Dear Parents,
The Gospel this Sunday is the Parable of the Lost Son. A scriptural reading that is used as the focus for reconciliation and forgiveness The story commences with an accusation that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. To welcome sinners and to eat with them was to effectively become one of them yourself. In response to this accusation, Jesus tells the parables about the lost being found. The answer to the accusation is that those dismissed as ‘sinners’ are the ‘lost’ who will be celebrated with extravagant rejoicing when they have been ‘found’ again through their acceptance of the message of Jesus. When we come to the father rejoicing at his son’s return, the reader is perplexed and confused because of his actions, in shaming both himself and his father. The father’s expected and justified response would have been to turn his back on his son and banish him forever. He chooses to welcome him back and celebrate his return. In an echo of God’s ridiculous and unbounded loving forgiveness, the father welcomes his son with open arms and reclaims him as his own.
Last Monday our school community celebrated Father’s Day with a hearty big breakfast, liturgy and several mega maths activities. Our thanks and appreciation to all the dads and those father figures in the lives of our students for attending. Thanks to Natalie Bertie and her team who organised the Father’s Day Stall, our CTK Cuppa crew and the Father’s Day committee who gave of their time to make the day a special one for all concerned. My thanks to all the staff and students who organised the liturgy and to Mrs Wynne for her leadership in co-ordinating this special community celebration.
Yesterday the first of our “Learning Showcases” kicked off in Year 3 with their parents in attendance. The year 3 students have spent several weeks mastering the art of writing an effective procedure for a variety of different tasks. The year 3 students assumed the role of the teacher as their parents became their “students”. In small groups, the parents had to make a series of paper planes, hats, chatterboxes, boats and sketch a caricature of a dog. Our students parents achieved success in being able to follow the procedures written by the children. Well done Year 3!
Last Friday evening our students enjoyed an evening of dancing and fun at our annual school disco. DJ Kit Kat provided the music for the night. Thanks to the parent disco committee who co-ordinated the event. Thanks also to the staff who gave of their time to supervise the children on the night. An enjoyable night was had by all!
With the onset of the warmer spring weather in the coming weeks, we will have a transition period of two weeks during week 9 and 10 whereby children can wear their summer uniforms. Please note for the last week of term the students need to be either in their winter or summer uniform. No mixing of uniform combinations please. All children are to be in their summer uniforms for the beginning g of Term 4.
Last Friday several of our students represented CTK at the Diocesan Athletics carnival at Homebush. Congratulations to all our students who took part, especially those who progressed through to the Mackillop Athletics Carnival and Nicholas K who was runner up in the Senior Boys Championship. Well Done to all concerned!
Our swimming program concluded last Friday with our Kindergarten – Year 4 students enjoying the ten day intensive program. A short survey will be distributed to families next week to attain feedback from parents regarding the programme and its value for their children.
Please note that our final Newsletter for Term 3 will be published on Tuesday 20th September.
Enjoy your weekend
Tony Hughes
Principal
