PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
“Easter is the feast of hope. This is the feast that says God will have the last word and that God’s final judgment is resurrection. God will turn all that we maim and destroy and hurt and punish into life and beauty.
What the resurrection reveals more than anything else is that love is stronger than death. Jesus walks the way of death with love, and what it becomes is not death but life. Surprise of surprises! It doesn’t fit any logical explanation. Yet this is the mystery: that nothing dies forever, and that all that has died will be reborn in love.”
- Fr Richard Rohr, OFM
The reflection above from Richard Rohr, an American Franciscan priest, speaks beautifully to the mystery and reality of Easter: that bitter experience never has to have the last word; that even the most appalling suffering and death can be and is redeemed. Yesterday, our Year 2 students, and their teachers, led us in a beautiful reflection on the Resurrection of Jesus. At one point, our Year 2 students invited us to consider ourselves ‘Easter people’. We are indeed Easter people: people who believe that love is stronger than death. I hope that the recent Easter weekend was a very good weekend for you and your families.
Cross Country Carnival
Today we held our annual Cross Country Carnival, held at Eddison Park. It was an excellent carnival, and all children had a great deal of fun. Children from grades K – 6 participated. My thanks to Luke Gubler, our Sports Coordinator, and the many parents who volunteered. My thanks to all the school staff, who supported and encouraged the children so warmly.
Enrolment Period
The official enrolment period for systemic Catholic schools (which includes Sts Peter and Paul) is in May, and our Open Days are from 9am – 11am on May 7th, 14th and 21st. Our Information Night is on Tuesday May 7th at 6pm, in the school hall. Included in this newsletter are the slides that Luke Gubler used when presenting, some weeks ago, an Information Night detailing all of the amazing leadership opportunities that our school particularly offers from Grades 3 – 6. A reminder too that Marist, in conversation with CE, has guaranteed a place in Year 7 for all boys graduating from our local Catholic schools. I am very confident that Sts Peter and Paul offers an excellent education for all students from K – 6, and in allowing for growing student maturity and growing capacity, particularly offers valuable leadership opportunities for our Grades 3 – 6 students. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this with any existing or potential Sts Peter and Paul parents. If you would like to meet, please email me directly at Cameron.johns@cg.catholic.edu.au, or contact the front office on 6281 1932, to make a time for a meeting.
WWVP Cards
As I have written in past newsletters, our parent volunteers are a vital part of school life and contribute greatly to the social and educational fabric of the school. I am deeply grateful to the many parents who volunteer their time and their gifts to the school. Parents who would like to assist with carnivals, excursions, the canteen, and so on, will need to acquire a Working with Vulnerable People card (WWVP). Parents can apply for a WWVP card through Access Canberra WWVP Cards.
School Disco
This Friday sees our Term 1 disco take place. There are two timeslots: K – 2 are from 5.45pm – 6.30pm; Years 3 – 6 are from 6.45pm – 7.45pm. All parents are invited to stay for the Disco to assist with supervision. My thanks to Community Council for their support and coordination of the disco, and to one of our dads, Daniel Muller, for being the DJ on the evening.
Student Free Day: First Day of Term 2
Monday April 29th is the first day of Term 2 and a pupil-free day. The first day for all students is Tuesday April 30th. All Catholic schools are following this format. Please see me if you have any questions.
School Photo Day
Next Wednesday, Sts Peter and Paul are having their annual school photos. Students are to wear their full summer uniform. Thank you for your support.
ANZAC Day Liturgy
Finally, a reminder too that Year 4 are leading the school in our ANZAC Day celebration and commemoration, from 12pm this Friday. This is due to the fact that ANZAC day falls in the school holidays. All parents are invited to attend.
Have a wonderful week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal