Over the past two weeks I have had many moments where I have been able to look around and feel blessed to be part of our College community.  Last week many parents and teachers gathered to hear Justin Coulson speak on “the Parenting Revolution”.  This great opportunity organised by our new ‘FACE’ group, gave parents not only an informative session on parenting but a great social gathering. It was lovely to be able to gather and chat with so many parents without the pressures of the school day and taking a pause from our own family commitments.  I look forward to more occasions like this through FACE initiatives.   

Staff last week had two opportunities to gather in retreat mode, the first a twilight at the College titled ‘Listen to our heart’ which focussed on listening to First Nation Perspectives and allowing ourselves time to reflect on these; the second an overnight retreat titled ‘At the Well’ facilitated by Br Damien Price at Camp Cooby.  It is a joy to be able to spend time with our staff in prayer and reflection listening to our own hearts and to allow space for God to enter into our lives. 

On Friday last week Br Damien Price presented to our Year 11/12 students during Praxis on the theme ‘Come as Guest’.  Always inspirational to listen to Br Damien challenge the students to come as guest to those who need us.  

The last few weeks has really reminded me it is important to ‘fill our bucket’ in life, to renew and refresh when times get busy.  No one can deny life is hectic, it's one of the things I love about it, but we need to model to our students and our children the importance of the recharge, the bucket fillers of our lives.  So, the last few weeks have been busy for me, but it has also filled my bucket.  As we head into the second half of this term, I encourage all to take time to fill your bucket and do something you love with the people you love.   

OUR LADY OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS DAY 

Later this term on Thursday 31 August, we will celebrate Our Lady of the Southern Cross Day (feast 1 September).  This is a special day in our College Calendar and it will be marked with a P-12 whole College Mass and our Whole College Athletics events.  Mass will commence at 12:15pm in the MPC and will be followed by events on the oval.  These events include house relays, the Gillespie and Tresillian Gifts, the all-age relay and the teacher v student relay.  All students are encouraged to dress in their house colours on this day – go crazy, show your team spirit through the coloured outfits you wear!  Free Dress must be sun safe as the afternoon will be spent outdoors. 

GRANDPARENTS DAY  

Don’t forget to let your grandparents know that our annual Grandparent’s Day has been expanded for 2023 and will encompass all year levels from Prep to Year 12.  It will be a big morning at the College on Friday 15 September.   

LOST PROPERTY 

At the end of last term all of the lost property from around the College was collected and placed outside the MPC for collection. The remains of these items were packed up to be donated to St Vincent de Paul. It amazes me how much lost property we accumulate each term around the College, mostly unnamed. Please ensure all items you send to school with your children are named, this includes lunch boxes, water bottles and non-uniform clothing.  As a mum, I am aware of how much these items cost, and it is so much easier for staff to return items when they are clearly labelled. If your child loses items, please encourage them to check the lost property baskets in the Pavilion and SY Plaza and on the blue block for these items.  These items are still at the office if they belong to your family.  They will be donated to St Vincent de Paul next week if they remain unclaimed.   

PREP-YEAR 4 RETREATS 

In Week 3 as part of Catholic Education Week, the Year 11 students as part of their Praxis delivered short retreats to the Prep – Year 4 classes they prepared themselves.  It was a wonderful time watching our younger and older students work, play and learn together.  I have received positive feedback from both students and staff about these retreats and would like to share some of these from our Year 11 students. 

Year 11 Student: 

The grade 3W class was a delight to teach, it was great to get to know the kids and have lots of fun. The class was able to bond closer throughout the retreat and guided each other to be kinder to one another, whilst using faith as key learning experience. The kids expressed lots of great feedback about the retreat and were very grateful for the experience and wished they had more opportunities to connect with the students across the school. After talking to my peers, we found the experience enjoyable and beneficial, and my class is very thankful for the retreat and the consideration you and the other teachers put into it. 

Year 11 Student: 

The Retreats that the Year 11s did were a great way to connect the early years and the seniors of the school. We built relationship with the kids while teaching them valuable lessons about love, community and faith as well as the school's values. We learnt as much from them as I hope they did from us. The retreat was extremely enjoyable, character building and lots of fun and laughs!