Message from the Principal
'At our very heart is the desire for each individual student to flourish across academic, physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual domains. We support students to grow in virtue and to embrace a view of themselves and the world that leads to peace, justice, and the prosperity of society as a whole. Ours is a journey towards hope and optimism that is enlightened by faith and animated by love.'
Dear families,
As we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s feast day tomorrow, let us celebrate how she was a woman who raised the powers of love in her time and continues to inspire us to do the same in our day. Love was at the heart of all that Mary did. She recognised that the source of her love had its origin in God. She knew deeply within her that:
God is love and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
1 John 4:16
From this spiritual source, she drew the energy to be a heartbeat of God’s love in the world especially for those most disadvantaged in our society.
Mary loved all with an undivided heart. As Pope John Paul II said during his 1995 visit to Australia for her beatification:
Mother Mary’s life speaks eloquently because it was firmly anchored in something for which every human heart longs: inner peace, that peace that comes from knowing that one is loved by God and from the desire to respond to God’s love. Pope John Paul II – 20.1.1995
On this feast day may you be inspired like Saint Mary MacKillop to make a difference in someone’s life by raising the powers of love through an act of everyday kindness.
May your day be filled with the joy and love that filled the heart of Saint Mary MacKillop.
One of the loveliest places where we are witness to such kindness and heartbeats of love is through our littlest learners, our Preps. They have such hearts to give and we are so very proud of them, despite the fact that they have had more days at home than at school, they have still reached that milestone of 100 days of learning. Learning which has been done here at school, in their homes, with each other, when at play and in their everyday interactions with the people in their lives. They are flourishing, with their parents and teachers guiding them along every step of the way.
We celebrate them being 100 days bigger, 100 days smarter, 100 days taller, 100 days wiser, 100 days more confident, 100 days more technologically advanced, 100 days better known, 100 days more valued and cherished, 100 days more encouraged and inspired, 100 days more resilient, 100 days of new friendships and knowing people, 100 days part of us and being known to us, St Anthony’s.
A wonderful place to be!!! We celebrate you today. Don't forget to tune into today's virtual assembly to see what our Preps will look like in 100 years!!!
Prep 100 days Virtual Assembly
I know that times are difficult and that families are under immense strain. Please take comfort in the fact that you are all doing the best you can and we are here to provide you with the support you need on the days that feel the hardest. If days are hard, turn off the computer, put down the learning and please do whatever you need to take care of your families. We will understand. We are here for you.
As always go gently and if you have any feedback or ideas we always want to hear them. If you need support, please reach out.
God Bless,
Patrika Rowley
PRINCIPAL