Lent is a journey. As we pass the half-way mark it is timely to check in and to see how we’re going with the commitment we made on Ash Wednesday. Have we given up and gone back to our old ways or are we on track with the change we are trying to make?

For those of us who might have lost our way, our opening prayer offers a different way of looking at what we might give up and take up as we journey with Jesus to Holy Week and Easter.

Thank You

Whilst there is still one week of term left this is the last newsletter for Term 1. Congratulations and thanks to students, staff and families on a terrific term. Your energy, support and commitment has been very much appreciated and there is a long list of highlights. I’d especially like to congratulate our Year 7 students on a great start to their secondary education. We have all been impressed with your enthusiasm, willingness to be involved and commitment to your learning. Well done.

Easter brings many good things; holidays, time with family and Easter eggs. However, it’s important that we also set aside some time to walk with Jesus to the cross and to truly celebrate his Resurrection. I encourage all families to join their parish communities in the Easter ceremonies. We’ve included the schedule for Holy Week ceremonies in our parishes in the newsletter.

I hope that the holidays are restful and enjoyable for everyone. May the blessings of Holy Week and the joys of Easter be God’s gifts to each of you over the coming weeks.

Harmony Week

Last week we celebrated Harmony Week. The focus of the week is inclusion, mutual respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. We are a community where people come from many different places, therefore, cultural diversity is something we know and celebrate. The key messages of Harmony Week are that everyone is welcome and everyone belongs. This is something that we believe deeply as a school community and try to live out in all that we do.

Harmony Week is a reminder and an affirmation of our shared humanity; that what we have in common is far greater than our differences, and that we are one human family.

Thank you to our student leaders who planned and led many different awareness raising activities throughout the week. From Wednesday mass, prayer in different languages, the Harmony Day concert and the activities for homeroom and extended pastoral care, it was a great week. Again, thank you.

Congratulations

Thank you and congratulations to our College Swim team who competed in the SACCSS Interschool Swimming earlier this week. Our small squad of 17 swimmers achieved some outstanding results. We are very proud of the commitment, sportsmanship and team spirit shown by all involved.

On behalf of the swim team, I’d like to thank Ms Andrea Jurcec, Ms Adele Simoncini and Ms Annette Vella for all their work with the team in the lead up to the carnival and for accompanying the team on the day.

First day: Term 2

Students return to school for the beginning of Term 2 on Tuesday 23 April. This will be Day 7 of our timetable. There are no changes to the College timetable for Term 2.

I ask that students make a note of this in their diaries and ensure they bring the appropriate materials for this day. There should be no excuses about incorrect books or uniform for the day.

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) surveys

Last week all families would have received information regarding the ECSI surveys in the mail. Thank you to those who have already completed the surveys. We are about half way towards the number of parent surveys we need. Families have until Friday 05 April to complete the survey.

Where are they now?

Recently we had emails from Stephen Garbrah (Year 10 2016) and Ely Tom (Year 10 2015) who have been playing High School basketball in the US. Stephen has just received a full scholarship to Fort Lewis College in Colorado Ely is heading off to College in Denver. We wish both all the best as they pursue their basketball dreams. Bronson Borlace (Year 9 2018) is following in their footsteps and currently playing High School Basketball in the US.

Uniform

From the beginning of Term 2 all students will need to be in full winter uniform. This includes wearing the blazer to homeroom each morning, and the wearing of the school tie for both boys and girls. The uniform policy and requirements are in the Student Diary.

The holidays provide a good opportunity for families to check uniform items, to buy school shoes if these are needed, to let down hems if the kilt is too short, to mend PE uniforms that have been worn etc…  We hope that all students make a good start to the term by ensuring that they are in full uniform. I ask the support of families in this matter.

Holidays: a great time for getting into book.

I know that in many families computer games are put away / not allowed / rationed during term time and brought out during the holidays. However, holidays are also a great time for reading (and sport, getting together with family and friends, playing, enjoying the outdoors, pursuing other interests). Time online is very much the world of people today, however, like all things, it needs to be kept in balance and proportion to other activities!

Hopefully, all students will set aside some time to enjoy a book or two. This is the chance to read, not what you have to but what you choose to, a chance to visit a completely different world.