Week 10, Term 3 2023

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Acknowledgement of Country

Religious Identity and Mission

Dear God,

Speak to our hearts and help us to see that we are one big family.

Old or young, short, or tall, wherever we live, you made us all.

Help us to share, however hard it seems, to make our world fair,

And live out our dreams.

Amen.

Season of Creation Nude Food Challenge

During the month of September, in the liturgical calendar known as the Season of Creation, students have been participating in the Nude Food Challenge to reduce the amount of litter we produce as a school. Classes with the most (on average) Nude Food participants win a voucher that can be redeemed in term 4.

Winners:

Week 1- Year 1 class

Week 2- Year 1 class

Week 3- Reception class

Week 4- Reception Class

Overall Winner- Year 1 Class

Sacrament of Confirmation

Last weekend we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. Growth is vital to human life; the body and mind must grow to stay alive. As Catholics we believe that the soul also needs to grow to maturity in the life of grace. The Sacrament of Confirmation builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead. Bishop Karol officiated this special occasion. Congratulations to all candidates.

Reflection

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Matthew 6:26

I have spent a good deal of time at Lake Bonney watching the pelicans. They come down gliding over the water like fixed-wing airplanes in formation and then suddenly dive down in the water hunting the little fish splashing around near the surface. If they are successful, you can see them gulp down a fish. Sometimes they seem to pause to rest, but only briefly, floating on the water and then, flap their wings to take off.

The pelican symbolises social responsibility, teamwork, charity, generosity, and harmony. This is because these birds are highly social and reliant upon their groups. Hunting is a group effort, in which many members of the flock work together to gain abundance.

Pelicans teach us that no matter how heavy our burdens, we will always rise to the top. They teach us how to forgive ourselves, by releasing ourselves from that which holds us down and they teach us how to ‘team up’ with others in harmony.

St Francis of Assisi built bonds of love with all kinds of creatures in the animal kingdom. However, he had a special relationship with birds, who often followed him around and rested on his shoulders, arms, or hands as he prayed or walked around outside.

Birds symbolise spiritual freedom and growth. Believers think that the miracle of the birds listening intently to Francis' message was sent by God to encourage Francis to continue his work preaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

As this year’s Season of Creation ends on October 4, the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, we need to call on our inner pelican to let go of any resentment or anger towards others and rise above our emotional state, to keep our heads held high, despite our trials and tribulations. Pelicans encourage us to develop friendly, caring, and supportive relationships with members of our own communities.

Therefore, the image of the pelican is a strong reminder of our Lord, who suffered and died for us to give us eternal life and who nourishes us on our journey with the Holy Eucharist. May that image move us to show the same charity and self-giving love toward ourselves, others, and our common home.

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

It is unbelievable that it is the end of term 3. This term has been another successful term for student learning, not only academically but also socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The reason why students are successful at SJSB can be attributed to the combination of having great students, passionate and hardworking staff, and excellent family partnerships. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students for their engagement and application, the staff for their commitment to providing excellence through engaging learning for all students, and families for your continued support.

A challenge a school Principal faces at this time of year is to project planning into the 2024 school year as well as continuing to work through 2023. Some of this includes planning events for term 4, organising school camps, reviewing class structures, staffing. This can be a time of uncertainty for students, staff, and families; wondering if a teacher will be here next year or wondering who your child’s teacher will be.

Mrs Sheridan Bonney is concluding her time at SJSB, beginning in the exciting role as APRIM at St Francis of Assisi College in Renmark whilst Mrs Nat Westley returns to the Year 4/5 class full time. We thank Mrs Sheridan Bonney for her commitment and contributions to our school and wish her all the best as she begins this important leadership role.

Heidi Schwartzkopff will take the opportunity to embark on new adventures in 2024. Heidi is a valued member of the SJSB team and contributes greatly to our community and student learning. We wish Heidi all the best for 2024.

At this stage the school has one permanent teaching position available and advertised. Out of the applicants that the school will receive, it is the task of the panel, to find the best person to teach your children. Although this isn’t a quick or easy process, it is a very serious one; know that we will find the best person for the job.

Term 4 brings exciting times for our school. Next term we continue our Little Joey School Ready Transition Program for kindy students in preparation for 2024. If you know of any families still unsure of where to send their child, I encourage you to invite them to contact the school. At the other end of the school the Year 6 class will travel to Canberra, engage in high school transitions, and prepare to graduate. Next term we continue our strong commitment to learning and to wellbeing. We continue our work with the IMPACT program of intentional practice, which is carried out with our partner, Life Buoyancy Institute and focuses on adults being mindful teachers, who intentionally respond to individual and student growth needs. We will also welcome a performance from Musica Viva, teach the MITIOG program, enjoy a visit from the Red Cross Pillow Program and celebrate the school year with camps, a visit to Kingham Farm and Splash Day.

In the monastic tradition holiday is called Vacare Deo; Making space for God. Emptying the heart, mind, and diary from distractions to find God again so He can fill us with His presence.

I hope everyone will have, either at home or at an away destination a wonderful holiday break. But I also hope that upon return we will be able to maintain a sense of holiday peace within the hustle and bustle of activities that will come to us again. How? By putting a cross in our diaries with which we say to ourselves and others: Here I am free for a while. Here I am on vacation with God.

Have a safe and restful holiday.

Nanda de Winter

Principal

Soctober

Fundraiser Ronald McDonald House

How much we value learning at SJSB was on show on Thursday September 28 when year 6 students Adelle, Avril and Mia sold their home-made bracelets as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Learning Program. We currently have a family in our community who gratefully make use of this free service ensuring learning can continue through what are otherwise stressful times. The girls exceeded their own expectations by raising $508.00 for the good cause! Thank you to everyone for getting behind this initiative and showing your support.

Congratulations to Adelle Vallelonga

Congratulations to Adelle who qualified for the State Athletics Team for Shot Put and placed 3rd! Great work.

School Sports Day

Congratulations to O'Connor House!

It's A Boy!!

Congratulations to Kate, Michael and Ava on the safe arrival of their son and brother Bhodi.

JDRF Fundraiser

Every day, 8 people are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in Australia. There are currently 130,000 Australians living with this disease. Predominantly a childhood illness, but more and more older Australians are being diagnosed with this autoimmune disease. There is no cure, the only treatment at this stage is insulin injections or insulin pump therapy. JDRF is working tirelessly to fund research into a cure and also better management of Diabetes. Thankyou to everyone who supported the cause today, it is very much apprecaited!