In the United States of the 1960’s, people were still segregated (separated) according to their colour. Those of other colour were kept at a distance from whites. Only whites could sit at the front of buses. In restaurants and cafes, people were kept apart according to colour. There were white-only schools. Most blacks were not allowed to vote.

Martin Luther King was a Baptist minister. He became involved in trying to get people to change their attitude of hatred and prejudice. He always preached nonviolence despite the threats, bombings, stabbings and other violence that was done to him. On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King was shot dead.

One of his best-known speeches was delivered at the largest rally ever held in the United States - when a quarter of a million people gathered in Washington in a Civil Rights demonstration. He said:

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

Let us pray:

Father, sometimes I am too quick to draw conclusions about other people, and I fail to see many of the qualities in individuals.

Remove from me any prejudices that might lead me to think of myself as “better” than someone else.

If anyone should be negative towards me, inspire me to remain positive towards them.

Because we are all different, there are many things I need to learn from others, and so I ask for the gifts of understanding and wisdom and a clear vision that will lead me to treat others as I would like them to treat me.

Amen

Let’s each of us think of two people in our lives at home or in school or work today whom we need to value and respect a little more. In silence, let’s think of ways today in which we can improve those relationships.

Week 10

We pray for our Year 8 and 9 students as they embark on their retreats today and Friday. May they be open to faith filled lives which work together to bring about positive communities and societies to make a difference in the world today.

Term 2

Next week is the last week of Term 1! School finishes on Friday 13 April.

ALL students and staff return on MONDAY 30 April. Our pupil free day for Professional Learning will take place on Friday 18 May instead. No students are to attend school on Friday 18 May unless sitting a make up NAPLAN test. Parents of these students will be contacted during that week if their child is required to sit a make up test due to absence.

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews

A letter went home this week to provide information about the new system called “Session Keeper” which we are using to make bookings for Parent interviews.

Primary and Secondary interviews will be held Tuesday 10 April from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. We are no longer sending home Term 1 or 3 work habits reports for Secondary. We encourage all parents to take this opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher/s to discuss their progress during Term 1.

Kindergarten parents will not have interviews on Tuesday as they have already met with the teacher earlier in the term.

If you are unavailable on the evening, please contact your child/ren’s teacher/s via email to make an alternative time.

You do not need your own login or password. You DO need your own email address. If you do not have an email address, please contact the front office staff for assistance.

The link to book times is https://shcscootamundra.sessionkeeper.com.au/

You can also access this link via our website.

Click on the button that looks like this once you have accessed the website:

You will need to select the teacher you wish to book an interview with. ALL teachers are listed – not just your child’s teacher. If you have more than one child or your child has multiple teachers, you will need to book with each separately.

Bookings will be closed at 11.30am on Tuesday so that teachers can print their booking sheets and be ready for the first interviews at 3.30pm. If you need to make any changes after that time, please contact the front office so that teachers can be alerted.

Changes to the calendar:

Primary Rugby Gala Day, Young Cancelled – 4 April

18 May – 1 Mudyi assembly moved to the 9 November

11 May – 3 Wayarang assembly 11:45

With blessings,

Mrs Janet Cartwright

Principal

janet.cartwright@cg.catholic.edu.au