Dear McAuley Families

As I communicated in our COVID update earlier this week we seem to be experiencing a rise in case numbers among students and staff currently.  I am enormously grateful to our teaching and support staff who are being very flexible in taking on extra classes and duties to support others.  Whilst we are trying to keep student days as normal as possible we are also attempting to ‘let go’ of events and items that could be held at another time to lessen stress and anxiety. If numbers are low in classes then we will combine the groups to be able to assist with teacher supervision.

I also ask that you continue to be aware of the most current NSW Health Advice, in particular the rules around isolation as we are experiencing a number of queries. It is required that you notify the school and NSW Health if your child tests positive.

I am hopeful that as we ride this wave and get to the end of term we might be able to get back to normal as Term 2 begins.  Again, I thank you all for your constant support and good sense in keeping our vulnerable community members as safe as possible.

This week is our Wellbeing Week and I implore our families to take the time to do something special for your own and your family’s wellbeing and mental health this week.

The graphic included in this Newsletter makes a great talking point… our self talk can make a big difference to our resilience and attitude.  Headspace write that self talk has become one of the most prominent topics in psychology in recent years.   They quote studies that suggest “how we speak to ourselves has a powerful impact on our mental and physical health, including weight control, managing stress and improving sports and academic performance…”

(https://www.headspace.com/mindfulness/stop-negative-self-talk). There is a particular emphasis on meditation and relaxation, which pleasingly is one of our strategic directions in the coming year or two.  More to come!

We recently advertised a parenting boy’s webinar by Justin Coulson and I am pleased to hear a number of families registered to take part.  Whilst the content dealt with good practice for boys, I firmly believe the message applies to both our boys and girls.  Justin advised that the 5 things most needed by our sons (and daughters) are:

1. Good mates and good role models
2. Freedom to move and get physical
3. The chance to learn
4. Time to be still
5. Opportunities to help others

Building these opportunities into school and family life surely help us all as parents and educators to support the growth of well balanced, capable and generous community members.

Prayers and best wishes for our students who celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this week. Thank you to Miss Mason, Mrs Bathgate and Ms Bruce for their work at school and our families for their support and preparation at home.

This week we also have students involved in Primary Rugby Gala Day and Archdiocesan Netball and Rugby League Trials in Canberra.  Best wishes to all involved in these events.

Best wishes to Mr Ellison and the students attending the Sydney Royal Easter Show next week with our McAuley chickens. It is so nice to be able to get back to community and educational events.

Don’t forget Community Council Meeting to be held next Thursday 7 April at 5.00pm in Secondary Room 1 (S1) located behind the staff area.  We are keen for parents to see the work that has been done on the Secondary side and to establish a Working Party to plan and develop our grounds and outdoor spaces.  Please encourage our new families to attend – “bring a friend along!”

Next term begins with Anzac Day and there will be communication and details sent home about our involvement in ANZAC ceremonies and the Annual March. I trust that the celebration of the Easter Season will be a special time for families to gather and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy living in this beautiful and peaceful part of the world.  My prayers are for continued good health and safety for all in our community.

Following ANZAC Day holiday on Monday 25 April we will hold a staff spirituality day on Tuesday 26 April with classes resuming K-10 for Term 2 on Wednesday 27 April.

Mary our Mother… Look after us.

HOLY WEEK

Next Sunday, 10^th April it is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week is a very sacred time of the year, for it is during this week that we will commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus' life on this earth. The greatest focus of the week is the suffering and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it.

All welcome to be part of the significant Liturgical events during Holy week:

Holy Thursday Mass: 6pm

Good Friday: 3pm

Easter Saturday Vigil: 6pm

Easter Sunday Mass: 10am

 Prayer

A Lenten Prayer By Mother Theresa

It Is Between You And God

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

Amen

PALM SUNDAY

Throughout the world, faithful communities will gather next Sunday, 10^th April, to remember the significance of Jesus’ decision to return to Jerusalem. This was for Jesus, a deliberate choice to enter the Holy City, knowing that this would mark the beginning of His suffering, passion and ultimate death. Jesus surrenders with confidence to God’s never-failing love. In the life and death of Jesus we see the way God honoured and reverenced the trust and surrender of Jesus. God journeyed with him, strengthening, affirming, guiding and living in him. So, as we begin our journey through Holy Week let us be aware of the trust and surrender of Jesus into God’s unconditional love, and how that faith and reliance was met with such constant love as to give hope and bring about what was considered impossible. Let us remember also, that the story of Jesus does not end with the resurrection, rather it continues in our lives and is seen and felt when we make love present and possible, when we trust in the unconditional love of God and shape our lives in that hope.

Let us pray.

God of infinite love,

May we by our faithful remembrance of Jesus’ passion,

Be drawn ever more deeply into the mystery of your generous love. We make this prayer through Jesus your Son, who reigns as our eternal King.

Amen

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a very special time in the lives of the children of our Parish. Throughout this term students in Year 3 have been preparing for this Sacrament with their parents by attending Sacramental meetings and parish masses. On Thursday 31^st March, these students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Let us pray.

Dear God, we ask your blessing on the children who have recieved the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We asked your blessing too on their families.  We ask this prayer through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen