Issue 5, 28 March 2025

The convergence of the Third Week of Lent and the Solemnity of the Annunciation invites a unique reflection on the themes of humility, obedience, and divine grace. As we journey through Lent, we are reminded of our need for God's mercy and the transformative power of His love. The Annunciation, with its message of hope and redemption, offers a moment of joy and anticipation for the coming season. 

In this time, we can reflect on our own willingness to say 'yes' to God's call in our lives. To be open to His will, even when it challenges us or leads us into the unknown?  

May this period of Lent and the celebration of the Annunciation deepen our faith, renew our spirits, and draw us closer to the heart of God. 

On Monday our Year 10 students participated in First Aid. The day was an informative and engaging way for students to gain valuable life-saving skills. The day began with an introduction to the basics of first aid, including how to assess a situation and prioritise care. Students learned about common injuries and emergencies and how to respond effectively. Hands-on demonstrations were a key part of the day, allowing everyone to practice techniques like CPR and wound dressing. Interactive scenarios helped students apply what they had learned, reinforcing the importance of staying calm and acting quickly.

By the end of day, students left with a greater understanding of how to provide immediate care in emergencies, to potentially save lives. It was a valuable experience that highlighted the importance of being prepared and knowledgeable in first aid. 

As per our assessment and reporting schedule, students in Years 3-12 will receive an Interim report before the end of Week 11. This report will provide a helpful snapshot of your child’s learning throughout Term 1. I also encourage parents/caregivers to check SEQTA and review the assessments that have been uploaded throughout the term.  

While students in Years R-2 do not receive and Interim Report at the end of Term 1, you can check the SEESAW application, which is used to provide parents/caregiver with an ongoing window into student activity, learning and achievements. I encourage parents/caregivers to contact their student’s class teacher if you have any questions.  

The All Saints Catholic Parish will be holding a Children and Young People’s Mass this Saturday 29 March at 6:30pm and Sunday 30 March at 10:30am. This will be an opportunity for children and young people of the parish to lead this mass – reading, bring forth the gifts and singing. We would love to see as many families as possible attend this mass, as we begin to celebrate these once per term with the celebration of each Sacrament. If you would like your child to be involved, please contact Mrs Chloe Shanahan at Caritas College on 8648 9700 or chloe.shanahan@cc.catholic.edu.au  

Throughout the six weeks of Lent, students across the College will learn about the work of Project Compassion and how it helps provide individuals and communities across the  world with much needed money or equipment to access basic human resources. 

This week, we introduce Irene, a single mother in the war-torn Kongolo region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After her husband abandoned here, Irene struggled to support her two children, often going hungry for extended periods of time. 

Through Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Kongolo, Irene joined the Youth Capacity Strengthening program, gaining skills in sewing and farming, enabling her to earn a steady income and support her family. 

Our Year 11 students continue to reflect upon their personal experiences from their Caritas K’s walk the other week and are now seeking donations to support our Project Compassion campaign.  

You can donate online through the QR code or alternatively by clicking here.   

As we mark the half way point of Lent, the time of preparation for the season of Easter. We remain in Lent and Holy Week until Easter Sunday, celebrated on April 20. The themes during this time are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. On Easter Sunday, we move into the joyful season of Easter which is 50 days of celebrating. In honouring the significance and this wonderful tradition, the giving of Easter eggs is encouraged to happen only after the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. 

If you are looking for a way to enjoy your Easter treats that support ethical and sustainable practices, consider purchasing slavery-free certified chocolate Easter eggs. This sends a message to chocolate companies that consumers care about social justice and responsibility, connected to our Catholic Social Teaching of Dignity of the Human Person. 

Holy Week this year falls in the first week of the school holidays, so throughout Week 11, students across the College will gather in year levels to commemorate the Stations of the Cross. Since the earliest centuries of the Church, Christians have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem to walk in the footsteps of Jesus during his suffering, death and resurrection. During the fifteenth century, Christians began the practice of prayerfully meditating on the Passion of Christ by reproducing the pilgrimage in what we now know as the Stations of the Cross. By walking with Jesus, we join our personal suffering with his, knowing that he will lead us to new life through his Resurrection.  

In this Jubilee Year, where we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, the Stations of the Cross takes on a significant meaning as we consider the hope that Jesus continues to bring to our world as we journey with him in his final moments. 

On Tuesday, we marked the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is when we celebrate the day that the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, announcing that she was going to be the mother of Jesus. Even though Mary did not understand completely, she trusted God’s plan for her life, and she said yes to becoming the mother of God and our spiritual mother. 

The words of the Hail Mary come from the Angel’s greeting: 'Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you'. God’s grace lives in each one of us, however Mary was full of grace as she was deemed to be the most perfect vessel to carry Jesus. 

2025 has seen the implementation of our Positive Behavioural Interventions and Support framework across the R-12 College to support the explicit teaching of expected behaviour, recognition of expected behaviours and redirection and correction of behaviour errors.  

The school’s three expectations to be safe, responsible and respectful are embedded through pastoral care programs, social and emotional learning programs and everyday classroom conversations to support the consistent use of language and expectations for all students.  

The Caritas College staff worked through 2024 to populate what the framework would be for our context and create resources to support all students regardless of prior exposure. The key elements of this framework are;  

• Explicit teaching of expected behaviours  
• Encouragement of desired behaviours 
• Data-informed decision making to target specific behaviours  
• Correction / redirection of behaviour errors  

The introduction of our House Point System to encourage safe, responsible and respectful behaviours has seen the whole school reach two out of three milestones so far this term. When our school reached 1000 house points students were awarded an extended play time, at 2000 celebrated with Zooper Dooper and if we reach 3000 points we will have a buddy class lesson in week 11.  

The House Points also contribute to the year long House Cup awarded to the house team with the most house points.  

To support students demonstrating behaviour errors, we have engaged with our behaviour error pathway. Part of this follow up is engaging with students earlier after repeated minor (classroom / teacher managed) behaviour errors to support positive redirection before major (school leadership managed) errors could eventuate. This process includes a student conference where students participate in a targeted conversation about their current behaviour data as documented by staff, the expected replacement behaviour and setting goals to reach a desired outcome.  

We have been excited by the engagement from students across the college to demonstrate expected behaviours and enthused by the common language being used in various settings.  

If you are interested in learning more about Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports, please visit:  

• https://pbismissouri.org/ 
• https://rypple.org.au/positive-behaviour-support/