SACRED HEART PRIMARY

During Term 1, students have been learning the letters and sounds of the alphabet from the Little Learners Love Literacy Program. Students were invited to dress up as one of Milo's friends from the book Milo's Birthday Surprise. During the day they celebrated Milo's Birthday with activities including guessing how many lollies in the lolly jar and writing their guess (a number activity), a Scavenger Hunt in which

NOT SURE HOW TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR ?

students needed to find Milo's friends and write the word that was on the back of the card (a reading activity) and drawing and recording who they dressed up as (writing activity). It was a fun way to learn.

Students also shared their Letter/Sound Craft book with families during the morning.

- Mrs Tartaglia and Miss Lagozzino, Foundation Teachers

“I simply cannot believe how many scams are out there these days Agnes,” I said as we sat at my dining table. We had decided to have our lunch at my house today due to the bad weather.

“What sort of scams Merle?” Agnes asked as she stuffed yet another ‘cream between’ biscuit into her mouth. It’s like she is eating for two these days, I thought to myself. She is packing everything in sight into her almost motorised mouth.

“Well,” I said, “you will simply not believe the scams we got when we put the washing machine on the market face. Young Jeoffrey from number forty-two, showed me how to recognise them. There was one after the other, after the other. People say they want to buy my item, but they are not really wanting to buy it. Jeoffrey showed me that when we replied to them, they asked me to send money to them so they could release the money they were sending me for the machine. They said it was a bank procedure. I actually thought we should send the money so that we could get paid, but I now realise that it’s a very cruel scam.”

“That is absolutely terrible Merle,” Agnes replied, clearly shocked by this. “Are you sure it’s a scam?”

“Yes, very much Agnes. Jeoffrey did the google thing and showed me how there were write ups about it and it has been on the telly as well. I simply had no idea. I was amazed that people could do that to someone else, but he said that is how they spend their time and it becomes worth it as so many people fall for it, which is rather sad. The poor people who don’t have anyone to help them don’t know the difference.”

“What sort of world do we live in now Merle?” Agnes asked looking sad but still gobbling up food.

I nodded wisely now that I had learnt to recognise this scam. “I know, do you remember when trust was a thing? We believed in people and trusted them to do the right thing. Well Jeoffrey says to trust no-one these days. What a shame that is. He said so many people have been caught by these awful people.”

“Well, I am both shocked and angry about this Merle,” Agnes stated sincerely, although she wasn’t too shocked to actually stop eating. “Did you sell the machine in the end?”

“Yes, a lovely couple came and bought it and gave me cash. I could not have sorted it without Jeoffrey, so I made him a chocolate cake and took it down to him. He loved it.”

Agnes replied that she would love a piece of chocolate cake and I should make one for next time we had lunch. Then she got up and went to put her much used plate in the sink and she looked out the window into the rear yard. “Merle is that the stray cat out there lying with Barney on the back veranda?” she said quite startled.

“Um, oh yes, well probably Agnes. Anyway, lets clear this table up.” I rushed over to the table grabbing at things.

“Well, hold on Merle. How come it is in your yard now and is friends with Barney? I am very confused. You said you would never have that stray cat stay around.” She peered more intently out the window. “Wait a minute. If I am not mistaken, there is a little bowl of food out there too. Am I mistaken Merle?” Agnes asked accusingly and disappointedly all at once.

“No, well I….” I started to stutter and look for words.”

“Well?” Said Agnes, still using a very accusing tone.

I decided to come clean. “Alright then, I’ll tell you. You know that Barney had chased the cat out of the yard dozens of times over the last few weeks?”

“Yes,” replied Agnes in a rather slow and drawn-out manner.

I hurried on. “Well, he started to think it was a game, and soon he and the little cat, Roger, started chasing each other around and playing. Barney was having so much fun and I realised he probably gets bored with just me as company.”

“Roger the cat,” replied Agnes.

“Yes, his name is Roger,” I replied.

“So, you let it stay. I see. And the food that you were never going to give it?” asked Agnes in a tone that suggested she would have made a good prosecutor in court.

“Well Agnes, in my defence it was eating Barney’s food, so I thought if I gave it some of its own that would sort that problem.”

“And did it?” asked Agnes as she stood there with her hands on hips attitude. I replied indignantly, “Yes it did Agnes. Now it does not steal Barneys food and he happily leaves Roger’s food alone too.”

Agnes shook her head. “Roger. I can’t believe you gave the stray cat a name, let the stray cat play outside and then fed the stray cat. The very same cat you were shoeing out and saying, most emphatically, that you would never feed.”

“I do remember saying all of that Agnes, but you know I am not a mean person, and it’s only a little pussy cat. I can be quite compassionate you know.”

“I am pleased that you can be Merle, I am just a little shocked that’s all,” Agnes said as she wandered over to the open packet of biscuits on the bench and took out another one.

“What on earth is up with your appetite Agnes? I will go broke feeding you if the weather stays wet and cold. You have not stopped eating since you got here. And without being rude, you have popped on a few pounds around the middle,” I said, pleased that Roger was no longer the topic of conversation.

“Thank you for your observations, Merle,” Agnes said in a tone that did not sound sincere. “My doctor has put me on some new medication to help me sleep and I can’t stop eating. Why is it every time they give you medications for one thing, it creates another problem?”

“It does seem that way Agnes. You are quite right,” I agreed “Well, you best go back to your doctor and see if there is yet another pill they can give you to sort this out. I simply can’t keep feeding you at this rate, and Fred will need to go back to work to support your hefty grocery bill.” I giggled at my own humour but Agnes did not. She has no sense of humour sometimes, I thought to myself.

Agnes stopped eating for a moment. “I guess if we run out of food, I can just hang out in your back yard and play with Barney and eventually you will feed me.” This time Agnes laughed raucously at herself.

Oh boy, that woman is strange I thought to myself. And what’s the harm in feeding a little pussy cat that is keeping my doggy company. I can’t see anything wrong with that. Why do people judge so much? Can someone please explain? Anyone?