PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers
“So the palms stand for nourishment, and they also stand for quest, They also stand for victory.”
Peter Steel SJ
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and on the Australian Calendar, it marks the beginning of Holy Week. Peter Steel’s quote above is part of a longer meditation on the meaning of palms within the context of the day we celebrate this Sunday. He suggests that the symbolism of palms, as sponsors of life and nourishment, in a harsh geographical environment, are a way to think about Jesus being that for us. Jesus is a source of nourishment in our lives when circumstances might drain us of our vitality and energies. I wish all of families well as we begin Holy Week this Sunday.
Registration Panel
For two days this week, I am on the Registration Panel for St Thomas More’s, Campbell. All schools are registered every 5 years. The registration process involves a panel of 5 persons, made up of Catholic Education personnel and principals, reviewing the operating procedures of the school, its teaching and learning programs, its pastoral care practices, and the like. Sts Peter and Paul is also due to be registered this year, with a review panel visiting late in Term 3. The experience of being on the panel for Campbell will also serve as excellent preparation for our own panel visit.
Term 3 Start Date
Catholic Education has designated a pupil-free day for all staff on Monday April 24th (staff will still be attending school and working). On Tuesday, April 25th, we celebrate ANZAC Day with a public holiday. School resumes for all students in Catholic schools on Wednesday, April 26th.
Cross Country Carnival
On Friday, we will hold our annual Cross Country Carnival at Eddison Park. It is both a good and a convenient location, and the children always have a great day. Parents are of course very welcome to attend, and we always welcome volunteers to assist for some or all of the carnival. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Luke Gubler or Sarah Walsh, on luke.gubler@cg.catholic.edu.au, or sarah.walsh@cg.catholic.edu.au I would like to thank Luke and Sarah for their excellent work and preparation of the carnival.
Flamenco Workshop
Next week, as part of their Spanish lessons, Grade 5 will take part in a Spanish Flamenco workshop. This promises to be a great deal of fun as well as giving the children a taste of Spanish culture, and of course promoting good physical exercise in the process. My thanks to our wonderful Spanish teacher, Senora de Johnson, for organising the workshop.
Holy Week Liturgies
Next week is Holy Week, culminating in Easter Sunday, on Sunday week. Grades are leading the school in the retelling of the events of Holy Week and deepening our understanding of the events of the week leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection. On Tuesday at 12pm Kindergarten is leading us in the events of Palm Sunday; on Wednesday at 12pm Year 5 are retelling the Last Supper; and on Thursday at 10am Year 6 are retelling the events of Good Friday. Next term, Year 2 will retell the story of the Resurrection, at 12pm on Wednesday, April 26th. My thanks to all staff and students, and to our REC Veronica Hall, for her coordination of the liturgies. Parents are most welcome to join us.
Have a wonderful week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal