Emmaus Catholic Primary School

Almighty God, we remember with thanksgiving,
those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war.
We pray that their offering of their lives may not have been in vain.
May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice,
freedom and peace;
and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.
Amen

As most of us are aware, Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those men and women who died fighting to protect our nation.

In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who gave their lives in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in allied countries.

After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front, (The Western Front ran through the industrial regions of Belgium and France, from the English Channel), fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months.

In November, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender. It was because of this that the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years and became universally associated with the remembrance of those who gave their lives.

On Monday 11th of November, our children across the grades participated in a Remembrance Day service, led by our senior students. We joined millions of people around the world, pausing in silence to remember those who fought and those who died in conflicts since World War One.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.

From time to time, I will write about a couple of segments for us all to think about. This first section today is a Q&A interview with the late Steve Jobs, Founder and CEO of Apple.

In an interview shortly before he passed away, he was asked what he had learnt in life, and he answered with 5 undeniable truths:

1. Don't educate your children to be rich, educate them to be happy. This is so that when they grow up, they will know the value of things and not the price.

2. Eat your food as your medicine otherwise you have to eat medicine as your food.

3. The six best doctors in the world are:

• Sunlight
• Rest
• Exercise
• Diet
• Self-confidence and
• Friends

Maintain them in all stages of life and enjoy a healthy life.

4. If you want to walk fast, walk alone, but if you want to walk far, walk together.

5. The ones who love you will never leave you, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, they will find one reason to hold on.

Please note that this coming Monday is a Pupil Free Day. OSHClub services will be operating, however only for enrolled students.

Additional OSHClub services will be run in Week 10 from 9 December to 13 December (when staff are onsite, but no students). Should you need care for your child, please book here: OshClub at Emmaus

Have you volunteered in any way at Emmaus? We would love to extend our ‘Thank You’ and invite you to our Volunteers Thank You Sundowner on Wednesday 27 November, commencing at 5:30 pm. Our Annual Community Meeting follows, with all parents, staff and community invited to be informed about the school’s activities, with the relevant personnel providing a 2024 report. At this meeting, staffing for 2025 will also be announced. Please join us in the hall.

On Monday 25 November 4-Year-Old Kindy to Year 6 classes for 2025 will be having their Orientation Day at Emmaus, with a morning session to meet the new teacher and any new students. 4-Year-Old Kindy students are required to attend at their specific time slot (separate email to parents will be sent). For the other classes, students will be led to the hall at 9:00 am before moving with their 2025 teacher. Please note the Uniform Shop will be open in the library from 10:15 am.

Pre-Kindergarten (3K) families - please note that your child’s Orientation is on Monday 3 February 2025.

On Thursday 28 November, students from Kindy to Year 6 will be performing their showcase of Christmas songs at our outdoor liturgy and concert. Please take note of the important times at this event in the flyer below. Note, that Pasta in the Valley meals can be ordered.

WE NEED YOU! Our amazing P&F are looking for additional nominations for 2025. Please see the flyer in the P&F section below. Without volunteers, the fun community building events that your children love, such as school disco, colour run and beginning of year foam party will not be possible. Put your name forward to assist today!

An enormous THANK YOU to Mrs Bol for coordinating our Swimming Lessons Program for 2024. All students were highly enthusiastic about this learning experience and while definitely tired by the end of the week, maintained their attitude and effort across all their swimming classes.

All certificates for participating students have now been sent home. This is an opportune time to reflect on your child’s swimming skills and consider enrolment for Vacation Swimming over the school holidays, or ongoing Swim School. The most effectual gains in swimming skills are made over regular practice opportunities, rather than a week’s swimming classes at school. For further information / enrolment, click the link: City of Swan Swim School

We have been reading the ‘Nativity’ story and made cards for baby Jesus. We have been very busy outside decorating a Christmas tree with flowers, ribbons and loose parts and watching what happens to candy canes when we put them in water.

Morning table top activities with our families gives us the opportunity to use our small muscles which are so important to develop our pre-writing skills.

Mr Viv D’Almeida visited the school yesterday and spoke to children across the grades about how their contribution to the Emmaus/St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers can make the biggest difference to those struggling within our community. Please refer to the letter sent home with your child highlighting a recommended item to add to his/her class hamper. We look forward to Mr D’Almeida returning at our final assembly of the term on Friday 6 December to collect all donations which will be distributed to the needy families within the Guildford St Vincent de Paul catchment.

After a VERY BUSY last couple of weeks at Emmaus, Father Bona joined our staff on Wednesday for his belated birthday celebrations. Happy 50th Father Bona! We hope the year is full of blessings.

Students across the grades were excited about the very first Emmaus Colour Run. Take a look at the photo selection below and see the beaming smiles and laughs! Thank you to our ever-energetic P&F who organised the event and the many parent volunteers who assisted. And of course, a big pat on the back to Mr Coniglio who was such a good sport in being pelted with everything slimy, glittery and wet!

Donations for this fundraiser were logged online, however, should the deadline have been missed and your child has collected donations, these can be dropped to the front office. All funds boost our school’s resources for student learning!

For parents parking along the gravel carpark adjacent to the Kindy buildings, please monitor your children around this area during drop off and after school pick up. It appears that some stones have been thrown over the fence onto Mr DiMasi's turf next door which has resulted in damage to his lawnmowing blades. Please be firm with any children picking up and throwing stones at all times.

Did your family miss out on ordering an Emmaus Cookbook? Pop into the office to purchase discount ‘misprint’ cookbooks at the bargain price of $15 each. These copies have duplicate ‘Dessert’ section printed and a couple of spelling errors, but all delicious recipes are still included.

Monday 18 November

- Pupil Free Day (no classes)

Wednesday 20 November

- Year 7 Orientation Day at Holy Cross (whole day)

- PP and Year 1 'Educated By Nature' Incursion

- PE Incursion

- Thank you Volunteer Sundowner (5:30 pm)

- Annual Community Meeting (6:00 pm)

Thursday 21 November

- PE Incursion

Friday 22 November

- Year 2 Bee Apiary Excursion

Sunday 24 November

- Feast of Christ the King

Monday 25 November

- Kindergarten (4K) to Year 6 Orientation Day

- Uniform Shop Open 10:15 - 11:15 am

Thursday 28 November

- Thanksgiving Liturgy, Christmas Concert & raffle starting at 6:00 pm

Sunday 1 December

- Advent commences

Monday 2 December

- Christmas Fairy Story Reader Incursion Kindy and PP

Tuesday 3 December

- Graduation Mass 9:00 am (morning tea to follow)

Wednesday 4 December

- Dental screening for Pre-Primary, Year 3s.

- Silent Disco incursion

Friday 6 December

- Last day for students!

- Assembly

- St Vincent de Paul hamper collection

- Reports issued via SEQTA Engage

The Emmaus CPS community are welcome to attend the La Salle College Carols by Candlelight on 5 December. See the flyer below.

Circus Rio is on in Midland from 22 November - 1 December. They have issued our community with a very limited number of free tickets for children when purchasing an adult ticket. If interested, please contact the office but - be quick!

Please view the changes to bus services by Transperth due to the Metronet service. This may affect some families who catch the bus to and from school.

Please see attached below the Term 4 calendar.

The next newsletter and last for the year will be distributed on Friday 6 December.

Have a fantastic weekend.

God bless!

Sandro Coniglio

Principal