Lent
This Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, the days during which we journey with Jesus on his way of the cross and anticipate his Resurrection on Easter. The gospel reading begins with the procession with palms to remind us of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. This precedes upcoming events of the week ahead, which include Holy Thursday’s Last Supper, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.
During the period of Lent, we are asked to support ‘Project Compassion’, with donation boxes being held in every class. All donations, big and small, will be greatly appreciated by Caritas Australia. Some classes have started filling their ‘Project Compassion’ boxes with coins, which is greatly appreciated.
Inter School Swimming Carnival
Next Monday 3 April, selected students from Years 4 to 6 will be competing in the PSSA A Division Inter School Swimming Carnival, at the MARC. The students have been training two afternoons a week in preparation for the carnival and we wish them all the very best of luck as the do their best for the school. A huge thank you goes to Miss Sanders for her efforts in organising and preparing the team and for running the after-school swimming training sessions for the students.
Easter Raffle
Over the past fortnight families of the school have been generously donating to the school’s P&F Easter Raffle. All tickets and donations need to be in by tomorrow, Friday 31 March, to be in the draw. We thank all families who have contributed to the Easter raffle, which will be drawn at 8:45am during the morning assembly on the last day of term, Thursday 6 April.
Winter Uniform
As we approach the end of term 1, it is time for parents to start preparing for students in Years 3 to 6 to be wearing the School Winter uniform in term 2. With school starting back next term, the first two weeks of the term will be used as a period for students in Years 3 to 6 to transition into wearing the full school winter uniform by Monday, 8 May 2023. Students in Years Kindy to 2 will continue to wear their Sports Uniform as part their uniform requirements throughout the year.
Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the purchasing of the School Winter Uniform in readiness for term 2.
Term Dates
Term 2 begins for students on Wednesday 26th April, 2022 and concludes on Friday 30 June 2023.
School Closure Day: Monday 24 April
A reminder that the school will be having a closure day on Monday 24 April. The purpose of the closure day is for the staff to engage in a Professional Development day, focusing on their spiritual and faith development. Please put this school closure date into your calendars.
MCC Parent Presentation
Mandurah Catholic College P&F Association is excited to announce that guest speaker Dr Justin Coulson will be attending the College in May 2023, offering a wonderful workshop for parents and guardians, centred around building positive relationships. To be held at 6.10pm on 10 May, the 90 minute session is titled ‘Parental Guidance – guide to successful parenting’.
Dr Coulson is a co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, the founder of happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. He has also written 6 books about raising children, has made hundreds of media appearances and starred in two viral videos that have been viewed a combined 80 million times! It’s clear that Australia is listening to what Dr Coulson is saying about parenting and now the parents and guardians of MCC have the opportunity to do so too!
Book soon to avoid disappointment! https://www.trybooking.com/CGKGA
Interim Reports
Next week term one ‘Interim Reports’ are being made available to families, via SEQTA. The reports will give parents an indication about each student’s behaviour and effort for the term.
Reconciliation Retreat
Today, students in Year 3 participated in a Retreat Day, in preparation for their celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation next Tuesday 4 April. The students got to engage in different activities with Carl Brown, focusing on the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and how this is an important step in their journey of faith and life.
Barefoot Bowls Night
Well done to all of the dads who were able to come along and enjoy a night of ‘Barefoot Bowls Night’, last Friday night. Thanks to Mark Chalwell for organising this event. The St Damien’s Dad’s Club are planning for more events to occur throughout the year, so keep an eye out form when the next invitation appears.
Congratulations, Alice!
Congratulations to Alice Mather, from Year 6, for being selected to represent ‘Shootzone’ at the 3×3 National Championship in Melbourne next month! She has been working super hard at a basketball development squad and as recognition of her efforts and hard work she has been rewarded. Best of luck, Alice!
Friday Morning Assembly
There is a whole school assembly this Friday 31 March, beginning at 8:45am in the hall. During the assembly, the Year 4 class will be presenting an item. At the assembly, St Damien’s and Principal Awards will be presented to the deserved students. All parents and friends of the school are welcome to come along and enjoy the assembly.
Beach Sports
This Friday 31 March, our Pre Primary and Year 5 & 6 classes will be heading to the beach for their ‘Beach Sports’ program. We hope they enjoy the experience.
Carpark Update
Work has continued at a steady rate over the past week or so on the carpark project at the back of the school. Soak wells have been installed and levels have been worked on and compacted this week. In the coming weeks, the retaining walls, curbing and bitumen will begin to be laid.
School Calendar
Parents are encouraged to visit the school’s term planner on a regular basis to ensure you are informed about upcoming events during the year. The term planner can be accessed by clicking on the following link: School Events Calendar
Principal Awards
Over the past week some students have been sent to my office to receive a Principal’s Award for completing some exceptional work. I congratulate Caelan Foley, from Pre Primary Gold, for his great work in Writing; Francesca Demeyer, Odin Caine, Frankie Wilson-Kennedy, Sage Wiggers, Lily Clayton, Matilda Chalwell, Kiyo Anderson, Haze Reilly, Lily Gunton, Mila Aurisch, Mira Sargeson, Will Ridout, Joshua Olynyk, Finn Ridout and Isla Blundell, from Year 2 Blue, for their great work in Writing; Lily Clayton, Matilda Chalwell, Xavier Cross, Ella-Rae Mackintosh, Alfie Mannion, Lily Gunton, Will Ridout, Tomi Johnson and Mira Sargeson, from 2 Blue, for their great work in Italian, and Milla Mulvay, Noah Zolotic, Imogen Lemm, Isla Pike, Jayvien Ringrose-Power, Curtis Ambrose and Dimitri Cvjetkovic, from Year 2 Gold, for their great work in Italian . Well done and keep up the great work!
God Bless,
Daniel Gooch
Principal
