St Luke the Evangelist School Newsletter

Dear parents and families, 

This week is National Reconciliation Week.  National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.  I have placed our acknowledgement of Country below - we say this as a community each week at our assemblies.  

Our Acknowledgement of Country 

We at St. Luke’s would like to say thankyou to the Woi Wurrung people who are the original custodians of this land.

Thank-you too, for letting us share your land.  We promise to look after it, the animals and the people too.

Hello land,

Hello sky,

Hello me,

Hello Friends

It is great to see at lunchtimes our students engaged in so many amazing activities. We currently have Chess Club on Mondays, Choir Club on Tuesdays, Garden Club on Wednesdays and Art Club on Fridays.  We have such great year 6 leaders who are responsible for these clubs and lead our students to enjoy the many offerings.   

Today our year 5/6 students have enjoyed a Winter Sport Round Robin.  Thanks to our staff and parent volunteers for supporting our students with this event.  Special thanks to Micaela Debney for her organisation of this event. All of our students are also participating in a 4 week Gymnastic session during their PE lessons.  

Another thank-you to our amazing Parents and Friends Association with the organisation of The Bunnings BBQ fundraiser.  Thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their time to cook, sell, and support our community- this is greatly appreciated.  

Our staff are currently working on school reports.  School reports will be distributed on Wednesday 21st June.  Parent Teacher Interviews will be held in Term 3 (Wednesday 19th July). This is a great opportunity to discuss with your child’s teacher the progress they are making and the next steps in their learning.  More information to follow regarding this.  

In staffing news we farewelled Clare Ryan our amazing Learning Support Officer this week.  She has been a wonderful support to many students over her journey at St. Luke’s and we wish her all the success in her new position at St. Gregory the Great in Doncaster.  Also in staffing news, Tayla Buxton will take leave in Term 3 (Mon 10th July -Friday 15th September). Mrs Josette Tyler and Marie Kennedy will be replacing Tayla during this period of leave. Josette Tyler will work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Marie Kennedy will work Thursday and Friday. As Tayla will be away on our Parent Teacher Interview night in Term 3, 1/2Coral will be having their Interviews on Tuesday 20th June. Parents of 1/2 Coral have been notified of booking this event.  

Have a wonderful weekend

Julie Inglese 

principal@slblackburnsth.catholic.edu.au

Year 5/6

Thank you to all families for returning your child’s permission form regarding the YMCA Camp Wyuna (Queenscliff) experience from Monday 10th July to Wednesday 12th July, 2023.  Preparations are well under way! This week you should have also received your pack list so you can start to get organised.  We hope to see many families at our Camp Information Meeting next Friday 9th June at 9.15am. 

Year 3/4 

We ask all families to please ‘Save The Date’ for the Middles overnight camp from Monday 7th August to Tuesday 8th August, 2023.  This will be during the middle of Term 3.  Further information will be sent home shortly.

A huge congratulations to Ethan, Thomas, Olivia, Emily and Lachie on their gutsy determination competing in the Monash Waverley Divisional Cross Country at Mirrabooka Reserve on Wednesday.  A huge shout out to Lachlan who finished top 10 and will progress through to the Eastern Metro Region Cross Country in a fortnight.  To our other four runners, you should be proud of your sportmanship and support of your team mates.

We also extend our congratulations to the following students for progressing through to the Monash-Waverley Divisional Athletics in October: Maddie, Sebastian, Harriet, Will, Olivia, Lachie, Jakob, Sean, Emily, Harmony and Eva.

And the final congratulations goes to Luke on his most recent basketball achievement, progressing through Stage 2 Conference Trials for the SSV U12 Boys team to make it through to Stage 3 - a two day state selection camp next week!  A truly magnificent accomplishment to come this far, well done Luke!  We know your athletic abilities and wonderful sportsmanship will shine next week.

Good luck to the 24 Seniors participating in the Syndal District Soccer Round Robin in a fortnight.  St Luke’s are sending a Year 6 Girls team and a Year 6 Mixed team to battle it out at Gardiner’s Reserve, Burwood.  We can’t wait to hear how the day goes!

Thank you to our PA members and families who volunteered part of their Saturday to man the Bunnings BBQ.  The day was a great success, raising just over $1400 for a future purchase to benefit our children.

Also in PA news, we have recently purchased STEM equipment from the proceeds of fund raising activities.  These items will be used by all year levels.

On the evening of Friday 19th of May, many of our Grade Six students received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was a special night where our students’ respect for the Sacrament, the reverence they displayed and the maturity they exhibited was exemplary. 

Below are some reflections from their experience:

Making my confirmation was such a special part of my life that I don’t think I will ever forget! On the night of the ceremony, I felt this glow in me and I just wanted to strive to be the best version of myself, in the moment and in the future - so that is what I still strive to do. 

I chose the saint Mary Mackillop. I chose her because I love that she was a teacher, pioneer, she was Australian, and she was so kind hearted. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous, I was actually very nervous, but when it was over, I got this sense of relief like all the stress leading up to it was over. 

