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ROAD TO RECOVERY
Yesterday Premier Andrews shared with Victoria a plan for a return to some form of normality. Although I didn't hear everything I wanted to hear as far as students returning to school we now know when the potential finish line for return to school is.
What we do know is
- Online learning continues for every year level for the remainder of Term Three and for the first week of Term Four.
- Starting on the 12th of October (Week Two of Term Four) students in Prep to Year Two will return to on site learning. The support of learning from home for Years Prep to Year Two will cease at this point
- Starting on the 26th of October students in Year 3 to Year 6 are scheduled to return to on site learning subject to Health advice. For weeks one, two and three of term four they will continue with online learning.
What we don’t yet know is
- With increased numbers of people being able to return to work outside the home what support can schools offer regarding students attending school.
Catholic Education Melbourne and the Department of Education will again provide us with guidelines which will be shared with me later this week. In the meantime two things are happening at St Peter’s.
- The first is that we remain fully committed to providing as much support to all our children and our families. Staff are continuing to engage in the online space and will continue to adjust programs and timetables in response to student and family needs. These last two weeks of term have the potential to drain the fuel tanks of our students and we know you as parents and guardians will monitor that and advise your child’s teacher via email if your child is doing it tough. At the same time it is a drain on families and in the same way just let us know if your family needs adjustment or support.
- The second is that we are already planning the St Peter’s Road to Recovery. We have begun to look at what can be done in Term four to provide students with a time at school that is safe, engaging and fun.
Our families, students and staff have been amazingly resilient throughout this whole period of lockdown. This is something we should never forget and should feel proud of. I reflect on the ability of our children to be able to face future challenges with a mindset of "I can do this". If they can deal with lockdown and stay strong, they can do anything!
If there is anything I can be doing to support you or if you have questions that you are wondering about please email me at feedback@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
My next communication with the whole school will be in the newsletter next Monday the 14th of September.
BUDDY CATCH UP
Last week the Year 5s and their Prep Buddies met virtually through a Google Meet. It was such a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon!
As part of a Literacy task the Year 5s composed questions for their buddy and they then conducted the interview.
Jeremy from PMR said to Luke after the interview: "You did really well with your questions!" So sweet!
Kate (Yr5) and her buddy Sia look like sisters and were chatting like they had known each other for years! They even introduced their mums!
Harrison (PMR) introduced his sister to Lincoln and then showed his amazing collection of balls.
Cooper (Yr 5) and Aemon had so much in common! They both LOVE Lego. Cooper had made Aemon a Lego video which would have taken hours to develop... Aemon was so excited!!
LAST DAY OF TERM
The last day of Term Three is Friday, 18th September. Staff will be offline from 2:30 on that day. The afternoon session will be our end of term assembly and then the holidays will begin. Students on site will be dismissed at 3:25pm on that day.
DAYS OF NO ONLINE LEARNING
Even while we are in this period of lockdown we are continuing our school review process to enable us to evaluate the last four years and to plan for the next four years of our strategic plan. Staff will be working in teams online on Friday, 11th September. There will be no online or onsite learning for students on this day. OSHClub will be offering a full day program for children of permitted workers.
SCHOOL FEES
If you require any assistance please email fees@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au so that I can assist you in responding to your needs. This email address is only viewed by me and Loretta Ballas, our school Finance officer. All correspondence is confidential.
ST. PETER'S EXCURSION AROUND THE WORLD
Whole School Excursion - Reflections
Excursions this year have been nonexistent but Mr Mac planned a different excursion for us all. On Wednesday we went around the world. Not really, we went around the world virtually.
First we went to the USA and we went to Disneyland!!! We went on some rides. Obviously they weren't in person but we watched some videos that were like we were riding the rides. Then we could design a ride for Disneyland. Then we went to the Staples Center and did some basketball training. Then it was time to pack our bags and get ready to go to our next destination.
AFRICA. In Africa we took a tour around the Savanna and we took a trip to Egypt. We learnt about ancient Egyptians and we made a shelter. Then we went to our next destination
In Europe we went to Paris France and took a trip to the cloud and we got to do the same artwork. We had to paint, draw or sculpt an artwork to put in the Louvre. Then in London we became monarchs for a day and we ruled the commonwealth.
In Asia we got to make our favorite asian dish and played a traditional japanese game.
We went to South America and did some soccer drills and then we went to our last stop, Antarctica where we did a science experiment.
In the end it was amazing and we all thank Mr Mac for organising it.
Around the world Movie - Annabel Wall
Week 8 Assembly
The Year 6 Assembly Team has created another amazing assembly for you. With the help of Mr Lane they have put together a range of reflections and information. We hope you had fun watching it on Friday at 2:30. In case you missed the link here it is.
