Friday, 8 March 2019, Term 1 Week 6
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Page 1 Friday, 8 March 2019, Term 1 Week 6 Dear Parents, Staff and Students State Election Update Last Friday I had the opportunity to meet with Mr Chris Minns (Member for Kogarah) and Mrs Anne Melrose, Principal of Mater Dei Primary School Blakehurst. The purpose of the meeting was for Mrs Melrose and myself to ensure Mr Minns (former student of MCK) was well aware of the challenges the Catholic education sector was facing due to the lack of funding from the State Government. We were seeking a commitment to an increase in capital investment and a continuation in the existing levels of recurrent funding should a Labor Government take office after the upcoming election. In essence, this would ensure that Jesus, you place on my forehead the sign of my sister Death: the State Government would assist with the building of new schools and the expansion of Remember you are dust, existing schools. In addition, we were looking for an assurance that the funds we receive for and to dust you shall return. our operating costs are maintained. These things can never be taken for granted as is evidenced by the previous removal of the interest subsidy and the recent arguments with the How not hear her wise advice? Commonwealth Government about their commitment to Catholic schools. One day my life on earth will end; the limits on my years are set, though Treasury modelling for recurrent grants clearly indicates if the current situation is not I know not the day or hour. addressed that Catholic schools will be $40 million worse off over the next 5 years. As Shall I be ready to go to meet you? mentioned above, this directly affects the day-to-day operation of a school and detracts from Let this holy season be a time of grace for me and all this world. the quality of the resources we are able to supply. Of even greater concern is the proposed funding for capital works over the next 4 years - a massive $5.9 billion difference in State Teach us to number our days aright, Government funding between the government and non-government sectors. that we may gain wisdom of heart. O Jesus, you place on my Mrs Melrose and I were pleased to recognise that our local member, Mr Chris Minns, is forehead the sign of your saving Cross: onside and sympathetic to the concerns we raised. I am also aware that my Principal Turn from sin and be faithful colleagues were meeting with Mr Steve Kamper, Member for Rockdale. Many people would to the gospel. know that Mr Kamper’s sons attended MCK and that he is an advocate for Catholic schools. Should a Labor Government be elected, I am certain that we will have a strong voice for How can I turn from sin unless Catholic education in caucus. I turn to you? You speak, you raise your hand, Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) you touch my mind and call my name, Each year the Commonwealth Government collects data to inform funding decisions to Turn to the Lord your God again. support students with disabilities. Although the funding will never be sufficient, there are These days of your favour leave a many millions of dollars at stake. It is important that every student who is entitled to support blessing as you pass on me and all receive an education that prepares them for life beyond school, which can only happen with your people. personalised and specific intervention and adjustments. Further information can be found by Turn to us, Lord God, clicking on the link below. and we shall turn to you. 2019 NCCD Fact Sheet Amen Page 2 Road Safety Early in the school year, it is probably worth revisiting some points about road safety for our students and parents. The immediate vicinity around schools is always busy and last week I noticed the Council Rangers taking photos of car number plates where the drivers were in breach of parking and pickup regulations. Double parking while waiting for your sons, or dropping them off whilst doing the same, has the potential for serious injury or worse. All of our young men are capable of walking relatively short distances to school. Dropping them off at a point further away from the school is much safer and gives them the opportunity for a short walk before or after school. I believe the fines are significant and may attract a loss of points. Please click on this link below for updated information from Bayside Council regarding parking safely around schools. Bayside Council Road Rules Reminders Behaviour So far this term I have received some very positive comments about our students’ behaviour and manners on public transport as well as some that are less complimentary. I have taken the opportunity to speak at a whole school assembly about this and the impact both types of comments have on the College’s reputation in the wider community. We take the excellent reputation MCK has in our community very seriously and I would ask that parents also have this conversation with your sons. Affirmations Recently an experienced teacher was discussing with me the dramatic change in the attitude and behaviour of one of the students in her class. It would seem that affirmation and positive reinforcement when the student was doing the right thing has had an impact on this student’s general outlook on life. Affirmations are positive comments made by someone whose opinion we might respect that can have an influence on our decisions and behaviours. For many young people, for a variety of reasons, all they hear are negative comments and criticisms. It can be difficult with some adolescents to find behaviourthat we can affirm. It is a challenge for teachers and parents to find those opportunities for affirmation but something that is worth the effort. Mr John Riordan Principal Second Hand Uniform Sale at the College Blazers $50 House Polo $8 Blue/White Shirts $2 Sport Shorts $8 Grey Trousers $10 Track Jacket $25 Navy Shorts $10 Track Pants $15 Sport Polo $8 Pullover $20 Students need to accompany parents when purchasing uniforms from the College office FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work Page 3 PROJECT COMPASSION 2019 Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal is an extraordinary, ongoing demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of the Catholic congregation and caring supporters throughout Australia to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Project Compassion theme this year asks us to: Give Lent 100% in the name of hope. Starting with Ash Wednesday, 6 March, we at MCK are sharing stories from people in Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Australia, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Their stories humble and inspire us, and show how your contributions to Project Compassion help people build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Money for Project Compassion will be collected in homerooms on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Thank you in advance for your support of this great initiative. PANCAKE TUESDAY On Tuesday 5 March, the College commenced its annual Caritas Lenten fundraising appeal, Project Compassion with a pancake morning. Traditionally on the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of the Lenten Liturgical season), people would gather all their rich food ingredients such as eggs, butter and sugar to make pancakes as Lent was associated as a season of fasting. Students were encouraged to make a $1.50 donation for a delicious homemade pancake, with all proceeds going towards the extraordinary work of Caritas overseas in the Asia-Pacific regions and at home in Australia. In total from that morning, we raised $666.35 an exceptional amount demonstrating the College’s support for solidarity. On behalf of the College community, I would like to thank all the families, teachers and students involved in this fundraiser! FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work Page 4 ASH WEDNESDAY This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday. We began the season of Lent with Mass in the College Chapel at 8.10 am. Father Yacub commissioned the Year 12 students to facilitate the distribution of ashes in liturgies in all homerooms. The Year 12 students were outstanding. They were reverent and wonderful examples of faith filled young men. Ash Wednesday began the season of Lent. During this time in the Church’s Liturgical Calendar, we are called to pray, fast and give alms. The Church encourages us at this time, to reflect on our attitudes, values and actions. Lent is a time of the year wherein we prepare ourselves spiritually for Holy Week and commemorate the death of Jesus and celebrate His resurrection. Ms Lauren Abihanna Religious Education Co-ordinator FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work LENTEN PENANCE In this season of Lent, we seek to experience the mercy of God the Father, and to practice it in our daily lives. But first we must experience our need for mercy, that is, our brokenness and, indeed, our sinfulness, insofar as we have failed to love God above all, and to love our fellow men and women as ourselves. This is why the Church’s Canon Law reaffirms the obligation to do penance – to interrupt the usual comforts of life, to rediscover in prayer the merciful love of God, and to practice charity and justice towards those in need. The special times of penance are all Fridays throughout the year and the season of Lent. We recall that St John the Baptist prepared for the coming of the Lord by “preaching a baptism of repentance”.