Dear Parents,

We were fortunate to receive many nominations from parents who were keen to join our SchoolAdvisory Committee and I thank them all for their willingness to further support our schoolcommunity. Voting has now closed for these positions and I would like to announce our committee for the 2023 school year. All committee members understand the important role they play in being the voice of the broader population of parents as well as being able to be respectful, confidential and supportive of all school decisions.

Our 2023 Advisory Committee;

Chairman: Justin Greenwood
Secretary: Rachael Williams
Parish Priest: Fr Confidence Masvosva
Parent Representatives: Amie De Battista, Paul Lecher, Kelly Bonacci, Stephanie Clements & Graeme Hill

Monday 20th - Sunday 26th March

Next week schools, communities and organisations from all around Australia will come together to celebrate Harmony Week. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. ​The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day, not just during Harmony Week. 

Did you know?  

• Nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was. 
• We identify with over 300 ancestries. 
• Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia. 
• 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia. 
• Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic,Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.  
• More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. https://www.abs.gov.au/ 

To celebrate Harmony Week at our school we would like to invite our parents to come into the classrooms next Friday 24 th March from 2:30pm to join your child’s class for some activities.
Students are also invited to wear a splash of orange with their school uniform. Why orange? Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

Athletics Carnival 
This Friday parents and friends are welcome to attend our St Angela of the Cross Athletics Carnival. Please see indicative schedule below.

Students are encouraged to wear their house colours.

Lent is an important season that we use as a time to become closer to God.

It’s a time to remove distractions and to sharpen our focus so that we might better know God’s ways and become more loving in the world, on the job, and in our own homes, far beyond the 40 days of Lent.We focus on growing closer to God through PRAYER, FASTING and GIVING. Although it seems like a very adult thing to celebrate, it is possible to make Lent meaningful for children. 

As a family, use the suggestions below to discuss ways with your child to PRAY, FAST or GIVE in order to grow closer to God this Lent.

Prayer for Lent

Dear God,

Thank You that You are loving and forgiving.

Help us to love people in the same way as You have loved us.

Help us do generous things for others because we love You.

Amen

Project Compassion

Spanning across the six weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world. 

If you would like to donate to Project Compassion, you can place your donation into the Project Compassion box or collect an envelope from the School Administration Office.

Your generous support can help change lives today - and For All Future Generations.

https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/donate

We Have The Power!

We scoff when we read that the man in today’s gospel (John 9:1-41) must be suffering blindness as God’s punishment for his own sinfulness or that of his parents. We know better than that! Jesus’ purpose flies in the face of that. His Good News of God’s Kingdom is that God is an all loving Father who is vitally concerned for us, seeks to guide us but allows us to follow our conscience. God is not interested in zapping us for our sins or those of our parents.

Nevertheless we ask similar questions today. Why do bad things happen to innocent people? Why were thousands killed recently in the big earthquake in Turkey and Syria? Why are some babies born with birth defects?  Why does cancer strike some and not others? They are age-old questions without easy answers but Jesus puts to bed the idea of God inflicting these things. (John 9:3)

Indeed if we had such a God, who micro-managed our lives, it would be at the expense of our free-will, our freedom of conscience and action. Instead God is vitally concerned in our lives and has given us collectively and individually the tools to address anything life throws at us.

So what tools have we been given? How might the works of God be revealed in misfortunes? Before we blame God, what has His teaching been? Oh yeah, Jesus’ consistent message is about compassion, about openness to God’s Word and truly listening. We deal with illnesses and natural disasters pro-actively, medically and scientifically, we work tirelessly for peace, we listen to our brothers and sisters without prejudice, we reach out selflessly to those in need and we humbly place ourselves in God’s hands.  And we resist any temptation to think we have answers without God. `

Deacon Mark Kelly