Week 8 Term 1
Welcome to Week 8 of Term 1. The term has run away on us. This Friday we will be holding our Cross Country Carnival and this year our Years 2 to 6 will be participating. We encourage all children to be involved and have a fun day together with their friends trying their best. Permission is required for students to attend this off-site event, so please remember to do this through Compass Parent Portal.
Congratulations to all our students who received their First Reconciliation late last week or on the weekend. It was lovely that Fr Tony was able to be here to celebrate with the children before moving to his new appointment as Auxiliary Bishop in Sydney.
Our Year 3 and 5 students have now completed their NAPLAN assessments. The students were well prepared and able to manage the platform and complete the tasks in the allocated time. The results will be out later in the year and we will share them with families as soon as they are available.
Last week Year 6 students attended their camp in Narrabeen. The weather was lovely and they had a fabulous time trying new challenges and having fun. Thanks to the Year 6 teachers who accompanied them on camp, giving so kindly of their time to ensure the students had a wonderful experience.
Please ensure you are following road rules and being safe when dropping children off at school or picking them up. We must always have the safety of all in mind even though doing so may cause some inconvenience. Remember also the ‘Kiss & Ride’ zone at Macquoid Street has specific rules that must be followed including no U-turn upon leaving. Below are the Kiss and Ride Rules as a reminder of the specific rules for this area (the amount of the fine may be incorrect).
The ten-minute parking bays at Lowe Street need to be utilised for no more than 10 minutes. Please also ensure that you are not parking in the Church carparks or doing any U-turns in this area either. If the parks are full, please continue to drive to locate an alternate park rather than wait and block traffic. We have been advised that the Police and or Council parking Inspectors may be checking the driving behaviours around both campuses to help ensure the safety of our students. Fines for failure to follow rules in school zones are quite high and include the loss of points and we do not want anyone to have the burden of such expense.
This week we have MSP School Photos at Macquoid St on Wednesday 26th March and at Lowe St on Thursday 27th March. Parents may bring their children to the hall from 8am on Wednesday or to Lowe St Drovers on Thursday 27th March if they wish to have their family photo outside of school hours. Please read the COMPASS information for further details. Summer uniform is required.
This fortnight we recall and ponder the second reflection on what it means to ‘journey together in hope’ of his holiness Pope Francis from his 2025 Lent message.
‘Second, to journey together. The Church is called to walk together, to be synodal. [2] Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters. [3] Journeying together means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (cf. Gal 3:26-28). It means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded. Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience. This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves in the presence of the Lord whether, as bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity in the service of the Kingdom of God, we cooperate with others. Whether we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance. [4] This, then, is a second call to conversion: a summons to synodality.’
(07/03/2025, 13:25 Lent 2025: Let us journey together in hope | Francis https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/20250206-messaggio-quaresima2025.html 1/4 travellers)
Let us pray for continued strength during Lent to reflect on and be inspired by the words of Pope Francis. To be drawn closer to God through our actions and our words.
Amen
Have a blessed fortnight.
