There is a certain weariness that seems to be creeping into so many lives in this third week of lockdown. Our students are tired of being away from each other and the normality of school life. Our parents are tired from trying to be everything to their children; both parent and teacher. Our staff are tired of being away from their students and colleagues and from trying to ensure every student is getting what they need. But there is joy and hope that comes with Spring that promises new and better things are coming. This lockdown won’t last forever, these restrictions won’t last forever and remote-learning won’t last forever. We can be confident that this will pass and just like the glorious weather that has returned, so too some sense of normality will return. Let us hope and pray that this will be here sooner than we expect and everyone will be safe and well when this is all over.

Three weeks down and we still do not have a definitive ‘end date’ but we will continue to manage the remote learning platform as best we can. We are very appreciative of the entire community who has supported this challenging period. Remember you are not trained to be teachers and we do not expect you to have all the answers. Please try to be a calm presence rather than a dictatorial one because we still want everyone to be friends and speaking to each other when this is over. We will continue to keep the school open for the children of essential workers and children who cannot be supervised at home. We recognise that there are legitimate exceptions to every rule and if you need to speak with me around your child’s options please send me an email or contact me through the Front Office.

When you look for the joy in life it is always there to be found and we continue to be inspired by our students as they embrace remote learning and the lessons that they are learning. Our Student Leadership Team conducted a Spring photo competition for the entire student body and they were overwhelmed with the response. The winner for this week was Gillian Hunt of Year 5 with runners up Sam Clark Year 1 and Lily Murphy Year 9. If you look hard enough you will always see wonderful things.

More award winners next week I hope!!

We have also begun the installation of the new secondary shade area proudly developed and organised by our Student Leadership Team with the full financial backing of our hard working P & F. The new shade area will complement the existing shaded areas and provide much needed shaded passive space as we head into summer. Thank you to the Student Leaders for this initiative and their enthusiasm in getting the project off the ground, and to their PCA Mrs Murray for her guidance. We will also be replacing the shade covers in both Primary and Infants to ensure that we are keeping our younger students sun-safe as well. Hopefully they will be all ready to go by the time we return.

Today we drew the Father’s Day raffle that was started just before the lockdown began and despite limited selling opportunities the P & F were still able to turn a profit from leftover fete donations.

First Prize: Terry McKenzie: Father’s day Goodies – tools and assorted supplies

Second Prize: Rhonda Douglas  -Chambers fuel voucher (donated by Cootamundra Medical Centre)

Third Prize: Fernan Morales –Wrangler Cap (donated by Kevin Deeps Clothing) and goodies

As we enter week 9 and another week of restrictions it is very important we remember to be kind to ourselves and each other. The world needs more kindness not more stress. This is an unprecedented time. It’s time for unprecedented kindness!

Take care! God Bless! Stay well!

Father’s Day Song

Reading: LK 15: 11-32

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So, the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So, he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So, he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

Reflection: 

The Prodigal Son is a reading most people are very familiar with. For today’s reflection, think of Dad. Note in Luke’s Gospel he says “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.” Reflect on the thousands of times a father waits in vigil. Whether a son coming back from school, a daughter from her first dance, a child serving in the armed forces: the gift of our fathers always waiting and watching over us.

Prayer: 

“GOD OUR FATHER, WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND PRAISE FOR FATHERS YOUNG AND OLD.

WE PRAY FOR YOUNG FATHERS, NEWLY EMBRACING THEIR VOCATION; MAY THEY FIND COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE TO BALANCE WORK, FAMILY AND FAITH IN JOY AND SACRIFICE.

WE PRAY FOR OUR OWN FATHERS AROUND THE WORLD WHOSE CHILDREN ARE LOST OR SUFFERING; MAY THEY KNOW THAT THE GOD OF COMPASSION WALKS WITH THEM IN THEIR SORROW.

WE PRAY FOR MEN WHO ARE NOT FATHERS BUT STILL MENTOR AND GUIDE US WITH FATHERLY LOVE AND ADVICE.

WE REMEMBER FATHERS, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT GRANDFATHERS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US BUT WHO LIVE FOREVER IN OUR MEMORY AND NOURISH US WITH THEIR LOVE.

AMEN”

Stay active during Lockdown

Watch this first - https://youtu.be/84ttG5OPfos

Try something new every week until the end of the term!

For these options please make sure you warm-up, stretch, hydrate, and for some of the activities DO NOT GO ALONE! Check with an adult/tell someone where you are going and what time you intend to be back. Be safe at all times!

Here are some suggestions:

• Yoga - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLui6Eyny-UzwheLDyEScgdgbh7z3FgNCX
• HIIT Training - https://youtu.be/ml6cT4AZdqI
• Pilates - https://youtu.be/G9TSbIrp8qQ
• Go to the Skate Park or Mountain Bike track (wear a helmet)
• Go Geocaching - like a treasure hunt all over the world - there are quite a few in Cootamundra. Watch out for Muggles and be safe at all times! Watch this - https://youtu.be/xE-zMPhiAi0 and download the app - https://youtu.be/xE-zMPhiAi0
• Go for a bush walk with a family member - DO NOT GO ALONE, and tell someone where you are going and what time you intend to be back.
• Play Volleyball in the backyard - use a rope as the net.
• Play Table Tennis - use a broomstick across the dining table for a net. Use your hand as a paddle. Use a ball of foil or rubber bands or scrunched paper wrapped in sticky tape for the ball.
• Dance up a storm! - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wii+dance 
• Play hopscotch or handball.
• Go for a run - download the Zombie Run app! DO NOT GO ALONE, and tell someone where you are going and what time you intend to be back.
• Make a space to do a workout or a home gym (with items you have around the house) and get active.
• Learn to Juggle - https://youtu.be/p4_IUMS4yc8
• Meditate - https://youtu.be/8Ix9gPr6YA8
• Put some music on and bop along as you clean/vacuum the house.
• Mow the lawn - check with your parents first!
• Do some gardening.
• Play a round of Golf.
• Play backyard Cricket.
• Try the 'Bring Sally Up' Challenge for sit-ups, push-ups, squats, calf raises, chin-ups, or up/down planks - https://youtu.be/bql6sIU2A7k