Aboriginal Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We commit ourselves to actively working alongside Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.

Dear Families,

Where do I begin to express the devastation and utter heartbreak of the last few weeks. To see our Lismore community torn apart by this natural disaster is beyond words and indeed, comprehension. The sadness and grief is so evident in all areas as you drive through our Lismore community and when you hear the raw pain as people talk about their experiences. The sense of community that has been established; family helping family, friends helping friends, strangers helping strangers is what defines what Lismore is about.

Our school was also affected, with water entering buildings that we thought were unreachable! Fortunately, staff were able to move many of our resources and some furniture to the library which missed water by centimetres! Water entered the lower infants block, one Year Five classroom, our school hall and the administration block. 

A big shout out to staff who rallied when the call went out to pack up and turned up again for days to clean up and prepare our school for opening in such a short time frame. I am so grateful to be a part of such a committed school community who work together to achieve the best for our students.

I would like to send a big thank you to you, our families for your generous offers of help and support to our staff and families. We know that in the coming weeks there will be things that our families may require and we will meet the need as it arises. Thank you to our families who have filled in the Google form updating us on how families have been affected by the floods. If you haven't done this it is not too late. This will assist us in supporting families into the future.

I am so proud of the way our students have returned to school and settled into their new routine. Learning spaces look different however, our students have adapted well and are back to learning in earnest. These spaces are short term and we are confident that we will return to our regular classrooms very soon. Whilst we explored options to relocate some grades we believe that it was crucial at his time for our community to remain together. It is time for us to live by the adage of short term for long time gain. Our focus remains very clearly on student wellbeing and learning.

The journey is not over but I am eternally grateful for the continued support of our families who have committed to walking this journey with us. We will get through this together.

Lent
This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Lent is a very significant time in the Church year. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Christians think of the forty days of Lent as an opportunity to change their daily lives and become closer to God. From its start on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional time for fasting or giving something up or abstinence. Just as we carefully prepare for events in our personal lives, as a wedding or birthday, Lent invites us to make our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
These days, Christians around the world observe Lent in many ways. Many from more orthodox and traditional denominations will still observe the fast strictly, beginning with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and abstinence of meat, fish, eggs and fats until Easter Sunday. Others will choose to give up just one item for Lent, more commonly a ‘luxury’ such as chocolate, meat or alcohol. It is also becoming increasingly common for people to give up other things in order to refocus their faith during this time; such as watching TV, going to the gym, even social media.

Many Christians also use Lent to pray more intensively and to use simple daily reflections and acts of generosity as a way of putting others first during
preparations for Easter.

Let us take time to reflect on the past year and during this season of Lent perhaps think about ways how we can ‘fast’ in our own lives.

Covid Update
While the impact of floods has been forefront in our minds we need to remember that Covid is still circulating in our community. Rapid Antigen Tests were sent home with each family on Wednesday. Our records are in storage so tests may have been sent home with families who do not wish to have them I apologise for this and please return the tests to school if this is the case. The tests are for your child to be tested if you feel they are showing symptoms. We no longer request this to occur on set days. 

Bishop's Flood Appeal
The Lismore Diocese is receiving extraordinary amounts of offers for support for families impacted by floods. To ensure a coordinated response we are requesting that all donations be channelled through Bishop Greg's Diocese of Lismore 2022 Flood
Appeal (https://www.lismorediocese.org/) It would be greatly appreciated that all fundraising efforts support this appeal.

BSB: 037-889

Account No: 1061 5829

Account Name: DOL Flood Appeal Transaction

Details: If you wish your donation to go to a particular school, please include the school name in the transaction details (ie. St Carthage's, St Joseph's etc)

Parent/Teacher Interviews

We will be holding our Parent/Teacher Interviews in Week 10 of this term (4th -7th April). We felt that it was important to touch base with our parents and carers before the holidays in order to plan for Term 2. This will give parents the opportunity to talk to their child's teacher; to celebrate learning, discuss any concerns, ask any questions and set goals for next term. Bookings will be via the online platform and further information can be found later in this Newsletter.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

At St Carthage’s we place great importance on teachers and parents being in partnership with each other so that we can provide the best outcomes for all our students. We will be holding Parent/Teacher Interviews in Week 10 of this term (Monday 4^th April – Thursday 7^th April). We invite you to attend our Parent/Teacher Interviews so that you can meet your child's teacher, discuss goals for your child and get any questions that you may have answered.

