St Jerome's Newsletter
Week 2 - Term 1 (Thursday 18 February)
Dear Parents
If you’re anything like me, you will have noticed that the pace has definitely picked up. We are on, and it is a good feeling. It was a week of firsts too, with staff prayer on Monday morning, ‘Gathering’ with students and staff on Wednesday, and a welcome to our student leaders.
Our prayer on Monday morning at 8.20am does mean our school goes quiet. The office, classrooms and grounds are ‘staff less’ as all of us spend a few moments in God’s presence. We do ask that you remember us at this time and that our return to work will be immediately after prayer.
The ‘gathering’ with staff and students happened on Wednesday morning after the Ash Wednesday Mass. ‘Gathering’ is where our student councillors lead the whole school in prayer, acknowledgement of Country, birthdays and then extend an invitation to myself to address the school community. I was very proud of each of them, and I look forward to watching their progress as they give witness to being a confident lead student at St Jerome’s.
Thank you to so many of you who ventured out on Tuesday night to listen to your child’s teacher speak about their learning opportunities in 2021. I was so impressed in the classrooms I visited, and hearing the commitment our educators were making to the learning programme. It was good to hear your questions too in regard to how you can assist what our educators are hoping to achieve. When parents and educators work in synergy the child benefits the most, so thank you for being so supportive.
The Instrumental Music Programme at St Jerome’s will soon commence, and I thank the tutors who have assisted our students over many years. There are some managerial matters which need to be addressed before the lessons can commence. I have been in contact with the tutors and I hope to meet them before they begin working with our students. It is important to know that the instrumental programme does not form part of the arts programme offered at St Jerome’s. The school is not involved in the design or execution of the instrumental music lessons. The accountability for the content and lesson structure exists between the tutor and the child’s parent. The music tutor, unlike the classroom teacher, is not accountable to the Principal.
This Monday (22 February 2021) Carol, Vanessa and myself are away attending a leadership forum. Christine Celenza will be responsible for the school in our absence.
The Lord be with you.
Chris.
Sacramental Program 2021
Families wishing to enrol their children in the Sacramental Program for 2021 should download and complete the relevant enrolment form from the St Jerome’s parish website.
Please then place all the required documents along with the payment for the parish into a sealed envelope. Please ensure that you have placed your child's name, their class and the sacrament they are receiving on the back of the envelope and on the front write:
'For the attention of Carol Hoare - Sacramental Program'
If you wish to pay by card at the front desk the Office ladies can assist with this. Please note that a receipt will be given to you at the time for Credit Card transactions over the counter or forwarded to you once I have processed your paperwork.
This all needs to happen before 26th February 2021 as no enrolments can be taken after this date. If you have any issues or concerns with any of this, please let me know as soon as possible so I have time to assist in any way I can. My email address is: carol.hoare@cewa.edu.au
The link to the parish is: (you may need to copy the link and paste into your browser)
http://www.stjeromesparish.org/sacramental-programme-guide-2021-school-based/
Please see the dates below for each Sacrament and note that the order of Sacraments has changed this year.
Yesterday we began the Liturgical Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday and our community received ashes to remind us of God’s forgiveness and his love.
Lent is a time to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. During this time, we support the work of Caritas through Project Compassion to walk alongside communities as they strive to be the architects of their own development.
St Oscar Romero in his message, challenged us to step up for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival. He challenged us to “be more, rather than to have more”.
Through our support of Project Compassion, we are assisting some of the world’s most vulnerable people to build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
In school this term, the children will be learning about people from poorer communities around the world who are struggling to live and provide for their families. We encourage our children to think beyond themselves and to look for ways to support these people. Every little bit helps.
Each class will be given a Project Compassion box and we encourage our children to give some of their own money rather than always asking parents.
Parents might like to register to receive daily reflections during Lent from Bruce Downes, also known as ‘The Catholic Guy’. Each reflection is about 5-7 mins long and will provide you with thoughtful practices to make Lent a more meaningful time in your life.
The Catholic Guy Bruce Downes - Lent 2021 with Bruce Downes: The Catholic Guy | Facebook
Best wishes
Carol Hoare
Assistant Princpal
Assistant Principal
School Tours 2021
A school tour is a way to promote our school in the community, which hopefully may lead to a new family enrolling their children at St Jerome's.
This year our school tours will be available twice a term, and Robyn Hunt is our official tour guide. You can find the link to book a tour on the school's web page or at this link.
Medical Plan Updates
If your child is on a Medical Plan, particularly if they are on an Emergency Action Plan for Anaphylaxis, please ensure that it has been updated within the past 18 months and the school has received a copy of this updated Plan.
Please ensure that you have checked the expiry date for your child's EpiPen and ensured a current Pen is provided to the school. Notifying parents that an EpiPen is due to expire or has expired is not the responsibility of the school. Parents should make a note in their calendar when an EpiPen is due to expire and bring in a replacement in a timely manner.
Admin
Dropping off and Picking up times
Morning drop off of children
A reminder that school gates open at 8am and supervision of children commences at this time.
If you need to drop off your child earlier than this, then we recommend that you utilise the services of OSHClub on our site.
Afternoon pick up of children.
After the last bell all children from Yr 1 - 6 are taken to the front of the school where parents can collect their children. If in the afternoon you are running late, any child not collected will be brought into the office where they will wait for you. There is no need for staff to bring them to the office prior to this time. However, if you know in advance that you will be late, your child should be attending OSHClub.
Does your child have an appointment they need to attend during the day?
St Jerome's Classroom Volunteers are Making a Differnce
Dear Parents,
We invite you to consider participating in our MAD volunteer program in 2021.
MAD volunteers receive training and on-going support to work with our students to develop skills in the area of Language or Maths. Volunteers work 1:1 or in a small group each week at a time that is suitable for both the volunteer and the class. Simple, routine tasks repeated over a period of time provide the opportunity for our students to consolidate basic skills whilst enjoying the interaction of peers and members of the community.
A ‘hands on’ information session will be held on THURSDAY 25th February from 9-10.30 am in the Discovery Room.
We hope you will consider joining the MAD program for term 1 and invite you to come along to the information session on Thursday 25th February or email regarding further information.
MAD VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION RSVP to Joanna.roper@cewa.edu.au
With thanks
Mrs Joanna Roper
Learning Diversity Coordinator
St Jerome's Primary School
P&F News
Meet our P&F Executive
Message from the School Nurse
Welcome to the new school year. My name is Jordyn O’Dea and I am the School Health Nurse who visits your school.
School Health Nurses work in schools to promote healthy development and wellbeing so students may reach their full potential. A major part of my work is focused on early intervention and the School Entry Health Assessment program. Additionally, the nurse can be contacted at any time throughout primary school if you have concerns about your child’s health, development or wellbeing.
School Health Nurses serve as a health contact point for children and their families, providing information, assessment, health counselling and referral. They also work in partnership with schools to support teachers in health related curriculum and can assist in the development of health care plans for students with complex and chronic health needs.
The services provided are free and confidential.
Please contact me on 0437 209 460 or Jordyn.O’Dea@health.wa.gov.au
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
Commencing next Wednesday, 24 February 2021
from 8.15am to 8.45am at the Uniform Shop.
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesdays.
Maria Rafala
School Banking Co-ordinator