Issue 16, 20 September 2024

This coming Saturday we celebrate St Matthew’s Feast Day. Matthew
was a tax collector. Meeting Jesus changed his life for the better. Matthew later became an apostle, and he gave us one of the gospel accounts about Jesus’ life. His story inspired others as a sign or humility, transformation, compassion and loyalty. 

When we look at the life of Mary MacKillop, we see similar values such as inclusivity, kindness, service, strength, courage, and perseverance. We can easily draw lines of similarity between all the saints. While they all made a mark on this world with their own strengths, gifts and talents, let’s not forget that they were all inspired by the story of Jesus. Like Matthew and Mary MacKillop, may we draw on our own unique strengths to do extraordinary things in our ordinary world. 

Last Tuesday there was a splash of red around our school for a good cause. It was World Duchenne Awareness Day and students wore a red accessory to increase awareness and raise funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We were pleased to raise $495 and donate it to the 'Save our Sons' Foundation. Thank you for your support of this worthy cause.

Thanks to Mr Lambert for organising our students to participate in the Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 SSSSA Basketball Competition today at the Central Oval. It’s great that our students are able to engage in these extra-curricula activities in the wider community, which supports them to learn and grow their interests in different sports and activities. .

On Thursday a good number of our Year 12 students braved the elements and participated in our annual ‘sleep out’ to raise awareness for those Australians who are homeless. The aim of the event is for students to experience a glimpse of what it might be like for people who are currently without a permanent home or shelter. 

Awareness is the greatest agent for change. As we aspire to support and develop our young people to become active citizens in a world where sometimes people find themselves living in hardship and poverty, we hope these types of experiences help shape our students to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

On Friday Week 7 staff engaged in a reflection day that was held at Melrose. Our intention for the day was to make connections with the Season of Creation and our Josephite charism to deepen our understanding to care for God’s creation at Caritas College.  In doing so, we endeavour to strengthen our commitment to ecological sustainability. Thank you to the families who supported this important experience on a student free day for staff to engage in faith formation which nurtures the mission and vision of our school. 

Parents/Caregivers of students in Years 3-12 will receive an Interim Report for their child(ren) at the end of next week via SEQTA Engage. The Interim Report will indicate the grade achieved so far this semester, as well as the student’s effort in each learning area. Please take this opportunity to discuss your child’s achievements and growth at this point in the school year. Feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about their Interim Report.

We are currently mapping out how 2025 will look for our school. We would appreciate any anticipated changes in enrolments to be communicated to the front office as soon as possible. We also ask that an Application for Enrolment form be filled out for any new children starting in 2025 (both at the beginning of the year and mid-year intake). These can be requested via our website or collected from the front office at any time.

Over the last two weeks, to acknowledge the Season of Creation, our students in Years 7-12 have celebrated a special mass at All Saints Church. Fr Jim spoke beautifully about the importance of caring for creation, something that was gifted to us by God, and made us consider the interconnectedness of our planet through the food we eat. From a simple bowl of muesli, we were reminded of what the oat plant requires to grow – the water, good soil and microbes, wind to pollinate the plants – as well as the farmer who harvests the oats which are then sent through a supply chain. Students have been challenged to consider the impact that our choices have on our world’s most poor and vulnerable, truly highlighting that everything is connected.

Next Friday 27 September, our Year 4-6 students will celebrate
a special mass at All Saints Church to celebrate the feast of St Vincent de Paul. St Vincent de Paul was a priest who devoted his whole life to the poor. His family were disadvantaged however he still received an education and later entered the seminary to train to become a priest. He worked throughout his priestly ministry teaching others the Good News of Jesus and working with the most disadvantaged in our community – two values which the St Vincent de Paul Society continue in their good works today.

Students will need to be dropped at All Saints Church by 8:45am. Staff will be present at the church from 8:20am. At the conclusion of mass, students will catch buses back to school.

Each year, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

This year marks 25 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace. The UN recognised that peace is not just an absence of conflict but a participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved through mutual understanding and cooperation. Education is an important principal to build a culture of peace in our local communities and our world.

Families with children receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation are reminded that enrolment masses will be held this weekend, Saturday 21 September at 6:30pm and Sunday 22 September at 10:30am. A reminder to families with the dates of preparation, breaking over the school holidays.