This week, Ash Wednesday, marked the start of the season of Lent. Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and penance, which leads us through the forty days to Jesus’ resurrection. Symbolically the forty days remind us of Jesus spending forty days in the desert praying and fasting. We want to change our lives during Lent and come closer to Jesus. These 40 days are used in preparation for the future joy of Easter bringing God’s blessings, mercy and forgiveness. To practice sincere repentance, God tells us to change our hearts. We are called to examine our most inner self. In order to do this, we are called upon to pray, give alms and fast. Some ways to do this include:

Prayer– Mass attendance, spending time in the Church, reading the Bible or prayer book, extra prayer time, attending Stations of the Cross and praying the Rosary.

Fasting - giving up something we like or enjoy, limiting food and drinks that we have as treats and giving the extra money we have to the poor.

Almsgiving – helping people less fortunate than ourselves with money or time. In general, being kind to those we meet.

Caritas Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday students from the Year 6 Social Justice committee attended the virtual launch of Project Compassion with students all across the state.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Through Project Compassion, we are asked to acknowledge that we are all members of the one human family, all equally worthy of love, mercy and respect. 

This year the Project Compassion 2021 theme is:

If you are able to, please give generously during lent to provide resources that will make major changes in the lives of whole communities. As the season progresses we will learn about each of the communities we are supporting. This year caritas has set up virtual immersions that we will be exploring in class throughout lent. If you wish to involve your family you can find the immersions at https://lent.caritas.org.au/virtualimmersions

Catholic Schools Week

This year, Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be held from 28 February - 6 March. The theme for 2021 is ‘Faith in the Future’. This theme is shared with dioceses across the country as together we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

As we pause this week to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.

Our school is planning a number of activities that showcase our wonderful learning opportunities and the accomplishments of our students which we will share with you in a COVID safe way. Unfortunately, we will not be able have the traditional format due to restrictions, this includes our wonderful G Day Mass. Hopefully we will be able to celebrate with the great people in our lives in a different way and have the Mass later in the year.  

Catholic Schools’ Week Prayer

We acknowledge and thank all who work
in the service of Catholic education
to create the opportunities for students
that allow them to grow and thrive.
 We thank you for the wisdom and understanding of teachers 
the enthusiasm and energy of students
the leadership of school Principals and executive staff
the skill, care and commitment of administrative and support staff
the guidance of our pastors and religious leaders
the support and partnership of parents, carers and local communities.
We pray that each student’s learning journey 
be inspired by a search for your wisdom and truth.
We pray that we never take for granted the learning opportunities that
we have all been given, 
and that we use the gifts of learning wisely and responsibly.
We ask that we use what we have learnt 
to create a better world for all people, 
particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, for ever and ever.

 Amen. 

Afternoon Collection of Children

Please remember that it is very important to let us know if someone other than yourselves is collecting your children on a regular basis, eg a grandparent. Please also advise if there are any changes to arrangements so that we know we are able to allow the person picking them to take them and we avoid confusion over where a student is.

Social Media Policy

In accordance with a directive regarding  the need to provide parents/carers with the CEDoW Social Media Statement at the commencement of each school year, please see attached. 

This is also available via the link https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/