Dear Parents and Carers

“In Mark 13:33–35, Jesus tells his disciples, “Be awake. Be alert.… You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cock crow, or in the morning.”

Most of us just repeat the same routines every day, and we’re upset if there are any interruptions to our patterns. Yet God is invariably and ironically found in the interruptions, the discontinuities, the exceptions, the surprises—and seldom in the patterns. God has to catch us literally “off guard”!

Richard Rohr OFM, ‘Be Awake’

In a recent article, Franciscan priest Richard Rohr writes about the fact that, as he says above, God is found in the interruptions in our lives. Our own parish priest Monsignor John Woods often says that God comes to us disguised as our life. Often that disguise comes away in the breaks in our routines and expectations. If the practice of our faith is done well – and this includes our work at Sts Peter and Paul – then we gift our students with the eyes and ears needed to recognize God in the interruptions in our lives.

First Eucharist Presentation Mass

On the weekend, over two Masses, students in Year Four who are making their First Eucharist were presented to the parish at Mass. With their families, they made a public commitment to the step in faith they are soon to take. My thanks to our families, and their children, for bravely taking this step, and to our wonderful staff supporting them: our REC Veronica Hall; our Year 4 teachers Nic Marsham, Bridget Pigram, Michele Pratt and Katie Birch; and our parish team Fr John Woods and Catherine Grinsell-Jones. I am very proud of all of our children.

Tournament of Minds

The weekend also saw 3 teams participate in the Tournament of Minds competition, held annually at the ANU. The children, in teams of 7 students, have to solve a problem and present their winning solution, in the form of a dramatic narrative, complete with props and scripts. It is always difficult and multi-layered and calls on all students involved to have wells of patience and persistence. My deep admiration to all students involved: I am very proud of you all. Well done! My thanks to Katie Birch for mentoring and guiding our students so well.

Student Achievement

Still on last weekend, two of our Year 6 students participated in the ACT Cross Country Championships: Hamish and Kuna. Congratulations to both Hamish and Kuna for their wonderful efforts and very fine achievements in representing south Canberra at the championships. An excellent effort from both students.

Registration Panel

Next week, a panel comprised of CE personnel visit our beautiful school over two days, and visit classrooms, talk to members of the community and examine all aspects of the life of the school. This is a normal part of the learning cycle of all schools. Registration panels visit schools once every 5 years. We look forward to welcoming our panel next Wednesday and Thursday, and showcasing the school, the students, the staff and parent and parish community. We have much to be proud of and celebrate.

Fathers’ Day Breakfast

A reminder that this Friday, we are holding a Fathers’ Day breakfast and liturgy at school. Dads will be able to arrive from 7.45 and have a coffee and pastry for breakfast. The breakfast, like the Mothers’ Day breakfast, will be held on the blacktop at the back of the school. Our Year 3 classes are presenting a Fathers’ Day assembly after 9am, to which all parents are invited. My thanks to Paul Jenkins and Sarah Walsh for their work in preparing the assembly. There is also a Fathers’ Day gift stall, which will provide students with the opportunity to buy a present for dad. Gifts are $7 each and are able to be purchased through Qkr!. My thanks to our wonderful mums and dads for their great help in making the morning happen.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal