Religious Education

Mrs Trish Mitchell
Assistant Principal & Religious Education Coordinator

Loving God,
We remember that on the night before he died Your son, Jesus,
prayed that his friends ‘may all be one.’
Yet we see so much division in the world. War, conflict, violence and hatred must all distress you. Millions of people suffer when they don’t have peace and respect.
They lack the necessities of life: food, water, health, education and security.
We pray that we may all Unite Against Poverty this Lent.
May our support for Project Compassion be a sign to ourselves and others, of our hope for a better world. This Lent, we pray that our dedication to prayer, fasting and almsgiving will help restore your vision of justice and peace.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen

Project Compassion

Project Compassion Boxes

Each family will receive a small Project Compassion box to keep in their home during Lent. The theme of Project Compassion 2026 is ‘Unite Against Poverty’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.

We are particularly encouraged during Lent to give greater attention those who might be in need. One way we are able to do this as a Catholic Community is by supporting Project Compassion run by CARITAS Australia and over the next forty days of Lent we should be looking to make monetary contributions (big or small) to these boxes. We ask that families send them back into school in Week 10 of this term.

We are aware of many local families doing it tough given the current circumstances so prayers for those in need and random acts of kindness that don't cost money can be just as good as a monetary contribution!

Leadership Mass

A big thank you to all the parents and families who joined us for our Leadership Mass last week. It was a fantastic celebration of our Year 6 leaders, as they received their badges and embraced their roles with pride and responsibility. It was also a special moment to welcome our Kindergarten students into our school community with the gift of a candle, symbolising the light of Christ.

Your presence and support made this occasion even more meaningful. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead, guided by faith, leadership, and unity!

Shrove Tuesday

Tomorrow, our school marks Shrove Tuesday, a special day in the Catholic tradition that prepares us for the season of Lent. Students learn about the significance of this day and will enjoy delicious pancakes at Recess, reminding us of the importance of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

A big thank you to Mrs Dewhurst, Mrs Westhorpe and our wonderful Stage 3 volunteers who will assist with the cooking and serving! As we enter Lent, may this time of reflection and renewal bring us closer to God.

Ash Wednesday

This week, our school community will gather in prayer to mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During our Mass, we all will receive ashes as a sign of repentance and renewal, reminding us to turn our hearts towards God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Please join us at St Patrick's Church, 12pm to celebrate Mass.

As we journey through Lent, may we take this time to reflect, grow in faith, and show kindness to others. "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

Family Mass

We will host our first Family Mass for the year on Sunday, 22nd February. We hope to see as many families as we can, with Stage 1 leading the prayers and offertory.

Dates to Remember...

18th February - Ash Wednesday Mass

22nd February - Stage 1 Family Mass

17th March - St Patrick's Day

19th March - Feast of St Joseph

25th March - The Annunciation of the Lord

29th March - 3rd April - Holy Week

Parish Mass Times

Please join our Parish to celebrate the Eucharist. Our Parish offers three Mass times every weekend.

Saturday - 5:30pm

Sunday - 9:00am and 5:00pm

Bus Safety Week

This year we celebrate Bus Safety Week from the 23rd February to the 1st March. The week aims to raise awareness for all road users on how to stay safe on and around buses. Please have a look at the following resources and discuss with your children at home.

This year's focus is:

WAIT UNTIL THE BUS HAS GONE, THEN USE A SAFE PLACE TO CROSS THE ROAD.

Our key messages are:

• Take a seat quickly.

• Buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.

• Place large bags or bulky items under the seat.

• Avoid placing any items in the aisle that might cause a hazard.

• Stay alert and avoid being distracted by mobile devices and earphones.

• Press the button before you want to get off the bus so the driver has enough time to stop.

• Stay in your seat until the bus has completely stopped.

• Always hold on if you are standing.

• Use the handrail to get on and off the bus.