“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

St Francis of Assisi

The words of St Francis of Assisi resonate as strongly now as they did in the 13^th century. Every age has its own context, its own reasons why, its own travails and difficulties; just as every age has its own need for healing. It is the story of the human experience of being in this world. Lent is a time to bring our own individual stories into a much larger picture, and to let that larger picture inform our understanding of our own lives. That understanding includes a recognition of the need for healing, forgiveness and vulnerability, which are offered to us, unconditionally, through the grace of Easter.

Year 6 Camp

Today, our Year 6 students left for camp at the NSW Sports and Recreation Centre at Borambola. I would like to wish our students the very best for the 3 days and I would like to thank Paul Jenkins, Sarah Kennelly, Maryanne Armstrong and Nic Marsham for taking the children on camp. I am very confident that teachers and students will have a wonderful time and I am particularly pleased that we have managed to provide our Year 6 students with a school camp, given the COVID restrictions of last year, and which continue this year, to some degree at least.

Parent Teacher Interviews

A reminder to all of our parents that our Term 1 Parent/Teacher interviews are taking place next week, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. All parents were emailed a link in order to book a time for the meeting. I encourage parents to make a time to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss with him or her their progress and goals. A link to the booking page can be found here: 

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/2021PTInterviewSem1

or you can click on the tile on the SZapp.

On Monday next week, the Term 1 Interim Report will also be sent home. This report is concerned specifically with work and social habits and will not address subject grades or marks.

Principals’ Retreat

A reminder that next week, from Wednesday to Friday, I will be attending the annual Archdiocesan Principals’ Retreat, at Bowral. Wednesday will be comprised largely of addresses given by personnel from Catholic Education, with Thursday and Friday given over to the retreat itself. Dr Caroline Thompson will lead the retreat. Dr Thompson has had many years working in education, both in schools and in the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Lismore. In 2014, she completed a PhD, titled “The faith leadership role of Catholic school principals: challenges and opportunities for enhancing mission and Catholic identity”. Currently, Dr Thompson is Director of Formation, Mercy Partners. This role includes developing and presenting formation for leaders of Mercy Partners ministries (directors, executive and key staff), developing resources for formation and leadership development, conducting retreats and pilgrimages for ministry leaders, strategic planning for formation within health, education and social service ministries, conference workshop presenter and formation support for Mercy Partners Council and committees. In my absence, Sean Rutledge will very capably lead the school.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal