Term 4 Week 2

Principal's Report

Hi all,

I’m finishing up this article from the comfort of the Dining Room at Mylor Adventure camp where our Year 3/4s are enjoying three days of fun and adventure.

A child asked me yesterday whether the best part of being a principal is getting to go on all the school camps. They might not be far from the truth as I think it’s a time for myself where I get to see the kids in a different environment where they are pushed and challenged in different ways.

Even in last night’s Talent Showcase we saw kids stand up and sing, tell jokes and perform in front of their peers, one of the toughest things to do. Today they will be pushed in different ways on the giant flying fox and various challenge courses to attempt things that some children won’t be phased by, and others will find a significant physical and mental challenge.

Split Recess Trial

The feedback from our Split Recess trial has been predominantly positive from staff, parents, and students. We will continue in this mode for the rest of the year and then assess again at the beginning of 2023.

What’s going on with the Build?

Since our last update….Plenty! Stage 1 of the build includes what the builders refer to as Building 1 and Building 3. Building 1 is our new Junior Primary Building. They are currently digging the footings for this in preparation for the slab being poured next week. All has been relatively smooth sailing so far.

Building 3 is our new toilet block which is situated on the northern side of the playground. This has had the slab poured and first fix carpentry almost completed. Brickwork is expected to be completed within a fortnight.

Each individual cubicle features it’s own basin and hand dryer. There will be 5 toilets located near the playground and 2 additional toilets attached to the new Junior Primary building.

End of Year Events Reminders

A note was sent home last week but this ais a reminder about the end of year events at SCMS.

Wednesday the 7^th of December (Week 8) – 6pm Graduation Mass

We will celebrate with our departing Year 7’s and their families with a School Mass from 6pm at St Columba’s Church. This Mass is a significant moment for our Year 7 students. All Year 6 and Year 7 students are asked to attend as they will be involved in the mass.

All in our community are invited to attend.

Tuesday the 13^th of December (Week 9) – 6pm Presentation Night/Carols

Presentation night will be a night where we celebrate with our wider community. It will feature a selection of carols from our students as well as a celebration of the year that has been.

The night will also feature the traditional Year 7 awards and our ‘St Columba’s awards’. It will be held in the St Columba’s Hall.

This night is a compulsory night for all students at our school.

Kind Regards,

Scott March

RE News

Hello!

Welcome to Term 4 😊

Hello!

Welcome to Term 4 😊

Next week we have two important feast days. On November 1 it is the Feast day of All Saints when we remember all those who have attained Heaven and on November 2 we commemorate All Souls Day when we remember and pray for all those who have died. For the Feast of All Saints Day we will be having a whole school mass on Thursday, November 3 at 9:15am. We would love to have you join us. If you ever have any questions about the Mass or any curiosities, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am more than happy to help answer them or discuss further. 😊

These two feast days are celebrated in many ways around the world but one tradition that I think is beautiful is that of visiting a cemetery on the feast of All Souls Day and praying for those who have died. Reading the names of on the gravestones and remembering these people, even if we never knew them, but saying their names and recognising their lives is a powerful way to feel the communion of saints and also to remember our own mortality. There is an old Catholic practice of meditating on one’s death called ‘Momento Mori’ a Latin phrase meaning, “remember your death.” – find out more HERE. This practice helps us to remember that we will one day die (“You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19)) so we need to use each day to do the best we can to do good, to love well and to seek God in all things. This may seem all a bit morbid, but its purpose is actually the opposite; to truly understand our mortality and so to live well, to live intentionally. So I invite you to take the time next Wednesday to head out to the cemetery, alone or as a family, to walk through the graves and say the names of those who lie there and offer a prayer for them. May we be encouraged to live well.

God Bless,

Miriam Honner, APRIM