Principal Update

An update from our Principal

Please join me in the following prayer for Reconciliation:

Acknowledgement of the Land

As we gather and pray for Reconciliation may we remember that May 27 and June 3 are important dates in Australia’s history. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. June 3 marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title—the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonization.

Today and every day, we acknowledge that we gather on the land of the Bangerang and Yorta Yorta people and pay our respects to their elders both past and present, for they hold the memories, the culture and the wisdom upon which our nation’s future will be built.

Prayer for reconciliation:

Holy Father, God of Love

You are the Creator of this land and all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history

And the suffering of our peoples.

Lord Have Mercy

Holy Father, God of Love

We thank you for

the survival of Indigenous cultures

Our hope is in you because your son Jesus Christ came

to reconcile the world to you.

Christ Have Mercy

Holy Father, God of Love

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change

Lord Have Mercy

Lord, open up our hearts so that we may hear the message you teach of a world in which the wrongs of the past are recognised - a world in which a reconciled people walk and talk together sharing stories; a world in which all burn with the desire to have your peace and justice reign. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

AMEN

Dear Parents, Care Givers, Staff, Students and Friends of St Francis Primary School,

Next Tuesday morning, our school community will come together to celebrate Mass in recognition of National Reconciliation Week. The Mass will be in conjunction with the SMOTA community and celebrated by Fr Jophin.  We look forward to continuing the journey of reconciliation and working in partnership with our aboriginal brothers and sisters. 

On Tuesday morning our grade 6 students enjoyed the final dress rehearsal of the SMOTA production Rock of Ages. I have no doubt they thoroughly enjoyed it as did Miss Condritt. The talented group of performers, ably supported by an expert and experienced crew, put on a great show in preparation for opening night. If you are interested in the performing arts and 80’s rock classics, tickets can be found on the SMOTA website for Friday and Saturday night and a matinee on Saturday. We wish the cast and crew well throughout the weekend’s performances.

I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome Elisha Chester to our staff. Elisha is already a member of our school community as she has Cody in his foundation year.  Elisha has taken on the role of Administration Officer and will be working with Natasha in our office on Thursday and Fridays. We wish Elisha well and please pop in and say Hi. 

Finally, congratulations to all the student award winners who were acknowledged at assembly on Monday afternoon. Thank you to everybody who attended as we are very keen to award and celebrate the many outstanding contributions and learning successes of our students. In particular, well done to our reading award winners. Reading and literacy are the foundational skills that contribute to success at school. Thanks to our Mums and Dads who are putting in the time to listen to your child’s reading. Stick with it – it does make a difference.

With Peace and Goodwill,

Matt Carver

Principal