Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, the Church’s birthday. The word “Pentecost” means fiftieth and is held fifty days after Easter. At Pentecost we recall how the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and gave them the courage to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ.  They went out and began preaching without fear to all people.

As we celebrate this great feast we keep in mind our Confirmation candidates, who are preparing for this sacrament. We pray that they are open to receiving the Holy Spirit and they, like the apostles, are influenced to live faith-filled lives.

SVDP WINTER APPEAL

Our Mini Vinnies are once again this year asking parents to support the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal by donating items of clothing and food, which will then be distributed to members of our local community who may be struggling this winter. Each class has been allocated specific items as listed below:

Kindergarten: New socks, beanies or scarves

Year 1:             Tinned soup, cup-a-soup, 2-minute noodles

Year 2:             Canned meals such as Irish stew or braised steak

Year 3:             Jars of Vegemite, jam, cheese spread

Year 4:             Coffee, tea                                               

Year 5:             Tins of baked beans or spaghetti

Year 6:             New socks, beanies, scarves

Mr Dodds and the Mini Vinnies students are coordinating the Winter Appeal and they ask that donations are sent in by the last week of term, Thursday 4 July.

MINI VINNIES COMMISIONING CEREMONY

The Mini Vinnies group at Stella Maris is being sworn in at a Commissioning Ceremony next Thursday 20 June, at the 11am recess assembly. Parents and grandparents are most welcome to attend.

PARENT EDUCATION MEETING

The next Parent Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday 3 July at 8.45am.   Anyone is welcome to attend, as we will be observing Miss Crandell teach a Challenging Task Mathematics lesson with her Year 6 Gold class.

SPORTS NEWS

We wish Lily Griggs, Campbell Knox, Joshua Lakeman and Will Fowler well for their Mackillop Trials Cross Country Carnival at Eastern Creek tomorrow. We know that they have continued their training after the Diocesan Carnival and will do their very best. Well done children!

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Thank you to the parents who have voted via social media on the proposed uniform changes. I would strongly encourage all families to respond so that the thoughts of the majority are considered. I would also like to remind parents that if your child is unable to wear the correct uniform to school on a particular day, would you kindly send a note in explaining the situation. Thank you for your support in this matter.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

The school continues to show improved student behaviour with a record low number of minor misbehaviours recorded over the last fortnight. This is particularly pleasing as it allows quality learning and teaching to take place without distractions and interruptions. It also enable students to remain safe and happy whilst using the playground.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Our Year 6 children will be preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation next term.

STUDENT TEACHERS

This Sunday’s Gospel,

Jn 16: 12 - 15                                     

The Spirit will guide the Apostles to all truth.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

Mass times: All Saints Church

19 College Ave, Shellharbour City

Saturday  6.00pm Vigil

Sunday    9.00am inc. Children’s Liturgy

               5.00pm (6.00pm daylight saving)

Pentecost

Last weekend, the Church celebrated Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year. It concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.  

The name of the day itself is derived from the Greek word "pentecoste," meaning 50th.

In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room.

A “strong, driving” wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other.

The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission - to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be “clothed with power” before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.

Year 1

Year 1 have currently been learning about the feast of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The students have become familiar with the story, the symbols of wind and fire representing the Holy Spirit and the qualities that people filled with the Holy Spirit may have.

The Presence of God is a difficult concept for children because it is abstract for them. How do we know God is with us? In Year 1 we have been exploring exploring people, events and places that remind us of God. This reminder may come in the form of qualities: kindness, gentleness, joy……. (REC Unit1.3 pg 71)

………………………………………………….………………………......

Julie Hopkins

Acting Religious Education Coordinator

The school’s athletics carnival will be held on Thursday 27 June, at Myimbarr Sports Fields, Wattle Road, Shellharbour from 8:15am - 2:40pm. Children competing in the 800m will need to be at the grounds by 8:00am. First races will commence promptly at 8:15am and we will not wait for any children who arrive late. All other children will need to be at the grounds no later than 8:20am, as per a normal school day. 

Parents will need to drive children directly to and from the carnival at Myimbarr Sports Fields as buses will not operate on the day. Students will not be allowed to travel home with another parent unless written permission is received.

Please note that all children will compete in preliminary trials for field events prior to the carnival. They will then be assigned “COMPETITIVE” or “NON-COMPETITIVE” events for the day. 

Should this carnival need to be postponed due to rain, it would be school as usual and buses would simply deliver students to and from the school. Our Athletics Carnival is a compulsory school learning activity and so it is expected that all students will be in attendance for the whole of the day.

Families are encouraged to take holiday or travel during school holidays .  If leave, for whatever reason, during school term is necessary, the following process should be followed:

• A few days before leave is due to commence, either a letter should be sent to the school or a form for exemption (10 days or over), should be obtained from the school office. 
• The letter, or the completed exemption form will be passed to the Principal for consideration. 
• If leave is granted, a leave pass or an exemption certificate will be sent home with your child.  These must be carried with you for the duration of the leave in case you are approached by police officers or school liaison officers.
• If leave is not granted, a letter will also be sent confirming this.

If the school is unaware that you are taking leave, absence emails will be sent at 10am every morning to request explanation of absence for your child/ren.   

Congratulations to the following children who are receiving Gold Awards:

1B  - Grace Griffiths, Alanah Toskoski

MUSIC – Band Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our school band – HIGHLY COMMENDED in the instrumental section at the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod! Great effort everyone!

Our section was one of the largest, with 12 entries made up from trios, quartets, right through to string orchestras. It was such a varied field giving us the opportunity to see what other schools get up to with their music ensembles.

Thank you band families for supporting your children with rehearsals, lugging instruments (you are some of the best roadies going around!) and transporting them to events such as this eisteddfod. A big thanks also to Mrs Mansbridge for “taking care of business” leading up to getting us there and to Miss Carman for your assistance on the day.

Well done – super job!

Jenna Hogan