Dear members of the St Cecilia’s School community,

A Pilgrimage of Reflection and Renewal

As I indicated in our last newsletter, I am incredibly fortunate to share that during the holidays and into the first few days of Term 4, I embarked on a very special pilgrimage as part of the Eastern Network Principal Network. Alongside 23 other Catholic Primary Principals, we walked the historic El Camino de Santiago—a sacred trail in Spain that has been a path of faith for pilgrims for over a millennium.

Over the course of about 120 kilometers, (mostly in the rain!) we followed in the footsteps of countless others, culminating at the resting place of St. James the Apostle in Compostela—a destination where many have found peace, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

I am excited to share the highlights and reflections from my recently completed walk along the Camino de Santiago. This journey provided one of those rare moments in life, when you found time to step off the treadmill and reflect on the stage you were at and things you were grateful for. And on top of that, the walk was filled with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unforgettable camaraderie (and a fair bit of sideways rain!)

Here’s a recap of our adventure:

Departure and Arrival in Madrid

We began our journey on Sunday, September 29, departing from Australia and arriving in Madrid the following day. After settling into our centrally located accommodations, we took the time to rest and prepare for the pilgrimage ahead. The anticipation was palpable as we gathered for our welcome dinner, setting the stage for our upcoming adventure.

Exploring León and Starting Our Walk

On October 1, we departed for León, where we immersed ourselves in the city’s history with a local guide. We marveled at the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria de León, renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows, and visited the Romanesque Basilica of Saint Isidoro. After securing our Pilgrim’s Passports, we continued to Sarria, where our walking journey truly began the next day.

Days 3 to 6: The Path from Sarria to Arzua

Our first walking segment from Sarria to Portomarin was breathtaking, as we traversed scenic countryside, lush forests, and quaint farmlands. Each step brought us closer to our destination and deeper into the heart of Galicia. The following days continued to unveil stunning views and rich history, including a memorable lunch of “pulpo a feira” in Melide. A huge feature of this walk was the unforgiving rain. Bucket loads! Sideways rain and even hurrican winds at one stage, making the experience even more memorable. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a peaceful rest day in Arzua, where we celebrated the local culture and indulged in delicious regional cuisine.

Days 7 to 10: The Final Stretch to Santiago de Compostela

On October 6, we set out for Amenal, and then finally towards Santiago de Compostela. The excitement grew as we approached Monte del Gozo, where we caught our first glimpse of the majestic Cathedral spires. Upon arrival in Santiago, we participated in the traditional Pilgrim’s Mass, a moment of deep reflection and gratitude for the journey we had undertaken. This cathedral was simply stunning! Our time in the city allowed us to explore its rich history, including the chance to visit the crypt of St. James and admire the architectural beauty of the Cathedral.

Day 11: Journey to Finisterre and Reflection

On our final day of pilgrimage, we visited the coastal town of Finisterre, known as “Land’s End.” Standing on the rocky shores of the Atlantic, we reflected on the transformative nature of our journey and the friendships we had forged along the way. Our final night in Santiago was celebrated with a special meal, a fitting conclusion to our adventure.

As we returned to Australia, we carried with us the memories of laughter, connection, and the breathtaking beauty of the Camino.

Thank you for your support throughout this journey. As I indicated in our last newsletter, in light of my own recent health challenges, this opportunity felt especially meaningful. It truly was a time of reflection and personal growth, and has helped me to return with fresh perspectives and a renewed spirit.

School Fair

We are thrilled to announce that our Annual School Fair is just around the corner! Make sure you are set for Saturday, October 26th, and get ready for a day filled with fun, excitement, and community spirit.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible organizing committee, led by the dedicated Kylie Zennaro, whose countless hours of hard work and preparation have made this event possible. Your commitment to creating a vibrant and engaging fair is truly appreciated!

Events like the School Fair are not just about festivities; they strengthen our sense of community. It's heartwarming to see families who have moved on from St. Cecilia's return to join us on Fair Day. This speaks volumes about the enduring bonds we share and the feeling of belonging that comes from being part of our school family.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors and volunteers. Your contributions are vital to the success of the Fair and help create lasting memories for our students. We hope that this year's event is not only enjoyable but also memorable, providing experiences that they will think about often.

This year, the profits from our Fair will support our exciting Landscape Masterplan, detailed later in this newsletter, and contribute to our Fair Charitable Contribution. We are particularly proud to announce that a portion of the funds raised will go towards supporting St. Jude’s in Tanzania. St. Jude’s is a remarkable school that has been a leader in charitable education in Africa for over 25 years. Founded by Gemma Sisia, a Melbourne native, St. Jude’s started with a handful of students and a vision to provide free, quality education to children living in poverty. Today, thanks to generous support, it serves 1,800 students, offering free education, materials, and boarding. In Tanzania, many families struggle with poverty, with 75% living on less than AU$4.20 (US$3.20) a day. Only 30% of children of secondary age are enrolled in school. By participating in our Fair, you are helping us support this vital organization and make a difference in the lives of these children.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Fair! Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to St. Cecilia's. Together, we can create lasting memories and positive impacts for our community and beyond.

Landscape Masterplan: Phase Two Nearly Complete!

I am excited to share an update on the second phase of our Landscape Masterplan, which will be completed this week. The focus of this stage has been the development of the sandpit area and the playground located opposite the sandpit, next to the church.

This project will significantly enhance both areas, offering an improved play experience for our students while ensuring that our overall playspace footprint remains unchanged, which has been a key priority throughout this planning process.

As you can imagine, we have established some rules and safety guidelines for our students to follow to ensure that access and safety continue to be a priority.

The students are absolutely loving this new space!

Community Support Update

You may recall that recently our Year 2 students were involved in supporting a very worthy cause.

Our Year 2's ran a bead stall to support the Lindie Ladies in Kibera, Kenya.

They are a forgotten group living in the slum. They consist of mainly women but a few men. These women are bringing up grandchildren all orphans & other orphan kids in their community.

St Cecilia's has worked in conjuction with this community for a number of years to provide badly need goods and funds to help support the children in the community to improve their quality of life and their schooling.

Parents and students were invited to purchase beaded goods made by the women and children of the community. All proceeds were sent directly to the Lindie Ladies via Ms Louise Wood, who works with our school and has a close association with the Kenyan Group.

Here is a reply from Louise and her colleague Christine.

Hello everyone,

We’re pleased to share that our group has been active in providing support to those in need. Our treasurer recently visited the bank and confirmed a total of sh. 89,000 in funds. After discussions, we allocated sh. 60,000 to assist two college girls, covering sh. 15,000 each for their education, as they were struggling to continue.

Additionally, we helped three members with housing issues by paying their rent, each receiving sh. 5,000. We also purchased 14 bales of maize meal at sh. 1,500 each, totaling sh. 21,000, and 25 kilos of rice for sh. 2,750. The food provisions will sustain the women for about a month and a half.

Christine, one of our members, took some photos during her visit to a sick relative, which she will share soon. We appreciate your continued prayers and support during these challenging times. Remaining funds will be used to purchase beads, and I will send a report once that is done.

Thank you! Best,

Christine

Looking forward to an action packed final term of the school year!

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s Primary School

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