Principal's Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 28th March, 2024
We the staff of St Patrick’s acknowledge the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, of the land on which we learn and play.
We pay respects to the Aboriginal Elders, past and present, who are our teachers.
We thank them for taking care of children and country for countless generations.
Gospel of the week; Holy Thursday
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.
They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter. ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter, ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’
When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again, he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so, I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
This is the final newsletter for Term 1, 2024! What an incredible term it has been and I am sure as we always say, where has the time gone? As we reflect on the first term, let’s take the time to look back on all of the events we have celebrated. We have had our whole school cross country, celebrated Ash Wednesday, St Patrick's Day, Harmony Day, Easter Dress Up day and raffle. We had Year 2 swimming lessons, NRL workshops and orienteering for Year 4 and 5, along with the District Swimming competition and the annual visit of the Semper Dental van. Today our Year 6 students have attended the Life Saving excursion to Phillip Island and we finished off the term with our Holy Week assemblies which were beautifully presented and enacted by our students.
We congratulate our Foundation students for the wonderful term they have had. They have settled in so well and this morning we were able to celebrate with their mums and dads with a lovely morning tea and to share some stories.
Next Term, our Year 4's will be heading off to camp at Phillip Island. The teachers have spent many hours preparing for this wonderful event and I look forward to hearing about it upon their return.
I would like to take the time to thank all of my staff, my teaching staff, my Education Support Officers, my administration staff and my maintenance staff and cleaners. A school and the way we operate does not happen naturally. I have had amazing feedback from new parents this year about the ‘positive vibe’ they feel around our school. They have commented on the teacher’s willingness to stop and say hello, the older students and how they engage with the younger ones, and their good manners. They have noted how much care the teachers put into working with their children and as a Principal this is so wonderful to hear!
And to my parents, carers, and guardian community, thank you for all your continued support of St Patrick’s. We are so grateful that you have chosen us to educate and nurture your children. They are precious cargo, and we will continue to support them always.
Please enjoy a restful break and I hope you get the opportunity to reflect during the holiest of seasons as we reflect on the death and Resurrection of our Lord. May his sacrifice lead the way with how we lead our lives. Let us continue to light the way for others, see good in everyone and to ensure we live a life that is fulfilling, full of acceptance for all and to share the love of Jesus.
Take care and God Bless,
Meg