Dear Families

The Olympic Games have certainly captured our interest and support.  It is so rewarding to see our elite sportspeople performing at their best and representing our country so well.  We will highlight the games tomorrow when we host a Mini Olympic Games event at 11.30.  We will acknowledge our medalists and sing our National Anthem, then we will participate in a range of Olympic sports: basketball, netball, running, hurdles, soccer and newcombe.  The senior students will referee the games.  We will conclude with a Closing Ceremony in the Mary MacKillop room with our athletes completing a lap of honour. Families are welcome to join us on Friday to celebrate our Mini Olympics.

The Gospel reading at Mass this weekend is very meaningful and its message is as important to us today as it was thousands of years ago when it was written. 

St Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Don't hold grudges against others or lose your temper.  No more shouting or insults.  Don't be spiteful.  Instead, be kind to each other and forgive as God has forgiven you.  You are God's precious children.  Try to love like Jesus has loved you."  Jn 6: 41-51

Recently we celebrated Grandparent's Day, as our church celebrated the feast day of St Joachim and St Anne, Parents of Mary and Grandparents to Jesus.  We gathered in our church and celebrated a prayer service honouring our grandparents and afterwards we went back to the classrooms with our grandparents and showed them our work.  We felt privileged to have our Grandparents with us. 

This year Book Week is in week 6 this term, Monday August 19th to Friday August 23rd.  Our dress up day is Tuesday August 20th.  The theme is 'Reading Is Magic'. Everyone is welcome to come dressed as a book character or something to do with the theme.  We will have a parade first thing in the morning and then we will have a short Magic Show.  There's no doubt that reading IS magic!

We are celebrating Japanese Day on Wednesday September 4th.  We will participate in a range of learning activities using and celebrating Japanese.  Everyone is welcome to come dressed as something to do with Japanese or come dressed in red and white the colors of the Japanese flag.

Remember Friday August 23rd is a student free day. 

Next week on Tuesday August 13th at 2pm the Mini Vinnies team is hosting a Talent Show.  Students are invited to prepare an item to perform in the Talent Show.  Jess Cross needs to view the item before it is presented.  It costs $2 to enter and it costs $2 to watch the Talent Show.  Everyone is welcome to see our Talent Show.

Next week on Thursday August 15th our church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption. On this day we honour Mary, the mother of Jesus and remember that she said Yes to God and she was taken to heaven.  We will all celebrate Mass in our church on this day at 10am.  Everyone is welcome.

The Mini Vinnies team are organising a fundraiser for the Mary MacKillop Foundation and it is a 'Wear Something Crazy' day on Thurs Aug 29th. Everyone is invited to donate a gold coin for the privilege of  wearing one item of 'crazy' , it could be crazy hair, a crazy hat, a crazy shirt, or pants or crazy socks or shoes. Let's support the Mini Vinnies team in wearing something crazy on Thurs Aug 29th.

May God continue to bless and guide us in our learning.

Trish Mulqueen