Hope is this week’s character strength.  So, this week we pray for hope in this time of uncertainty and need in our world:  

For generosity of spirit. 
For hope in times of despair. 
For light in the darkness. 

Gracious and Loving God, 
You are our comforter and our hope. 
Hear our prayers as we come before you. 
Strengthen us in this time of need. 
Inspire us to acts of solidarity and generosity 
and give us hope of a brighter future. 

Amen  

Catholic Education Week 

Traditionally this week we would celebrate Catholic Education Week.  This week although we are not officially celebrating this occasion, we do celebrate some staff for their contribution to Catholic Education. 

For 25 years of service to Catholic Education we congratulate Mrs Jacqueline Jenkinson and Mrs Katrina Walton. 

For their nomination for Spirit of Catholic Education Awards we congratulate Ms Jacinta Willocks and Mrs Katrina Walton. 

We thank these staff and all those who work tirelessly in our Catholic schools to educate the heads and hearts of our students.    

Parent Portal – change of use 

Our use of current Parent Portal will end at the end of 2020 as we move to our new system Sentral.  In preparation for this change, you may like to download your digital copies of student report cards before your access is removed.  Report cards from before 2020 will not be uploaded to the ‘new’ parent portal.  2020 Report Cards will be uploaded and be available in 2021 but will not be uploaded this year.   

Re-Creation 

We have once again commenced Re-Creation activities for students in Years 7-12.  Re-Creation options were sent out to students in the last week of Term 2 and they chose their preferred option based on personal interest and availability.  Group sizes are limited depending on activity, venue and staff ratios.  Once a student has signed up to an activity they must complete this activity for the full term.  This term there are only 7 Fridays.  Students begin activities at 1:50pm and return to the College to be dismissed at 3:10pm.  All groups ensure they are back by this time so students can transition to home easily.  There are so many great opportunities for students to re-energise at the end of the week through Re-Creation, make sure you discuss your child’s option with them to hear about the fun activity they have chosen to participate in.   

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum - Recognise  

Last week we started to implement the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. The first key safety message of the curriculum is recognise. Recognise is about being aware of your environment.  

Children, young people and adults can all learn to take notice of what is happening around them to help keep themselves safe. Everyone can use clues, such as the things we see, hear, smell or feel to help protect us from harm and keep ourselves safe. Clues can be simple things that warn us about a danger, e.g. hearing a fire alarm or seeing smoke, that prompt us to react. We can also use clues to prepare for potentially unsafe situations, e.g. if we are walking alone at night, then we try to use a well-lit route and avoid secluded lanes or parks.  

When we recognise that there might be a safety problem we can take steps to move away or reduce the risk or develop strategies that can help keep us safe. For instance, if you are in a busy environment such as the Ekka or a local event where there are big crowds, you might consider what you and your child could do if you became separated. Strategies could include: going to a highly visible pre-determined meeting spot; writing your phone number on a card and placing it in your child’s pocket; identifying who your child could approach if they become lost, e.g. police, staff at a booth.  

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at www.education.qld.gov.au/child-safety-curriculum. 

Seminarian Visit 

Last week we were joined at the College by Thomas Popovis (3rd year) and Gerard Lai (4th year) visiting Seminarians from Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo.  They were spending the week in our parish of St Joseph’s for pastoral experience in their formation towards the ministry of priesthood. These inspiring young men immersed themselves in our College community, visiting classes, speaking to students, praying with students and even joining the staff touch football team.  We thank them for their visit and fellowship throughout the week. 

Biblical Garden 
Alongside the refurbishment of classrooms into our College Chapel is the creation of a biblical garden out the side of this space.  Currently this space is a blank canvas for us to create a space where all can quietly reflect and pray.  Over the next few months we will continue to update you with our ideas and developments of this garden and would love, when the need arises, to have parent and student input and assistance in creating something beautiful.