Catholic Identity

Blessing of the Animals & St Francis of Assisi Awards

Last Friday, our school community gathered to celebrate the Blessing of the Animals and the presentation of the St. Francis Awards. It was a joyful and heartwarming occasion, filled with wagging tails, smiling faces, and even a few tears of joy from proud parents. 

This special event honours the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, whose life reminds us of the beauty of creation and the call to live with compassion, humility, and peace. Through the blessing of our pets and the recognition of students who embody these values, we were reminded of the importance of caring for all living things and living as true disciples of Christ. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Fr Jake for leading the blessing with such warmth and reverence, and to the dedicated staff who thoughtfully prepared and wrote the award citations. Your words beautifully reflected the spirit of St. Francis and the unique gifts of each recipient. 

A huge congratulations to our St. Francis Award recipients — your actions and character truly reflect the values of St. Francis, and you are all most deserving of this honour. 

Foundation                  Joel Coultas                              Ruby Flood

Year 1                            Harry St Clair                            Scottie Newbold

Year 2                            Trevor Chandra Thio              Maddi Gleeson

Year 3                            Will Clarke                                 Mireya Mendoza

Year 4                            Riley Harkin                               Violet Francis

Year 5                            Xavier Cotter                             Adior Malual

Year 6                            Oscar Higginbottom               Makayla Jackson

Sacrament of Reconciliation

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Year 2 students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Monday and Tuesday. This sacred occasion marks a significant moment in their faith journey, as they encounter the grace of God's forgiveness and the healing love of Jesus. 

We pray that this time of reflection will inspire each child to grow in faith, kindness, and compassion, striving always to live as disciples of Christ. May they continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit and supported by their families, teachers, and our parish community. 

We offer our sincere thanks to the Parish, and to Sally Jennings, Megan Merrett, Maree O'Connor, Matt Mann, Anne Brockett, Fr Jake, and all those who have led and supported the preparation sessions. Your dedication and care have helped nurture the spiritual growth of our students and made this sacramental experience truly meaningful. 

Year 3 Unit Mass Update 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Year 3 Unit Mass, previously scheduled on Friday 31 Oct, has unfortunately been cancelled. While this is disappointing, we remain committed to providing our students with meaningful opportunities to engage in their faith. 

We will endeavour to work closely with the Parish to offer our Year 3 students a different spiritual experience, should our calendars align. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we seek to nurture the spiritual development of our students in partnership with our parish community.  

Socktober - Friday 31 October  

Just a friendly reminder, next Friday 31 Oct is Socktober Friday — a fun and meaningful fundraiser in support of Catholic Mission. 

Students are encouraged to wear their craziest, most colourful socks to school as we raise awareness and funds for children in need around the world. Donations to be made via CDFpay, supporting Catholic Mission’s work in vulnerable communities and helping bring hope, dignity, and opportunity to those most in need. 

Socktober is a wonderful way for our students to live out the Gospel message of love and service, while enjoying a joyful and spirited day together. 

Let’s fill the school with bright socks and generous hearts! 

Memorial Service

On Friday 7 November at 11:45 am, we will hold our Memorial Ceremony at the Memorial Garden.  

During the ceremony, we will remember and pray for our loved ones who have died and will always hold a special place in our hearts. All are invited to join us for the ceremony. 

Dave Waters

Catholic Identity Leader