Religious Education

Happy Easter!

It was lovely to finish off Term 1 with a whole school Mass alongside Fr Ian on Wednesday morning. I was taken back by the numerous parishioners who came and spoke to me after Mass about the amazing behaviour and revernce that our students practiced thoughout the morning. A huge thank you to all our families and parishioners who joined us and congratulations to all our wonderful students!

Holy Week Activities

Over the last fortnight, each Year level has had a chance to share a different element of Holy Week with our school community leading into Easter. 

Our Prep and Year 6 students narrated Palm Sunday and sang two songs about the importance of this day. It was fantastic to see our Preps up the front for the frist time this year! 

We then had each class journey through the 14 Stations of the Cross that was led by our wonderful Year 5 students. This year our Year 5's used the Indigenous Stations of the Cross from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria. It was fantastic to see them so eager and excited to share their knowledge about the Stations of the Cross with the rest of the school. 

Leading up to Easter Sunday, we hear that Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Our Year 2 students sang a beautiful song at our end of Term 1 Mass about this moment. Many of parishioners were blown away by the moving song and the effort the Year 2's had gone to. 

After Mass the whole school made their way out on the Mary Clare playground where the Year 4 students reenacted The Last Supper. We then all ate our lunch together as a school community as a symbol of our Last Supper for the Term. 

Year 3 students worked in small groups to learn about how Easter is celebrated throughout the world. We have displayed their posters in the cooridoor outside the librayr if anyone wishes to visit on their way through. 

All of these moments are not possible without the hard work and dedication of our Classroom Teachers, so thank you for all your hard work in supporting the students and their growing faith throughout Holy Week. We look forward to hearing our Year 1 students finish off the term tomorrow with a song to lead us into the Easter holidays at dismissal. 

Term 2 Dates

We have many exciting dates heading into Term 2. Please add these to your calendar if they are relevant for your family. 

• Tuesday 2st of April - Year 3 Family Faith Night 5:30pm
• Wednesday 22nd of April - Beginning of Term 2 Mass at 9:30am
• Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th of April - Year 3 Reconciliation at 8:40am
• Tuesday 12th of May - Year 1 Prayers in Pyjamas 5:30pm
• Saturday 16th of May - Year 1 Family Mass
• Thursday 11th of June - Whole school Sacred Heart Mass at 9:30am

Gospel Reflection - Sunday 5th of April 

Easter Sunday

The commercialism of Easter, costumed bunnies in the shops, Easter baskets full of choclate and small toys, often misdirects children’s understanding and celebration of this greatest of Church feasts. When spoken of as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, today’s liturgical celebration may not stir excitement among them. Encourage your children to think about the real significance of this feast by using their creative skills to imagine this Easter Vigil’s Resurrection account in Matthew 28:1-10.

We know that many of our families will attend Mass on Easter Sunday or in the lead up to Sunday. You may wish to read Matthew 28:1-10 as a family, letting the children take the roles of the angel and Jesus. Set up the narrative by speculating on how sad the women must have felt as they approached the tomb. Talk about the excitement of the two women who saw the empty tomb and heard the angel explain that Jesus was raised from the dead. 

Wonder together about how it must have felt to embrace the risen Lord as the women did. Imagine with your children the enthusiasm the women must have felt when sent to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen.

Remind them that today we remember and celebrate all that Jesus did for us. Create together a colorful ALLELUIA banner to display in your home to celebrate Jesus Christ’s glorious Resurrection. Then come together in sharing a nice meal with your loved ones. 

May God bless, 

Laura Zeeng

Deputy Principal & Relgious Education Leader (REL)