Welcome to Term 1 Week 2 2022
Principals Report
Sunday Connection
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Sunday, February 13, 2022
Gospel Reading Luke 6:17,20-26 Jesus teaches the crowd the way to happiness.
Sunday's Gospel offers a contrast to many of the messages we hear in our society today. If we were to accept uncritically the “get ahead” messages of our culture, we would think that happiness means having money, being successful, and having many possessions. In this way, we are not unlike the people who heard Jesus teach on the day that he taught the Beatitudes. They too associated happiness with possessions and success. The report of the Beatitudes in Luke's Gospel, however, takes things one step further. Not only will we not find happiness through the “get ahead” messages of the world, but relying upon these messages will cause us harm. The warnings spoken are particularly challenging because they suggest that our way of life must change if we are to gain the lasting happiness of eternal life.
Talk together as a family about what society tells us makes a person successful. Make a list of the traits that you associate with a successful person. Then read together Sunday's Gospel, Luke 6:17,20-26. Reflect on Jesus' description of blessedness in the Kingdom of God. Then consider the warnings. Why are these surprising and challenging? What, then, is the measure of success in the Kingdom of God? Together write prayers of petition based on your discussion. Pray these prayers together, asking God to help your family seek the blessings of the Kingdom of God.
Excerpts from the Sunday Connection copyright © Loyola Press. Used with permission. Visit www.LoyolaPress.com for more information.
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
A very warm welcome to the 2022 school year to all our families. It is great to see you all back and excited to begin another school year. Thank you for adhering to the Covid safety guidelines that we have had to implement. It’s great to see some students opting to wear masks. Whilst this is not a requirement for primary school students, students can wear them if they feel the need to. You all should have received your Covid-19 Pack that contained two masks, two Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) kits and a Safe Return to School flyer.
If affected in any way with Covid, please ensure you access the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus disease website https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
There is an informative page on looking after your mental health. https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/mental-health-support/looking-after-your-mental-health
Importantly, Stay Connected. Here is an extract from the website:
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic highlights the importance of community and social connections in improving our health and wellbeing.
Make sure you stay connected with your friends and family:
- Staying connected with friends and family at this time can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation – make sure you chat to your loved ones regularly over the phone or via video call.
- For older Australians, now might be the time to embrace technology. Younger family members can help you get set up and guide you through the process. Give it a go!
- If you are more comfortable with the phone, call friends and family for regular catch-ups.
- Call for support if you need it: see the ‘where to get help’ section below for contact support services.
RESOURCES
Where to get help:
Make sure you seek help early if you are worried, feel alone or continue to feel upset about being in isolation/quarantine. There are many services available – many of which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
A crisis support service offering immediate short-term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe. lifeline.org.au - Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A mental health and wellbeing support organisation that provides support related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses. https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
- Headspace: 1800 650 890
Headspace offers mental health services to 12–25 year olds, as well as physical health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. - eHeadspace: 1800 650 893 (9am – 1am, 7 days a week).
Online and webchat support and counselling for 12–25 year olds, their family and friends. headspace.org.au/eheadspace/ - Tasmanian Mental Health Help Line: 1800 332 388. (24hours, 7 days a week).
The TMHHL is a service for mental health advice, assessment and referral, staffed by community mental health clinicians. - Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. https://mensline.org.au - Mindspot: 1800 61 44 34 (8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday; 8am–6pm, Saturdays).
Free telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. https://mindspot.org.au/ - National COVID Older Persons Information Line: 1800 171 866 (8:30am – 6pm, Monday to Friday).
Information and support for senior Australians, their families and carers. - Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Free and confidential telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5–25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason. - ReachOut
Internet service for young people that provides information, support and resources about mental health issues
Other services:
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service and Family Drug Support: 1800 811 994
- Alcohol and Drug Services (Department of Health): 1300 139 641
- Quit Tasmania: 13 78 48
- Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania
- Phoenix Australia
- Rural Alive and Well (RAW): 1300 4357 6283
Other assistance:
- Financial and accommodation assistance: Financial assistance, accommodation assistance, and other resources and support services are available from Head to Health: www.headtohealth.gov.au/
- General health information and advice: For general health information and advice, contact healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 (24 hours, 7 days).
- Emergency relief support: For emergency relief services, including food relief, go to Emergency relief support.
School News
Welcome Letters
In the coming week classes will be sending home their welcome letters with general class information for families.
Making Jesus Real (MJR) Focus This week our focus is on being welcoming in all areas of the school. Students are challenged to consider asking someone they don’t know very well to join in a game or activity. Parents and carers may like to introduce themselves to an unfamiliar face in our playgrounds during the morning or afternoon. A smile or short conversation can go a long way!
Uniform - Socks
Black or White socks are acceptable for uniforms if families are waiting on our new stock of brown socks to arrive.
Sacramental Program 2022
The program presents the sacraments of initiation: a review of Baptism, then instruction for, Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist.
The program begins in Term 2 and is about nine weeks long. The ceremonies follow the instruction period and are held at Star of the Sea, in Burnie.
This year the sessions will be held on a Wednesday evening at Stella Maris, in the Multi-purpose Room. The program is open for students in Grade 4 and older.
For further information please contact Claire Willis –
0439 634 844
SRC News
This week on MJR radio Tommy and Chia spoke about being welcoming. They welcomed returning students and teachers as well as the many new students and teachers. The classes all look to be having a fantastic start to the year and all the SRC members look forward to organising some events throughout the year.
School Sport News
Netball
We are seeking expressions of interest from parents who would be able to coach a netball team for the Saturday School's netball rosters this year. WWVP card required, some netball knowledge a desire to help young people develop a love of netball.
Children in grades 3 - 6 who are intending to play in the Netball rosters this year will need to have parent permission, this will be done online through Compass.
Details about the Netball rosters will be available shortly.
Outside News
What's on in Tasmania
The Department of Education has developed a new public website https://sport.educatiion.tas.
Key features are a calendar of local and statewide events and a fortnightly newsletter.
Interested parties can subscribe to receive the newsletter in their inbox and/or can access a North West news stream via the Schoolzine app.