Catholic Identity

2024/2025 Sacrament of Reconcilaition ~ 

It was a beautiful night on Thursday, December 5th, as our Sacramental children made their First Reconciliation. Our children were so reverent and filled with grace as they participated in the liturgy surrounded by their loved ones. Fr Rene & Fr Ruel led our community in prayer, and our families supported each of our candidates. We thank our Sacramental Team for their support & guidance in helping to prepare our children. 

Our children displayed so much growth during our journey towards making the Sacrament of Reconciliation and we look forward to witnessing this growth and continuing our journey next year in 2025. We continue to pray for all our Sacramental children as they continue their journey as they prepare for Confirmation and First Eucharist. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation ~ Thursday 5th of November.  

Updated Sacramental Calendar attached ~

"Go forth and set the world on fire"

St Ignatius of Loyola

St. Mel's End of Year Mass ~ Year 6 Graduation 

Last night, we gathered as a school community to joyously celebrate our School Community's accomplishments of 2024, to reflect on our year gone by, and to express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us. Our Prep children have successfully completed their inaugural year of school, while our Year Six students mark the conclusion of their primary education. As we witnessed the graduation of our Year 6 students, we took a moment to acknowledge their valuable contributions to our school. This occasion provides an opportunity for our graduates to express thanks for the support received from their parents, families, and the St. Mel’s School Community, seeking God’s blessings for their onward journey.

This was a beautiful opportunity to acknowledge our Year 6 Student Leaders & farewell them as they start their Secondary School journey. It was also a wonderful celebration of our 2024 school year and loved to see so many of our school community in attendance. Thank you to Fr Rene for celebrating this special occasion with us. 

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

Saint Anthony of  Padua 

Advent ~

As we continue our journey through Advent, at school we have begun to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Our beautiful Advent Liturgies have been a highlight of this. During these liturgies we focus on the meaning of each week of Advent and our students led us in ways we can 'be ready' for Jesus' birth.

At each of our liturgies, you will see our Advent Wreath ~ Our children learn that the circular shape of the Advent wreath symbolizes God’s infinite love for us – it is never-ending, just like the true Light of the World. The materials of the Advent wreath similarly lead us to reflect on the everlasting nature of God; traditionally, Advent wreaths have been made of evergreen leaves, such as pine or fir, which maintain their green colour beyond the season in which they are collected.

The candles on our Advent Wreath also have rich meaning and we focus on the words of hope, peace, joy & love in each of the weeks of Advent:

Week 1 - Hope (Purple)

During the first week, we light the Prophet’s Candle as we focus on the virtue of hope.  This week is a time to acknowledge that Jesus is coming.  We should begin preparing our hearts to welcome Him at Christmas.

Week 2 - Peace (Purple)

The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. 

Week 3 - Joy (pink) ~ Gaudete Sunday

The third candle of Advent symbolizes Joy. As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. On this third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise, we light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds. For this reason, the third candle of Advent is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and its colour is pink, the liturgical colour for joy. 

Week 4 - Love (purple)

The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is the colour purple, leading us to eagerly await the new Kingdom of God on earth. 

Have you got an Advent Wreath for your home? Could you make one together as a family?

Join us for our Upper Years Advent Liturgy on Monday at 9.15am.

Foundation Nativity Prayer Reflection ~ Wednesday 18th. December~ 9:15am:

We gather in the school hall for this special prayer reflection led by our Foundation Pastoral Groups on Wednesday. Parents, carers and families are welcome to attend.

St. Mel's Giving Tree: Sharing Christmas Joy

As we enter the Christmas season, St. Mel’s is delighted to continue our heartfelt tradition of the Giving Tree. Each year, our community comes together to provide gifts for those in need, extending our hands in generosity and love through the wonderful work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

If you would like to participate, we welcome donations of small, wrapped gifts with a label indicating the intended recipient (e.g., "10-year-old boy," "5-year-old girl"). These gifts can be brought to school with your child, who will have the joy of placing them under our Giving Tree in the school foyer.

On the final day of term, all the gifts collected will be presented to St. Vincent de Paul for distribution to local families in time for Christmas. This simple act of giving allows our children to experience the true spirit of the season—one of hope, joy, and compassion.

Thank you for your generous support and for helping us spread the light of Christmas throughout our community.

Open our HEARTS up to the world & be COMPASSIONATE! 

Pope Francis

May the joy & peace of Christmas be with you and your family this Christmas.

Enjoy the holiday period,  time with your families, filling your cups doing all the things that bring you the most joy. Looking forward to working alongside you all in 2025.

Danae Napier

Deputy Principal / Religious Education Leader

Did you know ~