Principal’s Report – Issue 2

Issue 02, Principal's Report

Dear Parents

One of the most enjoyable aspects of holidays is looking forward to them and, for children, the prospect of the Christmas holidays offered a large amount of enjoyment. So, here we are at the other end of those holidays, wondering whatever happened to them. Fortunately, coming back to school is a little like coming to “home away from home” for we reunite our family with the broader family of the school community.

Helen Rowland described home as “any four walls that enclose the right person”, and an unknown person once described a school as “a room with four walls, with tomorrow inside”. Both descriptions have more than the “four walls” as a common element; each suggests that what’s inside the walls is the real essence of what makes a home or a school and that is its people.

This Catholic school is a true community of persons. It may borrow good administration models and practices from secular schools but it is not merely a business that produces an educational product. This school endeavours to provide the opportunities for students to explore, reflect and integrate a Christian understanding of nature, self, society and God to manifest this in their life through behaviours based on love, care and forgiveness.

This school wants to assist each of its students to develop a strong, positive self-concept by providing a continually friendly, supportive environment based on respect for the person and sensitivity to individual differences. It wants to provide its students and parents with the experience of a Christian community at work and play.

Though parents are the prime educators of their children, the education of a child is not the sole responsibility of the parent or the school; it is a happy and informed combination of both. So it is vital that parents are one with the school as it endeavours to foster each students’ growth in personal relationship with Christ. This it strives to do by the teaching of Catholic truths and the introduction of students to the Sacraments within the experience of their Christian Community.

One of the exciting things about a school is that its “life” never grows old; it undergoes a transfusion or replenishment of youthful innocence at the beginning of each year. So, a warm welcome to our new students and their families and a “welcome back” to the “old” students and families who are our living school. May a spirit of generosity and goodwill prevail in our school throughout the year, so that the Catholic education that occurs here is truly an expression of the mission of Jesus to his Church. May the special character of our Christian Community be of benefit to the broader community around us.

School Routines

Let me congratulate all the students for their efforts last week. It was pleasing to see the children return to school procedures and formalities with such ease. The participation and reverence displayed by the students at our Beginning of School Year Mass highlighted this transition and was most commendable.

It was also wonderful to see quite a number of parents in attendance. This representation is tremendous as it is vital that our children see the importance that Mum and Dad place on these celebrations. There is no doubt the students appreciate having their parents in attendance whenever possible.

School Priorities 2018

Attached to this newsletter is an outline of the School Priorities for 2018. This information was shared at the Parent Information Night on Tuesday.

Valentine’s Day

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

Each of us who has a special story to tell; the story that reflects our life, our journey and the people that have shared the journey with us. On Valentine’s Day, we remember to acknowledge those around us by simple gestures that show those we love, our appreciation each day.

Every 14 February  we celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving flowers, chocolates and cards to those we love. We do this in honour of Saint Valentine. But who is St Valentine?

Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those who were married. With this thought in mind, he outlawed marriage for young men in the hopes of building a stronger military base. Valentine decided this decree just wasn’t fair and chose to marry young couples secretly.

Too often, St Valentine’s Day is a rush to buy gifts rather than a time to thank God for love in one’s own life. The following prayer for St Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to invite God into St Valentine’s Day:

God of love,
Thank you for those who I love.
Let Your compassion, generosity and power continue to shine
in my life long after the flowers and chocolates are gone,
that I and all who I love might remember
that You love us, now and always.

Amen.

Parent Information Evening

It was fantastic to see so many parents attend the Parent Information Evening on Tuesday. The opportunity for parents to come together to initially hear about the Vision and Focus for 2018, and then to be informed by their child’s class teacher about some key aspects of the particular year level is most valuable. In talking with parents over the course of the evening there was a real sense of positivity and excitement. Many thanks to the teachers and staff for their efforts in conducting these evenings.

 

School Board

Our first Board meeting will be held next Tuesday, 13 February evening. The 2018 School Board consists of the following members of our community:

Principal Mr Paul Hille
Parish Priest Fr Greg Burke
Board Chairperson Mr Ric Olivieri
Secretary Mrs Jessica Musca
Treasurer Mr Sam Modica
Board Member  Mrs Hein Trang
Board Member  Mrs Nicola Ceccehele
Parish Rep  Mrs Nevellene Linquist
Ex officio (observer)  Ms Clare Moffat
Ex officio (observer)  Mr Frank  Colangelo

I look forward to working alongside the members of the School Board to ensure that our children are the recipients of the best Catholic education we are able to possibly give.  I realise that it is not always easy to find time in the ‘busyness’ of our lives, but our children certainly deserve, and will benefit from, whatever time and support we are able to give.

This year promises to be a very productive year with the Board working with the Leadership Team, P&F Association, and staff in promoting our goal of ‘Expect Great Things’ as we strive to become A LEADing Learning School in all areas of our school.

Infant Jesus School Code of Conduct

As discussed on Tuesday evening, the school has a Code of Conduct that all members of the Infant Jesus School community need to adhere to. The complete Code of Conduct for parents is attached to the newsletter and published on the school website

2019 Kindergarten Enrolments

Enrolments are now being taken for siblings and new students wishing to commence Kindergarten at Infant Jesus School in 2019. Families with children eligible for Kindergarten in 2019 are required to fill out a Kindergarten Enrolment Application Form.  Interviews for Kindergarten 2019 will commence at the beginning of Term 2. Infant Jesus School  will continue to operate two concurrent Kindergarten groups next year with the days of attendance being Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Prayer

Dear God,
Bless this school which we have built for the education of our young people.
Bless our students and teachers, our parents,  employees
and all who promote sound education in our community.
May our children grow in wisdom, age and grace
before You and all Your people.
May this school always be a home of truth and wisdom,
of faith and good will toward all.
Through the prayers of
Our Lady,  St Dominic and the Infant Jesus,
may this school help our community
and build Your kingdom of justice, light and peace.

 

Amen

Thought for the Week

You’re happiest while you’re making the greatest contribution.
Robert F Kennedy

Best Wishes for the week ahead and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening at the Back to School Picnic.

 

 

Kind regards

Paul Hille

Principal

#ExpectGreatThings

© Infant Jesus School 2017
17 Smith St, Morley WA 6062
Tel: (08) 9276 1769 | Fax: (08) 9276 2998

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