St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 10 - Term 2 (Friday 25 June 2021)
“I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.” Dalai Lama
Dear Parents
Being able to honour commitments has a lot to do with having a good strong character. ‘Good character’ in our children does not just happen by chance, it is the outcome of consistent efforts from parents and teachers over many years. Aristotle made the observation that, “Good moral behaviour comes about as the result of habit: we become just by doing just acts, brave by doing brave acts.” We are not born with character. Character is a learned behaviour.
A person’s character can be understood if taken in two parts: -Performance Character: those qualities such as self- discipline and perseverance which enable us to give our best effort and do our best work in any context, and -Moral Character: those qualities such as honesty, justice and caring which enable us to have successful relationships, live and work in community and assume the responsibility of being a good citizen.
In our context, the goal of a Christian character is not simply ‘good character’, but the character of Jesus himself. When we encourage our children to be the best possible people they can be, we are encouraging them to strive for excellence, to develop their God given gifts, those talents which enable them to become fully the person God calls them to be. When we encourage our children to be of strong moral character, we are asking them to exercise the capacity God gave them for goodness and the ability to love other people in a way that reflects God’s love.
As teachers and parents, by providing caring relationships, being good role models, setting high expectations, upholding firm and fair discipline which holds our children accountable to themselves, we provide an environment which supports the development of good character.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence;
if children live with tolerance, they learn patience;
if children live with praise, they learn appreciation;
if children live with sharing, they learn generosity;
if children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
Dorothy Nolte
If our children can develop a character that is full of the values and virtues which Dorothy Nolte suggests, then they will have the benefit of true character and commitment to see them through.
A special mention goes out to our children in Year 4 who are receiving Jesus in their first Holy Communion this weekend. Whether you have a child celebrating this Sacrament or not, you are very welcome to join us either Saturday night at 6.00pm, or Sunday morning at 10.00am. Let's hold all these children, and their families, in our prayers at this very special time.
Next week I will bring you up to date with some staff changes for Semester Two. One which cannot wait till next week is saying 'happy holidays' to Mrs Hoare. Carol finishes today and returns Monday 2 August 2021 to enjoy a mid year break. Now, to be honest I'm not sure what St Jerome's will be like without Carol but I'm about to find out!! Carol, you're very much loved here, and where Vanessa and I are already shaking in our boots, we all wish you and David a very restful and peaceful break.
I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend, stay warm.
The Lord be with you.
Chris
We should pray
Jesus, we ask to see as You see, to act as You act, to love as You love, to be of Your character. Amen.
Write a Book in a Day
The “Twisted Typers” team of Isabella, Arabella, Addison, Arraya, Xavier, Cooper, Oliver, Eva, Tayla and Rebekah from Year 6 were involved in the first “WABIAD” for 2021. Their book was titled “Cottesloe Curse” which they managed to write, edit and illustrate in one day! A big thanks to Mrs Strachan who assisted with editing and to Mrs Iemma who delivered the children some hot chocolates!
Mrs Paatsch
Extension Teacher
Gospel Mark 5:21-43
Little girl, I tell you to get up.
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
We would love to hear from you.
We do appreciate hearing from you after every planned event at St Jerome's School. We are keen to know what was successful, and any suggestions you may have for us to consider. This Google form will remain available to gather your opinion. Did you attend any of the following?
- Wednesday 16 June -Town Hall -Anxiety in Children
- Wednesday 16 June -Night of the Notables (6 Blue)
- Thursday 17 June -First Holy Communion Workshop
- Thursday 24 June -CPSSA Lightning Carnival (Various locations)
Vanessa, Carol and Chris
Mission Ambassadors Program
Three dedicated students from Years Five and Six at St Jerome’s Primary School volunteered to take part in the Catholic Mission Appeal, Mission Ambassadors Program for 2021; a collaborative initiative between Catholic Mission, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against the Trafficking of Humans).
The students gave up their lunch time over several weeks to meet with Ms Judith Nyamuli to learn about the work of Catholic Mission and in particular, the Good Shepherd Sisters in Thailand who support vulnerable mothers and babies caught up in human trafficking and slavery.
In their presentations to the congregation of St Jerome’s parish over the recent Mission Appeal weekend, the children reminded us that, we are all called to Mission through our Baptism. They reminded us that, ‘as missionary disciples, we are the hands, feet, mouth, and the eyes of Jesus, and as Jesus is no longer physically here on earth, we must act and speak in His place. The students also reminded us that our prayers for those who are vulnerable, are just as important as the financial support others may be able to offer.
Our three wonderful students will continue to act as Mission Ambassadors next Term as the school looks for ways to offer practical support for the Catholic Mission Appeal and we look forward to these students leading the way into 2022 and inspiring other students to be a part of the Mission Ambassador Program.
P&F News
Footy Raffle
We are excited to announce that we have gone online with our FOOTBALL RAFFLE. If you have been meaning to purchase a ticket then now is the time.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=780832&
Winners announced on the p&f facebook page (all previously purchased tickets remain valid for the season).
90’s theme Bogan Bingo fundraiser night
If you would like to join the organising committee for our 90’s Bogan Bingo fundraiser (or can help out in any other way) please send us a message via facebook @stjeromesparentsandfriends or email stjeromespandf@gmail.com
More details to follow.
Lost - Piece of child's jewellery
A piece of jewellery has been found on the oval last week. If your child has lost this item, please enquire at the office.
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.
- Reports to Parents -Thursday 1 July
- Last Day of T2 - Friday 2 July
- First Day of T3 -Tuesday 20 July
- School Advisory meeting -Tues 3 August @ 7.00pm
- P&F meeting -Tues 10 August @ 7.00pm
- St Jerome's Sport's Carnival -Tues 21 September
- Last day of T3 -Friday 24 September
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
Parish of St Jerome's Contact Details
Parish Priest: Fr Vijay D’Souza CRS
E: johnson.dsouza@perthcatholic.org.au
Phone: 9418 1229
Secretary : secretary@stjeromesparish.org Website: www.stjeromesparish.org