Filter Content
Dear parents,
It has been a smooth resumption of school with the children and teachers pleased to be able to interact personally. Teaching is a relational business and while remote learning is okay in an emergency, it lacks the ongoing interactions with friends and teachers that make schools such unique places.
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of cars driving through the pick-up zone. To assist with movement and to make it easier for school staff, I ask all parents driving through this area to please have their surname displayed on their dash. We have seen substantial queues along Mapleton Crescent of an afternoon and I remind parents that it is illegal to queue across the pedestrian crossing.
The final reminder for this week is regarding dogs. Dogs are not allowed on school grounds.
School life is slowly returning to normal with Chess Club resuming this coming Monday, nominations to participate in the Tournament of Minds competition being accepted, and auditions for Mother Teresa’s Got Talent commencing soon. Information regarding The Primary Maths Challenge is also being sent home.
Parents are advised that the Catholic Education Office has extended the enrolment period for one week meaning it will now close on Friday, 29th May.
ELC Temperature Testing
Mother Teresa ELC implemented temperature testing as an additional precautionary measure following a directive from Catholic Education.
Recent advice from ACT Health is that temperature testing does not have benefit and is not recommended for schools, early childhood education and care centres.
With the risk of COVID-19 decreasing in the ACT, and based on the advice provided by ACT Health, the temperature testing procedure can now be ceased. We will no longer require students to have their temperatures taken at the ELC from this coming Monday.
Maths Problem
Congratulations to Jonty Duvall who was last week’s winner. This week we have an easier problem aimed at our younger students.
Parrots
Mr Hughes had some Superb Parrots in his backyard. When he went outside half of them flew away leaving six behind. How many parrots were there before Mr Hughes went outside?
Beanies
We have finally received a bulk supply of new beanies for students. They are available at the office for the price of $10.00 each.
God Bless
Peter Hughes
WHOLE SCHOOL FOCUS
The Whole school focus theme for this year is: Be Just Like Jesus This term we will be focusing on: Think Like Jesus: Jesus’ character and the way he lived offers excellent examples of ways we can copy him. We can do this by doing our best to live peacefully with others, study the scriptures, be gentle and humble, trust God, help others, make good choices, and always obey God.
Confirmation Connection:
Could all Confirmation Candidates and Parents please save the date of Tuesday 2nd June. More information will be emailed to you from the Parish.
Don’t forget to visit the Parish Website to enter the Pentecost colouring in competition.
Fr Mark and Fr Jiss invite you to please sign in to the Mass at 9.15am using Meeting ID 824-036-573 or click https://zoom.us/j/824036573
Ascension of the Lord - Year A
24 May 2020
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Something to Think About
Jesus says to the disciples, and to us, “I am with you always”. Think of some ways you know that Jesus is with you in your life. Now it is up to us to continue Jesus’ work on earth through our actions. The Holy Spirit will help us to show love, and let us know what to say.
The Story
In today’s gospel, Jesus takes the disciples to a mountain in Galilee to prepare them for his return to his father in heaven. Jesus does three things for the disciples. 1. He reminds them of his power: ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth’. 2. He commissions them to a mission: ‘Go and baptise’ and make disciples! 3. He tells them that he is not deserting them: ‘I will be with you always, even until the end of time.’
The Scriptures
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus' eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee,
where Jesus had told them to meet him.
They saw him and worshipped him, but some of them doubted.
Jesus came to them and said:
"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples.
Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to do everything I have told you.
"I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Video
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK
Bedtime Prayer
Family Discussion
Has someone you love very much gone away for a long time, maybe a holiday?
Talk about how you felt when you said goodbye. Our memories of times with the person who has gone away often help us when we are missing them.
How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus told them that he was going away? Jesus knew his friends would be sad and afraid but he told them that he would be with them always.
What are some of your favourite stories about Jesus?
Family Activity
The Ascension calls us to get busy spreading the Good News of Jesus!
Play the Telephone Game:
The first person in the line or circle whispers a good news message about Jesus into the ear of the person sitting or standing to their right. Continue until the last person receives the message which they share with the whole family.
Make sure everyone in the family has a chance to share their Good News message from Jesus.
Images from Unsplash.com, Flickr.com and Pixabay.com. Used under licence/with permission.
Contemporary English Version of Scripture extracts provided under licence from ICEL to Liturgy Brisbane.
Peace and best wishes
Anne Leet REC
Live Streamed Marriage Seminars Sundays in June
The local Archdiocese has organised a series interactive live-streamed presentations for Marriage & Family Month immediately after the 11am Online Mass at St Christophers Cathedral for the next three Sundays (14th, 21st, 28th June).
Listeners will be able to interact online and ask questions of our impressive line-up of international, interstate and local Catholic couples speaking at 11.45am each Sunday from mid-June. See full program at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/marriage-family-month-june-2020/
Free Online International Catholic Marriage Summit this week
Starting this Friday, 50+ high profile Catholic speakers & social media personalities will be appearing online with their spouses to share openly about the highs, lows and challenges of married life.
