Last Sunday’s Gospel…

In the early part of His ministry, Jesus visits his hometown - Nazareth. The people are amazed at the change in Him and what He is doing because they know Him as the carpenter’s son. At first they are excited by what He says but when it starts to challenge them, they take Him out and try to throw Jesus off a cliff! He walks away unharmed. It prompts us to ask how we react when we come across something Jesus says that makes us uncomfortable. Do we accept it and try to live it in love? Do we just reject it?

From the Principal...

It has been a lovely start to the year seeing all the happy students coming back to school! As you are aware we have our first Covid case but will adapt to that and learn to live with it in the coming weeks. We will keep our safe practices going as well as our learning. After the first four weeks, depending on cases and further Public Health Orders, we hope to be able to ease more restrictions. This is also when we will alter pick up arrangements and hopefully include the option of a car pick up and drop off zone. I don’t want to make significant changes only to change again in a couple of weeks. I will be asking for some input from you about the pick up and drop off to incorporate into our planning so keep an eye out for that. The P&F will also be a valuable source of information and ideas.

The staff met our new Parish Priest Fr Henry Adler as I am sure many of you have. We include his initial letter to the parish with this newsletter in case you haven’t seen it. He is very keen to get to know you and the students and to be an integral part of school life.

I add to the appeal for raincoats for the students. When we introduce a Pick- up Zone, students will be out in the rain because there is no shelter so please get them raincoats. Umbrellas are a safety hazard due to the great variation in heights and ability to use them so aren’t permitted.

The rest of the furniture for Years 3-6 has arrived and is all set up. The students love it! We were also able to refurbish the Year 5-6 common area by removing nib walls to open up the space and added carpet which has reduced the sound issues and made it more comfortable. I hope to be able to do the same for the Year 1&2 area. We have also ordered the furniture for K-2 and the library and expect it sometime around the end of Term 1. When we can have you all back on the grounds, I think you will see a big difference! The trees are growing beautifully too.

Each year we strive to improve our teaching and learning in numerous ways and teachers have individual goals around this supported by the leadership team. In addition, based on data, we focus as a school on a number of areas for the year.

Our focus areas for School Review and Improvement this year in summary are…

1. Knowing who Jesus is through studying scripture in various ways.
2. Using assessment and data to measure student growth multiple times through the year as well as teacher impact, particularly in the area of Mathematics.
3. Seamlessly incorporating strategies for learners with a language background other than English (70% of our student population).
4. Maintaining proficiency levels in English and Maths from Years 3 to 5.

I will keep you posted at various times through the year on how we are going with these areas.

Communication with parents and carers is a vital and valued part of school life. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions or give feedback. Mrs Smith or I are out in the mornings and afternoons for anything brief. You can also telephone the office for an appointment with us or your child’s classroom teacher. Email is another good way – please email the office and they will be passed on to the appropriate person. We are committed to getting back to your within 24 hours with a response.

I am looking forward to another happy year working with you all to help you educate your children.

God Bless,

Michelle Rolfe

Principal

Dear Parishioners, 

 I am writing this message to you on the Holy Family Sunday, the patron feast day of our parish. I am Fr. Henry Adler, SVD and I have been appointed by the Bishop of the Wollongong Diocese the Most Rev. Brian G. Mascord DD the Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish in Ingleburn, effective from 1^st January 2022.  

 Few facts about me: I’m 56 years old, of German-Polish ethnic background, but I’ve lived here long enough to call Australia home. I am a member of the Society of the Divine Word, (Divine Word Missionaries,) in my 38 years in religious vows and 22 years in priesthood. Before being appointed to Ingleburn I worked in parish ministry in Papua New Guinea and Mosman in the Archdiocese of Sydney. I have also served for many years as a seminary formator, mission secretary, provincial superior and spiritual director. 

 I am happy that the Bishop has called me to this assignment and I’m grateful to Fr Sean Cullen for his tireless efforts during the past 18 months to prepare the Holy Family Parish for a new Parish Priest.  

I’ve never had the privilege to meet the late Fr Peter Caruana, who served you with love and dedication for 36 years but I hope to continue his legacy, together with the people of this parish. I don’t think, anyone would be able to top what Fr Peter has done for the people in Ingleburn and Minto, but I hope that you will see that I want to serve God and you with the same dedication. 

Starting from 1^st January 2022, we will continue with the current weekend Mass schedule in the Ingleburn church: 

Saturday 5pm – Vigil; Sunday 9.00 AM and 5.00 PM.  

Weekday Masses: Tuesday – Friday at 9.00 AM 

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday at 9.00 AM - 10.00AM  

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Fridays after the 9.00 AM Mass for 1 hour. 

Early in the New Year I will discuss with the Parish Pastoral Council other pastoral activities such as: preparation for sacraments (baptism and marriage) and other pastoral activities in our parish.  

I look forward to meeting you all in our church in Ingleburn this weekend.  

