Dear Parents and Carers

“Such a life did not come to an end with Mary’s death; when she died, only the transitory died, so that what was eternal in her life might be revealed – that eternal light from the many thousand candles enkindled by each moment of her life.”

• Karl Rahner SJ, on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. Fr John Woods celebrated the Mass in our school hall, and all grades, Kindergarten – Year 6, participated in the Mass. Parishioners from the Parish of the Transfiguration (Curtin) attended, as did some parents. This feast celebrated the example of Mary, for all of us. Her death revealed her life for what it was: a monument to love. My thanks to Fr John and to Veronica Hall, our excellent REC, for coordinating the Mass, and to Lisa Gill, our also excellent performing arts teacher, who helped lead us in our liturgy. It was a wonderful Mass.

Curriculum News

Yesterday, our Mini-Maths mornings started in the school library. Led by our Assistant Principal Anna Williams, and ably assisted by Sarah Kennelly and Sarah Walsh, the Mini Maths Mornings (which run each Tuesday from 8.15 until Week 10), for parents of children in Years 3 – 6, highlight methods in teaching Maths concepts. These strategies favour the use of concrete materials and rich conceptual understandings. My thanks to Anna for her excellent work, and to Sarah and Sarah, for their great support.

This week is Science Week, and our school celebrates the week on Friday with science led activities in classrooms, led by our Year 6 students. All children (and staff) are invited to come dressed on the day as a scientist.

Week 6 is Book Week! It promises to be an excellent week with many activities, led by our passionate librarian Amanda Basedow, and it too culminates in a Book Week costume parade, with children invited to come dressed as book characters on Tuesday of Week 6. The staff are also coming dressed as characters, with our own theme being ‘Fairy Tales’. My thanks to Amanda for her support and coordination of the day.

South Canberra PSSA Athletics Carnival

On Thursday, we have 40 students attending the zone PSSA Athletics carnival, participating in various running and field events. My best wishes and congratulations to the many students who are part of the day and who are competing at the event. The students will be looked after by Luke Gubler and Cathy Shepherd. I wish our students the very best for the carnival.

Have a wonderful week with your families – and let us all cheer on the Matildas tonight!

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal