Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

What a joyful and busy couple of weeks we have had at St Gregory’s!

We were thrilled to welcome so many families at our Open Classroom Afternoon last week. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to proudly share their learning, and we thank you for your presence and support in making it such a success.

This year’s Book Week theme, “Book an Adventure", encouraged our students to explore new places and possibilities through stories and celebrated the adventurous spirit of young readers. Last week’s Book Week Parade was nothing short of spectacular! The creativity and effort that went into every single costume was incredible, and it was heartwarming, as a teacher, to see our students select a book character that they may relate to in some way. In it’s 80^th year, the Children’s Book Week has definitely impacted children’s love for reading and celebrated thousands of Australian authors along the way.

We also congratulate our students who represented St Gregory’s at the Northern Regions Public Speaking Competition in Crookwell and the Archdiocese Athletics Carnival at the AIS. We are proud of their efforts and achievements!

This week, our Yr 4 students will be attending their first school camp! We wish them all the best as they embark on this exciting experience, one that will no-doubt create lasting memories. A heartfelt thank to the dedicated teachers who generously give up their own family time to make this opportunity possible for our students.

Coming up next week (Wednesday 3^rd September) is our Father’s Day Breakfast and St Gregory’s Feast Day Lap-a-thon. This is sure to be a wonderful community day! We look forward to starting the day celebrating our dads and father figures at our annual breakfast at Macquoid St. Please remember all orders need to be placed through Qkr! by midday this Friday (29/8/25). Following the breakfast, students will begin the day on their own campus for class roll, before walking to St Raphael’s Church for mass with Fr George at 9:30am. After mass, everyone will head to Queanbeyan Town Park for us to begin the St Greg’s Lap-a-thon, our major yearly fundraiser. On arrival at the park, the students will receive a piece of fruit and then begin walking their laps. Each child is encouraged to bring a small labelled bag with a water bottle, snacks and an extra sandwich. Students are to wear their sport uniform and bring sunscreen to apply through the day. They will receive a sausage sandwich for lunch and a celebratory Zooper Dooper on their return to school at approx. 2pm. We thank our sponsors: Four Bee Meats, Ward Real Estate and PRD Real Estate for their sponsorship too.

The money raised will go towards a major upgrade to the Macquoid Street hard top area out front of the canteen. We will share drawings in the coming weeks. Thanks for supporting this important school fundraiser. Please ensure sponsored donations are made via Qkr! or sent to the office in cash/cheque by 17/9/25, so the winner of the uniform-free day at both Lowe St and Macquoid St can be announced at the Wk 9 GIFT Assembly.

We look forward to celebrating our patron saint and enjoy a day of fun, fitness and community spirit!

Next week, we also have many of our Yr 6 students receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. As they prepare, may we hold them in our prayers during this special time in their faith journey.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely. We thank our families, many in our Parish community, our Yr 6 teachers, Mrs Busby and Ms Nolan for preparing our students for this special gift and Sacrament.

Let us pray together…

May God bless our candidates for Confirmation.

May the Holy Spirit help them grow in faith, hope, and love, so they may know You as the one true God and live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Please continue to pray for those in our community who are sick and their families who care for them.

Have a blessed fortnight.

Kate McManus-Green