Principal's Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 15th August
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.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Jesus said to the crowd: ‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’
Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. This is the bread come down from heaven; not like the bread our ancestors ate: they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
The Gospel this week tells us Jesus promises that whoever eats the flesh and drinks the blood of Jesus, the Son of Humanity, has eternal life now and will be raised up on the last day. Jesus promises to provide food for the life of the world, his flesh and blood. Jesus promises to nourish the world with the gift of himself. Jesus called the cup “the fruit of the vine.” This phrase includes all liquids made from grapes. According to Jewish practice, this was referred to as red wine. The red wine puts us in mind of the blood that was splashed on the door posts of the Israelites in the exodus. Life is in the blood. So, are eating and drinking in this gift of love and the Holy Spirit. Do we know what it is like to be ‘full’ of love, feel the divine effects of being able to give life, and live life? Do we allow ourselves to consume and be consumed by the love of Jesus our Saviour and to reap the many benefits that brings us….
Last Friday, we celebrated 100 days of our Foundation students attending St Patrick’s. Whilst we were a couple of days later than usual, it was fair to say, our students (and their teachers had the best time!
Many thanks to our Foundation teachers, Geraldine Wilmann and Katherine Gronek, who not only dressed up as elderly people, but prepared some fantastic and engaging activities for our students.
The students each received a balloon, made cookies, created magical pictures of old people and presented a wonderful Assembly where they entertained a huge audience with their singing and dancing. A wonderful day!
It is so great to see the team spirit amongst our Year 6's as they play Inter-School sports on Fridays against other schools in the Diocese. They have managed a few great wins, and I would like to thank our parent community, firstly for helping as we have been short staffed and for your great encouragement of both schools. Our St Patrick’s community is doing an incredible job of showing great Resilience and Respect!
A big THANK YOU to our parent helpers who have become a wonderful support in our junior classrooms. These parent helpers help with reading and a variety of other activities, and our students are clearly benefiting from the experience.
Please note that next Monday the 19th August and Tuesday the 20th are PUPIL FREE DAYS. The students resume school NEXT WEDNESDAY 21st AUGUST.
Take care and God Bless,
Meg