Week 5 Term 1 2022

Dear Families and Friends,

Ukraine Crisis

I have been terribly saddened in the past week, watching and hearing about the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis. My mother and father came to Australia from Ukraine and then Germany as refugees after the Second World War, working hard to give me and my 3 siblings opportunities for a better life than what would have been in Ukraine.  I was raised with strong links to my cultural background, going to Ukrainian school on Saturday mornings for 13 years, learning the language and the rich culture for which I take great pride. 

I am so grateful to have grown up and lived in peace in Australia, unlike my aunties, uncles and cousins who live in Ukraine. It is heart wrenching to hear about what is happening and of course I am very concerned for their safety. Please join me in praying for peace and sovereignty for Ukraine and its peoples.

House Leaders

Students in Years 5 & 6 are given the opportunity to apply to be a House Leader and share their strengths, abilities, talents and personality with their House Team through a short speech. This occurred last Friday where students in Years 3-6 voted for their House Leaders along with teachers and leadership. 

Congratulations to the following students. We know you will be fantastic leaders at IHM in 2022 and promote the Pillar of Hope in our community. 

Chevalier

Harper Stanley
Eva Hynes
Alexandra Nikolas

Beovich

Ruby Skehan
Isabella Piesse
Alexia Ukwu

Hartzer

Asha Lovegrove
Caleb Peach
Riley Whelan

Annual Report and AGM

Later this week, every family will be sent an electronic copy of the 2021 Annual Report. This report synthesizes the school’s growth and achievements for the year. I am very proud of what has been achieved since 2020, despite the challenges of ‘seamlessly’ operating whilst a building program surrounded us and the challenges of managing COVID safety!

IHM’s strengths in ensuring excellent academic and social outcomes can be attributed to the combined contribution of every staff member in partnership with parents and the community. We all work together for the good of every child.

I most sincerely thank everyone for their contribution no matter how big or small. Collaboration, commitment and inspiration are clear features of our work as a flourishing community.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments in relation to the report. The report will be tabled and briefly outlined at our Zoom meeting AGM on Wednesday the 9th March at 6.30pm if you would like to join us, please let us know by emailing info@ihm.catholic.edu.au

School Board Membership Nominations

The School Board are significant partners in the strategic decision making and direction setting of our school, a voice that represents all parents in the interest of all children at IMH. If you are interested please see the previous letter sent out and contact Julie for a nomination form.

State Election

With the State Election fast approaching, Catholic Education SA have been actively engaging with the major political parties to ensure that they are aware of and commit to matters of importance. I have also written to our Local MPs about these important issues including, student funding for Catholic Schools, Capital Funding, COVID 19 responsibilities and more. To read more go to https:///www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/state-election

COVID Updates and Reminders

Positive Case Action

Where there is a positive case, parents of children in the class will be notified via email. Please read carefully and follow the advice set out by SA Health in the letter. Appropriate cleaning will occur and staff who are close contacts will RAT test daily for 7 days.

If your child is home - Learning at Home

Our teachers will do their best to provide as much continuity of learning as is possible for each child’s circumstance. Please allow a reasonable amount of time to enable teachers to contact you and set any work if necessary, as they still have daily teaching to attend to with the class. 

If your child is at home due to having COVID or being a close contact, there are two useful sites you can access if you need. Their teachers are able to provide guidance as to which resources a student should access if they are going to be at home in isolation for an extended period of time. 

Our Learning SA site- providing lessons for all year levels for two weeks.  

CESA online learning site which has some great resources.

Wishing you all a wonderful couple of weeks. Hope you get to enjoy some Fringe, Festival or Writers Week festivities. Stay safe.

Warm regards,

Pauline Kinsman
PRINCIPAL

Shrove Tuesday

We wish to express thanks to members of our P & F Committee Kate, Michelle W, Cindy and Michelle C who helped cook and distribute pancakes for our students on Tuesday. The pancakes were well received and enjoyed by all. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and traditionally was the day when households used up their fine foods in readiness for more simple fare during Lent.

