Guardian Angels' Newsletter Term1 Week 3 2024
From the Principal
Congratulations to our 2024 School Leaders
Yesterday, we gathered together as community for our 2024 Leadership Commissioning Ceremony. It was wonderful to gather for liturgy and share in this celebration with students, staff, parents, extended family members and parishioners all a welcomed presence. For our Year 6 student leaders, accepting their badges from their parents during the liturgy was a very proud moment for all to share in. There will be many opportunities throughout the year for our community to guide our student leaders to make new discoveries and to recognise the gifts that they each have to give as leaders in our school. Remembering that in Jesus, our students have a role model who had a leadership style that is inspiring, and is still impacting our culture today (Source: Bibleleadership.com).
A defining characteristic about Jesus’ leadership is that His life of service originated from his relationship with God. He is a servant leader, not motivated by his personal desire for power or status, but to serve. To be a follower of Jesus, meant that you would also be a leader, and a good leader also has to be a good follower. His was a style of leadership that focused on ‘do what I do’ rather than ‘do what I say’. Jesus influenced many diverse people during his ministry but compelled no-one to follow Him. His teachings empowered them to make up their own minds, to exercise their own freedom. Jesus’ clear mission is to transform the world through transformed people. Most of all, the values that He held were present in His words and actions to those around Him– everyday (Source: Bibleleadership.com).
Jesus was about empowering others and he lived his values. We need to teach our children to live their values. To be leaders who can identify what they stand for and how they will do things; to ‘LIVE the GA Way’. Our students in Year 6 will have the opportunity to develop practical skills to assist them in their roles as leaders in our school, whilst growing in their individual capacity as leaders. Being involved in leadership at our school is an important responsibility and a fantastic opportunity to make an impact on others. Through interaction with others and participation in activities, our students will explore how leaders are responsible for bringing ideas to life. (Source: Bibleleadership.com).
Thank you to Rhiannon Cameron and the Year 5/6 Teaching Team, for all their efforts in making our Leadership Commissioning Ceremony a memorable celebration.
From the Assistant Principal - Administration
Good afternoon lovely families …
It will be just so lovely to share the Parent Partnership Evening with you all next Thursday 15 February. Be sure to take some time to enjoy the Parent Partnership sways that will be sent home to you tomorrow. They are really wonderful and you will hear about the important routines for your child and the incredible teaching and learning that our teachers have planned for our students. You will also hear about whole school information that makes our school the most wonderful place to be. I know these experiences further confirm how important the partnerships are between home and school.
Drop Off and Pick Up Zone Information
I realise that I dedicated quite a sizeable component of my previous newsletter to the routines of Drop Off and Pick Up.
We now have a large number of families who are accessing this drop off and pick up service and it is really wonderful to see the vast majority of people who are following the processes and procedures properly to minimise risk to our beautiful students.
Over the past week however, I have witnessed a number of practices from a significant number of drivers that are in direct contradiction to the processes that must be followed when using these zones. I would just like to remind all of our drop off and pick up processes. These are of utmost importance to minimize risk to students and drivers, keep our little ones safe and nurture wonderful relationships as a school community:
· Drivers are to remain in their cars at all times in these zones. I have witnessed a number of parents, usually of small children, who are getting out of their cars in the zone to assist their child, help do up their seat belt etc. It is of utmost importance that all drivers remain in their cars. We certainly have a teacher in the GA Pick Up Zone (and often some wonderful volunteers) to help our little ones into their cars. If they cannot do up their seat belt by themselves however, parents may need to park their car and walk in to collect their child; waiting to use the Pick Up Zone once your little one can do up their seat belt.
· Please approach the drop off and pick up zones from the correct areas.
Akonna Street (GA Campus), please approach the zone from Cedar Street ONLY; NOT from Pine Street. Cutting in means that you push in front of other drivers who are waiting in the queue. This has happened a number of times over the past few weeks and is very frustrating for any drivers who are waiting to enter the zone from the appropriate place. Even if you are entering the zone at a later time, please ensure you are following the procedures and entering from Cedar Street rather than coming around the corner at Pine Street.
