Newsletter May 9, 2025
Newsletter May 9, 2025
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Paul Dwyer, Principal
pdwyer@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Thanks so much to Genevieve for taking the beautiful Mother's Day Photos.
Thanks so much to Genevieve for taking the beautiful Mother's Day Photos.
Dear Parents,
It was fabulous to see so many mothers, grandmothers and visitors at our annual Mothers’ Day breakfast this morning! There was a vibrant energy in the hall as students enjoyed a delicious hot breakfast with their families, to thank and celebrate our mums. Thank you to our Parents and Friends group, led by Lauren Wilson and Sarah Cruise, and ably assisted by a generous and hard -working team of mums and dads, who set up, cooked, served and packed up. A huge task for which I am very grateful.
Thank you also to Genevieve Kalev for taking family photos, and to our Foundation and Year 2 students and staff, who sang beautifully in honour of our mums. I often reflect on how lucky we are as a school community to have such beautiful children and families. Thank you to all of our wonderful mums (including mums on staff) for the many ways you support your families and our school. On behalf of the school community, I wish all mothers a very happy, peaceful and relaxing Mothers’ Day on Sunday.
Congratulations to our newly elected Pope, who has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo is an American, born in Chicago, and a member of the Catholic Augustinian order. We look forward to Pope Leo’s leadership and wisdom guiding us forward into the future.
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter. On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, when we are asked to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. So, this is also a day when we reflect upon the tender image of Jesus as the Shepherd of us all. Let us all pray for more shepherds within our Church, who will shepherd God’s flock with the Heart of Christ.
Well done to all Year 4 to Year 6 students who participated in our Cross Country trials at school today. Thank you also to Reagon Haines, who ran the trials and is organising our final team. This team will compete at the District Cross Country Competition on Tuesday 20th May.
Please note these forthcoming dates: Our Year 3 and 4 swimming program will commence on Monday 26th May and run for 9 lessons (Monday to Thursday over 2 weeks), and will finish on Tuesday 10th June.
Our senior school students are looking forward to going on their camp in less than 3 weeks time. The outdoor adventure camp is at Camp Adanac in Yarra Junction. It will run from Wednesday 28th May to Friday 30th May (3 days, 2 nights). Further information will be sent out regarding this next week.
The public holiday for the King’s birthday is on Monday 9th June, and our school closure day will be held on the following Monday, 16th June.
Regards,
Paul Dwyer, Principal
Car Park
Parents may open the gate and drive their cars into the school grounds at 2:30pm as long as there are no classes playing / working on the asphalt. The car park is a part of the play ground and includes basketball court and volleyball court which needs to be available should a teacher wish to use this with her / his class.Car Park
Maire Macphie, Administration
Office News
Office News
School Fees
School Fees
Please ensure you are either on a direct debit plan for regular payments towards your fees (link below) or if you are paying in 3 instalments then one third of your total fees was due and payable.- Friday 4th April. Refer to your fee statement for direct bank transfer or Bpay details.
Please contact Maire (Maura) MacPhie with any queries - mmacphie@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Please do not hesitate to email the office team on office@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au for any questions or to share information.
Parents - please ensure that your child's Subway order has been submitted before the cut off time. The Subway lunches are organised by Canteen Hub, not the school.
Religious Education
Religious Education
Zeeta Andrew, Religious Education Leader
zandrew@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Today, we were delighted to welcome Mums and Grandmas to join their children for our special Mother’s Day Breakfast. Afterward, Mums gathered with their children for a special prayer session.
Today, we were delighted to welcome Mums and Grandmas to join their children for our special Mother’s Day Breakfast. Afterward, Mums gathered with their children for a special prayer session.
A sincere thank you to the P&F for their generous support, which helped make the morning a joyful and memorable celebration.
We hope all Mums enjoy a wonderful day on Sunday, May 11th, filled with love and blessings from your families.
In this month of May, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we take a moment to pray and give thanks for the love and care of our Mums. May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of us all, bless all Mothers with peace and joy.
Thank You for Supporting Our Charity Fundraisers
Thank You for Supporting Our Charity Fundraisers
We’re pleased to share that we raised $410.40 for Project Compassion – Caritas, a charity dedicated to supporting communities around the world through education, healthcare, and sustainable development.
In addition, our Crazy Sock Day fundraiser was a fun and successful event, raising $230.60. These funds will be donated to St Vincent de Paul, an organisation that provides essential support to individuals and families experiencing hardship in our local community.
Thank you once again for your ongoing generosity and support in helping our students learn the value of compassion, service, and giving back to those in need. Together, we are making a positive impact!
