T2 W4 Newsletter 2022

From The Principal

A REFLECTION FROM SR KYM

Dear Families, Staff, Friends and Students,

What are we worrying about?  That is a question I have been putting to myself over the past few months.

There are distresses and challenges that we go through that impact us directly.  In my own circle, we have known the tragedies of the deaths of loved ones who passed far too young, mental illness, bankruptcies, serious character assassination, etc. Real suffering, that all of you know in some form at some stage in your lives.  Responding to these is a great challenge.  For me, my faith has carried me through even in the times when I have been so angry, so distressed at what God has allowed and thrown the question we all ask at some times: how could a good God do that to us?

But now in my mid 60’s, I wonder about many of the other things that we have been expected to worry about, and have worried about: nuclear war, the fate of the Barrier Reef (its imminent death has been asserted since I was seven years old), climate change.  I could go on.  I don’t dismiss these but I question what good my worrying would do.  I am concerned about the war in Ukraine, I have sent a donation* but I have decided that the best I can do about that is to be kinder to those around me. On climate change, I try to live more simply, (but really what can a government do if we are not prepared to change our ways).  Similarly with the Barrier Reef.  I think that too often we are led to focus on concerns over which we have no control and this saps our energy, imagination and love for dealing with the problems that are before directly before us.  Sometimes we need all our wit and energy to deal with them.

We need to do what we can with what is before us.  It is here that God’s grace and wisdom is being offered to us.  One of the mysteries of our Christian faith is that any good act can have an impact through the wider world even though we don’t see it.  Acts of kindness and patience can spread their influence, even to the Ukraine.   Living simply, here, can help the Reef.  This is practical prayer.  As my heart and life are transformed by grace, so it spreads outwards.  It is by good acts, thoughts and prayer that I can influence my world – not by worrying.

Loving Father, you know how easily I can be upset by the mess of my world.  Give me the grace to change what I can: me, and let me be kind and wise with those around me.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.  Sr Kym Harris osb

[*Through Benedictine channels we sent this to our nuns in the Ukraine but they have asked that any donations be sent to Caritas who they say is doing an outstanding and comprehensive job on the ground.]

Principal's Messages

MRS INGRID HANLEY  |  It is with sadness that I advise I have accepted the resignation of Mrs Ingrid Hanley.  In her short time here she has made a lasting impact on our school community.  Her humour, sense of pride and vision for tuckshop has been incredibly noteworthy.  We will be advertising shortly so if you know of someone who may be interested in this role, please let them know.  When you see Ingrid around please stop to say hello and thank her for her incredible work ethic and yummy food.

THANK YOU  |  Many thanks to Nikki McCowan and Mel Keating for ensuring that our Mother's Day Stall was a resounding success.  Their selflessness in attending to the needs of others is noteworthy.  Thank you for pouring over catalogues, purchasing, setting up, selling to the students, clearing away afterwards and packing up left over goods.  Such is their dedication that they even purchased the bags in which the gifts came home; a wonderful personal touch.  As always, the students looked forward to the experience offered to them.  Thank you for your time, please know it is really appreciated very much.

DISCO  |  Many thanks goes to Mel Keating, Ingrid Hanley, Sammy Cole, Kelly Mifsud, Nikki McCowan, Belinda Johnson, Tamara Williams, Dawn Goodman, Tearah Foxley-Conolly and Richard Murphy for their part in organising, running and assisting at the disco.  Your time, energy and effort ensured that the disco was very successful.  Thank you too, to the many staff who attended and helped to supervise.  Your blood is worth bottling.  Thank you too to the parents who supported this great event by just taking the kids along.  Thank you so very much, your support of our endeavours is greatly appreciated.

A LETTER TO READ  |  We recently received this letter from Mr Mick Forde, Chair of the Sarina ANZAC Day Committee.  Could you please read this to your children.  It is important for us that this is shared with them.

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

NAPLAN 2022  |  Yesterday NAPLAN got off to a strong start with the writing test.  We are very proud of the way both classes embraced this first test in a series of a few.  Please continue to keep the students in years 3 and 5 in your prayers as they embrace the other tests over the coming week and a half.

The Good News

Below is a reflection I shared with the St Anne's community at our Mother's Day prayer celebration on Friday. 

Lessons from Mary for Mother’s Day
By The Most Reverend Bishop David Ricken, Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin (USA)

There is much that is sacred about the celebration of Mother’s Day. How fitting then that we celebrate Mother’s Day on a Sunday, when we can offer gratitude to God for the many roles that our mothers and those who act as mothers to us play in our lives.

While the Scriptures do not offer us much information about Mary, we can learn so much from her
life. First of all, we know that Mary was a woman of deep prayer. In the Nativity story, we hear how
Mary “treasured these things in her heart.”

Likewise, we know that Mary faithfully practiced the ritual prayers of her Jewish upbringing and, like any good mother, we know that Mary would have taught her son how to pray. Prayer was an essential habit to Mary and is an essential habit for all mothers and disciples.