Pine Street (MC Campus, please approach the zone from Tingal Road direction.
· The church car park IS NOT a drop off/pick up area. Please DO NOT ask your children to get out of your vehicle or enter the vehicle in a drop off mode. You are so welcome to PARK your car in the car park and walk to get your child/ren however stopping your car so that the student/s can just hop in or out, is not acceptable. This is a very dangerous practice and I have personally witnessed many close calls in the car park over the years. Please do not do this. If we see students waiting to get into a vehicle in this manner, we will always redirect them to the GA Pick Up Zone.
· Similarly, Chestnut Street (outside or near the MC Office) is also NOT a drop off or pick up area. We will always redirect students to the MC Pick Up Zone if we see them waiting here. Some drivers have been double parking and letting students out to walk in to school. Please don’t do this from this area.
Of course we will always have a kind word to any driver we see who may not have followed the processes and procedures of our Drop Off and Pick Up Zones. We absolutely need your support in this area to ensure our little angels are kept safe and sound. It is also very important that you let any other person who may use the zones eg grandparents, day carers etc so that they are aware of the expectations of use in these areas
Many thanks for your kind understanding in this important matter. And don’t forget … I would LOVE to have you volunteer for 20-30 mornings or afternoons in the GA Drop Off and Pick Up Zones. Let Fiona know (MC Office) if you are able to help out.
Blessings of peace to you all for the coming week
Nicole Waller
From the Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Good afternoon families.
This week our Year 5 and 6 Leaders participated in Servant Leadership formation session. The children spent time reflecting on what it means to be a leader and how they can be a leader within our school community. The students spent time reflecting through the Gospel, in connection with our Franciscan Charism. The students created a symbol of their leadership and wrote a personal leadership commitment for 2024.
We marked this special time for our Year 6 Leaders with a Commissioning Ceremony. Students were asked to be servant leaders and to make a commitment to leading our school community. Our Year 6 leaders were then invited to confirm their commitment as leaders of our community by declaring the following:
As Year 6 leaders at Guardian Angels’ in 2024, we will endeavour to let our words teach and our actions speak. We will lead by upholding our school’s Gospel values as students of faith we will:
· aim high and fly
· follow Jesus’ way and lead by example
· include others and show respect
· act safely and make positive choices.
May we strive to be the best we can be, to fulfil our school motto “To Achieve Life”.
We also announced our School House Captains and Choir and Band Captains for 2024.
Congratulations to following students:
Katara House Captain Sofia Piloto
Katara House Captain Willow Burrows
Balcara House Captain Lily Mayne
Balcara House Captain Olivia Jones
Arlunga House Captain Mila Crase
Arlunga House Captain Daisy Gunther
Choir Captain Emma Fry
Choir Captain Sienna Sheehan
Band Captain Eloise Alcorn
Band Captain Cloe Gomes Da Costa
Project Compassion
Next week we will be launching our Project Compassion Appeal for 2024. This year, the theme For All Future Generations is inspired by the story of the burning bush in the book of Exodus (Exodus 3:1–20).
God said,
'This is my name for all time; by this name I shall be invoked for all generations to come.'
Exodus 3:15
In this story, God tells Moses that he has heard the cry of the people. God responds to things not being fair and chooses Moses to speak to Pharaoh.
Though Moses is afraid, God promises to be with him.
As God called Moses, so now God calls us to work for all future generations.
The Project Compassion appeal helps to raise money and awareness for less fortunate people throughout our world. It helps them to gain access to education, something which they may not have received previously, which in turn helps them to create an income for their own families and communities. Each week students will hear a story of how people in our world, who are fighting the odds are when graced with the kindness of people like you, extraordinary things can happen.
If you would like to have a look at the resources available please use the link below. https://www.caritas.org.au/resources/project-compassion/?audience=Teacher
This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations.
Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita is a mother of two young boys living in a slum in Quezon City. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children.
Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions.
Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.
Throughout Project Compassion, you will get to know the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory. Journey with them as they forge a path to a brighter future for all generations.