Yours in Divine Word  

Fr. Henry Adler, SVD 

Tackling back-to-school anxiety

Relaxing time together and family trips away, the school holidays should be filled with happiness and joy for both, children and parents. As they draw to a close, however, another emotion can sneak into our lives… anxiety.

Starting a new year at school or returning from a short break can be an exciting time, but also an anxious one. This has been exacerbated during the Covid pandemic and the current wave of Omicron.  As a result, many children and their parents feel nervous as holiday periods draw to a close.

When it comes to dealing with this common challenge, preparation is key! Here are some tips to tackle back-to-school anxiety and help your children feel confident as the holidays come to an end.

For primary school kids

• Return to a familiar school routine ahead of the first day back – waking, eating and going to bed on a schedule.
• Involve your child in planning what’s going into their lunchbox for the first week back.
• Talk through the details; this can help children experiencing anxiety. Eg  "After I drop you off, you can put your bag on your hook, then say hi to your friends " 
• Make a checklist. Pack their bag together (a checklist can make sure they’re not forgetting anything) and lay out their uniform so they are set for the morning.
• Allow extra time so you’re not rushing during the first few days.
• Talk with your child about their feelings and concerns; try to respond in a calm, supportive and reassuring way.
• If they feel nervous or worried, help them understand this is a normal reaction, and that you and their teachers are there to support them.
• Promote positive conversations by asking what they like about school and what they are looking forward to when they return. Let them know that school staff are looking forward to seeing them. Your child might like to make a list or drawing about things they have missed about school. 
• While there will be some changes,  many things will be the same as T4. Plan with your child how they can manage changes.  If you are unsure about anything,  contact your child's new teacher.

• If your child has questions about COVID-19 provide factual and age-appropriate information. Let them know everyone at school is working hard so that everyone is safe.

Update the school

• Let the school know of any concerns relating to your child that may impact their transition back to school. This will assist the school to work with you to plan and put in place appropriate support strategies.

At the end of the school day

• Talk to your child about their day and what they are looking forward to tomorrow. If your child prefers, get them to write down or draw their feelings.
• Provide opportunities for your child to play and relax at the end of the day. Returning to school may contribute to tired and emotional reactions at the end of the day.
• Help re-establish after-school routines to review the day’s learning and complete homework tasks.
• Consider having extra family time together as your child may have missed being at home with you.

What about my behaviour?

• Your children aren’t the only ones who might be feeling nervous at this time. By being aware of and managing your own anxiety, you are helping your children feel calm, confident and in control. 
• Consider limiting media content your child is viewing or that you are viewing if it is contributing to worry or distress.
• If they are finding things difficult, remind your child of times in the past when they were able to do things that were difficult and face situations that made them nervous or scared.

References: 

NSW Department of Education "Covid 19: Helpful Tips for Parents and Carers to Support Children"

Catholiccare Sydney: "Tackling Back to School Anxiety"

Need more help?

If you suspect that anxiety is beginning to interfere with your child’s daily life, it could be time to get extra help. Advice is available by picking up the phone to Parent Line on 1300 1300 52. CatholicCare Wollongong also offers parent and child development programs - find a group that suits your needs today.

 ^{The resources in the Parenting HUB are put together by Catholiccare family specialists who work with families across Sydney every day.  If you would like to know more about this topic, please contact Catholiccare Wollongong #alwaysconnected.  You can also call Parentline for individual advice.}

^{Disclaimer: This article does not give professional advice.  The contents constitute general information of a summary nature of interest and relevance at the time of publication. You should not rely on the contents as professional advice but should seek, formal advice in particular matters relevant to your particular situation}

Our second hand uniform shop will be open on the following afternoons over the next two weeks:
 
Thursday, February 3rd: 2.30pm - 3.15pm
Friday, February 4th: 2.30pm - 3.15pm

Monday, February 7th: 2.30 - 3.15pm
Tuesday, February 8th: 2.30 - 3.15pm
Thursday, February 10th: 2.30 - 3.15pm
Friday, February 11th: 2.30 - 3.15pm

After these first two weeks, we will advise you of our regular hours. You will also need to QR code upon entry of the uniform shop which is located on the Pardalote St end of the school hall. There will be signage for new families on the wall of the hall to guide you.

Due to an increasing number of students in our school with peanut allergies, no products containing peanuts will be sold through the canteen. (eg. peanut butter, nutella) Parents are asked Not to send their child to school with ANY products that contain peanuts for their child's lunch or recess. This includes muesli type bars and this request is extended to gala days, sporting carnivals and excursions.

Some children also have an allergy to Seafood products. If you pack salmon, tuna or other seafood products in your child's lunch, please have your child inform the class teacher so that the necessary precautions can be put in place.

Also, regarding parents/carers bringing in a late lunch for students...as we understand how hectic some mornings can be, we must instill that this must be a healthy lunch (eg. sandwich, wrap, salad etc) It must follow our 'Healthy eating' plan that our School Canteen follows.

Therefore, no 'Commercial Take-away' food can be given (eg. McDonalds, KFC etc.)

2022