St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 8, Term 4 (Friday 30 November 2018)
Dear Parents and members of our school community
We are lucky that tonight's weather promises to be perfect for our combined Parish and School Christmas Carols Service. If you're reading this before our 6pm start, please put on a jumper as the sea breeze at this time of year is always very fresh.
In this week's post, I have included the 2019 teaching staff list. I still have to fill the Year 3 Red and Kindy Green positions. These names will be announced as soon as we have made appointments.
Two of the guiding principles of Catholic Education are that
“At the heart of all our decisions and actions is the dignity of each child.” The second is “We respect the uniqueness of each person and community ensuring that quality Catholic Education is focused on engaged learning.”
I am truly so excited that our St Jerome’s 2019 curriculum will provide a rich and varied curriculum with our teaching staff embracing 21st Century teaching pedagogy; Drama, a full music program and Art will be added to our existing curriculum.
Lessons in Information Technology as well as side by side coaching to improve teachers’ competencies in IT will continue as these have been very successful this year. Our usual support program will be continuing with Reading Recovery, Mini-Lit and Multilit teachers assisting students to become proficient readers and writers.
We hope that the students will find something that truly brings them joyful engagement through all the value added extras we bring to their school week.
I have always loved this Einstein quote – the one that says that if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its life thinking it is stupid.
There are children who struggle to read but come to life on the stage. There are those who just cannot concentrate in other lessons but will sit and paint for an hour without leaving their seat. I have known children who find writing a chore yet who adore playing a musical instrument for hours. If our schools are only interested in children’s progress and attainment in a limited range of subjects, how can we ever hope to build on the potential of those whose strengths lie elsewhere?
Standardized tests such as the all-powerful Naplan do not measure creativity yet this quality is one prized by employers in all areas.
A comprehensive arts education provides a rich and engaging curriculum that develops students' abilities to think, reason and understand the world and its cultures. It offers students opportunities to respond, perform, and create in the arts. The arts instill in our children the habits of mind that last a lifetime: analytical skills, the ability to solve problems, perseverance and a drive for excellence.
The creative skills children develop through the arts carry them toward new ideas, new experiences and new challenges, as well as offering personal satisfaction.
This is the intrinsic value of the arts and it should not be underestimated. We have a responsibility to develop our children to become happy, well-adjusted citizens, rather than those who can just pass a test and get through school. We must ensure that our children can think creatively, skillfully, and "outside the box”. The arts are a vital part of doing this and of ensuring that every student can achieve his or her potential and contribute fully to our society. We are delighted to offer our students a rich and exciting curriculum.
STAFFING 2019
The month before Christmas has to be the longest time of year for children! Not renowned for their patience anyway, they have to wait and wait for the big day. It doesn’t help that Christmas decorations go on sale in September and that radio stations begin playing Christmas songs on November 1st. Help your children make it through the long days of December by celebrating Advent. Even better, Advent also helps you keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus rather than Santa Claus, presents, and other commercial aspects of Christmas.
Advent is a Latin word that actually means “coming.” In the Christian church, Advent is time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas.
So how can you celebrate Advent? One way is to buy or make an Advent wreath to lay on your table. An Advent wreath typically consists of greenery with four candles, three purple and one pink. Each candle on the Advent Wreath has a specific meaning:
- Candle one (purple) represents hope. It is called the prophets’ candle.
- Candle two (purple) represents peace. It is called the angels’ candle.
- Candle three (pink) represents joy. It is called the shepherds’ candle.
- Candle four (purple) represents love. It is called the Bethlehem candle.
Many advent wreaths also include a Christ candle in the middle of the wreath. Each week, you light the next candle, perhaps at a special family meal.
Another way to celebrate Advent is to create an Advent calendar. Of course, kids love the calendars with chocolate inside, but the ones I’m talking about are a little different, consisting instead of different activities to do each day. Simple helpful activities are best to tie into the Advent season. Write an actual card for Nanna; donate a special food item to a FoodBank; help Dad & Mum tidy up the house; play a game with your baby brother.
This Sunday at the 10am Parish Mass, all children are encouraged to come dressed as angels, shepherds, Wise men, Mary, Joseph or Kings to begin our Advent preparation.
Instrumental Music Program 2019
We are seeking expressions of interest from families who are keen for their child/children to learn a musical instrument in 2019. St Jerome's holds a fine reputation in the local community for its Instrumental Music Program over many years. We have produced award winning instrumentalists, bands, ensembles and many music scholarship winners.
Learning an instrument has been shown to have a very positive flow-on effect into other learning areas, especially Mathematics. Bering able to play an instrument can become a life long interest.
Please find attached the Application Form which needs to be completed and emailed to our tutors by the end of the year.
Below is some Information on our Music Tutors who are available for 2019.
Helen O'Toole
2019 Booklists
The 2019 Requirements List was sent home last week with all Pre Primary to Year 5 students. Students currently in Kindy will receive their list at the orientation evening later this month. These lists have details of the stationery needs for 2019. By ordering online before Friday 4 January 2019 you will ensure delivery prior to school commencing.
Ordering your 2019 Requirements List through West School Supplies, your school’s preferred supplier, ensures your child receives the correct items as chosen by your school for the 2019 curriculum. By placing your order using any of the easy home delivery options you will also assist in raising additional funds for your school plus you’ll receive a $15 Shoes and Sox voucher to spend at participating stores.
The Requirements Lists are also available on the website. Thank you for your support.
PLEASE NOTE:
Parents need to select the "exact" School Year option listed in bold eg. PRE-PRIMARY on their requirements list when ordering online. There are some options eg Pre-Primary 1, Pre Primary 2 that are not applicable to our school.
Ring found in the Hall
Ex St Jerome's Students - 2017
Year 3 Excursion
On Tuesday, Year 3 visited the Fremantle Prison and were informed about the historical significance of the site as well as the stories behind the cells of some of the prisoners (Moondyne Joe was a favourite!)
After that, we walked down to lovely Cicerellos in the Fremantle Harbour where we feasted on the lovely Fish and Chips and an ice cream!
A special mention goes out to our lovely parent helpers who assisted in the smooth running of our wonderful day, Mr Tessarin, Mr Dragicevic, Mr Sheppard, Mrs Mesiti, Mrs Mangano and Mrs Galipo.
Contact Details
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Location: 38 Troode Street, Munster WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9499 9500