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Dear Parents and Carers
“I imagine Lent for you and for me as a great departure from the greedy, anxious antineighbourliness of our economy, a great departure from our exclusionary politics that fears the other, a great departure from self-indulgent consumerism that devours creation. And then an arrival in a new neighbourhood, because it is a gift to be simple, it is a gift to be free; it is a gift to come down where we ought to be.”
― Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent
The American Walter Brueggemann is one of the great Scripture scholars of the last 50 years and as shown above, he also has an acute sense of the significance of the Church seasons in our lives. Lent is indeed all those things that he describes. Perhaps it is never more apparent than right now, in this season of Lent, that it is also a season of isolation, and for many, material and emotional deprivation. If we can all do one simple, selfless act for someone else, we will have eased the current COVID19 burden that rests on so many people.
Thank You
Once again, I would like to thank the entire parent community for their overwhelming support of the school community. The staff have been humbled by the many emails and gestures of gratitude we have received from parents over the last few days and weeks. On behalf of all the staff, thank you all very much. We couldn’t do it without you and I appreciate very much your wishes and support.
COVID19
The last two days have seen the staff prepare more deeply and thoroughly for Term 2’s remote learning. We are learning many new skills and are looking forward to implementing our new plan next term. Part of our Remote Learning program includes the use of a new Microsoft Platform, Teams. All Catholic schools in the archdiocese will be using this platform in one way or another, next term. Staff will be looking more closely at its functionality next week. In terms of communicating the way ahead next term, I will be sending the parent body a letter next Monday, which will detail the structure of the Term 2 Remote Learning program. I would also like to thank all the staff for their ongoing hard work and dedication to the children. I am very proud of them.
Sam Tidy
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the children’s author Sam Tidy (mother of Rueben and Grace) for her work and for her support of Sts Peter and Paul. Sam has worked closely with the school over the last 12 months and has donated some books to the school’s library. Thank you Sam for your support of our school.
In conclusion, I would like to say how much we miss the children. We have all chosen to work in schools because we love working with children. It feels very unnatural to not have our students here and I want you, the parents, to know that we miss them. A writer I deeply admire, the Scottish theologian John Swinton, writes a great deal in the area of disability and theology. On the topic of inclusion, he writes, “To be included you have to turn up. To belong, you have to be missed.” We miss your children. We look forward to their return. https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/profiles/j.swinton
Have a good and safe week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Sunday Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year A
This Sunday, as we prepare to enter the sacred time of Holy Week, we look again at the significance of Christ in our lives. Though he was really in the form of God, Jesus came in the form of a slave. We have a saviour who was crushed for our iniquities, nailed to a cross as a convicted felon, and there endured the sense of abandonment. We have a saviour who was finally lifted up and exalted precisely because he emptied himself of his divine privileges. Unlike conquerors who triumph by putting down their opponents, Jesus was raised up because he himself was first willing to be put down. We have a saviour who first offered himself for us and then continues to offer himself to us as an example to follow. As he was willing to empty himself for our sake, so we must to be willing to empty ourselves for the sake of others.
(Reflection by Dianne Bergant)
Mass and Prayer during COVID-19
The Director of Catholic Schools, Ross Fox recently shared the following resources with all staff in the diocese, and I believe some of these may be valuable to you also and may assist in keeping people connected in these challenging times.
- Mass Online provides us with the opportunity to pray the Mass on a daily basis.
- Living Word provides a reflection on the readings of the day.
- Daily Voice provides a daily snapshot of what is happening locally, in the Archdiocese and across the world.
The Archdiocese has also shared Online Mass and Prayer Resources.
You may also find comfort in the Archbishop’s prayer.
Dates for your Diary:
|
Sunday 5th April |
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord |
|
Thursday 8th April |
Holy Thursday |
|
Friday 9th April |
Good Friday |
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Sunday 11th April |
Easter Sunday |
Stay safe, and take care of each other,
Stephanie Burns
Religious Education Coordinator
Each week we will try and include a recipe from Mrs Moore. These recipes may come from our Saints Peter & Paul Anniversary Cook Book, still available for sale for $20 via Qkr! or eftpos (No cash please). Books can be collected from the front office.
PITA CHIPS
Ingredients
4 pita bread rounds, cut into small chips
2 TBS olive oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
Pinch of salt and pepper
Method
Preheat oven 160 degrees
Mix the oil, garlic, salt and pepper together in a small bowl
Scatter pita bread pieces over the trays and brush with the garlic oil.
Shake the trays to ensure the oil reaches all pieces and season with extra salt and pepper if desired.
Bake for 6 - 10 minutes, or until crispy and golden.
Mrs Moore is hoping to record herself making some recipes and have that available for students and parents to watch. Stay tuned!
