Dear parent and caregivers,

The weeks just seem to be going very fast. It is hard to believe that we are heading into the final two weeks of Term 1.

March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, when the Church celebrates Mary’s “yes” to the call of God. This year Catholics are being encouraged to join their prayers with those of Pope Francis on this day, when he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a good day for the consecration, a day for the world to say “yes” to the call of peace.

Harmony Week was celebrated this week. A big thank you to all the staff and students for making the effort to dress in their traditional clothing or simply wearing orange to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity and how all of our differences make Australia a great place to live. Thank you to the parents that provided food for students to share. This all would not have happened without the wonderful Mrs Manov who organised the day … a big thank you from all of us!

A reminder to all parents, if your child is unwell, please do not send them to school and complete the online Absentee form via the website. If your child receives a Covid positive PCR/RAT please complete the Self-Reporting Form for Students and Staff and email myself or Emma Fernandez of the positive result. This notification will be considered the explained absences for your child. Thank you to those that have done this already, it helps immensely with the paperwork!

Parent/teacher interviews will take place in Week 9 and 10 of this term. Please refer to the information sent out by Emma Fernandez for more details.

Finally, the impact that Covid has had on our school may be minor in comparison to other schools but it still bring with it a great deal of anxiety. I have been so impressed by the resilience of all our students that have had to deal with the many changes and new routines that have been thrown their way this term. Every day I am greeted by smiling eyes (some smiles are hidden behind masks) and I count my blessings to be involved with such a wonderful school community. To my staff, remember challenges make us stronger and unite us as a team!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

God bless

Rebecca Clarke

Principal

School interviews will be taking place this term for PP, Year 1, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 during Week 9 (Monday, 28 March to Wednesday, 30 March) and Week 10 (Monday, 4 April to Wednesday, 6 April). Due to current COVID restrictions, all interviews will take place over the phone.

Meetings are for fifteen minutes only. To book your meeting, please book through PTO (Parent Teacher Online) website then use the code: 2yw3n

Using a desktop computer?

https://bookings.parentteacheronline.com.au/?school=2yw3n

Using a mobile device?

Download the PTO Mobile App

Enter School Code: 2yw3n

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Janice, a Wagilak woman and traditional dancer who tells her family’s stories through movements handed down over generations.

Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice’s faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities.

Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.

If you are picking up your child early, please email the administration officer with enough notice so that arrangements can be made to have your child/children ready for collection on your arrival.

Thank you for continuing to support our school with the Colour Explosion School Fun Run. We are so excited to say that with two weeks remaining, the anticipation is building!

It is our responsibility to seek permission for your child to participate in the Colour Explosion School Fun Run. Please complete and return the form below to the Administration Office if you DO NOT consent for your child/s to participate in the Colour Explosion™ School Fun Run.

Order your delicious Hot Cross Buns now!

Payments to be made by bank Transfer only to:

BSB 086-006

ACCT 246897524

Please remember to use your Family Name as the reference on your transfer.

Orders close on Friday, 1 April. Your order will go home with your child on Thursday, 7 April - Ready for your Good Friday breakfast!

Please complete the order form and bring to the office or email to admin to place your order! (no cash payment please) Thank you

Sacrament of Confirmation

Commitment Mass – Saturday, 30 April & Sunday, 1 May (New dates)

Parent/Child Workshop 5:00pm Wednesday, 25 May

Retreat Day - Friday, 10 June

Sacrament of Confirmation – Saturday, 11 June & Sunday, 12 June

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Commitment Mass - Saturday, 18 June & Sunday, 19 June

Parent/Child Workshop - 5:00pm Wednesday, 10 August

Sacrament of Holy Communion - Saturday, 27 August & Sunday 28 August

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Commitment Mass - Saturday, 17 September & Sunday, 18 September

Parent/Child Workshop - 5:00pm Wednesday, 26 October

Sacrament of Reconciliation - 5:00pm Tuesday, 8 November & Wednesday, 9 November

Term 1 Monday, 31 January to Friday, 8 April

School Holidays: Saturday, 9 April – Monday, 25 April

Term 2 Tuesday, 26 April to Friday, 1 July

School Holidays: Saturday, 2 July – Sunday, 17 July

Term 3 Tuesday, 19 July to Friday, 23 September

School Holidays: Saturday, 24 September to Sunday, 9 October

Term 4 Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December

School Holidays: Saturday, 10 December – Sunday, 29 Jan 2023 (TBC)

**Please note there have been some date changes to the Student Free Days

Term 1 Friday, 4 March

Term 2 Tuesday, 7 June

Term 3 Monday, 18 July and Friday, 19 August

Term 4 Monday, 10 October