St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 6 - Term 2 (Friday 28 May 2021)
Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire. W.B. Yeats.
Dear Parents
One of the responsibilities of being a parent is to be there for our children. With a full life ahead of them, our children will experience many of the things that we experienced on our way to adulthood. If we are not available when our children need us and they are left holding unsaid words or emotions, it is rather like shaking a bottle of champagne with the cork still in it, the bubbles have nowhere to go but back down inside; this can lead to frustration, anger and possibly depression.
No parent can be emotionally available all the time. Parents are only human and have plenty of problems of their own. However, research has repeatedly demonstrated that emotional connection is a crucial element in a parent-child relationship. The benefits of parents connecting emotionally with their children are far reaching. When parents are emotionally reachable and are able to ‘read’ the emotional signals of their children, the children will perform better in a wide variety of situations. Emotionally secure children and emotionally available relationships help children to become emotionally intelligent in their lives.’ (Raising a Secure Child, Dr Zeynip Biringen).
There is little doubt that the degree and quality of our communication and connection to our children will play a significant part in their level of confidence, their ability to achieve well at school, their success in future relationships, their sense of security in a sometimes ‘scary’ world, their life choices and how well-adjusted they become as adults.
The Lord be with you
Chris.
We should pray
We pray, that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty. One God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Respectfully, I won’t ask for your consent.
Why doesn’t the school ask for my permission?
Excursions are part of your child’s educational programme, just the same as their classroom lessons, sport and other activities, except they are delivered elsewhere. As principal of St Jerome’s, I am legally authorised and responsible for designing and safely delivering each child’s educational programme in their year group, regardless of where that delivery takes place.
In West Australia there is no legal requirement to seek parent consent for a student to participate in their educational programme. Whether it is to walk across the road to the local oval, participate in a 'gifted and talented' activity, attend a talk, or participate in an excursion to the WA Art Gallery.
Staff at St Jerome’s have the training and experience to make decisions about what and how the educational programme is delivered. Parents are not expected to make the legal, educational, logistical and administrative decisions required to deliver a lesson, whether it’s in the classroom or elsewhere. Just as classroom participation is not optional, nor are excursions.
I will keep you informed of all the details if your child is going to be elsewhere than at school.
If you have a concern about your child’s participation in any part of their educational programme regardless of where they participate, then I encourage you to bring it to my attention so I may address and resolve it in the best interests of your child.
Every Child Counts
It is a priority of Catholic Education WA to make representation to the State Government for families who choose a Catholic education, ensuring there is an accurate understanding of the significant contribution these families make to their children’s education. It is equally important that parents, caregivers and staff understand how funding for Catholic schools varies from funding for government schools.
The Every Child Counts website https://www.everychildcounts.net.au/ has been developed to facilitate this understanding and I encourage you to take a moment to view this website.
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.
Gospel Matthew 28:16-20
Go and make disciples of all nations
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’
Sister Irene McCormack RSJ.
Friday 21st May was the 30th anniversary of Josephite, Sr. Irene McCormack’s death at the hands of the Shining Path in Peru. Sr Irene was serving as a missionary in Peru after working for Catholic Education Western Australia for twenty five years. She was born in the wheatbelt town of Trayning. The link below is to a prayer video compiled by student leaders from four catholic schools in Perth, who reflect on the gift of Sr Irene’s life, as a life offered for love of God and love for the poor of our world. As our young leaders powerfully suggest, hers is a legacy for all of us to honour and feel affirmed in our own calling to be followers of Christ in our everyday lives.
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Sr Irene McCormack’s death (catholicmission.org.au)
Lapathon/Colour Splash - Friday 4 June
Thank you to all those parents who have been gaining sponsorship for their children for the Lifelink Lapathon next week. This is such a worthwhile cause, supporting people in need here in Western Australia. This year we are adding a further incentive to our children by including a Colour Splash at the end of the Lapathon.
Next Friday, (4 June) children are to wear old clothes and old trainers to school. The coloured powder used in the Colour Splash will wash out of the children’s hair and clothes, but might take a few washes. So to be on the safe side, please have the children wear clothes that won’t matter if the colour remains!
It is recommended that all children wear glasses/goggles (children will need to provide these for themselves) to protect their eyes during the Colour Splash and children with asthma are advised to wear a mask if they are participating. Children who do not wish to participate in the Colour Splash need to let their class teacher know on the day. These students can run in the Lapathon then stand aside and watch as the Colour Splash takes place.
