Assistant Principal

Sunday 25 May - Gospel Message

During the Easter Season, Catholics celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, with white and gold symbolising joy and victory. As the Feast of the Ascension (29 May) approaches, in the Gospels we learn about how Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, ensuring that they understood that he would be leaving them soon.

In this week's Gospel, Jesus introduces the Spirit, the Advocate, sent by God to remain with his followers. This marks the first mention of the Holy Spirit as a guide and teacher, continuing Jesus' lessons in his absence.

Jesus’ teachings profoundly impacted his disciples, leading them to embrace a mission that changed the world. He reassures them with his promise in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Jesus gives peace as a gift, not merely as a wish. This same peace is available to us today, empowering us to face challenges. The Gospel calls us to reflect on how we can become peacemakers in our world.

Get your Child reading…. again! 

How Parents Can Inspire a Love of Books!

As we approach the middle of the school year, parents will have the opportunity in the coming weeks to check in with teachers regarding their child’s learning and development. Often at these meetings, one of the questions asked by parents is - how can I get my child reading…again?

Many parents have had experiences of their young children who loved reading but don’t read anymore. So, while we do want to encourage as many of our students to be reading regularly, more importantly than that, we want our children to LOVE reading.

When your children were young, as parents you would have often read to your children, you would have had books mixed in with toys and many would have also visited the local library as part of your routine. As parents, you shared your love of reading - what a powerful gift.

It’s not long before these little infants start school and before you know it, they are reading for themselves. They are excited to read and love watching themselves build their skills and grow in confidence. As parents, we couldn’t be prouder. We’ve done it! 

Then life (continues to) get busy! Perhaps we return to work, have younger siblings to look after, play taxi getting kids to and from after school activities. Before we know it, we rarely read to our children, they hardly see us read and we notice that they have also stopped reading like they used to.

We all know that reading is crucial to learning and academic success. But more recently, studies by the National Literacy Trust have also found that children who enjoy reading will have more resilient and greater well-being. Reading allows children to explore different perspectives and experiences. But the catch is - they have to ENJOY reading.

So, it is time to bring the love of reading back into your homes (if it is missing)! It is important to remember that reading isn’t just about literacy - it is not a JOB - it’s about unlocking a world of imagination, knowledge and lifelong learning. So, how can you nurture this habit? 

1. Make Reading a Routine: Establish a dedicated time for reading each day. Whether it’s bedtime stories or weekend library visits, consistency is key. You may need to reignite this by spending time with your child. 5-10 minutes is a great starting point!

2. Lead by Example: Children mimic their parents. Let them see you engaged in books, newspapers, or magazines.

3. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment: Have a variety of books available at home that cater to their interests and age group and remove distractions and devices.

4. Discuss What They Read: Encourage conversations about the stories and characters, helping to deepen their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

5. Have a Family Book Club: As a family, all read the same book (it doesn’t have to be long). Commit to a time when it will be completed and then get together to discuss. Why not go out for dinner or dessert if you can?

6. Get back to the Library: Get back to the local library WITH your children. Let them get their own membership, borrow different books and become an independent borrower!

Reading is a gift that you have already given to your children. While we can ‘make’ our children read, if they don’t LOVE reading, then it will always be a chore. But, if you can make books and reading a cherished part of your family life then you will instill a lifelong love for literature—it is not too late. 

Happy Reading!