Dear Parents and Carers

What a wonderful display of community spirit and fun over the last week. It is so rewarding to see our students so excited, proud and engaged.

Mission Fete was another huge success with approximately $9,000 raised. Mission Fete Day is always an opportunity for us as a community to work together as we combine prayer, action and reflection with a great sense of fun and much excitement.

The theme of this year’s World Mission Day was “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move”. In his message, Pope Francis encourages us to share the good news of Jesus with others, calling us not just to have hearts burning with love, but to show this in word and action. Pope Francis also said “God's heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that he himself became poor” (2013)

Arguably the student’s favourite day of the year, the positive vibe again was significantly evident. Student voice is crucial in raising money for missions, as it leads to increased engagement, motivation, and participation. It fosters creativity, builds a sense of community  and instills a sense of ownership and responsibility in students. All of this cannot happen without the support of the teachers, staff and yourselves. Special mention to Lib MacPherson who donated the raffle prizes again this year and the staff who contributed to the Adventure Park passes. Many thanks to Rebecca Nancarrow our wonderful Religious Education Leader and Marianne Caddy our Learning and Teaching Leader and direct contact and support with Sr Abeba in Bulbula.The people in Bulbula will feel happy and excited when the money they raise today will allow them to go to school, plant some seeds to grow food, get cows and chickens for milk and eggs, begin a little business to earn an income, have food and get some of the medicine they need.

We are acting as Jesus would want us to. Helping others by the things that we do, the things that we say and the way we make people feel. 

We know that the people in Bulbula will be so grateful for all the money we raise to help them. Sr Abeba thanks us for all of the help we can give, in the videos she sends us and the letters she writes to us. We see their gratitude in the smiles of the people. They do not have very much, but they are happy and grateful.

Involving students offers valuable learning opportunities including leading to more inclusive fundraising approaches. Ultimately, student voice contributes to more effective and sustainable fundraising efforts. We have seen this time and again with our Annual Mission Fete.

Many thanks to you the parents and carers for getting behind this with your children and your extremely generous spirit and compassion in action.