Lent

Lent commenced today with Ash Wednesday Liturgy held via MS Teams and run by our House Leaders.  Due to COVID, ashes were sprinkled on children’s and adult’s foreheads rather than a sign of the cross marked with the ashes on the forehead. 

As we make our forty-day journey through Lent, we prepare for Easter. Our focus during Lent is our relationship with God and others. Lent is a journey of self-discovery, a time to reflect on the direction our life is taking. There are many ways we can prepare ourselves during Lent to demonstrate our intentions to God.  Prayer, Fasting and almsgiving are the traditional ways we prepare.  Living simply, remembering those in need and being kind to others and taking on some project are other ways we can focus our mind on what is important and what it is we want to prepare ourselves.

Project Compassion – ‘For All Future Generations’

This year, Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion theme is “For all future generations”. This theme challenges us to venture into a new experience of compassion: one full of hope.  We are encouraged to make simple lifestyle changes and act with care for each other and our environment. Our challenge is to respond with love and hope, now and for all future generations.

Sacramental Program

The Sacramental Program begins early in Term 2 with Reconciliation.  Our Sacramental Program is run through our Parish and School and provides children with the support they need to take the next step in their faith journey.  The registration period for the Sacramental Program closes on Monday 21^st March.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like your child/children to participate in the program.

Clean Up Australia

On Friday 4th March our school will take part in Schools Clean Up Australia Day.  Students will head out into the community to different parks and strive to keep our community clean and stop the spread of waste.  PTP Alliance are supporting us in our Clean Up efforts and will be speaking to the students about rubbish and recycling and how we can all do our part for our world. Please ensure permission forms are returned before this Friday (see letter attached).

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Pray for Flood Victims

Please join us in praying for all the people in the Eastern states, particularly in Queensland who are enduring a very difficult time with the current and ongoing flood situation.

I wish you a wonderful fortnight.

God Bless

Annette Diassinas
APRIM

We were so fortunate to be able to provide pancakes to the children yesterday as part of a small group of P & F. It is always wonderful to see the children's smiling faces and that is why we love what we do.

We look forward to the Easter raffle this year and like all things it will look a little different this year. A book of 10 raffle tickets will come home with each family in a few weeks time. More details to follow in the next newsletter & via School Stream.

The children have also been preparing for Sports Day and the P & F will be holding a sausage sizzle. Each year we ask for some volunteers to help man the BBQ, so that we can all see our children participate. A note will come home in the coming weeks with details of how you can help.

Keep Safe,

Nadia & Kate
CO-CHAIRS

Parent Information Session - Postponed

Due to the continuing COVID situation in schools it has been decided to postpone the 'Reading in the Early Years' session that was scheduled for Wednesday 16th March. As soon as school restrictions are relaxed we will inform families of the rescheduled date.

COVID Reminders

It is vitally important that you please:

Keep your child/children home if they are:

• unwell
• experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
• a close contact for a person who has COVID-19 and are required to quarantine
• any other member of the household has COVID-19

Notify us as soon as possible if your child/ren tests positive for COVID-19.

ADVANCE NOTICE
TWILIGHT SCHOOL SPORTS DAY COMING SOON!

When:     Friday 1^st April 2022

Time:      3:45 pm to 6:30 pm

Where:   Fitzroy Community Club - Sam Johnson Reserve, Swan Court, Renown Park (off McQuillan Avenue)

PLEASE NOTE – EARLY DISMISSAL ON SPORTS DAY

On Friday 1^st April all students will be dismissed from school at 1:00pm.

More information and program will be available closer to the day.

PUPIL FREE DAY REMINDER

Families are reminded that there is NO SCHOOL for students next FRIDAY 11th MARCH.

Camp Australia will be available from 8:00am - 6:00pm on the day and families can book in their children at http://www.campaustralia.com.au