Term 1, Week 8: Thursday 18th March, 2021
On Our Lenten Journey
Gracious God, as we continue our Lenten journey, help us to be people of hope.
God, you are with us.
Help us to be people of love.
God, you are with us.
Help us to be people of compassion.
God, you are with us.
Help us to be people of justice.
God, you are with us.
Help us to be people of courage.
God, you are with us.
"ASPIRE NOT TO HAVE MORE, BUT TO BE MORE!"
The Sacraments of the Catholic Church
We have had quite a few questions about the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, what they are, who can receive them and how this is done through our school and parish.
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments:
Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist (Communion) and Confirmation.
Sacraments of Healing – Reconciliation (Penance) and Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments of Service – Marriage/Matrimony and Holy Orders (Ordination to the Priesthood)
Catholics believe that the Sacraments are the means God uses to show His grace and help us achieve salvation. The word sacrament means "a sign of the sacred," which is fitting as they are all outwards signs from God to us. Not only are they signs, but they are also celebrations of a continued journey and relationship with God, teachings to help live out God's word and ceremonies to show devotion to God. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith.
Only those who have been baptised into the Catholic Church may receive these sacraments. The Sacrament of Baptism is the first to be received and is usually celebrated when a child is an infant. This sacrament officially welcomes a person into the Catholic faith. There are also pathways for older children and adults to be baptised into the Church.
Whilst at school, we teach all our students about the Catholic sacraments, but focus on some sacraments in more detail, for particular year levels.
In Year Four, all the students learn about the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). Those children who are baptised Catholics, are also prepared to receive this sacrament for the first time in Year Four. This sacrament is also known as confession. Children receive this around the age of 9, when they can distinguish between right and wrong. It is the things they have chosen to do even though they know they are wrong, that they go and confess or speak to the priest about during this sacrament. The conversation is generally around repairing relationships. After their first reconciliation, a person may go to receive this sacrament as many times as they like during their lifetime.
In Year Four, all the students learn about the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion). Those children who are baptised Catholics and have received the Sacrament of Penance, are prepared to receive this sacrament for the first time in Year 4. During this sacrament, the children receive the blessed sacrament, the host. After their first Eucharist, a person may go to receive the blessed sacrament, any time they go to Mass.
In Year Four, all the students learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation. Those children who are baptised Catholics, and who have received the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, are prepared to receive this sacrament in Year 4. This is the final sacrament of initiation. During this sacrament, the students are asked to renew the baptismal promises that were made for them by their parents and god-parents at baptism, and they are anointed with the oil of chrism. They select a sponsor to stand with them on the day and to support them on their faith journey.
During our classroom learning about the sacraments, we make links to other faiths and celebrations so that all our students have the opportunity to build on their understanding of the Catholic faith, while respecting their traditions and beliefs.
COMMUNITY ALERT!
An incident occurred with one of our students while walking to school today. A male approached him and offered him a lift to school. The student did all the right things. He refused the invitation, he backed away, he spoke with known adults after the incident and reported what had happened to school staff on his arrival at school. He helped Victorian Police with a description of the male and his vehicle. They are now investigating the incident. The other schools in Creswick have been notified, and a general watch alert has been issued to Ballarat and district schools. Our staff will connect with all students to remind them of stranger danger. Please follow this up with further conversation with your child(ren) over the next few days. Thank you.
Carpet for Sale
After the last renovation of our parish church there was a large amount of carpet that was not required. The carpet is in excellent condition as it has had only minimal use over the previous years. According to the carpet layers that did use some to carpet the altar section "the excess is in excellent condition and shows very little wear". If interested, please contact the office to arrange a viewing. Although the photo is showing the background as grey, please note the colour is actually a very nice green.
COVID Safe Arrangements
To ensure the health and safety of all community members, we ask that all families adhere to the following guidelines:
Testing- Symptomatic (Feeling unwell) or Asymptomatic: If their doctor recommends a family member to have COVID 19 testing, this person is asked to self-isolate until the results are known. Any children/siblings of this family are requested not to attend school until the testing results are known. At best, we will restrict the spread of possible contact with the virus if the test is positive. At worst we will have cost some children a few days at home if the test proves to be negative. This is a duty of care for all at school.
If your child is ill or is feeling unwell, they must not attend school. They must remain home and seek medical advice. Any unwell children WILL be sent home. We will temperature check any child we feel is ill.
Drink Bottles: Every child must have a drink bottle at school. There will be no access to the bubble taps. Children will be able to refill bottles if required.
Visitors to St. Augustine's: At this stage, parents, volunteers or community groups can now come onto the school premises or grounds. Please adhere to the 1.5-metre buffer when on the property.
Face Masks: Face masks are recommended where physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
Cleaning & Hygiene: To support students and staff's health and wellbeing of students and staff, the school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and encourage frequent handwashing by staff and students. Hand sanitiser will be readily available.
