HOLY WEEK WALK 
This week, all our students and staff participated in a very special HOLY WEEK WALK prepared by Mrs Mitchell (REC) and each class. The walk began with Palm Sunday and then transversed to each of the Stations of the Cross. The students walked with a small cross, as a symbol of the cross that Jesus carried. It was very prayerful and the students were so respectful of the message of each station. 

Tomorrow is Holy Thursday, a time when we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Below is the Holy Thursday prayer reflection that was shared with the students. You might like to have a chat with your child about this special Holy Week Walk.

The Last Supper
Reader: Look at the table. The bread and wine are symbols of Jesus' self-giving and presence with us. At his last meal, Jesus gave himself in the bread and wine to the disciples, and told them to remember him and keep him present among them by doing what he did.

Reader: Jesus gathered with his disciples for a last meal. The community leaders had been plotting to get rid of Jesus, and he knew he was in danger. He wanted his disciples to continue his work. At that meal Jesus, their leader, did something very unusual. He got up from the table and wrapped a towel around his waist. He got a bowl and poured some water into it. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet.

Reader: Washing a guest's feet was the work of servants, not of leaders. In washing the disciples' feet, Jesus was showing them that leadership in his community was not about having power over people, and bossing others around. Leadership for Jesus meant serving others humbly. The disciples were to be the future leaders of Jesus' community. Jesus told them they had to follow his example as leader. It was a very different kind of leadership.

Reader: After washing the disciples’ feet. Jesus shared the meal with his disciples. Jesus understood that he would soon be leaving them. As they were gathered at the table, Jesus took bread and broke it, and passed it around. He said, 'This is my body.'
Then he poured some wine, blessed it and passed it to the disciples.
He said, 'This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.

After I am gone, remember me when you gather together to break bread, and to pray.
Remember me when you care for the poor and the hungry. Remember me as you live in peace with one another.'

We now ask Jesus- 

RESPONSE- Jesus make my heart more like yours.

Tomorrow, all of our students will participate in a Holy Week Liturgy. 

I hope that you have a wonderful Easter, celebrating with your family, this special time of the Church year. Mrs Mitchell has outlined all the Holy Week and Easter Masses in her section of this newsletter.

BISHOP BRIAN’S LETTER TO PARENTS AND CARERS ABOUT THE DIOCESAN LIFE TO THE FULL FRAMEWORK
Please see below a letter from Bishop Brian outlining our new Diocesan Framework “Life to the Full:  Respectful Relationships, Child Safety and Human Sexuality Education in a Catholic Context”. 

CROSS COUNTRY
Today we held our postponed Cross Country at Alexandra Square. It was lovely to see the students cheering everyone on and showing wonderful school spirit.  A school presentation will take place early Term 2. If your child is chosen to represent our school in the Wollongong Diocesan carnival, they will be told as soon as possible. The Diocesan event will be held on the 27th April, at "Willandra" Browns Mountain Road, Nowra

Thank you for your support of our carnival.

HAVE YOUR SAY - Lighting the Way Survey
The Catholic Education Office’s Have Your Say survey will remain open until Friday 9 April 2021. If you haven’t already completed the survey, I encourage you to find 10-15 minutes to do so before the survey closes.

By completing the short survey, you’ll not only help shape the future of our school and Catholic schools across the diocese, you’ll also be in the running to win a pair of Apple AirPods Pro OR a $250 JB HI-FI voucher.

PARISH TRIVIA NIGHT
The Parish Trivia night is to be held on Friday April 30th. We are asking for parents to attend if possible.  It will be held in the Father Glynn Centre at St Thomas Aquinas School.   We do note though, it is the night of Canberra excursion and there is a chance of the students not being back in time for those parents in Years 5 and 6 who may wish to attend the Trivia Night. 

P & F EASTER RAFFLE
Thank you to everyone who supported the Easter Raffle. It was truly a fantastic response and over 70 prizes were drawn out today. Thank you to our wonderful P & F who supported this raffle and spent time creating all the easter baskets and prizes. 

P & F MEETING
Last Friday morning we held a very successful P & F meeting with parent representatives from all classes at the meeting. I have attached a copy of the minutes below. I am very pleased to announce that we have a large P & F Committee this year, with the following parents volunteering for areas of responsibility. 

Roles for 2021

President:   Emma Storry
Treasurer: Stuart Meeks  / Yasmine Gospel / Linda Francis
Secretary: Melissa Bartolo

Class Coordinators

Kinder:  Helen Saunders / Melissa Bartolo/Chantelle Richards
Year 1: Katrina Bartone / Jess Schembri
Year 2: Krystle Kearney / Melissa Bartolo/Chantelle Richards
Year 3: Beth McIntyre
Year 4: Liz Martinovic / Vanessa Tasker
Year 5: Linda Francis  / Vanessa Tasker
Year 6: Liz Martinovic / Linda Francis   

Class Coordinators fundraising event allocation:
Kinder: Book Week Parade BBQ
Year 1: Father’s Day Stall
Year 2:  Christmas Concert BBQ and Stalls.
Year 3: Movie Night Term 3
Year 4: Disco Term 2
Year 5:Disco Term 4
Year 6: Mother’s Day Stall 

Olympic Games Fun Sports Day Team- 
Linda Francis, Vanessa Tasker, Chris Stirling, Helen Saunders
(Major fundraiser postponed from 2020) The staff will work with the P&F to coordinate and plan this day.

Social Media/Parents and Friends Facebook page- Yasmine Gospel and Donna Walsh. 

The P & F still need coordinators for the following events. Can you please let Emma Storry know if you can help out with these events. Emma can be contacted via the school office. 

• GDAY Morning Tea and Lunch TBA- dependant on COVID restrictions and potentially vaccinations) 
• Christmas Raffle 

ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL 130 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FETE
A highlight of the meeting was the suggestion from parents, for the celebration of our St Michael’s Primary School 130th year Anniversary,  to be highlighted through a school fete. This Fete is to be held later this year, potentially in November. 

If you would like to be part of the Fete Committee or have ideas about the fete, can you please contact one of the committee members mentioned below.

Linda Francis, Helen Saunders, Emma Storry, Melissa Bartolo, Chantelle Richards, Vanessa Tasker, Donna Walsh, Liz Martiovic, Chris Stirling, Beth McIntyre, Katrina Bartone.

THE NEXT P & F MEETING WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY 30TH APRIL AT 9 AM IN THE LIBRARY

TERM TWO SCHOOL UNIFORMS
The students will return to school in their winter uniforms. A reminder that all students need to wear their full winter uniform including school ties. Girls can wear socks or tights with their winter uniform, however they need to be the right colour socks and tights. If the weather is warm on our return, please use your discretion as to which uniform to wear but make sure it is one or the other, not a combination of both. Please take note of our policy for haircuts. Some students are coming to school with haircuts that draw attention to them. 

It is hard to believe that it is the end of the first term already. 

The staff and students wish everyone a happy, safe and holy Easter and may you all have a wonderful holiday break.

God bless
Mrs Katrina West
Principal