My sponsor was my godmother, and it was so nice to have her and my family standing by my side during this important part of my life. 

~ Iris ~ 

At confirmation, I felt very nervous until I entered the church and realised how friendly and respectful everyone was. During the ceremony, we went up to the altar and had the oil of chrism put on our heads in the shape of a cross. 

During our preparations, we made a poster about a specific saint. I chose saint Vincent de Paul because of all the kind things he did for his community. There is also a charity named after him. 

At the end of the mass, we said a prayer for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and then we left the church. Before we left, we were also encouraged to choose a gift or gifts of the Holy Spirit to empower us. I chose wisdom and courage because I know that they will be helpful in the near future. I also chose them because I think that I need wisdom to make wiser decisions in my life and I think I need more courage to give things a go. So overall I loved making my confirmation.  

~ Jacob ~

For me, confirmation was a really fun and special experience. It was so nice having all my family there to support me, and the priest, Father Tony, was very nice and supportive of every candidates. 

When I was being confirmed, I asked for the gift of fortitude (courage), because I sometimes make the wrong choices and I need some help to change that. After the ceremony, I didn’t really feel that different, but I’m sure that I will start standing up for others and myself, without me even noticing. 

The lead up to confirmation was really fun and the teachers made it really engaging, especially the reflection day, where we learnt all about the 7 gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. My favorite part was probably opening the letters from our parents and then responding.

~ Hannah ~

Before confirmation, I felt a little bit nervous, but very excited. In the lead up, I learnt so much about the fruits and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.. I learnt that the gifts aren’t just presents but they’re gifts that help you stay on God's path of life. For my Saint, I chose St Nicholas and learnt so much about him and why he was a Saint.  

For my personal gift, I chose the gift of counsel, because sometimes I feel like I need help to make the right choices.

~ Xavier ~

Making my Confirmation  has taught me many  things, including, the Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit and how to look up to and be like my Saint and Sponsor. These fruits and gifts were planted in us at Baptism, and Confirmation is the time when they grow and develop. 

We had a Confirmation reflection day before the Sacrament, to help ensure we knew all we could about everything that was about to happen. We also had to choose a Saint we admire, and research what they did to become a Saint and why we look up to them. Choosing a Saint was very special because, not only do we look up to them, but it also became our ‘Saint name’.

~ Jessie ~

I learned so much during the journey towards and during Confirmation. Our main focus was undoubtedly the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each one planted within us at Baptism, and acknowledged at the time of Confirmation.

Before the big day, we had a Confirmation Reflection day in which we truly focused on what we shall experience on the night and to reflect more deeply on the spiritual side of the experience. The night itself was an unforgettable experience, especially since we knew what it would be like and why we were doing it. When I was confirmed, with my sponsor at my side, I indeed felt like a better and more aware person, looking up to the life and compassion of my Saint, Catherine of Bologna. 

~ Charlotte ~

On a Thursday morning, the Science Department of Swinburne University paid the Middles students a visit, for an information session on our Solar System, with an emphasis on the Sun, Earth and Moon. Students participated in exciting activities, which included role playing, mapping, and of course, observing. Students had lots of questions that led to new questions, and at the end, still felt that learning could have kept going 'further than the galaxy!'

Term 2 statements were issued via email on 09 May 2023.  If you have not received your statement please contact Debbie in the School Office.

The payment required for Term 2 is one third of your full year school fees and levies. This is due by Friday 16 June 2023.

Would you be able to contribute an hour of your time, six times a year to help keep our church clean?

Cleaning usually happens on Saturday mornings but can be at other times by arrangement.  You would be in a team of 4/5 people or you could create your own team with friends.

Please consider this way of volunteering to assist our parish and school community!

Contact Megan on 0419 347 693 or email blackburnsouth@cam.org.au to sign up or for further information.

If you know of family or friends who are looking to move into the area OR are considering moving schools for their child OR want to  commence their child at a great primary school, please encourage them to come by for a tour. A quick phone call to Debbie in the office or email via our website will get the ball rolling. 

 To find out more, please read the following flyer. 

Children arriving after the bell or leaving early.

As part of our wellbeing care of children at St Luke's, every class engages in a morning routine at 8.50 am.  This quiet, calm time allows children to gather together in a circle, to greet each other by name, to pray and/or enter into some Christian meditation and get ready for the day.  Please make sure you allow enough time to get your child to school BEFORE the student entry doors close at 8.50 am.

If children arrive after the gate and student entry doors are locked, parents/carers are required to walk their child/ren to the school office and sign them in on the VPass iPad.

If leaving early (before the end of the day), parents/carers are required to sign their child/ren out on the VPASS iPad.

WINTER UNIFORMS:

With the colder weather coming on, please make sure your child has his/her school jumper EVERY day. Many children are choosing to wear a rain jacket instead of their jumpers. The rain jacket is for outside use only.