Holy Family Catholic Parish Primary School Ingleburn eNewsletter

Last Sunday’s Gospel…

Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and spoke to her. She was so struck by what He was saying that she went and told everyone else in the village and they came out to meet Him too.

He stayed in the village with them for two days. Now it doesn’t sound like a very remarkable story but it is, for a number of reasons. Firstly, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. They didn’t speak at all. Secondly, Jesus was speaking to a woman. And third, this woman was going to the well when other people didn’t use it because she was an outcast in her village because of the way she chose to live. So this story shows that Jesus’s message is for all who are willing to hear it and He will keep reaching out to us and offering us His message even if we are not worthy of it.

From the Principal...

NAPLAN began today and apart from a number of students forgetting their headphones or leaving their iPads at home – lucky we had spares ready, it all went very smoothly. Just another day at school. This is the best way to approach it. Research shows that when our brains are in a stimulated but calm state we do our best learning and are able to show what we know. So thank you for supporting your children, and us, with this. Please continue that support by making sure they have their equipment with them. The students are much more comfortable with their own iPads and headphones.

I have received a number of reports that students are bringing mobile phones to school and not handing them in to the office. I haven’t spoken to individual students yet because I understand this could be an arrangement they have with you. I am speaking to our Year 5 and 6 classes generally to explain the rules around mobile phones in schools. Can you please support us by following them with your children too. These are diocesan processes too – not just unique to Holy Family. We understand that some students may need their phones to have contact with you because they are travelling to and from school independently. We ask that they drop them in to the office on their way through and pick them up on their way out. Office staff will call students if they haven’t collected their phone in the afternoon. So why is this the process? There are a number of reasons. iPads go through the school wifi system which is protected by a series of sophisticated security measures. Students cannot access inappropriate content and students personal data is protected. This is not true of phones because they use their own network. We must prevent students having access to inappropriate content. We also have an obligation to monitor how devices are being used. The size of the phone makes this almost impossible. Students can be monitored taking photos, making recordings and uploading content on iPads because of our electronic monitoring systems as well as what we can see them doing. The same cannot be said of a phone. As I am sure you would agree, privacy of students at school is critical as is their wellbeing. If a student has an urgent need to speak to you, they are welcome to come to the office.

Lastly, it is good for students to have time away from their devices. We all need to disconnect from time to time and while this last one doesn’t have quite the serious implications of the ones above, it is still important. I am telling the students that if we suddenly have a number of phones come to the office each morning, they are not to feel embarrassed or think they are in trouble. Just start doing the right thing and all will be ok. After this, and having written to you now, I will follow up with individual students. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please let me know. I am happy to speak to you about it.

Reconciliation classes have commenced and we are working closely with the parish to provide support. The new model seems to be working very well and I learn something new each week listening to the presenters. Thank you for bringing your children so they have the chance to deepen their relationship with Jesus, as do we.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our Athletics Carnival on Monday. The teachers have worked very hard weaving your feedback through the event lineup. Let’s hope the weather won’t force us to make any amendments. It should be a wonderful day.

God bless

Mrs Michelle Rolfe

Principal

Project Compassion happens every Lent. Donating money to Caritas helps many homeless and people in need. Caritas means love and compassion. The Project Compassion theme for 2023 is “future generations”. Because the good we do will help many generations to come. Project Compassion helps people strengthen their culture and community.

If you give generously you could help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. All funds raised for Project Compassion will be handed to Caritas Australia before the 31st May. We should strengthen, love and inspire the world like Jesus did. So donate now! Caritas helps transform lives and every dollar counts. Let’s make a difference now so the future generations can succeed.

Each class will have a Project Compassion box where you can make donations. Outside the office door you can find how much we have raised so far and which class raised the most money this week.

On Friday 17th March, we will be having a whole school mufti day for a gold coin donation to go towards Project Compassion and to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Mrs Daniella Thompson

Religions Education Coordinator

We are looking forward to our Athletics Carnival this Monday.

Students need to arrive at school as per normal and will travel by bus to the venue. They should wear their sports uniform and have lunch and recess with them.

Parents are invited to come and watch the carnival but need to stay outside of the track fence. There will be a toilet block behind the grandstand that parents can use however you will not be able to use the toilets directly under the grandstand as these toilets are for students only.

To ensure the carnival runs smoothly parents are not permitted to enter the grandstand.

If you have an Infants child (Kinder- 7 years olds) their events will take place on the far side of the track, furthest away from the grandstand. You can walk around the outside of the fence to the otherside of the track to view their events.