Parents are again very welcome to watch the event as long as they remain in the designated areas. The Lapathon will commence at 2:15pm and the Colour Splash at around 2:45pm. Once the Colour Splash is over at 3:03pm, children can leave with their parents or move to the front of the school for Drive Through. Pre Primary children will return to their Pen area with their teachers, and parents are asked to collect them from there. Children will not be allowed to return to classrooms.
I suggest that parents consider how they will protect the interior of cars for the journey home! A black garbage bag with a hole for head and arms over each child and an old rug to sit on comes to mind!
NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES 2021
Australian Identities
Night of the Notables is an informative evening where
Year Six Extension students take on the persona of a notable person in history. This year we have an Australian theme, and you are invited to listen to the children speak, view their displays and learn more about their notable!
When: Wednesday the 2ndJune – 6G and 6R
Wednesday the 16th June – 6B
Where: The St Jerome’s Hall
Time: 7pm sharp
The Gift of Reading
Do you ever remember reading a bumper sticker which said; 'if you can read this, thank a primary teacher'. Reading is important, and just how important is worth considering.
Reading is the avenue through which children learn just about everything. It is reading which will broaden children’s horizons and take them into new and exciting worlds which are paved with endless wonder and imagination. Reading is an interactive activity, for when children read they are involved with the book, imagining the characters and scenes and painting images in their minds which enable them to be creative and to think for themselves.
Of course, there are academic benefits as reading allows children to see words in different contexts which can assist comprehension, the correct use of grammar and correct sentence structure. The more children see how a word is used, the more likely they are to use the word correctly in their own vocabulary. Seeing words spelt correctly will help children to be more correct with their spelling. Likewise, writing skills will benefit by reading well-formed sentences and observing how paragraphs link together. There is evidence to suggest that children who read for pleasure will perform well in written exams, because they are likely to understand the phrasing of the questions and be able to write their answers with clarity.
In addition to academic learning, reading offers a wide range of life skills as children learn about the world around them. Although reading is mostly a solitary activity, it encourages an understanding of how people relate to each other as the book characters form relationships and deal with questions of morals, friendship, love and family. Also, reading can help cope with stress and anxiety as it provides a form of relaxation and escapism.
Reading a good book provides a real and rewarding difference, and a powerful alternative to non creative iPad time.
Book club orders must be finalised online
By Thursday 10th June
Any orders placed after this date will incur a delivery fee and be delivered to your home.
Please use LOOP on scholastic website.
No cash payments or paper orders taken
Catalogues for this issue have been handed out to classrooms.
Enrolments for 2022
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2022
Interviews for Kindergarten 2022 are happening now. If your child was born between 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 they are eligible for Kindergarten in 2022. Parents of children with siblings are urged to ensure their applications have been submitted to avoid disappointment.
3 Year Old Kindergarten Enrolments for 2022
Places are being offered for our 3 Year Old Kindergarten next year. If your child was born between 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 your child will be able to join the program once they turn three.
School tours can be booked through our website.
Application forms are available from the front office at the school.
For any enquiries please contact:
St Jerome’s Primary School
38 Troode Street,
LAKE COOGEE WA 6166
Email: admin@stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au
Phone: 9499 9500
Labelling of Uniforms
CPSSA Interschool Basketball
On Thursday, 16 of our year 6 students represented St Jerome’s at the CPSSA Interschool Basketball competition, played at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex in Rockingham. We are so proud of our students, they exhibited brilliant sportsmanship and really played “as a team”.
Our girls team had a couple wins through the day and just missed out on the semi-finals by a 3% point difference. Our boys kept the spectators on their feet, entering the semi-finals in 3rd place to then go on and win the grand final! The games were hard fought and the victory well deserved. But most importantly, both teams finished the day with smiles on their faces.
Students from Rockingham Senior High School umpired and scored for the day and did a very professional job, also representing their school well. Thank you to Mr Tucker and Miss Kalotay for coaching and training our teams and to the parents who were able to come and support us. I think we all have as few more grey hairs after those nail biter games!
Event Feedback
We would 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 hear your opinion.
Vanessa, Carol and Chris.
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.
- Night of the Notables (6 Red & 6 Green) - Wed 2 June @ 7.00pm
- Lapathon - Fri 4 June @1.15pm
- 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
- Last Day of T2 - Friday 2 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