From the Principal

From Mr Torpey

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which our school stands,

the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

Dear Families and Friends,

Reconciliation

Congratulations to our students who on Tuesday, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It was a wonderful celebration for both classes.

This is a very special time in the children’s lives and we ask that you keep them in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey. We thank the parents of these children who prepared them at home and supported the work done at school by their teachers.

The Church season of Lent, a time of prayer, penance and almsgiving is particularly appropriate for our students to be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

Catholic Education Week

Last week, as part of the celebrations for Catholic Education Week, some of our School Leaders attended the St Patrick’s Day Mass and Concert for schools. It was a wonderful celebration with over 2000 students from the Archdiocese of Melbourne attending. Grace and Salvatora carried our banner as part of the procession in. We had a great day – thanks to Mrs Stewart for helping out for the day.

Open Day

On Tuesday we held our official Open Day for 2023. We had a number of visitors to our school, many for the very first time. Whilst we had many compliments on our beautifully presented grounds, our amazing outdoor kitchen and our fantastic learning spaces, everyone commented that the school has a “lovely feel”. This “feel” cannot be created by “bricks and mortar” but by the proud, caring people who help make our wonderful community. Thank you to all who help create the “lovely feel” - this is not something that you can just create for one day, but is a feeling created over time by people who genuinely care for each other.

A special thank you to our Year 6 students who so competently conducted tours of our school, our Parent Helpers (Jess D, Rebecca A, Michelina D, Sandrra F, Jackie C, Victoria C, Sam R, Shermainne D and Kyle H) and to all staff and students who so willingly and proudly welcomed many visitors into our learning spaces.

Over the next few weeks we will begin to process all applications so if you are an existing family and have not enrolled your child for 2024, please let the office know as soon as possible.

Year 3-6 Cross Country

On Friday we conducted our annual Cross Country Championships. As always, the challenge is not to win, but to participate. Often children can have it in their own mind that there is no point, I won’t win – sometimes the results can be surprising. It is wonderful to see those students who give it their all, knowing full well that this is not their favourite thing. It’s also pleasing to see those who would rather walk but yet keep going, pushing all the way to the end. The effort between first and last is the same.

School Photos

Just a reminder that school photos will be taken on Thursday 30th March. As always, please ensure that your child is in correct summer school uniform, wearing clean, black school shoes. Long hair should be tied up, using sky blue or maroon hair ties. Smiles are essential.

Working Bee

Our working bee was held last Saturday and despite the heat and a smaller crew than expected, much was achieved. New soft fall was added to the senior playground, mulch was added to a number of garden beds, a smaller retainer wall was built along the southern side and much more. More importantly, everyone had a chance to catch up. A huge thank you to all the families who were able to attend – we greatly appreciate your assistance in keeping our school looking immaculate.

Harmony Day

On Tuesday we celebrated Harmony Day. The theme for the day was “Everyone Belongs”. Our day started with a whole school assembly, where our Year 6 Leaders introdcued Harmony Day and led us in prayer.

Good morning everyone, welcome to our Harmony Day assembly.

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism - we are one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world! The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Did you know:

Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia. Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.

Let us prepare ourselves for our Harmony Day prayer .....

The mercy of God flows through the land on which we gather today. Let us pause in silence and acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians who have cared for this land for generations.

We are people of peace and harmony, but sometimes we forget to show these values to one another. Let us ask God’s forgiveness for these times

Loving God, may I always be a good friend, Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

God of peace, help me to include others, Christ have mercy.

Christ have mercy.

God of mercy, help me to be kind. Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy

Creator God, you made all things beautiful to live in harmony.

May we be kind and caring and ready to reach out to one another so that our homes, our school and our world, is a place of love and peace.

We ask this in your name,

Amen.

After our prayer, we were fortunate to have 2 guest speakers - Jamil and Joe Tye. Jamil (one of our dads here at school) and Joe spoke to us about our First Nations people, providing an insight into the history, culture and people. They also spoke to our Year 5 and 6 students about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum coming up later this year.

Following our assembly, all students participated in a variety of Harmony Day activities, led by our Senior Students.

It was a great day. Thanks to Miss C for coordinaitng the day - much apprecaited.