DAMIEN JUDD CHRIS SLOANACtINg CO-pRINCIpAL CO-pRINCIpAL

God of a Reconciling heart,Open our hearts to the experiences of others, And show us new ways of being a loving community.

World Mission day appeal

the month of October is set aside as World Mission Month with last Sunday being World Mission Day in Australia. Money raised from this appeal not only assists with Catholic Missions overseas but importantly in our own backyard with funds helping our former parish priest, Fr paul Burke, in traversing the outback in the north of our state and working with remote communities and the indigenous people.

international night

International Night is always a well attended and pleasurable evening especially if you enjoy good food. It is an event that involves all families of the Samaritan Community and if you have been looking to help out this year, then this event is perfect for you. please refer to the request sheet on the back of this newsletter.

australian youth survey

Recently a longitudinal survey was completed that looked at what makes some students achieve a ‘successful’ transition to adult hood. there were three key findings with the first highlighting the

need for the student to have a good experience at school, this meant involving themselves in sports, extra curricular activities and community activities. the second was financial stability. Sounds obvious but a student not having to worry about how to pay for post school options is a major factor and there are options to assist in this area. Finally, having a part time job whilst in the senior years of schooling. the study found that the right mix of school and work was beneficial in the student understanding team work and financial management once they left the comforts of home.

year 12 FareWell

the Year 12s had their final formal day of school last week. the respect and reverence they showed toward each other, the staff and the school was a real credit to them. Whilst they still have exams, graduation ceremonies and the like still to come, they should be proud of the way they said ‘goodbye’ to the College.

term 4 Week 2 october 27, 2011

CoMing eventsFriday, oCtober 28• Year 4/5 Baverstock,

9:30am, whole campus assembly, StC

• Yr 6/7 Free, 12:30pm, whole campus assembly, Vessey Unit

thursday, noveMber 3• Year 1/2 Hearne Mass,

9:00am, OLHC Church

thursday, noveMber 3• Year 2/3 Balnaves/perry

Liturgy, 9:30am, library

• Year 10 photographs (p7)

Friday, noveMber 4• R/Year 1 Boundy Junior

Assembly, 9:30am, library

• Year 5/6 Baulderstone Whole Campus Assembly, 12:30pm, Vessey Unit

Friday, noveMber 25• International Night

tuesday, noveMber 29• SJC SRC Bake Sale

thursday, deCeMber 1• Year 12 graduation

thursday, deCeMber 12• prize Night

Dear parents/Caregivers,

“Value and respect the diversity of faiths and cultures within the school community”

This can be actioned by: » Hosting a stall at International Night » Discussing at home the different cultures

we have at Samaritan » Discussing the work done by the students

with Project Compassion during Lent » Attending various celebrations at each

campus i.e. BookWeek, Christmas Concerts

• Host a Japanese billet

Excerpt from Charter for Parents in Catholic Schools

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RELIGIOUS DIMENSION

god’s “Core business”a father of prodigious love and forgiveness

We human beings are not always as good at forgiving as we would like to be – either for forgiving others, or forgiving ourselves.

that’s natural enough, because forgiveness is not our natural territory – rather, we are prone to being harsh judges, of ourselves and others.

By contrast, god’s very nature is love and forgiveness – it’s god’s “core business”. god as Judge is a judge characterised by mercy and compassion – remember the good Samaritan. He is a figure of god’s word-made-flesh, Jesus.

On tuesday night the parents of the children preparing for First Reconciliation gathered for their information evening with the Sacramental team. We worked through the meaning of the Sacrament, and the preparation work that parents will be doing with their children. the children led a beautiful liturgy of joy and thanks.

