Dear Parents and Caregivers
Every year on the first Sunday of September we celebrate Father’s Day. If we look past the commercialism, it is a day when we spoil and spend time with dad or a significant person, as a way of saying “thank you for all of the things you do for me”.
On Monday we kicked off Father’s Day early for those, like me, who like to stretch Father’s Day out for the whole week if they can. Our Annual Father’s Day Breakfast was a great morning. We were able to acknowledge the significant role of father’s and special persons in the lives of the students at our school. It was a wonderful morning which highlighted the very fabric that unites our school; family and community. Thanks to the staff and P&F who put this great event together.
I think being a dad in the year 2018, like being a mum, is quite a challenge. The role and expectations of fathers have changed considerably over the past 50 years. No longer do most mums stay at home while dad goes out to work and is the major or only breadwinner in the family. If both parents are working, often household chores need to be shared. In some single parent families, fathers are taking on the role of mother and father. In some families due to work or other reasons, some fathers need to spend time away from their families or live in different households. Research has shown us that the self-esteem of children is greater when their fathers or a male role model (father figure) are involved in their formation. To have a more balanced view of life children need both a male and a female role model in their lives; sometimes easier said than done.
Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are wonderful days for me as I get the opportunity to say thank you for just being there. I know my Dad often reads this newsletter. I have wonderful memories that I share with my children. The happy times we spent as a family, the silly things that Dad would do to ensure we were safe, the time he gave to transport my sister and I to sport and events, and the things he was so passionate about – his lawn! While for some people who no longer have either parent to share these special days, the day is more poignant.
I read an article that said the best gift we could possibly give our ‘fathers’ was more time to spend with their families. Our society at the moment has people working longer and longer hours, time that is taken away from families. Father’s Day is a good time to pause to appreciate a unique person that God has put into our lives – our ‘father’. It is easy to take fathers for granted.
Every ‘father’ knows that he is human and doesn’t always do it perfectly. He needs to hear from his children that he ‘must have done something right’ – maybe magnificently!
This Sunday let us praise all men…men who are fathers…men who are step-fathers…men who are grandfathers…men who are significant in a child’s impressionable life…all men who cherish the next generation as if they were their own.
I hope the ‘father’ or ‘significant person’ in your family has a wonderful Father’s Day on Sunday.
Book Week Parade
A landmark in the school year is the annual dress up for Book Week Parade which was last Friday. Although it is a recent memory I’d like to share my thoughts and congratulations on this cornerstone of Book Week. Fortunately, many parents, grandparents and VIP’s were able to attend and see the variety, colour and spectacle of the hundreds of creative ways of interpreting characters from books. In our school mission statement we state that students in our school go about all aspects of their learning engendering a sense of 'cooperation not competition'. This was truly the case last week as our whole community came together to celebrate as one. There wasn't any sense of 'one-up-man ship' or envy, but a genuine sense of awe and wonder at the marvellous costumes that graced the school all day and a deeply felt sense of appreciation from the children, for all of the efforts made at home and in school to make the day so special.
Quiz Night
I am very disappointed that I will not be able to attend this Saturday’s ‘Annual SJMS Quiz Night’ as I have to attend my nephew’s wedding in all places Anarchy, Geelong, Victoria. I trust that it will be an outstanding event. I would like to personally thank everyone for your donations. I would also like to thank those local businesses who have supported the event as sponsors.
The P&F has done a wonderful job in preparing for what should be a great evening. Thank you also to John Kernahan who has taken on the role as Quiz Master.
I have heard many reigning champions of other Quiz Nights who are attending. I trust there will not be anarchy in my absence. May the best table win!!!
If you haven’t got a table together yet, please contact Jess Nelson.
Child Protection Week
Next week (Week 7) is Child Protection Week. The theme for the 2018 National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) Child Protection Week campaign stresses the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in Australia. The mission of NAPCAN is to prevent child abuse and neglect and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every Australian child by promoting positive change in attitudes, behaviour, policies, practices and law. National Child Protection Week runs from 2nd to 8th September this year. The theme for 2018 is “Stronger Communities, Safer Children”. In the Australian context through Child Protection Week and in particular this Sunday we are asked to be someone who listens to children, someone who will start a conversation with children and if needed, be that someone whom children will turn to when in need. The Commission is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children and young people from harm. This includes supporting the rights of the child and child safe environments by working together with key partner agencies towards care and protection of children within our community. Our parish, St Ignatius Church, will have a Children’s Mass on Sunday 9 September at 10am to conclude the week. Please join us if you can.
Year 5 Information Session
On Monday 17 September (Week 9), we will hold an information session for current parents of Year 5 students regarding offerings in Year 6. This is a unique period for St Joseph’s Memorial as this group becomes the first in its history to graduate at Year 6, hence there are some things that need to be discussed prior to next year to ensure that the group gets those same ‘rites of passage’ that Year 7s receive. One of those things is the fantastic Canberra experience. There will be a formal note coming home later this week.
Tournament of Minds
Next Sunday I will have the absolute pleasure of joining the Tournament of Minds team and their families as they compete in the Tournament of Minds at Flinders University. Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Cruickshank are immensely proud of all of their work, enthusiasm and commitment to date. We wish the team of; Xander, Santiago, Luca, Samuel, Laila, Alicia and Paula all the best!
John Gardiner MP, Minister for Education
Last Friday I attended CESA Director’s Day and listened to John Gardner MP, Minister for Education, who shared the state vision for education. He spoke about his role as Minister for all students, Gonski 2 and the State Government commitment to Catholic schools and students.
NAPLAN
More than a million of Australian school-age children in Year 3, 5, 7 or 9 took the NAPLAN tests (the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) in May. In the next week or so students in Year 3, 5 and 7 will receive their individual NAPLAN results. In the NAPLAN report, your child's results will be shown against six levels of achievement. If you require any further clarification please don’t hesitate to see your child’s teacher, myself or Grace Vassallo-Wakefield.
God Bless
Brady Stallard
