Dear Parents, Friends, Students and Staff
Greeting students and parents at the car park as they arrive each morning has become a most enjoyable part of my day. We have been encouraging conversational manners and it is pleasing to see the excellent improvement in this area for all our children, from the youngest through to the eldest students. It is important that we encourage our students to be confident and independent in all aspects of their lives. Speaking confidently is a life long skill that can make a difference to the self esteem of young people. I love it when the students stop to greet me, converse about their evening or weekend, and respond without prompting with excellent conversational manners.
The morning drop off has also given me an opportunity to get to know more of our parents. This has been an unusual start to my role as new Principal of the school with the restrictions of parents on the school grounds. In normal circumstances I would have met most parents by now. Thank you for making the effort to have a chat in the mornings, where you can. Please keep doing this. I look forward to an opportunity in the not too distant future to have a social function where I can get to know our parents a little more.
Pentecost Sunday 31st May
The word Pentecost comes from the Greek language meaning ‘fiftieth’ day. Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter. Jesus disciples were gathered for the first Pentecost for the 50th day after the Passover. As they gathered together they experienced the Holy Spirit empowering them. In Christian tradition, Pentecost is celebrated as the arrival of the Spirit, which gave courage to the disciples to spread the gospel of Jesus and gather believers to form what would eventually become the Church.
How are we, his disciples in 2020, experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives?
What are we doing to spread his good news?
Good News
I was very impressed with our Year Ones this week sending Hospital Hero pictures to the health workers at the Mount Hospital. Thank you to Miss Pasquale and Michelle Wyers for organising this initiative of gratitude from our students to the health workers who are indeed, “Hospital Heroes.”
This week we welcome Emmy to the Year Six class. Emmy joins us from Cambodia and we are delighted to have her at Matthew Gibney. Welcome to Emmy and her parents, Rasi and Ian and little brother Raksmey.
We are delighted to congratulate Nevaeh, Cooper and their parents as they welcome their new sister and daughter, Ellani. The children have been very excited about their new sister and have enjoyed sharing photos of beautiful Ellani with their class mates.
National Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Australia promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal peoples. During Reconciliation Week we remember that May 27th marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australian voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We pray with gratitude for the journey we have had towards Reconciliation and pray that all Australians are treated equally, with respect and dignity, as children of God.
Holy Father, God of Love
We give thanks for
The survival of Indigenous cultures
Our hope is in you because
Your Son, Jesus Christ
Came to reconcile the world for you.
Amen
I wish all our families an enjoyable long weekend. If you are travelling on the roads and enjoying visiting the regions please drive safely. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 2nd June.
Warm regards
Therese Hussey
Principal