In preparation for the Fifth World Day Of The Poor on 14 November 2021, Pope Francis said:

“The poor are not people 'outside' our communities, but brothers and sisters whose sufferings we should share, in an effort to alleviate their difficulties and marginalisation, restore their lost dignity and ensure their necessary social inclusion. On the other hand, as we know, acts of charity presuppose a giver and a receiver, whereas mutual sharing generates fraternity. Almsgiving is occasional; mutual sharing, on the other hand, is enduring”. 

The following reflection helps us to reassess our notion of what poverty really is.

A colleague teacher stood up on a chilly Monday morning in a staff briefing. He had taken four Year 12 students out on the Vinnies night patrol van the previous Saturday night – students who had given up a party to prepare sandwiches, cakes, sweets, coffee, and tea – to be with their teacher and help those who hadn't had a lot to eat.

The teacher wanted to tell the staff briefing of the formation he had experienced that night, which would stay with him for a long time.

Andrew, one of the students, returned to the van explaining he was a bit late back as he was talking to a man that made him really think about things. “Tell me about what happened,” my colleague had asked Andrew.

"Well, the line was long and we were able to hand out sandwiches and we got through making the coffees and teas and then I noticed this man," Andrew recalled. "His name was Geoff, and he was standing off to the side. He didn’t line up so I walked over and offered some sandwiches. He was really polite, and I asked him if he wanted a coffee? He said he’d like that if that wouldn’t be too much trouble.

"He was quiet and ate the sandwich very quickly. He asked me my name and we got talking. He said he slept in a great spot in a local car park where the wind was blocked and rain couldn’t come in. He liked it there, as the hostel wasn’t safe, things would go missing all the time and he was targeted in the dorm room.

"He said he liked football and would listen to games on the radio with a little portable transistor he carried around. He loved the South Sydney Rabbitohs and knew all of the years they won the premiership."

“Sir,” Andrew said, "I told him I had to get going as we were packing up the van, and it was good to meet him and he said to me, 'Thank you for the food and coffee but thank you for taking the time to talk with me – you’re the first person I’ve spoken to all week'."

This reflection helped me to look at poverty differently. Poverty wasn’t just donations anymore. Poverty came in many forms. How could another human being, not speak to another person for a whole week? As someone surrounded by voices each day, stayed with me for a long time.

As a school community, we are challenged to look at poverty with a bigger perspective. Sandwiches, coffee, warm clothes, donations and money are so important in reaching out to those who have so little. Thank you for the generous donations already received for the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal. However, we are also challenged to take a wider look at the people around us and to make a difference. This can be as simple as helping out when we can see they are without.

Listening to someone who doesn’t get listened to.

The student in the playground who is alone.

A smile and hello when you walk past someone at school – who knows what sort of a day they’ve had.

Demonstrating an act of kindness to someone who has been in difficulty, that may cost you time and may test your patience.

These are the very real ways that we can make Christ our Way and Life.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Congratulations to the young members of our parish and school who took the next step in their sacramental journey this week when they received of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are grateful to the members of the Parish Sacramental Team for supporting parents to prepare their children for the next step in their sacramental journey. We especially thank Miss Ally Carter and Miss Megan Price for their leadership during this preparation period. 

Tina Murray 

Principal

SAFETY CONCERNS

We once again wish to raise concerns about the unsafe practises currently happening in the Kiss and Drop Zone each morning. We request that all parents adhere to the following procedures to ensure the safety of all. The necessity of having staff monitor parent behaviour in this area takes away from our core focus of supporting students on the playground before school.

Cars will proceed to the first 3 spaces of the Kiss and Ride Zone, closest to the School Office entrance.

• ONLY the first 3 cars will drop off children.  All other cars will need to line up and wait until they reach this area to drop off their children.
• ADULTS need to remain in the car at all times. This means that children will need to have their school bags with them in the car, so that they are able to exit the car from the left hand side, onto the footpath.
• CARS will exit the Kiss and Ride Zone in the order that they entered.  Do not leave earlier than the car in front or overtake them.
• IF the Kiss and Ride Zone is full or you wish to get out of the car, please park in an area away from the Kiss and Ride Zone.
• DO NOT park or drop off in the Bus Zone.
• DO NOT double park.
• DO NOT make u-turns - they are illegal, dangerous and put everyone at risk.

ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT PARENT SURVEY

Each year we seek parent, staff and student input to prepare aspects of the Annual School Report. This year all parents have the opportunity, via an anonymous online survey, to provide input into areas affecting the education of their children and the general functioning of the school. All feedback is greatly valued and will assist in contributing not only to the preparation of the Annual School Report but also to future directions and school improvement initiatives.

In 2021 we have again faced many challenges and disruptions to our normal operations and in many ways we have been unable to operate as we normally would have.

We greatly value all feedback and suggestions from our community members as contributions will assist in the preparation of the Annual School Report and planning for 2022.

Please access the survey via the following link. (Apologies if this link did not work last week.)

https://forms.gle/fd45ZY9fWiudARAy6