Principals Report

Welcome back to Term 2. Following a week of staff professional development, then the students’ first week back last week, we are currently in Week 3. We have a busy 9 weeks ahead of us with Mother’s Day celebrations, Catholic Education Week, Sandhurst Switches Off, Walk Safely to School Day, Confirmation/Eucharist, Reconciliation Week and Cross Country to name a few events and celebrations ahead of us!

Congratulations to the Year 4 students who attended school camp at Feathertop Chalet in Harrietville last week. The students had a wonderful time and made life-long memories (especially when we spotted a deer during the night walk!). The positive attitude and exemplary behaviour of the students was my highlight of camp. I would like to publicly thank the staff who attended, supporting our students and giving up their own family time. Well done to Maurz, Alison, Katrina, Jensen, Emma, Kirby and Bec for your efforts. I am already looking forward to later in the term when the Yr5’s attend camp at Sovereign Hill!

On Sunday we celebrated the Third Week of Easter. From John’s Gospel (21:1-19) we hear Jesus anointing Peter as his successor on earth, telling him ‘look after my sheep.’ This marks Peter as our first Pope (leader of the Church). This reading is timely as we begin the search for Pope Francis’ successor with Conclave starting this week. Some of my favourite memories/thoughts of Pope Francis include:

· He was the first Pope to take the name Francis.

· He was not afraid to break conventions, following his election he shunned his private car and boarded the bus with the cardinals; he refused to move into the Apostolic Palace but remained in the Vatican guesthouse.

· In his official acceptance of the papacy, he expressed first his sinfulness and reliance on God's mercy.

· He was not afraid of dialogue and who welcomed encounters with other people regardless of their race, religion, worldview or status.

· He paid attention to the protection of the natural environment.

· He advocated for those on society's margins, and who regularly called into question unequal economic systems.

· He wished to be buried in a simple coffin wearing his old shoes.

I am hoping this weeks’ Conclave brings us Pope Francis 2.0!

This week we celebrate mums with our Mother’s Day stall on Wednesday – thanks to those parents who helped Casey with the set up. And on Friday we have our Mother’s Day Morning Celebration. Our liturgy will begin at 10am in the MPB (at the College). Following this we will have a shared morning tea where we will provide a scone with jam and cream for each mum (unfortunately we don’t have enough for the students). Mums are welcome to bring in a picnic rug to share with their children. Following morning tea we have our Mother’s Day activities from 11:30am – 12:30pm. We wish all mums, step mums, grandmothers etc. a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration this Sunday – we'd be lost without you!!

We have been thrilled to see how popular our new Ninja Playground has been. I know after talking to Arn last year that this design was the one voted on by students – and I can see why, they are loving it! Thank you for ensuring children don’t play in the area after school. We are hopeful no more school buses will need turning around to pick up ‘naughty ninjas!’

Just a reminder that hats still need to be worn and sunscreen still needs to be applied at school whilst the UV index remains 3 or above. As per our Sun Protection Policy, students will be re-directed to shaded areas when outside if they are not following these rules.

Please keep our Sacramental students (Catholic students in Yr4) and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they continue their faith journey by celebrating the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist this term.

Take care and God bless,

Jarrod