Last week the Church marked Ash Wednesday, being the first day of Lent and St Mary’s gathered in the area beside our beautiful church. Father Michael worked with Mr. Simon Kinch to celebrate the distribution of the ashes incorporating elements of the significance of fire and ash to many cultures including our indigenous and eastern philosophies. The students and congregation had just settled under the trees when a light dusting of rain fell, which did feel like a blessing to us all assembled.  

Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter. It is a moveable feast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants to the words "Repent, and return to the Gospel" The ashes may be prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. Lent symbolises the 40-day period that Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying and as Catholics during the season of Lent we are called to pray, fast and to give to the poor during this preparation time waiting for the Easter Season incorporating Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The students will learn a great deal about the Easter Holy Events during the next 40 days.

Last week all Catholic schools in NSW celebrated “Catholic Schools' Week”. We were blessed by a visit from our Diocesan Director Mr Peter Turner last Monday. Mr Turner met with our current Year 6 class to respond to letters the students had written to him last year regarding the importance of an Outdoor Education Program in schools. Mr Turner was also pleased to meet the staff, students and to welcome Mrs Julie Valentini and myself to the school as new leaders. His enthusiasm and support of St Mary’s was clearly evident as he assured the school community that Milton was a unique school and held a special place in his heart and that we had the full support of the Catholic Education Office.  

Catholic Schools’ Week officially commences our enrolment process for 2020. Enrolment packages are available from the school or on our website. If you know of a child who is starting school next year, please invite them to our ‘Open Day’ on Tuesday the 9th of April from 9:30 -11:00am. We will be opening our school to the community and new families to come and share some of the wonderful things happening at St Mary’s. Our existing families are of course very welcome to attend our Open Day and visit our classrooms also.

Last week we also had the first general meeting of the P and F, this meeting was the meeting of many creative and enthusiastic minds. I am so grateful to these parents for giving up their time for our school community. There were many ideas shared and many taken up straight away which is very exciting for our students. One of these initiatives is providing meals for people in our school community who are experiencing difficulties or illness. I’m pleased to say that our first meal was delivered last week, such kindness is so wonderful for our community but more importantly to show our own children the importance of ‘care for the other’. If you are someone who would be available to prepare a meal when required please contact the school office, we would love your help!

After some reshuffling in our Library, Mrs Louise Hamilton will be our new School Library Officer. Mrs Hamilton will have the Library open several days a  week for second break. Students can play board games, use construction equipment or read books in this ‘Quiet Play Area’. We are hoping this opportunity offers more variety for our children in terms of play. If you have any spare or redundant Lego we would gratefully accept it for use in the Library Area.

Last Thursday many of our staff attended the Diocesan Schools’ Mass, which is the official gathering of the Diocese for the new school year. Father Michael con-celebrated at the mass, and I was so proud to be commissioned as the Principal of St Mary’s Star of the Sea. I was privileged to be escorted by our school Captain Lief Dampney and Hamish Kinch, representing our students on the night. A big thank you to the parents of these students and the staff for making the long trip to Wollongong for the Mass.

Last Thursday a number of our students attended the Diocese of Wollongong Southern Zone Swimming Carnival. A big congratulations to all students who attended the carnival and showed excellent sportsmanship and skill on the day. Thanks to Mr Kinch for looking after our team on the day and parents who transported children to the carnival.

Our Sacramental program will begin next Thursday at 6pm with the Sacramental Meeting. The sacraments are such a special and sacred rite of passage for all Catholics. If you have a child who is eligible for making Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation this year please ensure that you attend this session to receive information for all sacramental programs.

It has come to my attention recently that students have been discussing distressing online incidents that they have witnessed or heard about from other students. This latest incident has been widely reported in the media. I cannot stress highly enough that parents are vigilant of their children’s use of the internet, and to have the conversation about what to do if a child gets into any situation that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I.e. Tell a trusted adult immediately, do not delete messages, take a screenshot if possible as evidence. Please discourage your child from discussing these things with other students as the distress is then passed onto other children. Thank you for your support in protecting all of our children.

Yours in partnership,

Laurinda Nelson

Principal