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Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Other Parishioners
This week we celebrated the feast of St Mary of the Cross. Many of us know her as Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop is close to my heart because she is our very own Melbourne saint. If I go into the city it is often to visit the Catholic Leadership Centre of the catholic Education Melbourne office in Victoria Parade. This was Mary MacKillop’s territory as a young girl. She was born in the shadow of
our cathedral in Fitzroy. She certainly was a local lass through and through. We should be so proud of Mary MacKillop.
I often wonder about her as I walk the streets she would have walked. I wonder what made her so driven to serve the needs of the people around her. Was it something inside her that was there from birth or was it the way she was brought up or was it something she learned at school? Or, more likely, was it a combination of all three?
What makes a person so passionate about the needs of other people and so dedicated to a life of faith, that they would devote their whole life to serving them? Mary started her teaching of poor children because she just could not bear the idea that they were trapped in a cycle of poverty. She wanted to show them how to get out of that and she knew education was the key. Her ideas and enthusiasm for this project attracted others to her cause and she was able to inspire them to spend their lives in the service of God working for the poor. Her sisters, the Sisters of St Joseph, not only went on to establish schools all over the country, but also hospitals as well.
Not all of us are committed to serving others in the big hearted way that Mary did but we can all take some inspiration from her words to make life easier for those around us. Her most famous saying is that we should never see a need without doing something about it. I like to think that this something we could all take on board.
How often in everyday life do we have a chance to make a difference?I bet Mary would say it’s the little things as well as the big gestures that make a difference to someone’s world!
Would she go past a shopper struggling to get to their car with arms full of parcels without offering to hold something for them?Would she go past a child looking miserable without giving them a gentle smile?Would she see an elderly person struggling to get a door open and walk past without assisting them?Would she pass a lonely person without a kind gesture?
St. Elizabeth’s SchoolNewsletter: 10th August 2017
This week, I will remember Mary and try to follow in her ideas. I might not manage to be a saint but I might make a difference in someone’s day!
School Funding Catholic School parents have still not had a response from the Minister for Education regarding the $1.1 billion dollars shortfall to their children’s schools. Catholic education authorities have called for meetings with the Turnbull government after details of an additional $1.1 billion funding cut and favourable treatment for the independent sector over Catholic schools in the Gonski 2.0 package emerged last month.
According to, an article in the Australian newspaper, ‘The National Catholic Education Commission, says the government has failed to respond to concerns about the discrepancy that could lead to higher fees in some schools and decried the lack of consultation with the sector that preceded the release of the Gonski 2.0 package.’
Catholic school parents deserve a response.
You are encouraged to read more information about the funding by logging on to www.cecv.catholic.edu.au/Funding/Welcome
Lost
A little person at our school has lost his brand new glasses in a black case. If anyone has seen them around the school can they please contact Lisa in the office? Thank you!
Uniform
I have had a few complaints from parents that some children are not wearing school uniform. Funnily enough, I happened to pick up someone’s jacket on the yard after school and although it was maroon in colour, it was not a school top as it had a hood. Looking at children as they come in the gates, I have noticed some children are wearing pants that do NOT have a blue stripe of piping down the leg. They are not our school uniform.
Most of our parents appreciate that everyone has to buy their uniform at school. Our uniform has stood the test of time. The pants are great quality as they are stronger and thicker than the cheaper ones. I was teaching here in the 1990’s and parents investigated the cheaper option and decided against them and about 6 years ago the St Elizabeth’s School Board reviewed the Uniform and came to the same conclusion, the dearer ones last longer. Please get your uniform from the school shop. Children not wearing school uniform may be given a uniform notice.
Also, football boots are not to be worn as part of our school uniform. Runners are fine for PE and football boots are OK for interschool sport but they are not OK to wear all day. Please send runners with your child to wear after sport. Thanks
Christine [email protected]
Religious Education News
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, protect the rights of those who are helpless. Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice, defend the cause of the wretched and the poor." (Proverbs 31:8-9)
Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross Australia’s First Saint, 8th August
Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in (Fitzroy) Melbourne on the 8th of August 1909.
Mary MacKillop was very aware of the problems of the poor and needy. She worked with families that lived in isolated areas of Australia. As a result, at the age of 25 Mary MacKillop pioneered a new form of religious life in Australia, the ‘Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph’. Mary started the ‘Josephite’ schools that would provide education, especially for the children of the poor. Within 5 years of taking her vows Mary had established over 30 schools in South Australia and over 100 women had joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Even today, many Australians can say that they too have felt the impact of the enormous work started by St. Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), having been educated or cared for by the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Mary MacKillop was noted for her trust in God and miracles of healing have been attributed to her. She was declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI on the 17th October 2010.
Mary MacKillop wrote …‘Try to excuse what you cannot understand, and be blind to the faults around you. (1887)
Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart.’ (1868)What might God be whispering to your heart at this moment?
School Liturgies, Events and Celebrations:
All families are invited and very welcome to come to all liturgies!