Pancake Breakfast
Next Tuesday, 13th February, is Shrove Tuesday. This year we will be having a pancake breakfast to acknowledge this day and launch our Project Compassion Appeal. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation for a pancake. This event will happen before school 8:05am – 8:25am on both Campus’s.
Please note, that we do try our best to ensure we can accommodate our students with food allergies. On the day we will have a Woolworths brand gluten free option and a Green’s brand available for students who may have an egg allergy. Although we do try our best, please understand that we cannot guarantee that all pancakes will be safe for all allergy needs and we ask that you consider this when allowing your child to participate. We look forward to a wonderful morning.
Important Dates:
• Tuesday 13th February – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast
• Wednesday 14th February - Ash Wednesday - Whole School Mass – Shed – 9am
• Tuesday 21st March – Harmony Day – Class Liturgy
· Thursday 28th March – Easter Liturgy – Whole School – Shed – 9am
I hope you have a wonderful week.
God Bless and take care,
Rhiannon
From the Primary Learning Leader
When discussing teaching and learning here at Guardian Angels’ you will hear many times the children and staff referring to “The Third Teacher.”
The ‘First Teacher’ includes the adults that contribute to the child’s learning. The ‘second teacher’ includes the child’s peers. The ‘third teacher’ includes the space in which the child learns. Here at Guardian Angels our classrooms become interactive learning spaces which are inclusive and accessible and where children and teachers co-construct Learning Walls that students can refer to at any time to increase their understanding of what they are learning and where they are at with their learning.
The Third teacher prompts can include anchor charts, unpacked Learning Intentions, co-constructed Success Criteria, Learning Walls with “big idea thinking,” student work samples and Bump It Up Walls.
It has been lovely seeing our Learning Walls in action around our school with our students actively engaging with them to support their learning.
It will be wonderful for you to view our learning spaces and discuss the Learning Walls (Third Teacher) with your child/children during our Parent Partnership Evening. I look forward to seeing you then.
Elisha Thatcher
My New Gallery
Coming up @ GA
Friday 9 February | P & F Welcome BBQ | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | MC Shed
Week 4
Monday 12 February
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Tuesday 13 February
Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Breakfast 8:05am - 8:25am MC Shed
Wednesday 14 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
School
Ash Wednesday - Whole School Mass - 9:00am MC Shed (All Welcome)
Roar Active After School Program 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Thursday 15 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm - 4pm
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Instrumental Music Program (Creative Kidz)
Parent Partnership Evening 3:15pm - 5:15pm
Friday 16 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Week 5
Monday 19 February
Uniform Shop open 7:30am - 10:30am
Wednesday 21 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Thursday 22 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
Uniform Shop open 1:00pm - 4pm
Yr 1 - Yr 6 Instrumental Music Program (Creative Kidz)
Friday 23 February
Tuckshop (Orders must be in by 7:30am)
In other news ........
Just a reminder that the Parent Slip for our Oli Program is due Wednesday the 14th of February. Please note that students in Year 4 – 6 can only take their IPADS home if the parent slip complete. Year 3 will be taking their IPADS home after NAPLAN.
From the Tuckshop
Tuckshop Volunteer Roster
Wednesday 14 February - Christine Ford
Thursday 15 February - Kylie Culwick
Friday 16 February - Karen Slater
Wednesday 21 February - HELPER NEEDED
Thursday 22 February - HELPER NEEDED
Friday 23 February - Gabrielle Soler
Please contact Annalise Olm - aolm@bce.catholic.edu.au - if you are able to volunteer your time in the canteen in 2024.
Before commencing your role as a volunteer or other personnel at our school, you are required to complete the online volunteer training. This training needs to be renewed annually and can be found here: https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/students-parents/student-protection/Pages/Student-Protection-and-Code-of-Conduct-Training-for-Volunteers-and-Other-Personnel.aspx
From the Parish
Bible Study Group
Each Thursday, the parish will host Bible study sessions, offering two sessions for participants.
The first session runs from 10am to 12pm, while the second session is scheduled from 7 pm to 9 pm.
All individuals are invited to join these gatherings and engage in meaningful discussions and reflections on scripture.