From the Principal's Desk
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have reached the end of the first term as we enter into Holy Week with larger numbers allowed back into the Church. This is a significant time in the Church year but a special time where we can all be a community again. I have been reflecting on Holy Week and the meaning of the cross. Jesus said:
“If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it;but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
Our classrooms have a crucifix present in every classroom, and so they should! The cross is a central religious symbol about the christian way. It reminds us of the greatest paradox, transformation through failure. As we strive for excellence in our school, there is also to be a space for failure. Somehow, our assessment successes, the sporting prowess of students, festive prizes, must never be established as the norm for our school endeavours lest the shadow side of school life is ignored.
The paradox of failure is an authentic human experience and the children need to be in touch with its realities. The christian way is that on the point of failure stands the prospect of redemption and grace. There is no implication here of opting out from striving for excellence or accepting indifferent efforts but an awareness that we all carry limits whoever we are or whatever we do. Limits do not represent our worth. By incorporating the shadow side, our failures as a part of our humanity, we are more in touch with self awareness and our growth as people.
This is an important lesson that we need to constantly teach our children. Otherwise, we don’t assist them in forming their own resilience and their capacity to own the choices they make.
How good are you at reminding your children about the two faces of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, both belong to the same person, Jesus Christ?
May the Easter Season be a restful time for your family and enjoy the downtime it provides for us all.
Go gently,
Michael Reardon
Principal
Dismissal Back To 3.15pm
We are finally able to bring back into our school procedures, normal 3.15pm afternoon dismissal. Each class is brought out onto area two where they are lined up to wait for dismissal. It is important that parents stay away from the side where the toilets are as we need this area clear for classes to make their way to their line up area. It is also important that parents do not take their children off the line and wait for their child to be given the direction to go to them.
We are busy people who have competing deadlines, but having to wait an extra few minutes before ensuring everyone leaves in an orderly and safe way is more important than this desire to move off rapidly. We stand at the gate to ensure that each child is leaving with an adult, moving carefully out into the Larkin Street carpark. I’m sure you can all accept that a little inconvenience will always be “trumped” by the safety of the children.
Letter from Bishop Brian Mascord & Peter Hill