Mrs Burton 

ANZAC DAY MARCH

I was very proud of our students who attended the ANZAC Day March on Sunday. The children represented our school with pride and respect. They remember those who have served to defend Australia and those men and women who have given their lives to defend the freedom that we all enjoy in this country today.

The Catholic Schools Office sent out a reminder for marketing schools this week and the first point - Uniforms and professional dress are walking billboards for our schools.

I certainly can say that this was evident on Sunday with our children's pride in the wearing of the school uniform. 

Thank you parents for your support in ensuring your child/children are fully dressed in their correct uniform each day.   Our uniform standard is a very important aspect of our school brand.  It teaches the children to show pride, understand that standards are important in their lives, as well as respecting the community they belong to. Each of us play an important part in our SCHOOL BRAND.

CROSS COUNTRY

It was excellent to see many of our parents at the Cross Country on Tuesday. It was a beautiful Autumn Day at the Walcha Golf course. Thank you to all the staff especially Mrs Healey,  for organising the Cross Country.

Thank you to the parents who offered to help at the Cross Country.  A very big thank you to all of our children who did their very best and participated in the Cross County.

Congratulations to the following Champion & Runner up winners:

Congratulations to the winning House for 2021-  BLUE

Those children who have qualified for Diocesan Cross Country received their permission note which is due by Friday 30th April 21.

Friday the 23rd April - Staff Professional Day on Catherine McAuley

Thank you for keeping your children at home last Friday for the Staff Professional Development Day. 

The staff day was lead by Sr Christine Billings, Mrs Di Brown & Father Paul McCabe on the history of the Mercy Sisters and their founder Catherine McAuley. 

The Mercy sisters were called to Walcha in 1911.  Six sisters started teaching at St Patrick's School in August 1911.  It was Catherine's dream that her sisters would go to the places they were called & the young would come to them for education, the poor & sick would seek help from them. 

The Mercy sisters are known as the Walking Sisters, went out to the people taking them food & clothing, bedding, medical assistance & education. 

The sisters were instructed by Catherine from her death bed to comfort one another by sharing a comfortable cup of tea with each other when she had died. Still today they share a comfortable cup of tea with all visitors who visit the Mercy Centre, Catherine's home in Dublin.  

On Friday we gathered around a prayer focus with objects that connected us with the Mercy Story. 

At the end of the Day Sr Christine presented the school with a silver tea pot from the Prayer Focus. This silver Tea Pot was presented to Sr Mary Aloysius for her silver jubilee in 1972. Sr Mary was a local Walcha girl who joined the Sisters of Mercy. We will proudly display this is a cabinet in the foyer for all to see.

The staff enjoyed the day and we now have a greater understanding and connection with Catherine McAuley and the history of the Mercy Sisters.  As Sr Christine said - 'Times have changed but the mercy spirit is still the same.'

THE SUSCIPE

Words by Catherine McAuley 

My God,

I am yours for time and eternity,

Lord, I am yours forever.

It is you who must teach me to trust in your Providence, Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness.

I place my trust in you,

And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will,

Loving Lord.

Take from my heart all painful anxiety.

Let nothing sadden me but sin.

And then let my delight be hoping to see your face,

God, my all.

P&F Meeting

Thank you to all who joined the Zoom on Monday night. I apologise for my problem with the audio at the school end.

The next P&F meeting will be held on Monday 10th May at 6pm in the school Library.

Mother's Day Stall

Thank you Chloe Hoy for organising the Mother's Day Stall. 

Pie & Lamington Drive 

Thank you Trina Fletcher for organising the Pie & Lamington Drive. Please see the P & F Page in the newsletter for order form.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing will take place in Week 4 & 5 of this term. Students in Year 3 & 5 will sit tests for Writing 11th May, Reading & Language Conventions 17th May and Numeracy 18th May. Please refrain from making appointments during school time on these tests days. It is important that your child is available on the day unless they are unwell. In the case of illness students will be able to sit the test on the Wednesday 19th May.

Further information for parents and carers can be found here: 

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

I encourage all parents of students in Years 3 and 5 to explore the Public Demonstration Site with your child (click on button below).  Here you will find sample questions for each of the areas assessed. 

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Click below to see a short video showing how to navigate the Public Demonstration Site.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ElaxjY7xKzPkl4QijbH_YPs9IRtkr8FU/view

200 years of Catholic Education in Australia

This year marks the anniversary of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.  It is a year to reflect on the hard work and dedication of those who founded Catholic schools in Australia. We are proud of our history, having been founded in Walcha by the Sisters of Mercy in 1911.  

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.  This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff.  

Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities. 

The formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will now be held during the 2021 school year. The official launch of the celebrations was held in the week commencing 22 – 26 February 2021 and involved local state, territory and diocesan events.  

A National Mass will also be celebrated in every state, territory and diocese on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021 with some of our school leaders and staff attending at the cathedral in Armidale.