As we approach the culmination of Holy Week and head into the Easter weekend, let us prepare our hearts to celebrate the glorious feast of Easter! This is a time to rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, over two thousand years ago, and the promise of eternal life for all believers. Easter Sunday itself is a day of immense joy and celebration. We invite all families to attend Easter Mass at 9am on Sunday, to remind their children that Easter is about more than just chocolates.

The last couple of weeks have been very busy. Last week we celebrated Harmony Day, which is celebrated annually on March 21st, and is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Australia. It's a day to promote inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. Many students wore orange to signify harmony, or cultural outfits which were wonderful! We also enjoyed a cake stall run by the Year 2/3 class, which raised over $200 for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion.

Last week I was lucky enough to be part of the Diocesan Assembly in Port Pirie, with many priests, parishioners, schools and bishops in attendance. Fr Michael Trainor was a guest speaker, and he challenged us to revisit the story of Jesus, and the example of Jesus, in our parishes and schools. He said often we get caught up in our individual charisms (ours being the Josephite charism started by St Mary MacKillop), but forget that these are based on the person and example of Jesus to begin with.

The Assembly culminated with the Chrism Mass, which is a significant liturgical event in Catholicism celebrated annually before Easter. During this Mass, the bishop blesses or consecrates holy oils used in various sacraments and rituals throughout the year, including for Confirmation for students in our school. Two of our Confirmation students, Ally and Ocea, were lucky to have been chosen to bring the Oil of Chrism to Bishop Karol to bless, which is the same oil used later this year at their Confirmation. It was a grand service at St Mark’s Cathedral. Bishop Karol was joined by all of the priests in the diocese, as well as representatives from each school, for the occasion. This was a fantastic experience for our students to be part of.

This week we have been involved in Parent Teacher interviews. These are an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss the learning, behaviour and wellbeing of their children. Working together with families, we want to create an environment where all students are able to achieve their best with the support at school and home to help this happen. As always, we invite families to share any concerns they have about how their children are going and their feelings about school. Parent Teacher interviews are just one part of the reporting process, and we encourage families to continue these conversations with teachers throughout the year.

A big thankyou to those who were able to join us today for our Easter play. Students have been preparing for weeks, learning songs and lines, and they did themselves proud today. The reverence and respect they showed to the story was evident, and they presented themselves very well. Thanks to the teachers for their efforts in getting the students organised for this important event.

With two weeks of Term 1 left, we still have lots to look forward to and prepare for. I wish all families a safe and loving Easter break and the chance to share some time with those you love. May this Easter season be filled with hope, peace, and the blessings of the Risen Christ!