Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
Over the past few weeks the children have been learning about Holy Week and the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Today the children worked in their house colour groups, completed Holy Week activities and then shared them at a whole school assembly. One of the common questions that children ask at this time of the year is “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” And “Why is it called Good Friday?” An easy and appropriate answer we use is “Because He loved us.” This can be somewhat confusing for children, so I would like to share with you an explanation that may give you a deeper understanding and help you explain it further with your children;
Essentially, this simply means that Jesus’ resurrection was a victory over the power of sin (evil) and of death. Jesus’ resurrection destroys the power of evil in our lives (such as that of the Romans who crucified him); evil is no longer dominant. Jesus’ resurrection also demonstrates his ability to provide for our own resurrections at some point after death. So death is no longer final and it loses its terrible fear and control over us.
A Lenten Prayer
Loving God,
We know that because of the great love Jesus had for you,
and because of the love you have for us,
Jesus completed your will,
and through his death, gave us a way home to you.
This is our sure hope.
Send your Spirit upon us that we might truly be people
who live the salvation Jesus gave us.
We ask this through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Grade 4 Staff Changes
From the beginning of next term Meg Knight will not be continuing as Grade 4 classroom teacher. Meg will be fulfilling other roles throughout the school and will commence her maternity leave in Week 4. For the remainder of the year Maegen Potter and Susie Scott will take over Meg’s role in a job share situation. Maegen will work on Monday, Tuesday and Susie on Wednesday, Thursday. They will alternate the Fridays. We thank Meg for the wonderful start she has given this year’s Grade 4s and we look forward to having Maegen and Susie back on board.
Grade 3 and 4 Camps
Last week our Grade 3 and 4 students headed off to adventure camps at Kangaroobie in Princetown and Warrnambool. They returned to school on Friday with big smiles and many great stories to share. I’m sure they slept well over the weekend! A big thanks to our wonderful staff members who made this experience possible for our children.
Movie Tickets
A reminder to all families with the holidays coming up, that discounted movie tickets can be purchased from the school office.
External School Review / Pupil Free Days
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. In Term 2 we will have a pupil free day on Friday 23rd May.
Also, as already outlined, in 2025 DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd) have granted schools the opportunity to participate in collaborative professional development. This is in line with a new long term strategic plan that has been developed. The 3 days between Easter Monday and Anzac Day (22nd, 23rd and 24th April) will be pupil free days. On the 22nd and 23rd of April our school will be collaborating on various aspects of school life with Sacred Heart Colac and St. Brendan’s Coragulac.
On Thursday, April 24th there will be a presentation of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, titled "Pursuing Fullness of Life for All." This comprehensive plan aims to enhance the performance of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat over the next decade. The strategy will be presented to all staff members of DOBCEL schools by Executive Director, Tom Sexton, throughout Term 2. All schools in the Southern Zone will gather at St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool, on April 24th to ensure everyone in the Zone has a clear understanding of this strategy and its vision. This day will be a School Closure Day for all schools in the Southern Zone. The full Executive Summary of the DOBCEL 2035 Strategy is available on the DOBCEL website or hard copies can be obtained from the school office.
This is the first week of Term 2. Please put these dates in your diaries.
A big thank you and congratulations to everyone on what has been a great start to the year. Your ongoing support for our school is appreciated and we look forward to an exciting 3 terms ahead.
Easter is a wonderful time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Have a safe and happy Easter and I look forward to seeing everyone next term.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)