A letter to support conversations regarding the Bondi tragedy:

15th of December

Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

Our school community is holding in prayer all those affected by the events in Bondi. We acknowledge the shock and sadness many are feeling and we stand in solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers at this time.

Leaders and staff have been gently accompanying students and colleagues with quiet space for prayer and, in many cases drawing on the shared symbolism of light; which in the Christian season of Advent, and in the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah, is a sign of hope and courage.

We also want to support you in talking with your children at home. Please find below trusted resources and practical suggestions for responding to difficult news:

Helpful ways to talk with your child

Keep information simple and honest; listen first. Invite your child to share what they’ve heard and how they feel and correct any misunderstandings with age‑appropriate facts.
Limit repeated media exposure (TV, social feeds, online video), reassure them of safety, and maintain familiar routines (mealtimes, bedtime, schoolwork).
Normalise feelings and stay connected. It’s okay for children to feel sad, worried, or angry; being close to trusted adults and friends helps recovery.

Parent resources

Australian Psychological Society — Helping children cope after tragic events (tips for parents and teachers).https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/tragic-events-community-violence/helping-children-cope-after-tragic-events
Tips for talking with and helping children and young people cope after tragic events.https://psychology.org.au/getmedia/a61fcf9d-dc4c-40f3-b94d-65995c85995b/helping-children-affected-tragic-events.pdf [psychology.org.au] [psychology.org.au]
Australian Red Cross — Helping children and young people cope with crisis booklet (sleep, media, age‑specific reactions, and practical activities).
Kids Helpline (24/7) — Phone 1800 55 1800 and webchat support for children and young people (5–25).https://kidshelpline.com.au/ [kidshelpline.com.au]
Lifeline (24/7) — Phone 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, and online chat for anyone needing immediate support.https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114 [lifeline.org.au]

As parents and carers, please go gently today. Be present to your children, keep their day as predictable as possible, and reach out to school staff if you need guidance. We are ready to listen, support, accompany and pray with you and your children.

Prayer for Peace and Healing

Loving God,

In this time of sorrow and shock, we turn to You with heavy hearts.

We pray for all who have lost their lives in the Bondi tragedy and for their families and loved ones.

Lord, bring comfort to the brokenhearted and strength to those who care for the wounded. Surround our communities with Your peace and protection.

Help us to be instruments of hope and compassion, standing together in faith and love. May Your light shine in the darkness, and may Your grace guide us toward healing and unity.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Attendance Spotlight:

We continue to keep a strong focus on attendance, and we’d like to share some highlights with you all.

For Semester Two, 71 students have achieved an attendance rate of 97% or higher. We also want to acknowledge the 6 students who currently have a 100% attendance rate for Semester Two. Congratulations to:

Cruze (1MMO)
Finn (FMOS)
Jack (3MDR)
Audrey (FMOS)
Lucas M (5MCO)
Henley (FMOS)

Over the entire school year, we’d like to recognise the 45 students who have maintained an attendance rate of 97% or higher for the whole year. We also celebrate the 8 students who have achieved an outstanding 99% attendance rate. Well done to:

Will (4CSM)
Lexi (1JMC)
Max (2MAN)
Amelia (3MDR)
Mathieu (6KBO)
Asher (1KFR)
Lucas M (5MCO)
Constance (4MFO)

We also want to recognise Jack in 3MDR, who has achieved an attendance rate of 100% this year! What a huge achievement!

Let’s all continue to do our best to be here every day—ready to learn, grow, and make the most of our time at school.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Learner Diversity

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