Dear Parents & Friends,

The Australian Catholic Church has been challenged again following the reports from the media about Cardinal Pell’s conviction.  Unfortunately, the Catholic Church does not have a good story at the moment.  We are in between stories and we need to create a new story that celebrates our work and the work of the Church based on goodness, fidelity and love.  As a young person I used to grapple with the question: “How come we call the Spirit - Spirit of Peace when there is so much suffering and war in the world and why does God allow it?”  Many wise theologians have tried to understand the mystery of suffering but, like love, in its essence it is inexplicable.  I think there are times when I need to remind myself that God’s peace isn’t just everything going well with no challenges.  The one thing I do know, without doubt, St Paul’s Parish Catholic Primary School community is creating our story right now.  It is a story where I shared with you in our first newsletter our journey this year.  It MUST be a good story because you place your children in our care every day with the belief they will be kept safe, on the whole happy and finally well educated.  We thank you for having the belief in our school community to do this well.  This doesn’t mean that it is perfect all the time.  This isn’t true peace.  I pray this is the case at St Paul’s.  In light of the above I leave you with the words of Martin Luther King:

“  True peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of justice and brotherhood.”

In addition to my thoughts the following information has been given to schools by the Catholic Education Office of Wollongong:

Following media reports of the conviction of Cardinal George Pell, a statement has been released by the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, to the Catholic community.

There is no doubt news of this verdict of Cardinal Pell will give rise to a range of emotions and responses.  The legal process will now run its course. 

We should never forget, that in any matter of this nature our prayers and concerns are with victims and their families.  Please be assured, that our school system works tirelessly to ensure the safety of every child in our schools, and will continue to do so, as together we share the responsibility for the wellbeing of your children.

If you or your child requires support, please contact the Principal directly or you may also wish to contact the CatholicCare Sydney Parent Line NSW on 1300 1300 52.  Concerns of child abuse and crimes must be reported to the relevant authorities which are the NSW department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) and the Police.

Child Protection personnel at the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong are also available to provide confidential advice and support.

See included in this newsletter the statement from Bishop Brian Mascord.

Reagrds,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Listening Assembly - A date for your calendar

WEDNESDAY, 27 MARCH 2019 6.30 - 8.30PM

A Listening Assembly is a clear structured process to seek feedback from parents in our school community about Catholic Life and Religious Education ( Prayer life of the school, Religious Education, opportunities to share faith, community service etc), Students and Their Learning ( Teaching and delivery of the curriculum, learning intervention and support, use of technology to support learning etc) and Parents and Partnership (Work of the P&F, Class Parent Reps, community events such as Grandparents Day, fete etc).

The process will value everyone’s thoughts and ideas and “funnel” them in a way that we come up with the five top ideas in each of the three areas outlines.  These ideas then will become our focus and work as a school community over the next three years and I will regularly report on our progress throughout each year.

The process will begin with finger food and drinks outside the canteen area for approximately thirty minutes before the Listening Assembly Commences.  It will also finish with finger food and drinks afterwards to make it a true social gathering.

The process will not require individuals to share their thoughts with the whole group, just a group of 8 - 10 parents which you will be seated with inside the school hall.  The ideas of each table are then funneled further to become our shared ideas and recommendations.

Please RSVP on the form below and return it to the school office or alternatively you can email your RSVP via info@spcdow.catholic or by phoning the school office on 46548900.

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Listening Assembly - RSVP

I will be attending the Listening Assembly on Wednesday, 27 March 2019.

Parent Name: _________________________________  Parent Contact:________________________

Child's Name; __________________________________  Class: __________________________________