Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
A big welcome back to all children, parents and staff as we begin Term 2. It was wonderful to see that we all arrived back safely from our Easter break and I trust that everyone had a very happy and relaxing Easter with their families.
With Easter being part of the school holiday break, it was certainly a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and reflect on how Easter is relevant in our own lives and also the life of our school and wider community. Tomorrow we will participate in a staff led Alleluia prayer gathering in the church. It is a special way to commence the new term and all are welcome. As we believe, the death of Jesus is not the end, it is the prelude to His Resurrection, which brings hope to the world.
An Easter Prayer for Hope
Risen Presence, stir hope in us when we waver in our belief about the goodness of humanity. Turn our face toward the sunrise of each morning. Assure us that every day brings light after night’s heavy darkness. Let it remind us that a fresh beginning continually awaits us.
Open our eyes to recognize signs of your endless love. Draw us close on our own Emmaus roads. When our hearts are disconsolate, surprise us with your peace-filled presence. Rekindle our love.
Clear our mind of the tendency to close off the possibility of a world warm with the glow of human kindness. Veer us away from negativity. Help us delete our thoughts of inner strife and the apprehension of doomsday prophecies.
Bring us into a remembrance of your empty tomb when we want to give up on humanity’s care for one another. Restore our recognition of your presence abiding in each and every human being. Let us look deeply, beyond despicable behaviour and brutality, and find the pure essence of your love abiding there.
Risen Lord, breathe hope in us. Help us keep it alive by how we think, feel, and live everyday.
Amen.
ANZAC Day
Last Friday we commemorated Anzac Day, when we remember all the men and women who have served our country and sacrificed their lives in war.
Lord, we give thanks for the loving people in our lives, as they continue to make sacrifices for us.
We thank you for all the people who fought to protect and honour our country. Their sacrifices have enabled us to live in peace and have a future of freedom. May we never forget this or take it for granted.
As we remember the Spirit of Anzac, we pray for all those who have given to their country in the spirit of generosity for others. We remember and honour the fallen and those who returned back home to us. May this prayer be our personal thanks for the many sacrifices they have made.
AMEN.
External School Review
This year, as part of the 5 year school improvement cycle, our school will participate in an external school review. This will take place in Term 3 on the 8th and 9th of September. Between now and then our staff will be required to work in teams to complete a number of reflective tasks. Schools undertaking a review are allowed an extra pupil free day to complete these tasks, which will ultimately give us the required information to set goals for the next 5 year cycle. This term we will have a pupil free day on Friday 23rd May.
Prep Enrolments for 2026
I would like to have enrolments for next year finalised by early next term. Therefore, if you have any extended family or friends intending on enrolling their child next year, it would be greatly appreciated if you could pass this information on to them, so they can arrange for a meeting and a tour of the school. I request all existing families that have a child starting in Prep next year, submit their enrolment form as soon as possible.
Welcome
This term we welcome Harmony Rice (Gr 5 Rachel D) to our school community. We wish Harmony and her family all the best as they settle in to our school community. We also have some people returning to our school this term. We welcome back Skarlette (Gr 6 Jodie/Katie) and Gabe (Gr 4 Matt) Wakeling back to St. Mary’s and Maegen Potter who is returning from leave to teach Grade 4.
School Hats
School hats are not required to be worn at this time of the year. I ask that all children take their hats home, to be put away ready to be brought back in September.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)