VALE Fr Kevin Barry Cotter – Rest in Peace

Over the weekend we learnt the very sad news that Fr Kevin had passed away in his sleep on his beloved farm in Adelong. We were very privileged to have him serve our school and community for nearly 10 years. He was a man of wisdom, compassion, humility, integrity and faith. He was a pastor and a teacher. He was a leader and a friend.  He was an amazing man, whose mission was to make memories, to serve his God and to live a life of faith. His legacy lives on in so many ways in our school. His words of wisdom continue to echo around our school and his love for his mission in our school was inspiring. His contribution to Catholic Education in our Archdiocese is legendary and he was a true man of God. Fr Kevin had told us that “it was not his place to judge people, he simply pastored and left the judging to God.” We will miss him. As he used to say, “Go gently now!” Funeral details have not been confirmed yet but we will forward times and dates as they come to hand. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.

This week we farewell Mrs Chesworth as she begins her new adventure. We look forward to seeing all the photos and one day meeting her little person. We wish her every blessing and happiness. Mrs Carol MacIver and Mrs Stacey Fry are very excited about taking on the responsibility for Stage 1C. We welcome Mrs MacIver to our staff and know that she will love being a part of our community.

Next Friday 12 March is our Biannual Fete. It is a major fundraiser to help resource our classrooms and to continue to provide for our students and staff. We hope that you can find time to spend with us and even maybe, help out on the night. If you are able to help please contact the school or Mrs Nancy Smith or Mrs Sharon Williams. It promises to be an excellent family and community evening with lots to do and lots to eat. Please remember to send in the items requested from the different class/year groups to help us with chocolate wheel prizes or lolly bags and drinks. Next Monday 8 March will be the final Fete meeting before the evening and it will follow the P & F AGM. This is an important meeting to set future directions and to elect Office bearers for the year. Please give some thought to contributing to this wonderful group of dedicated parents.

Our Year 9 students are busily preparing for the Passion Play presentation on Good Friday. Mrs Maxwell and Mr Turner are devoting hours to ensuring that this year’s presentation is prayerful and inspiring. The presentation will take place on Thursday 1 April at 10am for the school community and at 11am on 2 April for the Parish community. Please note that the times have changed this year from the traditional 3pm presentation at the Good Friday service.

Already the term is flying past and there are lots of events happening. Our students are enthusiastically embracing all the activities on offer and striving to make the most of class time. Remember that it is very important that students are at school every day and that you communicate with the school if they are away for unavoidable reasons. Attendance is still our major focus and we are intent on improving the percentage of students who are present in the classroom each and every day. Please contact us in the first instance if there is a reason why your child/ren are not coming to school.

March 2 is recognised as National Be Kind Day. Hopefully at Sacred Heart every day is Be Kind Day. It does not cost anything to be kind and the difference it can make to someone’s day cannot be underestimated. There is always time to be kind. Kind is the new cool!!!

Remember, if you have to choose between being extraordinary or kind, be extraordinarily kind!

God Bless

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal