Dear Parents and Caregivers

So far, we have had a very smooth start to the year which has been a positive experience for everyone. As a part of our start of year celebrations, we are holding a more traditional Welcome Night on the school oval on Friday 21 February. There will be food trucks and a range of activities available and all families are invited to come along for a picnic from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, enjoying each other’s company. The theme for the night is to come along dressed in your Hawaiian clothes. I would like to say a big thank you to the Year 3 and 4 parents who have organised this on behalf of the P&F. I’m sure it will be a wonderful night. Please remember that all students must be supervised by their parents and students can’t be dropped off and left with other families.

Scripture Reflection As we are about to enter the season of Lent, the next series of reflections will focus on this, the most important time of the Christian calendar. Psalm 95:8 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

School Advisory Council Our first meeting for the year will be held on Monday 24 February from 6.00pm in the staffroom.

Berry St Professional Development – Student Free Day As a staff, we will be joining the St Brigid’s Middle Swan team for the final day of our Berry Street Education Model training, on Friday 28 February. Trauma informed practice is something we have been focusing on for a while now, as sadly, a number of our students are dealing with the devastating effects of trauma and the impact it has on their lives and their learning. As a whole staff, we are putting many restorative practices in place as we are moving away from only using punitive measures. Please note that this is a student free day. As well as this, Monday 3 March is a public holiday, so everyone will get a lovely mid term long weekend!

Shrove Tuesday This is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is when Lent starts. Traditionally, people have used this day as a day of feasting before the 40 days of abstinence begins. Pancakes were the chosen food item of indulgence, and these are still consumed on Shrove Tuesday to this day (which is why it is sometimes referred to as Pancake Tuesday).

Ash Wednesday We will be holding our first whole school Mass on Wednesday 5 March at 8.45am in our Church to celebrate Ash Wednesday. Apart from the usual parts of the Mass, everyone will also receive ashes on their forehead. These ashes are made by burning the palms and olive branches used in last year’s Palm Sunday Masses. A small cross of ash is marked on your head with the accompanying words, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” The ashes remind us of our mortality and the need to be reconciled with God. You will notice that throughout Lent, Fr John will wear purple, which is the colour of penance. All parents and grandparents are welcome to join us for this special Mass.

Jubilee 2025 What is a jubilee? Jubilee years are a time of newness. They have been celebrated throughout the history of the Church, but their roots go back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to celebrate a jubilee every 50 years. Beginning with the blowing of a ram’s horn – the yobel, from which the word jubilee comes – on the Day of Atonement, it was meant to be a kind of ‘reset’ or ‘refresh’ for their relationship with God and with each other. Debts would be forgiven, misappropriated land returned, slaves freed and the land given a rest. It was a stark and dramatic reminder for the ancient Israelites that nothing was absolutely theirs. The Israelites were to live as if everything was a grace and blessing from the God who brought them out of Egypt.

Yours sincerely

Laurie Bechelli
Principal