Week 10

 KAYA,

Woohoo, the holidays are just around the corner!
But so too is Confirmation and in our last week of term we also have; swimming carnivals, Easter liturgy, testing to be done and projects to finish.. Then the students will have a very busy first three weeks back to school in Term 2, preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Hence why we are sending out this very important blog post. Within it, there are many details that will hopefully allow our first three weeks of next term to run a little more smoothly. Please know if you have any questions about any of the information below do not hesitate to reach out.

Swimming Carnival 
On Tuesday this week, the students will be taking part in a Swimming Carnival. 6Mc will be departing the school at 8.40am, please ensure your child arrives to school ready. They will need to have bathers and rashie on underneath their faction sport uniform. Please ensure they have suncream on, we will have more at the pool for reapplying. The students can change into their thongs in the classroom. We will arrive back to school in time for recess. The sport faction captains will remain at the pool for the entire day. They will need to bring their towel and underwear for changing to the pool in a separate bag and their food and water.


Movie Time 
Firstly, the students have been working so hard on their Narrative story which has involved manipulating the plot and characters of Narnia and making it their own. Our class book full of the students stories will be available to read in Term 2.
Please note: We intend to watch the rest of 'Narnia - the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe' on Thursday. This movie is rated PG therefore I am required to inform you and ask that if you would prefer that your child didn't see the film that you notify me of this ASAP. The students are allowed to bring in one small bag of lollies or popcorn on the day.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

Our Confirmation Mass is set to take place on Saturday 14th May at Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish.

As part of our Confirmation Program at the school, it is expected that all students participate, whether it be in a prayer buddy (Non-Catholic) or Confirmation Candidate (Catholic) capacity. This means that all students will be exposed to the learning behind this sacrament, as well as having a part within the mass. Obviously those who aren't Catholic will not officially receive the Sacrament of Confirmation but will be included in things such as the a blessing, artwork and testing related to curriculum content. It is always great to see the students supporting one another as a collective, especially in their final year at Primary School. 

SAINT RESEARCH  - HOLIDAY PROJECT
This term in class, we have discussed briefly the background of Confirmation: when it first began and the purpose behind this sacrament. We then learnt what a saint is and the process in which a candidate goes through to become a saint. The students read and learned about the 'Canonisation Process'. 

The students have all now selected a Saint and are working hard on completing their Saint Blooms Ball which includes writing about the beginning of their Saint's life, the middle and the end. It also includes writing a poem about them, sketching their Saint and researching about their life and important virtues. Each students has completed their own Blooms Ball and you can view this awesome project will be available for view next term. 

On Monday, the students were given the description and rubric for an at home school project. Over the last week of Term and over the school holidays your child will be asked to complete a Saint Box project and prepare for a oral presentation on week 1 of Term 2 that will teach the class about their Saint. This project involves your child creating a box full with objects that they feel represents their Saint, they will have to decorate this box and then create a 3 minute spoken presentation in which they will introduce their Saint and describe the items included in the box to the class. On Monday, I will be going through some examples from last years students to help inspire thee students with some ideas and also to allow time for questions. Please see the note and rubric given to the students below, this will also be available for viewing on your child's One Note. We are asking that those who have been absent in the final week to catch up and complete this task as well.



Due Date: Wednesday Week 1 Term 2 (27th of April). Saint boxes due and Presentations begin.

Any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

CONFIRMATION SASHES (Confirmation Candidates only...)
On Monday there will be a letter sent home with the Confirmation candidates only about the Confirmation Sashes. 

These sashes have been ordered, if you would like the embroidering on these done by Hip Pocket we are asking that you return the form with the child's saint name, family name and selected colour with $40 by week 1 Term 2. We are sorry to put a rush on this, however the embroiders need a couple of weeks to ensure these are completed in time.

Please see below of what this will look like:

                                   Back of sash                                                Front of sash

CONFIRMATION RETREAT DAY
All students will be participating in our Confirmation Retreat day on Friday 13th May. The team will be working incredibly hard to ensure this day is special for all of the children (candidates and buddies).

There are a range of activities that the children will take part in on the day, including receiving a letter from you. They will also participate in a Reconciliation liturgy and practice for Confirmation on the Sunday.

The day will take place in the hall and the students will be able to wear free dress. The school will be providing lunch for the children and we ask that each student brings a share plate for recess.
- Boys are to bring a plate of savoury food
Girls are to bring a plate of sweet food
Please remember to only send a small platter, we always have way to much food! 💗😎

On the Retreat Day all students, including those who are not receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, will have an opportunity to read and reflect on a letter sent from their parents. So I thought I would give you the heads up now to begin writing, so we can have them all completed and returned to me by the END OF WEEK 1, TERM 2. See more information about this below:

IMPORTANT! LETTER TO CHILD
This letter is often something your child will cherish and hold onto for a long time.


The length of the letter is totally up to you, however I ask that once you have completed it you put it in a sealed envelope with your child's name on the front and pass it on to me. I would like for you to keep this a secret and a complete surprise for them on their retreat day, so this may mean dropping it off to the front office or slipping it inside something else for your child to pass onto me (I am very good at secret squirrel business).

In this letter you may want to include:
- Your fondest memories of them
- What qualities you most admire about them
- How they contribute and fit within the family unit
- The attributes you are most proud of, making them a role model for others
- Highlight any of their achievements
- Your best wishes for when they receive the Holy Spirit for the first time and wishing them well for their next stage of their faith journey (only for those completing the sacrament)
- Any important advice about life or lessons in life

I hope these suggestions have helped. The most important thing is that they are from the heart!

Please can you have these returned to me by Friday 29th April (end of week 1, Term 2).
 
IMPORTANT: PARENT/CHILD CONFIRMATION WORKSHOP (Confirmation Candidates only...)
On Tuesday 3rd May (week 2) we will be holding our Confirmation Workshop in the hall at 5.30pm. If your child is receiving their Confirmation, you and your child are required to attend this workshop. In this workshop we will explore the sacrament further and discuss the important elements and how you and your child can apply this within your life. Prayer buddies are most welcome to join us, however it is not compulsory that the prayer buddies attend.

RECAP OF IMPORTANT EVENTS:

1. Confirmation Sash: Form and $40 due - Friday 29th April (week 1)

2. Confirmation Parent-Child Workshop - Tuesday 3rd May (week 2)

3. Saint Box and Oral Presentation due Wednesday 27th April (week 1)

4. Confirmation student letters due - Friday 29th April (week 1)

5. Bishop visiting the students at school - Tuesday 3rd May (week 2)

6. Year 6 Confirmation Retreat Day - Friday 13th May (week 3)

7. Confirmation Mass @ Our Lady of the Southern Cross - Saturday 14th May (week 3)

See what I mean...a HUGE first three weeks...but we can do it!!

I hope you all have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday, share in some quality time with your wonderful children and that they have a well-deserved break. They have worked incredibly hard throughout the term and have shown fantastic leadership and GRIT. It's time for them to rest and refresh, ready for another big term!

Mr Mc 

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