 3

Tuesday 5th March - Year 2

Tuesday 12th March - Year 1

Tuesday 19th March - Year 4

Tuesday 26th March - Year 5

Tuesday 2nd April - Year 3

Tuesday 9th April - Kinder & Yr 6

SENSEI'S CORNER

Japanese Club

We made these amazing dancing dragons this week in Japanese Club!

MHOC PARENT FORUM

AGM

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th February at MHOC. At this meeting we will be discussing ideas for the year ahead.  All welcome!

Bingo

The rostered teams for the next few weeks' Bingo are:

• Thursday 22nd February - team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
• Thursday 29th February - team no. 4 (Teachers' team)
• Thursday 7th March - team no. 5 (Meg's team)

SPORT NEWS

Swimming Champions

Today at assembly, our 2024 Swimming Champions were presented with their trophies and ribbons. 

Congratulations to our Grand Champions - 

    Junior Boys - Max Herbert

    Junior Girls - Frankie Barreto Gunn

    11 Year Boys - River Griggs

    11 Year Girls - Matilda Elkins-Baker

    Senior Boys - Kaidan Doust

    Senior Girls - Keeley Adamson

Three records were broken at this year’s trials. Well done to Max Herbert who now holds the records in the 10 Year Boys 50m freestyle, Junior Boys 50m Backstroke and the Junior Boys 200m Individual Medley. Great effort Max!

Congratulations also goes to our Year Age Champions:

HABITS OF MINDS AWARDS

Term 1, Week 3

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Roster

Parent and grandparent volunteers are always needed and welcome. Please phone the school or complete this form if you can spare some time in the canteen.

Monday 19th Feb 

Tuesday 20th Feb

Wednesday 21st Feb

Thursday 22nd Feb

Friday 23rd Feb
Liz Jackson

LIBRARY WHISPERS

One of the things I enjoy the most about my job is introducing students to books that I know they’re going to love, especially when the student is finding it tricky to select one for themselves. Isabella knew exactly the sort of book she wanted and luckily I knew exactly what to recommend! She’s now on a reading roll with the Dork Diaries!

Trying to keep up to date on all the book series we have in the library can be a challenge! Lucky for me, the kids are always letting me know when we need more in the series. They’re going to be very excited when they see these next week!

OSHC

Week 3 has been a very busy and eventful week, full of so many fun activities for the children to engage in and many team games to build and strengthen friendships!

Which works out great as this week's program theme is “Friendships” so of course we had to focus on activities the kids enjoy such as friendship bracelets, team lego challenges, friendship appreciation cards and a whole assortment of colouring pages. Some other activities the children have enjoyed during the week have been mobilo building, many many games of soccer and keeping our OSHC garden healthy.

The Kindy’s are settling into OSHC amazingly and it is lovely welcoming them during the mornings and afternoons.

Tahlia Q

NEWS FROM OUR PARISH

Preparation for First Eucharist (Holy Communion)

Small Group sessions for First Eucharist preparation commence this week from Monday 19th February. Parents please check your emails. Contact Carolyn if you are not receiving email and sms communications

Next week we begin our Youth group activities for children in Years 4,5, & 6. All children in these grades are welcome. Just complete the online registration form and come along each Wednesday from 3pm -4:45pm . at the church. A note was sent home today with the children in these grades.

We are always looking for helpers to go on a roster to help with providing and serving afternoon tea for our children. If you would like to  help out please contact Carolyn at the parish office or pastoral@sawtellcatholicchurch.com.au 

Altar Server Ministry in our Parish

If you have completed your sacraments of Initiation ( Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist) we’d love you to join our team. See the information below and complete the online form or contact Carolyn for more information.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is available to those requesting it. Please ring Jennifer at the Parish Office (66583544) or talk to Amber Biddle, Liz Watts or Margaret Ryan at school if you have any questions.  Alternatively, if you wish to register for Baptism, there is now the option of an  online request form .

Parish Website , E-bulletin & Facebook Page

For all the latest news from our parish, check out the Parish website or subscribe to our  new e-bulletin which can be sent directly to your inbox each week. Why not sign up today by entering your details in the sign up box on the Homepage or Contact page of the website!

And don’t forget to check out our FaceBook page

COMMUNITY NEWS