We respectfully acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and learn, and pay respect to the First Nations Peoples and their elders, past, present and emerging.
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Dear Parents and Carers,
Every year at this time we hold Holy Week and Easter liturgies aligned with the sequence of events of Holy Week. We are certainly missing the opportunity to come together as a whole community in our school hall and reflect on Palm Sunday (this Sunday), the Last Supper and Jesus’ death on the cross at Calvary with the children. Of course, we conclude with the triumph of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday. We will miss the Kinders waving palms, tea-towels on the heads of our crowds, and the students, staff and parents reflecting on the importance and prayerfulness of this time. This year to celebrate the events of Holy Week our Year Six Faith Leaders, our Youth Minister Osley Gwese and supported by Mrs Everding have prepared reflection videos for each class to use for class liturgies. Tomorrow our students will participate in the Station of Cross, which is always a reverent experience.
Holy Week is the most important period in the Church year though, given our commercial world, we might be forgiven for thinking it to be somewhat left in the wake of Christmas. This is particularly so when we compare the joy of Christmas with the events of Holy Week where the story of betrayal, suffering and death dominates events. It is only at the end of the week when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus that the focus turns to joy and hope.
God’s love for each one of us was perfected in the suffering and death of his son Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus was one of violence and cruelty – betrayed by a friend, deserted by followers and rejected by those he had tried to help. Yet we realise that God sent Jesus into the world to be the saviour of all, and by sharing in the human condition in its most distressing form, God’s love is manifest in a way which leads us to eternal life.
As we follow the events of suffering, death and resurrection this week, we look to them to recognise the love God has for us, in the knowledge that no matter how great our suffering or distress may be, God understands and is there as our silent companion. In Jesus we are given not the end but the path to eternal life.
We wish you a very holy and happy Easter with your families.
EASTER REFLECTION
In the northern hemisphere, Easter comes at a time when the earth is awakening from its winter sleep.
The greening of the tree, the budding plant, the gurgling of the brook recall new life, rebirth, an awakening from an apparent deadness.
Easter, for the Christian, is the community of the Last Supper;
the acceptance of suffering, not without meaning, but with focused faith;
the inevitability and reality of death;
but most of all the hope of resurrection, a new beginning,
a birth to eternal life.
In the life death and resurrection of the Christ, we have a letting go of what has been,
An acceptance of what is and a hope for what will be.
The school holidays are a perfect opportunity to read! Our students are in the habit of reading for 20 minutes every day at school and it would be wonderful if this could continue in the holidays. The only way to improve reading is to read every day.
I hope that all families have a happy and restful break. I wish all those who are travelling safe travels. I know that the staff are looking forward to a very well deserved break. I thank them for the dedication, enthusiasm and passion that they demonstrate daily.
Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
Principal’s Notes
Cross Country
What a fantastic day we had on Monday with the students participating in our annual Cross Country Carnival. It is always so heartening to watch our students challenge themselves to do their best and in doing so be cheered on and supported by their fellow students. What a lovely community spirit is nurtured through our school carnivals. Thank you to those parents and grandparents who attended the carnival, in particular those parents who helped the staff with the smooth running of the carnival.
NAPLAN
Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit the NAPLAN tests next term. Parents may elect to withdraw their children from these tests. If you do not want your child to sit the NAPLAN tests, please contact Ms Val Ciuffetelli at school immediately.
Winter Uniform
It is time to get the winter uniforms out and dust them off. When we return for Term Two we will have the usual few weeks of change over, but students are expected to wear correct winter uniform. A reminder that black ‘jogger, canvas or boot’ type school shoes are not part of the school uniform. The only school shoes allowed at St Clare’s are the traditional or formal black leather school shoes.
Term Two Starting Date – Wednesday 27th April
Enjoy the break from school routines. We look forward to seeing all students back safely on Wednesday 27th April.
The first week of the upcoming school holidays is Holy Week. Holy Week is the most solemn week of the Christian year. It is the week leading up to Easter and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus' life.
The Easter Season—beginning on Easter Sunday and continuing for 50 days—is an opportunity for us to cultivate a spirit that defines who we are as Christians. So, what does living the spirit of the Easter season mean in practical terms? Here are three concrete suggestions.
Live with Joy
Joy is a deep-down gladness that cannot be taken away, even in the midst of sorrow. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus teach us that suffering is transformed through faith in the Risen Christ. With this faith, we are able to hold on to an enduring sense of joy even in the midst of the sadness we experience from the loss of a loved one, a failure to achieve an important goal, or a setback during recovery from an illness.
Live without Fear
The Resurrection teaches us that God can overcome anything, even death. When the Risen Christ appears to the women at the tomb and later to his disciples, his first words are “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 28:5,10) These words speak to our hearts, helping us cope with the fear from the loss of a job, a serious illness, or a crumbling relationship. Our faith allows us to trust that God can overcome our most serious problems.