Sister Sonia introduced us to the famous Rembrandt painting, “the Return of the prodigal Son”. In the picture, the father, who symbolises god, lavishes his love, acceptance and forgiveness upon the son who offended the family so badly. the father’s hands famously exhibit maleness (left hand) and femaleness (right hand) – showing that god has in mind all of you who carry the responsibility of parents.

parents are “the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith”, and we as the Catholic parish family stand behind you as you carry out this crucial work (“crucial” = “of the cross”). If there’s any way you need us to help you with this special time, please let us know.

Fr Jim MonaghanON BEHALF OF tHE pARISH tEAM

WeeKend Mass tiMesst teresa’s Church our lady help of

Christians Church

Saturday 7:00pm Sunday 10:30am

Sunday 8:30am Sunday 5:30pm

PARISH NEWS

god of Compassion

Sometimes people think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in terms of a criminal trial. they imagine god as the judge, the priest as god's lawyer and the sinner as being on trial. And they think the penance the sinner receives is punishment for the offense committed. this idea is completely off the mark.

there's an old saying, "god hates the sin, not the sinner." Just as a loving mother disapproves of those destructive behaviours which harm her child, so god condemns our sins. So while it's true that when you sin you turn away from god, it does not follow that god turns away from you.

the god you encounter in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the god of compassion. In the battle against sin, god is on your side. that doesn't mean god is pleased by sin. Rather, it means that, because of an overwhelming love for us, god reaches out even further to meet us when we need our Maker most.

When it comes to sin, we can be sure that god is not vengeful or spiteful but merciful and forgiving. that's clear from the example of Jesus. think of how he dealt with the sinners whom he encountered.

Luke tells the story of a sinful woman who sought out Jesus. He was eating at the home of Simon the pharisee, a well-established and self-righteous man in the community, when this sinful woman showed up at the dinner party. She was obviously uninvited. Because she had a bad reputation, she was considered a terrible sinner and hence an outcast. But Jesus welcomed her in.

Simon the pharisee was outraged that Jesus would associate with this kind of woman. But the Lord knew of her sorrow for her sins, and her humble heart which desired healing. Jesus said of this woman that "her many sins are forgiven; hence, she has shown great love" (Luke 7:47).

By Ellen Fanizzi www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay0199.asp

reconciliation – a sacrament of healing

Close to forty children from the parish are preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation this term. they will participate in workshops and attend Mass to be introduced to the parish. On their journey they will come to experience the healing love of Jesus through this Sacrament. Our prayers are with these children and their families as they prepare for and then celebrate god’s healing love.

What used to be called Confession or penance, we now celebrate as Reconciliation in which the healing love of Jesus is offered to those who seek forgiveness. this may be quite a different experience to many older parishioner’s recollections of their Confession experiences. It may even be quite different from our own preconceived notions of what Reconciliation means.

Bernie MeixnerASSIStANt pRINCIpAL IN IDENtItY AND MISSION

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COLLEGE NEWS

Cyber bullying is one of the biggest, safety issues facing young people today. Bullying and harassment online is now commonplace. For instance, over a third of teenage girls have been sexually harassed via the Internet.The emergence of social media sites has seen cyber bullying go to a new level. Messages and images can now spread like wild fire reaching a huge potential audience in the time it takes to upload an image or shoot off a text message.Once the family home offered young people an escape from schoolyard bullies. Now the cyber world is so invasive that their bedrooms offer no guarantees of safety any more.The cyber world is enticing. Young people have always wanted to escape from their parents' world. In the past they hung out in shopping centres and pool halls. Parents tried their best to keep an eye on where their children were and what they were doing.The online world is now the shopping mall of the 21st Century. Parents have the same responsibility to help kids stay safe in the online world as they do in the real world. 'Stranger danger' and accompanying safe behaviours are just as relevant in the online world as they are in the real world.Parents should use the same offline preventative strategies to maximise their children's online safety as they’ve always used. These strategies include: teaching children about the right way to behave online; don't let them spend all night in the cyber world; and ask questions about what they are doing and where they go when they're online.Parents need to remind kids that things in the online world can spin out of control very quickly. A written message or an image can be circulated electronically so rapidly that the scope and scale of cyber bullying can be greater than any other form of bullying.The following seven key messages form the basis of an online safety strategy for kids. They should be taught to kids so they become second nature, just as the messages about stranger danger were absorbed by an earlier generation.1. Respect others. Make kids aware that what they send

can offend. Discuss with kids the types of messages and images that can cause harm to others when sent. Teenagers often walk a fine line with what they do and say to each other offline, yet it’s relatively harmless. The same type of behaviour online however can be a different story.

