APRE NEWS
Dear Parents and Carers,
The last couple of weeks have been very busy across all aspects of school life, but as we journey towards EASTER, the religious life of the school has come increasingly into focus. Students from Yrs 2-6 and staff gathered with Fr Michael in the Mercy Centre last Wednesday for our ASH WEDNESDAY liturgy and while ashes were not individually distributed, each class was given a jar of ash, a purple candle and a lenten prayer to place on their prayer table and use over the coming weeks. Fr Michael's message, which was also shared with Preps and Year Ones, was that these items are "reminders or notes" that help keep us on track in our preparation for the celebration to come.
Each class has also been given Project Compassion (CARITAS) resources and these will help focus our fundraising over the coming weeks. Parents and families are welcome to access/ share the Project Compassion resources as well. Please see link below.
The ILLUMINATE Religious Education Project will be led by Nicki Prentice and I who will be working with class teachers, supported by TCSO over the next two years. This will involve teachers revisiting, refining and renewing best teaching practice in the delivery of Religious Education. There will be a particular focus on scripture, where students are given the freedom and invitation to explore views and develop understanding.
It is hoped that by doing this, students (and teachers) will become more engaged in RE and come to see how it relates to them and their own lives. In the coming weeks we will be looking for some responses from parents to help ascertain parents' points of view and understandings in this area. We encourage open and honest feedback.
Year 3 identifying Super Heroes!!
Year 3 students took at tour of St Pat's Cathedral a couple of weeks ago, looking particularly at the statues within and around. Fr Tom then followed up with a visit and a chat with the students about the relevance of what they found. Some thoughts from the Year 3 students...
"It was helpful for me to understand why some people became saints and about their lifetime."
"It was interesting because I learnt heaps of things about the church. We learnt that our altar has a relic inside it."
"Father Tom is very smart!"
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM:
Preparation for Reconciliation is well underway with nearly 40 students in total enrolled and sharing this important part of their faith journey with their families, supported by the St Pat's and SSPS communities. Cluster groups (Sundays and Thursdays) continue for the next two weeks, with the celebration of Reconcilation to take place on March 12 (6pm) and March 13 (9:30am).
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Judy