St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 5, Term 4 (Friday 9 November 2018)
Dear Parents and members of our school community,
Remembrance Day Parade - Sunday 11 November at 10am
Dear Parents and members of our school community
It is so lovely to return after my fortnight in Montreal with our far flung sons. We were living just a block away from one of Montreal's many churches and every day at midday, the bells would ring to mark The Angelus. For many young Caholics, the tradition of stopping briefly at noon to say the Angelus prayer is a completely unknown tradition. Its origins go back in time to the early days when time was marked by the passage of the sun but once churches were built, by the ringing of the bells at noon. In the Angelus, using words from the Gospel about the angel appearing to Mary, we stop and remember how our loving God is part of our work, our lives, of all that we do and of all that happens to us.
Thank you to the many children who have welcomed me back with their bright and happy questions. I was disappointed to miss last Friday's Grandparents' Day and seeing these beautiful pictures reminds me that you should encourage your children to ask their grandparents lots of questions about things in their childhood. Even if the grandparents are relatively young, they can recall life before colour TV, mobile phones, internet or even take away food.
This Sunday marks the 100th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which ended the appalling loss of life in the First World War. I have provided a link to the article in this week’s West Australian that explains so much about the famous photo of Australian Diggers on the Great Pyramid. We have a copy of this photo in our reception area.
https://thewest.com.au/news/anzac/soldiers-journey-from-wa-to-an-ancient-world-ng-b881005365z
Principal
Our lovely Br Chris was ordained to the Diaconate last Saturday morning. He was glowing with happiness. He leaves for 6 months in Mozambique to work on the missions with Father Valerio before he takes his priestly vows next year. Please keep him in your prayers.
Carol Hoare
APRE
Bush Fire Policy
As the school is situated close to an area of bushland, and therefore in a Bushfire Zone, CEWA has mandated that a Bushfire Plan must be put in place alongside our Evacuation Policy. This was commissioned by St Jerome’s Primary School and put in place this year to assist staff to prepare for a total fire ban, catastrophic fire danger rating, or a bushfire.
This school has been registered on the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia (CEWA) bushfire zone register as a Category 2 school.
Catholic Education WA, in collaboration with the Department of Education, and DFES may decide, where appropriate warning is given, to close schools deemed to be at high risk in areas for which a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (FDR) has been forecast. The intention of this planned closure is to ensure maximum safety and minimum risk for students and staff.
The preparation of this Plan has been developed in accordance with the CEWA Crisis Management Planning in Catholic Schools and the Principal’s Guide to Bushfire with input from the CEWA. The Department of Education School Bushfire Stand-alone Plan 2017-2018 has been utilised in the creation of this plan. This plan can be found on our school Website.
We encourage parents, where appropriate, to discuss the dangers of bushfire with their children and should they wish any further information they can go to the DFS website.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 7 PM, WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER (SAVE THE DATE!)
We will have two vacant positions on the Board for 2019.
Please consider nominating for a position on the School Board as this is a great opportunity to give back to the community and be involved in the school at a high level.
The P&F are also calling upon nominations for a new committee next year.
Please consider nominating yourself for a position in the executive or general committee. This hands on committee provides you with the opportunity to be involved in organising community events and raising funds for resources for our children.
Parents or community members who wish to nominate themselves are asked to fill out the forms below and return them to the office by Friday 23 November.
Canteen News
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Community News
Spearwood (and Surrounds) Residents' Community Group
We are calling all Spearwood residents (and anyone else) who would like to be part of making our community an AWESOME attractive, safe, interesting and fun place to live and work.
Many locals are saying that they are feeling that Spearwood has been overlooked as the rest of Cockburn is forging ahead. So many exciting things have been happening in different parts of the City of Cockburn over recent years – Cockburn ARC, the Coogee Beach (WA) Surf Life Saving Club, the Coogee Maritime and Omeo Shipwreck Dive Trail, the Bibra Lake Playground (WOW!!) to name just a few. We would like it to be our turn for some new and exciting projects.
So, let’s put our heads together and get things happening.
A local resident’s community action group is about to be formed.
There will be a meeting regarding this at the
Spearwood Primary School
Wednesday 14th NOVEMBER – from 7.00 – 8.00
Things we can achieve together
You might have heard about the Spearwood/ Phoenix Revitalisation Plan. It has been talked about for years. Let’s work together to make sure that it happens soon and that when it does it’s the best it can be. With cafes and landscaped walkways – indoor and outdoor community spaces – for all types of activities – for young and old. Let’s take advantage of that stunning sunset view!
There are limitless possibilities. Let’s find ways to honour our local history. And protect our natural environment. And make our built environment attractive and liveable.
Schools are at the centre and heart of any community and there are many ways we could work together. For example, given our market garden heritage we could work together to have an AMAZING community garden - and School Kitchen Gardens in all our local schools. There are many, many more possibilities to collaborate and support each other.
It would be wonderful to see parents from our local schools have lots of input into this community based, resident’s group – whether occasionally for special projects or perhaps even in official capacity as committee members.
Please don’t be shy. Come along to see how you might be part of this now or in the future.
Save the Date.
See you there.
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