From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you all had the opportunity for some down time with your children over the Easter break and enjoyed some of the peace, hope and joy that Easter brings. I acknowledge Fr Darien and the wonderful reflective and spiritual celebrations he led over the Easter period. We greatly appreciate Father Darien's faith leadership and service to us all.
Prior to Easter, as a school, we reflected on The Way of the Cross which tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth’s journey to the cross. It is a story that challenges us to think about injustice and its impacts on human dignity. Yet, even in its darkest moments, it is also a story that reminds us of compassion and the power of forgiveness, hope and love. The story of Jesus’s death is a sad story but, we know, it is not the end of the story. As the Christian scriptures say, three days after Jesus died, he rose again! And life began anew, for him, for us and all of creation. The Easter story is the biggest on the liturgical calendar and as we continue our journey of “Beacons of Hope”, we ensure the Easter message lives on some 2000 years later as We Follow the Way of Hope.
We sadly saw the passing of Fr Bob Maguire last week. Archbishop Comensolli paid tribute by saying 'Bob was a faithful priest of the Catholic Church in Melbourne since his Ordination in 1960, and a fierce friend of the downhearted, the broken and the lost throughout his whole life'. His family's statement sums it up well "He has fought bravely for the underprivileged and homeless all his life. He represented the highest of principles, and he fought to actively live those principles." Across society, Fr Bob was a true “Beacon of Hope” to so many. His legacy lives on through his foundation, which includes a fleet of HopeMobiles which each year deliver and provide more than 24,000 healthy meals and food hampers. In their vision, this is much, much more than nutritious meals. Through welcoming service and good conversation they feed hearts, minds and tummies.
Continuing on the wonderful outreach in catholic communities, Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) have arranged for FareShare in Melbourne, who are having their kitchens renovated, to use the Catholic Leadership kitchen over the next 6 months. FareShare provide nutritious meals which are distributed to large and small charities and community groups who help people in need of nutritious food. Another example of taking action in faith, hope and love.
Anzac Day March: What a wonderful turnout for the ANZAC Day parade. Yesterday we saw 52 students engage in this wonderful community event, marching and participating in the wreath laying ceremony. Thank you to the following students who represented our school so beautifully and respectfully: Jemma Geerings, Tom Rundle, Mia Rundle, Ellie Rundle, Ollie Yates, Harry Creak, Maeve Pemberton, Lottie Pemberton, Levi Knights, Zara Knights, Stella Knights, Ivy Williams, Jack McLeish, Oliver McLeish, Finn Leighton, Hope Leighton, Audrey Morgan, Elsie Dalton, Edward Dalton, Matilda Dalton, Taigh McKerracher, Saoirse McKerracher, Winni Ward, Alfie Ward, Nina Butters, Peggy Butters, Mackenzie Wurfel, Evie Kerr, Charlie Dyer, Annabelle Dyer, Arlo Harry, Max Harry, Zayne Garner, Violet Molloy, Sadie Molloy, Ruby Ritchie, Eden Stanley, Ted Stanley, Maya Mackay, Eva Grant, Oliver McQuitty, Ella McQuitty, Sonni Williams, Emma Jacimovic, Milla Jacimovic, Ellie Murphy, Eliza Wood, Adelaide Wood, Elka Collins, Maggie Reynolds, Jack McDonald, Billy Garland.
Lest We Forget.
Easter Easter Egg Raffle: A huge thank you to the PFA led by Sam Ellis in the many prizes that were raffled. Money raised will go towards some new reading resources recently ordered for the students Prep- Year 6.
Congratulations to the following top 3 prize winners.
- Jesse Jamieson
- Evie Monaghan
- Max Schomacker
Principal for the Day: Congratulations and thank you to Sylvie Hardwick for being an amazing Principal for the Day last term. Sylvie displays character strengths of zest, optimism, wisdom and kindness. Terima kasih.
A Story of Beacons of Hope: Congratulations to these Year 6 boys. They were commended in a special shout out by another school in the Summer Lightning Premiership for their kindness and inclusivity during a basketball game with students from another school. So proud to receive these emails.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to Term 2, where we continue to be a community of faith, hope and love.
Kerryn