APRE NEWS

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the previous newsletter, I commented on the glorious weather! While I am definitely not unhappy to see the recent rain, the mornings seem to have "overnight" become darker and quite chilly...something that I do find harder to adapt to. Winter is certainly on its way!

This Sunday is Mothers' Day! I have reminded my adult sons about this as they do seem to manage quite well, NOT keeping up with significant days/ dates/ events going on around them. I am sure I will get a phone call. You, as parents of primary school age children will most probably have a little person (or two) there with you to give you a "special hug". Enjoy!! 

MOTHER'S DAY BLESSING:

Loving God, on Sunday we celebrate Mothers’ Day. We pray for our mothers and those who are like mothers to us – our grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters, our teachers and our friends.

May we always remember how intelligent, capable, responsible and hard-working they are and thank them for the love, care and protection they show for us.

O God, shower our mothers with abundant blessings.

We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Mrs Murphy pictured above with some special Mother's Day gifts

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM: This evening we gather with Fr Michael to commence the second part of the parish sacramental program, preparing for Confirmation on May 21. For any parents, not able to attend this evening, the two books will be sent home via school.

Cluster Groups recommence this Sunday at 10:15 in the Cathedral Centre. 

YEAR 6 RETREAT: Yesterday I was privileged to join with the Year 6 teachers and students for a Leadership Retreat. Despite the weather, we were very excited to have been given access to the Micah Centre, across the road, which is a function room attached to TCSO and we were very well looked after.

To start the day, I shared  the following Easter message from Pope Francis:

“Dear young people, we did not come into the world to vegetate … We came for another reason: to leave a mark … The times we live in do not call for young couch potatoes, but for young people with shoes, or better, boots laced”.

The discussion that followed  and continued throughout the day, which also drew on the special characteristics of giraffes, was very thoughtful, positive and hopefully inspiring. Year 6 parents, you should be very proud of your Year 6 Leader. 

Illuminate RE Strategy:

Thank you very much to the 33 parents who took the time to complete the questionaire at the end of last term, responding to the questions:

Q1: At SSPS, RE is part of the everyday curriculum. The RE program consists of two dimensions: a) RE lessons: teaching students religion (learning about Jesus, discussing Bible stories, other faiths, the sacraments etc b) Religious Life of the School: teaching students to be religious in a particular way ( service activities, Project Compassion projects, masses, prayer gatherings, Cornerstone Value Awards).

With regards to my child’s education, it is my opinion that-

Both (a) and (b) are important./Neither is important./Only (a) is important./Only (b) is important.

Q2: Does your child discuss RE topics or activities with you?

(Often, occasionally, rarely, never)

Q3: Do you think that discussing Bible stories at school is beneficial?

(No, yes, it depends on how it is done)

Q4: What would you suggest is your child’s favourite part of RE?

(bible stories, service activities, prayer, mass and liturgies, all of it, none of it, other)

Responses have been collated and shared with staff, along with data gathered from students and teachers. All this data, together is helping us to plan our way forward in the Illuminate Project.

Further information and updates will be shared in the coming weeks and months, but if you have any questions about the project, do not hesitate to contact me via the school office.

Enjoy the rest of the week,

Judy