Thank you to the children, staff and parents for your reverence, prayerfulness and beautiful singing during today’s Ash Wednesday Mass and liturgy. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of Lent. This is a reflective, prayerful season leading up to Easter. Thank you also to Fr Isaac leading our prayerful service.

Starting next week, the children will pause each morning and reflect on a way that they can become better people during Lent. ‘

How can I be a ‘Gem’ and be more like Jesus in my daily actions and words?’

Each class will write on a Gem a ‘Goodwill Act’, which suggests ideas of how we can be less self-centred and more giving this Lenten season. I will read out one gem wish each day and ask the children and staff to reflect this in their daily interactions.

The students are investigating the history of the parish and school and finding out about how the parish continues Jesus’ mission today. To help with their explorations, they have been using human and physical resources in our local area, including past students and parishioners, plaques, images, historical photographs and memorabilia. They particularly enjoyed interviewing Fr Isaac.

Our focus at the start of this week was on Caritas, as we held the first of our Lenten fundraisers. During Lent, each of our five Houses organises an event designed to raise awareness and funds for the important work that Caritas does throughout the world. Teresa House prepared delicious Shrove Tuesday pancakes, which were an undoubted hit amongst students and staff … the bar has certainly been set high for the other Houses!

On Wednesday, we gathered for our Ash Wednesday assembly. During the liturgy, we reflected on how this is a day when we find ourselves between what was and what is to come, when we are challenged to reflect on both who we are and who we are called to be as we journey towards Easter.

Thursday was set aside for our Swimming Carnival. Thank you to our Year 12 Leaders for fostering the competitive rivalry between the College Houses, and to all who dove into the spirit of the day.