Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
A big welcome back to all children, parents and staff as we begin Term 2. It was wonderful to see that we all arrived back safely from our Easter break and I trust that everyone had a very happy and relaxing Easter with their families.
With Easter being part of the school holiday break, it was certainly a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and reflect on how Easter is relevant in our own lives and also the life of our school and wider community. On our first day back we participated in an Alleluia Day gathering in the church. It was a special way to commence the new term. As we believe, the death of Jesus is not the end, it is the prelude to His Resurrection, which brings hope to the world.
An Easter Prayer for Hope
Risen Presence, stir hope in us when we waver in our belief about the goodness of humanity. Turn our face toward the sunrise of each morning. Assure us that every day brings light after night’s heavy darkness. Let it remind us that a fresh beginning continually awaits us.
Open our eyes to recognize signs of your endless love. Draw us close on our own Emmaus roads. When our hearts are disconsolate, surprise us with your peace-filled presence. Rekindle our love.
Clear our mind of the tendency to close off the possibility of a world warm with the glow of human kindness. Veer us away from negativity. Help us delete our thoughts of inner strife.
Bring us into a remembrance of your empty tomb when we want to give up on humanity’s care for one another. Restore our recognition of your presence abiding in each and every human being. Let us look deeply, beyond despicable behaviour and brutality, and find the pure essence of your love abiding there.
Risen Lord, breathe hope in us. Help us keep it alive by how we think, feel, and live every day.
Amen.
ANZAC Day
Last Saturday we commemorated Anzac Day, when we remember all the men and women who have served our country and those who sacrificed their lives in war. Last Friday Gr 3 Matt led an Anzac Day prayer gathering and following this our Gr 6s represented our school at the local service held at the Memorial Square.
Lord, we give thanks for the loving people in our lives, as they continue to make sacrifices for us.
We thank you for all the people who fought to protect and honour our country. Their sacrifices have enabled us to live in peace and have a future of freedom. May we never forget this or take it for granted.
As we remember the Spirit of Anzac, we pray for all those who have given to their country in the spirit of generosity for others. We remember and honour the fallen and those who returned back home to us. May this prayer be our personal thanks for the many sacrifices they have made.
AMEN.
Prep Enrolments for 2027
I would like to have enrolments for next year finalised by early next term. Therefore, if you have any extended family or friends intending on enrolling their child next year, it would be greatly appreciated if you could pass this information on to them, so they can arrange for a meeting and a tour of the school. I request all existing families that have a child starting in Prep next year, submit their enrolment form as soon as possible.
School Hats
School hats are not required to be worn at this time of the year. I ask that all children take their hats home, to be put away ready to be brought back in September.
Do It For Dolly Day
On Thursday 14th May, our school and other schools in the local community will be participating in Do It For Dolly Day, led by Dolly's Dream. This day honours Dolly’s dream that all young people feel safe, supported, and free from bullying, and provides an opportunity for us to come together to promote kindness, inclusion, and respectful relationships across our school.
Local company, Bulla, have come on board this year and will be visiting all the schools to give students a free ice cream to promote the day.
As a school, we believe it is important to intentionally teach and revisit these messages. Taking part in this day supports our ongoing work in creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment, where every student feels valued and knows how to look after themselves and others.
At our school, we will be using this day to reinforce shared language around bullying and how we support all students to feel safe, valued, and connected.
On the 14th May children will be asked to wear a shade of blue and bring a coin donation. Parents who wish to donate to this cause can do so by clicking on the following link;
The second link is a special Do It For Dolly report from our School TV that features a very insightful video on the topic of bullying from Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg.
https://support.dollysdream.org.au/fundraisers/stmaryspscolac
https://smcolac.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-do-it-dolly-day
Pupil Free Day
A reminder that our pupil free day this term is Monday 18th May.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)