Dear Parents,

Parenting doesn’t come with instructions, there is no magic wand or particular script to follow. The beauty of the human race and that of our children is that we are all different and have different needs. SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource implemented at our school to help support you in the challenges of modern-day parenting. Parenting is a learning journey and it’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed when faced with raising happy, well and resilient young people today.

Every family has experienced some sort of difficulty or adversity in recent times, some more than others. As mental health concerns continue to rise, there have been some alarming statistics reported in relation to the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in providing the guidance needed to support children and adolescents as they reframe their worries and focus more on the things they can control in their life.

In this Special Report, we are seeking parent participation through a short survey. The survey is designed to provide a barometer to help gauge the state of student wellbeing within our community. We encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey as this will help our school know the nature and extent of your concerns and determine how best we can support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.

Here is the link to the survey

https://stangelawarragul.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2023-au 

Stage 2 Building Update 

Our stage 2 building continues to progress and we are hopeful of this being completed by the end of term 2 and open for students use at the start of Term 3.

Advisory Committee | Parent Vote 

We have had five parents nominated to join our School Advisory Committee. As we require only two the makeup of the committee will be decided by a parent vote. Please see the link below to cast your vote, voting will close Tuesday 7 th March, 12pm.

https://stangelawarragul.schoolzineplus.com/poll/6 

Parents & Friends | Upcoming Activities 

Feast Day 

St Angela of the Cross Feast day is to be held this Friday, 3rd March.
Assistance would be appreciated to run our student sausage sizzle.

https://stangelawarragul.schoolzineplus.com/form/47

Athletics Carnival 

The St Angela Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 17th March, parents and friends are welcome to attend this event. Please see the below web form to register your assistance if you are available to help on the day. 

Students are encouraged to dress in their house colours.
All new students will receive their house colour notification slip to take home this week. 

https://stangelawarragul.schoolzineplus.com/form/48 

Hot Cross Bun Drive 

Acknowledgements 

Our School Community has received a second BBQ thanks to TM&H Mitre 10 & a Gas Bottle thanks to Choo Choo's Cafe. These kind donations will assist greatly with our fundraising events. We thank these local businesses for their generosity. 

Last week the following students represented St Angela of the Cross at the Warragul Disctrict Swimming event. All students swam exceptionally well within their chosen events. Congratulations from the whole school community at St Angela of the Cross on your achievements. 

This year NAPLAN has shifted to March. The test window has been extended from 
15 to 27 March. NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. 

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing,reading, conventions 
of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

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 additional 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.

Eligible students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Monday 27 March 2023.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a student withdrawl form.
These forms are available at the school.

Very human God!
 
Rightly we are in awe of Jesus the Christ. As Peter did, we call him Lord and God but
sometimes we forget his uniqueness as both man and God.
 
Jesus lived on earth as an ordinary man with ordinary feelings. That was the whole point of
his incarnation. How he must have dreaded the torture and crucifixion that was the inevitable
end of his journey! He would have been less than human if he wasn't fearful of the pain and
suffering. It is in knowing that and stepping up for us nonetheless that the fullness of Jesus
love for us is revealed.
 
In the Transfiguration event, Jesus shines with bright rays of light, Old Testament prophets
appear next to him and God the Father speaks. For Jesus the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-9) is
the Father's affirmation of him in his mission. Peter, James and John must have been already
aware of Jesus’ special nature. These three leaders among the apostles have been especially
chosen to witness this astounding event. Though the experience is overwhelming and
discombobulating at the time, it is a glimpse of Jesus' glory and divine assurance that, though
bad times are coming, they need to stand up and be unafraid. Much more will be revealed to
them along the journey of Jesus’ mission, his death and resurrection, and, remembering this
experience, eventually they will understand the Creator’s unbounded love.
 
Jesus calls us too, to stand tall and be unafraid. The circumstances of our world, our country,
our parish, our families are challenging. Making compassionate, faithful Christian decisions
is difficult and we are tempted to demand that God make it all right - now! Instead though,
we find the strength, through prayer and through His Word and sacraments, to focus on Jesus,
and wait.
 
Deacon Mark Kelly