St Kieran Newsletter Term 1, Week 5 - 29 February 2024

Pricipal's Message

Jesus,  
our needs are many, but too often our wants outnumber them.  
May the example of Your life,  
help us to discern one from the other.  
May the example of Your life, 
direct our attention towards those things that promote goodness,  
truth and justice in our daily lives.  
May we truly live for the good of all.  
Amen.  

Situated around the coastline of Australia there are about 172 lighthouses of various shapes and sizes. Generally, lighthouses were designed and built to help those who put to sea to avoid rocks, shoals and treacherous channels and so return safely to shore. There is something comforting about a lighthouse and its beam that flashes out into the darkness and gives a sense of security to those who are passing far out on the waters. 

We all search for meaning, purpose, fulfilment and happiness. We all want our life to be worthwhile, we want to feel wanted and appreciated. We long for genuine relationships, to love and to be loved. However, even if we are able to achieve all these human wishes, everything is still not quite right because we are not body only, but body and soul – God’s Spirit is dwelling within us.  

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that, “We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” God loves all of us and He gave us the freedom to choose how to believe in Him. The Christian avenue for seeking God is in His Son, Jesus. His story is recorded in the Gospels, His teachings still apply to our daily living:  

“As I cross on life’s tumultuous seas, Sailing from earth to heaven’s shore,  
Christ is like a mighty lighthouse  
Helping me navigate my course.”  
–Author Unknown.  

Our faith in Jesus is the foundation for our spiritual journey which will go hand in hand with our human wishes for meaning, purpose, fulfilment and happiness. St Paul in his letter to the people of Philippi tells of the influence of Jesus in his life when he writes: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, through Him who gives me strength.” –Phil. 4:11-13. 

 Lighthouses, over time, have undergone many changes. Gone are the families who lived nearby and tended them daily, even hourly. Most lighthouses are automatically controlled and are solar powered or mains powered. However, their purpose remains unchanged. Likewise, each of us in our lifetime has grown through many changes to our appearance, financial circumstance, our occupation and many other externals. But how have we grown internally in our soul, our spiritual relationship with God through Jesus.  

Maybe we’re in need of a “Lighthouse Lent” during which we can search for a relationship with Jesus that is more in tune with the maturity we have in other aspects of our life. Maybe Easter could bring a personal resurrection of the life of Jesus within us.  

Have a great long weekend and see you all on Tuesday! 

Best wishes and take care. 

Mr Daine Burnett 
Principal 
daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au 

School Calendar

A reminder to all families to continue to check the school calendar on our website for dates and events that are coming up during the term. We have a public holiday on Monday March 4 and we look forward to seeing you back at school on Tuesday 6th March. 

Eucharist Commitment Mass

First Eucharist (Holy Communion) Commitment Masses are coming up! Saturday March 9 at 6:30pm and Sunday March 10 at 9:00am

Kieran Connect Family Night & Raffle

Just a reminder that we have the Kieran Connect Family Night next Friday 8th March from 5.30 - 8pm. All families are welcome to come along! If you can help out on the night please let Kieran Connect know through their email kieranconnect@stkieran.wa.edu.au 

Online sale of raffle tickets opens tomorrow morning 1st  March at 8am and the online sale of raffle tickets closes on 7th March at 3pm. 

Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event from 5:15 pm till 6:45 pm.

The link is https://stkieran.cdfpay.org.au/

Kieran Connect

We all know the hardest thing to find in our busy world is time. If you think you can spare some of this time, Kieran Connect would love some extra members. If you are interested in having a positive impact and helping out our school please contact Mr Burnett or kieranconnect@stkieran.wa.edu.au 

Kindergarten Enrolments 2025

We are accepting Kindy Enrolment's for Kindy 2025 and later this term start organising interviews. Please don’t leave this until the last minute as we have many people we could not accommodate in 2024. Please submit your application and make sure you have your children enrolled at St Kieran Catholic Primary School. 

Kindy Screening 2024

Our kindy students will begin the Speech and Occupational Screening next week, with speech being done in week 6 and OT in week 7. This is great information for our staff to gather in order to best provide the education in the early years that is possible. 

NAPLAN 2024

NAPLAN is a National Literacy and Numeracy assessment that students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 13th March and finishes on Monday 25th March, 2024. The tests dates for St Kieran are: 13th, 14th and 15th March, with catch up sessions in the following week.  

For more information about NAPLAN https://nap.edu.au/ 

St Kieran iPad Rules and Responsibilities

This is a just a reminder to all our families who are apart of the iPad Program at St Kieran. At our school we have these iPads Rules to keep us and our iPads safe. Please help support the class teachers by discussing these with your children: 

 - All iPads must be fully charged ready for the school day. 

