Thank you to our parent/carer community for your unwavering support during the last few challenging weeks.

Thank you to our amazing staff who have responded with grace and generosity to all the challenges that have come their way.

 Dear Parents and Carers,

This is my third year at Mary Immaculate as Principal, and I am yet to experience a normal year. We are certainly living in what will be marked as an extraordinary time in history. Bushfires and floods, the global COVID-19 pandemic, our recent amazing rain systems due to the El Nino effect and the recent Russian invasion of the neighbouring Ukraine.

I cannot help but think about what our children must think about everything that is happening around them and in the wider world. Although the learning of all our students has been disrupted our current Year 2, Year 1 and Kindergarten students are yet to experience the normality of school the way it used to be. 

As we strive to re-establish the whole school timetable and processes since COVID restrictions have eased, we have been focusing on the importance of reconnecting and belonging to a community. The paradox is that outside of the protection of our school community and our families we are often bombarded by images and information that present an opposite view of what it means to be connected or belong. What the world is witnessing can be very difficult for our children to understand. This means that there is all the more reason that we should be working to help our children understand the facts about community and world events, to be critical in their thinking and to allow their compassion for others to be informed and generous. 

So where do we start? In a practical sense, I would highly recommend the ABC Podcast Squiz Kids. This is a short podcast that is updated each day with world news and is communicated in simple ‘kid friendly’ language. The ABC radio program Parental as Anything is another useful resource that supports parent conversations across a range of topics. Additional links to resources that further support parents are included in this newsletter.

Whilst we need to make sure that our children are informed, we also need to balance that with reassurance and gratitude for the many blessings that come from having the opportunity to connect and belong within a safe environment.

I leave you this week as we enter the second week of our Lenten journey with the 2022 Project Compassion prayer. As we commit our prayers for all those within the community of Ukraine - may they feel our connection to them as we pray with compassion:

Loving God,

We thank you for the gift of our lives and

for the life of every person, both near to us and far away.

We thank you for the wonder of your creation.

Through fasting, almsgiving and prayer

may this Lent draw us deeper

into the warmth and light of God’s love.

May we see the world more clearly,

Especially those who are often overlooked.

May we come closer to your heart,

which you showed through the cross of Jesus.

May we be full of hope for future generations.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Wishing you a week ahead with many opportunities to journey with Jesus.

Tina Murray

Principal

 PARENT RESOURCES

How to talk to kids about news –  https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/parental-as-anything-with-maggie-dent/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-news/13389392

How to talk to kids when the news is scary -  https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/59143/war-crisis-tragedy-how-to-talk-with-kids-when-the-news-is-scary

Selection of Children’s Online Books -  Natural Disaster Recovery storybooks | Children's Health Queensland – in particular “Birdie and the Flood” - https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/mental-health-services/qcpimh/natural-disaster-resources/storybooks/?fbclid=IwAR2Vf_6ZRZ1vA_aA-TvQjYvvb-kIOsqe1Wg83hjKLLFwdoSlM0A08c0jCJo

PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

Many thanks to the parents who were able to attend our Parents & Friends Zoom AGM last Wednesday night. It was wonderful to see a number of new parents in attendance. This is a great testament of putting into practice the commitment made during the enrolment process.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the outgoing committee for their energy, positivity and tireless efforts in helping to build community spirit during extremely challenging circumstances in 2021. Thank you to the members of the outgoing P & F Executive: Lorraine Brown (President), Heather Franshaw-Thomas (Vice President), Mesfin Desalegn (Secretary), Chris Thomas (Treasurer).

We are grateful for their hard work and commitment during 2021.

I look forward to the opportunity of working with the members of the new P & F Executive, as we continue to work together to promote our school and our mission to support the opportunities for all our students at Mary Immaculate. 

Congratulations to all the parents who accepted nominations and leadership roles in this vital group within our school community for 2022.

President – Lorraine Brown

Vice President – Kerry Watson

The positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Hospitality Co-ordinator and Fundraising Co-ordinator were not able to be filled at last week’s meeting and we are seeking support from the wider parent community from anyone who may be interested in assuming any of these roles. Copies of the Role Descriptions are included with this newsletter to support parents who may wish to consider taking on one of these roles.

Please contact Mrs Murray to discuss further.

  RAINCOATS

The last few weeks have reinforced the need for all students to have a raincoat packed in their bag for use when needed.

Due to safety concerns, it is preferable that students use raincoats rather than umbrellas at school.

Tina Murray

Principal