From the Principal

It is hard to believe that we are half way through term three. It has been an incredibly busy and productive term so far. It has been great to see and hear that a number of students have taken on the feedback that they have received during parent /student /teacher interviews and have put into place strategies to assist them in their learning.

Much support is offered to students in assisting them in their learning outside the classroom. The library runs homework club each night and Maths support is offered on Wednesday lunchtimes and Friday mornings. I often observe staff working with students in classrooms during recess, lunchtime and after school. I encourage students to seek support form their teachers whenever they need it.

Last week was an amazing week of celebration. It was JJAMM Week! JJAMM Week is the week in which we take time to honour and remember Julian Tenison Woods, Joseph and Mary MacKillop. It is a week of much celebration and fun. The highlight of the week was of course Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day celebrations. My sincere thanks to Fr John Healy for his contribution to what was a beautiful Eucharistic celebration. I am truly grateful to the singers, readers, alter servers and Eucharistic ministers. A very big thank you to all staff involved, in particular Danielle Fairthorne and Frances O’Neill.

The Feast Day Fete, which took place after Mass, was fantastic. Each Pastoral Class was involved in running a stall in order to raise money for the Mary MacKillop Foundation. There were so many stalls ranging from food to raffles and competitions and overall $7000.00 was raised. I am grateful to the number of businesses in our community who made donations in order to support the students’ efforts.

Our very first Variety Night was held on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 August. It was a magnificent showcase of the great artistic talent of MSJ students. The audiences on each night were treated to instrumental, singing, dancing and acting performances from students in all year levels. It never ceases to amaze me how talented the students at MSJ are. Well done to all involved, it was very exhausting week. A very big thanks to Frances O’Neill, Kat Anastasi and Nick Tresize for all their hard work in putting the show together.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption this week I share with you the following prayer.

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives you praise,

for all life and all holiness come from you.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore the Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.

May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Kate Dishon