Message from the Principal 

Welcome to Week 5 of Term 3

I encourage you, as always, to read each page of our newsletter. Each fortnight it celebrates our amazing school in so many different ways. It really demonstrates the living of our faith and values.

I am very fortunate to be in Cairns this week with Principal colleagues. From Sunday to Tuesday we were on a retreat, exploring our responsibility to be protectors and stewards of our wonderful earth. The inspiration for the retreat was the Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si, published in 2015. Whilst being based at the Seville, Mercy Centre, we spent a day escorted by deeply knowledgeable local Aboriginal guides who shared their cultural connection with their land, providing us with experiences of walking the mud flats on Cooya Bay to hunt for crabs, educating us about the plant life that is used for healing and then guiding us to Mossman Gorge. We heard personal story of connection to country and the deep culture of care and respect for all creation.  

I have been deeply affected by the appreciation and gratitude that was demonstrated by the Aboriginal guides to their local environment. Their strong connection to country was evident.

After such a powerful experience, we have reflected on the actions we can take, personally and professionally, to play our part in protecting and caring for our fragile world.

As I continue my reflection and processing, I look forward to sharing more with you all on my return next week.

From Wednesday to Friday I am attending the Australian Catholic Education Conference with the opportunity to be inspired by international and domestic speakers on the theme 'hope, anchored in faith'.

Upcoming Dates

School Closure Day

All staff will be off site attending a Faith Formation day on Friday 29 August.

Camp Australia has had to cancel this service due to lack of registrations. 

Art Show

We will be showcasing the Visual Art excellence of our students in our Art show, with an opening night at 5:30pm- 7:30pm on Tuesday 16 September.

Last day of Term 3 is Friday 19 September, with a 1pm finish.

Please put all these dates in your diary!

See the P&F page for another important 'save the date'- Special Person's afternoon tea!

Sharon Daujat

Principal

principal@spclayton.catholic.edu.au