Immaculate Heart College Through Mary to Jesus: “The Way, the Truth and the Life” John 14:6

COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 6

July/August, 2013

“Let’s go fly a kite!”

Kindergarten students enjoying their authentic and individual kites on a windy day!

Message from Father Paul We would like to thank the people who have been working in the College’s Garden of Eden. Although it may not look much like a Garden of Eden at the moment, it is steadily taking shape with wonderful vegetable beds, an orchard, and a dozen free range chickens! So, it is just a matter of time before it turns into the oasis it is intended to be. We have also received a great deal of fill towards developing the sports oval. It also is gradually taking shape. Congratulations to the children for their costumes at the end of Book Week and a special thank you for the wonderful celebrations for my birthday on Friday.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FATHER PAUL!” Message from the Principal The term is moving along at a very rapid pace, already at the half-way mark! Important deadlines for both the State and Federal Census have been met, along with other accountability deadlines. As is expected, schools are very busy places and everyone has a benchmark to aim for and deadlines to meet. This applies to our teachers and their students as well as they work towards improving literacy and numeracy standards, along with setting and meeting a variety of academic goals. The remarkable and rewarding aspect of being an educator and leader in a school is witnessing the changes that take place in students during the academic year. These manifest themselves publicly at our Parent Assemblies where children demonstrate their capabilities in various creative and often surprising ways! It is a constant source of joy for me as principal to witness the academic growth, social development, and spiritual maturation of our students, particularly at Parent Assemblies where they exude confidence and skill in their presentations. As such, the students are a credit to our school and a source of pride to their teachers. Furthermore, they represent the sound upbringing of their respective families, indicative of a College community of people with shared moral values and purpose; that is, the sturdy upbringing of children in a challenging and often threatening social environment. Together we can achieve this goal! Welcome A special “Welcome!” is extended to our newest IHC students, Hugh Haley in Pre-primary and Nicholas Clark-Francis in Year 4. The welcome is also extended to their families whom we look forward to seeing more of at various College events. Open Mornings Both of our new enrolments have taken place as a direct result of the Open Mornings that are held periodically at the school. This term, there are three Open Mornings planned; Tuesday 6 August, Tuesday 27 August, and Tuesday 17 September. They are scheduled from 9.30am to 11.00am and they include a welcome and overview by the Principal regarding the College’s educational program and academic focus areas, its Catholic ethos, and future building plans; a tour of the classrooms and College grounds; Morning Tea, with opportunity for questions to be answered; and the issuing of Enrolment Packs. In all respects, the Open Mornings prove to be a lovely way to spend a morning! Parents, please inform family and friends who may be interested in our school of the forthcoming Open Mornings - Tuesday 27 August and Tuesday 17 September, 9.30am to 11.00am, in the Assembly Hall. Virtue for the Month of August The virtue for the month of August is LOVE FOR THE CHURCH. The mission of the month is to love the church and the model saint is St Mary McKillop. The students will be learning about the virtue in more detail in Religious Education lessons.

