Good afternoon Parents and Carers,

Cyber Safety

Mother Teresa School prides itself on working in partnership with parents in the development of our children. The old adage that it takes a village to raise a child is something that our school has built its foundations on.

At the Community Council meeting this week a discussion was had concerning the misuse of technology via social media and messaging.  As most of these messages have been sent by students outside of school hours, the discussion of who’s responsible for dealing with these behaviours is definitely a grey area.  The short answer in my opinion relates back to the original notion that it is the responsibility of both parents and the school to work together in educating our students in the importance of using technology wisely.

In the case of inappropriate use taking place it is deemed primarily the responsibility of parents if the issue occurs outside of school hours and, while it is important to inform the school when these issues arise, we encourage parents to deal with behaviours at home.

As a rule when I speak to students about inappropriate use of their device I offer them two pieces of advice.

Firstly I speak to them about the detrimental effect that their digital footprint could have on their future. In a world where employers can easily access additional information about a prospective employee through their social media presence, it is essential that our students, no matter what age, recognise that their online behaviour now, can affect their future. This is easier said than done due to the fact that it is difficult to put an old head on young shoulders.

The second is a rule of thumb which ensures that our children “think before they post”.  I suggest to them that before they hit send to think whether their grandparents would approve of the content they have posted? Because of the bond between grandchildren and their grandparents, I feel that this resonates with their moral compass and hopefully prevents them from posting something they might later regret.

Please take the time to speak to your children about using technology in a responsible manner.

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6 students return from Camp Cooba today following three days of fun-filled adventure and activities. From all reports the children have been fine representatives of our school and have met all challenges presented.

There were moments throughout the year when school camps seemed unlikely, so for our leadership group to have this culminating experience together has been a bonus, putting some normality into a year that has provided so much uncertainty at times.

We thank our Year 6 teachers, Miss Ceccato, Mrs Shelley, Mrs Travers, Mr Roweth and Mr Hughes for accompanying the students on camp.

Maths Problem

Congratulations to Lacey Press from Kinder Rose who won the maths challenge last week.  The week 4 problem is below.

2 Eggs Maths Problem - Tricky

Izzy found a strange sum written on a piece of paper:

Each letter represents a different digit, so P might be 1, for example.

Can you work out what the sum really is?

Hint: If you look at just the ones column and the tens column, you’ll see: GG + GG = GE.  Adding GGs together gives two different letters. There must be a 1 being carried!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Craig Hart
Assistant Principal

The Whole school focus theme for this year is: Be Just Like Jesus

To be like Jesus is to be a person willing to put others before yourself, to seek wisdom, and to care about how you interact with all people you come across in life.

Booking to attend Mass

To attend Mass in person, please follow this link to make a booking.  We encourage you to all come back to Mass if it is safe for you to do so.  We look forward to seeing you! 

Parish Newsletter

This weekend’s newsletter is now available online.  Click on the link here to access: https://www.holyspiritgungahlin.org.au/31-october-1-november-2020-saints/

THIRTIETH-SECOND SUNDAY IN

​ORDINARY TIME

“Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him."

Year A | Sunday 8th November | green

Preparing to hear God’s word

Jesus reminds his disciples to 'Be ready!'

Some of the bridesmaids in today's story were extra prepared and brought lots of oil for their lamps, but they did not share with those who had less.

God gives each person gifts to use for their own benefit but also to help others.

​God's kingdom calls us to be generous and compassionate, not to selfishly hold onto our surplus goods and gifts. 

The Story

In today’s gospel, ten bridesmaids all took their lamps ... but only five of them took extra oil.

The bridegroom was late and the lamps needed to burn for longer than expected.

The bridesmaids who took extra oil could keep their lamps lit. It is these women that the gospel calls 'wise'.

The five who did not bring extra oil were called 'foolish'. They asked for help from those who had plenty - but were refused. They then went out, in the middle of the night and somehow, somewhere found more oil.

​But while they were gone, the groom arrived and the doors to the wedding were closed.

The Scriptures

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew 25:1-13

Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.

Jesus told his disciples this story about the kingdom of heaven:

"The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night

when ten girls took their oil lamps

and went to a wedding to meet the groom.

Five of the girls were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil.

The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps.

"The groom was late arriving,

and the girls became drowsy and fell asleep.

Then in the middle of the night someone shouted,

'Here's the groom! Come to meet him!'

"When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready,

the foolish ones said to the others,

'Let us have some of your oil!

Our lamps are going out.'

"The girls who were wise answered,

'There's not enough oil for all of us!

Go and buy some for yourselves'

"While the foolish girls were on their way to get some oil,

the groom arrived.

The girls who were ready went into the wedding,

and the doors were closed

Later the other girls returned and shouted,

'Sir, Sir! Open the door for us!'

"But the groom replied, 'I don't even know you!'

"So, my disciples, always be ready!

You don't know the day or the time

when all this will happen."

             The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Since the bridegroom was late in arriving, five of the women ran out of oil for their lamps. Had the groom been on time, all the women would have had enough oil. These unexpected things happen in life!

In today's world - who would parallel the five 'wise' women? Who are the ones who have more than enough but who refuse to share? Could this be a reference to many First world countries who, each year, destroy huge quantities of food - enough to feed the rest of the world?

And who would parallel the five 'foolish' women who were resourceful enough to go out and find a way to achieve their goal - because those who had plenty refused to share?

Video

Peace and Best Wishes,

Anne Leet

Religious Education Co-ordinator

Australian Mathematics Competition

The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) is an annual international competition held in Term 3 designed to test students’ mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills. The 30 tasks become increasingly complex, so that by the end of the competition, even the most gifted students are challenged.

Earlier this term 81 MTS students from Year 3 – 6 participated in the AMC online. The problems were challenging and both required persistence and a growth mindset to solve. We congratulate the following students on their participation and performance.

Congratulations Logan Lewis (3C) who was awarded the ‘Best in School’ certificate by The Australian Maths Trust.