2. Think before you send. Remind kids cyberspace is a very public and permanent forum. A text message or image sent to just one person can be passed to a potentially unlimited number. Once they are sent they’re almost impossible to erase and take back.

3. Treat online passwords like your house key. Teach kids to keep passwords guarded at all times. Young people can be incredibly trusting of each other, which is to be encouraged. However there are some things, such

as online passwords that they don’t share, not even with their best friend.

4. Block bullies. Teach kids to block bullying messages. They can filter out messages and addresses online. Similarly, they can block text messages from bullies as well.

5. Don't reply to harassment. Bullies can retain proof of your response, which can further be spread around. Besides responding to bullying behaviour often simply encourages the bully to continue.

6. Save the evidence. If kids are bullied they should keep the pictures and offending messages. These can be used as proof if the bullies are brought to justice.

7. Tell someone. The insidious part of bullying is that kids on the receiving end often don’t seek help, as they think there’s something wrong with them. Talk with kids about going to a trusted adult, when they feel their rights or safety have been violated. They should with your help report online bullying to the appropriate service provider.

Sticking the proverbial head in the sand regarding kids' use of communications technology is no longer an option for parents. Savvy parents need to learn as much as they can about children's and young people's online lives so they can respond to situations appropriately.

Parenting Ideasby Michael Grose:

Keeping kids safe in a cyber worldSocial media sites have taken cyber bullying and harassment to a new level. Here’s how to keep your kids safe when online.

Samaritan College Restaurant

$45 per head4 course set menu

7pm start

BYO Beverage

Future dates for 2011

November 10December 8

December 15

For information and bookings please ring Saint John’s Campus on 8645 8568.

info@samaritan.catholic.edu.au

Located in the Dining Room at Saint John’s Campus70 Gowrie Ave, Whyalla Playford

Bookings essential as places are limited.

As the Restaurant operates solely on a limited booking basis a $10 deposit is required to confi rm places the Monday prior.

We welcome Marcus W (Year 2) to Stacey Hearne’s Year 1/2 class on the OLHC Campus.

Children’s WeeK

Children's Week is an annual event celebrated in Australia during the fourth week in October. the theme for Children’s Week is: "A Caring World Shares" which reflects the Children's Week aims.

Children's Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities.

Each year a diverse range of events and activities are organised at National, State and Local levels. these focus the attention of the wider community on children, their needs and achievement.

Designated by the nations of the world, Universal Children's Day calls society to a greater response to the plight of many millions of children around the world who are denied the basic necessities of a happy childhood and the education to develop their capacities. It also calls us in Australia to consider those conditions in society which affect the lives and future of our own children.

At Samaritan College, we celebrate Children’s Week every week by how we engage and teach our students to develop

and enhance their talents, skills and abilities through the day to day activities we offer our students. Each week in the newsletter we showcase all the amazing events and activities that take place across the College. Look out next week for work samples from our Junior primary classes which showcase children’s learning.

Class plaCeMents 2012

It’s that time of the year again where I invite you to make an appointment with myself regarding your child’s placement for 2012, if you have any concerns regarding family matters, friendship groups or anything that you believe to be relevant. However, this is not an opportunity to request placement with a particular teacher.

lost property

A reminder regarding lost property, the containers on each Campus are over flowing with school uniforms and personal items belonging to students. please check these containers regularly for any items that may have gone missing over the last semester. Any items that haven’t been collected will be donated to St Vincent de paul.

