Welcome to Week 5. It has been such a pleasant change for students and staff to no longer be required to wear masks. I know students have also really enjoyed the change in rules so year groups can now mix in the playground. Visitors are now welcome in the school and we are looking forward to parents and carers attending our Opening Masses on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Sadly we were not permitted to have just one Mass.

At the first Mass for Years 7, 11 and 12 we will formally welcome all new students and staff and acknowledge our new Vice Captains and the 2021 Dux, Amy Knapman. The new Vice Captains are:

Gallagher - Jack Murphy

McAuley - Luke Jewitt

Nagle - Sophie Moloney

Rice - Charlotte Cottrell

At the Years 8, 9 10 Mass we will also be acknowledging the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders: Fraser Johnson, Jenson Coupland, Brianna Davis, Grace Slender, Annabelle Banwell, Amelia Rowan, Liam Birks, Elyssa Davis, Sarah McDonald, Tom Wark, Jack Apps, Hardy Glover, Stuart McEvoy, Elizabeth Sinclair, Paul Barrett,Tia Collis, Zoe Dreverman, Sophie Grainger, James Payne, Nick Vu, Indyana Bedford, Camden Cummins, Bella Cooper, Cybele Hewitt, Dominic Moran, Jasmine Sullivan and Esnia Brit.

At each of the Masses we will also be distributing house badges to all students. This is a new initiative to instill a sense of belonging and pride for students in their House.

As you would be aware, yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent. The ashes were distributed by students in House liturgies yesterday morning.

This year we are once again challenging those students and staff, who are able, to attend the Friday morning Mass in St Mary’s during Lent. Each House will be involved in fundraisers for Caritas over the next few weeks.

David and Katie Kobler, from Choicez, presented to Years 8 and 10, staff and parents this week. The parent session was also attended by parents from other schools. The parent session was titled Brave Parenting and was aimed to assist parents in having conversations about a variety of topics with their children. David used a lovely quote from Pope Francis which is ‘My dear young people, we need the courage to swim against the tide because it is good for the heart.’

Our Community Council met last week. They looked at the 2022 Annual Improvement Plan for the College, their walkathon fundraiser and decided to keep going with the option for girls to wear the navy shorts rather than pursuing another option. The Council is also waiting patiently for samples of long sleeved shirts for girls in winter.

We are very fortunate to have our Catholic Care counsellor hours increased this year. Bek Shealy is now supported by Laura Hazelwood who is available for telehealth sessions. Please contact the House Leaders if you would like your son or daughter to be involved in counselling.

We continue to have small COVID numbers which is very reassuring. Please continue to be vigilant for COVID symptoms. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries. kathy.holding@cg.catholic.edu.au

Lord, please be with everyone affected by floods and the war in Ukraine. Keep them safe, and bring help to them soon. God, bless each and every person affected by these troubled times and may peace settle once again on our world.

Stay safe

Kathy