Filter Content
- Principal's Report
- Religious Education
- Sports News
- Year 3 - Production of Cotton
- Mt Carmel Garden Project Launch
- Coordinator Awards
- Sizzle
- Okonomiyaki - おこのみやき
- Mt Carmel Annual Easter Hat Parade
- K-2- 2021 Cross Country Carnival
- Kindergarten Alphabet Bootcamp - V & W
- National Day Against Bullying
- McAuley win the House Spirit Garden Challenge!
- Uniform Shop - New Girls' Winter Pants Now Available
- Daramalan Open Evening and Enrolment Flyer
- Sacrament of Confirmation - Sunday 23 May 2021
- Sacraments 2021
- Streetbeat - 90's Neon Dance Party Invitation
- Spinifex Tennis - Easter Tennis Camp
- Yass Show - Decorative Flowers Competition
- Holiday Happenings
- Artworks Reconnect
Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,
St Patrick’s Day
We have had a lovely St Patrick’s Day and Mt Carmel was a sea of green today. Thanks to 4SS for leading us in prayer this morning, and a special thanks to Charlotte Alexander, Caelan Cassidy and Rory Swadling for their help with providing live music for the prayer service. Thank you to the students and families of Year 5 and 6 for their generous support of our Stage 3 Cake Stall. Between the gold coin donation for our green day and sales from the cake stall at recess, I am proud to say that Mt Carmel has collectively raised $800 for Project Compassion. Well done, everybody!
Interim Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews
This Friday, Interim Reports will be sent home. Please be mindful that, at this early stage in the year, its purpose is not to report on students’ academic achievement, but to provide parents with a broad overview of their child’s engagement with learning. The indicators on the Interim Report are in alignment with the Engagement with Learning section of the Semester One Report that will be completed at the end of next term.
Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Week 8, from 3:30pm to 6pm each afternoon. Interviews will be conducted in your child’s classroom and have been allocated fifteen-minute timeslots. Please be respectful of this time limit as teachers have many interviews to conduct and other parents will be waiting to commence. Please also be mindful of our COVID-19 guidelines: do not attend interviews if you are experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness, sanitise your hands upon entering the classroom and practise appropriate social-distancing when on school grounds.
Bookings will open from 3:30pm this afternoon; click here or go to the Parents tab on the school website to make a booking. Please telephone the school office if you are unable to access the online booking system.
National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
This Friday is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, and we will be marking the day by taking part in the Bullying—No Way! initiative. Bullying is a word that carries a great deal of weight, and in many instances it is used to describe things that are not bullying at all. The national definition of bullying for all Australian schools defines bullying as an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. Any adverse interpersonal interactions or conflicts, whether considered to be acts of bullying or not, need to be appropriately resolved. If you have any concerns about what your child is experiencing at school, it is important to speak with their class teacher promptly.
School Cross Country Carnival
Next Friday, 26 March, Mt Carmel will be running the 3-6 Cross Country Carnival at Walker Park. Students will be leaving school directly from morning lines to walk to the venue, with races commencing for 8-year-olds at approximately 9:30am. We will return to school in time for recess at 10:50am. Students in Year 2 who are turning 8 this year may compete at the 3-6 carnival; however, there will be a separate K-2 Cross Country event held at school from 12:30pm on the same day, so it is our recommendation that Year 2 participation in the 3-6 carnival is for serious runners only. Parents are welcome to attend both the 3-6 and K-2 carnivals as spectators but, again, please be mindful of COVID-19 restrictions: do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness and please practise appropriate social-distancing.
NAPLAN
This year, in May, Years 3 and 5 students at Mt Carmel will be completing NAPLAN online. Next Thursday participating students will undertake a 45-minute practice test to familiarise them with the online testing environment.
May God’s peace be in your families,
Michael Green
Principal
GOSPEL: John 3:14-21
As Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be judged; but whoever does not believe is judged already, because that person does not believe in the Name of God's only Son. And the judgement is this: though the light has come into the world people have preferred darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, to prevent his actions from being shown up; but whoever does the truth comes out into the light, so that what he is doing may plainly appear as done in God.'