This free International Catholic Marriage Summit is the first of its kind. The instructions to the committed Catholic speakers was to ‘keep it real’. Talk topics include finances, grief, communication, conflict and sex. It should be a great resource for any engaged or married couple. Register for free here or at https://www.joyfuleverafter.org/
Award winning Canberra wine maker Tim Kirk and his wife Lara, a Catholic marriage educator, will be speaking on the topic: “I Can’t Make You Happy”.
Beating stress and worries about coronavirus (COVID-19)
by THE BRAVE TEAM on MARCH 15, 2020
There are a lot of negative and stressful events occurring in our world every day – but when something like coronavirus (COVID-19) becomes so pervasive that it affects almost every country in the world, and is talked about almost every hour of the day, our children and teenagers can become quite anxious.
They may worry about many different things related to the virus – whether they or their family members will get sick, whether schools will close, whether they will be asked to stay away from loved ones and friends, whether they will be safe, or whether the virus will ever end. Sometimes, it is simply not knowing what will happen that creates the most fear (for young people and adults).
Children and teenagers are very observant – they see things changing, they hear the news and they talk with whoever they can about what’s happening. For some young people, this is a natural and healthy way to manage their worries about the situation. But for other young people, excessive focus on the issue can increase their fears and become unmanageable. Either way, the chances are young people will have lots of questions and will be seeking reassurance from those around them, and those they trust. As parents and caregivers, you might be wondering how best to respond to these questions.
The BRAVE Team are a team of Clinical Psychologists and experts in child and adolescent anxiety and have put together a set of simple tips for you and your young person to manage the stress associated with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Stay calm yourself
Children and teens look to their parents to work out how to respond. When parents are not calm it sends young people the message that they too should be panicking. Pay attention to how you talk about the virus to your children, each other and other people. Stick to the facts when talking about the virus. Speak calmly about it. Behave in a considered and rational way. Fear is just as contagious as this virus – and it is not helpful. The best way you can ‘vaccinate’ your child against fear around COVID-19 is to remain calm and rational yourself.
Think about the way young people receive their information
It can be helpful for parents to consider the way in which children and teenagers consume information about COVID-19 coronavirus. Constant exposure to news broadcasting can cause additional stress– children can’t always recognise fine differences between facts and messages designed to convey exaggerated threat. Help your child receive factual information in ways that are young-person friendly. Focus on the messages that are most important to children (think about what you want them to do – Regularly wash hands). Don’t forget to pay attention to how you talk about the virus to your children, each other and other people. Try not to panic – children are much more likely to keep calm if you do too.
Think about how you can answer questions
When young people are anxious, they tend to focus on the worst-case scenario and seek a lot of reassurance. Remind your children that there are a lot of people out there working hard to keep them and their loved ones safe, and we need to help in whatever way we can. Be there to listen and answer their questions, but try and keep an optimistic outlook. Help them see the range of possibilities and focus on what you can do right now to keep safe and manage stress. Try not to let them continue asking questions over and over – instead engage them in other activities and use the strategies from our Guide for Parents and Young people below, which you can use, print and share.
Remember that everyone worries about different things
We also need to remember that children may have different worries than teenagers and adults. For many younger children, their fears may focus on being separated from loved ones (including pets and toys) whereas older children and teenagers may worry about getting sick themselves or social isolation and missing out on things. It’s important to acknowledge their individual worries and help find strategies to manage these.
Help your young person find a strategy that works for them
Help your young person find some strategies for managing their anxiety. This might include family activities which can distract from fear and focus on positive experiences, or it might be things like encouraging your young person to listen to music, rediscover old hobbies, practice relaxation or mindfulness or connect with family and friends online. Encourage them (and all family members) to focus on other things during these activities. Remember, young people learn through experience – set a good example and try and remain calm as much as possible. Try and keep to your family routines as much as possible, stay healthy and active.
Finally, remember that it is normal to feel overwhelmed by such events. Reach out and find the right support for you and your child if required.
About The Brave Program
The BRAVE program is an evidence-based cognitive behavioural program which helps people understand how anxiety works and identify strategies for overcoming fears and worries. There are programs for Parents of young children (3-6 years), Children (7-11 years), Teenagers (12-17 years) and Parents of Children and Teenagers.
If you are in Australia you can learn more about how to help your child or teenager manage stress and anxiety generally by accessing the BRAVE Self-Help program at www.brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au .
Please note that the program is only available to Australian IP addresses at this time.
Useful Links – Australia
Youth Beyond Blue: https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/ OR https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
Emerging Minds: https://emergingminds.com.au/ OR this video on Talking to Children about natural disasters and traumatic events.
Kids Helpline: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ OR call 1800 55 1800
Reach Out: https://au.reachout.com/
Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ OR call 13 11 14