SWD celebrated their Liturgy of the Word
SWD celebrated their Liturgy of the Word
(Fourth Sunday of Easter)
This Thursday 8th May, SWD (Year 5/6) participated in the Liturgy of the Word.
This Thursday 8th May, SWD (Year 5/6) participated in the Liturgy of the Word.
The following is their reflection and prayers:
Welcome to the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening to Him, highlighting how He knows and cares for each of us, regardless of who we are. This week's readings focus on the significance of hearing Jesus' voice and understanding His messages.
Dadirri
As a class, we practiced a concept called Dadirri. It is a practice of deep listening that encourages stillness and mindfulness, helping us connect with ourselves, the Holy Spirit, and our surroundings.
Miriam-Rose, an Aboriginal writer, senior elder, and Australian of the Year, describes deep listening through Dadirri as follows:
"Dadirri is inner, deep listening—quiet and still, with an awareness that calls us to the deep spring within. We call on it, and it calls to us.
Prayers of the Faithful:
Prayers of the Faithful:
Dear God,
We pray for all the families that have lost a family member. We pray they heal, Lord hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God,
We pray that during this time of Easter season, we continue to reflect on how we can be signs of hope and new life. Lord hear us
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God,
We pray for the passing of Pope Francis, we pray he will rest in peace, Lord hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, We pray for all the sufferings that they experience God’s peace and comfort. Lord hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Dear God,
In this Jubilee Year, we pray that we may be signs of hope in our world through all that we do and how we treat one another. Lord hear us.
Upcoming Class Mass times (Yr 3 - 6)/ Liturgy of the Word (Yr F-2)
for Term 2. All are warmly invited.
Upcoming Class Mass times (Yr 3 - 6)/ Liturgy of the Word (Yr F-2)
for Term 2. All are warmly invited.
Visual Art
Visual Art
Mel Wharton
mwharton@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
A Little Something for Mum on Mother's Day
A Little Something for Mum on Mother's Day
Every year in the Art Hub we celebrate our Mums, Nans and the students' beautiful female figures in their lives and create a gift straight from the heart. I have really enjoyed watching the students embrace making a "little something" special and I hope you enjoy their gift and it brings a smile to your face on Mother's Day.
Please start collecting washed bottle top lids in a variety of sizes and colours.
Please start collecting washed bottle top lids in a variety of sizes and colours.
The lids can be from milk containers, laundry detergents, medicine lids... the more shapes, sizes and colour the better!
The lids can be from milk containers, laundry detergents, medicine lids... the more shapes, sizes and colour the better!
They can be dropped off at the ART HUB on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Thanks in advance for your help !
As part of the Visual Arts program the students are required to wear an ART SMOCK for all the messy and painting activities. An art smock can be an old shirt, apron or old tshirt.No art smock= No painting.Please ensure your child has a labelled art smock at school.Many thanks for your support and assistance with this.
English
English
Carolyn Yass, English Leader
cyass@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Learning Innovations
Learning Innovations
Rebecca Todisco, Curriculum & Educational Leader
rtodisco@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
Dream City
Dream City
by Liam C
by Liam C
On the 5/5/25 all of the grade 3’s and 4’s went on an incursion at school. We did lots of fun activities with the DreamCity crew members like VR headsets, creating our own power circuits and controlling robotic cars with ipads. It was fun. First we made our own power circuits then we did VR headsets. One of the games you could play was Angry Birds. It was really fun. Lastly, we controlled robotic cars with ipads. It was fun. (Written by Liam C)
The Foundation children enjoyed blowing bubbles as part of their language experience and writing lesson.
The Foundation children enjoyed blowing bubbles as part of their language experience and writing lesson.
Vice President,
Sarah Cruise
Secretary,
Elizabeth Bonner
Treasurer,
Lauren O'Toole
Everyone Welcome!
Everyone Welcome!
All parents and friends of the school are encouraged to come to the P & F meetings and all are welcome. If you are unable to attend meetings but would like to be involved please send an email to pandfpresident@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au
If anyone is interested in supporting the P&F, meetings are held once a month on a Friday, some in person and some via zoom. New faces are always welcome.
Before & After School Care
Before & After School Care
Camp Australia
Camp Australia
The Camp Australia Outside school hours care program provides a safe environment ain which all can explore and play.
Operoo
Operoo
Thank you to families who keep their Operoo profiles up to date such as when they change their address, phone number, parents work contact details etc. If you could also email the office@sjcarrumdowns.catholic.edu.au and let us know, so that we can adjust on our system as well.
Uniform
Uniform
St Joachim's Uniform is available from Peninsula Uniforms online shop or by visiting their shop in Carrum Downs.
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