Dear Parents and Carers,

It is difficult to believe that we have come to the end of Term 1. During these holidays, the most Holy Season of Easter will be celebrated. Easter represents the end of Lent, and Holy Week commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, welcomed as a hero on Palm Sunday.  At the Last Supper Jesus understood that he was to be betrayed by one of his close friends, the humble act of service and love in the washing of the feet. Jesus understood he was to be crucified and finally brought to glory in Resurrection on Easter Sunday. These events in the life of Jesus reveal so much of his humanity, his humility, the gentleness in the face of adversity and eventually courage to face his persecutors. These are the precious sacred stories of our faith, to help us understand the person of Jesus.  

Easter falls in the middle weekend of the holidays this year, and St Mary’s traditionally leads the Stations of the Cross for the Parish community on the Milton Church Hill on Good Friday. It is a large community event, and we ask that you bring your children to participate in the liturgies in this meaningful way. We will gather at 9:15am to begin the service at 10:00am. The ANZAC Day Service will also fall during the holidays and we have been asked to participate in the Milton march. This is a significant event in the community and St Mary’s are always well represented. All students are asked to wear full summer uniform to the march including school hats. 

Today was a busy end of term with our Holy Week Liturgy, Picnic lunch, Student Teacher Netball game, then finally our Easter Hat Parade and Raffle. These events are always such a wonderful celebration in our school community, enormous thanks to our wonderful P&F for their organisation of our Easter raffle and celebrations. Particular thanks goes to our P&F for their wonderful Trivia Night, it was great fun for the many people that attended with significant funds raised including the sponsoring of eight violins for our violin program trialling next year. 

This term we bid farewell to Mrs Ashleigh Hedger as she leaves to await the arrival of her twin babies. Mrs Hedger always has the needs of students as her priority, we wish her and her family every best wish for the safe arrival of their twins. 

Please enjoy a peaceful and restful break over the holidays and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 29 April. 

Yours in partnership
Laurinda Nelson