St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 4 - Term 2 (Thursday 13 May 2021)
In compassion, when we feel with the other, we dethrone ourselves from the centre of the world and we put another person there. Karen Armstrong.
Dear Parents
On Wednesday we welcomed Helen, and her husband Kevin back to St Jerome’s. Helen was our special guest, and it was a delight to see her amongst our community once again. The purpose for Helen’s visit was to join us as we named the library in her honour; ‘The Helen O’Toole Library’.
Mr Lilleyman, a most extraordinary master of ceremonies, coordinated our naming ceremony. We listened to a few speeches, and then Mr Lilleyman drew all assembled from Kindergarten to Year 6, members of the P&F Executive, the Advisory Council, Fr Vijay and staff of the school, to witness Mrs O’Toole unveil her nameplate. Such a special event for us to see, and such a well deserved honour for Helen to have received.
Some extracts from the ceremony ....
The Library is a vibrant hub of our school. It is a place where we foster the love of reading, encouraging students to read a variety of genres from picture books to the classics and non-fiction. It is where we come together for Staff Meetings and parent gatherings.
Scott Lilleyman
We are delighted to have everyone here with us today as we name our library, the Helen O’Toole Library. We acknowledge Mrs O’Toole’s tireless work in improving the standard of reading at St Jerome’s, and promoting a real love of reading among our students, their families and our staff.
Arraya (Student Councillor)
To have access to such a great library really is a gift. Mrs O’Toole was passionate and determined that we have access to amazing teachers, wonderful books, and a beautiful space to enjoy them in. She wants us all to be the most interested and engaged readers we can be, whether we are 5 or 55, and that was her gift to us. And so, naming our library The Helen O’Toole library, in return, is our gift to her. Thanks Mrs O’Toole for inspiring us all to love books and be happy readers.
Andrea Martin
We should Pray
Lord, please help me to be grateful for the gift of Faith. It gives my life meaning and direction.
Deepen my understanding of your teachings and open my heart to your peace. Amen.
Sick Kids Heal Faster at Home
Being unwell at school is miserable. They don't learn well, if at all, and they spread their germs with their peers. If your child's feeling unwell please keep them at home in your care, not have them struggling through their school day and feeling even worst.
Welcome Back Miss McCarthy
This Monday we welcome back Miss McCarthy from her two week visit to Ngalangangpum School in Warmun. I know her students in 1 Blue have missed her, as we all have. Kathryn accepted an invitation from Amy Christophers, Principal of Ngalangangpum School to work with their Kindergarten and Pre Primary classes to cover for their teacher who had to return to Perth.
This invitation went to three schools in our region, and it was Kathryn who stepped up to help. This was a most selfless and courageous offer to be available to help a school community in great need. Kathryn’s generosity and her willing approach brings high praise for her professionalism and dedication as an educator. We are all very proud of Kathryn, and look forward to seeing her on Monday. I think she will have some amazing stories to share!!
Gospel Mark 16:15-20
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
Town Hall
Our next Town Hall, 'How do you help a child navigate a path through anxiety?' will be one not to miss. It’s on Wednesday 16 June 2021 at 9.00am. A Town Hall is a 10 minute presentation and then a 10 minute Q&A session. This one is presented by our school psychologist Leanne Caruso. The link to RSVP your attendance follows.
Are you free?
The Catholic Arts Office is urgently seeking the support of Catholic school staff, parents and extended families as volunteers for their 2021 events, the Angelico Art Exhibition, the Performing Arts Festival and Carnevale. There is a range of opportunities which cater for all skill sets and commitment levels with most events taking place during the month of August.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like further information on the various tasks and commitment, please contact the Executive Officer, Sabrina D’Rosa, on 9241 5241.
I look forward to your support in this very worthwhile and necessary initiative.
Darryl Winsor
Chair, Catholic Arts WA
Government Schools are good schools too.
Just recently I shared a conversation with a prospective parent about good Government Schools, and good Catholic Schools. It had me thinking about what sets us apart. It is not the curriculum, or the qualifications of staff, the parent associations or the WA Education Act, it is that we offer an education set with a Christian faith tradition.
Our classroom teachers are Religious Educators first and foremost. Religious Education is the Catholic School’s first Learning Area and a priority for our teachers. Our teachers must be accredited to teach in this learning area and that accreditation must be renewed every five years. The Religious Educator accepts the call from the Church on behalf of the students and their families to ensure that a Catholic school strives to be place of Evangelisation, in which students have the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Jesus and be nurtured within a faith community.
The Religious Educator must deliver content and at the same time share their lived experience of being a member of that Faith tradition. The Religious Educator is significantly different from a teacher of Religion where the latter teaches content in isolation from personal practice or commitment.
The Second Vatican Council document; Lumen Gentium 1964, reminds us that the People of God, through Baptism, share in the essential mission of the Church:
'to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ’.
The Congregation for Catholic Education (The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium 1998), places the Catholic School;
at the heart of the Church’.
It is from its Catholic identity that St Jerome’s derives its original characteristics and its ‘structure’ as a genuine instrument of the Church, a place of real and specific pastoral ministry.
Catholic schools are intended to be meeting places for those who wish to share in an education set within a faith tradition. An educational setting directed intentionally towards the development of the whole person.
The schools’ success depends not so much on the curriculum or teaching pedagogy or school organisation as on the people who work there.
Catholic schools need capable Religious Educators who can recognise problems and face them with inspirational leadership and hard work. We are indeed fortunate to have such Religious Educators at St Jerome’s who willingly share their faith with our children.
Some quick bits …
No paragraphs, no homilies, just the facts, here goes ….
- The School Office is unattended after 3.30pm. OSHClub can care for any child after this time for late pick ups.
- Children should not be arriving on school grounds earlier than 8.15am unless involved in a supervised school activity.
- Mother's Day Mass -Friday 14 May @9.00am
- Pupil Free Day - Mon 7 June 2021 - WA Day
- Pupil Free Day - Tues 8 June - Catholic Day
- School Tour -Thurs 10 June @ 9.30am
- Town Hall - Coping with Anxiety - Wed 16 June @ 9.00am
- Advisory Council Meeting -Tues 22 June @ 7.00pm
- Reports to Parents -Thursday 1 July
Contact Details
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Location: 38 Troode Street, Lake Coogee, WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9499 9500