Principal's News
Dear Parents/Carers,
The Coronavirus pandemic certainly makes writing a newsletter difficult! I’m not quite sure what to tell you is coming up at school anymore, given the rate of change and the level of flexibility required of all of us this past 12 months.
When the news about a five day lockdown broke on Friday afternoon none of us had much time to plan for remote learning. Given that the news indicated that the children would miss only three days of school we have decided to take a low key approach to this and have sent the children home with their reader and this week’s homework sheet, where it had already been prepared by certain grade levels.
As I type this on Tuesday morning and with only one new case of community transmission on Monday and two on Tuesday, both via a known cluster I am optimistic that the children will all be back in class on Thursday 18. However, we all know that 24 hours is a long time in this era.
Our teaching staff will shift to “Remote Learning” mode if and when we need to. Stay tuned.
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS - Grades 1 to 6
Parents are invited to log on to PAM in order to book Interviews with your child’s teachers. Ten minute interviews are to be conducted on February 22 & 23. These are an important opportunity for parents to share information with the teacher and to cement a positive and cooperative relationship for the benefit of our children. The interviews will be conducted out of our Multi-purpose room.
Please note Foundation (Prep) student’s interviews' will be conducted on Wednesday 24 March. Details in coming weeks.
All of the above is dependent of course on advice from the Health Department. Please continue to book your interviews until we are told any different.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Parents are reminded to register their interest in any of their children participating in the Parish Sacramental Program for 2021. Registrations are being taken in the Gathering Space at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday February 23 between 5:30pm and 6:00pm and on Thursday February 25 between 3:45 and 5:30pm.
Registration Forms will be distributed to all Catholic children in Grades 2, 3, 5 & 6 when we see the children again. These forms should be completed and filled in before bringing them to the church.
There is a small charge for this program of $25 to cover materials etc. Parents will collect the Information Pack about Reconciliation at this time.
Our Parish is planning to offer children the opportunity to take part in Reconciliation during the week of March 22 - 27.
ASH WEDNESDAY Unfortunately our Ash Wednesday plans have all been cancelled. Please see elsewhere in the letter from Bishop Paul Bird regarding this matter.
END OF DAY ROUTINES
This week our Prep students are supposed to be at school until 3:15pm. IF we are all back at school on Thursday it is vital that we leave the area along Hart Street immediately in front of the school and south towards Dean and Mahoney Courts free for parents who have children in Grade Prep. All other families who collect their children by car are asked to park either at “Crossing 1” which is along Hart Street in front of Trinity College or at the “Gym Gate” which is along Pound Road along our northern boundary.
(See Below)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they
have received their reward.
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your alms giving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting,except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
This year, the new beginning for Lent will look different, like so many things have this past year. Without a public liturgy and the public sign of a cross of ashes on our forehead perhaps we can, as the Gospel asks us to make this preparation in private. During these “quiet times” of lockdown we have all become more acquainted with solitude, and perhaps with some of the ways we need to personally practice turning towards God and asking for mercy. This Ash Wednesday, as we begin again, we are invited to reflect on how God reveals Godself in solitude and in small, almost hidden ways. How would you like to start again this Lent? How would you like to practice turning towards
God in your daily life and relationships?
LETTER FROM BISHOP BIRD
Hello Everyone,
As you may have seen on the news today, in response to recent coronavirus infections, the Victorian government has introduced a 5-day lockdown for the whole state. This will come into effect at midnight tonight, Friday, February 12, and continue until midnight on Wednesday, February 17.
During these days, no public gatherings are permitted. This includes gatherings for religious ceremonies. Under the “Ceremonies and religious gatherings” heading, the government’s summary says: “No in-person gatherings permitted. Broadcast permitted.” The major gatherings affected will be the Sunday Masses that would have been celebrated this weekend and the Ash Wednesday services that would have been celebrated next Wednesday.
In relation to funerals, the government summary indicates that funerals (either indoor or outdoor) may involve no more than 10 people, plus those necessary to conduct the funeral.
For the coming five days, we will not be able to gather in our churches for Masses or other ceremonies. However, we will still be able to pray at home and there are resources available to help us in this.
I note in particular the page on our diocesan website that provides a list of links to Masses online and links to Scripture and prayer resources. There are also links to sites with ideas for family activities during lockdown. The page on our diocesan website is https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/coronavirus-the-churchs-information-and-advice-2/
People occasionally take time out for a “retreat”, some days of quiet and reflection and prayer. With the requirement to generally stay at home, the coming days will be something of a five-day retreat for everyone in Victoria. While it will involve restrictions, I hope it can be a fruitful time with some extra moments of quiet and reflection and prayer. In this sense, we might count these days as an early start to Lent.
God bless you all.
Bishop Paul
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat
P.O Box 121, Ballarat, 3353
Ph: 03 5337 7121 | Fax 03 5332 1122