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,

As we near the end of our first term and as this is our last Newsletter for Term One I want to thank all members of our school community for the contribution each of you has made to ensure our school continues to be a place of quality learning in a safe and happy environment. We have had several opportunities for parents and carers to visit our school in both a social and educational context and we look forward to continuing this next term.

We celebrate Holy Week in the last week of the school term. This is the most important time in the Church’s calendar. Holy week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday next Sunday, the beginning of our journey to Easter. Holy Week is most definitely a very sacred time of the year, for it is then that we will commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus' life on this earth. These are the days leading up to the great Easter Feast. The Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial comes to an end. In Holy Week, the greatest focus is the Passion (suffering) and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events which lead up to it. Historical documents tell us, that as early as the fourth century, the Church celebrated this "Great Week" with a feeling of profound sanctity.

We celebrate Palm Sunday next weekend (2nd April) and this marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The palms will be blessed and then borne in procession to the church, where an entry is made with a certain amount of ceremony, after which the Mass is celebrated. The other notable and very ancient feature of the present Palm Sunday service is the reading of the Gospel of the Passion by three readers.

Especially important for Catholics is the Easter Triduum. This is the three days just before Easter Sunday. On Holy Thursday, we re-enact the Lord's Last Supper, which He shared with His apostles on the night He was betrayed and arrested. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the entire liturgical year. On Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord, we have the veneration of the Cross. A service is held at three o'clock in the afternoon (the hour He is believed to have died). There is no consecration of the Eucharist on this day, and the Communion we receive will be from the night before, which has been reserved in the tabernacle. The Holy Saturday Mass begins after sundown as the crowd gathers. In the darkness a new fire is kindled and blessed by the Bishop or priest. This new fire symbolises the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ's Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. From this fire is lit the Paschal candle, symbolising the Light of Christ. This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the Lectern, and used throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding all that that Christ is "light and life." Those who engage themselves wholeheartedly in living the entire paschal cycle (Lent, Triduum and Easter's Fifty Days) discover that it can change them forever. This is especially so of the Triduum which, standing at the heart of the Easter season, is an intense immersion into the mystery of what it is to be Christian. During these days, we suffer with Christ so that we might rise with Him at His glorious Resurrection.

We look forward to our holidays as an opportunity to rest, relax and recharge in preparation for the coming term and we ask that God stays close to each and every one of us as we enjoy this family time together. I hope that everyone has a very safe, happy and Holy Easter and holiday and I look forward to a very productive and positive return to school on Wednesday, 26th April. Just a reminder that student's last day of school for the Term One is Wednesday 5th April.

St Patrick's Day

Our school was a sea of green last Friday as our students dressed in green to celebrate St Patrick's Day. St Patrick was an Irish Bishop and as the legend goes he chased all the snakes out of Ireland. Our students each donated a gold coin to The Caritas Lenten Appeal.

We thank our students for letting their lights shine and helping those in need.

Teddy Bears and Prayers - Kindergarten Celebration

It was great to see so many of our Kindergarten students and families at our annual Teddy Bears and Prayers evening. There were many happy faces as children arrived clutching their teddies and soft toys. The prayer began with a beautiful gathering song that the children sang to welcome their families. They then  participated in a little prayer service before completing a craft activity.

Families then shared a meal together and took the opportunity to meet other families.

We thank Jo Kelly (CSO Parent Assembly Cluster Coordinator) and Mrs Kirstie McCluskie (a school parent rep on Parent Assembly) and her daughter Bonnie who provided the hospitality for the evening.

Save the Date - School Family Partnership Meeting

Next term we will be having a meeting to discuss our new model for sharing and gathering information between school and home. Mrs Janita Thompson- Family Parent Lead from the Catholic Schools Office will be facilitating this meeting. The meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd May at 6.00pm in the school hall.

All parents and carers are very welcome to attend. A flyer will be send out next week.

Tell Them From Me - Parent Surveys

In the first two weeks of Term 2 (beginning Monday 24th April) we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Carthage's Primary School.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You will be able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL that we will provide when the survey opens.

More information will follow.

Active Kids - Staff Carpark

The Staff Carpark is for school staff only. If you are dropping off or picking up children from Active Kids please park in the Visitor's Carpark or by the kerb. We have had a couple of near misses with children running through the Staff Carpark.

This is not a safe drop off or collection area.

Thank you for supporting this request to ensure our children remain safe.

The service station is also not a safe area to park for drop off and pick up off as cars are continually entering and exiting and are not looking out for children.

Anzac Day

We have received notification from the RSL Lismore Sub-branch that the Anzac Day March will proceed as normal this year. Tuesday 25th April is Anzac Day. We invite all students to join us for the March. We value our students making the effort to join us on this day and appreciate the effort from our families in allowing this to occur. Students will be required to assemble at the Clyde Campbell Carpark by 8.45am on Tuesday 25th April and the march will begin promptly at 9.00am. Students wear their normal school uniform with their school hat. Staff will be at the carpark to meet students as they arrive. Students may stay for the Memorial Service at the Cenotaph in front of the Lismore Baths or may be collected at the end of the march. Students will stay with school staff until they are collected by a parent at the end of the service.

