Catholic Identity

2026 Diocesan Theme
Seek Peace & Pursue It.

From our Staff Beginning Year Prayer ~

As we began the school year, our staff gathered in prayer, grounding ourselves in our diocesan theme Seek peace and pursue it and Jesus’ promise of life to the full (John 10:10).

The biblical call to “Seek peace and pursue it” offers a profound and timely invitation, one that speaks deeply to the mission of Catholic Education in 2026. This theme is not passive; it is a call to action. Peace is not merely something to hope for, but something we are invited to actively seek, cultivate and embody in our daily lives, shaping the way we lead, teach and care for one another.

Shaped by the Jubilee Year of St Francis of Assisi, proclaimed by Pope Leo, staff were invited to choose a word or symbol for the year ahead and place it on a stone as a sign of personal intention and prayer. Together, these stones were laid into a path surrounding an olive tree, a powerful Franciscan and biblical symbol of peace, hope and endurance.

As the olive tree grows throughout the year, it will stand as a living reminder of our shared commitment to seek peace, pursue it with courage and humility, and create a school community where life can truly flourish for all.

"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola

St. Mel's Feast Day

Today we gathered as a school and parish community to celebrate Mass for our St Mel’s Feast Day. Guided by our patron saint, St Mel, and our theme Seek Peace & Pursue It, we reflected on how we are called to live as people of peace through our words and actions. Our Year 6 student leaders confidently read the prayers of the faithful, and new staff and students took part in the offertory procession, symbolising our shared journey as one community of faith. It was a meaningful way to come together in hope at the beginning of the year.

Actions speak louder than words, let your words teach and your actions speak”

Saint Anthony of Padua

Opening School Mass

Season of Lent

Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day ~ March 17th

Shrove Tuesday is a Christian tradition celebrated in many countries around the world. It falls on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent (the day before Ash Wednesday) – a period of around six weeks leading up to Easter.

The name ‘Shrove' comes from the old word ‘shriving’, which means to listen to someone’s sins and forgive them.

In the past, Christians would go to church on Shrove Tuesday to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Traditionally during Lent, Christians would give up rich, tasty foods such as butter, eggs, sugar and fat. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat them – and what better way to do so than with a delicious pancake!

Does your family have a special Shrove Tuesday tradition?

Pancake Day is a St. Mel’s tradition ~ on Tuesday, March 17th we will have a feast of pancakes. Please see the order form below (a hard copy has come home with your child today also) on how to order your yummy pancakes. All proceeds will be donated to Caritas' Project Compassion Appeal.

Ash Wednesday – 18th March 2026

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of Lent. It always falls six and a half weeks before Easter, beginning the Lenten season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. We begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday by preparing our hearts for Easter by recognising our brokenness and need for conversion, a turning of our hearts to God.

We will celebrate Ash Wednesday with Mass and receive the ashes on our foreheads. Please join us and our parishioners at 9.30am Mass on Ash Wednesday.