Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you had a wonderful break over Easter. Many of you would be aware of the passing of our Pope.

Pope Francis was an inspirational man, not only for the Catholic Community but the entire world. He lived a life of simplicity and humility with a focus on the environment and the marginalised.

I would like to share with you some words of Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ who has written a beautiful piece remembering Pope Francis

“Pope Francis died aged 88 in Rome on 21 April 2025.   At these times we remember how much our friends have meant to us and all the ways in which we shall miss them. That is so with Pope Francis. In a world that sees refugees and immigrants as a threat, disregards the victims of war, trashes the environment, rewards self-interest and cheapens religious faith, he has wept with those mistreated, pleaded their cause and preached a Gospel of joy. He as faced all the things that make for gloom, done what he could to change them, and remained full of hope. For that we shall miss and grieve him.

I was first struck by how ordinary Pope Francis is. From the beginning he was one of us. He went down the street to the barber, rushed off to Lampedusa to grieve with refugees after drowning, left the popemobile to console a grieving woman, spoke off the cuff at press conferences, and on Holy Thursday washed the feet of a young Muslim woman with tats.  His language was earthy too describing the Church as a field hospital and telling priests that they were shepherds who should smell like sheep.

He also bought into the huge issues that face the world and Catholic Church. He wrote letters to the world about responding to climate change, pressed to end wars and to welcome refugees. Within the Catholic Church, he asked us to go out to people at the edge of the Church and society. His Synods involved reflection and conversation at all levels, going up from local congregations, through dioceses and so to Rome to shape reflection at the universal level and then back to the grass roots. Above all, he has been a brother to all he met, sharing their way of life, their enthusiasm, and facilities.”  Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ

Parent Engagement Meeting

Last Term before our Easter Hat Parade we held our Term 1 Parent Engagement Meeting. This meeting was well attended and thank you to those who came along. During the meeting we covered the following topics:

Safeguarding
Principal Report outlining updates on school upgrades.
Federation Representatives
Strategic Improvement Plan
PB4L

Please keep an eye out for our next PEG meeting and come along to hear about what is happening in the school.

Student Led Conferences

Thank you for providing your thoughts on our Term 1 Student Led Conferences. We value your opinions and ideas and are taking these into consideration for our Term 3 Conferences. I also asked our students about their thoughts on our Student Led Conferences. The infographic below highlights the words that students used when asked what their favourite part of the student led conferences were. Overwhelmingly our students valued the opportunity to tell their parents about their learning and being able to share their goals and achievements.

ANZAC Day 

During the holidays we had a group of students join us in the Community ANZAC Day March and ceremony. Thank you to all the families who joined us on this day. Year 5 also hosted a beautiful liturgy for ANZAC Day last week. We welcomed Tony Ryan and Jack Muxlow from the Wingham RSL Sub Branch to our liturgy and they presented us with a book in recognition of ANZAC Day.

School Crossing 

It is wonderful that we now have a school crossing supervisor to man the crossing. This will make crossing the road so much safer for our students and families. Thank you for helping us to keep our children safe and using the crossing when you cross the road.

Winter Uniform Changeover 

From Monday the 12^th of May students will need to wear their Winter Uniform. We have a great selection of second hand and new uniforms available in the office if you need to get any extra winter uniforms.

Welcome Back 

Welcome back to Adaline Lowe and her family who have moved back to the area. It was lovely to see our Year 3 students welcome Adaline back with excitement.

Premier's Reading Challenge 

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is currently running. Any students who would like to enter the challenge can speak to Ms Monkley to get help signing up.

2026 Enrolments reminder

Please note that the first round of enrolments for Kinder and Year 7 2026 close on the 23rd May.  

Prime Minister Award

‘Being a steward of creation’, ‘Trying your best’, ‘Speaking with kindness’ and ‘Being a responsible learner’ are some of the qualities that teachers consider when awarding ‘Prime Minister’ at our weekly assembly. It is an acknowledgement of the student’s efforts and they have the privilege of wearing the badge with honour, of suggesting a focus the school can work on, award Gotchas to other students at lunch time as well as earning Gotchas for themselves. Congratulations goes to Colebee Hollis (Week 2). 

MJR Awards

As part of our MJR system, we acknowledge that the following student, Mathias Reynolds has reached 100 Gotchas.  Well Done!

Easter Raffle 

Thank you for supporting our Easter Raffle. Your chocolate donations and ticket purchases were very much appreciated. Together, we raised $950.00 towards our new school gazebo. 

Congratulations to the winners: 

Polding Hockey Trials 

Well done Savannah, Ashlea and Eleanor who represented the Diocese in Bathurst last week for the Polding Hockey trials.  Congratulations to Eleanor for being selected in the Polding Team, this is a fabulous achievement.  All three girls have made our school very proud. 

Mother's Day Stall items for sale