22 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

IMPORTANT DATES

Principals Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a hectic week it has been with illness taking its toll on our classes and staff. The coming few weeks promises to be another busy but exciting one. With Family Week next week (classroom visit and lunch), and the many activities for Father’s Day. I know the work taking place in our classrooms has been fantastic and I am eager to see our students next week in their learning. I sincerely hope you are able to join us for lunch next Friday at 10.30am as year 4 / 6 are having their class cafe.

As part of the school’s push to improve learning through IT, Smart TV’s – or interactive whiteboards have been installed in the Prep to Year 6 classrooms over the last few months. The Library will be next. Smart TV’s – or interactive whiteboards – combine the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer bringing dynamic, interactive digital content to the classroom so that students can better engage, retain and understand information. Smart TV’s in our classrooms enable students and teachers to write, erase and manipulate information, open documents, launch applications and navigate the internet simultaneously with a pen or finger. I am letting you know in case your child is coming home and saying that we keep watching TV. This is partly true as it does look like a large TV.

We have had some excellent feedback in regards to our new Mission Statement which was discussed and reworded. If you would like to make any suggestions please email the school or myself.

St Kieran’s Catholic School Mission Statement

As learners, we are united to love God, love one another in an enriching educational environment where all families feel a sense of belonging as a community of believers.

Below is the group photo of us supporting Kellie on the RODEO Ball night.

God Bless,
Claudine Dank

The Word - Ordinary Time 21

The Lord says this, “I am coming to gather the nations. They shall come to witness my glory. I will send some of them to distant lands that have never heard of me. There they shall proclaim my glory.” Luke 13:22-30

Called to the feast: Isaiah speaks of the Lord gathering people from every nation. In the Gospel (LK 13:22-23) Jesus speaks of gathering people from all over the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. We too are called to this feast.

World Migrant and Refugee Sunday

Sunday the 25th of August also acknowledges those who have left their homelands in search of a better life through World Migrants Sunday. The theme for this Sunday is “Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting and Integrating Migrants and Refugees”. Pope Francis reminds us that “every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ”. By his own example, Jesus entrusts us with a mission of love that respects the dignity and fundamental rights of all people. Some of us may not know or engage with refugees or migrants. Nonetheless, the values, attitudes and principles of extending welcome, offering protection and promoting the good of others is no less important in our society. Each one of us has a role in opening the door to Jesus Christ.Year 4 will lead us with a prayer this Friday the 23rd of August.

Pope Francis Prayer Intention

The August prayer intention for Pope Francis is Families, Schools of Human Development. Take the time this month to sit and watch the attached video and pray with our family.

Father’s Day Celebrations

On Friday the 30th of August (Week 7), we take the time to acknowledge and celebrate all the men who are there for us and help guide us through our everyday lives with a special Father’s Day breakfast. Please join us for assembly as Prep will lead the community in prayer.

Students will have the opportunity to purchase a gift at the Father’s Day Stall which will be held on Thursday the 29th of August.

Parish Information

Important website for parents -

Multicultural festival - If you are able to help with the set up, during the night or pack away please call or go and see the parish. They are still after helpers.

Gold Bullion Tickets - are on sale for $100 for the chance to win $10,000 and other prizes.

WheelBarrow Raffle - If you would like to donate for this please take the item to the Parish.

BINGO - Helpers needed for a Sunday afternoon. Please call Alex or Robyn Dolzan on 0427434981 if you would like to help out.

Combined Church Service - This Sunday at 10.30 am in the Good Shepherd Catholic College Hall off Camooweal Street.

Diocesan information

August has been a very eventful month for a number of parishes in our diocese, as the pastoral planning item below shows in the sense of both disruption and new opportunities. August also commenced with the final days of Catholic Education Week which followed hot on the heels of Mulkadee Youth Arts Festival. I am conscious also that Allister Crocker, diocesan President of SVdP has been visiting parish SVdP Conferences around the diocese, and I am very much aware of how much our SVdP Conferences have been angels of assistance to flood victims through the year. All of this activity is significant in its particular context and part of the multilayered life and mission of the Church that unfolds in all parts of our diocese every day. On the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary may we seek wisdom and assistance from her in all that we do.

Plenary Council 2020

The National Centre for Pastoral Research has just published Listen to what the Spirit is saying, the final report of the Listening and Dialogue stage of the Plenary Council. The report captures the voices of the more than 222,000 people who shared their submissions, questions and stories of faith during the 10-month process. Access the report at the link below.

Acceptance of Emene Kelemete for Ordination to the Priesthood

On Wednesday afternoon I accepted the unanimous support of Monsignor John Grace, Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary and the Seminary staff in recommending Emene Kelemete for ordination to the Ministerial Priesthood.

