Dear Parents and Carers,

It was wonderful to see so many families at our Meet n Greet last night. Thank you so much to all our staff helpers who assisted in the cooking, serving and supervision and to our fantastic teachers who have worked hard to ensure your children have a great start to the year. If you were unable to attend and would like to join the parents who have volunteered for working groups, they are listed below, we’d love to hear from you if you are keen to assist. You can join a group by emailing the front office with your details. (office.stmichaelsps@cg.catholic.edu.au)

Sports                   Pastoral Care        

Fundraising            Parent Engagement

Maintenance          Canteen

Today we celebrate Mass together at St. Michael’s Church to mark the beginning of Lent.

Lent is an opportunity to take stock and make some positive changes, to be more and grow more in our relationship with Jesus. Joan Chittister Benedictine nun, theologian, and author has some great insights;

Lent is a call to weep for what we could have been and are not. Lent is the grace to grieve for what we should have done and did not. Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not. Lent is not about penance. Lent is about becoming, doing, and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now. Lent is a summons to live anew.

The first challenge of Lent is to open ourselves to life. When we "rend our hearts" we break them open to things we are refusing for some warped reason to even consider.

We have refused for years, perhaps, to even think about renewing old commitments that we've allowed to go to dust—spending time with the children, visiting our parents, exercising, taking time to read good books. We've closed our minds, maybe, to the thought of reconciling with old friends whom we have hurt. We've refused to put the effort into reviving old spiritual practices like visits to church, meditation in the morning.. Lent is the time to let life in again. A Summons to Live Anew: Lent 2024, by Joan Chittister

Happy Valentine’s Day

Did you know St. Valentine was a Roman priest and martyr in the 3^rd Century who celebrated secret weddings against the wishes of authorities? This Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate and recognise those we love. This doesn’t have to cost anything- a simple hug and a kind act can mean so much during a busy day.

Thank you for your continued support.

Many Blessings

Judy Egan

Principal

NAPLAN 2024