Monday 7th August: Mary MacKillop prayer at school assembly 8:50am
Tuesday 15th August: Whole School Mass ‘Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’
Tuesday 22nd August: Year 6 CONFIRMATION Parent Information Evening 7:00pm
Friday 8th September: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 & Year 4 Buddy Mass at 9:15am
Sacramental News: Confirmation:
A reminder regarding the Confirmation Parent Information night on Tuesday 22nd August at 7:00pm in the Church.
This night is vital for all Confirmation candidates and their parents to attend.
All candidates have received their take-home Activity pack earlier last term. These packs are due back to me by Monday 26th October.
There is also the expectation that the candidates attend mass regularly and write their name on the ‘Sign in Sheets’ at the back of the church.
Feast of the Assumption . On Tuesday the 15th of August, we will celebrate the ‘Feast of the Assumption’.
For Catholics it is a Holy Day of Obligation. St Elizabeth’s will celebrate as a whole school by attending mass at 9:15 am.
We invite all of our St Elizabeth families to join us. It is a feast that reminds us of the preciousness of life and death and the respect and dignity we show for those who have died.
The Assumption means that Mary was taken up into the glory of heaven not only with her soul, but also
with her body. She is the Mother of Jesus' Church and queen of apostles.
God Bless,
Maria PopowyczReligious Education [email protected]
Deputy Principal’s NewsA huge thank you to Fr. Tad, Christine, Nan, staff and parents for making me feel so welcome in my first week. I have come from St. Benedict’s Catholic Primary School in Burwood and had my final day last Friday 4th August.
Beginning working in a new school is very exciting. St. Elizabeth’s is a wonderful community and I am really looking forward to working alongside each and everyone of you. Getting to know names is my biggest priority, so please come and say hello to me if you see me inside the school or out on the yard. Or, if you are free, have a cuppa with me on Monday after Assembly.
The Feast of the Assumption will be celebrated with a school Mass at 9:15am on Tuesday 15th August. That evening, 3/4 Cross Arts will be presented and I am hoping to meet many parents, guardians and parishioners on that night.
Kind regards,
Lorraine [email protected]
Sports News Congratulations to our - T-Ball (Mixed) team, who played their Greater Dandenong Division Final at Greaves Reserve Dandenong on Friday 4th August. Score - us: 14 - Wooranna Park Primary School:21.
End of their journey but great effort.
Yours in Sport
Dean AndrewSports Coordinatordandrew @sedandenongnth.catholic.edu.au
Numeracy Intervention
Maths Intervention provides either individual or a small group situation where students are able to improve their understanding of basic mathematical concepts. The main areas given a focus are counting, place value and addition and subtraction strategies. These are the foundations upon which other mathematical concepts are built. Each student is individually assessed in a one on one interview and then placed either individually or in a small group which best suits their needs.
Students participate in mathematical games, hands-on activities and problem solving, which enhance their enjoyment of and confidence in maths. Students are given time to reflect upon their thinking and which strategies they have used.
St. Elizabeth’s Community
Earn & Learn
This year we are participating in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program. Through this program we will be able to get new educational resources for our school – if you shop for your groceries at Woolworths, please ask for the stickers.
From Wednesday 26th July to Tuesday 19th September or while stock lasts, we are collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Stickers. You will get one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding
liquor, tobacco and gift cards). Place the Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker onto a Woolworths
Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet and when it’s complete, the Sticker Sheet can be dropped into the Collection Box here at the school or send your stickers to school and we will put them onto a sheet.
At the end of the promotion, we’ll be able to get some great new equipment. The range is extensive and offers lots of items ideal for our students – including resources for Maths, English, Science and some fantastic fun supplies for Arts & Craft, Sport and for our library. If you’d like to know more visit www.woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn
Thank you for your support.Trixie [email protected]
Fathers Day Stall
We will be holding our Father’s Day stall on Thursday 31st August in The Nook. If you are able to help on the stall, please let me know.
Trixie [email protected]
Market Night
Should you wish to hold a stall to sell goods, please come and see me for an application form.
Should you be able to help on the night, and, we would love to have more helpers, please see either myself or Filomena (Foundation Julian’s mum)
A big thank you to First National Real Estate / Hall & Partners for the advertising board regarding our upcoming Market Night.
News from the Nook.
Have you checked out the local libraries?The Vault (Greater City of Dandenong Library/ Springvale Library)Monash Public Library
Reminder … the Victorian Premier Reading Challenge is still open. Please add the books that your children have read onto their profile
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/students.aspx
Should you have mislaid your username or password or have any queries, please see me or send me an email.
Trixie [email protected]
Out Of School Hours Care
There will be a program offered by our Out of School Hours Care Program on this day from 7am to 6pm.
Please contact Elarine on 0422 803 709 if you wish to book in your child/ren.
St John Vianney's Fundraiser Dinner DanceWhere: SJV Parish Hall, 23 Police Road, Mulgrave
When: 2nd September 2017
Time: 6:30pm – 11:30pm
Cost: $35 pp
Dinner: Various pastas & salads. Dessert provided by Killester College hospitality students
Music: DJ Ben
BYO: Nibbles, drinks & glasses
Door prizes & raffles
For tickets please call Deslene on 9546 3831 or email [email protected]
Commonwealth Bank.Exciting games and prizes with School Banking
St. Elizabeth’s Out of School Hours Care Program …