On Sunday, we celebrate Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. This is a time where we commemorate the last days of Jesus: his final meal with his friends; his trial; his carrying of the cross; his death on Calvary and his rising from the dead. On Palm Sunday, branches are blessed as a reminder of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. His entry into the city was in stark contrast to how he left a week later.

Lent is a time for returning and reconnecting. Just as the son returned to his family in the parable of the Lost Son, so too, Lent calls us home, to deeper relationships, to prayer, to care for others and to being more present to God in our lives.

This year we also return in a physical sense to our parish communities. After two years of closed Churches and restricted numbers, we are once again able to gather and celebrate together. I encourage all families to set aside some time to participate in Holy Week and Easter ceremonies with their parish community. We have included the schedule for Holy Week and Easter ceremonies in our parishes in the newsletter.

Thank You

As this is our final newsletter for Term 1. I would like to thank students, staff and families for your support and hard work throughout what has been a very good but busy term. I know that students and staff are quite tired but also feel a deep sense of satisfaction in all they have achieved during the term. It has been good to have a full term at school, the first for two years.

Many thanks for everything and I hope that you find time for rest, fun and time with family and friends during the upcoming holidays, and that you return refreshed for Term 2.

As we enter Holy week, may the blessings of this time and the joys of Easter be God’s gifts to each of you.

Immersion Day

Last Friday, each year level travelled off site for an Immersion Experience. Year 7 students travelled to Point Cook for their Reflection Day, Year 8 students were on camp, Year 9 headed into Melbourne for Day 1 of their city experience and Year 10s visited the Shrine. Thank you to all students for their engagement in the learning experiences, to staff for the organisation that went into ensuring that activities ran smoothly and safely, and to parents for completing permissions and medical forms on time. This was a massive logistical exercise, particularly with a shortage of buses in Melbourne. I thank everyone involved in making it a terrific day.

Practicing Kindness

Congratulations to 7 Yarra on winning the inaugural Year 7 Kindness Cup and to all Year 7 students for the kindness they have shown over the past few weeks.

7 Yarra’s decision to forgo their pizza lunch and to donate the money to the Loaves and Fishes foodbank is testament to the spirit of this award, and we can see why they are such worthy winners. Thank you 7 Yarra.

Mark Twain once described kindness as ‘a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see’. This is very much at the core of the culture being developed at Year 7.

School Advisory Council

At this stage, we have some expressions of interest but it would be good to have at least two more parents / carers involved. We seek people with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, and a strong interest in Catholic education. It is an exciting opportunity for parents and community voices to shape the ongoing development of our school.

If you are interested in supporting / serving our school community in this way, please email me at principal@crcstalbans.catholic.edu.au.

Rapid Antigen Tests

The Victorian Government has announced that twice-weekly Rapid Antigen Testing for students and staff in schools will continue for the first four weeks of Term 2. Additional test kits will be sent home in the first week of term.

Thank you to students and families for testing regularly. This surveillance testing, together with air purifiers, ventilation and other COVID safe practices has helped to limit the spread of COVID at school.

First day: Term 2

Students return to school for the beginning of Term 2 on Tuesday 26 April. This will be Day 2 of our timetable.

There will be some changes to the timetable. Students are asked to check their timetable on SIMON in the second week of the holidays.

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.

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.

Newsletter

The newsletter is published fortnightly and is available online on Day 10 (Friday Week 2).

Newsletter Days for Term 1 2022:         

Fridays: 06 May,    20 May,     03 June,     17 June