FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK
Dear Parents and Carers,
One of the great privileges of my life was the opportunity to spend several weeks in the Holy Land in 2018. During this time, we walked paths and retraced some of the journeys that Jesus walked. This experience changed forever the way I visualise the scripture stories.
The mantra of our pilgrimage was “This moment or this place is as perfect as it can be.” Our temptation, as humans is to always look to the next moment to be more perfect. We tend to always be disappointed in what we have. We are always rushing into the future. The reason we’re rushing into the future is because we’re not experiencing a wholeness in the present. When we haven’t grasped the present, we always live under an illusion. It is an illusion that the next moment or place is going to be better than the last. When we get around this corner, when we see the next town, when we get to Jerusalem, when we get to the next hotel—whatever it might be. But pilgrimage helps us see that attitude as essentially wrong. As long as we think happiness is around the corner, it means that we have not yet grasped what happiness is. Happiness is experienced in the present moment and the present place, this moment and place are as perfect as they can be.
During the pilgrimage, our group travelled to the top of Mount Tabor, a mountain that rises from the plains of Galilee. Our group celebrated mass in the beautiful Church of the Transfiguration - the scene of Sunday’s Gospel account. According to tradition, it was to this mountaintop that Jesus, took his three most trusted disciples and they were transformed by the vision described in the Gospel of Mark. This was the ultimate mountaintop experience. Peter, James, and John were entrusted to take the perfection they experienced on the mountaintop and allow it to transform the way they lived their lives as believers, amidst the ordinariness of their own lives. They were sent, just as we are to be bearers of Christ’s love.
The placement of this Gospel story in the Lenten Season has significance for us all. This Season is one that calls for each of us to be transformed and present to opportunities to renew ourselves as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection at Easter.
Every day at Mary Immaculate there are visible instances of renewal, of growth and of perfection and transformation. Such growth and renewal can occur within the learning environment and is especially evident in those ‘Ah-ha’ moments when learning connections are made, absorbed, strengthened, and consolidated. Growth is also especially evident in relational matters particularly where conflict or disagreement have arisen. Relationships between students in conflict can be transformed through structured dialogue with a focus on developing empathy through the opportunity to see a situation from the perspective of another. The Restorative Justice processes of our school provide a scaffold to support such transformational change.
During this Lenten Season, we are all called to transform aspects of our lives that hinder a full relationship with our God and with each other.
May we all, through practices of prayer, generosity, and forgiveness, invigorate our Lenten Season and rejuvenate our relationships. May Christ continue to be our transformational guide just as he was for his disciples Peter, James, and John on the mountaintop of Mount Tabor.
Tina Murray
Principal
PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Thank you to the following parents who have accepted nominations and leadership roles in this group for 2023.
President – still to be filled
Vice President – Kerry Watson
Secretary – Rebecca Whitburn
Treasurer – Helena Lasan
The position of President has not yet been filled, and we are seeking support from the wider parent community from anyone who may be interested in assuming the role of President role for 2023.
Please contact Mrs Murray to discuss interest in this position further.
If all Executive positions are not filled, the P&F will not be a viable option for the remainder of 2023, and other avenues for parent engagement and involvement will need to be explored.
CROSS COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS
We are still seeking the assistance of Parent Volunteers to help at the Cross Country on Friday 24 March 2023. Please click on the link below if you are able to volunteer.
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Congratulations to the students who took the next step in their sacramental journey this week through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance. We are grateful for the dedication of the Parish Sacramental team and our school staff who supported the candidates during their preparation and at the liturgies that took place this week.
In response to previous parent feedback, we are providing the following information to help parents understand the importance of these practises and to understand each type of drill. We understand some students may become nervous so we ask parents to please discuss the drills with their children in readiness for the practises that must be completed this term.
The students and staff of our school are required to practise the following emergency drills each year. Each type of drill is explained below.
EVACUATION DRILLS
The school is required to conduct a ‘Evacuation Drill’ on an annual basis.
During an ‘Evacuation Drill’, students will be safely escorted along a designated evacuation route to our pre-determined evacuation site. The grass area in front of the hall has become our new evacuation site due to the current building project.
At the conclusion of the drill, all students will be escorted back to their classrooms. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it in the event of an actual emergency.
LOCKDOWN DRILLS
The school must conduct at least one ‘Lockdown Drill’ throughout each school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a ‘Lockdown Drill’ all the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.
In the event of an actual emergency, to maintain the safety of everyone involved and to maintain order, we respectfully ask that you abide by the following:
• Do not come to the school site
• Do not call the school offices (as we will be busy with the drill or actual emergency)
• Do not contact students or staff members via mobile phone or social media (as they will be busy with the drill or actual emergency)
• Avoid social media posts. Correct information will be disseminated through the Compass system as soon as possible.
• Please make sure that your contact information is current at all times so that you can be reached without delay in the event of an actual emergency.
• In the event of an actual emergency, you will receive notification about where to pick up your child as soon as practicable.
Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.
Please discuss these procedures with your child.
