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Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,
COVID-19 Update
Yesterday our school received updated advice from NSW Health and Catholic Education concerning new NSW Guidelines for responding to COVID-19 in schools. The main change in advice that will affect families is the requirement that students (or staff) who are kept or sent home sick with flu-like symptoms be tested for COVID-19 and not return to school until they return a negative COVID-19 result and are symptom free. It is a mandated requirement from NSW Health that the school sight a copy of the negative test result prior to allowing the student or staff member to return. I understand and fully appreciate that this measure will cause considerable inconvenience for many; however, the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our school community is and must remain our highest priority.
Other significant requirements of the new guidelines and their impacts on our school include the following:
- Schools are to limit mixing of year groups wherever possible — the Peer Support program planned to commence this term must be postponed and some lunchtime clubs will not be able to operate.
- Activities such as choirs and chanting in group settings are not permitted — school choir is on hold until further notice and the Mr Tim incursion planned for later this term must be postponed.
- No parent-helpers in classrooms — It is still the case that parents may visit the school for essential purposes (i.e. to pick up children or to discuss urgent wellbeing or behavioural issues); canteen volunteers are still allowed.
- Kindergarten Orientation and transition to school activities to be on hold until further notice — our Kinder Orientation is planned for early Term 4; if necessary this will be postponed and/or alternative arrangements made.
- No school-related social activities, including dinners, dances and graduation ceremonies — we are actively investigating alternative options for our regular end-of-year events.
These guidelines do not apply to playground activities (before school, recess, lunch).
As usual, parents are asked to exercise social distancing any time they are entering school grounds, especially at pick-up time.
Community Council Nominations
Earlier this term nominations were sought to fill three vacant positions on the school Community Council, and sufficient nominations were received that an election must be held. On Friday a letter will be sent to all families, containing a brief statement from each nominee, a ballot paper and an envelope for returning the ballot. Ballot papers must be received by 3:30pm on Friday 28 August to be counted; results will be announced in the Week 7 Carmeletta.
Congratulations, Paige
During our period of Remote Learning at the beginning of Term 2, one task that Stage 3 students completed as a reflection on the significance of Anzac Day was to compose a 'letter to a soldier’. Paige Maher’s response to this task has been published on The Australian War Memorial’s Classroom Showcase website and can be seen by visiting the following link:
https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/schools/showcase
Congratulations, Paige, for your wonderful writing!
Northern Region Public Speaking
Students in Years 3 to 6 have been composing and delivering speeches in preparation for the annual Northern Region Public Speaking competition. Two students from each year level will be chosen to represent Mt Carmel in the competition, to be held via Zoom, next Thursday 27 August. Families of representative students will be provided with a link to view the live-streamed event. Good luck to all!
May God’s peace be in your families,
GOSPEL: Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And suddenly out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, 'Lord, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.' But he said not a word in answer to her. And his disciples went and pleaded with him, saying, 'Give her what she wants, because she keeps shouting after us.' He said in reply, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.' But the woman had come up and was bowing low before him. 'Lord,' she said, 'help me.' He replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to little dogs.' She retorted, 'Ah yes, Lord; but even little dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table.' Then Jesus answered her, 'Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted.' And from that moment her daughter was well again.
REFLECTION
This week we experience a side of Jesus that we do not expect. Jesus and his disciples withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. As they were walking along, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus. She called out to him, begging Jesus: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is possessed and the demon is tormenting her!” However, Jesus did not even acknowledge her presence or her plea.
The woman did not give up. She continued to call out to Jesus. Finally, his disciples went to Jesus and told him to send the woman away. Jesus’ response to them was curt. He said: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
The woman persisted. She did him homage and said: “Lord, help me.” Jesus refused. He told the woman that he could not take food from the children of Israel and “throw it to the dogs” (for the Gentiles typically were called “dogs” because they worshiped idols). However, the woman was determined. She told Jesus: “Even dogs eat the scraps that fall from the master’s table.” She begged him to throw a few scraps to her beloved daughter. Jesus was amazed at her faith, her persistence, and her deep love for her daughter. Jesus then tells her: “Let it be done for you as you wish.” Immediately, her daughter was healed!
What are the scraps you desire from Jesus’ table? How persistent are you with Jesus? Today may we be as persistent with Jesus as this mother was. May we trust that Jesus will not disappoint us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Last Saturday we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption. 5/6ML prepared a beautiful prayer service for our school community to celebrate this special day. If you have not had the opportunity to view it it already, please find the link below.
https://safeYouTube.net/w/IEDR
YASS VALLEY SPIN FOUNDATION PAJAMA DAY
Thanks to your generosity, the Mt Carmel School Community raised a total of $440 to support the Yass Valley SPIN Foundation during our recent pajama day. I'd like to thank all families for their generosity in supporting this great cause.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator
We may all be ready to see the end of 2020, but don't miss the end of the Premier's Reading Challenge!
Make sure reading records are logged by Friday, 28 August 2020.
Congratulations to the following students who completed the challenge this week:
Kindergarten:
Vincent Da Deppo
Aria Hodgson
Year 1:
Abby Hillman
Zoe Leahy
Year 2:
Sofia Da Deppo
Year 3:
Mackenna Leahy
Year 4:
Zara Hillman
Delilah Rajic
Year 5:
Fergus Green
Samuel Leighton
Year 6:
Maddelin Barker
Sam Hillman
Please let me know if you require assistance logging books.
Keep reading,
Jaclyn Green
PRC Coordinator
Money Owed to Canteen
As outlined in the newsletter a couple of weeks ago, there is a large amount of money owed to the canteen. This week, all outstanding accounts will again be sent home for payment. Prompt payment of any of these accounts would be apprecaited. Payment can be made via cash to the front office or the 'Money Owed to Canteen' tab on Qkr! If anyone has any questions or concerns when these are sent home, please email emma.mcevoy@cg.catholic.edu.au or call the front office on 6226 3357.
Chocolate Icy Mony ice blocks are back in stock and can be purchaed again at recess or lunch.
Please note with the high level of lunch orders over the last few weeks, Macaroni and Cheese will be purchased from our supplier for the next couple of weeks.
Please remind your child/ren to come to the canteen to collect any items highlighted on their lunch bag or if they have something missing from their lunch order. During the busy lunch packing period, unfortunately some items can be missed.
The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon between 2.30pm– 4.00pm during school terms.
Ordering Options - Uniform orders can be placed online via Qkr! or by order form, which can be collected and paid for from the front office.
All Qkr! orders placed before 2pm each Tuesday will be bundled up and sent home with your child on Wednesday afternoon.
Please note that if the incorrect size/item is ordered or the size selected does not fit correctly, please return the item along with a note regarding changes required and the correct size/item can be sent home.
Please note the revised program for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Confirmation this year is postponed until 2021.
Reconciliation
Registration - Completed
Commitment Mass - Completed
Church Liturgy - Thursday 27 August 7pm St Augustine's
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Wednesday 2 September 6pm St Augustine's
First Eucharist
Registration - Completed
Commitment Mass - Saturday 5 or 12 September 6pm St. Augustine's and Sunday 6 or 13 September 10.15am St Augustine’s
Church Liturgy - Thursday 12 November 7pm St Augustine's
Preparation Day - Friday 20 November 9am-3.10pm Hartigan Centre and St Augustine's
Sacrament of First Holy Communion - Sunday 22 November 10.15am St Augustine's
Confirmation
Postponed to 2021