IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae (1872–1918)

Welcome back to all of our families for Term 2. I hope you were able to enjoy some family time over the school holidays and Easter Break. It was nice to return to school with a short week, allowing students (and staff!) to ease back into routine. Please look at the Dates to Remember page on the newsletter so that you are aware of everything that is coming up in Term 2!

ANZAC DAY

On Friday we had ANZAC day. Thank to the school community for their participation in the Hastings service. It is an important occasion to acknowledge the sacrifice others have made, and continue to make, to ensure we have a safe country to call home. Our school commemorated the occasion with our ANZAC day service on Thursday 24 April with our Defence Force Families leading us.

Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis

As the leader of our global Catholic Church, Pope Francis served with a spirit of humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the teachings of Jesus Christ. His life was a living example of faith, love, and service to others.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis inspired millions around the world with his message of mercy, inclusion, care for the poor, and protection of God's creation. His emphasis on simplicity, kindness, and walking alongside those most in need touched the hearts of people of all ages, including the youngest members of our community.

As a school community, we pause to honour his extraordinary life and legacy. Over the coming days, we will offer prayers of thanksgiving for Pope Francis' leadership and pray for the Church as it mourns his loss and looks to the future with hope.

Our students will have opportunities to learn about Pope Francis' impact and reflect on the values he championed—values we will continue to uphold in our classrooms, our playgrounds, and our wider community.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

Timetable

This term, we are trialling a slightly changed timetable. The sessions throughout the day have been altered to accommodate specialist classes to run around other roles, and to allow the Preps to fully participate in all specialists, including Permaculture, for the first time this year. We have added a time on Wednesdays for Fran Miller to take the students to the library for a formal borrowing time with Christine Freshwater supporting the borrowing process.

Andrea Kirkpatrick is on leave for the first five weeks of term 2 and we have hired Cameron McGill to take the students for Digitech classes for these weeks, until she returns to continue with her Drama program. We hope this provides the students with a different experience where they get to have a go at coding, robotics and other areas of technology, sparking their creativity in different ways!

The times of the day this term are:
8:30 - 8:45	Students in classroom preparing for the day
8:45 - 10:20	Learning time
10:20 - 10:30	Eating time
10:30 - 11:00	Recess
11:00 - 1:30	Learning Time
1:30 - 1:40	Eating Time
1:40 - 2:20	Lunch time
2:20 - 3:15	Learning Time

The students still have the same amount of play time, but a longer learning block in the middle of the day. The teachers are taking a break during that longer block so students can have something to eat- recommending they eat half of their lunch at this time.

The students have other breaks throughout the day to reset and be physical and these are factored into timetabling as well. Although the school day may seem short, it is a long day for our little people and teachers work diligently to make it as academically beneficial and fun as possible!

Please see the Term 2 Specialist timetable below.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Kind regards,

Nicole Black

School Community News

ANZAC DAY