If you haven’t labelled your child’s school jumpers, hats and personal items, please do so, as this will assist the office staff when items have been lost they can be returned to the rightful owner.

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PRIMARY CAMPUS NEWS

Opening HoursWednesday 8:00-10:00amThursday 1:00-4:30pm

Hats are available at all campuses.

Full range of sports shorts now available.Kerry Azzopardi Angela Gurney

Toal Street, Whyalla StuartPh: 8649 3168

Clearance Sale!Continued clearance of low cut &

basketball length sport socks $5Further reduction on half zip wind

cheaters sizes 12 & 14 now $25Long sleeve smart play polo

sizes 10 & 12 now $25Selected sports shorts $30

Sports Tracksuit Jacket now a low $50

UNIFORM SHOP

possible road Changesthe Whyalla City are looking at a proposal to redesign the Norrie, gowrie and Jackson Avenue Intersection. the Secondary campus sits on this intersection and the possible changes may have an impact on the pick up and drop off of your children. Shortly there will be some media coverage regarding these changes. parents are encouraged to provide feedback on these changes to the Council. please email or call Shiree Daum 86403466 or shiree.daum@whyalla.sa.gov.au with any comments or feedback.

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First reConCiliation dates

Workshops

the First of two workshops for the children preparing for Reconciliation will be held this Friday at St teresa’s Church. the children involved need to be dropped at St teresa’s Church by 8:45am. they may wear casual clothes (sun smart) and need their school hat. the children need to bring their recess and a drink. they also need to bring their home booklets. the workshop concludes at 1:00pm at which time the students will be transported to their campuses for normal dismissal.

Commitment Cards

this weekend the Reconciliation children and their families are asked to come to any mass so the commitment cards can be presented. Both sets of commitment cards are to be brought to the same Mass you attend.

Further reminders will be in next week’s newsletter.

Bernie MeixnerApRIM

sCholastiC booK Club

Issue 7 - 2011

please bring orders to the OLHC library before and after school.

please ensure that your teacher's name is written at the top of the form.

Last day for orders is

Monday, October 31

If you have a Book Week voucher it needs to be used by the end of the year. there is only this issue and next issue to redeem the Book Week vouchers.

Ann Wilson

WoolWorths/Coles CoMMunity prograMs

thank you for all the final Coles vouchers and Woolworths dockets that came through last week. We definitely had an outstanding response from the College community collecting the vouchers and dockets throughout last term in order to acquire equipment and resources for the students.

the combined final tally for all three Campuses was:• Woolworths Earn & Learn program – 27 275 points• Coles Sports For Schools program – 51 626 vouchers

Yours in Faith, Wisdom & Compassion,

Eleni VailasDEpUtY pRINCIpAL

liturgy and asseMblies

parents are welcome to attend liturgies and assemblies.

saint teresa’s Campus

Year 2/ 3 Balnaves perry Liturgy: thursday, November 3 in the library at 9:30am.

R/Year 1 Boundy Junior Assembly: Friday, November 4 in the Library at 9:30am.

our lady help of Christians Campus

Year 1/2 Hearne Mass:thursday, November 3 at 9:00am at OLHC Church

Year 5/6 Baulderstone Whole Campus Assembly:Friday, November 4 at 12:30pm in the Vessey Unit

CoMMunity outreaCh

this week Junior primary classes have been visiting Annie Lockwood Court and Yeltana Nursing Home. the children have been involved in craft activities, story-telling and singing songs. this is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to people in our community.

thank you to R/Year 1 Francis and Year 1/2 Wohling for preparing their children for this outreach.

Bernie MeixnerApRIM

Car saFety reMinder

A reminder to parents/caregivers dropping off and picking up students. please be aware of students crossing roads, students walking in front and around cars.

For StC community, please be patient when trying to get a park, double parking is extremely dangerous and illegal.