Importance of Attending School Every Day The following excerpts; one from The West Australian and the other from a Summary Report by Ms Valerie Gould, Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of WA (AISWA), from a study on school attendance, provide vital information regarding the importance of students attending school every day, and the detrimental effects of students who are frequently absent from school, especially where there is no real reason for the absence. Every day counts for students: The West Australian - Bethany Hiatt WA primary school students are missing an average of 16 days a year, putting them up to six weeks behind in their learning, a landmark report has found. The study, the first to link school attendance records with results from national literacy and numeracy tests, found that any absence from school had a cumulative negative effect on students' future achievements in reading, writing and Mathematics. Report Release: Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts – Valerie Gould, Executive Director of AISWA This report documents the findings of a detailed study of the relationship between attendance at school and student outcomes. The research team used data from the WA Department of Education on school enrolment, attendance and NAPLAN (literacy and numeracy) achievement from 2008 to 2012 to assess the attendance patterns of over 415,000 primary and secondary students across the 5-year period. Key findings:  Children develop their “attendance careers” from as early as Year 1.  Disparities in attendance rates are also evident from Year 1. They are carried into, and become wider, in secondary school. Initiatives aimed at improving attendance therefore need to start early.  There is no “safe” threshold of absence. Attendance matters for achievement and every day counts.  Unauthorised absences are more strongly associated with poor achievement than authorised absences.  Most achievement disparities are in place at the outset of Year 3. Improving the attendance of disadvantaged students may help to reduce these, or prevent the gaps from becoming wider over time. Start of the Day While on the matter of the importance of regular attendance at school, it is also important that students arrive to school on time and that they commence their day at 8.45am. To this end, parents are asked kindly to refrain from speaking to teachers at length at the start of the day, allowing them to commence their teaching duties as soon as the bell rings at 8.45am. The teachers are keen to set the tone for the day, the optimum time for which is the first few minutes after the bell has sounded. In this way, they engage the students from the outset, achieving maximum results. Parents at IHC are generally diligent in this regard and are to be commended for their respect of the College’s teaching staff and timetable. St John Ambulance First Aid Focus Incursion

Kindergarten to Year 1 students learning basic First Aid

On Wednesday 3 July (last week of Term Two), all IHC students underwent basic First Aid training through the St John Ambulance First Aid Focus Incursion. The cluster groups of Kindergarten to Year 1 and Year 2 to Year 4 enjoyed a hands-on experience, learning invaluable skills for survival. The students remained attentive throughout their respective sessions as the St John Ambulance First Aid Officer demonstrated how to save a person’s life. Of course, some were keen to play the part of the casualty who needed to be saved!

Year 2 to Year 4 students watching First Aid being applied to casualty, George Gorst (Year 2) School Banking Program I would like to take this opportunity to offer special thanks to Mrs Anna McLennan for initiating the School Banking Program at IHC and for running it with efficiency and diligence. Mrs McLennan has worked hard to establish the Program but is now in a position where she can no longer offer her time due to work and study commitments. Mrs Michelle Compton has taken on the role of School Banking Coordinator, along with her other role of School Uniform Coordinator. We thank Mrs Compton for her ongoing efforts and support of the College. School Canteen Another extremely successful venture at IHC is our new College Canteen, Kangaroo View Café. Since it began operations a few weeks ago, it has been an absolute hit with both staff and students, catering to various tastes whilst offering a healthy and flavoursome menu. In addition, there is the weekly special, known as the Boomers’ Weekly Special that provides a surprise element to the existing food fare. The extraordinary efforts that go towards the preparation of Friday’s menu must be attributed largely to Mrs Ali Anderson (Canteen Manager) and her small group of helpers. As the ordering of food continues to be streamlined, the Canteen will be one of the most successful ventures of the IHC P&F Association. Nature-based Play Areas Promotion Parents, please visit the website where our proposed nature-based play areas are being promoted for the purpose of attracting support from individuals or businesses in the form of materials, labour and/or monetary gifts. We are one of the projects of the new funding platform called Jumpstartz and, to this end, we all need to help promote the project by directing persons whom we think might be able to assist in any way to the website, www.jumpstartz.com to see and hear what the project entails. A new deadline of 30 November is in place, allowing individuals and businesses time to provide their goods and/or services to the College for the building of the proposed nature-based play areas. However, this project requires our collective promotion in order for it to be a success. Therefore, it is imperative that we all visit the website, view the promotional video that I have prepared, and inform our family and friends that

this project exists, hopefully eliciting their support in this way. The total cost of the project has been set at $30,000 but it can be achieved with much less money than that. All that is required is for individuals or businesses to go online and to record their pledge next to the various items to which they can contribute. Thank you in advance for your promotion of this special IHC project that will provide our children with exciting play areas that engage their physical, cognitive and emotional faculties by connecting them with nature. Certificates of Merit and Accomplishment The following students were presented Certificates of Merit and/or Accomplishment at the Parent Assemblies of Friday 2 August and Friday 16 August. Congratulations are extended to all of the recipients and their families! IHC Certificate of Merit – 2 August Seth Anderson Rhys Coomber-Pill Kiara Edwards Hugh Haley Emillie Parsons Shaun Pudhota George Gorst Max Maras Harrison Anderson William Gorst Savannah Zarb

