St Denis School Newsletter
Term 1 Week 9 2023
- Harmony Week
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Cyber Safety
- Holy Week
- Supa Saints Cricket
Dear Lord,
May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.
And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.
Amen
Wednesday 29 March: Parent/Teacher Interviews – Kindy, Year 2, 4 & 6
- Thursday 30 March: Parent/Teacher Interviews – Pre-Primary, Year 1, 3 & 5
- Sunday 2 April: Palm Sunday Mass
- Thursday 7 April: Stations of the Cross & Holy Thursday Liturgy – 9.00am - School Hall - All welcome
- Thursday 7 April: Final Day Term One
- Monday 24 March: Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday 25 April: ANZAC Day Public Holiday
- Wednesday 26 April: START OF TERM TWO
- Wednesday 26 April: ANZAC Day Liturgy - School Hall - All welcome
- Thursday 27 April: Internet Awareness Session – Year 4 – 6 students
- Saturday 29 April: Communion Commitment Mass (Year 4) - 6:30pm
- Sunday 30 April: Communion Commitment Mass (Year 4) – 9.00am
Dear Parents and Members of our School Community
Harmony Week 2023
The theme for Harmony Week is Living in Harmony.
There is no doubt that Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations on the planet. Our population is made up of people representing every race and cultural background. Our society is a melting pot of colour, cultures and diversity.
Harmony Day is observed each year on March 21, it celebrates diversity, aiming to foster inclusiveness, respect and the idea that people of all cultures make a valuable contribution to society and our way of life in Australia.
We all have something interesting and authentic to share and our society is stronger, richer and more interesting because of this.
Remember that together here at St Denis, we are all better and stronger as one community accepting each and every person.
Farewell
At the end of this term, we farewell Mrs Georgia Allison and wish her all the very best for the future. Mrs Allison will be commencing Maternity Leave at the start of Term Two and we wish her and her husband Tim, all the best for the birth of their twins.
We also welcome Miss Barbara Assis to the St Denis staff. Miss Assis (I know what a cool name), will be the Year 4 teacher from the start of Term Two. I know you will make her feel very welcome.
Occupational Health and Safety
St Denis School endeavours to provide a safe environment for staff, students, parents, carers and visitors. We aim to:
· ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees and non-employees on school premises
· develop, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy school premises that seeks to minimise the risk of injury or illness for employees and non-employees
· create a culture of safety that encourages the development, maintenance and promotion of healthy school premises
· ensure that adequate financial, physical and human resources are available to support the management of occupational safety and health on school premises.
If a hazard is observed, that may result in an injury or harm to the health of a person, we request that it is reported to the School Office in a timely manner. Thank you for working with the school to keep everyone safe.
Code of Conduct
This week our Code of Conduct focus is on Conduct Statement Two: You give priority to students’ safety and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.
The following examples are some ways parents can adhere to Conduct Statement 2:
- Respectfully communicate with members of the school community including staff and other parents.
- Attend parent information evenings and parent/teacher meetings when scheduled.
- Read the school newsletter in order to be aware of what is happening in the school community.
- Welcome and learn from information relevant to the safety and well-being of your child.
- Keep the school updated with current information about your child. This includes relevant family information, including phone numbers, house address and email addresses.
- Be rational and realistic.
Parent/Teacher Meetings
Thank you to all parents who attended or will be attending the parent/teacher meetings. This is a fantastic opportunity for discussion about your child’s progress. A big thanks to the staff for their preparation in the lead up to these meetings. A significant amount of additional time, after hours, was put into preparing. This once again shows that we have such dedicated and giving staff.
Cyber Safety
Paul Litherland will present his Internet Awareness student talk (Years 4 -6) on Thursday 27 April (Week 1 Term 2). Following the student information session, we encourage parents to keep the conversation going at home. As Paul would say ‘the parents who have active involvement in their children’s internet usage have the biggest impact in keeping their child safe’. Be open, be honest!!
Merit Award Winners
Pre Primary: Claire & Annie
Year 1: Taj & Dylan
Year 2: Henry & Manny
Year 3: Zoe & Isabella G
Year 4: Ariana & William
Year 5: Harlow & Roger
Year 6: Giuseppe & Milan
Term Two Commences
School will commence for students on Wednesday 26 April.
I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and Holy Easter. I hope you have some special time with your family and enjoy a relaxing break.
With regards and best wishes
Justin Tuohy
Principal
St Denis School
An idea for Holy Week
This may give everyone in the family a centre of calm and peace in these troubled times.
Create a place for prayer in the home. Set aside an area, usually a corner, and place a little table with a Cross, or an Icon, or a picture of one of the saints. A bible could be placed next to the Cross. Maybe a child might do a drawing of a cross, which the other children could paint or colour.
This family shrine can be where parents and children gather before breakfast or dinner to pray together for the Covid 19 crisis to pass very soon; for the brave doctors and nurses who treat people who have become sick; for the people who are sick; and for everyone to do the right thing to help the crisis to pass quickly.
Lastly, we can pray for ourselves especially when we become afraid and sad, that we may be safe with the help of Jesus and his mother, Mary.
After a short time of quiet prayer, finish with the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Mum or Dad could trace the cross on the children’s foreheads and go to breakfast or dinner together.
Supa Saints Cricket
On Friday 24th March, 36 students represented St Denis at the annual cricket carnival. We had four teams of 9 competing against St Lawrence, Majella, St Gerard’s and OLOL. The games were held at Yokine Reserve and were played like a Super 8 competition.
Our captains – Giuseppe, Armin, Sebastian and Milan did a fabulous job on the day and led their teams to victories in all games. We went through undefeated and displayed excellent sportsmanship by supporting fellow team mates and encouraging the other schools.
A big thank you to Mr Franchina and Anthony Di Martino who helped coach on the day.
Marriage Enrichment Weekend
Looking for an Easter Gift for your spouse. Give yourselves time together at the end of the school holidays. Your wedding was one day in your life, but your marriage is forever. A Marriage Encounter Weekend can put the newness back into your relationship. Come and join us on either 22-23 April 2023 at Corpus Christi College, Bateman. (This is a Live-out weekend where couples go back to their own homes on Saturday evening) or 27-29 October 2023 at Salvatorian Spirituality Centre, Currambine (Live-in from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon). Book online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Brendon & Valerie on 0493534865