From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope the holiday break, especially Easter, was a time when you could stop, relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. I again spent Easter with my family this year, but this time it was at home. I attended Mass in my own Parish on Easter Sunday to celebrate the Risen Christ and reflect on the meaning of Easter and the importance of this in our lives today. As we know, the Easter celebrations concluded with the sad announcement of Pope Francis’ death, aged 88.  

Pope Francis

It was with great sadness that we mourned the death of Pope Francis, and, at the same time, celebrated his life. Pope Francis was a true servant leader, carrying out his duties to the very end, greeting crowds in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. He led with love, care and humility.

I will cherish the two times I saw Pope Francis in person - 2014 in Saint Peter’s square, with my family and friends following my sister's wedding in Rome; and in 2019 on the MCC European Tour at the Colosseum for the Good Friday Via Crucis ceremony, a re-enactment of Jesus' crucifixion.

 

Much has been written about Pope Francis since his death on Easter Monday, and will continue to be written. We now pray for the Conclave as they select a new Pope to lead the Catholic Church.

Please see the tribute we have created to acknowledge Pope Francis and celebrate his life and work. 

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day was again during the holiday break, and I sincerely thank all students and staff who attended Marches across the Valley during their holiday, representing our College and paying their respect to all those who have served our country, who continue to serve and to those who have given their lives in service. Numbers were down a little from previous years, which we think was due to the wet weather. Each student will be recognised with a merit certificate at a year assembly in the near future. Wreaths were laid at services in Yamba, Maclean, Grafton, and South Grafton, and a few of our students were given additional responsibilities at various ceremonies. Raimi Mortimer of Year 11 Modern History gave an address at the Grafton service on the Battle of the Coral Sea, and Madeleine Schroder read a prayer at the South Grafton service. 

Our week 1 Assembly and Pastoral Care lesson focused on ANZAC Day and highlighted the importance of service, gratitude and resilience. Raimi Mortimer gave the Address to the Assembly, and I congratulate Raimi on her research and presentation. In addition to Raimi’s address, students laid a wreath at the Cross, and the ceremony included the Ode, the Last Post, and the Rouse. 

Fr Joe Holloway - Parish Priest

Bishop Greg Homeming has announced that our Parish Priest, Father Joe Holloway, is moving to the Parish of Kyogle, effective from the 1st of June. On behalf of the college community, I thank Fr Joe for his guidance, support, care, and presence at many school events. Fr Joe has been our Parish Priest and Chaplain of the College for 6 years, and I have enjoyed working with him. We wish him all the best in his move and new position at Kyogle. Fr Felix Ekeh has been appointed as Parish Priest of the Clarence Valley Parish. We look forward to welcoming him from Wauchope Parish. 

Mother’s Day

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day, and I wish all our mothers (and grandmothers) a Happy Mother’s Day. I  hope you can stop, feel special, and have an opportunity to connect with your family. Connection and relationships are very important, and this is a message we continue to promote in our school community. 

We are hosting a Mother’s Day Breakfast on Thursday, May 8th, at 7.45 a.m. Mothers and Grandmothers are welcome to come along for some breakfast and a chat with staff and parents. This was a resounding success last year, so we ask that you RSVP to the College for catering purposes - see the flyer in the newsletter. 

Staff Changes

We welcome to our teaching staff Mr Stephen Johnson, who is replacing Amanda Kennedy while she is on maternity leave for the next 12 months. Amanda and her husband Tim welcomed baby Sophie to their family on the 23rd of April. Libby Hughes has also joined the staff two days a week as a Teacher Assistant, replacing Elle Munro, who is also on maternity leave. We wish Elle all the best as she awaits the birth of her baby in the coming weeks. 

Tell Them From Me Annual Survey  - School Improvement

The annual survey is open from 12th May (Week 4) and closes on 30th May. I encourage all families to complete the survey to provide us with feedback to help us improve and grow. This is part of our continuous commitment to school improvement. Each family will receive a link to the survey via email. 

The School Community Group - (formally Parent Forum and P&F)

The first meeting of the year of our School Community Group was postponed in term 1 due to the impact of the flooding event. Therefore, our first meeting will be this term on Tuesday, 20th May at 5.30 pm in the Library. At this meeting, we will introduce our newly created Literacy Booklets for parents, students and staff. Parents have expressed a need for a resource that would help them assist their children. I invite all parents to come along to this evening, where we will also have opportunities to ask questions and hear about what is happening in the College. No commitments are expected from the group, and there is no fundraising! It is an opportunity to find out what is happening in the College!

All the best for the fortnight ahead

Kind regards,

Kate

Kate Thomson
Principal

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

Catherine McAuley