Last Sunday’s Gospel…

Last Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. By tradition, the Blessed Sacrament is taken out onto the streets in procession. There were 15,000 people walking through the streets of Sydney from St Mary’s Cathedral. If you search for the pictures it was quite a sight. Archbishop Anthony Fisher paused at Parliament House and imparted a blessing on the people within. There is significant legislation being debated at the moment that will have a big impact on freedom of religion for all faith communities. Unfortunately this positive demonstration of faith didn’t make the mainstream media. Hundreds also participated at our own Diocesan procession at Our Lady Help of Christians Rosemeadow.

News…

First Holy Communion

It was fitting that our Year 3 students made their First Holy Communion on the weekend of the Feast of Corpus Christi. It was a special time for our parish as well as our school. Many of the staff of the school conduct the lessons over a number of weeks in their own time. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and faith filled teaching team at MIEV. 

Wellbeing Grant

At least three grades in two days used the brand new Wellbeing Through the Arts resources. Teachers participated in professional development last Wednesday and got busy quickly. I have had a number of students come up and thank me for the new equipment saying they are enjoying using it and love learning new skills. 

Behaviour Focus

Following a survey of our Year 5 and 6 students, we are all focusing on using kind words to each other. The students indicated they wanted improvement in the way we speak to each other so that is a very targeted focus for the rest of the term. I was very proud of our students when we shared the results with them. They all agreed that personal comments that shame or embarrass people, swearing and racial comments have no place in our school. Our school is a holy place where everyone should feel safe and loved. I was careful to point out that many of our students live this every day already. We are having a busy time, which we are happy about, because students are reporting more incidents to us so we are able to act. Please take the opportunity to reinforce your own expectations. I explained to the students that I know you are all wanting the same thing because as parents you all pay more money to send your children to a Catholic School expecting a high standard of behaviour. 

TTFM

The TTFM survey is now closed and results are being compiled. As soon as they are available I shall share them with you. We had just over 100 responses from parents which is an excellent result – thank you! 

Pilgrimage Leave

You won’t be seeing me or hearing from me in the next fortnightly newsletter. I had arranged to go on a pilgrimage this time last year before I had any idea I would be changing schools. I’ll be travelling to countries in Eastern Europe where people suffered great hardship to be able to practice their faith and suffered greatly particularly during and after the Second World War. Places such as Auschwitz, the Shrines of the ‘Black’ Madonna and the Infant of Prague are on the itinerary along with sites important to Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict. I will be back again for parent teacher interviews. During my leave Ms Emilia Ahern and Mr Lindsay Burns have each been appointed by the Catholic Education Office to take half the time stepping into the Acting Principal role. I know I am leaving the school in very safe and competent hands.

God Bless,

 Michelle Rolfe, Principal

Lindsay Burns and Emilia Ahern, Acting Assistant Principals