These meetings will run for 15 minutes and they will take place in alignment with COVID safe practices. Please sanitise your hands when entering the classrooms and maintain safe social distancing when on the school premises.

Please go online to Compass and book a Parent/Teacher meeting with your child’s classroom teacher by 9am on Friday 1^st April 2022.  

Please note Mrs Sudiro will be on leave during these interviews. She is offering interviews on Monday and Tuesday afternoon next week to meet. As this is short notice there will also be times available in Week 2 next term to catch up. Please send Mrs Sudiro an email or private message on Class Dojo to arrange a time.

How to book an interview in Compass via a web browser

Login to your Compass Portal through a web browser. At the top right-hand side of the screen you will see a green box with a link for bookings.

If you do not see this, click on the Conferences link under the Community Icon.

Then click on the green ‘My Bookings’ link and follow the instructions to book your Parent/Teacher Meeting.

If you have any trouble with booking a Parent/Teacher interview, please contact me via email on amanda.deeps@lism.catholic.edu.au

How to book an interview via the app

We encourage students to not be passive bystanders.

If they see a need, they are asked to 'look with the eyes of Jesus' and ACT to make their world (school) a better place...

In my last newsletter (which seems like an age ago) I spoke about how we encouraged our school student leaders to 'let their light shine' as models to the younger ones. This is the Gospel Reading we shared:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew, Chapter 5: 13-16

How appropriate then to see our students returning to school and settling in so well - shining their light. So many children with so many stories to tell, playing and learning together so beautifully from day one! When I came to St Carthage's one of my first impressions was that the children were extremely polite and friendly. My impression hasn't changed - we are fortunate to have such wonderful students attending our school.

Today (Friday 25th March) - is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord 

This solemnity celebrates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce the special mission God had chosen for her in being the mother of His only Son. Mary said 'Yes' even though her answer was going to ask of her immense sacrifice.

We can see how Mary's 'YES" has inspired the many women who are parents, grandparents, carers and teachers and staff in our St Carthage's community to give of themselves - especially during the last few weeks. 

Questions to start a family discussion about the example Mary gave to us...

When did you last say "YES" to someone?

Did you have to 'GIVE UP' something like your time? 

Did you say 'YES' to help someone after or during the 2022 floods? (It could even be something simple like asking a friend if they were 'ok?')

A Prayer for Peace

"Pope Francis has asked that this Friday be marked by prayer for peace in Ukraine. He will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, along with the Bishops of the world, during a penitential service in Rome, 25 March, 5PM CET.

We invite you to pray with your family the following prayer...

We believe in God’s message of peace.

Jesus is our hope.

Through him, we pray for peace in our world.

With him, we work for peace in our school.

In him, we live for peace in our family.

Amen

Incitare 2022 

Yay! This Retreat experience is back on Tuesday 5 April (Week 10). 

Thank you to the students in Year 6 who applied to attend the annual Diocesan Incitāre Retreat - a retreat sponsored by the Catholic Schools Office and is an opportunity for students to experience faith nurturing activities in support of their roles as faith leaders in their respective schools.

A day of group processes and student discussion led by the CSYMA student leaders from local secondary schools is a wonderful opportunity to meet students from other local Catholic schools who also value their faith.

Incitāre means to stir up, incite, urge, spur - when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives we are invited to spread the good news to all we encounter.

We wish the students a wonderful experience as they take a further step on their journey of faith. We will hear more from them after the day!

Students attending the Retreat have been sent home a notice with updated details. 

Where: Tullera Hall, Tullera

Cost: Nil. All transport and booking expenses met by the Catholic Schools Office.

Transport: A bus will transport students (9:00 am pick up and 2:50pm drop off back at school)

Dress: School sports uniform, including a hat/school bag.

Morning Tea and Lunch: Students bring their own. (including water bottle)

Mr Hatchman will use the Travel, Consent and Medical Forms you previously completed and submitted. If your circumstances have changed, please contact the School Office.

A springtime for the human soul

Pope Francis says, "Lent invites us to a change in mindset, so that life’s truth and beauty may be found not so much in possessing as in giving, not so much in accumulating as in sowing and sharing goodness." How true is this when we see and hear of the many people who, in the midst of their own losses, have given themselves to help others.

Date Claimer - Sacrament of Confirmation date: 8 June, 2022