Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers, 

I am writing this newsletter tonight from my hotel room in Lorne, where I have the opportunity to sit and reflect on the inspiring experiences I have been able to have over the past week.  These began last week with Fr Rob Galea visiting our schools and parish. 

Our year 5/6 children were all smiles and full of conversation when they arrived back from St Michael’s church talking about his message of ‘reaching for the greatness you were created for and not be held back by your “big buts”!  On Friday our staff had an incredibly enriching experience with Fr Rob which involved plenty of learning, laughter, tears, singing and a little bit of dancing.  

I am currently attending the Victorian Association Catholic Primary School Principals Inc Conference where today I have had the privilege to listen to 4 amazing guest speakers.  Two of these speakers have focused on the importance of acceptance for all in our world.  This is particularly prevalent this week as we celebrate Harmony Week. The theme for 2024 Harmony week is “Everyone Belongs”.  Whilst Harmony week is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone, their message was that we are still a long way from achieving this as a country and we must continue to work hard at this.

As you will be aware one of the significant focuses of The Resilience Project is Gratitude and this term I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to lead St Gabriel’s Primary School and share in the ongoing partnership with you all to educate your children.

Holy Week

The pinnacle of the Catholic year is fast approaching. Just as we finish the school term, Palm Sunday will kick off Holy Week for Catholics around the world. On Thursday 28th March we will celebrate the importance of Holy Week with a whole school Liturgy.

Palm Sunday Mass gives us the opportunity to enter the drama of Holy Week. We listen to the events unravel from when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, the betrayal of Jesus on the night he shares his last meal with his followers, his brutal death on the cross and his burial… saving the punch-line for Easter of course!

We hope everyone has a beautiful holiday over Easter and is able to absorb the awesomeness of the most loving act known to humans!

If your child is unwell, to speed up their recovery we recommend keeping your child at home until they are fully recovered.