PRINCIPAL UPDATE

WISDOM UPFRONT " The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE On Friday 21st September we acknowledge International Day Of Peace. The United Nations (UN) International Day of Peace is celebrated on this day each year to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The International Day of Peace is also a day of ceasefire – personal or political. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “The Right To Peace” which aims to highlight the importance of all segments of society to work together to strive for peace. Let us pause for a moment and pray for all those countries around the world involved in war. May their conflict cease and peace be restored. FATHER’S DAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We celebrated Father’s Day with a wonderful breakfast organised by the Parents and Friends Committee, which was then followed by our School Mass. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and made the breakfast such an enjoyable event. Special thanks to our Parents and Friends Committee who provided this opportunity to come together and celebrate the significant men we are blessed to know. SPORTS FUN DAY Our Sports Fun Day for 2018 is scheduled for Friday 2 November for all students. The day is an opportunity for all students to be involved in a variety of sporting activities, being active and having fun. All families are welcome to attend and be part of the Chanel Community spirit. CHILD SAFETY A reminder that all parents who wish to assist with school activities in term four must have a Working With Children Check, as well as the school’s Code Of Conduct documentation. This includes excursions and classroom helpers. If you are yet to complete the above documentation, please do so immediately. SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS Please note that school will be closed on Monday, 5th November and Tuesday, 6th November. A parish closure day has been allocated for the Monday, to precede the Melbourne Cup. There will be no school for students on these days. Please note that the school will also be closed on Thursday 6th December. The school will be conducting learning conversations with parents and students. More information will follow in due course. SCHOOL FEES AND EDUCATION LEVIES Thank you to those families who have already finalised their school fees and levies for 2018. Unless you are on a Direct Debit payment plan all fees and levies are now overdue and should be finalised as soon as possible. A reminder that direct debit instalments can be taken directly from Centrelink or CentrePay. If you are interested in accessing this service, please contact the school office. If you have any concerns regarding accounts do not hesitate to make an appointment to discuss the matter. END OF TERM 3 As Term 3 draws to a close I would like to acknowledge the work done by so very many of our students, staff and parents in our school community and wish everybody a safe, happy and restful holiday break. We reflect on the many wonderful opportunities we have been blessed with as a school. These opportunities may be on an academic, physical, spiritual or emotional level. In the busyness of our day it is important that we take a moment to consider all that there is to be grateful for – family, health, friends, community and more. I wish each and every one a safe and restful break and look forward to another exciting and productive term ahead. School will resume for all children on Monday, 8th October. We look forward to another exciting term. TERM DATES FOR 2018 Term 4 Monday, 8 October to Friday, 14 December Friday, 2nd November Sports Fun Day Monday, 5th November Parish Closure Day (School Closure Day) Tuesday, 6th November Melbourne Cup (School Closure Day) Thursday, 6th December Learning Conversations (School Closure Day) God Bless Mr Armando Gagliardi PRINCIPAL UPDATE

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

“Christians or not, as people of faith and goodwill, we should be united in showing mercy to the earth as our common home and cherishing the world in which we live as a place for sharing and communion.” Pope Francis Season of Creation September 1 to October 4 is the Catholic Season of Creation. Sunday scripture readings focus on this gift of creation that God has given us and the role we have have been entrusted with. Pope Francis calls us to recognise God’s presence in creation, for us to become aware of the impact our actions are having on creation and is calling for us, as a community of faith, to become a voice for the Earth and to take the necessary steps to care for the tremendous gift God has given us. Sacrament of First Reconciliation Through Reconciliation we come to know ourselves more and develop a relationship with God. When we accept our mistakes, weaknesses and limitations we grow and develop honesty and sincerity. When we examine our behaviours we allow ourselves to reflect on what we can do to be closer to God. The children in Year 3 have celebrated their First Reconciliation, the first Sacrament of healing. Here are some of their reflections of their experience. Erika 3T Reconciliation is special to me because it was a time to get closer to God and tell Him all our sins. After I had my Reconciliation I felt fresh and proud of myself. Chloe 3K Reconciliation is special to me because it is when you tell your sins to Father and it’s a really big part of being Catholic. At first I felt a little bit nervous and then I felt happy because I could just start again and be more like Jesus. Isaac 3A Reconciliation is special to me because you get to say sorry to God and God will forgive you but when you say sorry you have to really mean it. I felt relieved after Reconciliation because, at first, I was nervous but then I felt happy because I was forgiven. The Salvation Army - Giving Hope Today! The Year 5 children have inquired about organisations that assist those less fortunate than ourselves. Deon Azzopardi and Isaac Athanasiadis from 5M inquired about The Salvation Army. “We chose the Salvation Army because we recognised that it was local. We also know that they had a store that poor people could purchase things such as clothes, toys, furniture and even food that are sold for a cheap price. We would like to ask that families at St Peter Chanel donate to this organisation. You could donate unwanted clothes, costumes, outfits to go out with, toys, furniture and any used items that are still good. We could all support this organization by buying things from there too. You don’t have to be poor!” The nearest Salvation Army store is at 2 Westwood Dr, Deer Park and the trading hours are as follows: Monday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Thursday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday* Donations Only Whole School Masses Feast of St Anthony Mary Claret Tuesday October 23 9:30am in the church End of Year School Mass Friday December 7 9:30am in the church Year 6 Graduation Mass Thursday December 13 7:00pm in the church If you would like to participate at either of these masses please see your child’s teacher or come and see me. You may like to do the Offertory with you child/ren or do a reading! Have a safe and restful break. Angela Giordimaina Religious Education Leader