REFLECTION
The main characters in this Sunday’s Gospel are Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus had heard many stories about Jesus and also about the message he was preaching. Nicodemus was determined to listen to Jesus preach. Jesus taught with an authority that Nicodemus had never experienced in his life. Also, there was a quality of strength and integrity in Jesus that other preachers and prophets had not had. Nicodemus was determined to hear Jesus preach and speak and hopefully, to also talk with him.
However, Nicodemus also was concerned about what his fellow members of the Sanhedrin might say about him, if they found out that he had been listening to and talking with Jesus. The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish council and it wielded an enormous amount of power. The Sanhedrin had many written as well as a good number of unwritten rules regarding the behaviour of the members of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had no doubt that if he was seen talking with Jesus, most likely he would fall into disfavour with the Sanhedrin. However, Nicodemus decided to take this chance.
Nicodemus came up with a simple plan: he would go and see Jesus after darkness had fallen. When Nicodemus found Jesus, he approached him and said to him: “You are like no other teacher who has been sent from God.” Jesus then began to teach Nicodemus. He told Nicodemus and all who were listening that in the future he would be “lifted up.” He also told them that anyone who believed in him would gain eternal life!
If someone well known or famous came to you and told you that s/he would be “lifted up,” what would you think? Would you wonder if they were a bit off their rocker? Or would you take them seriously? However, Jesus had an authenticity and authority about him that the Pharisees simply did not have. Jesus did not just preach, his message came straight from his heart. Yes, his teaching was powerful but it also touched the people’s hearts. Many people experienced Jesus’ authenticity and they believed in Jesus and in his words.
Jesus was (and is) the “light” that came into this world! And even though darkness ruled and eventually killed him, His light still shines brightly! Do we experience Jesus’ “light” in our lives? Do we look for His presence, his message, his care, his love? We all have a “Nicodemus” within us who yearns to personally experience Jesus and his message. We long to be in his presence and experience his light and love!
Today and every day, Jesus is waiting for us to come, desiring that we listen to him and simply be with him! Today will we be like Nicodemus? Today, will we also seek Jesus out? Today may we open our eyes, hearts and minds to the reality of Jesus’ presence! He is with us! We just have to have open minds and hearts and notice his presence with us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
PROJECT COMPASSION: ARSAD FROM INDONESIA
Arsad, an Indonesian farmer, had no toilet in his home, so he had to walk into the forest to the open defecation area, even at night or in the rain.
Around 17 percent of Indonesia’s rural population practice open defecation , with many unaware that it contributes to spreading diseases.
Arsad’s family was often sick and open defecation caused neighbourhood disputes. With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner, Laz Harfa, he took part in hygiene, sanitation and financial management training. He decided to fund the building of a toilet in his house and facilitated others in his neighbourhood to save up for toilets.
Now, Arsad and his family are healthier and have reduced their medical expenses. Their community no longer practices open defecation and is more harmonious. A community event, called ‘Declaration of Open Defecation-Free’ was even held to acknowledge their achievements.
Improved hygiene practices helped Arsad’s community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caritas Australia, through Laz Harfa, also shared prevention measures and distributing soap and masks.
Arsad has inspired his neighbourhood to ‘Be More’.
“We help each other, the ‘togetherness’ is growing. Our solidarity had increased,” Arsad says.
Please remember to send in your donations for Project Compassion and help make the world a fairer place for all. Let us be more!
ST PATRICK'S DAY
Today our school celebrated St Patrick's Day with a beautiful Prayer Service presented by 4SS.
Catholics around the world celebrate St Patrick's Day on March 17th. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of overcoming all the ways that evil has tried to take you down and praying for even the people who seek to hurt you.
St. Patrick was a brave man who returned to Ireland, where he had been kept as a slave, to help convert the people of Ireland to Christianity from paganism. He lived with constant danger to his life. Legend has it he drove away the snakes of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. [http://www.catholicdigest.com)
We celebrate this special day at Mt Carmel as we have a special history with the Sisters of Mercy, who came to Yass from Ireland. This year all students wore green for a gold coin donation, which will be donated to Project Compassion. In addition to this, Stage 3 organised a cupcake stall to also raise funds for Project Compassion. We thank everyone for their contributions today and for using this special day to support such a worthy charity.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator
Canberra Goulburn Netball Championships
The Canberra Goulburn Championships will be held at Southwell Park on 29/3/21.
