Dear Parents,
Welcome back to Term 3. I trust you all enjoyed some relaxing down time with your families during the recent holiday period. A special welcome to any new families who have joined our community in recent weeks. Highlights over the next eight weeks include Grandparents Day, Father’s Day, Confirmation, the Zone and Diocesan Athletics Carnivals and various sporting Gala Days.
The Gospel focuses on greed, the compulsion to have more and more things in the foolish hope that possessions will bring us what we are looking for in life. The well-known expression ‘eat, drink and be merry’ is taken from this passage. Simpler cultures than ours do not have the same opportunities for greed and generally have strict controls over these selfish behaviours. In these areas our society has lost its way, so if we really want to experience freedom, we will need to resist prevailing attitudes and help each other resist the temptations of greed.
Mrs Searson will be taking indefinite leave from the end of week 3 to care for her seriously ill husband. Our prayers and thoughts are with Mrs Searson and her family during the challenging times ahead.
Congratulations to Sarah and Aaron Debrincat on the birth of their son Charlie last Sunday. The new family have all settled in at home and are all doing well. We wish them every happiness and best wishes for the years ahead. Congratulations also to Miss Boules who was married during the school holidays. Both Venice and Michael are currently on their honeymoon. Miss Boules will be returning on Monday in time to attend the Year 6 field trip to Canberra. Our love and best wishes to the newlyweds Michael and Venice as they begin their life together.
Returning to school last week brought with it a few health reminders pertaining to COVID-19, influenza A and RSV. It is imperative that students exhibiting flu, cold and respiratory symptoms be tested by either a RAT or PCR test. Please note that free RATs are available on request at the school office.
Students who receive a positive COVID test are required to isolate from school for seven days. Children who are COVID negative but are exhibiting flu like symptoms are to remain at home till the symptoms have passed. Your cooperation in these matters is in the best interest of our community’s health and well-being.
Next Friday 5th August we will celebrate Grandparents Day- the most popular community day of the year. It will be the first time in three years since the onset of COVID, that we have been able to welcome our grandparents to CTK. We are forever grateful for the love and care our grandparents continue to share with us throughout our lives. As a school community we continue to pray for our grandparents both living and those who watch over us from heaven.
Please keep in your prayers the stage three children in our parish and school communities who are preparing with their families for the sacrament of Confirmation over the next few weeks. This is a most significant time in the lives of our young men and women as they are fully initiated into the church community and have bestowed upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd September.
This week our Year 5 teachers and their students attended camp up at Blue Gum Lodge Springwood. The students participated in a variety of activities that challenged them to work in collaboration with each other to achieve success as a team. The theme of the three-day camp was leadership and team building which is a significant component on the student leadership selection process for 2023. The children had a great three days! Thanks to our CTK staff who gave of their family time over the three days to attend.
Last Friday our Kindergarten students, their teachers and their parents celebrated one hundred days of school with a Teddy Bears picnic. Though the wet weather sent all concerned indoors, everyone enjoyed their picnic and being entertained by the children and some very special friends who joined the celebrations.
Next Friday 5th August is Census Day across the educational sector. It is imperative that all students are at school [except if they are sick]. Data collected on this day determines educational funding and resourcing for the 2023 school year.
Tony Hughes
Principal