Fr Damian McGrath, Parish Priest of Ingham and the priest overseeing Emene’s Diaconal placement, has also spoken in favour of ordaining Emene to the Ministerial Priesthood.

As such, I accept these recommendations and look forward to conferring the sacrament of Holy Orders on Emene on October 31, 2019.

We have confirmed that Ignatius Park College Hall, Emene’s High School will be the venue and the ordination liturgy will commence at 7pm. The details of Emene’s first Mass will be decided shortly. This will be a joyous occasion for all in the Diocese and I would encourage you to come along or join us via the livestream.

Please join me in congratulating Emene and continuing to pray for him in these months leading up to his Ordination.

Curriculum

Literacy 2020 Plan

Over the past two terms we have been working closely with Saint Joseph’s Cloncurry as well as Mrs Nic Betramelli from TCEO to plan our whole school Literacy focus for 2020 and beyond. With the success of the InitiaLit Program in the Prep and One classrooms we will be fully implementing InitiaLit into the Year Two classroom next year. As InitiaLit is solely a Prep-2 Program we will also be introducing some changes into the Years 3-6 classrooms next year as well.

It has been wonderful being able to collaborate with Saint Joseph’s Cloncurry and look forward to working closely with their staff to implement our new Literacy Plan. We will be offering information sessions for parents regarding InitiaLit as well as our new 3-6 plans later next term.

Environmental/Sustainability Education

Teaching our students about sustainable practices has always been something we have been passionate about here at Saint Kieran’s but we would like to do more!! Currently we have three garden beds producing herbs and small vegetable items. We are recycling poppers and milk bottles as well as composting food scraps.

We are planning to extend our garden project to make it bigger and better, to do this we will need help. If you are an avid gardener or know someone who would like to be involved, please encourage them to come along to our garden meeting next Thursday at 4:45 in the Parent Engagement Room.

We are also looking for donations of any recyclable materials that could be used to create new garden beds, old troughs, baths, timber etc. If you think you can help please contact Mel via email msiemer1@skmtsv.catholic.edu.au

In September Woolworths have announced that replacing Ooshies will be gardening rewards such as seeds etc. If you aren’t a collector please cash in these rewards and donate them to the garden club, all donations will be gratefully received!!!!

Indigenous Education

Mini Murri’s

This Friday is our annual Mini Murri’s Under 8’s Day. We are excited to welcome children from various local Kindy’s to celebrate with us! We have lots of fun activities for the children as well some special treats including a mini disco run by Justin from MobFM and visits from local emergency services. All families are welcome to come along and join in the fun. We will be kicking off at 9am and finishing at 11. Our 3-6 students will be joining in the fun from around 10:30.

Library

Book Week: Aug 22nd Dress Up. This logo is the theme for book week. Students are asked to find a book that has a character they can relate to. This character may have a secret power or talent.

Students in Prep - Year 6 are welcomed to come dressed up on in their favorite character. They will all participate in the parade at 10.15 am. It is an exciting way to promote reading especially to those students who haven’t quite caught the reading bug. Mrs Anderson has organised some great prizes to be won.

Get to know our staff – Mrs Vanessa Hobbs

Hello my name is Vanessa Hobbs, my husband and I have lived here in Mount Isa for 15 years.  We have 2 beautiful children, Talitha who is in year 6 and Chad who is year 4 and they both go to St Kieran’s.  I have worked as a relief school officer for the past 2 years and now I work full time at St Kieran’s. I split my time between prep and year 5.  My husband is a truck driver and he carts cattle so we don't get to see him as much as we would like.When we are all together as a family, we love to travel and just spend quality time together as a family. Even if that means Talitha and Chad are working with Dad to do maintenance on the truck and trailers. We are also mad animal lovers and if it was possible we would live on 100 acres and have a wide variety of animals but we don't, so we just spoil our three pets that we do have very much. We love living in Mount Isa and are proud to be part of the St Kieran’s family.

Playgroup

Little K’s Playgroup is free and all are welcome. Mondays 8:30am to 10:00am.

Last week at Little K’s we had a lovely quiet morning painting. This week we celebrated Book Week! Even though the blustery weather kept us inside and away from our Secret Agent Spy School activities (we will do this next week), there was still plenty of fun using some magic pens to find some secrets hidden in their puzzle books along with some imaginative play and box house construction. The children were also excited to wear their very own secret agent shirts and even more excited that they got to take them home!

P&F Dates

All meetings start at 5.30pm

Thursday 29th August
Tuesday 17th September
Thursday 24th October
Thursday 28th November

Tuckshop

St Kieran’s Buy, Swap, Sell

Dual Kitchen sink for sale

Large light covers

Community Notices