Live with New Eyes
Easter means to live with a sense of newness, the Resurrection of Jesus makes “all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) The Easter spirit is a spirit of renewal that enables us to show up at work with a positive attitude, to renew relationships that have been taken for granted, and to express appreciation and affection to those closest to us. It means to see the world through new eyes—God´s eyes.
We can use these 50 days to cultivate an Easter spirit that enables us to be truly Christian: embracing joy, living without fear, and seeing the world again—as if for the first time.
Everyone is invited and welcome to join in any of the Easter celebrations throughout Holy Week:
MONDAY 11 April5pm Chrism MassSt Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest
HOLY THURSDAY 14 April7pm Mass of the Lord’s SupperHoly Family Church, Gowrie
GOOD FRIDAY 15 April11am Stations of the CrossSt Clare of Assisi School, Conder
3pm The Passion and Death of Our LordHoly Family Church, Gowrie
4pm – 5pm ReconciliationHoly Family Church, Gowrie
HOLY SATURDAY 16 April7pm VigilHoly Family Church, Gowrie
EASTER SUNDAY 8am Mass & 10am MassHoly Family Church, Gowrie
Remember to buy your easter raffle tickets for Project Compassion, the Year 6 Faith Leaders will be selling raffle tickets for Easter prizes, containing all things Easter! Tickets will be available for purchase at both the junior and senior recess times. Tickets will be $1 for 1 and $5 for 10. All money will be donated to Caritas and the winner will be drawn on Friday.
Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards this week.
| Kinder | Georgia McC, April M, Oliver P, |
| Year 1 | Sybilla A,Toby B, Zara E |
| Year 2 | Max S, Michael W |
| Year 3 | Mason H, Joseph LB, Nina R, Harry S |
| Year 4 | Jaimee J |
| Year 5 | Paige H |
| Year 6 | Ben C, Levi P |
TERM 1
WEEK 10 (4th April - 8th April)
Friday 8th April - Last day of Term 1
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 9th April to 24th April
Friday 15th April - Good Friday
Sunday 17th April - Easter Sunday
TERM 2
WEEK 1 (25th April to 29th April)
Monday 25th April - ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday 26th April - PUPIL FREE DAY
Wednesday 27th April - All students commence Term 2 in Winter Uniform
WEEK 2 (2nd May - 6th May)
Thursday 5th May - Athletics Carnival
To commemorate Anzac Day this year, SCA will be holding an Anzac Day Liturgy hosted by Year 3 on Wednesday 27th April. Unfortunately, continuing Covid restrictions mean that we are unable to invite parents to attend in person and the liturgy will be in a virtual format rather than a whole school gathering.
As part of our liturgy, I would like to invite students who may have family members or relatives who served in past conflicts to please email a photograph of an item, place or occasion that has special significance for your family.
Perhaps a previous Anzac Day commemoration, grandparent’s medals, a special place or memory….it would be wonderful to include your child/ren and a brief explanation of your chosen item. Please email in to kate.blenkin@cg.catholic.edu.au by end of day Friday 8th April, in order to have this included in our Anzac Day commemorations.
Many thanks
Kate Blenkin
Defence School Mentor
2023 Enrolment Period is from 2nd May until 30th May
Open Days:
Wednesday 4th May at 10am
Wednesday 18th May at 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Enrolment time will be on us again in a few weeks. If you have a little one ready for school in 2023 or you know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, the enrolment packs will be ready for the beginning of the new term.
Term 2 begins Wednesday 27th April 2022
Winter Uniform to be worn
GIRLS WINTER UNIFORM
- Checked tunic or navy slacks
(tunic may be worn as a skirt ONLY in Year 5/6) - Sky blue long sleeve blouse with peter pan collar or sky blue skivvy
- Polo shirt is NOT to be worn with Winter Uniform
- Maroon polar fleece with crest
- Navy tights
- Navy jacket
- Traditional black leather shoes (not jogger style)
GIRLS WINTER SPORTS UNIFORM
- Navy track pants
- Maroon polar fleece with crest
- New design sports polo with crest
- Plain white socks covering ankles
- Appropriate lace-up sports shoes
BOYS WINTER UNIFORM
- Navy trousers
- Sky blue long sleeve shirt
- School tie (navy with royal and sky blue stripe) to be worn with shirt
- Sky blue skivvy
- Polo shirt is NOT to be worn with Winter Uniform
- Maroon polar fleece with logo
- Plain white socks covering ankles
- Traditional black leather shoes (not jogger style)
- Navy jacket
BOYS WINTER SPORTS UNIFORM
- Navy blue track pants
- Maroon polar fleece with logo
- New design sports polo shirt with crest
- Plain white socks covering ankles
- Appropriate lace-up sports shoes
On Thursday 5th May, Athletics Carnival day, there will be No Lunch Orders.
There will be a canteen open on the day selling:
- Hot Dogs
- Drinks
- Chips
- Lolly Bags $2, $3 and $5
- Tea and Coffee
