Last week we gathered in our church to thank God for our Mums.  We love you and honour you. XXX

This week we are celebrating Catholic Education Week.  Catholic Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful achievements of Catholic schools and
highlight the inspiring life of Catholic schools today.  Mr Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, said schools were looking forward to
celebrating through activities, events, and open days.  This year’s theme is, Catholic Schools - Places of Encounter. ‘Let the Words You Speak Always Be Full of Grace’
based on Colossians 4:6.
“It is a message that reflects our commitment to promoting kindness, respect, and compassion in our schools and communities. Catholic schools are more than just buildings where students come to learn. They are Places of Encounter where students can grow academically, spiritually and personally.”
“The ‘Speak with Grace‘ theme aims to encourage students and school communities to use their words to build up others, to speak out against injustice, and to spread love and hope in the world. “
“The theme also reflects the core purpose of Catholic education which is to nurture the potential of each child, to inspire faith and a love of learning and develop their knowledge and skills to become compassionate and contributing members of society.”
“I hope that staff, students, families and parishes enjoy this special time and that our schools continue to be places where children can encounter Christ and develop their full potential.”
The Diocese of Sale covers 38 Catholic primary schools and seven Catholic secondary schools spanning a geographic area from Melbourne’s outer south-east suburbs from Narre Warren and Cranbourne, to Wonthaggi and Philip Island in the south, and right throughout Gippsland to Orbost in the east.

Our school celebrated Catholic Education Week with our Open Day on Monday and a special morning tea with our Gr 6s yesterday and with a special assembly on Friday in our Mary MacKillop Room.  The Gr 6 morning tea was just wonderful.  The staff catered for the Gr 6s and hosted them with warm cups of hot chocolate.  The Gr 6 students were suitably impressed.  Please view our photos...

Please view this 2 minute video clip from our new Director Mr Paul Velten, promoting Catholic Education Week... (You have to look carefully to see a photo of Mr Simon, Josh, Jaylah, Aleyah, Pippa, Conrad and Harry.  See if you can spot them in the clip).

Birthdays

At school we highlight birthdays in our Monday morning assemblies where the children receive an award and we sing Happy Birthday in Japanese to them.  In classes teachers often highlight when children are celebrating their birthdays.  It is school policy that we don't celebrate with food or lollies.  These treats are best kept for celebrations at home, not at school please.

Arrival at school

It is best to arrive at school from 8.30am onwards, so children have time to unpack their bags and get organised before school starts.  We have an early bus that arrives at 8.10am and this is when supervision starts.  Your child is not to arrive at school before 8.10 in the morning. It is unsafe as teachers are not on duty.  

Assemblies

Everyone is welcome to join us for Friday Assemblies.

Pie Drive
We are currently running a Pie Drive through Yarragon Country Style Bakery. Order forms have been sent home which show the price and exciting range of pies available to order! We ask families to please place orders through CDF pay and keep the paper form for your own reference. Pies can be ordered on CDF pay now and families have until Thursday the 8th of June to order. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept any late orders as we need to promptly give the complete list of orders to the bakery so the pies can be made. So please remember to get your orders in by the 8th of June! Pies will be delivered to school for families to collect on Thursday the 15th of June.

Healthy Lunch Orders
Wednesday is healthy lunch order day! Please place orders before 12noon each Tuesday on CDF pay for a freshly made salad roll to be delivered to students for lunch on Wednesday. Students can choose from chicken, ham, egg or just salad on either a white or wholemeal roll. Rolls are prepared by local bakery Bella’s Bakehouse.

T-Shirts
Next term on Friday the 18th of August is the National Day of Action Against Bullying. To mark this day, Parents and Friends will be selling black T-shirts with bright orange printing for students to wear. Notes will be sent home towards the end of this term with details on how to order.

Uniform Shop
The uniform shop will be open on Friday afternoons. Orders placed on CDF pay will be filled and sent home with students on Fridays.

What is your name? - Students  use puppets to ask and answer questions.

Often I use puppets to model Japanese. Students tell me they love “Nezumi san ” and “Wombat san”. Here are some videos showing the students using the puppets to ask: “What is your name? I am [name].”

Konnichiwa

Konnichiwa

Namae wa nan desu ka?

Boku wa Wombat desu.

Namae wa nan desu ka?

Watashi wa Nexumi desu.

You might like to ask your children why Wombat uses ‘boku’ and Nezumi uses ‘watashi’. This is the cultural learning that always accompanies language learning.

Here is Noah's learning:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gc4iQa8zFwLd4QgrRk4QjzEzDnZmgawX/view?usp=share_link

Here is Mia's learning:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_kFNa2EVJzC_elenZFlLQgKZ78gZj1nh/view?usp=share_link

Here is Jack's learning:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i66JR3KjdYWqqDkfJGpCa8Cb98HZGVjc/view?usp=share_link

On Tuesday a group of students participated in the Interschool Cross Country event at Chairo school.  Mr Troy and Stacey went with the students and they all had a great day.  We have taken a few action shots...

This month on SchoolTV - The State of Youth Mental Health

Parents and carers can play a crucial role in their children's mental health. As a result, staying informed on the current state of youth mental health is vital, as it not only affects individuals, but also families and communities. According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing, with anxiety, depression, and self-harm being among the most common challenges.

One of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that many young people face in today's society. Academic success, social media, and family issues are all influencing factors. Many young people are still suffering the long-term consequences of the pandemic, such as social isolation, uncertainty, and loss.

Parents can play an important role in their children's mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child's overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people's mental health difficulties.

This edition of SchoolTV, discusses some of the major mental health issues affecting young people and how to support a child experiencing them. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month's edition https://trafalgar.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/state-youth-mental-health

The Lions Club Public Speaking competition is going to be held on Wednesday July 19th. The competition aims to give students in Grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 the chance to develop their ability to speak in public and improve their self-confidence. Students are to write their speech themselves with support from families. We have 15 students who have prepared a speech and will present it next week.  Families are welcome to join us at 2pm in the Mary MacKillop Room.

The topics are:
Years 3 - 4 "Oh no - you've turned into a Giant!" - One morning you wake up and something has happened, and you are now a giant. Just like the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) in Ronald Dahl's book or the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk! How did this happen? What's it like being a giant? What do you do while you are a giant? Do you stay that way? Tell us your story of being a giant.

Years 5 - 6 - "Strange World Records set in History? - There are many World records held for many things - some strange and wonderful records over the course of history. Choose one and tell us about it. (A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity.