From the Principal

~ Do all that you do with love ~

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of St Therese's Primary School,

I hope you all enjoyed the extra long weekend and could spend some time with your families.

This Friday, March 18, is Harmony Day. Students are invited to wear something orange to celebrate our diverse community and to raise awareness to stop bullying. Kaboom! Sports will be onsite to help us celebrate with fun tabloid sports activities for the morning. In the classrooms, the teachers will guide the students through activities that highlight the need for harmony and peace in our lives. 

Over the weekend, as I watched the news about the unfolding events on the other side of the world, I reflected on what it means to stand in SOLIDARITY no matter race, religion, or cultural background. Mark's sacred scripture from the Catholic tradition reminded me of how important it is to show kindness to one another despite differences.

The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mk 12:31

At school, we reflect with the students on what it means to live in peace and harmony in the classroom and on the playground. Students are encouraged to reflect on questions such as;  How can we as members of the St Therese's school community be at peace with each other? How do we forgive one another without the need to 'get back' at others when we feel we have been wronged? How do we stand up for others when we see them being teased or being left out of games? In this way, we build a stronger sense of community.

I found this YouTube clip based on a Picture Book by David J. Smith titled 'If the World were a Village.' I have attached the video clip for your viewing. When I watched it, I was humbled to think that I am one of the luckiest people in the world to know that I have a job that I love, and a wonderful family who is healthy with clean water, food and all that we need. 

I hope that, like me, you will enjoy this video clip and reflect in gratitude.

Feel free to use this Peace Prayer with your family this week.

Loving God, you are the source of all things good. We pray for peace in the midst of violence and tragedy in this world. May we have the patience to be understanding, the strength to be forgiving and the grace to admit when we are wrong. 

Loving God, you sent your only Son to show us how to live a life of love and compassion. We pray that we can bring about your kingdom by building a world where all humanity can experience peace and security. 

Amen.

Yours in harmony,

Michelle Bruitzman