- No food or drink around your iPad 

- Don’t give away your personal information or touch someone else’s iPad 

- The iPad must not be removed from the school iPad cover 

- Only go on Apps that you are allowed to use 

- Never leave the iPad on the floor 

- As always be RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL and SAFE 

It would be appreciated if these rules could be enforced at home to help promote consistency and avoid unnecessary issues. 

Parent - Teacher Communication

Parent and Teacher communication is a crucial component in the partnership in the education of our students. With the number of different platforms available, this has made the simple act of communication unnecessarily complicated. To keep communication streamlined and efficient, please keep all communication about your child to their teacher (external appointments, meeting requests, etc) through email or phone call. To assist and support both parents and teachers with this, messaging on SeeSaw has been disabled.  

Student Toilets

We would like to take a moment to share a gentle reminder about the use of the student toilets. In the spirit of Child Safety and in order to maintain a secure and nurturing environment for our students, we kindly request that parents do not use the student toilets.  

We completely understand that emergencies happen, and if there's ever an urgent need, our friendly school staff will be more than happy to assist you in finding the appropriate toilets by the school administration. Your cooperation in this matter not only contributes to the safety of our students but also helps create a positive and supportive atmosphere that enhances their overall learning experience. 

St Kieran Feast Day

On Tuesday, March 6, students will be celebrating the Feast of St Kieran at St Kieran Parish at 9:00am.  

St Kieran is believed to be the first Irish born saint and was known for his care and compassion for all living creatures and simplicity of living. While Kieran was studying to become a priest in Rome, St Patrick ask him to build a monastery back in Ireland. Instead when he arrived, Kieran built a simple home in the countryside where he lived a simple life spreading the Word of God and caring for everyone. 

Traffic Warden Unavailable

The Traffic Warden who works at the Children’s Crossing on Cape Street, near Tyler Street is unable to work this location until further notice. Unfortunately they have no relief staff available to cover the position. Please take appropriate action and inform your child to be vigilant whilst crossing without a warden present.

If any of our community members would like to explore the possibility of becoming a relief traffic warden please make contact with the office and we can direct you down the correct path for training and further information.  

External Service Providers in Schools

Parents/guardians may seek to engage with external service providers when their child requires additional health, therapy, or well-being support. The services offered by the provider may align with or complement the reasonable adjustments the school provides to facilitate the student’s access to education. If the service does not link to the student’s learning needs, the service may be better delivered outside of school hours.

Entry and access to the school are always at the discretion of the principal.

Please click here to read more.

CEWA Easter Competition

Your chance to win!!!

Easter Acts of Kindness Competition.

Help a friend, share a smile, or a say a kind word to someone who needs it. Your creativity is the limit!

Entries will have the chance to win fabulous prizes and be recognised for their inspiring efforts. 

For details on how to enter, visit: https://www.cewa.edu.au/easter2024/

Servite Open Day - 21st March 2024

Piano Tuition at St Kieran 2024

Enrolments are now being taken for Piano Tuition being held at St Kieran’s by a registered teacher with over 20 years of experience. Lessons are conducted on an individual basis throughout the school term. They are alternated as much as possible, so that the same class lesson will not be affected each week.

It is most important that you have either a piano or keyboard to practice on. 

For further details or to enrol please contact Priscilla Smith on 0414 418 568.

Limited places are available.

John XXIII College: Year 7 2027 Applications Closing Soon

A reminder to all Year 4 families who are interested in a John XXIII College secondary education for their child, to please ensure their application form has been submitted by Friday 15 March 2024.

John XXIII College seeks to develop people of competence, conscience and compassion who are committed to seek justice and serve others.  Our vision is for all students to strive for excellence for themselves, their peers, and their community. 

To find out more visit: www.johnxxiii.edu.au/enrolments

Mercedes College Open Day | Tuesday 12 March, 2024

Stirling Junior Football Club Girls Come & Try Session

Girls 2024 Season Launch!

If you’re a girl in Years 3-6 and thinking of playing footy for Season 2024, come down to our season launch. Open to all returning and new players or anyone who wants to come and try.

When: Monday 4th March

Time: 5pm -6pm

Where: Richard Guelfi Reserve, Balcatta
No experience required, bring a friend along and stay on afterwards for a free sausage sizzle at the club after training.
We will also have players from the Eagles AFLW and Subiaco WAFLW teams during and after the training session.
We look forward to seeing you all there.