Dear Parents,
The reflection on this Sunday’s readings I leave to the knowledge and wisdom of scriptural scholar and priest Fr Michael Wheelan
Today’s readings have advice for us on what our response should be to the amazing grace that God is showering upon us. The First Reading reminds us that we are to be humble – a beautiful virtue that flows from recognising that everything we have is a gift and that finds expression in gratitude. We are also called to be gentle with others, accepting them as we accept ourselves in their brokenness and being gracious to them. If we think that these virtues are beyond us, we are reminded in the Gospel Acclamation that these are qualities of Jesus who is ‘gentle and humble of heart’. When he comes to us in communion, he comes to share these beautiful qualities with us. Jesus himself in the Gospel tells us to welcome the poor, the crippled the lame and the blind. We are all those things and we have been welcomed. Should we not reach out to others who share our human condition. It is together, that we become the Church.
Our next Staff Development Day will be held on Monday 10th October [first day of term 4]. The staff professional learning on the day will revolve around the mandatory implementation of the new English and Mathematics Syllabus in 2023. Please note there will be no classes on this day with parents required to organise supervision for their children.
Last Wednesday week I had the privilege of attending the Year 6 Voice of Youth cluster final at St Monica’s North Parramatta. Our school was represented by Scarlett R, Evie W and Christian B. All three students spoke very well on topics that they were passionate about. Scarlett was awarded the Social Justice medal for her speech on “Gender Equality”. Thanks to our Year six students who attended the morning. Well done and congratulations to all concerned.
In the latter weeks of this term each grade will be presenting their show case assemblies for their parents. This is a great opportunity for the teachers and students to share the “learning” that has taken place throughout the term. Though the format is somewhat different to whole school assemblies we have previously held in the hall over the years , this will allow the children a more personal setting to share with their parents the collaborative inquiry projects and work they have completed as part of their learning. We look forward to seeing as many parents as possible who are able to attend.
The children for K-4 have completed their first week of our swimming programme for 2022. The programme run by NSW Life Saving out of Hills Sports High School Seven Hills, is proving most beneficial for our students in developing the swimming skills and techniques. The children are certainly enjoying the opportunity that has been afforded to them over these two weeks.
On Wednesday our stage three students attended the Diocesan Netball Gala Day held in Penrith. Our teams performed well being great ambassadors for our school. Thanks to Mrs Kelly Hosking and the parents who prepared and attended the day. Well done to all concerned.
Our first CTK disco in three years will be held NEXT Friday evening the 2nd September in the Parish Hall. DJ Kit Kat a most experienced entertainer and DJ who specialises in primary school discos will host the evening. The dress theme for the evening is “Colour”.
The event will be held over two sessions:
- Kindergarten - Year 3 Students: 6.00pm - 7.00pm
- Year 4 - Year 6 Students: 7:30 - 9.00pm
There will be a 30-minute break in-between the two sessions to enable the first group of students to be signed out and collected by their parents prior to the second session commencing. A Skoolbag was issued earlier in the week regarding the procedures an protocols for dropping off and picking up children. Please be sure to read this communication. If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me
It would be greatly appreciated if your children requires cutlery to eat their lunch, that knives and forks be made of plastic and not metal please. Thank you.
In recent weeks it has come to our attention the increased number of students coming to the office asking for lunch either because they don’t have any or they ate it at recess. In many cases children are throwing their lunch away as they don’t like what they have or they are still hungry. Please take the time over the weekend to discuss with your children the content and amount of food they’re provided with each day for fruit break, recess, and lunch. Parents of children who come to the office saying they have no lunch or recess will be rung to clarify the situation. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Enjoy your weekend
Tony Hughes
Principal
