Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

We are celebrating Catholic Education Week this week!

Faith in the future: “That they may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).

This year’s theme for Catholic Education Week, “Faith in the future - I have come that they may have life and have it to the full,” is a combination of a quote from John’s Gospel and the theme for the bicentennial celebrations of Catholic education in Australia.

Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all members of a school community to consider the call of the Gospel to build the Kingdom of God here and now.

Director of Catholic Education, Ms Maria Kirkwood, encourages everyone invo

lved in Catholic education to contribute to one another’s growth and journey towards the fullness of life.

“During Catholic Education Week we are reminded that Jesus is the good shepherd who invites us to be the best people we can be. In all we do in Catholic schools, we strive to help each person experience the love of God, thus enabling them to live life fully,” she said.

“This year’s theme serves as an invitation to focus on the unconditional love of God and how this love is demonstrated throughout our lives, in our academic and spiritual pursuits. We have been created to be fully human, fully alive and able to participate in the life and love of God.

“The theme also reflects the core purpose of Catholic education, which is to provide an education that enables our students to make a meaningful contribution to the world, and enable them to enter into a life-giving relationship with God.

“I hope that staff, students, families and Parishes enjoy this special time and that our schools continue to be harmonious places where children are able to reach their full potential.

“Catholic Education Week is a highlight of the year for the Diocese of Sale, as the broader Catholic education community comes together to celebrate our Catholic identity and unique mission,” Ms Kirkwood concluded. 

Our school, along with the 44 other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sale, will celebrate Catholic Education Week from 21 to 28 May. As Catholic schools, we are called to do more than just pass on the faith: we are invited to
translate our faith into deeds so we are truly living God’s Word. Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools to celebrate our distinctive mission and share features that are special about our schools. Members of our staff: Tracy Allan and Bel O’Brien attended the Leadership Mass held in Traralgon on Friday, 21 May, where Bel was commissioned as our Religious Education Leader. We congratulate Bel and thank her for all the hard work she has already done in inspiring the staff and students to learn about, live and act upon our faith. We will be sharing some of the ways we pray at school this week. 

This week Bel began promoting the St Vinnie’s Winter appeal. Each level will be working on bringing in items to support the fantastic work St Vinnies does in our community.

The whole school welcomed Andrew Chinn last Wednesday, for a series of music workshops, learning some of his songs. Andrew’s music is characterised by its religious messages and stories and his performances are full of energy, inclusion and fun! The day culminated in a whole school concert. This was a wonderful precursor to Catholic Education Week and a terrific way to express our faith.

Joanne Coldebella
Acting Principal