Staff Professional Development Day
On Friday 29th August 2020, teaching staff will take part in an all-day Professional development exploring, and planning with, the Re-designed Crossways, our Religious Education Curriculum. Sharon Gulley-Frith and Stephanie O’Leary will help me facilitate the training day and be the support teachers into 2021 when the Curriculum will be launched. The Curriculum has been developed over the past 2 years and is aimed to support our students as they grow into “thriving people, capable learners, leaders for the world God desires”.
Thank you for your support of us on this pupil free day.
Sacramental Programme
The Sacrament of Reconciliation was held on Tuesday evening this week. There were 31 students in all from school and the wider Church community. Parents were only able to take part in one face-to-face workshop this year and Anne Dudinski and I acknowledge the work that they have put into preparing their children for this Sacrament during this unusual time of COVID-19. We hope that it has been a valuable time of discussion and discernment along with family time.
Catholic Charities 2020 Appeal
Last week each family would have received a brochure outlining the work of the Catholic Charities Appeal. In this time of COVID-19, charities have been greatly impacted. Catholic Charities supports a variety of organisations within the Catholic Archdiocese including two of our schools. Their annual appeal runs through until the end of September. Please consider donating to Catholic Charities as they support Cooklock House, Catherine House, Hutt St Centre, Calvary Ain Karim, Our Lady of La Vang School, St Patrick’s Special School, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry and SA Catholic Deaf Community.
Social Justice Sunday
This Sunday, Social Justice Sunday, is celebrated in our Catholic churches throughout Australia. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference releases a statement each year and this year the theme is 'To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today'. The message for all of us in this time of COVID-19 is about the added pressure and anxiety that many people are feeling, on top of the high anxiety they may already suffer from. The Bishops point out that mental ill-health is not a moral failure and that anyone suffering from mental ill-health needs our understanding and support. Faith communities and governments and each one of us, are encouraged to make mental health support a priority and to be open to people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged and those who are “overlooked, sidelined or excluded.”