IHC Certificate of Merit – 16 August Hamish McLennan Kestin van Blitterswyk Ella Maras Cooper Smith Mj Anderson Leigh Atin Ethan Smith Carla Vicedo

K4J Certificate of Accomplishment – 2 August Isabella Cassidy Max Maras Luca Nicolopoulos Harmarnie Barker Ethan Smith

K4J Certificate of Accomplishment – 16 August George Gorst Carla Vicedo

Faction Points The accumulated Faction Points at the end of Week 4, Term Three are as follows: Fortitude 878 Justice 830 Prudence 835 Temperance 681 Well done to all students in each of the Factions! Book Week and Scholastic Book Fair An exceptionally successful week in many regards, Book Week 2013 (Read across the universe), was an inaugural celebration for IHC, and one that will be repeated every year from now on. The focus was the celebration of books and the importance of reading, achieved by regular visits to the Library and orders and purchases made through the Scholastic Book Fair. The Fair lasted throughout the week and students simply could not get enough of the experience of browsing and shopping for their own books, posters, and other literary goodies! Express thanks go to Mrs Cathy Byrne (Kindergarten Teacher) for initiating the Scholastic Book Fair, and to Ms Janna Curson for taking the book orders daily.

The highlight of the week was the Book Week Parade which took place on Friday 23 August. Students were given the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character which they then paraded at a special assembly. The array of costumes and book characters was impressive, as was the enthusiasm of the children as they announced their character and the reason why they chose him or her. Equally as impressive were the book characters chosen by the teachers who joined me in getting into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up as well!

Cinderella addressing an audience of wonderful book characters!

“Where’s Wally?”

Mary Poppins

Rapunzel

John the Baptist

Pocahontas

I would like to thank all parents for their extraordinary efforts in preparing the children for this wonderful event by making, hiring or buying costumes for the day. It allowed the children to see their favourite book characters come to life and to feel part of a whole school community rejoicing in the wonder of literature! Scholastic Book Club The Scholastic Book Club, initiated by Mrs Cathy Byrne, and with the assistance of Mrs Kerrie van Blitterswyk, has earned $159 for the College through the first Book Club orders made by the students. This regular and much anticipated event is yet another way of enhancing the literacy skills of our students. Asthma Foundation Fundraiser Day This initiative is part of National Asthma Week (1-7 September); a week dedicated to raising awareness about the seriousness of Asthma in Australia. Our school will be holding a Free Dress Day called ‘Bust out in Blue’ on Tuesday 3 September. Students will be invited to wear something blue as part of their free dress and to donate a gold coin for the Asthma Foundation WA. Mental Health Promotion “Good mental health in children is just as important as it is in adolescents and adults. Even from a young age, children can learn how to cope with their emotions, become resilient and develop positive relationships. This is referred to as ‘social emotional learning’. Amongst other things, school work can be affected by how a child is feeling. It has been found that happier children are better learners. There are many influences on a child’s mental health, with the most significant being the family. Tips for improving the mental health of children within the home include:  Listen to children’s concerns  Provide reassurance  Provide security  Build children’s strengths and allow for vulnerabilities  Talk to school staff  Seek additional help if necessary For further information, please contact your school psychologist or counsellor.” The College’s School Psychologist can be contacted through the Principal. For spiritual guidance and assistance in all matters relating to the Faith, please speak to Father Paul, Sister Teresita, Sister Ramona, Mrs Doris Anastasiades, or any other member of staff. IHC Choir Performance Rehearsals for the IHC Choir’s special performance at the Lower Chittering Markets on Saturday 7 September are well underway. All students from Pre-primary to Year 4 rehearse the repertoire of Hymns, Greek songs and other songs, whilst a Choir of 31 students will represent the College on this day. This is a tremendous outcome and I thank all parents for their support, realising that some students cannot come due to various circumstances. As the date draws near, excitement continues to mount. If the rehearsals are any indication, it should be an enjoyable event that attracts positive attention for our school! Polling Booth at IHC Due to the unavailability of the Lower Chittering Hall for polling purposes on Saturday 7 September, the Assembly Hall of our school will be used as a polling booth instead. This provides us with yet another opportunity to open our doors to the public and to offer our special brand of hospitality, inviting voters to partake of Sausage Sizzle, buy home-made jams and other items, as well as raffle tickets. Of course, these