A second lesson we can learn from Mary is the importance of placing God’s will before her own. We
see this most clearly in the Annunciation, when Mary says “yes” to the will of God to bear his son,
Jesus. We know this could not have been easy for a young, unmarried woman, yet Mary set aside her own desires to do what God asked of her. Mary’s willingness to place God’s will before her own also allowed her to put others’ needs before her own, which is the definition of love. Her ability to sacrifice is something all mothers and disciples can learn from.

In learning to accept God’s will, Mary also learned to embrace challenges and difficulties. We see this in the circumstances of Jesus’ birth when, after a long journey, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable, among the animals. We also witness Mary’s strength at the crucifixion when, despite seeing her son tortured, Mary remains at Jesus’ side until the very end.

Being a mother is one of the most difficult things a woman can do.

We need to constantly offer our support, gratitude and prayers for them, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. In a special way, I encourage you to find ways to support young mothers who are struggling, or simply lack the necessary support and resources to provide for their children.

So as we seek to grow as disciples of Jesus, let us follow the example of Mary and our mothers in
being people of prayer, committed to doing God’s will, and accepting of challenges along the way.

On this Mother’s Day, let us thank God for our mothers and those who have played the role of mother in our lives. May all mothers know God’s deep and abiding love for them.

Mary, our Mother, pray for us!

Source: Bishop David Ricken, 'Lessons from Mary for Mother's Day', The Compass. 2022. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus, the good shepherd, speaks lovingly of his sheep. Jesus knows each and every one of us by name, and we are to listen to Jesus’ voice.

When we recognise the voice of Jesus, we must choose whether or not to listen. Sometimes we stray away, yet the Shepherd watches over all the sheep in the flock.

God has entrusted the flock to Jesus, so the sheep have nothing to fear. We belong to God. We belong to Jesus. We are safe in the arms of the Shepherd. God promises to end all our suffering and wipe away all our tears. 

In previous newsletters, I've touched on ways that we encourage our students to live our St Anne's Mission Statement. The 'Works of Mercy' and 'Catholic Social Teaching Principles' are great ways the Catholic Church asks us to be Christ like and build a better world for all. We can all play our part, no matter how big or small, to continue to build God's Kingdom. 

Have a great week everyone. God's Blessings,

Stuart.

Mr Stuart Presley

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

stuart_presley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Finance News

Term 2 School Fees have now been sent out to parents. Please check your emails. Due date for payment is Friday 20th May. If you foresee difficulties paying in full by the due date, and do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer, Sandra Adams as soon as possible to discuss options. 

Sports News

YOU for 2032

Queensland Representative School Sport wish to advise you about the Queensland Academy of Sport’s state-wide talent identification opportunity that could potentially see students on a pathway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane.

This program is called Youfor2032 and is designed to unearth the next generation of elite Queensland athletes who have the potential to win on the world stage, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

There are up to 15 Olympic and 8 Paralympic sports looking to match their best coaches with Queensland’s best talent. It doesn’t matter if students have experience in any of these sports. Athletic ability coupled with a great attitude and supportive parents or guardians are the key ingredients needed to excel in this program.

Those successful in being selected for Youfor2032 will receive expert training, coaching and development support, from State and National Sporting Organisations as well as the QAS.

This could be the first step in an incredible journey for our students.

Visit the program website for more information:

Home - You for 2032 (initiatives.qld.gov.au)

Tuckshop Volunteers

P&F News

Uniform Shop Opening Times For  Term Two

Week 1 - Thursday 21/4/22 2:15-3pm (closed Friday)
Week 2 - Closed 
Week 3 - 6/05/22 Friday Normal opening hours 8:15-9am
Week 4 - Closed
Week 5 - Friday 20/05/22 8:15am-9am
Week 6 - Friday 27/05/22 8:15am-9am
Week 7 - Closed
Week 8 - Friday 11/06/22 8:15am-9am
Week 9 - Friday 18/06/22 8:15am-9am
Week 10 - Closed 

St Michael's Parish News

Student Leadership

Leadership is a quality that all students of St Anne's Catholic Primary School are encouraged and supported to develop.  These experiences ensure that students perceive themselves as leaders and have the opportunity and confidence to take on leadership roles and find their voice.

Newsletter Report By Mia |  It has been great to see lots of students wearing the correct uniform every day. I would like to remind students about the school rule of not bringing your own equipment from home. To those students who attended our school disco last Friday night, thank you for being responsible, respectful, and safe.

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |   Harleigh S, Isabelle B, Deejay P, Hayden M, Charlotte L, Hadley W, Tyler F, Mathew W, Paige E, Peyton W, Lillie P, Charlotte W, Montana W, Hudson V, Matilda W, Ahlara K, Clare B, Makinley M, Denver D, Clancy S, Elita M, Jemma M, Tate C, Year 1G

Birds Of A Feather

General Information

Harlequin School Bags

Community News