We are now officially half way through the first term, we have begin our Lenten journey and autumn is now here. This week we welcomed our families for the first of the community breakfast to mark Shrove Tuesday with 350 pancakes and fruit. It was so nice to see the families mingling on the the secondary playground and enjoying the hospitality of the Mercy House staff. Thank you to the staff who catered and especially Ms Last who prepared the pancake mixture to help feed our community. We also celebrated the beginning of Lent with a joint parish and school Ash Wednesday Mass. Unfortunately I could not be there to share the Eucharist but I received a beautiful email from a visitor to our church that was moved by the Mass. I have attached excerpts from the email. Thank you to our community for their reverent and respectful attitude to the Mass.

I had the privilege of attending the Ash Wednesday Mass this morning with Mum at Coota and I wanted to pass on my thoughts which I hope you will pass on to your staff. The Mass itself was so prayerful and meaningful, and set the scene as a perfect way to begin the Lenten Season.

The children were so respectful and their participation in the singing and prayers was amazing! The choir should be so proud of their efforts, their beautiful singing only added to the liturgical significance of the Mass.

Finally the amazing team of helpers, who each had an important role to play, all pulled together to ensure a seamless progression through the different parts that make up an Ash Wednesday Mass.

I think it would have to be one of the most spiritually meaningful Masses that I have been to in along time!

We have our fingers crossed that the doors and windows will arrive on the 17 March so that we can complete the refurbishment of our Primary classrooms. Unfortunately the delay in completing the building has necessitated a change to the schedule of Primary assemblies because currently one of our classes has taken up residence in the Breakout space. We do not have the available performance space, with NAPLAN testing and relocation of all our classes, until we are back in the Parker st building. So the 1B assembly that was set down for Week 6 will not be able to go ahead. Staff are currently discussing the different schedule and ways to celebrate students’ learning and our award program. Stay tuned for the new iteration of Primary assemblies and when, how and where this will happen.

IMPORTANT: The NAPLAN testing period will begin next week on 12 March and will conclude on 24 March. Please refer to the testing schedule regarding the dates and times for their tests to help avoid any clashes with appointments and other commitments. Please try to avoid making any external appointments during this time. Ms Marsay has sent out expectations and details for all students regarding their iPads and testing expectations.

Next Friday evening our enthusiastic P & F will host the annual Colour Run on 14 March. The event will be held in the school playground starting at the COLA in Sutton st. It will be the same pricing as last year with $10 per person or $30 for a family of four. Food and drinks will be available for purchase as well and all money will be used to fund some furniture for the newly refurbished classrooms and breakout space in Primary.

I have had the privilege of spending the last few days with the other 55 Principals in our Archdiocese. We have enjoyed the opportunity to network and learn from each other about leading our schools. Our interim Director of Catholic Education Ms Pam Betts was an inspirational speaker whose wealth

of experience provided a positive direction for our diocese as we move to incorporation and a new Director David de Carvahlo.

REMINDER: School Photo envelopes have been sent home. Please drag them out of the bottom of bags so that you can get your order in before the day - 26 March. We would greatly appreciate that you avoid appointments on this day and that students continue to abide by the uniform policy in all aspects.

Remember it does not cost anything to be kind and it is one of the greatest gifts that you can give.

God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal