Dear parents and carers,

In recent days our community has faced numerous challenges and we extend our thoughts and prayers to those directly affected by these events.  Thank you to everyone for your support during challenging times. 

We are now well into the Lenten season, a time of refection in preparation for the coming Easter season.  This is a time to reflect and consider ways of being.  Perhaps this year we might consider different ways of fasting…

I encourage the children to think about how they can make positive choices that can help others, both in their classes and while at play. A good reflection question is… how did I help someone else today?

Thank you to those who can remember the importance of a simple “…please…” or “…thank you…” or remembering to use another person’s name, these simple phrases are most appreciated.

Last week’s Mufti Day was a great success, with everyone enjoying a change from the usual routine of wearing their uniform to school. Thank you to everyone for your donations on the day.

The Parent Commitment Agreement developed by Catholic Education was sent home a few weeks ago for you to sign and return to school. Thank you to those families who have already returned this document to school.  If you have any queries, please make contact.

Our mini vegie gardens are taking shape with an additional trial in progress. We have planted a carrot top to see if it will grow a new carrot.  It is beginning to look like a new carrot will grow from the old – it is very interesting to watch the progress of this carrot. 

Thank you to those families who have ensured that school jumpers are clearly labelled. This is very helpful when trying to return jumpers to the right family.

Archdiocesan Swimming – Congratulations to Genevieve, Saskia and India who all swam at the Archdiocesan carnival. You did a terrific job.  Each competitor swam personal best times by as much as 6 seconds. This is a fantastic result!  We will have swimmers in individual events as well as team events at the MacKillop carnival.

Our small schools relay team has progressed to the MacKillop Swimming Carnival to be held at Homebush later this month.  We look forward to hearing about your successes.

NAPLAN – preparations for the 2021 NAPLAN program are underway.  Children in years 3 and 5 will participate in the during May (11-21).  If you wish to withdraw your child from this process, please contact Therese Clancy.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge – preparations are underway for our children to participate in this year’s challenge.  The Challenge opened on Monday.  The children can include challenge books that have already read this term.  For books to be included in the Challenge, they should appear on the reading list for your child’s group. 

Book lists can be found at:

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/

Book Fair – we will have a book fair from March 8-12.  Once the books arrive, we will preview these, and parents are welcome to come along and check out the books too!

Cross Country Run – preparations are underway for our cross-country race on Wednesday March 17. 

Uniform – now is the time to start thinking about winter uniforms.  Please place any orders as soon as possible, so that items can be delivered to you before the end of term.

Please be aware that from time to time we have trouble with the landline telephones.  If you are not able to get through to us on the landlines, please try our school mobile – 0407 401 054.

P & F News – please be aware that a Zoom Link has been created for the next P & F meeting on March 16.  This invitation was sent out to all families via email last week.

Easter Egg Raffle - It is time for us to start preparing for the annual Easter Egg Raffle.

We are asking all families to donate Easter Eggs.  These donations will be used to make up prizes for the raffle.

Please send your egg donations to school by Friday March 26.  

This week, I am participating the principal’s meeting for Term 1.

 Take care and stay safe,

O God,

Draw me into Your presence during this Lenten season. 

Show me how to quiet my thoughts and bring my ceaseless activity to a standstill. 

Let silence and solitude enfold me so that I can attend to the stirrings of my own heart and listen for your voice. 

Deliver me from the temptation to run away when shadowy images emerge, for You are found in both the dark and luminous experiences of life. 

May my prayer life enlarge this Lent, thereby leading me more fully towards Easter’s hope and promise. 

Peace and blessings,