WEEK 11

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term has certainly been a very different one. We started the term reflecting on the great community spirit we showed during the experiences of summer, with the bushfires and floods. We now end the term, reflecting on the wonderful community spirit that we are showing to each other, in this time of change and uncertainty.

This week, Bishop Brian sent the staff of our Diocese, a lovely email, thanking them for all they are doing. One very important message that he said to us was, that whilst these are certainly challenging times, in all of this we can be reminded of the story of the disciples, as they huddled in the upstairs room out of fear, the disciples who walked away from Jerusalem, and even those who first looked upon the empty tomb. They were all uncertain, all afraid of what the future would hold for them, but then they encountered Jesus, the Risen One, in the ordinary circumstances of their lives.

That’s what we are called to see and do – to discover Jesus in the ordinariness and confusion of this time, because He is among us, He is present to us. We only need to look for Him.

As we begin Holy Week, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and holy Easter. This Holy Week and Easter Sunday, is certainly going to be different. We will not be able to do the things that we normally do, however, it can be a time to reflect upon on those who are truly special to us…. our families. I hope you have the opportunity to spend some special time celebrating the “gifts” you are to each other.

HOLY THURSDAY
Today is Holy Thursday, a time to reflect on the special gathering of Jesus and his disciples in the room up high above the streets of Jerusalem. A couple of years ago I was blessed to go on a Holy Land Pilgrimage and during that time, we visited Jerusalem and walked inside the room that the Last Supper was held in. It was just an ordinary space, yet an unordinary event occurred there, that would change the way our faith was professed, from that moment on.

The Last Supper was held here- upstairs in this room. Then Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane- shown in the last photo. The garden was truly a very spiritual place- a sense of peace was definitely present there.

Mrs Mitchell and Mr Tuckwell have filmed two very special stories to highlight the events of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. You can see them on your child’s Seesaw page. I would encourage you to watch these special stories with your children.

A THANK YOU TO YOUR CHILDREN
I saw this special thank you online the other day and it definitely echoes the thoughts of our staff, so I thought I would share it with you.

WELL DONE TO OUR CHILDREN…. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU

Our children have been inside for longer than they have ever had to be. They had to say goodbye to their school, their friends, before they were ready. They’re getting use to a new routine of learning from home. They hear about people being sick and worry about their family. Our little people are dealing with a situation that adults struggle with. Let them know how proud we are of them.

I would also add, that our staff at St Michael’s are so proud of the way, your children are supporting each other and sharing kind thoughts to our staff and their classmates. We are very proud of the way they have embraced their learning online at home and we hope that they know, we care for them and are constantly thinking about them. Please try to remember, we are one day closer to everything being back to normal again. That’s a good thought to wake up to every morning.

Take care everyone and keep smiling.

Best wishes,
Mrs Katrina West
Principal