Principal
This is the last newsletter for the term and the last before Easter which commences at the start of the school holidays.
I wish all a safe and refreshing time during the term 1 break and look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday, 26 April for the start of term 2.
Holy Week
This Sunday is the commencement of Holy Week, the last week of Lent. The week starts this Sunday with Palm Sunday which commemorates Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd. It ends with the Triduum – which begins at sundown on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, continues with Good Friday and concludes with Easter evening prayer at sundown on Easter Sunday. Whilst chronologically three days, the Easter Triduum are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery. The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are: Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday of the Lord's Passion and Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
If you would like to access a very good resource for prayer and reflection during the Easter Triduum I recommend the following website page https://www.marymackillopplace.org.au/chapel/easter-triduum-reflections/
We will celebrate a Holy Thursday Liturgy on 6 April, the last day of term. It has been prepared by Jonathan Bowman and the Year 12 Youth Ministry Team. Thanks to all in advance for the enormous amount of preparation to ensure the liturgy is well organised and offers a reverent experience.
May the risen Christ of Easter, the one united fully in the life and love of God, who invites us to share this life and love with him, fill our hearts this Easter. May He lead us to a richer appreciation of life and love and help us to radiate the peace and joy of life to others. May our world become a more peaceful and loving place as a result of the effects of Easter on all people of goodwill.
SSV Athletics
Well done to all our athletes and the coaches for their efforts in the recent divisional SSV Athletics competition. Particular thanks to Jay Baker for his leadership. You can read more about the day in the report in the Around the College section of this Newsletter.
Parent, Teacher, and Student Interviews
Last night we held Parent Teacher and Student interviews on-site in the Senior School Building. It was great to be able to speak with families. Thank you to all involved in setting up the interviews in particular Jodie Connell, Zac Cox, and Edson Letendrie.
Next Wednesday we will conduct online interviews, so if you are yet to book a time please do so as soon as possible.
School Review
As advised in the previous Newsletter we are undertaking our School Review this year. We are currently engaged with collating data and other evidence that we will use to write a self-reflection summary for the reviewers. The summary will address our achievements, using evidence as support, in relation to the goals we set in our current strategic plan in the areas of: Catholic Identity and Religious Education; Learning and Teaching; Student Wellbeing; Leadership; and Community Partnerships.
The self-reflection report will be submitted to the review team two weeks prior to the Review which is scheduled to run from Monday 19 June to Wednesday 21 June. During those days the review team will speak with all staff, groups of students, a parent group, and our Parish Priests. Additionally, they will make a number of classroom visits.
The review team’s purpose on those days is to interview stakeholders to ensure that what they have read in the self-reflection, supported by data, is actually embedded in the school's day-to-day practices.
The purpose of the review is to inform the development of the College’s Strategic Plan for the next four years, 2024 to 2027.
I will continue to update you about this project as it progresses,
Staff News
Congratulations to Kate Murphy and her partner, Jude, on the birth of their son Rohan Kesten.
Next week will be the final week for Courtney Jenkins, who has been with us as the Student Receptionist. We wish her well on her move interstate.
We farewell Anna Kirk who worked with us this term as a Learning Support Officer. We wish her well with her studies.
Sapientia Domini Docet Nos
John M Freeman