ventures require personnel to assist so if you can offer an hour or two of your time on this day, the IHC P&F Association Executive will be extremely grateful! Please see Mrs Trudy Riley (P&F President) for entry onto a roster for the day. All monies raised go towards providing various resources for our students. Athletics Carnival Preparation and Training Another major event coming up in Term Three is the Athletics Carnival. Who can forget last year’s MiniOlympic Athletics Carnival! It was a very exciting day with much activity and tradition in the true spirit of the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece, coinciding of course with the 2012 London Olympics. This year, we continue to hone our athleticism with the voluntary assistance of IHC parent, Ms Janna Curson, who has offered us her expertise in the field of athletics training. We are indebted to Ms Curson for her supremely organised and energised approach to the training, engendering a genuine enthusiasm in the students for athletics as well as for the Carnival on Wednesday 25 September. Further to the weekly training regime, Ms Curson has arranged for a Little Athletics Coaching Clinic on Friday 30 August for all students from Kindergarten to Year 4. The Clinic will run from 10.40am through to 12.30pm with the cluster groups of Kindergarten and Pre-primary and Years 1 to 4 taking turns to be trained in their specific areas of need. Again, we thank Ms Curson for arranging this important Incursion. Remaining Key Events in Term Three OPEN MORNING (9.30 – 11.00) Parent Assembly (Year 1 Class Item) & Little Athletics Coaching Clinic Asthma Foundation Fundraiser – ‘Bust out in Blue’ (Free Dress Day wearing at least one blue-coloured clothing item for a gold coin donation) Wednesday 4 September: Royal Agricultural Society of WA Incursion for IHC students (K-4) Saturday 7 September: IHC Choir Performance at the Lower Chittering Markets (10.45am for an 11.00am start) Friday 13 September: Parent Assembly (Combined Pre-primary & Kindergarten Class Items) Tuesday 17 September: OPEN MORNING (9.30 – 11.00) Wednesday 25 September: IHC Athletics Carnival (Lower Chittering Oval, 8.30am to 3.00pm) Friday 27 September: Last day of Term Three Saturday 12 October: IHC P&F Quiz Night (Assembly Hall)-Last Saturday of Term Three holidays Tuesday 27 August: Friday 30 August: Tuesday 3 September:

Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis Principal

Messages from the Staff Kindergarten Spring has sprung in the Kindy this term! Our topic for this term is ‘Nature’ and we have been busy investigating the four seasons and different weather conditions. We have been keeping a daily weather chart, making wind chimes and kites, conducting an ice-melting experiment, as well as creating a beautiful Spring Display Board. The children have also had a lot of fun playing in our classroom ‘camp site’. We are currently learning all about plants and have planted sunflower seeds and strawberry seedlings. We are now waiting very patiently for them to grow!