All students that are trialling for the Canberra Goulburn team are to complete the online registration through the CSNSW Sport Website: https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
In addition, students who register online need to see Mr Dunstan so that they can be placed into teams and registered for the carnival.
The carnival is predominately for years 5 and 6 students; however, capable year 4 students may also play.
Canberra Goulburn Rugby League Trials
The Canberra Goulburn Rugby League trials will be held at Taylor Park 1B Yass Road, Queanbeyan on 29/3/21. All students that are trialling for the Canberra Goulburn team are to complete the online registration through the CSNSW Sport Website: https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents
U11s – 9:00am – 12 noon
Opens – 12:30pm – 2:30pm
School sports shirt, football shorts and socks and all protective gear is to be worn. Please note that Mouthguards are Compulsory – Headgear is strongly recommended.
School Cross Country
Our school cross country carnival will be held on Friday 26th March. Years 3-6 will head to Walker Park shortly after morning assembly. 8, 9 and 10 year olds will complete two laps of the 1km track. 11 and 12 year olds will complete three laps of the 1km track. 8 year old students in Year 2 who wish to participate at Walker Park need to notify their teacher so arrangements can be made for them to walk with a Year 3 class. Students will be back at school by recess so will only need to take a drink bottle with them to the track. K-2 students will run their own modified cross country at school from 12:30 - 1:30, cheered on by the rest of the school.
Canberra/Goulburn Soccer Trials
Congratulations to Lachlan Brown, Archer Lees, Hugo Dunstan, Jonah Seselja and Digby Connell-Hewitt for making it on to the Canberra/Goulbourn Boys soccer team to participate in the MacKillop trials on Friday 23rd April 2021.
Canberra/Goulburn Cricket Trials
Trials for the Canberra/Goulburn Boys and Girls cricket team will be held in Gundagai on this Friday 19th March. Good luck to all those attending.
AFL After School Auskick Centre (ASC) program
The ASC is a 4-Week, one session per week, AFL After School Program which is run entirely by AFL Canberra.
They will be kicking off the ASC Term 2 week 1, to align with Yass Roos Auskick Season launch!
The sessions will be run at the Berinba Primary School oval at 3:30-4:30pm on a day of our choosing. The cost is $50 per student and by registering for the program each student will get an ASC Pack. This pack contains a footy, lunch box, pump, a pack of 2021 AFL cards.
If you are interested in attending the program, please let Mr Dunstan know before the end of term.
Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator
Congratulations to the recipients of this week's Coordinator Merits, which focused on 'Stay Safe'.
KJG Olivia Aksenov Johnathon Hamilton |
KNB Hannah Maher William Walsh |
1EK Sadie Ekin-Smyth Darcy Newman |
1SS Sophie Donoghue Benji Carroll |
2AH Zoe Leahy Spencer Crocker |
2LS Abby Hillman Fletcher Lees |
3JR Amber Watson Jackson Shelton |
3MA Zali Lenon Bob O'Brien |
3ML Rosie Rainger Harry Donoghue |
4SS Mia Pholi Brooke Reardon |
4TC Abby McEvoy Riley Hewitt |
5/6EG Isabel Sosower Digby Connell-Hewlett |
5/6GZ Rory Swadling Jake Wullaert |
5/6TD Caitlin Guiney Jesse MacDonald |
Merits will be presented at Thursday morning's assembly.
Next week, teachers will again focus on 'Stay Safe'.
The focus in SIZZLE for the next 2 weeks will be "Ask for Help”.
When asking for help from an adult or peer, students will learn to get the person’s attention, then make a request for help or assistance in a nice way.
Asking for help is an important skill because it:
- Helps you do your best
- Helps reduce a problem and often makes you feel better
- Is part of learning from others
Students will
- talk about the importance of asking for help,
- name feelings associated with asking for help,
- identify positive examples of asking for help
- show how to get a person’s attention and then request his or her help in a positive way.
Attached is the skill step card outlining the 4 steps of:
Think about what you need help with.
Signal to get the attention of someone who can help you.
Ask a question about the help you need in a nice way.
Smile and thank the person for helping you.
This week in Japanese we have been cooking Okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a popular street food from Osaka and is a savory version of Japanese pancakes, made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and your choice of protein, and topped with a variety of condiments.
