Thanks to all who supported the night and special thanks to Stacey Writer for co-ordinating the event. People were very generous and about $2400 was raised. This will be used to purchase Chrome Books for Year 1/2B and 2HB classrooms.

SCHOOL STARTING TIME

A reminder to parents that teacher supervision begins at 8.30am. There are a handful of children who arrive by bus before 8.30am who we look after in a special arrangement for these families. Please do not send your children earlier. Staff are busy trying to do preparation work before 8.30am and not available to being do extra supervision.

ARCHDIOCESAN ATHLETICS

There were many children who were successful at this carnival. Well done. Good luck to those travelling to the Mackillop competition on 16^th September.

ANDREW CHINN WORKSHOP & CONCERT

Andrew Chinn will now be visiting our school on the last day of the term –Friday September 27^th. Andrew writes and performs lots of songs that we use in our Masses, Liturgies and class lessons. During the day he will be doing workshops with all the classes and then presenting a concert involving all the children at 2.20pm. I encourage you all to come along for a great afternoon’s entertainment. This concert and workshop is covered in your school fees so it would be great if students did not go home early that day. It will be a Casual Clothes day.

CHRISTUS VIVIT- Pope Francis

Pope Francis has written a new document where he reflects on Youth and the Church’s mission in this area. On Friday Mrs Seaman and I had the opportunity to listen to Archbishop Prowse reflect on some of the Pope’s words. One paragraph that struck with me was a reflection by the Pope on our role as Catholics. He asks us to think not about what we can get from the world but what we can give to the world. This is also an area we ask of our students. What can we do for others to make a school and community a better place? The Catholic faith is not an inwards looking faith but looking outwards to make the world a better place for ourselves and others.

These are some of Pope Francis words to reflect upon:

285. We need to ask: Do I know myself, quite apart from my illusions and emotions? Do I know what brings joy or sorrow to my heart? What are my strengths and weaknesses? These questions immediately give rise to others: How can I serve people better and prove most helpful to our world and to the Church? What is my real place in this world? What can I offer to society? Even more realistic questions then follow: Do I have the abilities needed to offer this kind of service? Could I develop those abilities?

286. These questions should be centred less on ourselves and our own inclinations, but on others, so that our discernment leads us to see our life in relation to their lives. That is why I would remind you of the most important question of all. “So often in life, we waste time asking ourselves: ‘Who am I?’ You can keep asking, ‘Who am I?’ for the rest of your lives. But the real question is: ‘For whom am I?’”.[159] Of course, you are for God. But he has decided that you should also be for others, and he has given you many qualities, inclinations, gifts and charisms that are not for you, but to share with those around you.