Dear Parents and Carers

“Live in gratitude and thank your creator by enjoying your life.”

Ronald Rolheiser, Sacred Fire

Last week I wrote about Ronald Rolheiser’s 10 commandments for mature living. I would like to spend the next 10 weeks exploring each of his commandments. The first one I have quoted above, and is concerned with gratitude. Rolheiser believes that gratitude underpins all other virtues, including love. He writes, “The holiest person you know is the most grateful person you know.” He goes on to say that “…even love finds its basis in gratitude.” It is no one’s job to take care of us, and the fact that people do, should be the basis of great gratitude. There is much that we can be grateful for, even during these trying times.

Confirmation Information Night

Last night we held our Confirmation Information Night, in conjunction with Holy Trinity Primary School. Our REC, Stephanie Burns, led the evening with Emily Capper (REC, Holy Trinity) and Fr John and Catherine Grinsell-Jones from the parish. I would like to thank Steph, Emily and Fr John for all of their organisation and preparation, and for their support of our Year 6 students during this very significant part of their lives. Undergoing the sacramental program with Holy Trinity is also an excellent way to underline and reinforce the relationship between the two parish schools.

Maths Olympiad

Next week the next instalment of the Maths Olympiad takes place. All students in 5/6, and a number in Year 4, will undertake the competition, which consists of 5 questions to be completed in 25 minutes. They rely on reasoning abilities and number sense, but the actual Maths is not difficult. It is another step in the children’s growth in confidence in being able mathematicians.

Peer Mentoring

This week, the teaching staff have commenced the Peer Mentoring program. This sees all teachers in the school pair with a partner of their choice, with whom they collaborate and receive feedback, about teaching. I am also participating in the program. It is an important aspect of the profession’s ongoing commitment to growth and best practice. My thanks to all staff for their commitment and support.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 13:44-52

In this week’s Gospel, the abundant response of God is the miraculous feeding of more than five thousand people with twelve baskets full of leftovers.

As it became late in the day, the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away to the nearby villages so that they could buy food for themselves. But Jesus is moved with compassion for the people. He knows that as it is now evening they probably won’t be allowed to enter any of the local villages and, even if they were, they probably didn’t have money with which to buy food. So it is compassionate care that moves Jesus to act. Remember, He had tried to get away from the crowds to spend some private time mourning the death of John the Baptist. He was entitled to be frustrated and angry with them for intruding on His grief. Instead, when they tracked Him down, He went ashore and healed them and taught them. When it came to the evening He went one step further in His compassion and made sure that all were fed.

At the time of writing, the gospel writer knew that his audience would be familiar with the Eucharistic meal. The words and actions of Jesus in this miraculous feeding event foreshadow the events of the Last Supper: He took the bread and fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples to distribute. This event is a Eucharistic one just as much as the Last Supper. (Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thank you to all parents and carers who joined us for the Parent Information Night (via Zoom) last night regarding the upcoming Sacrament of Confirmation. Please ensure you register your child via Qkr! as soon as possible, as we hope to hand out the workbooks on Friday at school. A reminder that the children will be presented to the community at one of the Masses between now and the Sacrament, see link below that will allow you to register. Also – when you arrive, please ensure you let Fr John know that you have a candidate to present to community, so he knows to introduce your child to the Parish.

Mass Has Returned!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John has now begun celebrating Sunday Masses once again. All Mass times will remain the same, but due to social distancing measures, all Masses will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin for the time being. There is a limit of 100 people that can attend each Mass, and the Parish will accept booking online (Trybooking.com, search Transfiguration Parish), or click here or via a phone call to the office.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Next Thursday is the Feast Day of our Parish, the Transfiguration of the Lord. We would normally gather with our friends at Holy Trinity Curtin to celebrate the richness of our shared Parish, however due to current restrictions this will not be possible. Alternatively, we will celebrate on Thursday at school, and will look to find a time later in the year to come together.

Parish Youth Group

This Sunday, 2^nd August, will be the first Parish Youth Group for 2020. The group will be facilitated by our Youth Ministers Maddie and Grace. The group will meet at the Parish Centre at Curtin, from 4:00-5:30pm. All students in years 5/6 are welcome to come along. Click here for a link to a permission note you can send along with your child.

God bless,

 Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

Hi All, 

It's Maddie here, your Youth Minister. We have some very exciting things planned for our school community. Starting up this term will be a Youth Ministry Weekly Series. This is a series of google slides which will be sent out each week via the link below. The series will include scripture, activities for families, prayers, songs and much more!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iTzi2ziAZrOBTD46ANdQgR7BthqTyB3KG-5w1_tQLvo/edit?usp=sharing 

We also have a Youth Group starting at the North Woden Parish of Transfiguration this week, Sunday the 2nd of August. You will find the invite with details attached. Parents and Carers are more than welcome to come along to the Youth Group and then join us for the 5:30pm Sunday Mass.

Kind regards, 

Maddie Greenwood

Youth Minister | Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

The Sts Peter and Paul Reading Club is open to all students and will begin in Week 3.

Reading Club is an opportunity for students to have some quiet time to read and talk about their favourite books with friends.

 Mrs Armstrong

It was exciting to see the latest Book Club catalogues in circulation last week. Hopefully you received your copy. If you haven't received a copy, or would like to order from the catalogue, please use the following link to access the Parent's page of Scholastic Book Club: 

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

Librarian

CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

 Families can make contactless payment via Qkr!

 Purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child/children in a lunch order via Qkr!

or

you can purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” for your child/children to go to the canteen to collect something at lunchtime. 

Do you want to win a $2 voucher to spend in the canteen?

Simply purchase fresh or frozen fruit from the canteen and be in the weekly draw to WIN!!!

Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for week 10 was Mia T, 3/4M.  Congratulations Mia, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen. Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.

Week 3, Term 3 canteen volunteer roster

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens

OPEN TUESDAY MORNINGS

8.30 – 9.30AM

The Uniform Shop is a service for the parents and children.  

We sell New & Quality Second-hand school clothing, and all money raised goes back to the school to provide resources for the children.

You can place an order via Qkr! Order on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and the item/s will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45am.

Please see SZapp for the Winter Uniform price list.

It is usual practice for most schools to offer second-hand clothing at the uniform shop to families at a discounted price. Quality second-hand clothing can only be purchased during uniform hours.  We do understand that this may not be convenient for some families so please feel free to send me an email if you are unable to get to the uniform shop during its’ hours and I will do my best to attend your needs.

 The uniform shop is limited with space, so as a guide, clothes should only be donated if washed and in perfect resalable order.

The uniform shop is asking for no more donations of white sports tops please.

Please give any used second-hand uniform to Mrs R in the canteen, Thank you.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

QUICK LEMON RISOTTO

Ingredients

125g unsalted butter

2 onions, peeled & diced

2 celery stickes, diced

2 lemons, juiced

4c boiled rice

1.5l stock

2tbs chopped parsley

Method

Heat butter in a large saucepan over low heat, then add onoin and celery, cook until soft.

Add the cooked rice and half the stock, stir until the liquid thickens.

Add remaining liquid and lemon juice and, again, stir until liquid thickens.

Take off the heat, stir in parsley and serve.

Gardening with your children can be fun and theraputic and even though it is winter at the moment there is still lots to be done.