Thunder News Flash – May 12, 2018

This past Wednesday was a school assembly and the title for it was “Be Gritty: The Importance of Perseverance.” The challenge when leading an assembly is to have material that is engaging and meaningful for Gr. 1 students all the way up to our Gr. 7 students. However, with this particular topic, it is quite easy because grittiness is something that we could all use more of. While we touched on many points during the assembly, from the importance of practice, to developing resolve, to pushing ourselves forward, there was one particular story that I shared with the student body that beautifully captured the essence of the talk that I want to share it with you here. It is the story of Matius.

Matius, a member of our track team, had won the 1500m race on the morning of the St. John Brebeuf Track Meet. It was now time for him to run the 800m event. The start of these races can always be a little chaotic as athletes jostle for position. When the start gun went off, the boys took off in a sprint for position and Matius was knocked down to the ground. The race kept going and Matius had scrapes on his arm, knees, and shoulders. Spectators could see the pain on his face, but in this moment Matius displayed the grit and perseverance I hope all of our students can have. While other students would have walked off the track, Matius, at this point in last place, picked himself up and continued the race. But he just didn’t run, he gave the race everything he had. He started to close the gap on the boys and then started to pass them one by one. He finished the race in 3rd and to the applause of the crowd. 

On Wednesday morning, I took the opportunity to interview Matius. I didn’t tell him why or that I was doing a talk about grit and perseverance. I simply asked why he got back up and finished the race. His response was, “I was representing our school.” I asked him to explain what he meant by that and he replied, “I didn’t want people to think that our school quits or gives up.” 

It was a gritty performance and one worth sharing because of the lessons it teaches. I hope that we as parents can look for ways to build grit in our children through positive encouragement when they face adversity. And when they show grit, may we be there to pour our praise upon them for persevering in the face of a challenge.

Our Parent Support Meetings are coming up Wednesday, May 16th starting at 7:00pm. All parents of children in Gr. 4 to Gr.7 are expected to attend. We ask that parents arrive at 6:45pm so that we can start on time and finish on time. We will start in the Gym with a brief introduction and prayer. Parents will then go to their breakout session. The school has hired Signal Hill to lead the sessions so please make every effort to attend. Thank you.

Our annual Pub Night, and last fundraiser is on Friday, June 1st, 2018.  Last year’s Pub Night was such a great event and a wonderful opportunity to socialize and meet all of the wonderful families in our school. This year it will be held at ‘The Canadian Brewhouse’ in the Highstreet Plaza (right next door to Milestones).

Tickets will be $25 and each ticket includes a burger (either beef, chicken or veggie), beer (choose from 30 on tap), or a 6 oz. wine, or a highball. We will be doing 50/50, lotto board, and Silent Auction. Tickets are available for purchase at the office, and we will be selling them outside the school during the week after school.

Do we have any chef’s at the school?  How about anyone with a vacation home?  Do we have any families that have something that they could donate for our Silent Auction?  Maybe you have a weekend getaway that you can’t attend? How about passes for local events or concerts?

Please consider donating any new items or any event or adventure that you feel would be a success.  Please remember, it all goes back to our children!

If you or someone you know, has an item you would like to donate, please contact Nicola Humphreys at 778-227-8711.

Thank you.

There are tickets available for purchase at the office for a chance to win a 16 x 20 framed oil painting of Jesus.

Half of the proceeds of ticket sales will go to our school and half to the artist.  The artist is a Dad of one of our school students and we greatly appreciate the donation.

Tickets are 1 for $2, or 3 for $5.

Come by and see the painting, it will be on display in the school foyer and we will draw the lucky winner on Friday, June 1st at our Annual Pub Night Fundraiser.  You do not need to be in attendance to win, but we sure hope you are!

There is a fitting day for uniforms on June 7th. Please click here for more information.

Volunteer schedules are now in the church entrance for the Spring Fair & Garage Sale. Please sign up for the activity that interests you and the time that suits you best. First come, first serve! During this season of getting back into the yard and fixing things up for summer, please take a look in your garage, shed and basement for tools, sporting goods and electronics you no longer need to donate to this worthy cause. 

Alex and Dana McCune of Sts. Joachim & Ann, along with Fr. Donnelly of St. Joseph’s (Langley) are putting on their first Catholic summer camp in July! 

The camp will be held at St. Catherine’s Elementary in Langley from July 9-13, and we would love to have your help in reaching your students. We are geared towards ages 7-15 and have planned a week full of fun activities that celebrate our faith and life in Christ.

Please click here for more information.