Ingredients
1 cup plain all purpose flour
¾ cup dashi stock (you can use diluted chicken stock instead)
1 egg
Cabbage
Bacon
Okonomiyaki sauce (if you can’t find it in the shops you can make your own using 3 tablespoons tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce)
Mayonnaise
Method
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour with stock and whisk together until you get a smooth batter
- Add in the shredded cabbage and beaten egg, mix well
- In a hot pan place about 5-6 tablespoons of the cabbage mixture – keeping it as round as possible.
- Gently fry the bacon separately and place on the topside of the cooking pancake. Brush with some sauce and flip pancake.
- Brush with some more sauce and continue to frying until pancake is cooked.
- Remove from pan and top with more sauce and mayonnaise.
- いただきます - Itadakimasu – Enjoy!
Mt Carmel Annual Easter Hat Parade
Students will parade with their class.
Parents are invited and asked to be mindful of the 1.5m social distancing requirement.
We look forward to sharing this enjoyable event with you.
Trish O’Dell
Primary Coordinator
K-2- 2021 Cross Country Carnival
The K-2 Cross Country Carnival will be held next Week on Friday 26 March 2021 on the school bottom oval from 12.30pm-1.30pm.
Students are to wear their sports uniform, hats, sunscreen and bring their water bottle.
All parents are invited to come along and watch their child participate in this enjoyable school event, ensuring that 1.5m social distancing is adhered to.
Stage 3 students will also be attending to cheer and support their buddies.
McAuley win the House Spirit Garden Challenge!
Congratulations to McAuley who won the House Spirit Challenge last week when student were asked to bring something with a Garden theme.
Uniform Shop - New Girls' Winter Pants Now Available
The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon between 2.30pm– 4.00pm during school terms.
The new style of Girls' Winter Pants have arrived. Please pop into the shop and try them on. They have an adjustable waist and are a great fit.
Ordering Options - Uniform orders can be placed online via Qkr! or by order form, which can be collected and paid for from the front office.
All Qkr! orders placed before 2pm each Tuesday will be bundled up and sent home with your child on Wednesday afternoon.
Please note that if the incorrect size/item is ordered or the size selected does not fit correctly, please return the item along with a note regarding changes required and the correct size/item can be sent home.
Sacrament of Confirmation - Sunday 23 May 2021
The Catholic Parish of St Augustine's, Yass, invites children in Year 6 or older (particularly the Year 6 of 2020, who missed out because of Covid), who have made their First Eucharist, to continue their journey in faith by preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you believe your child is ready to take this next step and you are prepared to be involved in the journey, please enrol your child at St Augustine’s Presbytery on Wednesday 17 March or Thursday 18 March between 5-6pm. For further details and to print an enrolment form please visit the parish website http://staug-yass.org.au/wp/sacraments/confirmation/ or contact Dianne Carey 0419 276 889 Sacramental Team Leader.
In recent years, we have invited the children in Year 3 to receive the Sacraments of Penance and First Eucharist during Terms 1 and 2; and Year 6 to receive Confirmation in Term 3. Last year this tradition was interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Our Year 3s had their sacrament of Reconciliation delayed until September and didn’t receive First Eucharist until late November. At the time, members of the sacramental team and parish community commented on the greater understanding and more mature approach of the candidates. Following a meeting with Fr Peter, the Sacramental Team have decided to invite our Year 3s to complete and receive the Sacrament of Penance in early November (date to be confirmed), and then in Year 4 prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist to be received on the weekend of the Body and Blood of Christ, 18th and 19th June, 2022.
This year we will celebrate Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday. We invite children baptised in our tradition, who have made their First Holy Communion and are in Year 6 or beyond (particularly the Year 6 of 2020, who missed out because of Covid), to continue their journey in faith by preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Registration will be held in mid-March, with the sacrament received on the weekend 22nd and 23rd May. Specific Mass times to be decided once enrolment number have been finalised, so we can take into account Covid restrictions. For further details and to print the timetable or an enrolment form please visit the parish website http://staug-yass.org.au/wp/sacraments/confirmation/ or contact Dianne Carey (Sacramental Team Leader) on 0419 276 889.
Yass Show - Decorative Flowers Competition
Parents and students, please look to enter the Decorative Flowers section of the Yass Show 2021. No entry fee is required and a prize is given for place getters. delivery to the Roundhouse on friday 19th March from 7.30am-9.30am or 3pm-4pm.