From the APRE desk

Welcome to Week 5!

I've just finished reading "The Resilience Project" by Hugh van Cuylenburg (highly recommend you read it or watch his documentary on Amazon Prime).

The Resilience Project’s Education Programs support mental health in the classroom, staffroom and family home. On their website it states, "The research is clear; the more positive emotion you experience, the more resilient you will be. For that reason we focus on three key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion; Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), with Emotional Literacy being a foundational skill to practise these strategies." 

These three pillars really resonated with me. 

While reading about the importance of GEM, it became apparent that to successfully implement new habits, practice is key. This GEM philosophy is a modern day idea which I can relate to in how Jesus lived his life. He practiced Gratitude in his daily life and showed empathy in his interactions with others. Examples of mindfulness are interwoven through the Bible stories in the way Jesus told stories and focussed on the simple and repetitive message of Love. 

If you get the chance to read this book, download the App or browse their website, it's time well spent. As a parent, teacher and school leader, I found many practical takeaways and I think you will too. 

Term 2 School/Parish Mass will be held at the end of Week 6 on Sunday 28th May. All are welcome to join us for the celebration of Pentecost.

Please indicate your attendance via this link https://forms.office.com/r/GG5CvX9q6s

Yr 3 visited the Cathedral last week as part of their learning about the local parish of St Patrick's. The whole cohort took part in the Mass and then interviewed Fr Michael (parish priest) Gabrielle Sadie (Sacristan) and other parishioneers by asking questions like:

• • How long have you lived in the parish?
  • What do you like about the parish?
  • How has the parish changed?  What has stayed the same?
  • Who have been the priests or religious who have been part of this parish?
  • Do you know when this church was built?  What has changed? What has remained the same?
  • Have any of your family members been part of this parish?
  • Who do you remember as a significant person in this parish?
  • What are some of the significant parish events that you remember?Students walked around the church and noticed objects within the church eg images, symbols, plaques, stained glass windows, statues etc.

Pastoral care @SSPS

At our recent PEN meeting, it was decided that the best way to support families in need would be to give gift vouchers rather than cooked meals. Necessary items to be purchased could include nappies, baby formula, sanitary items, cleaning products, meat and petrol. We are asking our school community to kindly donate a gift voucher (the purchase value is completely your decision) to the Pastoral care team. These vouchers would then be distributed on a needs basis. If you could bring your donations to the office, that would be very much appreciated. Thankyou for your ongoing support.

In the long term, we would really like to support our local businesses and those in our school community who have businesses who could assist us in supporting families. If you have a business and/or you’d like to be part of our pastoral care program, please contact myself at ann-maree.ward@twb.catholic.edu.au

Last week, the Year 6 students, teachers and myself had the pleasure of attending the College’s Catherine McAuley Feast Mass. It was a great opportunity to come together as Mercy school’s and acknowledge on whom our faith education is based, The Mercy Sisters. We were reminded of those who have come before us, those women who took risks, thought creatively and embarked on an adventure to offer hope to those less fortunate. Let us continue their work through serving others in our communities.

Wishing all of our students, who make their Confirmation this week on

 Friday 19th May, our prayers and special blessings.