Physical distancing: A range of measures will be in place to enable staff to do this. Our advice is that social distancing is still very difficult to manage between students and that while we will always be endeavouring to do this when we can, the reality is that there will be times when this will not be able to occur.
School Drop off and Pickup: Students can be dropped off and picked up from Napier Street and can also be dropped off and picked up from the rear drive-through. Please do not park in this area as it is a strictly drive-through procedure.
International Women's Day!
"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better." (J.K.Rowling)
Monday 8th March was International Women's Day, a day where we celebrate women's achievements worldwide. Reflecting on my past experiences over 30 years of working in schools and particularly here St Augustine's, we do not need to look too far, to see women's positive impact. Our Primary Schools have a large number of women who choose the vocation of teaching. Our staff do a fantastic job supporting, nurturing, guiding and educating all in our care. They are tireless in their efforts and consistently challenge themselves to look for ways to do it better. We issue a special thank you to all the women in our community, for what you do to enrich the lives of St Augustine's children.
Tuck-Shop News
GREAT NEWS! Tuck-Shop is returning and will commence on the first Friday in Term 2 - 23rd April. It has been decided to minimise the menu. The winter menu will consist of:
* Party pie $1.50 * Mini vegetarian Pastie $1.50 * Sausage roll (large) $3.50 * Iced donut $1.50
It has also been decided to reinstate the original lunch bags. The school has purchased these for all students, they will be handed out at the end of this term. All orders must be placed via the CDFPay App. If you have any queries, please let Mandy know.
A BIG BIG thank you to Amelia Singline who has taken on the role of the Tuck-Shop coordinator again this year. Your time and efforts are very much appreciated! Amelia will now be seeking volunteers to assist her in the Tuck-Shop on Fridays.
Icy-Pole Days for Term 1
Icy-pole Friday's have been very successful and thouroughly enjoyed by the students. What a great job Miss Chris and the Year 6 students are doing in coordinating the sales and deliveries to classrooms each Friday. Icy-poles will be distributed as normal tomorrow and next Friday 26th March. However, icy-poles will be handed out during the first break on Thursday 1st April, as this is the last day of Term 1, with students finishing early at 1:45 pm. Note any students who missed out on receiving an icy-pole which was paid for, will be caught up next term. New orders will not be able to be placed, but catchups will roll on, until all have received their quanity paid for. We thank everyone for their support of Icy-pole Friday!!
Uniform Shop News
A reminder the Uniform Shop is now open every Tuesday at the end of the school day (approx 3 pm). If you have any items at home which you wish to sell, please drop them into into the Uniform Shop. We are in particular need of sports jumpers and V-Neck jumpers, in sizes 8 & 10. If you have any at home not being used, please send them in as soon as possible.
All items of uniform submitted to the Uniform shop should be clean, in good condition and must have attached a completed sales slip for each item. These slips are available in the office foyer.
If you have any queries please email me: bellul85@yahoo.com - including details of what you are looking for (including size, etc.) and I will respond to you as soon as I can. Thanks, Bernie Ellul.
Student Achievements!
At the beginning of Term 4 2020, Zander Robinson, Tom Pearce, Jack Clohesy, Jett Windus, Izak Davis, Harry Evans & Liam Wright formed the team 'The Lords' to play Futsal in Ballarat. They played every Tuesday afternoon against other primary school teams from around Ballarat.
Let’s go Warriors! The Lords came home with trophies in hand on Tuesday the 16th after coming runners up in a nail biting penalty shoot out at the end of term Gala Day! Well done team!!
CONGRATULATIONS ZANDER: A flyer was sent home advertising the opportunity to try out for the Western Victorian Warriors Futsal Team. Zander attended 2 sessions of elimination trials and was chosen as part of the Under 9 West Vic team! He played his first tournament on Saturday the 6th of March. Zander will play in the next tournament being held in April, running over 3 consecutive days. Well done Zander, what a great achievement!!
Dates to Note!
MARCH
Tuesday 23rd: Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held at 9:15 am, followed by the normal Parish Mass at 10 am - all welcome to attend!
Wednesday 24th: Final day of Swimming Program
APRIL
Thursday 1st: Icy-pole Thursday!
Thursday 1st: Last Day of Term 1 - Students finish at 1:45 pm
Friday 2nd: Good Friday
Saturday 3rd: Holy Saturday
Sunday 4th: Easter Sunday
Monday 19th: Term 2 commences
Tuesday 20th: Parent Meeting for the Sacrament of Confirmation at 3:30 pm in the hall
MAY
Sunday 2nd: Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am
Thursday 6th: School Photos
Sunday 9th: Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am
Sunday 16th: Dismissal Mass at 8:30 am
Sunday 23rd: Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at 8:30 am Mass