Family and Faith

Welcome back to Our Lady of Fatima Caringbah for another exciting year of learning, growing in love and faith and making friends. I hope you had a relaxing break with family and friends and are ready for a happy and fulfilling year ahead. 

Welcome to the new families to our school! Let me know if you need any help and advice about school life. I am at school everyday and look forward to getting to know you. 

Thank you to the Kindy parents, carers and extended family members who were able to celebrate the first day of their child’s school life with a cup of tea/coffee in the library last week. I hope you made lots of new friends and that you enjoy the Roots and Wings Prayer Pack which invites you to grow with your child (roots of a plant) and soar like a bird (feather) knowing that the sky’s the limit. 

“Ready to thrive at OLF 2025” is the theme for our new Kindy students.   

Lord, as we embark on the new school term.

Make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.

Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day 

with the assurance that You walk through it with 

us. 

Thank You for the gifts of creativity, curiosity and uniqueness and the energy to put them to good use.

Please bless our OLF school community, our parish and all whom we come into contact with.

So that through us, they will come to know and love you.  Amen.

Pilgrims of Hope - Jubilee 2025

This year Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 is a Jubilee year. Many exciting events have been planned and will be shared with you during the year. Stay tuned!

Family Masses

Kindergarten/Year 6 Buddies Mass: 

Sunday 16th March 2025 at 9:30am

At Family Masses EVERYONE is invited!

The first Family Mass will be a Kindy and Year 6 Buddies Mass on Sunday 16th March, at 9:30am. An invitation will be soon sent out to all families to join in this joyous celebration of new beginnings and friendships. Please save the date for this very important Parish Mass.

Fatima Friends Invitation 

- Come and join in the fun!

Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies along with their parents and carers are warmly invited to attend Friday Fatima Friends in the Library on Friday mornings after Prayer Assembly.

Who:  Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies are also welcome and parents and carers

With:  Tracey Bowler Family Educator/Teacher 

What: Fatima Friends involves participating in a 30 minute teacher directed lesson which includes activities such as praying, singing, talking, dancing, movement, craft, sport and games.

Where: Meet in the Mercy Library after Assembly Prayer on the playground.

When: Fridays at 9.00 am - 9:45 am 

FATIMA FRIENDS ....BEGINS WEEK 6 FRIDAY 14th MARCH!            

Here is some good advice from Susanne, a friend of mine, in the CathFamily newsletter. It’s especially timely for the beginning of the school year.

The Sacredness in Simplicity

Simple is sacred. In an over-performance culture, the greatest gift a parent can give is a sense of belonging and acceptance. Susanne North explores how the simple life supports this sacred mission.

Healthy Ideas and Practical Tips for Parents from the Cancer Council

Parents may need some inspiration with planning lunch boxes as we settle into the new school year. Need new ideas on making healthy lunches and snacks? Or information on screen time and sleep, family fitness activities and healthy living programs? Click on these links to access some great resources especially helpful for new Kindergarten 2025 parents.

Healthy Lunch Box | Cancer Council NSW

 Lunch box builder – Healthy Lunch Box 

Parent & Carer Resources | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District 

Gymea Parish - Women & The Church

The Season of Lent & the Sacrament of Confession 

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

And to finish off I would like to wish you a very happy St Valentine’s Day!

Parents and carers who joined us at OLF’s Opening Mass may have been lucky enough to receive a Valentine’s Prayer Pack from the school. I hope you enjoyed the treat and prayerful words of wisdom.

To finish off here is an informative video clip from Catholic Online for students in Years 3 - 6 and adults on the life of a much loved saint - St. Valentine. 

Wishing you much joy celebrating love with families and friends 

not only on St Valentine’s Day but every day!

Tracey Bowler | Family Educator        

tracey.bowler@syd.catholic.edu.au