Catholic Identity

In the Midst of Winter Prayer 

Lord,

In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce remind us of the warmth of your love.

In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early remind us that in the darkness your light still shines.

In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can seem bleak remind us that Spring is but a short time away.

And when in our lives we feel as if we are experiencing a season of winter, reach out to us with the power of your resurrection so that we may feel the warmth of your love and see your light that alone can take away the darkness of our soul.

Lord, help us to see the beauty of your creation in the winter months.

Lord, help us to use these holidays to rest, recharge & rejuvenate so we can serve you and others in your name.

Amen  

To help you bring the JOY into Winter & to re-focus on what you are grateful for in the holidays here are some helpful and fun ideas from the Action for Happiness Project! 

Nothing without Joy! Malaguzzi

"Go forth and set the world on fire"

St Ignatius of Loyola

St. Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal ~

We will continue next term to open our hearts and give to those in need during the winter months with our Winter Appeal for St Vincent DePaul.  

Please support our St. Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal by donating to those in our local community who are in need this winter.

If you can donate we are looking for donations of:

• Non-perishable food items, tins of food, long-life milk, cereal, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant etc.), winter gloves, socks, beanies (new).

Collection baskets have been placed in our entrance foyer for donated goods to be placed in.

Thank you for your support.

Stay tuned for a CRAZY Hair Day next term that our Year 6 Social Justice Team has begun to organise to raise much-needed funds for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Open our HEARTS up to the world & be COMPASSIONATE! 

Pope Francis 

NADIOC Week 

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. 

On the first Monday back after the holidays, we will have a NAIDOC Week prayer at our assembly.

This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.

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

Saint Anthony of  Padua 

Have a wonderful holiday break with your family, rest, unwind and fill your cup with what brings you joy!

Danae Napier

Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader.

Research Project: Attendance at Sunday Mass:

Dear St Mel's Primary School Community,

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is undertaking a research project aimed at investigating why some Catholics do not participate in regular weekly Sunday Mass (Sunday Mass includes the Saturday Vigil). The project will provide in-depth information about contemporary religious practices and beliefs of Catholics in Australia. The insights would enable parishes, movements, and school communities to respond to the trends in participation in the Church, update the Church’s awareness and understanding of the present-day context, and enable responses and collaboration around the underlying factors for non/dis-engagement.

We would like to invite you to take part in this research. Please click on the link below (or copy and paste the link into your browser) to access information about the project, and to enter the survey itself.

https://bit.ly/AbsentFromTheTableSurvey

The survey will run from Monday, 17 June 2024 and close on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. Thank you for considering this invitation to participate.

St Mel's PS School Uniform Information - Clarity

An opportunity presented this term to seek, and provide, clarity around what is the approved St. Mel’s Primary School Uniform. This information is to provide direction for our school community, which in turn will be updated in handbooks, our website and enrolment packs. This process involved visits to St Mel’s Primary School Uniform suppliers (The Uniform Shop and Noone), consultation with the St Mel’s Primary School Advisory Council and St Mel’s Soccer and Netball Clubs’ representatives. 

This clarification relates to the St Mel’s Primary School Uniform and St Mel’s Soccer and Netball Clubs’ Uniform. 

It is worth noting, there have been no changes to garments currently approved. The updated information provided now covers items previously approved as part of the St Mel’s Primary School Uniform and not contained in school information e.g., Year 6 Leadership Polo Top. 

As per the original request in the Term Two Week Seven edition of the St. Mel’s Primary School Newsletter ‘a reminder for children to be attired in the correct WINTER uniform items.’ 

The St. Mel’s Primary School bottle green School Bomber Jacket, bottle green School Jumper or bottle green School Vest [with embroided school logo] is to be worn.

The approved St Mel’s Primary School Uniform is detailed (and clarified) in the Uniform Information attached to this update. The Uniform Information also contains information regarding the St. Mel’s Soccer and Netball Clubs’ Uniform able to be worn at after school training and weekend competition. These items are not to be worn by students on school days, with the exception of designated and communicated out-of-uniform days e.g., casual clothes days.

It is expected students will be attired in the correct St Mel’s Primary School WINTER uniform from the beginning of next term.

Thank you for your continued support of your child/ren and our school community.