We will be finishing the term with the topic of Mini Beasts (aka insects!) and will be learning all about healthy foods and good hygiene. Mrs Cathy Byrne Kindergarten Teacher

Year 1 Please see the attached report from our Year 1 Teacher. Miss Elodie Longbottom Year 1 Teacher

Year 3/4 Please see the attached report from our Year 3/4 Teacher. Mr Darryl Phillips Year 3/4 Teacher

COLLEGE CALENDAR TERM 3 (10 weeks) Monday 22 July Tuesday 23 July Friday 27 September

Staff Day Start of Term 3 – Students End of Term 3 – Staff and Students

TERM 4 (9 weeks) Monday 14 October Friday 13 December

Start of Term 4 – Staff and Students End of Term 4 – Students

Uniform Shop Coordinator’s Message With Term Four fast approaching, I would like to let everyone know of a few changes in our Uniform Shop. I have set opening hours for the Uniform Shop; these being Monday and Friday mornings from 8.30 – 9.00 am. However, I am at school every day and am happy to accommodate parents who need items outside of these hours. Please text me on 0411 771 033 and I will meet you at the Uniform Shop. For parents with children who catch the bus, I am happy to work with your children either via a note or text message from you. I will give your child the uniform item whilst an invoice will be sent home if money is not sent with the child on the day. I will also be offering the sale of second hand uniform items. If you wish to purchase any item, cash must be given on the day. It will, in turn, be given directly to the seller. If you have uniform items that your children have outgrown, they may be given as a donation to the Uniform Shop or they can be sold on consignment. We have the problem of children mistakenly taking home uniform items not belonging to them. Please check name labels and if this has happened, please send the item back to school with your child to be given either to the owner or handed to me and I will endeavour to return it to the owner. Finally, if any IHC parents are interested in helping a worthy cause, please see the High Tea invitation below. Thank you.

Mrs Michelle Compton Uniform Shop Coordinator

COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 72. What was the original condition of the human person according to the plan of God? 374-379, 384 In creating man and woman God had given them a special participation in his own divine life in holiness and justice. In the plan of God they would not have had to suffer or die. Furthermore, a perfect harmony held sway within the human person, a harmony between creature and Creator, between man and woman, as well as between the first human couple and all of creation. The Fall 73. How should we understand the reality of sin? 385-389 Sin is present in human history. This reality of sin can be understood clearly only in the light of divine revelation and above all in the light of Christ the Saviour of all. Where sin abounded, He made grace to abound all the more. 74. What was the fall of the angels? 391-395, 414 This expression indicates that Satan and the other demons, about which Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church speak, were angels, created good by God. They were, however, transformed into evil because with a free and irrevocable choice they rejected God and His Kingdom, thus giving rise to the existence of hell. They try to associate human beings with their revolt against God. However, God has wrought in Christ a sure victory over the Evil One. 75. What was the first human sin? 396-403, 415-417 When tempted by the devil, the first man and woman allowed trust in their Creator to die in their hearts. In their disobedience they wished to become “like God” but without God and not in accordance with God (Genesis 3:5). Thus, Adam and Eve immediately lost for themselves and for all their descendants the original grace of holiness and justice. 76. What is original sin? 404, 419 Original sin, in which all human beings are born, is the state of deprivation of original holiness and justice. It is a sin “contracted” by us not “committed”; it is a state of birth and not a personal act. Because of the original unity of all human beings, it is transmitted to the descendants of Adam “not by imitation, but by propagation”. This transmission remains a mystery which we cannot fully understand. 77. What other consequences derive from original sin? 405-409, 418 In consequence of original sin human nature, without being totally corrupted, is wounded in its natural powers. It is subject to ignorance, to suffering, and to the dominion of death and is inclined toward sin. This inclination is called concupiscence. 78. After the first sin, what did God do? 410-412, 420 After the first sin, the world was inundated with sin but God did not abandon man to the power of death. Rather, He foretold in a mysterious way in the “Protoevangelium” (Genesis 3:15) that evil would be conquered and that man would be lifted up from his fall. This was the first proclamation of the Messiah and Redeemer. Therefore, the fall would be called in the future a “happy fault” because it “gained for us so great a Redeemer” (Liturgy of the Easter Vigil).