This Sunday marks the end of the Easter season. Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and with it, the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ here on earth.

The story of Pentecost begins with Jesus’ disciples huddled together in a room, too frightened to speak, too frightened to go into the world and with little idea about what to do next. However, when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they are transformed, imbued with the gifts of courage, love and peace. They are able to go into the world and with confidence speak about Jesus; the way he loved others and the way he wants us to love. It was a message all could understand, no matter their background.

The same Spirit is with us today, guiding and protecting us as we go about building our communities (home, school, parish, local and global) to be homes where love can dwell. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of unity. It is the work of the Spirit to make one community of peace in a world that is rich in its diversity but where too often people live in conflict and divided from one another. Just as the disciples went out into the streets and began to speak of Jesus, we are called to welcome others, to be Jesus’ presence in our world, to listen to each other, and to speak with courage about Jesus’ call to love.

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2: 1 – 4

Feast Day

Last week, students and staff enjoyed a terrific Feast Day. The day began with mass, followed by some lively activities in pastoral care and then the much anticipated Feast Day carnival. Everyone was in fine spirits and it was great to spend time together, just having fun!

Thank you to Fr Tuan Anh Do from Holy Eucharist for celebrating mass with us, and to the students and staff who prepared our liturgy: the choir, the liturgy team, readers, servers and those who led the gathering rite.

Thank you also to the staff and students who organized the pastoral care activities, helped with setting up the carnival and assisted in cleaning up at the end of the day.

Feast Day is the work of many hands. Thank you to the parents who helped out with the BBQ: Mirjana Strmota, Baydaa Abada, Mirna Toma, Sumood Barbar and Ivanka Jankovic. The various good stalls raised $2,034. This money will be donated to support people who have been displaced by the war in Iraq.

The Feast Day carnival gets bigger and better each year. Thank you to the Student Leaders on an outstanding job in organizing this year’s event.

Newsletter Attachment: Nationally Consistent Collection Data (NCCD)

With this newsletter families will receive information from the CECV regarding the NCCD. Schools have been collecting and forwarding this data since 2015. Both the State and Commonwealth governments will use this data to inform funding to schools.

Toyota Community Trust Grant

With seven other schools, the College has been successful in obtaining a grant from the Toyota Community Trust to help deliver 3D technology at the school.

The 3D Printing in Schools project works towards the goals of the National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) School Education Strategy 2016 – 2026 and looks to:

• engage students in challenging STEM learning that is connected to real world experiences, and
• help teachers to develop learning programs that connect STEM knowledge with critical, creative and design thinking.

The grant is for equipment, including three 3D printers and staff professional learning. We believe it will open new opportunities for students.

Congratulations

Well done to our Intermediate Futsal Teams (girls and boys) and the Girls AFL team who have represented the College in SACCSS one day tournaments over the last few weeks. Both futsal teams did really well with the girls coming fourth and the boys third, in a very competitive field.

Our AFL girls held their own in all the games and are showing improvement each year. All teams represented the school, themselves and their families really well, demonstrating excellent team spirit, sportsmanship and resilience, and are to be congratulated on giving their absolute best throughout the day.

Thank you to Mr Ramos, Mr Marshall, Mr Orsini, and Mr Donahoo for training the teams and accompanying them on the day.

Verbal Combat Bullying and Cyber Safety program

This week Year 7 classes watched Verbal Combat, a drama performance, and participated in activities that highlighted issues around bullying and cyber safety. Year 7 families may wish to discuss this experience with students and use it to talk about online safety more broadly.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner provides some good tips and advice for parents and carers on helping young people have a safe and enjoyable online experience. This guide can be found at www.esafety.gov.au

Parking Restrictions

Brimbank City Council is introducing new parking restrictions on Theodore, Arthur and Biggs Streets, surrounding Sacred Heart primary schools. These changes are being made to meet parent’s parking needs at drop-off and pick-up times, and to ensure that students can move around the school safely.

We ask that parents read and take note of parking restrictions and traffic management directions at all times, particularly speed restrictions around schools and no parking areas.

2018 Annual Report

The 2018 Annual Report is now available on the College website and hard copies can be obtained from the office.

Since our last newsletter…..

Over and above the day to day activities of the school since our last newsletter students, families and staff have participated in the following:

• Year 7 Premier League
• Intermediate Futsal (Girls and Boys)
• Brimbank Young Researchers Project
• Trinity community service
• Shared Stories Author Visit
• Ball sports coaching program at St Paul’s in Kealba
• Feast Day
• Verbal Combat drama performance
• Year 7 swimming program
• Middle Eastern Cultural Night

I am sure that students and their families are very appreciative of all these opportunities and the time and energy that staff put into organising and offering these experiences.