Thursday 13^th March 2025

Gospel of the Week

Luke 9:28-36

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

As Jesus prayed, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

The Gospel this week tells us that on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus showed His closest disciples a sight they would never forget: the unveiled glory of the Son of God. As simple as it may sound, what we can learn from the Transfiguration is this: Christian community that pleases the Father and honours His Word is all about Jesus–who He is, what He has done, and what matters.

This reveals why He is worthy of allegiance; it also resolves Herod's question and Peter's answer about Jesus' identity. Peter, James, and John follow Jesus up a mountain. Jesus' clothes become bright white, and Moses and Elijah arrive to speak with Him.

The Transfiguration event was probably the most definitive revelation of Jesus as divine next to the resurrection itself. Here Jesus is shown to be greater than the Law and the Prophets and that he was the beginning of the new covenant of grace that brings humanity to salvation and glory to God.

A HUGE thanks to our Year 3 and Year 5 staff and to Donna Ward our Learning and Teaching Leader, for the support being given to our students during this week with the NAPLAN testing. The testing has been a seamless process with the students and teachers being well prepared. Once again, I ask all parents to remember that this is a form of standardised testing where students’ results are compared to the whole state. This is a snapshot of the students’ knowledge now and many other things need to be considered when we look at these results. This includes all the other learning that occurs each and every day within our classrooms.

On Wednesday March 26^th, we will be holding our Maths Open Night. The Open Night will begin at 3.30pm and go through till 6pm. During this time, parents and their children are invited to come in and for the students to showcase the work they have been doing in their Maths classes. We look forward to welcoming you to our school!

God Bless

 Meg

NAPLAN-this week

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students’ progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

Friday 14th Mar ~ 9:00-10:00am (Conventions of Language) AND 11:30am-12:30am (Numeracy)

SEMPER DENTAL VISITS

We are pleased to advise you that our school has engaged Semper Dental to provide your children with the opportunity of visiting the Semper Dental treatment team at school commencing on Wednesday March 19th. Semper Dental is a well-respected catholic family business and is a significant provider of oral hygiene education and dental treatment services with programs running in more than 80 schools in greater Melbourne.

The program is available to participating students from all year levels at the school. The basis of this offer will be fully explained in the Semper Dental parent consent forms and in the Semper Dental information flyer.

Semper Dental provides a preventative treatment program involving an oral examination and treatments such as scale, cleaning, fluoride application and fissure seals where necessary. Semper Dental will then provide you with a treatment plan for your child following the visit and will inform you if your child requires additional dental care. Forms need to be returned to the school by Thursday March 14th.

St Francis Xavier College school tours

If you are looking to enrol your child into St Francis Xavier, please note these important dates in your calendar.

SFX College Open Day – Saturday 22 March 10.00am – 2.00pm 

Officer Campus Talk & Tour – 09.30am – 10.45am 

Tuesday 13 May

Tuesday 24 June

Tuesday 12 August

Tuesday 09 September

Tuesday 14 October

Wednesday 12 November

Year 7 2026 Enrolment Interviews

Wednesday 4 June

Wednesday 29 October

Year 7 2027 Enrolment Interviews

Wednesday 2 July

Year 7 2027 Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 7 May 7.00pm

Year 7 2026 Transition Day – Monday 8 December all day

Parent Helpers-Term 2

We will be running an induction for any parents who wish to help in the classroom early in Term 2. Please note, any parents wishing to assist in the classroom must have a Working with Children Check. It only needs to be a Volunteer one to assist in the classroom. The school will require a copy of this to keep in our files. We will notify parents of the date once we have finalised it.

ATTENTION PARENTS: School Uniform

I am asking please that all students, to be wearing our proper school uniform. It is important that we maintain a high standard of uniform throughout the school year and to wear it with pride.

I will continue to ask all students to be wearing proper school shoes and uniform right up until the end of the year. Runners are NOT school shoes. Please see pictures below. I understand that students are growing constantly, however they will continue to grow for many more years and so I cannot always accept this as an excuse. We must remember that many students are adhering to the correct standards of school uniform and therefore, it is important that the students and their families please respect this. Secondary schools do not accept poor unform standards.

 If finance is a concern when it comes to uniform, please speak to your classroom teacher. St Patrick’s has a very good second-hand uniform shop that you can top up your child’s uniform with. It is a third of the price you would pay at the normal uniform shop, and the money goes straight back to the school.

 This is an example of a school shoe to be worn every day, except on sport days/events:

This is a runner and NOT a school shoe