School News

Dear parents, families and friends,

I'm back! I returned at the end of the first week of the holidays. It was a fantastic experience, allowing me to deepen my knowledge and strengthen my faith. It was also a very tiring experience. Early morning starts, no rest days and we averaged 20,000 steps a day as well as over 100 kms a day travelling between locations. One of my biggest learnings was coming to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the distances St. Paul travelled and the hardships and challenges he faced on his missionary journies to spread the Gospel to the world. Visting Gallipoli, especially Anzac Cove and Lone Pine was a very powerful and moving experience. Standing on the same soil that saw the birth of the Anzac legend and spirit was something I have wanted to do since I was a child.

This week I had the privilege of attending two excursions. On Monday I attended the Legacy ANZAC Day Service for schools with our Year 6 students. Having visited Gallipoli on my pilgrimage, this service now held so much more meaning for me. I was very impressed in how reverent our students were during the ceremony. I was also very proud of our School Captains, Tegan and Fidel when they placed our wreath at the Eternal Flame. 

On Thursday I attended the Year 3/4 excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria - International (NGVI). The focus was exploring how scripture stories are depicted in religious artworks. I really enjoyed returning to my R.E.L (Religious Education Leader) days of working with and teaching the children about the Catholic Faith and exploring some wonderful, classic artworks to discover the stories and meanings contained within and behind the images and symbols.

I really like being able to attend excursions and join in the learning experiences with the students. It allows me to be able to share my knowledge and experience with them and remind the students that I am a teacher as well as being a principal.

Coffee Van

Unfortunately, The Angry Mug is closing up shop/van. They will be providing service at our Mother's Day Breakfast on the morning of Friday 9th May. Chris and Eva and very sad to be closing their business. They will also miss our school community every Wednesday. Chris and Eva have asked me to pass on their heartfelt thanks for the support we have provided them over the past few years. For the time being there will be no Wednesday morning coffees.

Beanies

As we begin to move into the cold weather of Autumn and Winter, the students will be wanting to wear beanies and scraves. There is a school beanie and scarf as part of our official school uniform. These are both available from Academy Uniforms, our school uniform supplier. These are the preferred items and all students from Prep to Year to Year 4 should be wearing them. There can be circumstances where it is not possible to purchase these items from Academy Uniforms. In these situations plain navy blue, black or royal blue beanies with no logos, patterns or pictures, that blend in and match our school uniform are also acceptable. For scarves, plain navy blue or black is acceptable. This special circumstance also applies to our current Year 5/6 students, who I don't mandate the wearing of the school beanie and scarf. Year 5/6 students can also wear plain navy blue, black or royal blue beanies and plain navy blue or black scarves.

Football, Big Freeze, rainbow or any other colour not listed above, are not acceptable for beanies or scraves. If you have any questions, please speak to me about this.

Avoca Street

Resurfacing works will be carried out on Avoca Street on Friday 9th May between 7.00am and 6.00pm. Please make alternative arrangements for drop off and pick up, especially if you routinely use Avoca Street.

Also a reminder about pick up and drop off in Avoca Street. If you are parked in Avoca Street, then you must remain parked against the curb when dropping off and picking up. You must not drive up to the intersection of Avoca and Birmingham Streets and stop at the crossing. This is dangerous and it is against the road laws. It also creates unnecessary  congestion.

Vale Pope Francis

On Easter Monday we got the sad news that Pope Francis had passed away. For twelve years, Pope Francis has urged a new missionary heart in the Catholic community, cultivating a spirit of Gospel-centred reform, of shared and collaborative leadership and of a simple faith in the risen Jesus who is alive in his Church.

As successor of St Peter, Pope Francis has displayed a heart for the poor, praying unceasingly for peace, fraternity and dialogue. We pray that Pope Francis is now at rest in eternal peace in heaven.

We pray now that the Holy Spirit guides those tasked with the election of the new Bishop of Rome, and pray to the Lord so that He blesses Pope Francis’ successor in the time ahead.

Important Upcoming Events

• Monday 5th May starting at 10.15am - 3 Parish Schools Mass, Sausage Sizzle Lunch and private screening of Snow White
• Tuesday 6th May at 7pm - Confirmation Family Night in the Hall
• Friday 9th May starting at 7.30am - Mother's Day Breakfast
• Tuesday 13th May at 6pm - Parents & Friends Committee Meeting
• Tuesday 13th May at 7pm - School Advisory Council Meeting
• Friday 16th May - Confirmation Reflection Day at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre

Important Information for Parents about NCCD

Please read the attached document if you have a child currently receiving NCCD funding or may be eligible to receive funding due to being recently diagnosed with a disability.

I wish all mothers and grandmothers a Happy Mother's Day for next Sunday.

Until the next newsletter,

Be happy, stay well and be safe!!

Matthew Stead

Principal