Infants Carnival

Morning Session

Long jump and running Races

Break

Middle Session

Rotations

Shotput, javelin, ladder running and ball games.

Novelty races and ribbons time permitting

Break

Primary students will participate in various events across the stadium. Over the past week we have held trials at school for all students in long jump and shot put. The top ten students from these trials will have two throws/jumps measured at the carnival. Students not in the top ten will still participate in events but will not have their throws or jumps measured.

Similarly in discus students who have elected through Compass to participate competitively will have their throws measured. Other students will participate in discus but will not have their throws measured.

At school we have also held trials for students who elected to participate in the 800m and 200m races. At the carnival we will hold finals for these events.

All primary students will participate in the 100m races at the carnival. Heats will be timed with the top eight students participating in a final on the day.

Primary students will be awarded ribbons according to their age group. These ribbons will be handed out at assembly. While students may receive a ribbon this does not mean they will go through to the Western Region Athletics Carnival.

Western Region Qualification

Event	Number of students to qualify
100 Meters	Two students from each age group 8 years, 9 years, 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years
200 Meters	Two students from each age division Junior (8-10), 11 years, Senior (12-13)
800 Meters	One student from each age division Junior (8-10), 11 years, Senior (12-13)
Long Jump, Discus and Shot Put events.	One student from each age division Junior (8-10), 11 years, Senior (12-13)

Note- After the carnival a Compass note will come out for any student who would like to nominate for high jump or 1500m. Students wanting to participate in these events will need to submit evidence of times/jumps from an external Athletics program.

At the conclusion of the carnival parents will be able to sign their child out if they wish.

If you have any questions regarding the Athletics Carnival please contact the school office or your child’s teacher.

PB4L Focus - Church

Our current fortnightly focus is how students can be safe, respectful and responsible when visiting the Church. Teachers have taken the time to explicitly teach students church etiquette, along with the actions, gestures and words that are part of our ritual/s. They have also ensured students are aware of the importance of active participation during liturgical worship.

Importance of being on time to school each day

By being late, students miss important messages from the teacher and may miss out on important learning activities that happen early in the day.

The school bell goes at 8.45am, all students should be at school prior to the bell. Any student that arrives late will be marked as a partial absence.

What to do if my child is absent for the day?

Access Compass, under Attendance you can fill in absence details.

*Please note, only mark in Compass if your child is absent for a FULL Day, our School office marks for partial absences.*

Alternatively, please call or email the School Office.

BROTHER CLARENCE

FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION

Brother Clarence Foundation - since November 1991 the Foundation has distributed $123,720 to 330 families who have benefitted from some assistance. If you are interested in making a donation to the Foundation please contact

Therese Barrington on brotherclarencefoundation@gmail.com

The Parents and Friends Association (P & F) held their Annual General Meeting on Friday 3rd March, 2023. Congratulations to the following parents who were elected:

President: Glacel Lubrin-Zabat

Vice President: Esmeralda Rosales

Secretary: Sharon Heginbotham-Day

Treasurer: Recto Orpia

The School Principal Mrs Rolfe and the School community would like to thank the outgoing committee for their commitment and hard work that only results in positive partnership between the school and parent body.

The next P&F meeting will be held on Friday 24th March, 2023 at 9am in the School Hall Meeting Room and everyone is welcome.

If you have an item you would like added to the agenda, please email: info@hfidow.catholic.edu.au

Monday 13th - 24th March	Naplan
Wednesday 15th March	Grade Mass - YEAR 4 9am
Friday 17th March	St Patricks Day - Mufti Day
Friday 17th March	Assembly - 2.10pm School Hall
Monday 20th March	School Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 22nd March	Grade Mass - YEAR 1 9am
Friday 24th March	P & F meeting - 9am School Hall meeting room
Wednesday 29th March	Grade Mass - YEAR 3 9am
Friday 31st March	Assembly - 2.10pm School Hall (Harmony Day)
Thursday 6th April	FINAL DAY FOR TERM 1

Monday 24th April	Staff development - PUPIL FREE DAY
Tuesday 25th April	Anzac Day - Public Holiday
Wednesday 26th April	Students return - Term 2
Thursday 25 - Friday 26th May	Year 6 Canberra Camp
Friday 30th June	FINAL DAY FOR TERM 2

Monday 17th July	Staff development - PUPIL FREE DAY
Tuesday 18th July	Students return - Term 3
Friday 4th August	Staff development - PUPIL FREE DAY
Friday 22nd September	FINAL DAY FOR TERM 3

Monday 9th October	Students Return - Term 4
Friday 15th December	FINAL DAY FOR TERM 4