The past two weeks have been busy with our two Opening Masses, the Commissioning of our School Leaders, the Inter-house Swimming Carnival and lots of activity around the school production with the finalisation of the cast and rehearsals starting. The before school, after school and lunchtime clubs are in full swing, catering to diverse interests with everything from knitting to badminton and all in between.

Thank you to Fr. Maurie (Sacred Heart Emmaus) and Fr. Vincent (Holy Eucharist) for leading the celebration of our liturgies, and to the students and staff involved in preparing and leading the liturgy. Thank you also to the families who were able to join us.

Our 2021 College theme is Listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. During Lent this is being lived in a very practical way through our support of Project Compassion. The work of Caritas through Project Compassion is three-fold: awareness raising, solidarity and fund raising. I thank all students and staff for their generosity and readiness to take up the call to engage and to hear the cry of the poor in this way.

Family Nights

Young people learn in many different contexts, in the home, at school and in the community. Families are the first educators of their children and as children grow, families invite others to share the responsibility of nurturing and educating their child. It is a privilege to work in partnership with families in this.

Getting to know and engaging with families, enables teachers to better do their work. To this end, we have Family Nights at each level early in the year. Unfortunately, the unexpected lockdown in mid-February disrupted these plans, however, look forward to meeting all families over the next few weeks, either onsite or virtually.

Although the format has changed at most levels, we hope that the nights are still an opportunity for families and staff to get to know each other, to share insights and to learn a little more about the focus at each year level.

Catholic Education Week

Next week marks Catholic Education Week which is usually held in the week of St Patrick’s Day (Wednesday); the feast day of the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Whilst events such as the St Patrick’s Day Mass for schools won’t be taking place this year, the week still provides a chance to reflect on and to celebrate the fine work being done across our schools. Our fortnightly newsletter gives families a window into the many great things happening in our own school. None of this can be achieved without the great commitment of staff, the support of families and the energy, interest and involvement of our students. We are blessed in all areas. Thank you.