Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students

How pleasant it has been this week to come to school and actually see the smile on the faces of our staff and parents.  We all feel so much better without masks – it certainly lifts the mood. Thank you again to our parents and visitors for your support over these past few weeks as we dealt with some COVID-19 restrictions. The biggest reminder I can give our parents, in order to maintain a healthy and safe environment at school, is to please keep your children home if they are unwell.  A day or two at home, when suffering a sniffly nose or a little cough, is usually enough to make sure that no germs are passed on to others. 

One of the more positive outcomes we have seen over the past two weeks has been the increased independence and resiliency of our students in coming into their classes on their own. We noticed this same resiliency last year when the students were coming into the school grounds independently. The teachers have commented how quickly the students have prepared themselves for class. The reduction in morning disruptions results in a smooth start to the day, for staff and students. As much as we love having our parents at school, perhaps parents could think about saying goodbye at the gate, once or twice a week. Perhaps the junior school parents could drop off at the door, from time to time. Giving our children these opportunities to manage, without assistance form Mum and Dad, is doing them a favour in developing the valuable life skills of independence and resiliency. 

First Eucharist Preparation

Preparation for the Sacrament of First Eucharist in the Year Four class is now in full swing. The students and parents joined together for a First Eucharist Workshop earlier this week. The workshop was an excellent opportunity for the parents and children to talk about the Sacrament of the Eucharist together. This is a very special time for the children as they prepare to receive Jesus for the first time in the Holy Eucharist. Please keep the Year Four students, their teachers and parents in your prayers as they prepare for the big day on 30th May. 

NAPLAN

The Year Three and Year Five students have been participating in the annual NAPLAN Assessment during this week. Once again, debate about NAPLAN is all over the media and everyone seems to have an opinion about the merit (or otherwise) of the annual assessments.  The tests provide the school and parents with data about how their children are achieving, at this point in time, in Literacy and Numeracy. At school we use the data from NAPLAN, alongside a wealth of additional data that is collected throughout the year, to inform us about how our students are tracking and to guide our teaching and learning programs.

Busy Bee – Saturday 22nd May

Please consider coming along to the Busy Bee on Saturday 22nd May. This is a good opportunity for our Dads to get together and complete some jobs around the school, before enjoying each other’s company over some refreshments. Please let the administration office staff know if you can come along. 

Today we commemorate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. The Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday. The Feast marks the end of the Risen Lord’s time on Earth. He ascends into Heaven to prepare a place for us, when our time comes.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ,

Right before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit.

May I be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed, according to your will for me.

Amen.

I hope you can join us for our Merit Award Assembly on Friday morning at 9.00am.

Warm regards

Therese Hussey
Principal