Student & Family Counsellor
Dear Families,
The current COVID 19 health crisis has led to anxiety, uncertainty and constant change in our lives. We have collected numerous resources that you may find useful to support your children and yourselves especially in relation to adjusting to the transition to schooling from home.
Resources for parents:
Emotional Welbeing:
https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/covid-19
COVID-19 Support | Head to Health
COVID-19: The facts. The Australian Government Department of Health website is the main source of health-related information on what Australia is doing in response to this pandemic.See the coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert page.; A national campaign has launched to inform all Australians about the coronavirus (COVID-19). The campaign aims to reduce the risk to individuals and families by ...
headtohealth.gov.au
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Beyond Blue recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers the following wellbeing advice.
www.beyondblue.org.au
Coronavirus (COVID-19): managing stress and anxiety
This tipsheet covers understanding common reactions in yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic, what you can do to look after yourself and manage feelings of stress, anxiety, or distress associated with COVID-19, and helpful resources and support.
services.unimelb.edu.au
https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
We’re here for you - Headspace
There are a lot of unknowns in the world right now. But one thing is certain — Headspace is here for you.To help support you through this time of crisis, we’re offering some meditations you can listen to anytime.
www.headspace.com
utm_source=Shine&utm_medium=CareForYourCoronavirusAnxiety
https://medium.com/@Tom.Hollenstein/regulating-emotions-in-a-covid-19-world-f3ef394f8294
https://news.yale.edu/2020/03/24/yale-webinars-using-emotional-intelligence-combat-covid-19-anxiety
To support children:
How to talk to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19) - UNICEF Australia
Eight tips to help comfort and protect children. 2. Be honest: explain the truth in a child-friendly way Children have a right to truthful information about what’s going on in the world, but adults also have a responsibility to keep them safe from distress.
www.unicef.org.au
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-children-about-the-coronavirus-2020030719111
Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Common Sense Media
Parents and caregivers: Keep kids learning, entertained, and calm during the COVID-19 pandemic with Common Sense Media. Navigate social distancing, school closures, and more.
www.commonsensemedia.org
GoNoodle® engages 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Available for free at school, home, and everywhere kids are!
www.gonoodle.com
Yoga for kids;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEi1foUiGObzzQM3QA2H5A/search?query=kids
MAJOR news! Alo Gives is bringing yoga to 3 MILLION kids this year with our HUGE national rollout of AloGives.com, partnered with Scholastic. Yoga changes the trajectory of kids’ lives and we ...
www.youtube.com
Home Schooling support:
https://sites.google.com/ed.act.edu.au/act-home-learning/resources-to-support-home-learning
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Teaching Remotely for Grades K - 12 | Free Resources and Strategies
Welcome! Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video.
classroommagazines.scholastic.com
https://www.pbs.org/parents/learn-grow
Parent Resources, Tips, and Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents
Explore parent resources to help you raise kind, curious and resilient children. Find parenting tips, hands-on activities, games, apps and more.
www.pbs.org
https://www.natgeokids.com/au/
Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Visit National Geographic Kids today!
www.natgeokids.com
Parents who will be homeschooling (temporarily) while schools are closed because of COVID-19 can only do so much to keep kids learning, so do your parents a solid and use this time to find subjects that get you excited! There’s only so much Netflix you can watch before you get a funny taste in the back of your mouth. As Mike Petrilli wrote in a recent blog post, “It’s highly unlikely ...
fordhaminstitute.org
https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2020/03/13/my-kids-school-is-closed-so-now-what/
My Kid’s School is Closed, So Now What? – confident parents confident kids
Supporting your Children's Social, Emotional, and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic By Guest Author, Pamela McVeagh-Lally As the spread of COVID-19 causes more and more school closures across the United States, we, parents and caregivers, are faced with the daunting reality of needing to stay at home with our children for weeks and possibly…
confidentparentsconfidentkids.org
Trying to homeschool because of coronavirus? Here are 5 tips to help your child learn
Here are some things you can do to help your child learn from home.
1. Set up a learning space. Create an area in the house for your child to be able to focus on learning.theconversation.com
https://www.today.com/parents/teacher-s-advice-homeschooling-during-covid-19-crisis-t176370
Watch HodaKotb read her children’s book ‘You Are My Happy’
Advice from teacher on homeschooling kids, teens during COVID 19 coronavirus crisis. Let kids get bored, how to teach math, teach them home economics."/
We have included a broad range of information for your consideration.
Take care.
The Student & Family Counselling Team
CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
Are you worried about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Kids Helpline is still open to answer your call, email or WebChat
There's a lot of information and confusion out there about COVID-19 and things feel a bit uncertain. If you're feeling stressed, worried or anxious, we're here for you. Give us a call, start a WebChat or send us an email.
We have been a bit busier than usual, so there might be a longer wait to speak to a counsellor. We really appreciate your patience.
