Dear Families,

We have officially gone past the half way mark of the term. Teachers and students are hard at work with their learning, we have lots of interesting things going on around the school which is why it is always such a busy place to be!

Attendance as always is very important for all children and I thank those families for ensuring that their child is at school and on time most days. Moving into winter it is important that if children are sick - runny nose, colds, coughs, sore throat and any other illnsesses that children stay home until their symptoms improve. Please remember that these illnesses are often highly contagious and spread easily amongst children affecting the attendance of others.

Last week, our Year 6 students participated in our Gifts and Services night. They spent the day with Mrs Szkwarek cooking up a storm so that they could serve a meal to their parents or Confirmation sponsor if they are celebrating the sacrament this week. They did an amazing job, it was a lovely evening. Part of the evening was to present a project they had been working on about a Saint as part of their RE learning this term, which I know both parents and students enjoyed. I want to thank Mrs Szkwarek, our RE Leader for the effort that went into this night as well as Ms Ensor and Mrs Campbell for helping on the night.

We pray especially this week for Matthew, Alice, Sanne, Kingston, Liam, Isabel and Janine as they prepare for their sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Greg this week. It’s an important time for these children and their families. Confirmation is at 5:30pm at Scared Herat Church in Morwell on Thursday. I’d like to welcome any families along who would like to support these children on the night.

This week, we have basketball clinics running on Tuesday and District Soccer on Thursday. Please remember also that Friday is a Student Free Day. Staff will be learning with Peta Murray on how to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the curriculum. We are really looking forward to this day.

On Sunday, as a Catholic Church, we celebrated Pentecost. Pentecost is known as the birth of the church as the Holy Spirit came to bring people from all nations together.

The following is part of a prayer that was shared throughout the Diocese of Sale over the weekend. It is also Catholic Education Week this week with the theme, “See, I am making all things new”. I think this prayer speaks to the work that the Holy Spirit does through us within Catholic parish and community.

Holy Spirit of Wind and Fire, come!

Startle us anew with your power and energy.

Blow fresh life through our tired dreams.

Fan into a flame the gifts you have given us.

Light up the windows of our joy and purpose.

Spark bright fires of optimism deep within us.

Reveal more clearly a vision of what is possible.

Amen

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Sally