Catholic Identity

2026 Diocesan Theme
Seek Peace & Pursue It.

Our New Diocesan Theme ~ From our Staff Beginning Year Prayer ~

Mother's Day ~ Wonderful Women Celebrations

Last Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day — a special opportunity to honour and give thanks for the important role mothers and mother-figures play in our lives. From mums and grandmothers to aunties, carers, and dear friends, we are blessed by the many wonderful women who guide, nurture, and support us each day.

Mary holds a unique and treasured place in our Catholic faith. As the Mother of God, her willingness to say “yes” to God’s call is an example we strive to follow in our own lives. Mary demonstrates the gentle strength, love, and guidance of a mother — walking beside Jesus throughout his life, from his childhood through to the cross. It was through Mary’s prompting at the wedding in Cana that Jesus performed his first miracle, reminding us of the quiet yet powerful influence of mothers.

In the Catholic Church, the month of May is also dedicated to Mary and motherhood, a time when we especially reflect on Mary’s love, faith, and presence in our lives.

At St Mel’s, we were grateful to celebrate the special women in our community through our Wonder Women Breakfast and Mother’s Day Stall. It was beautiful to come together as a community to share, connect, break bread, and pay tribute to the incredible women in our lives.

A special thank you to our Year 6 Leaders, who helped set up and warmly welcomed families by serving tea and coffee throughout the morning. Their hospitality and leadership helped create such a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone who supported these special celebrations.

Reconciliation Week ~ Save the date

From May 27th to June 3rd, we will acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week, with this year’s theme, “All In.”

This theme invites each of us to play our part in building respectful relationships and a more united future, walking together in truth, understanding, and hope.

Throughout the week, our students will engage in a range of school-based and diocesan experiences that encourage learning, reflection, connection, and action as we continue our journey of reconciliation.

As part of these celebrations, we are honoured to be involved in the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass at St Mel’s Church on Friday, 29th May at 11 am. Students from St Mel’s will participate through readings and as part of the combined Primary School Mass Choir, joining with other schools across the diocese in prayer, song, and community.

We look forward to this important opportunity to gather together in faith and reconciliation.

"Go forth and set the world on fire"
St Ignatius of Loyola

Sacramental Candidates

Our Sacramental children recently gathered for their final Cluster Group session, where the focus was on the Eucharist and what it means to be Eucharistic people in our everyday lives.

Together, the children explored how the Eucharist is much more than a ritual we participate in at Mass - it is a way of living. Through shared story, reflection, prayer, and the simple yet powerful act of breaking bread together, the children reflected on how Jesus calls us to live with gratitude, compassion, welcome, and service to others.

They spoke about the meaning behind the words “give thanks” at Mass and how we are invited to carry this spirit of thankfulness and generosity into our homes, friendships, classrooms, and wider community. The session encouraged the children to think about how they can be people who gather others in, notice those around them, share kindness, and bring peace, just as Jesus did.

This week, our Sacramental children also visited each Pastoral Group to share moments from their preparation journey. They presented each class with a special prayer card as a symbol of their journey and a reminder for us all to continue holding them in prayer. These cards are now displayed on classroom prayer tables throughout the school.

We look forward to our Reflection Evening and Ceremony Practice Session at St Mel’s Church this coming Thursday, May 21st at 6:30 pm, as our candidates continue preparing for this very special sacrament.

Celebrating Pentecost – The Birthday of the Church!

On Sunday 24th May, when our Sacramental Candidates are confirmed, we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and marks the moment the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles, giving them the courage and strength to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Pentecost is often called the Birthday of the Church, because it marks the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world.

At our school, Pentecost reminds us that we are called to be people of courage, hope, and unity. Just like the early disciples, we are invited to share God’s love with others through our words and actions. The Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire us today, helping us build a community that is welcoming, compassionate, and filled with joy.

To celebrate Pentecost in our school community, students have been learning about the symbols of the Holy Spirit, wind, fire, and the dove and reflecting on how the Spirit is active in their own lives. You might like to ask your child:

What does Pentecost mean to you?
How can we be guided by the Holy Spirit in our everyday actions?
What gifts of the Holy Spirit do you see in our family?

May the fire of the Holy Spirit renew our hearts and our school community this Pentecost season.

Come, Holy Spirit!

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

Saint Anthony of Padua

Catholic Education Week ~ World Labyrinth Day

Our school community came together on Friday, May 2nd to celebrate World Labyrinth Day in Schools, a special tradition that has been part of St Mel’s since our labyrinth was created.

This year’s theme, Seeds to Pathways, invited us to reflect on growth, journey, and the quiet ways God works within us. It connected beautifully with our 2026 diocesan theme, Seek Peace and Pursue It, reminding us that peace begins within our own hearts and flows out into our relationships, community, and world.

Throughout the day, classes were invited to walk the labyrinth as a form of prayer in motion, taking time for stillness, reflection, and connection with God. The labyrinth continues to be a meaningful symbol within our school community, representing the many pathways we walk in life and faith.

A very special thank you to Luisa Cassise, who once again returned to support us in this important experience. We are incredibly grateful for Luisa’s wisdom, guidance, and ongoing connection to our labyrinth journey over so many years.

Thank you also to all staff who supported the day and to our students for the thoughtful, respectful, and reflective way they participated. It was beautiful to witness our community pause together in prayer, peace, and presence.

Our hearts are full after another memorable World Labyrinth Day.

Thank you to everyone involved.