Catholic Identity
"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola
Walking Country, Story & Faith ~ Preparing Our FIRE Carriers
Our senior students preparing to become FIRE Carriers began their journey with Pilgrims of Hope: Walking Country, Story & Faith ~ a contemplative walk through the St Mel's grounds born out of the Lake Mungo Immersion.
The walk opened with the story of the Road to Emmaus ~ two disciples walking alongside Jesus without recognising Him, until their eyes were finally opened at the breaking of bread. From there, students followed the same grounds they play on every day, discovering each one had something to teach them.
At our sand pit ~ Shifting Sands ~ students held sand in their hands and thought of Lake Mungo's dunes, over 40,000 years old, and of Jesus led into the wilderness to fast and be tested. Watching a sandcastle collapse and rebuilding it again and again is a small, gentle lesson in resilience — nothing is ever really lost, and beginning again is always possible. It's a reminder that God shapes us the same way: gently, patiently, giving us the chance to start over.
At our bridge and river ~ Living Water ~ students thought of the Murray as the lifeblood of Country, carrying songlines and story for thousands of years, alongside the Jordan River and the living water Jesus offers us in Baptism. Just being near water like this has a genuinely calming effect on the nervous system, and the sensory play our children do there every day - splashing, pouring, investigating - isn't just fun, it's learning too.
Under our climbing trees and Friendship Tree ~ Stay Rooted ~ students learned about scar trees and ring trees, shaped patiently by hand over generations, and heard Jesus' words: "I am the vine, you are the branches... apart from me you can do nothing." Just like a branch cannot bear fruit alone, they were reminded that none of us are meant to stay rooted by ourselves. We talked about the different perspectives we can gain from climbing trees at our school, just like Zacchaeus did in Scripture.
The walk finished at our school Labyrinth ~ our own Meeting Place ~ where we stood in the sun, took a deep breath and reflected on our walk. Along the way, each student collected a piece of the journey, pebbles from the river, a scoop of sand, a eucalyptus leaf and brought it all together under the shade sails into one pilgrim jar, tied with twine to take home as a reminder.
Afterwards, our students shared how the experience left them feeling ~ calm, joyful, connected to Country, and that they could feel the Spirit moving with them along the way.
As our students prepare to be commissioned as FIRE Carriers, this walk grounded them in what it means to listen, learn and walk gently together, carrying Country, faith and story forward in their words, choices and actions.
Sacraments 202/2027
Sacrament of Reconciliation: We are excited to begin preparing for the next phase of our Parish-based Sacramental Program, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation taking place in Term 4. Information has been shared with families of students in Year Three and above to help them begin this special journey of faith.
We warmly thank our parents and carers who joined us for the Information and Formation Evening on Thursday, 27th August, in the St Mel’s Parish House. It was a valuable opportunity to come together, learn more about the Sacramental Program, and share in the journey of preparing our children for this special step in faith. We look forward to sharing more information in the weeks ahead and walking together on this special faith journey with our children and families.
If you were unable to make our info night, please see Mel Shiels at the Parish Office or Danae Napier at St. Mel's Primary School if you would like an information pack.
Season of Creation ~ Living Water 💧🌿
Each year, from 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world come together to celebrate the Season of Creation, a time to pray, reflect and take action in caring for our common home.
The 2026 theme, Living Water, draws inspiration from Ezekiel 47:1–12, where we hear the beautiful image of a river flowing with life. Wherever the water flows, creation flourishes — trees grow, living things thrive and healing is found.
This image invites us to consider the precious gift of water and our responsibility to care for all of God’s creation. At St Mel’s, it connects beautifully with our call to Seek Peace and Pursue It and Jesus’ invitation to experience Life to the Full. Just as water brings life wherever it flows, we too can bring life, hope and peace through the choices we make and the way we care for our shared Earth.
Throughout the Season of Creation, our students will be encouraged to notice the wonder of the natural world, give thanks for God’s gifts and consider the small actions they can take to help creation flourish.
Actions speak louder than words, let your words teach and your actions speak”
Saint Anthony of Padua
Come to the Table
Book Week Edition
For our final Come to the Table gathering of the term, we did something a little different.
Staff came together over a beautiful shared lunch ~ pasta, salad, pizza, and a gorgeous rustic orange cake, all lovingly prepared by members of our own community. Around the table, we shared our favourite books, our love of reading, and the places we lose ourselves in a good story ~ a fitting focus for Book Week and a reminder of the joy that reading brings to our lives and to the lives of the children we teach.
Our Staff's favourite books:
St. Vincent dePaul Winter Appeal ~ donations needed
School families are invited to donate toiletries, blankets and sleeping bags to be distributed within our local community by the compassionate work of the St. Vincent dePaul Society. Please send any donations to school with your children and they can place them in the office bucket or drop them into the collection baskets in our school foyer.
Thank you for your generous support of those in need in our community.
Open our HEARTS up to the world & be COMPASSIONATE!
Pope Francis
Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the time with your families, fill your cups doing all the things that bring you the most joy,
Danae Napier
Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader
Did you know ~
