Dear Parents and Carers

On the 8th of August we celebrated the Feast day of ‘St Mary of the Cross’ MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was the first Saint of Australia, and her influence in this country and the Asia Pacific region, has spread far and wide. She is recognised for founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and pioneering a system of ‘Josephite’ schools that provided education, especially for the poor. Her legacy is entrenched in our school as we are reminded of the four sisters of St Joseph who arrived in Milton to teach the children of the district in 1914, in what is now the building that houses our Library. 

Mary MacKillop is known as an ordinary Australian who achieved ‘extraordinary’ things. Her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it” continues to resonate in our school, urging us to remain true to Mary MacKillop’s challenge wherever we can, by helping those who need it most, and placing our trust in a good and loving God. Beautiful liturgies took place in every classroom on Friday to recognise and celebrate the Feast Day - The work of Mary and her sisters of St Joseph is not something that lives in the past, it continues to this day all around Australia, including in our little school on the hill. 

I hope that you have had time to read the Curriculum Notes which were shared on Compass this week. These notes are created to offer you a ‘snapshot’ of the wonderful teaching and learning which is taking place in every classroom across the school. If you have any questions regarding class curriculum or routines, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher via the school email, or leave a message at the office for them to give you a call. 

Thank you for your support of our procedures around providing a ‘COVID-safe’ school environment. We continue to be committed to making decisions in accordance with the advice of health authorities and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. We certainly miss having our families in and around the school, and we look forward to welcoming you back in safer times.  If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. Instead, we encourage you to call a GP to discuss your child’s symptoms. Your child must not return to school until they are no longer showing any symptoms of illness and/or can provide a medical clearance (a COVID-19 test may be requested). Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. 

Please continue to keep our Victorian neighbours in your thoughts and prayers as they enter Stage 4 Lockdown conditions. We also hold the people of Lebanon in our hearts this week. 

I leave you with the words of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop -  ‘Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you in all your life’

Wishing you a lovely week,

Julie Valentini