Principal's Page 

Dear Families,

Last week I attended an inspiring conference for Catholic Primary School Principal's titled:  Hope - For now and whatever lies ahead. There were many fabulous, thought provoking speakers. Some of my key learnings from the conference included:

*Craig Reucassel  from The Chasers and War on Waste challenged us to have hope as we support the environment, teaching students the solutions not just the problems. We must give children hope that they can impact the change and ensure they get involved and can take action. We need to know our footprint and make the change.

*Kath Koschel shared her amazing story and through all the adversity Kath has bounced back time and time again and realised the role of kindness in her recovery. She decided to pay it forward with random acts of kindness and ended up founding the Kindness Factory.  She shared that “The world is changed by your actions not your opinion.”

*Tim Sharp - Laser Beak Man creator. Tim and his mum Judy shared the greatest lesson about autism and what these students are capable of given the right support and encouragement. It was one teacher that made the difference to Tim’s life. Always see the person first, not the diagnosis. Check out his artwork!

*Simon Griffiths from Who Gives a Crap spoke about his failures as he tried to build a socially just business and that success can come from failure.

Reconciliation

Next Thursday evening 28 of our Year Three and Four students will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

We pray that Jack B, Archi, Max, Edith, Mabel, Zara, Hamish, Olivia, Evie, Maisy, Anna, Harriet, Clarke, Finn, Corbin, Matilda, Tahlia, Joseph, Jack F, Kye, Olive, Raine, Ella, Eric, Lachlan L, Xavier, Harry and Lochlan W experience peace and grace as they live the sacrament in their daily lives. 

Easter

Holy Week takes place in the school holidays this year.  Holy Week is the most solemn and glorious week in our Catholic faith. It's more sacred than Christmas! This is because Holy Week commemorates the final week of Jesus' life, the very purpose for which Christmas happened. A timetable of Easter ceremonies is listed on the Religious Dimension page. I encourage you to attend some ceremonies and enjoy the symbols, rituals and celebrations of this special time of the church's year. Please join us next Wednesday at 2:30pm as we remember and celebrate the events of Holy Week and the Easter story.

Filming

As the filming wraps up this week, we look forward to the viewing at the Sorrento Cinema in Term Two - date and time to be confirmed.

Cyber Safety

It has been brought to our attention that some students are using technology and social media inappropriately. and spending long periods of time on it. Cyber Safety is an important subject we teach students at school. Today's incursion was a small part of our Student Wellbeing learning and teaching program. Could I please ask parents to discuss today's incursion with your child/ren to reinforce the importance of being safe online and also monitor the length of time spent on technology. We will continue to source opportunities to support families with this.

Surveys

There are two surveys that we need your assistance with: 

1. Enhancing Catholic Schools Survey - we are aiming to have 50 families complete the survey but presently have only had one family. The more surveys completed, the more accurate  the data for us to use in improving the Catholic Identity of St Josephs.

2. Sorrento Community Centre - details and a note from the manager Greg, can be found on the Community News page.

Parents & Friends

Our Parents and Friends Association is being very active in our community this year. Thank you to all the volunteers that cooked and distributed sausages and an ice-cream to each student on St Joseph's feast day. Please check out the P & F page later in the newsletter with an update on the Easter Raffle and a call out for other class representatives for 3/4 and 5/6.

Goodbye and Thank you

Thank you to the Burns Family for all their contributions to our community over the past five years. Peter is now attending a school closer to home and we wish them all the very best.

Enrolments

I have enjoyed travelling to some local kindergartens to drop off advertising posters and flyers, meet staff and sing and dance with children. Enrolments for 2023 are now open. Please pick up an enrolment pack, book a tour and spread the word about our wonderful school.

Holidays

Holidays will begin on April 8. Students will be dismissed at the normal time on this day. I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing and safe holiday. Term Two commences on Tuesday 26 April.

An Easter Prayer

God of Good Friday and God of Easter, as again we sing that joyous and explosive greeting, ‘Christ is risen’, may we take into our hearts the beautiful but harsh truth that our faith in you does not cut us off from the world but immerses us in it; 

That you have called us to act in solidarity with the hopes and joys, the anxieties and sorrows of men and women everywhere; 

And that, like Jesus, you have sent us to bring good news to the poor, to heal the contrite of heart, to seek and save what is lost. 

Good Friday God, give us your peace, 

God of Easter, journey with us now. 

For Christ is risen. 

Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Enjoy your week and have a happy and blessed Easter,

Monica

moshannassy@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au