Online Enrolment 

Enrolment Applications are now done online. The online application form can be accessed via our school website. There is a tab on the top right hand side of the launching page that says ENROL ONLINE. By clicking on this button you can begin the application form. If you require a paper copy please contact the school office.

Parents of children who are ready to start school in 2024 are asked to fill out the online Enrolment Application. 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 2024 to be enrolled in Diocesan schools.

LITURGY TIMES FOR TRIDUUM AND EASTER AT THE CATHEDRAL

“Jesus, live in my Heart - Forever!”

These are the words the children say regularly at school - and our recent prayer gathering was another opportunity to really understand what this means.

Our loving God does not cause natural disasters. Rather, our God becomes visibly present through the sacrifice, courage and the service shown by those who work to renew and rebuild. Jesus is in our hearts.

In celebrating this progress and renewal St Carthage’s community turned to our God to express our gratitude for the many gifts evident in that renewal and rebuilding.

Our community focussed upon the Scripture - “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13 – which allowed us to reflect upon our memories of the many acts of sacrifice, courage and Service witnessed.

Music, words and imagery helped us reflect upon the Scripture with a focus upon the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a ‘love without boundaries’ which gifts each of us the strength to act in Service to others.

In preparation for the prayer gathering, each member of the community painted a small red heart - symbolising one act of sacrifice, courage or service - on a stone which were then brought to our Lenten Prayer space. It was quite amazing to see so many students and staff bringing the hearts forward.

As a community, we were able to acknowledge the past but recognise the incredible progress made in renewing our own school and town.

As usual, we were so proud of our students who were so reverent and respectful throughout the prayer.

We captured some reflections from some student after the event

“It was very peaceful and calming – it was a bit sorrowful and happy”

“I loved how the students put lots of hard work into the sacred space”

“I liked the music because it was about Jesus – especially the Sacred Heart song!”

"I liked singing the 'heart song' it made me happy"

"I liked painting the hearts on the stones because it reminded me of prayers and being happy"

Important Information - Sacramental Program 2023

Sacramental dates are now set:

First Eucharist – Sunday 22 October, 5.30pm Mass

Reconciliation – Tuesday 22^nd August, 5:30pm

Confirmation - Wednesday 21^st June, 6.00pm

Prior to these dates we will hold a session for Parents and Carers of students involved in the Sacramental Program. We will invite parents to bring their children to the session. 

Christian Meditation with Year 4

Thank you to Mrs Helen Hunter who visited the Year 4 classes this week to speak about Christian Meditation. The children were interested in hearing about the history of this prayer form.

When I asked them what they had learned they were keen to tell me that there are different forms of meditation and that Christian meditation had a particular way of allowing God to speak with them. 

Importantly the children said that different religions have different ways of prayer and meditation but they all allowed the person to pray to God.

Jesus got away from activities and noise to enjoy some stillness and silence with God. "Come a part lest you come apart." (come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest: Mark 6:31)

Our commitment to Christian Meditation echoes the example of Jesus who sought silence with God.

Christian Meditation does not need any special objects or space. Christian meditation can be as short as 30 seconds spent in silence before commencing your school work.

Bible Journalling

Our Year 4 teachers were also interested in introducing the children to Bible Journalling.

Bible journalling is the process of taking notes and doodling illustrations, as well as emphasizing key words and phrases, using various writing utensils, colours, and markings (like circles and underlines)—all within the pages of your personal Bible. The children used their Prayer Journal instead of their personal Bible.

Mrs Hunter was also good enough to also introduce the art and prayer form of Bible Journalling to Year 4.  

For students, Bible journalling is an exciting way to engage with Scripture. With pen in hand, you can visually capture Scripture, meditate on God's Word and memorize the text.

Mrs Hunter speaking with our Yr 4 students about Prayer Journalling.

Our Yr 4 students were very attentive!

Below: Some of our students starting out on their journey of Bible Journalling.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Our St Patrick's Feast day Fund-raising Effort (Casual Clothes with a hint of Green!) raised $650 which will go to our Project Compassion fund-raising.

Thank you for your generosity!

Date Claimers

Feast of the Annunciation - 25th March

Palm Sunday - 2nd April

Sunday April 2 at 3.00pm - Lismore Symphony Orchestra performing in the Cathedral - For bookings visit their website https://www.lismoresymphony.org/events/2023-renaissance/

Holy Thursday/Good Friday - 6/7th April

St Carthage’s Feast Day - 15th May

Our Lady Help of Christians - 24th May

Ascension of the Lord - 29th May

Sacrament of Confirmation - 21st June 6pm - Cathedral

First Eucharist – Sunday 22nd October, 5.30pm Mass

Reconciliation – Tuesday 22^nd August, 5:30pm