Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,

Looking at the Gospel this week, we ask ourselves, whatever the meaning of this miracle, one of its lessons is that God can make much of what we offer. Our attempts to live in his love and follow him are nothing without him. The small offering of the young man fed the people; we never know where our efforts to love, to help, to support others may bear fruit. Just because one person may appear rich and happy, does not mean they can give the happiness that others need. Sometimes, the hardships we bare make us richer for the experience and therefore we learn wholeheartedly about what it means to give of ourselves.

Next Monday our Year 5's head off the Kryal Castle and Sovereign Hill for their 3-day, 2-night adventure. They are most excited about this, and I will also be travelling up to be with them for part of the time. Please ensure that, your children have packed plenty of warm clothes as Ballarat is most certainly not known for its warmth!

This term, I begin to plan for 2025 and will soon be looking at staffing for the following year. If you have a reasonable request for your child/ren in regard to classroom placement, this MUST be put into writing and be emailed to principal@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au. The closing date for this will be Friday 6^th September. Any requests coming to me after this date may not be considered.

Once again, these requests are never guaranteed and ultimately, the final placement of the students rests with me as principal.

Take care and God Bless,

Meg