For the OLHCC community, students are not to be dropped off or picked up by car from the front office car park before and after school for safety reasons. However, you are able to use this car park if you need to come into the front office during school hours.

the Dentist car park on toal Street is not to be used by parents as this is a private car park and you can be fined.

please be aware of students walking down the strip between car parks, especially when reversing in the rear OLHCC car park.

thank you for keeping our students safe.

Ruth DonnellanDIRECtOR OF OpERAtIONS

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uniForM

Although the Year 12 students have left, we are very fortunate, on the Secondary site, to have a number of enthusiastic Year 11s who are still considering and planning different activities in which the remaining year levels could participate. One such event is a Coloured Clothes Day, which is scheduled for Friday, November 4. Students may choose to attend school in appropriate clothes which are not their uniform, however, they must still conform with all aspects of safety expected around the College, namely closed shoes, hair appropriately tied back and jewellery limited to a watch and a limit of one ear ring in each lobe.

John LyonsACtINg DEpUtY pRINCIpAL (SECONDARY)

CANTEEN ROSTERSMonday, october 31 – Friday, november 4

st teresa’s CaMpus our lady help oF Christians CaMpus saint John’s CaMpus

Mon Joanne Foubister Katie Ernesti No help required Judith Hill Rosslyn Cruse

tue Annabel gurnett No help required Kerry Azzopardi

Wed Nicole Higgins Dana Campion Melinda Coad

thu Rubee Mislov Meg Sheasby Sheree Cleary Ali Marshall Chrisoula Karssen

Fri Janette Leevers Rebecca Coffey Sunny Chung Leanne Setford Annette Cameron Rose Cassar Marg Coad CANtEEN MANAgER CANtEEN MANAgER CANtEEN MANAgER

SECONDARY CAMPUS NEWS

Students who are considering some form of tertiary Education, University or tAFE, should be looking through the various scholarships that are available. A google search ‘Scholarships for rural students tAFE “South Australia”’ provided numerous options for all levels of entry.

Another such scholarship worth looking into would be the “Noel Fairweather Scholarship”. this is a $2000 scholarship for South Australian rural students who are finishing their secondary education. It is indicated on the site that “the Scholarship is not necessarily awarded for “academic brilliance” but is aimed at helping those who might otherwise not be able to pursue further education without some financial help. Applications can be completed and emailed through http://www.masonic-foundation.asn.au/noel_fairweather.html.

SCHOLARSHIPS

FroM the student CounCil

As part of our fundraising for the 5 charities Saint John’s campus are holding a bake sale. this event will be held on tuesday, November 29 (Week 7).

Any donations of sweet foods, for example Cakes, Slices or Biscuits, that families are willing to make on the day would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the front office in the morning.

please help support our charities and buy a cake on the day!

SENIOR SRC

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COMMUNITY NEWS

little league baseball

played at Weeroona Bay Football Club. (Baseball ground)

Friday Nights 6:00pm (be there by 5:45pm if possible)

Ages 5yrs to 9yrs Boys and girls

games go for approx 1hr 15min

Bring Baseball glove if you have one (but not essential)

Normal Baseball rules apply, except the team coach will underarm the ball, (using soft tee balls)

Children Wanted

Completely supervised while on field

Capture the spirit of family and friendship by hosting an international exchange student from Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.

Introduce your family to another culture

Make lifelong international friends

Share our Australian culture and lifestyle

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is seeking volunteer families to host high school students from germany, Italy, America and Japan.

the students will be arriving early February.

please contact:

Jenny Hanson

South Australian Inbound Manager

Southern Cross Cultural Exchangeph: (08) 8556 2208Fax: (08) 8556 2209Email: jen1313@bigpond.net.au

toll Free: 1800 500 501

An information pack can be sent on request.

It's easier than you think and a fantastic experience for all.

southern Cross Cultural eXChange

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