Mary MacKillop Memorial School Newsletter Term 1 Week 5 2/3/17 March 3 Clean Up Australia Day 3 Wine & Cheese Night 8 Assembly 2.30pm Hosts 4/5 8 Reconciliation Workshop 6.30pm 14 Student Free Day Staff Day Numeracy 15 School Board Meeting 17 Fish & Chips Lunch 19 St Joseph s Feast Day 21 Harmony Day 29 Assembly Hosts 2/3 2.30pm Year 6/7 We have begun a focus on the work of Caritas a Catholic Church organisation devoted to assisting others throughout Australia s neighbouring countries. We are focusing on the topic: Being Human as part of our MI- TIOG Religion curriculum, with a particular emphasis on how God can be revealed to us in our relationships with others. We have analysed Jesus instruction to Love your neighbour as yourself. (Matt. 22:39) We can be very preoccupied with ourselves and neglect the needs of others. We have learnt that Caritas aims to support Australians to gain an awareness of and assist those in need. Their fundamental aims are to tackle poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity of those less fortunate than ourselves. This year s theme is: To Love Your Neighbour. In the words of Pope Francis we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it. (Pope Francis, Laudato Si) We would like to share the story of Dinia from the Philippines and how the work of Caritas has been of assistance to her. Dinia lives with her 5 children in regional Philippines, and has endured extreme hardship after losing her husband in a mining accident. As a result, she needed to feed and support her family alone. An organisation called SPACFI (Socio Pastoral Action Centre Foundation Inc.) initiated by Caritas, gave Dinia the training and skills to grow crops using organic methods, and become a successful pig farmer. The benefits for Dinia and her family include: Independence to earn a living Access to nutritional food Improved health Funds to support educational opportunities. 5 Portland Street P: (08) 87372902 E: info@mmms.catholic.edu.au
2017 Swimming Carnival Congratulations McCormack
Dear Parents ROAD SAFETY We are in a great position that we currently have a lot of students taking the healthy option of either walking or riding to school. Please ensure you talk to your child regarding road safety and using the appropriate crossing points in front of the school and on the main road. Children riding bikes home have been asked to walk their bikes until they pass the children waiting for buses and until they reach the staff car park gates on the other side as the footpath is very crowded. CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY 2017 As Ian Kiernan sailed through the oceans of the world he was shocked and disgusted by the pollution and rubbish that he continually encountered. Once back in Sydney Ian organised a community event with the support of a committee of friends - Clean Up Sydney Harbour. In 1989 Clean Up Sydney Harbour Day received an enormous public response, with more than 40,000 Sydneysiders donating their time and energy to clean up the harbour. The following year Clean Up Australia Day was born. Almost 300,000 volunteers turned out on the first Clean Up Australia Day and that involvement has steadily increased ever since. Tomorrow our school will once again be joining in this, now, International Event. This involvement has become a key part of our ecological program. The children will spend time first thing in the morning to clean and tidy the areas around the school and Church. WINE AND CHEESE NIGHT FRIDAY, 3 MARCH 5.00 PM -8PM AT THE SCHOOL HALL Please help the Community Club welcome our new families with a wine and Cheese Night. Please bring something for a shared cheese platter, your drink of choice and a chair. The whole family is welcome. Unfortunately I will be an apology as I will be In Adelaide for Director's Day. Thanks Bridgette and Kate for organising this community event. Blessings Maureen From Year 4/5 We have begun a 40-day generosity challenge for Lent. During this time, we remember that Lent is not just about giving up a particular food or habit but also about spiritual growth and doing good. Through 40 simple yet meaningful acts of kindness, we hope to help make our world a more generous and loving place.
Project Compassion We began our Project Compassion Fundraising on Tuesday with pancakes to mark Shrove Tuesday. We raised $104 to assist Caritas support justice, peace and dignity on countries such as the Philippines, Fiji and Vietnam. As an example, just $10 a month during 2017 could provide 110 children in Cambodia with anti-malaria treatment and vaccines. Information about Project Compassion can be found at the Caritas website: http://www.caritas.org.au/ Sacrament Formation Program 1st Workshop for parents and children Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday 8th March 6:30 7:30 Woods MacKillop Learning Space (Library) Thank you to Woods MacKillop Team for donating the pancake mix. A big thank you to Nicole, Taylah, Nerys, Nicole, Heidi and Rebecca for cooking them. Very yummy! Please keep Sunday 19th March Ash Wednesday The first day of the liturgical season of Lent began on Wednesday. In this season, we prepare ourselves to celebrate the high point of our Christian life, Easter. The meaning behind tracing a cross on our foreheads with ashes (the liturgical sign of Ash Wednesday) is a summary of our Christian life. On one level, the ashes remind us of our origin and our death. (In the words of the prayer said when we receive ashes: Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. ) The ashes are also the sign of our victory: the cross of Christ. In his death and resurrection, Christ conquered death. free for our Family Mass and Parish BBQ to celebrate 150 years since Fr Julian Tenison Woods came to the parish and the parishioners celebrated with a traditional chop picnic.
Congratulations Congratulations to our newly elected Choir Leaders: Skye and Liam. You ll both be of great assistance to Mrs O C with the large choir this year. Clean Up Australia Day 2017 Our school is supporting the annual event by cleaning up around our school and parish grounds. Each class will be designated areas to remove rubbish materials under the guidance of our Student Voice leaders. Penola Netball KNTNA Netball training for 13 and under commences on the Thursday 2nd MARCH 4:30. If numbers are available teams range from 13A, 13B and 13 Modified, ages range from around 9-13 again depending on numbers and (net-set-go is recommended for younger players). All intending to play please contact the club for a registration email. If uniforms or merchandise is required please contact the club asap: penolanetball@hotmail.com Any queries ph:0403694214 When: Friday March 3 rd at 9.00 9.45am Where: Our school and parish community grounds What To Bring: Strong gloves and tongs Birthdays We wish Joe (12th), who celebrates his birthday during the next fortnight, a very Happy Birthday. We hope you have a great day Joe. Newsletters If anyone is having trouble accessing their Newsletter via email, please let me know and I will send a hard copy home. Keep your kids smiling SA Dental Service Have you received a letter from Medicare about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule? The School Dental Service is a Child Dental Benefits Schedule provider. Dental care is FREE for ALL babies, preschool and most children under 18 years at School Dental Service clinics. Call now for an appointment. Postage Stamps We are collecting used postage stamps to support the Peruvian mission. Used postage stamps provide some extra income for the mission. If you would like to collect used stamps, please leave a sizeable border of paper, eg 1cm around the stamps. Bring them to school and we will forward them to the Josephite associates on your behalf. Your clinic is: Naracoorte Dental Clinic Phone: 8762 2614