This morning driving to school I passed the Anglican church notice board where it was emblazoned with “Autumn leaves but God doesn’t”. This is a lovely reminder that amidst the bleak weather and flus and sniffles there is always hope that there is a promise of better things to come and that our God is a constant. It was lovely to celebrate this on Saturday night at the Parish Mass where some of the students of Mercy House led the ministries of the Mass. After we joined together in a light supper of soup and bread to share with our parish family. Thank you to all the families who braved the cold to join us for Mass. We also were there to share in the baptism of two of our newest students, Trey and Malhaki and their three brothers who were welcomed into the catholic and parish community.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK and 3NGA Assembly

Last week Stage 3NGA led the Primary assembly with a glorious display of their vast and varied talents. The theme of ‘Circus’ was befitting an entertaining and talented troupe of year 5 & 6 students. Thank you to the whole class for their efforts and to Mr Turner and Mrs Fry who had prepared them all so thoroughly. They also recognised the significance and importance of National Reconciliation Week with a carefully prepared speech on its meaning and value. I have included the script of the speech because as a collaborative effort from all the students it is powerful in what it recognises as reconciliation and how we move forward as a united community.

“We commemorate National reconciliation week. This is not just a day when we say sorry, but a time when we as a multicultural society can recognise that the original white settlers did not treat the inhabitants of this nation with respect care or love. The removal of children from families, the segregation of blacks from whites and the stopping of a nomadic race from living off the land that they belonged to, was so wrong and we recognise this now.

As a nation today we have come from every corner of the globe we are a multicultural, multi-coloured country where we live together, work together, play together and have freedom of choice of religion, food, clothes, sports, entertainment, schools as well as clean food, safe drinking water and clean air.

We need to focus on the present and the future to ensure that no one is isolated, hated, poor or hungry. We need to guarantee that it never never happens again.

This week we don’t say sorry but we seek reconciliation with the original inhabitants of this great country, we wish to make amends for the wrongs of the past, we want to work together and show that we are one! We want to fix it! We must walk toward the future with courage.

This week is a part of the process of healing to strengthen the bonds of trust, to move forward to seek forgiveness and to also forgive. It means to really consider the hurts of our indigenous brothers and sisters and move toward a new and bright future, we need to consider what has happened in the past and to look to the future and make it a brand new day!

On this day we would ask that each of us consciously make an effort to put aside indifference and prejudice stop making excuses and be forgiving and caring. Let’s all walk together with courage.”

MOCK TRIAL

Last Friday the 2019 Mock trial team ventured into new territory when they participated in the 3^rd Round against Snow Mountains Grammar via a ZOOM meeting. This meant we never left the warmth of my office and the Jindabyne students were linked up over the internet. This was a new and often challenging set up but it saved hours of travel for both teams and allowed us to gain the practice and skills that come from competing in this competition. It was a unanimous decision that our lawyers had prevailed and secured another victory. We are now in the throes of preparing for the final round against All Saints/Scots Bathurst to be held here in Cootamundra and presided over by one of our own alumni Mr David Miller. This is a very exciting experience for us all.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FORUM

Today members of our Year 10 cohort will travel to Wagga Wagga to participate in the regional Mental Health Forum led by Headspace and involving most of the regional high schools. Here they will hear from experienced practitioners, emergency services, other students and professionals to help them to identify, and implement strategies to support others experiencing mental health issues. It is a powerful forum for our students to be with other young people to recognise the importance of this issue. Thank you to Ms Marsay for accompanying the students.

SPORTING EXTRAVAGANZA

This week we have a plethora of sporting ventures to challenge our students. Today our fleet-of-foot cross-country runners will traverse Mt Stromlo in Canberra competing in the Archdiocesan Cross Country. Our Rugby League stars will compete in the first round of the Small School Competition in Tumut (both Under 13s and Opens) and all students will participate in the Annual School Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 5 June. One of the benefits of a small school is that you do get to try all the range of sporting activities on offer.

Go gently

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal