Dear Families,
Over the past two weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 children have been undertaking the annual NAPLAN tests. While most children were able to sit the tests a number did miss out due to the ongoing Covid situation. I would like to thank and congratulate our children for giving it their best effort, even with all the uncertainty of Covid. Thank you to Michelle Menadue, our Leader of Learning, for her coordination of the tests each day and the following catch up tests.
You would be aware that I have spoken over the past four newsletters about the school’s Mercy Values and today I wish to focus on the Justice value. We often interchange the word Justice with the word Fair, especially when working with children. At all times we are encouraged to be fair and just but we don’t always do it or live up to what is the ‘normal’ standard in society. Sadly, the word justice always has a legal meaning and, at the ‘serious’ level is tied in with people who commit a crime, go to court and, if guilty, are served ‘justice’. This might be gaol time, a fine, or some other reprimand.
For me, the important part of justice is not seeking justice from others but more discerning whether I have been just towards all other people in my life. All of us are tasked with teaching children (and adults) about being fair and just. We need to be inclusive of other people, including people who are different from ourselves. We need to let people join in with our games or activities. At a basic level we need to ensure that everyone has enough to eat, a home to live in, money to live on and access to health services. I invite you to think about your life this week. Have you judged others? Have you been fair and just at all times? Have you welcomed someone into your group? Have you tried to repair a broken friendship?
On Monday we had a visit from Mr Glenn Docherty, Mayor of the City of Playford. This is the first time that Glenn has been able to visit St Mary Magdalene’s for a number of years. He handed out leadership badges to our school captains, our sport captains and vice captains and our student leaders from each class at a special assembly. He then had a tour of the school and met with the Year 5/6 students to talk about the topic of Leadership. It was great to have him visit our school.
Yesterday five of our senior students went to St Thomas More School to meet with Archbishop Patrick O’Regan. As a part of the Church Synod (meeting to discuss the future of the church), Archbishop Pat is travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis. He visited us to find out what it is that our children would like to ask or tell the Pope. It could be about our school, our community, the environment, or any other topic that they wanted to share. This was a good opportunity for the Archbishop to hear what is important for our young people in preparation for his trip to Rome.
School Fee Reminder
If you have not setup a payment plan to pay the Resource Fee for 2022, please consider doing it now. It will certainly make things easier for you and for the school. Thank you to all those who have made payments already. Please see John Matthew in the front office if you have any questions.
Federal Election 2022
Education is an important topic at every election. As we head towards the Federal Election this Saturday May 21, Catholics are being asked to consider how their vote will benefit the whole community. It is essential that everybody who cares about Catholic schools understands the key issues. A number of resources are available at www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/federal- election to help you with your discernment.
As a part of this newsletter you will find a graph titled: “Cath Ed 2022 Federal Election Report Card” for your information.
Thank You
To our teachers for the Parent Teacher Learning Conversations that they held via telephone last week. This is a great deal of extra work at the end of each day for the teachers. It certainly is a draining process and then they front up again the next day! So thank you and well done to our teachers. If you missed your learning conversation, please contact your child’s teacher for another time.
Working in Partnership
Peter Mercer
Head of Campus
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger for thirst and righteousness”.
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