Emmaus Catholic Primary School
Term 3, Week 10 Newsletter: Thursday 21 September 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES
We all know the thought process around a glass being either half full or half empty, if we are being optimistic or pessimistic, positive or negative. It is so easy to fall either side of these at different times depending on our moods and the situation we are facing.
How important it is, that we teach our children to have a positive attitude to life and to be optimistic about themselves; life will be fulfilling, because they were able to develop their abilities by having self-confidence. We all know from experience that what we believe about ourselves affects the way we act. Our children are likely to become the sorts of people they believe others believe them to be. As parents, we are the main influence in the development of self-belief within our children. What we say, either positive or negative, can have a long-lasting effect on our children, because they believe us. “Careful the things you say. Children will listen.” Stephen Sondheim.
Our children’s belief in their own ability to do things is of great influence on their motivation, perseverance and success. Self-belief can motivate our children more than their actual skill level. If they truly believe they can succeed at a test or write a poem, they may be more likely to achieve it than other children who have better ability, but who don't believe they can achieve it. The more our children believe they can do, the more likely they are to generalise that self-belief to other areas of their life. They then believe they have the ability to attempt, persevere and succeed in a whole range of activities.
Self-belief is about being aware of and valuing your true self. It is not about how others see you or how you think others see you. Self-belief is different from self-esteem because self-esteem generally means how you feel about yourself in comparison to others and so can fluctuate according to circumstance. Self-belief is more like an inner light that comes from within you. It is not about how we behave on the outside but rather about our inner feelings and how they make us optimistic about life. “Promise yourself to live in the belief that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” Christian Larson.
We can help children to believe in their own ability by teaching them to take the initiative to make things happen, instead of waiting for them to happen. Likewise, we can help children to be proactive by helping them – not telling them – to think about options and solutions instead of problems and barriers. “Your mind can think of only one thought at a time; make it a positive one.” Author Unknown.
When we, as adults, evaluate our lives, we are more likely to regret challenges we did not confront, risks we did not take and contests we did not enter as a result of self-doubt or lack of self-belief. We are less likely to regret actions we took as a result of innovative self-belief or being too optimistic or even foolish. At least we made the attempt and knew the result.
So, we need to believe in our children’s potential, like the second salesman believed in the Company’s potential. We need to inspire them to self-belief: “After all, good habits are as hard to break as bad habits.” Frank Pajares
CHANGE OF UNIFORM - YEARS 1 - 5
From the start of Term 4, Monday 9 October
all students in Years 1 to 5 are required to wear their full summer uniform.
Our uniform supplier, JFE will be onsite here at Emmaus on Monday 9 October from 8:15 - 9:00 am for any last minute purchases.
A reminder that the full summer uniform consists of:
Girls - Summer Dress with White Girls/Unisex Sports socks.
Boys - Summer Shorts (formal) with White Short Sleeve Shirt and Navy Boys socks.
You can also visit JFE at their shop during the school holidays, they are located at:
Unit 1/85 Guthrie Street, Osborne Park
Open from Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm & Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
If you wish to order items online, do so via: www.jfe.net.au and enter the school code: 9641
MULTICULTURAL DANCE & DRAMA
Next term, we have been offered a very exciting opportunity to take part in the Multicultural Dance and Drama Group’s after school program.
'Multicultural Drama Dance' creatively brings an after school program with the theme Homemade Little Talents. It intends to engage multicultural children in a set of comprehensive Drumming and Afro Dance after school activities in the primary schools within and around Ellenbrook. It aims to provide workshop sessions of drumming and cultural theme conversation. Themes like hair care, family o'clock and smart shopping, which will help parents spend quality time with their children, create social support, and build fun active skill development strategies.
These sessions will run at no cost, every Thursday from 19 October to 23 November at 3:15pm - 4:30pm. At least one parent or guardian must be present with their child/children for each session. Refreshments will be provided from 3:15pm and the sessions will begin at 3:30pm.
Further information and RSVP forms will be sent out in Week One of Term Four.
THANK YOU!
At the end of this week, we say a big thank you and congratulate Mrs Turner and Ms Cameron on their outstanding work in the role of Assistant Principal while Mrs Hackner has been on long service leave.
Both these ladies have approached this role in such a professional and energetic manner and have been outstanding. It is very pleasing to know that we have such a high calibre of staff here at Emmaus.
Next term we welcome back Mrs Hackner, who has been having a wonderful time in Italy. It does remind me though that I better start cleaning up her office!!!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Many hands make light work!
In Term Four, we will be running the much loved Scholastic Book Fair from Wednesday 18 October to Wednesday 25 October. We are in need of parent volunteers who are able to give some time, assisting with various jobs including setting up, opening and closing, facilitating sales and packing down the stall. If you are available and able to assist, please email admin@emmaus.wa.edu.au with your best contact details.
Thanks in advance!
R U OK? DAY
Thursday 14 September was R U Ok? Day.
This is a day held each year by the R U Ok? Organisation which aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with those around them and start a conversation with people in their world who may need support.
Our Parents & Friends Committee put together a delicious breakfast, baking endless treats and providing us with coffees and hot chocolates. It was pleasing to see so many parents attend the morning as they dropped their children at school.
We extend a huge thank you to Laura Shaw (P&F President) and all of the P&F Committee Members for the organisation of this successful event. Also, a big thanks to Travis Muir (P&F Vice President) and Instant Products Group as well as Big W Ellenbrook and Officeworks Midland for sponsoring this event. We look forward to continuing these partnerships!
Enjoying the morning was a great reminder that we must not forget the message of the day, R U Okay? 'R U Okay' should be every day. We should never forget to tap into friends and neighbours and just have a chat with them. We need to open our eyes and ears to support those who may be doing it tough.
EMMAUS DAY
On Friday 15 September, we celebrated our first Emmaus Day! This ties in with when the school was officially registered. (Our birthday, really!!!)
We commenced the day with a beautiful mass which was celebrated by Fr. Felipi. Fr. Felipi is now serving and assisting Fr. Bona in the St Helena of the Holy Cross Parish. To make this even more special, this mass was Fr. Felipi’s first mass for children. We look forward to working with both our wonderful priests throughout the years ahead. A huge thanks to Mrs Perrella and the Year 3 class who prepared and led us through our wonderful mass.
Each class then learnt all about the Emmaus Story, our school values of humility, hope, faith and trust and our school motto ‘journeying together’.
The staff organised some fun rotational activities including more exploration of the Emmaus Story with arts and crafts, outdoor games and making chocolate balls. Yum!
We finished the day off with a movie and some sweet treats.
We look forward to building on this day over the next few years where it will also become a ‘fair like’ day for the students.
Our staff need to be congratulated for their efforts in organising these activities for our students. Thank you!
RUGBY LEAGUE STARS SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINIC
Participants at the school holiday clinics receive a League Stars mechandise pack. To register, visit https://www.playrugbyleague.com/league-stars/
- Friday 22 September - Pupil Free Day
- Monday 9 October - First day of Term 4 (summer uniform for Y1 - Y5)
- Monday 9 October - Friday 13 October - Science Week
- Wednesday 11 October - Science Alive Incursion (4K - Y5)
- Saturday 14 October - Confirmation Thanksgiving Mass 6:00 pm @ St Helena of the Holy Cross Church.
- Sunday 15 October - Confirmation Thanksgiving Mass 9:30 am & 5:45 pm @ St Helena of the Holy Cross Church.
The next newsletter will be distributed on Friday 20 October.
Enjoy your holidays!
God bless!
Sandro Coniglio
Principal