Catholic Principles and Values

For those of you who were able to make it along to our parent nights each meeting contained an overview of the Catholic Principles and Values that are woven into all our curriculum areas. This happens not only here at St Mary's, but right across all schools in the Armidale diocese. Each newsletter we will be visiting each of these in more depth. The teachers here at St Mary's having been diving deeper into each of these Principles and Values over the past four years.

This week we will recap on the slide that was shown at the parent meetings. This gives a clear overview of each of the Principles and Values.

This is the Message from Bishop Micheal Kennedy at the start of the document.

Message from the Bishop of Armidale In 2011, the Catholic Schools Office Armidale commissioned an extensive study of the understanding of and commitment to Catholic principles and values through the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project (ECSIP). The data from the ECSIP clearly indicated that there is a very real and immediate need to move away from an implicit secular values education approach towards a more clearly articulated set of core Catholic principles and values that are known, understood and articulated by staff so that they can explicitly teach these principles and values and use them to discern appropriate resources to support high quality educational outcomes. The introduction of the NSW Syllabii for the Australian Curriculum provides a unique opportunity for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Armidale to re-evangelise the curriculum so that Catholic principles and values are clearly and explicitly articulated in every subject area for all students. In identifying the Catholic principles and values outlined in this document it is my hope that Catholic educators across the Diocese will be able to deliver a truly Catholic education curricula that invites students, parents and staff into deeper understanding of the correct view of the human person and the incomparable dignity that God has conferred upon us in creating us in his own image and likeness. These Catholic principles and values will be a foundation for renewed Catholic curricula in Armidale Diocesan Catholic Schools.

Family Mass

A huge thank you to everyone that came to our first Family Mass of the Year last Sunday. A particular thank you to Madeleine and Fran Cowley and Mia Lincoln for reading, the Altar Servers and the families and teachers that brought food for the morning tea after.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday celebrates the last day before commencing the season of lent. A huge thank you to Sonja and Jodi in the Canteen for supplying all of the Pancakes. Thank you to the Mini Vinnies students that were rostered on to help with the organisation and selling of the pancakes; Laura B, Tilly G, Mia L, Emily B, Adahlia F, Hannah M, Kristin W, Skye B, Annabel W, Brienna B, Lang T, Bridgett D, Poppy H, Poppy M, Aliyah, Ebony B, Maya T, Rumiya and Lillie K.

Ash Wednesday

Today we commence the season of Lent, a time of preparation for the feast of Easter. During Lent, we give special attention to prayer (attending to quality more so than quantity), fasting (emptying ourselves that we may be filled with the life and love of Christ) and good deeds (not to win admiration for ourselves but to help others). Though it has a penitential character, Lent is a joyful season as we anticipate the resurrection of the Lord.

Students celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass today. Thank you to all the students who were involved in extra jobs for the Mass.

Mini Vinnies

As a community we need to keep Mr O'Kane, our St Vincent De Paul Diocesan Youth Coordinator, and his family in our Prayers as his mother passed away recently in Newcastle. Unfortunately, the Mini Vinnies Gathering which was scheduled for later this month has been postponed until Term 4. This will give us an opportunity to share what we have done throughout the year. Students will receive their badges when Michael is back in Armidale.

Mini Vinnies are currently collecting cards for the local firefighters that assisted with the fires in the Tinga area. The Vinnies model of ‘See, Think, Do’ is a great way to get young people thinking and talking about their spirituality; by connecting their beliefs and values with service activities and issues in their community, they can help make their faith real, meaningful and relevant. Through this method, students identified a need to say thank you, which is a great commitment to make.

We are so grateful to have so many fantastic members in our Mini Vinnies group. There are some exceptional Year 6 students that have been identified by their peers as leaders of our group. At this Friday's Assembly I will announce the recipients of the following positions...

• President – works closely with the coordinating staff member to look after the Mini Vinnies group, and may chair the meetings and help allocate work to different members of the group;

• Vice President – is supportive of the president, and may take on the leadership of meetings or activities when the president is absent;

• Secretary – takes notes of the meetings and keeps a record of projects and activities undertaken by the group;• Treasurer – keeps track of money raised by the group;

• Spiritual Advisor – is responsible for preparing a prayer or reflection for each meeting;

Primary Mass

The next Primary Parish Mass is on Wednesday 13th March at 12:30. Students are simply attending the Parish Mass. All families and friends are welcome to join us.

Confirmation Enrolment Session

The Confirmation Enrolment Session is coming up on Wednesday 20th March. Time is to be confirmed. Any student in Year 6 who wishes to make their Confirmation will need at least one parent or guardian at this meeting.

Twilight Prayer

Mrs Anne Finlayson will be organising a Twilight Prayer session for adults on Tuesday 26th March at 3:30 to 5:00. We welcome parents and friends to these sessions. Could you please RSVP to the School Office if you wish to attend.

Classroom News - Kindergarten

NRMA/Police/Bus Safety Visit