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Four year 6 students made a pilgrimage to Traralgon yesterday, to Lavalla Secondary College, host of the Sale Diocese Project Compassion Launch. It was a big trip for our students (made up of some of our Social Justice Leaders) but this event essentially brought schools from around the diocese together for a common cause.
We are not an isolated school. St Thomas the Apostle Primary School is part of the Sale Diocese which means we are part of a family of schools and churches that are led by Bishop Greg Bennett. And as an arm of the Catholic Church, our schools can contribute to the very worthy cause of Project Compassion. The students were gifted a candle, blessed by Bishop Greg, to bring back to school to remind us of our Lenten focus.
“Never see a need without doing something about it” is famously attributed to Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. But it points to a universal need among humans, whereby we feel united and we actually feel better about ourselves when we are able to help others. No matter what religious affiliation you have, this is true. It is something innate in all of us. And isn’t it a wonderful thing to learn as a child, that we can look beyond ourselves to see that there is help needed somewhere and be able to do something about it!
Read further in the RE News about how we can do this, as a school community.
Project Compassion 2023
Project Compassion officially began yesterday, the beginning of Lent. A box per family went home a little while ago to families. If you’d like to donate money to the poor, you can use this box to collect the money or you can go direct to the Caritas website.
Project Compassion is the work of Caritas, a Catholic organisation that distributes money to much needed communities. Caritas works in the poorest of the poor locations around the world, including Turkey (where the earth quakes have recently devastated communities) and war-ravaged Ukraine. Caritas has a very good reputation for channelling funds where it should go, and avoids exorbitant amounts going to their own infrastructure.
Please remember to return the boxes to school by the end of the term. We pray that our efforts this year are generous and heartfelt.
Reconciliation Update
Following the Parent Formation Nights, the next set of dates to be on your fridge should be:
14th March – Parent & Child Workshop 6:45pm – in the new church
15th March – Parent & Child Workshop 6:45pm – in the new church
Please ensure you come to one of these, if you are in the Reconciliation program. The parish will be communicating which one to attend, not both. It is exciting to note that these sessions will be in the new church. Park in the school car park as normal and make your way across to the new church building.
In October 2022 a survey was sent to parents to identify what camp preferences parents had for their child's Year 5 and Year 6 experience.
Kate
Student Absences
A reminder that all absences must be communicated to the school. If your child/ren are absent with no communication the following procedure will be followed to ensure the safety of your child/ren.
• SMS sent to main contacts ie parents/guardians
• If no response, a phone call is made to main contacts
• If no response, a call is made to all emergency contacts
• If no response, the school contacts Victoria Police
Announcing the Resilient Families Program
The team at Smiling Mind are very excited to announce the launch of the free to access Resilient Families Program. Supporting kids to develop their emotional regulation, coping and social skills and to build resilience. The program fosters Children’s social connections and provides parents with the tools to help get them there.
Click on the below link for further information
