Education in Faith 

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for the gift of this new day. 

Guide my every thought, word, and action.

 Help me to be present today, to love well, and to trust You fully. 

Give me peace in uncertainty and strength for whatever I face.

 Invite You into every moment today.

Amen

A Special Day for Grandparents.

Last Friday, the St Fidelis school community came together to celebrate Grandparents' Day.  This special celebration was an opportunity to honour and express gratitude for the love, wisdom, and guidance of all grandparents, past and present. The church was filled with joy as children and their grandparents gathered to reflect, acknowledge and pray for the important role grandparents play in their lives. Following Mass, our grandparents were warmly welcomed into classrooms, where they engaged in meaningful and fun learning activities alongside their grandchildren, creating treasured memories together. 

The morning concluded with a beautiful morning tea, generously provided by our dedicated Parents and Friends Association. We extend our sincere thanks to all who participated and helped make this day such a memorable and special occasion for our school community.

Confirmation Workshop Evening

Last Thursday evening, our Year Six families began the journey of preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The evening was centred around a meaningful and engaging workshop facilitated by Maria Forde, who guided students and their families in reflecting on the significance of this sacred sacrament. Throughout the workshop, students explored the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and were encouraged to make personal connections with these gifts in their own lives. Through storytelling, music, discussion and prayer, the students considered how these gifts can support and guide them in their daily choices, relationships, and faith development. It was great to see families engaging in open dialogue, sharing experiences and insights as they journey alongside their children in this important step of their faith formation. We extend our sincere thanks to all who attended and participated in the evening. Your presence and support are vital in helping our students prepare for this sacred milestone. We encourage families to continue the conversation at home and to reflect together on how the Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire us all.

Bishop Rene Ramirez Visit & Retreat Day

We are very excited to announce that our new Bishop, Bishop Rene Ramirez, will be visiting our school on Friday, August 1st.  This will be a memorable experience for all our Year 6 students as they have the unique opportunity to meet Bishop Rene, learn from his inspiring words, and feel his encouragement as they prepare to receive this important sacrament. The day will continue as all the Year 6 students will participate in a special Retreat Day. This day will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to pause, reflect, and deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit and the significance of Confirmation in their faith journey.

The Retreat Day will be facilitated by myself (Annette Gasbarro) and will include a variety of reflective and engaging activities designed to help students grow in their faith and build a stronger connection with God and each other. A hot lunch will be provided, and students are encouraged to wear casual clothes for the day. We look forward to this special day of faith, learning, and community as we journey together towards Confirmation.

Confirmation Celebration

This year, our Year 6 children will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, August 10th, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Fidelis Church. 

St Vinnies Winter Appeal

Thank you to all the families who have generously contributed to the St Vinnies Winter Appeal. Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated and go a long way in helping those who are experiencing hardship during the colder months. We encourage all families to continue supporting this important initiative. The appeal provides essential items, including warm clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, and toiletries, to individuals and families in need within our local community. The appeal will continue until the end of August, providing our school community with ample time to contribute. Every donation, big or small, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those doing it tough during the colder months. Donation baskets have been placed at each year level throughout the school.  Let’s continue to work together to show compassion and care to those doing it tough this winter. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. 

God bless and have a great week.

Annette Gasbarro

Religious Education Leader.