Week 6 Term 2 2022
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,
This weekend we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. The Church celebrates Pentecost (so called because it is fifty days after Easter), as the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, gathered in an upper room with Mary, mother of Jesus, "as a mighty, rushing wind", fulfilling Jesus' promise when he "breathed on them", as recorded in John's Gospel (Chapter 20). This event, which marks the beginning of the Church, is recorded in the book of Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2. The liturgical colour for Pentecost is red, a reminder of the flames that "rested on them". Another symbol for the Holy Spirit is the Dove, usually emitting golden rays of light. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles gifts of grace through which they would undertake the evangelical mission of the Church. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were given the miraculous "gift of tongues", so that everyone from every country understood the Christians’ inspired message of salvation as if they were hearing it in their own languages. Thousands were converted by the preaching of Peter and the other apostles.
The Solemnity of Pentecost ends the Easter Season. For centuries, the Sundays of the Catholic Church year between Pentecost and Advent were numbered as "after Pentecost". Since the Second Vatican Council, this period is called "Ordinary Time" (the first period of Ordinary Time is that between the Epiphany and Lent). Three Solemnities are celebrated in the weeks immediately following Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
As parents, you have given life to your children and are their principal educators. It is in the family group that Christian values are first instilled and Christian attitudes formed. As you took your children to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, it is your role to walk with them as they continue their initiation into the Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Traditionally we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the week after Pentecost, however, due to the closure of the Cathedral this special sacrament will be celebrated in October. In this Sacrament, the Holy Spirit calls, helps and co-operates with us in our efforts to become witnesses to Christ in our family, school, workplace and community. It is an effective sign of God’s presence and activity. It is a Sacrament of process, of change and growth. It is kept alive by the way a person, with the help of the Holy Spirit, tries to overcome negative forces in their lives.
‘Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful
Kindle within us the fire of your love
Send forth your Spirit
And we shall be created (and even re-created)’
National Sorry Day
Last Thursday our school community participated in a prayer service in recognition of National Sorry Day. Observed annually, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as 'The Stolen Generations'.
We thank Mr Condie and our indigenous students for preparing and leading our prayer service.
School Reports and Interviews – advance notice
School Reports will be sent home electronically on Friday, 24th June (Week 9) and interviews with teachers will be held in Week 10. We will again be using the online booking format for Parent/Teacher interviews and more information will be sent home with the Event Code and a reminder on how to book these interviews electronically in the near future.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2023
Parents of children who are ready to start school in 2023 are asked to fill out the online Enrolment Application so that we can begin the enrolment process.
Please pass on this message to family and friends who are intending to enrol children in Kinder next year. Children must turn five by 31st July 2023 to be enrolled in Diocesan schools.
School Fees Credit
For those families who have requested a refund for fees paid to date you should see this reflected in your bank accounts over the next couple of weeks as Warren works through this process. You will have noticed on the recent fee statements sent out by the CSO that there were credit balances (minus sign) which reflect the credit given for all fees paid.
NORPA Workshop - Flow
On Thursday all our Year 4 students participated in the "Flow" NORPA On Demand workshop facilitated by Mitch King. The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools and NORPA have continued their partnership with the aim to provide students with access to high quality theatre experiences and performance workshops to enhance the curriculum and teacher professional learning.
The On Demand workshops focus on:
• engaging and collaborative learning
• skills, techniques and language of drama and dance
• investigating and processing contemporary topics
• providing resources to enhance the experience for students and teachers
Our Year 4 students enjoyed their experience with the On Demand workshop and were highly engaged in all activities. Their workshop was focused on dance.












Year Six Writing
'Journey To An Unnamed World'
This term, students in Year Six have been learning how composers transport their readers/viewers to other worlds. They are applying this learning to their own writing where they are learning how to compose a text with engaging atmosphere, setting and characters.
St Carthage's Athletics Carnival
The St Carthage's Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 17th June at Hepburn Park. An event can be accessed via your Compass Portal to view all necessary information.
The 1500m event will be held on Tuesday 14th June at Hepburn Park. This sits within the athletics event and permission is provided for both days when you accept the event.
The Lions Club will be holding a sausage sizzle for $2. There will also be drinks and packets of chips to purchase on the day. Alternatively, your child can bring a packed lunch. All children are encouraged to bring a packed morning tea and fruit break.
Located below is a timetable for the day. Please note that this is a guide and may change slightly on the day.
We hope to see you at the athletics carnival!
NSWPSSA Australian Football Carnival
Congratulations to Zachary Cohen who travelled to Coffs Harbour to participate in the NSWPSSA Australian Football Carnival last week. This carnival brings the best 11-12 year old's from across the state to participate in a 3 day long carnival. Zac was a member of the Polding team which is all Catholic schools from the northern half of the state.
Polding finished first in their pool with 3 wins from 3 games. They then progressed to a match against North Sydney. After a close defeat Polding was placed in the in the 7th/8th game. Polding won that game convincingly, finishing 7th overall. Zac had an amazing time and mentioned the extremely difficult competition at the carnival. Congratulations Zac, this truly is an amazing achievement and I'm sure an experience that you will never forget!










AFLQ Schools Cup











AFL Kids Go Free
Round 14 to 17, all kids under 14 will get free* access to Toyota AFL Premiership matches across Australia.
Please visit https://www.afl.com.au/kids-go-free for more information.
NSW TAFE CUP
Netball Gala Day
Students from Year 3-6 that are registered netball players have been given the opportunity to nominate to be a part of one of our school netball teams. The netball gala day will be held in Week 3, Term 3. Please check with your child if they have nominated.
Lismore Diocesan Rugby Union Gala Day
The St Carthage's Rugby Union Team will travel to Coffs Harbour on Thursday 16th June to participate in the Lismore Diocesan 10 a side Rugby Union Gala Day. The team comprises of Year 5 and 6 boys and is coached by Mr Tate Bailey. They have been busy trialling over the last few weeks. The standard at the trials was extremely high and we are very fortunate to have two shadow players that are still attending training and ready to step in if needed.
We wish Lachlan Allen, Henry Begley, Archie Da Fre, Jack Elphick, Jimmy Field, Jonah Hudson Sheaffe, Harry Jenkins, Will Lynch, Hugh Marshall, Darcy Paisley, Joel Tulk, Jude Wagner, Wez Weekes, Zavier Zorzo and Oscar Maher the best of luck and look forward to hearing how you went.