Dear Parents and Carers

“Our challenge, not just through the week ahead, but through the long week of our lives, is to continue to live by the faith and hope that Jesus Christ, mortal and divine, is the vindicator of life.”

Peter Steele SJ, Bread for the Journey

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, a day that celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, only to be crucified a week later. Palm Sunday, like all of Lent, is an invitation to journey with Jesus. We are challenged, as Jesus, to live with generosity, compassion and love, knowing that bitter experience does not have to have the last word. When we experience some of life’s harsher moments, the temptation is to think that these moments are the defining aspects of our lives. It is then that Jesus' steadfast love for us, even on the Cross, points us to a greater reality.

Reconciliation

Fittingly during this Easter season, the Year 3 students are nearing the end of their Reconciliation program. Last Friday they enjoyed a very successful Retreat Day and this weekend the first of our students make their First Reconciliation. My thanks to the Year 3/4 teachers: Anna Kain, Katie Birch, Amanda de Jongh, Luke Gubler and Mary Portolesi, for all of their hard work and dedication. My thanks too to Fron Garrett-Rumba, our excellent acting REC, for all of her work and coordination; and to Fr John Woods and the Parish of the Transfiguration, for their great support and encouragement.

Year 6 Leadership Course

Our Year 6 students have a number of opportunities over the course of the year to grow as leaders. This Friday, the Year 6 students are undertaking a Leadership Day with BFirm, which will involve a number of physical challenges and group work activities. Each term the students will have the opportunity to do the BFirm course. It is a very good opportunity. My thanks to Paul Jenkins and Sarah Kennelly for coordinating the school’s involvement.

https://bfirm.com.au/

Easter Liturgies

Next week our Easter Liturgies begin with the Year 1 students leading us in a retelling of Palm Sunday on Tuesday, Years 3/4 retelling the Last Supper on Wednesday and 5/6 retelling Good Friday on Holy Thursday (the last day of the school term). Our Kindergarten students will enact the good news of the Resurrection on the first day back at school in Term 2. My thanks to all teachers and staff, and to Fron Garrett-Rumba (acting REC), for their support of the school and the sharing of our faith.

Enrolment Period

The enrolment period for all Catholic Schools is fast approaching. Our first Open Day is being held next Tuesday, March 30, from 9 am – 11 am.

Other Open Day dates are:

• Wednesday 21/4 (week 1)
• Tuesday 27/4 (week 2)
• Wednesday 5/5 (week 3)
• Monday 10/5 (week 4)

The times for all Open Days are 9 am – 11 am. The date for the Information Evening is Tuesday, 27/4 (week 2), at 6  pm. I encourage any interested parents to attend.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that the first day of Term 2 is a Pupil Free day. All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese have a pupil free day at the beginning of Term 2 to undergo some professional development in the educational initiative known as ‘Catalyst’, which is being run by the Catholic Education office. The first day back for students is Tuesday April 20. I thank all parents for their support.

Compass- Parent Portal

The launch of the Parent Portal is imminent. Thanks to all parents who have verified their email addresses for use in Compass. These were sent home with your child in recent weeks. We will be looking to go live with the Portal next term and have a period to phase out SZapp as our absence notes documentation tool and main communication app. Information regarding a timeline will be available in next week’s newsletter. A live demonstration was given to the Community Council last night; please see any of the council members for more information. Attached are some ScreenShots of what the Portal will look like as a parent on a Desktop and Mobile device. 

NAPLAN testing will take place early in Term 2 from 11^th-20^th May. This week students in Years 3 & 5 will complete a practice and familiarisation test. If you are concerned about your child’s participation/exemption/withdrawal or the adjustments that can be offered, please discuss these concerns with your child’s teacher ASAP.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Cameron Johns

Principal