Dear Parents and Carers

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through Term 2. The students remain highly engaged in their learning and are enjoying a variety of activities that continue to deepen and enrich their school experience.

Our Year 6 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, a significant milestone in their faith journey, as they renew their commitment to the Church and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Many students made this commitment last weekend during the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Parish Masses.

Fr Rex shared a thoughtful message about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these gifts can transform our lives. When we live by these gifts, they become evident in our thoughts, words, and actions, helping us to follow Jesus more closely. In doing so, we not only grow in our own faith but also bear witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As our Year 6 students prepare for this important step, we invite you to keep them in your prayers. All families are warmly welcome to attend the Confirmation Mass, which will be presided over by Archbishop Christopher Prowse on Saturday 28 June at 5:00 pm. (Week 9)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fr Rex Curry for the time and support he gave to our school community over the past 5 months as acting Parish Priest. We are very grateful to you.

Fr Joshy Kurien will begin his role as Parish Priest in the coming days. We very much look forward to welcoming him to our community.

National Reconciliation Week

We are very fortunate to have Aboriginal Education Worker, Mr Riley Nolan, working with students each Monday and Tuesday. Riley also supports St Mary’s Moruya and Carroll College Broulee, providing cultural perspectives and teaching the Dhurga language, strengthening our K–12 Pathway initiative.

This week, Riley has been engaging with each class to support learning around this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, through art, storytelling, and music.

Thank you to our students and family members who joined together on Monday with our wider community to participate in the Sorry Day Bridge Walk, acknowledging the history and resilience of the Stolen Generations.

In the coming weeks, Mr Nolan and Mr Maynard will meet with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Years 1–6, along with parents and teachers, to set Cultural Learning Goals. This is a highly valued process, and we know that students benefit greatly from these meaningful conversations and connections.

Reporting and Parent Teacher Meetings

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn has communicated to schools regarding
reporting to parents and carers. CE has advised schools that general comments will
not be required on Semester 1, 2025 reports, but to prioritise Parent/Teacher
Conferences for every family. Parent/Teacher meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges and future areas of focus.

A Semester Report will be sent home as in previous Semesters, providing A-E grading, work habits and attendance information. We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

Semester 1 Reports will be available via Compass on Thursday, 26 June (Week 9) and Parent Teacher Conferences will take place the following week

Overnight excursions

Next Wednesday, 4 June, the Year 6 students will depart for their two-night excursion to Berry Sport and Recreation Camp. During their stay, they will participate in a variety of outdoor activities alongside their classmates. The students will be accompanied by their teachers, Mrs Elizabeth Coggan, Mr Brendan Maynard, Mr Tony Ward and myself. I am confident this will be a memorable and enriching experience for our Year 6 students.

Looking ahead, Year 5 will attend the Birrigai Camp in Tharwa, ACT, from 30 July to 1 August for a two-night stay, while Year 4 will enjoy a one-night excursion to Canberra on 11 and 12 August.

These overnight excursions provide valuable opportunities for students to develop independence, build stronger peer relationships, and engage in hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom.

I am currently attending the Principal's Siloam retreat at Galong, and Ms Jeni McCarthy is acting Principal until my return tomorrow. Jeni will also be acting Principal next Wednesday 4 June- Friday 6 June when I am at the Year 6 camp.

Wishing you a relaxing weekend,

Warm regards,

Karen

Mrs Karen Hadley

Principal