Religious Education   

Thank you to all those parents and families who attended our Beginning of School Mass on Tuesday. It was a heartwarming celebration, commissioning our wonderful staff, welcoming our beautiful new preps and blessing our Year 6 leaders as they received their leadership badges. It was very special celebration led by Father Andrew, with our whole school gathering together thanking God for our many blessings.

Congratulations once again to our amazing Year 6 leaders. They very proudly received their leadership badges after Father Andrew blessed them during the mass. I'm sure they will work diligently in their teams to make themselves and our school proud in their respective leadership roles. A big shout out to my awesome Faith and Social Justice Team of Jensen, Hazel, Tom.M, Ted and Nick who have already had to prepare and present at 2 masses in 2 days! Sensational work team!

After mass on Tuesday, Lisa Goodes and her team of wonderful helpers served up 900 pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. A huge thank-you to Lisa and the amazing parents who helped on the day. Our students would not get the opportunity to enjoy such experiences if it wasn't for your help. 

The day after Shrove Tuesday, the Year 3- Yr 6 students celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass in the church. We will certainly be very holy with 2 masses in 2 days! The Year 1 and  2 students prayed together in their classes and received the ashes.

Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of LENT. During Lent we are asked to reflect on our lives and use Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving (doing good deeds for others)to become better followers of Jesus and turn back to God.

Lent can be more than a time of fasting; It can be a season of feasting.  We can use Lent to fast from certain things and feast on others.   

We can fast from judging others and instead  feast on uplifting others. 

Fast from anger and instead feast on patience.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. 

 Spanning across the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion brings thousands of schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for the most marginalised communities around the world. Students were given a Project Compassion Box to take home and hopefully fill with loose change over the next 6 weeks of Lent. Families can also donate directly using this QR Code that's linked to our school's individual fundraising drive.    

May this Lent be a time of renewal for us all as we prepare ourselves for the great feast of Easter.      

 A reminder to all Prep families- looking forward to celebrating our Welcome Mass at Braeside Park on Sunday 18th Feb at 10.30. BYO everything and enjoy a picnic with other Prep families afterwards.

FYI, we will also be wishing Father Andrew a very Happy 60th Birthday after mass.

Can't wait to see you there!