Term 1 Week 8 - Friday 22nd March 2024
From our Principal
Term 1 Week 8
Dear families,
This week provided me with two opportunities to reflect on Jesus’ call for inclusion, hospitality and peace. After all, it is Lent and it is a perfect time to reflect!
I watched the documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol’. This is a harrowing film depicting the human cost of conflict, offering a raw insight into the lives shattered by war. Through poignant storytelling and intimate camerawork, it captures the resilience and anguish of those living in Mariupol at the beginning of Russia’s invasion in the Ukraine. I found the documentary very confronting as each frame resonates the weight of loss and the fervent desire for peace.
I also saw Ahn Do perform to a full Town Hall audience this week. He told his life story that encapsulates the resilience, determination, and the transformative power of compassion. As a Vietnamese refugee fleeing war-torn Vietnam with his family, Ahn Do's journey to Australia was marked by hardship and uncertainty. However, his experiences as a refugee shaped his character and fueled his drive to succeed against all odds. Through his unwavering perseverance and positive outlook, Ahn Do not only overcame the challenges of displacement but also flourished in his adopted homeland.
And…in and amongst it all was Harmony Day; a day that promotes inclusivity and cultural understanding, sharing a parallel essence with Lent. Both Harmony Day and the season of Lent allowed me to reflect on my interactions, and how I foster harmony in my life and community.
This week, I was reminded by some very ‘real’ stories that unity blossoms from embracing diversity with open hearts. If we genuinely embrace others' uniqueness and difference, we can cultivate harmony; fostering a world where deep understanding for the ‘other’ enables us to be the best version of ourselves.
An invitation to prayer…
Jesus of Compassion, Help us to see in your Cross all the crosses of the world:
The cross of people hungry for bread and for love;
The cross of people alone and abandoned even by their children and kin;
The cross of people thirsty for justice and for peace;
The cross of the elderly who struggle under the weight of years and of loneliness;
The cross of migrants who find doors closed in fear and hearts armoured by political calculations;
The cross of little ones, wounded in their innocence and their purity;
The cross of humanity that wanders in the darkness of uncertainty and in the obscurity of temporary culture;
The cross of our common home that is gravely withering before our selfish eyes, blinded by greed and by power.
Revive in us the hope of resurrection and of your definitive victory over all evil and all death.
Amen
Every blessing for the week ahead.
Roxanne
2024 Easter Raffle
Thank you for all your wonderful donations! We are seeking a couple of parent helpers to assist with the bundling and wrapping of our multiple prizes on Tuesday 26th March after school drop off.
Winners will be drawn and announced over the PA system at school on Thursday after our Holy Week liturgy, and also published in the newsletter.
Next Week is Holy Week @ St Mary's
Next week we will be celebrating Holy Week at St Mary's. All families are welcome to join in with our daily liturgy and attend our post liturgy class discussions and activities. See times below:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to the following student for this week:
Ethan N
TERM 1 DATES
Monday 25th March
Holy Week Liturgy @ 9.05am & class discussion
Tuesday 26th March
Holy Week Liturgy @ 9.05am & class discussion
Years 3-6 Cross Country at Richardson Oval
Wednesday 27th March
Foundation students at school
Holy Week Liturgy @ 2.25pm & class discussion
Thursday 28th March
Last Day of Term 1
Holy Week Liturgy @ 1.00pm & class discussion
Easter Raffle winners announcement
Early finish at 2.15pm
TERM 2
Monday 15th April
STUDENT FREE DAY - STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Tuesday 16th April
Students Return for Term 2
Friday 19th April
No lunch orders
Tuesday 23rd April
Athletics Carnival @ Gordon St Oval
Whole School Prayer - Term 2 Dates
WSP is held each Friday at 2.45pm in the Multi Purpose Room. All welcome!
Friday 19th April - No WSP
Friday 26th April - SLC
Friday 3rd May - No WSP
Friday 10th May - JLC1
Friday 17th May - SLC1
Friday 24th May - MLC
Friday 31st May - TBA
Friday 7th June - TBA
Friday 14th June - JLC2
Friday 21st June - SLC2
2024 Student Free Days
MONDAY 15TH APRIL
TUESDAY 16TH JULY
MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER
WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER
(STUDENTS LAST DAY TUESDAY 17TH DECEMBER)
Project Compassion Drive - 5th Week of Lent
This week's Parish Bulletin
Catholic Education Week
Monday 29th April to Friday 3rd May
In Our Community
Ararat & District Junior Football Association
2024 Season Player Registrations now open. Mixed (Boys U/13s & Girls U/14s)
Registration Fees $75 https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/776d4d
ARARAT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE
WINTER 2024 SEASON
The Winter 2024 Season will run over Terms 2 & 3, and is planned to commence the week of APRIL 15th, 2024 for our Junior & Senior Basketball and Futsal Competitions.
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE APRIL 1 2024
REGISTRATION PROCESS
To Register: visit our website: https://araratbasketballfutsal.com/
Click on the "Register here" for
• BASKETBALL: Little Redbacks, Junior and Senior Basketball including Girls Competition
• FUTSAL: Little Redbacks, Junior and Senior Futsal
SINGING LESSONS
POPPINS STUDIO/FUTURE SOUNDS (AKA KRIS OUR PIANO TEACHER & JACQUI OUR GUITAR TEACHER) HAVE HAD A NEW SINGING TEACHER IMOGEN JOIN THEIR TEAM AT THE STUDIO!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING LESSONS BEGINNING IN TERM 2 FOR YOUR CHILD, PLEASE CONTACT KRIS FOR MORE INFORMATION VIA EMAIL: KRISASH155@GMAIL.COM
