Welcome to Term 2. I hope all our families have had a relaxing holiday break and a Happy and Holy Easter. It was a very strange celebration of Easter without our traditional services and celebration and the commemoration of ANZAC Day during the holidays without the option to gather was also a new experience for us all.

Online learning for all year groups has recommenced and as per the letters from CEDWW and the College last week, we will begin the staggered return to onsite learning next week when Year 12 return.

This week we have advised families that Year 11 will return to the College on Monday 18 May and Year 7 will return on Monday 25 May. Students will resume face to face learning as they return and are required to wear full winter uniform. The remaining year groups (Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10) will continue with online learning. Parents/carers will be informed as further plans for the return of students are developed.

Supports for Families during this period of Online Learning

We recognise that COVID-19 has impacted on families in a myriad of ways. Please be assured that we are here to support you in any way we can so reach out for assistance with learning, wellbeing and fees as needed.

We are keeping our families updated through COMPASS notifications, social media and the newsletter, as well as correspondence directly to families from CEDWW. If you need to speak to a member of staff email is the preferred contact method. Staff who have been working at home in rotation will return to the College full time from next week.

Please make contact if you need advice or assistance. We can’t change the situation we find ourselves in with COVID-19 but no-one has to endure this alone – are definitely “all in this together”.

Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice

On Tuesday of this week we celebrated the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers. The Brothers have played a very significant role in establishing Catholic Education in the Wagga area, having established and St Michael’s Regional High School which was located opposite the Cathedral until it closed in 2003.

We give thanks for Edmund and the Christian Brothers and cherish the links that we have with their spirit through our membership of Edmund rice Education Australia (EREA) and particularly our own Brother Sherrin, Patron of Sherrin House.

Mother's Day

This Sunday, 10 May we will celebrate Mother’s Day, which is a recognition of all that is achieved in a motherly and nurturing role and an opportunity to show our gratitude for this contribution to our lives. Mother’s Day occurs in the month of May, the traditional time for the recognition of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In our own life, we can gain wisdom, inspiration, faith and energy from Mary, the first disciple and a model of fidelity. We know that Mary, like all mothers, was faced with great challenges in her life. Her response was one of great joy, reflected in the beautiful words of the Magnificat, which captures her inner peace in the face of great change in her life:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm:

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and exalted those of low degree.

He has filled the hungry with good things;

and the rich He has sent empty away.

He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;

As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

The Magnificat also shows us the importance of seeing God in the little things, of “making the common holy”, a daily experience for many who “mother” and nurture. It is these special experiences and times with those we love and care for that build our strongest memories and become some of the greatest treasures of our hearts. Let us ask our Mother Mary to guide us all to be people of love, hope and peace.

I wish all our mums and grandmothers a wonderful day of love and spoiling by your children on Mother’s Day.

Enrolments for 2021

Places for Year 7 2021 have been offered and accepted. Any families seeking enrolment next year who have not yet finalised a place are asked to contact Mrs Michelle Clarke at the College urgently. A Waiting List is being established.

We pray for Father Plunkett who is very unwell. Please also keep all our College families in your prayers as we commence the new term with all its uncertainties in these times of COVID. May Mary, our mother and the Patron of our College, watch over us all.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

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