Last Sunday’s Gospel…

Jesus asked His disciples if they wanted to leave Him. He had been doing a lot of teaching and
people were finding it both a bit hard to understand and quite challenging to their way of life.
In a way it was a bit much for some and they turned away. When Jesus asked this, Peter said
“Lord, to whom should we go?” It is very likely that Peter and the apostles struggled with it
too, but they had the faith to stay with Jesus anyway, knowing He offered them what no-one
else could even if they didn’t completely understand. It can take us a lifetime to try to
understand. The important thing is to stay with Jesus.

From the Principal...
I have had a little more time to be able to look at the student work submitted on Google
Classroom and Seesaw over the last two weeks. I have been very impressed by the
enthusiasm the students are showing towards their learning and the effort they - and you!!
are putting into their learning. It is one of the reasons our results have not fallen compared to
where we were in 2019 in our NAPLAN data which backs up our other standardized testing
through ACER-PAT. The other reason of course is the work teachers are putting in to
constantly refining their remote practice to make it as effective as possible. As a staff we have
been analysing a sample of tasks each week in a particular area in order to measure the
impact – as far as we can, an activity has had on student learning. So far we have covered
reading, maths and vocabulary and field knowledge. This week will be religion followed by
differentiation before a wrap up at the end of term. We do realise that remote learning has
been better for some than others and we will do all we can when schooling onsite resumes to
regain and build on foundations.
You are probably gaining some unexpected insights to the life of a teacher. Of course they are
not in the position you are at home with remote learning, but I am referring to ‘Week 8
fatigue’. Every term in about Week 8 which is this week, we find that staff and students are a
little less excited about learning. If you are feeling it is all getting a bit too much you are
perfectly normal, and I would say everyone is feeling the same way. So what do teachers do
when this happens at school? They might take students outside for a lesson, change the order
of the day and do sport or science first, reorganize the classroom furniture, change desks,
have a clean out morning, do a contract day – write up all the work for the day and let
students choose when they do things, swap lunch and recess food – if there are no lunch
orders, make a game out of practicing school routines eg a sticker for unpacking fastest when
everyone starts at the same time etc etc. Maybe you can try some of these things too. It comes
from that old saying, a change is as good as a holiday. It stimulates the staff as well as the
children. You might find it a helpful way to get through the next two weeks.
Mrs Smith and I very much enjoyed our cuppa with quite a few of you and enjoyed listening to
the stories and feedback of what it is like in the real world of schooling at home. I carried back
to the staff your support and appreciation for their efforts and it made their day – so thank
you! We also took note of how we can get better and have taken steps to ensure that happens.
We hope you enjoyed Flourishing Friday and look out for another break in the routine and
rigour on RUOK day next Thursday. Details to come soon.

I take this opportunity to wish all the Dads especially, a very happy Father’s Day. These days
are a beautiful time to get together, but can be a little hard too because we are separated in
many cases, not to mention those of us with Dads in heaven – like me. I heard in a homily
once, that often the image you have of God the Father is heavily influenced by your own
father. So never underestimate how important you are to your children!
God Bless,

Michelle Rolfe
Principal

A few weeks ago I shared a GoogleForm with students to complete in consultation with their families. I would like to thank all of you for your support and the discussions that must have taken place. I could see a lot of thought went into renaming the house colours. 

The Leadership Team and PB4L Committee compiled a shortlist and came up with three options. I encourage you to have a discussion as a family and come to a final agreement. When you have made your decision please complete the GoogleForm. Email addresses will be collected as this will limit the number of times parents and children can complete the GoogleForm. When remote learning ends students who complete the GoogleForm will be awarded a sticker for their sticker book.

There are three options for you to choose from. Two of the options relate to significant religious figures in our school community. One of the options relates to Australian animals and will be linked to Dharawal language.

To complete the GoogleForm please select the image or link. All votes will be counted on Monday 6th September 2021.    

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REPORT with Mrs Deanna  David

Greetings and many blessings to you all. Here are some updates and resources that I feel will be of benefit to you.

Father’s Day Liturgy

Please keep an eye out for our very special Father’s Day liturgy which will be shared tomorrow (Thursday Week 8) with all the students as well as on Compass. You will see lots and lots of familiar faces, as well as hear some beautiful musicians and listen to some lovely readers.  Fr Sean has a really thought-provoking homily for us as well. We will remember St Joseph as a model father during the liturgy as well. 

Sacraments

Unfortunately all Sacraments are on hold due to the current pandemic. Once we know more about when these celebrations can recommence in some form, we will let you know. 

Month of Creation

Today is the beginning of the Month of Creation. We celebrated today with the Universal Prayer for Creation. Mrs David shared two links via each child’s Google Classroom this morning. The first link (made by Mrs David) was made first but is not as nice as the other link produced by staff at the Catholic Education Office. 

Digital To Know, Worship and Love books and Understanding Faith 

Your children’s class teacher should be posting work every so often linked to the Digital to Know Worship and Love texts. You don’t need to wait for a lesson to get online and have a look at this beautiful and useful resource. 

See the login and password details below:

Username: wingleburn

PW: wingleburn

Season of Creation                                        

Podcast: Ripples Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parents on-going spiritual formation. It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. See the link - you can either download the files as podcasts or listen to them directly from the website. 

Weekly Mass Online:

Many parishes are providing a live streaming of Sunday Mass so that we may all participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Bishop Brian and other clergy are live streaming Mass every Sunday. If you are interested, go to their Facebook page: 

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong - Home

Have you listened to one of the CEO Ripples Podcasts? 

Scan here to access the podcasts and download onto your phone. 

Holy Family 'Virtual Book Parade"

Please take the time to have a look at some of our 'wonderful' and 'creative' students we have at Holy Family School.... As we couldn't have our 'Book Week Parade' at school, what fun we all had with our 'Virtual Book Parade'

HFI 2021 Virtual Book Week Parade