The Church has been described as people called together in order to share Jesus’ love. There is no better way for this to occur than through sharing the Eucharist. Each year a new group of young people do exactly this for the first time when they receive their First Holy Communion. This is the case for our current Year 4 class and parish members who last weekend and this weekend make their First Holy Communion.
Like Baptism, the reception of the Eucharist brings us into a closer association with God. Each time we receive the Eucharist we become continually formed to the likeness of Christ. Nourished with Christ we become Christ for others. We become Eucharistic people whose lives are centred on and flow from Christ.
When loved ones have to leave each other, what usually happens, besides hugs, is that they exchange something of themselves such as a photo or a friendship ring or a locket of hair. There is a certain symbolism associated with this exchange which says, “When you touch this, you’re touching me and somehow we’re together.”
This is what Jesus did when He knew He was going to die and leave His friends. He wanted to leave something precious of Himself so that His friends and the Church – us – could really feel that He’s here amongst us. At the Last Supper when Jesus said, “This is My Body … This is My Blood… Do this in memory of Me”, He didn’t do it because of His own need to be remembered, He did it because of His friends and our need to remember Him. In His love for us Jesus left a very special way to remember Him, the Eucharist.
On behalf of our school community, I would like to congratulate all our Year 4 students for completing the Eucharist RE unit of work and also congratulate our Year 4 students who over the last two weekends have celebrated their Sacrament of Eucharist at Holy Cross Church. You all have prepared so well for this special occasion and have been so reverent. I would also like to thank and congratulate Mr Caddy for preparing the students so well for this occasion.
Each year on the 8th of August Australian Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint. On this day, we celebrate the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families.
St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future. Mary MacKillop’s work in education and the work she carried out with her sisters inspires us as educators. Her devotion to helping the underprivileged is truly remarkable. She certainly was a special woman in Australian society through 1860 -1909, the year of her death.
I would like to thank Fr Bona who celebrated our mass here at school on Thursday 8 August. Many thanks also to Mr Caddy and Miss Thresher who together planned and organised the mass for us. I congratulate our students who were very reverent through the whole mass and participated beautifully throughout.
I remind all parents that if your child/children are unwell or will be absent from school, you are required to email the school before 9:00 am on the day of absence to admin@emmaus.wa.edu.au
All absences must be reported by parents in writing, this is a requirement of the Department of Education. Recently the amount of time spent having to contact parents to request confirmation of absences is excessive.
Parents, please keep in mind the partnership that we have between home and school. We are currently experiencing a lack of participation or commitment from some families when it comes to attending parent information evenings or parent/teacher interviews.
These events are for the benefit of parents to gain information of what their children will be learning along with how their children are progressing in class. Overall, these meetings and information evenings are for your child’s education.
I am aware also, that from time to time we cannot make these meetings, however, as most do, a quick email or call to your class teacher explaining your absence would be courteous.
Please keep in mind that teachers make time (personal time) to meet with you or to organise meetings and at times guest speakers. When we do not have participation at these events or a low number of parent participation it can be embarrassing and a waste of time for teachers and invited speakers.
I strongly encourage ALL parents to please keep upcoming dates of any school event in their diaries and get involved. Be it class events or individual meetings to whole school events, please get involved.
Parents are invited to all whole school events, masses, carnivals, performances and a myriad of events.
By attending these events we build our school culture which is growing beautifully at the moment. However, I do urge some parents to please read notes and attend class meetings with respective teachers.
We welcomed a special guest at our assembly this morning - Breeanna Haynes. Breeanna is the Aboriginal artist who created our four faction designs which perfectly relate to our school's four values: Humility, Hope, Trust and Faith. Take a look at her designs and read more about the link between our faction names and values. You'll see Breeanna's artwork on our new banners hanging on our hall walls. We even have new sail banners ready for our faction carnival.
Kartdijin (Blue Faction)
Aboriginal meaning: Knowledge
Representing: Humility
Koort (Red Faction)
Aboriginal meaning: Hearts Together
Representing: Hope
Maara (Gold Faction)
Aboriginal meaning: Hands
Representing: Trust
Bardan (Green Faction)
Aboriginal meaning: Spirit
Representing: Faith
Be prepared for a MAGICAL experience during Book Week:
Monday 19th August:
- 'Maybe a Miracle' performance for Kindy to Year 2
- Author Visit (Chenee Marrapodi) for Year 3 to Year 6
Wednesday 21st August:
- Book Week Dress Up Day (wear a costume representing any book or book character)
- Morning assembly and parade
- Special Guest Author (Mr Caddy)
Should you wish to order a book from Chenee Marrapodi (visiting author) ahead of the incursion, please do so via the order form attached (online order link included). All orders will be sent directly to the school if placed before 31 August. Chenee will be able to sign any books ordered on her visit day.
Father's Day is quickly approaching and the Emmaus community are looking forward to celebrating! In honour and celebration of our wonderful Dads, Grandads and Father figures, there will be a Father's Day Breakfast at 8am, on Friday 30 August. Breakfast will be followed by an Assembly and the drawing of the Father's Day raffle. Please see the flyer for more details and RSVP by Friday 23 August (for catering purposes).
Term Three Focus: Emotional Regulation
“Emotion regulation is the ability to understand and manage your behaviour and feelings in appropriate ways to meet situational demands. This encompasses resisting or controlling highly emotional reactions like frustration or excitement appropriately, calming emotions, adjusting to change, focusing on tasks, refocusing attention on a new task and controlling impulses.” – Child Development Clinic
Mr Caddy’s Year 4 children love this school so much that at recess and lunch times, they simply explode with energy. For a teacher, the challenge is to get them back to a point where they can learn. To do this we often ‘Take a Beat’ which means the children take a breath and quieten down to regulate their emotions. And after a minute, we get back to work.
Kimochis
The Pre-Primary students would like to introduce Bug! Bug is afraid of change. We like to tuck his wings in when he feels cautious but when he’s feeling brave, we can untuck his wings so he can fly. He teaches students lots of strategies to help them when they are feeling big emotions. They learn to recognise these emotions in themselves and manage them.
This week, the Pre-Primary students introduced all of their fabulous Kimochis friends to the school at their absolutely amazing assembly. They wowed us with a beautiful story about the friendship between Lovey Dove, Huggtopus, Bug, Cat and Cloud and taught us all about how they can use their emotions and talents to achieve great things.