BUCKET FILLER WINNERS WEEK 8
STAR AWARD WINNERS WEEK 8
PREP TO YEAR 2
'For Being Positive and Working Even When Things Get Hard'
Nikita Leontaritis & Christian Pinto PSH, Molly McLean, Liam Bam & Chloe Taranto PHP, Sia Black, Samuel Diamantaras & Jeremy Dudeja PMR, Caitlin Pickering, Chloe Mavriopoulos & Alexander England PDG
Stella Lawless, Samuel O'Connor & Harper Westlow 1CO, Lachlan Webb, Tomas Mamic & Paige Divall 1GC
Charlie Cosentino, Tom Kearney & Francesco Lungo 2GP, Ryan Burke & Abbey Dessent 2AC, Charlie Lane & Katelynn Chung Yan Kow 2GS, Antonia Abbondanza & Denver Tanti 2IK
YEAR 3 & YEAR 4
'For Fostering a 'Can Do' Attitude Towards Online Learning at St. Peter's'
Maddie McDowall, Harrison Galitos & Catya Sargiotis 3GM, Gabriella Pinto, Holly Pelc & Annabelle Sheen 3LK, Amelie Nasello, Matthew Boccari & Jake Baratta 3MR
Paige Mikhael & Laurence Bloomfield 4KS, Lily Gatto & Fraser Hall 4SS, Annabel Wall & Johnathon Perera 4JK
YEAR 5 & YEAR 6
'For Overcoming Challenges With A Positive Attitude'
Gabriela Machuca, Luke Edwards & Zara D'Souza 5FJ, Ruby Evans, Mitch Campbell & Tisya Chopra 5PH, Archer O'Connor & Alex Bridges 5RD, Adhi Prathish Menon, Holly Kearney & Cooper Berlingeri 5GM
Syanne Ancora, Charlee Griffin & Grace Lawrence 6VCT, Max Matthews, Noah Phillips & Aisha Hall 6SH, Owen Howe & Sebastian Noutsis 6KM
Congratulations and well done to these students!!
THOUGHTS WITH A CUPPA
AWARENESS IS THE KEY TO LIFE
What an amazing Term 3. Who would have ever thought we would be in a situation where we experienced curfews, lockdown, compulsory wearing of masks and remote learning. Some have said that this is a sign from the world saying that we need to take better care of the world we live in.
I am not sure about you but I have experienced a different sort of tiredness this term. From weekend to weekend and one day to another day I try, or perhaps attempt, to get my one hour of exercise in so that I don’t give in to the feeling of apathy.
Whatever situation we find ourselves in we always have the opportunity of deepening our sense of God.
The key not only to the spiritual life but to life is AWARENESS. Am I aware of what is going on inside of me and around me? When we become aware it gives us the ability to know. And when we know we are able to make better decisions.
Awareness is the key to life.
Edward Dooley (Mission and Faith Leader)
Awareness, Awareness, Awareness (Sr Joan Chittister)
One day, a traveller begged the Teacher for a word of wisdom that would guide the rest of the journey.
The Teacher nodded affably and, though it was the Day of Silence, took a sheet of paper and wrote on it a single word, “Awareness.”
“Awareness?” the traveller said, perplexed. “That’s far too brief. Couldn’t you expand on that a bit?”
So the Teacher took the paper back and wrote, “Awareness, awareness, awareness.”
“But what do these words mean?” the traveller insisted.
Finally the Teacher reached for the paper and wrote, clearly and firmly, “Awareness, awareness, awareness means… Awareness!”
Awareness of the sacred in life is what holds our world together and the lack of awareness and sacred care is what is tearing it apart. We’re a people who lack awareness. We’re a world that has lost a sense of balance. We’re a people for whom wholeness is a frayed and sorry notion. It’s so hard to think that the herbicides I use in my garden contribute to the poisoning of the planet. Or that the emission from our car is one emission too many for our neighbourhood. Or that things, things, things are crowding out our senses and our souls.
In the face of all of that, Benedictine spirituality does not ask the monastic to be a pauper or a stranger in the land. Monastics, the Rule declares, are to be given “the proper amount of food” (RB 39), “the proper amount of drink” (RB 40), “the clothing of the region, whatever they need” (RB 55). No, destitution is not of the essence of Benedictine spirituality. Benedictine spirituality asks simply for harmony, awareness, and balance. Benedictine spirituality asks us to spend our time well and to be careful that our wants are not confused with our needs and to treat the world and everything in it as sacred. Benedictine spirituality asks us to recognize our connectedness. Benedictine spirituality calls us to be mindful.
Benedictine spirituality asks us to be mindful about things. Monastics must learn to use what they are and what they have for the good of the human race. Each of us has been given something to keep well: a garden, a room, an apartment, our bodies. That much, surely, we could take care of mindfully.
Monastic mindfulness recognizes that small actions are global in their scope and meaning. People who would not litter in a church will litter on the highway because they see no connection between the two. A monastic mentality, on the other hand, considers the two actions the same.
To live a life of Benedictine awareness means we must come to see what we cannot. To the monastic mind, everything speaks of God. What I have and what I do not have. What I want and what I do not want. What I care for and what I do not care for. But the message is not easily extracted. It takes reflection and prayer and the wisdom of others. Life takes working through.