Dear Families,
This week we celebrated All Saints Day (Nov 1) and the very next day All Souls Day. In our church these are very important days when we remember all the saints and how important they were in their time and the impact they continue to have on the world today, and the reminder for us to remember all those people who have died, especially those who may have been close to us. In our own families there are people whom we remember as being great people. They may have held the family together, they may have been warm and welcoming to everyone they meet, or they may just be good people who went out of their way for others. In life’s journey we all have our moments. We all make mistakes. We are all able to change and become better people because of the experiences we have or due to just seeing things differently than we might have before. While some people are identified canonised as ‘actual’ saints, the reality is, in God’s eyes, we can all become saints. I wonder, in your family, as far back as you can remember or have been told, who are the saints? Do you think future family members will see you as being special or as being a saint? What can you do to make that happen?
Next Thursday 11 November we celebrate two important things. Firstly, we have the Feast of Catherine McAuley. Catherine lived in Dublin, Ireland and founded the Sisters of Mercy, who began our school back in 1957. Her charism and values remain alive in our school. Secondly, we celebrate Remembrance Day. Each year we remember those who died or were injured in fighting to make Australia and the world a safer place. I always find that ironic, fighting to make the world a safe place! It is an important day that we need to continue to share with our children so that they can also pay respect and tribute in the future to those who have gone before. A good friend of mine, Andrew Chinn, wrote a song and put together a video which is appropriate for Remembrance Day (and Anzac Day). You can find the link here: We Will Remember Them (My Grandfather’s Hat). In the YouTube clip Andrew talks about the song, shares a prayer and then the song plays. I encourage you to listen to it.
This week our Year 5/6 children have had a ‘Reflection Day’ along with its associated sleepover and an excursion to AFL Max. This has been a special time for our students to spend time together in a different way, with on a focus of ‘We are connected’. Through these two days we are encouraging students to continue to build relationships with each other as classmates.
In Week 5 our children will participate in the Classroom Pulse Check-In Survey. This survey takes place each term to help us understand how our children are travelling in terms of their wellbeing.
Congratulations to those families who have had a new baby arrive recently. We welcome Micah (MacKenzie Year 1), Anastasia (Aurora Year 1) and Cornelius (Addison Year 2 and Penny Reception) to our community. May God’s blessing be upon your families at this special time.
Next week we welcome back Lisa Daniele to our front office after her time of Long Service Leave. I would like to thank Charli and Ged for stepping in and keeping the front office running in Lisa’s absence! We also welcome back John Mathew and keep his family in our prayers after the recent death of his brother back in India.
At the end of each year schools often have families who relocate to new areas and new schools. For our planning for 2023 classes and other events it will be valuable if we know of any families not returning for whatever reason. If your child(ren) will not be at St Mary Magdalene’s next year, can you please let us know asap via email: info@smm.catholic.edu.au or drop in and see me. Likewise, if you know of families looking for a school then please let them know that we are here as we do have places in most year levels. Our numbers are looking good again for next year with over 120 children, after dipping just below 70 a couple of years ago. Thank you to all those families who spread a ‘good word’ about our school to others, it is greatly appreciated.
I am sure that, like me, you are looking forward to a bit more sunshine over the next couple of weeks. Please remember that all students need to be wearing hats each day during both lunch breaks.
Working in Partnership
Peter Mercer
Head of Campus
‘Compassion should be our animating principle when undertaking instruction with children and adults, since they are made in God’s image.’ ~ Catherine McAuley
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