“Forgive – those who hurt you, your own sins, the unfairness of your own life, and God for not rescuing you.”

Ronald Rolheiser

We continue our exploration of Ronald Rolheiser’s “10 commandments for mature living" this week with his thoughts around the centrality of forgiveness in a person’s life. He is realistic and he knows it is glib and naive to suggest it can come easily. He writes, “…all of us have been wounded. No one comes to adulthood with his or her heart fully intact. In ways small or traumatic, we have all been treated unjustly, violated, hurt, ignored, not properly honoured and unfairly cast aside.” He makes the point that one of the tasks of life is to reach older age with a warm heart, not one that has tallied the reasons why we should remain bitter, angry and resentful.

Father’s Day Breakfast

This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day and I would like to wish all our dads the very best for the weekend and to thank them for all the ways, big and small, they support their child or children by supporting the school. To thank them for their gift, and in light of the restrictions COVID-19 has placed on us, we are handing out a simple gift of donuts at the drop off car line on Friday morning, starting at 8.30am. This is in lieu of a Father’s Day breakfast. I am mindful that in May, when it was Mother’s Day, we were at the height of our Remote Learning and as such we did not celebrate Mother’s Day. In light of that fact, we are including two donuts this Friday – one each for mum and dad. My thanks to Maryanne Armstrong and Steph Burns for coordinating our breakfast.

ACT Legislative Assembly Bill

Most parents, if not all parents, would be very well aware that in recent days we have seen the ACT Assembly propose a bill which makes it illegal for parents to intervene if their child wishes to change their gender. This and associated issues are sensitive and complicated. Most of us have family or close friends who, in one way or another, have had to confront these realities. There is no black or white answer and above all else, a pastoral response is called for when addressing these concerns. Our Archbishop, Christopher Prowse, has written a short letter expressing concerns around the proposed erosion of parental rights, which would take place if the bill were to be passed. The Director of Catholic Education, Ross Fox, has also issued a statement. If you would like a copy of the Archbishop’s response, or Ross Fox’s statement, please contact the front office.

Peanut Butter Free

Just a reminder that Sts Peter and Paul is a peanut butter free school, due to possible complications around allergies that children have to nuts. Some children’s allergies are potentially life-threatening. Thank you for your support in this safeguard.

Confirmation Retreat Day

On Thursday, our Year 6 students have their Confirmation Retreat day. Traditionally, this has been a day shared with Year 6 students from Holy Trinity at Curtin, but again, due to COVID restrictions, we are having the day by ourselves. It will be a day that provides our students with the opportunity to further deepen their understanding of the Sacrament and strengthen their relationship with God and the Sacrament itself. My thanks to Paul Jenkins, Melissa Neit, Emma D’Ambrosio, Katie Birch and our Religious Education Coordinator, Stephanie Burns, for all of their work in preparing the day and for their support of our students.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal