Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you are safe and well.

As we complete the fourth week of remote learning, collectively (staff, parents and carers) we have performed incredibly well to support the well-being and learning needs of our students and one another. Students are engaged in their learning and submitting some creative, interesting and exceptional work. It has been a highlight each week to be invited into each grade's zooms and have enjoyed the energy, conversations and connection that our students. Thank you to our staff and your support in affording us the time to invest in these opportunities.

As we move into Week 4, I hope that you have found a rhythm at home that is supportive and sustainable for your family, work and student remote learning. Please ensure that you have read the attached 'Student Remote Learning' expectations and information regarding attendance both on and off-site. Please refer to letter - NSW Health, CEDoW and SCC Reminder - Attendance.

As we continue to live and work with Level 4 restrictions, please let me know if there is anything that we can help you with moving into Week 5. Look after yourselves and each other. Thank you for your patience, feedback and continued work with our staff in supporting well-being, safety and learning of our students.

Stay safe and connected. Enjoy a peaceful weekend.

Take care 

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

A reflection by Fr Michael Tate

In the mid-late 19th century, a young woman was very concerned with the plight of the poor and the marginalised in the colonies which later became the Commonwealth of Australia. Amongst the most obvious necessities of life for these ‘least’ was schooling of the young, as education is a proven path out of poverty.

So, this woman, whose most famous saying was ‘never see a need without trying to do something about it’, set about remedying that situation. Mary McKillop established the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart principally to educate the poor. From quietly and unobtrusively teaching in a stable in 1866, to founding a religious order that spread throughout and beyond a continent, Mary’s spiritual journey was truly focused on “God’s saving justice”. Tending to Australia’s Aboriginal peoples, prisoners facing execution, children requiring education, the homeless, the orphaned, the sick, indeed anybody she saw in need, Mary shows us how God seeks to answer the day’s troubles: through us. She suffered excommunication for revealing sexual abuse of youngsters by a paedophile priest. That was reversed five months later, but this all took its toll on her fragile health.

Reflection by Greg Sunter

Mary MacKillop is not only the first Australian to be recognised by the Church as a Saint, she is truly a very Australian saint. She characterises the spirit of the Australian mythology. She was a prodigious hard worker who put the needs of others before herself. She exhibited something of the larrikin spirit: constantly in dispute with authority but pressing on, regardless. She used the strengths of others but also didn’t tolerate those who were not genuine. Her commitment to the schooling of children from poor and rural communities established a model of Catholic education that continues to today. A Saint for and of Australia! We pause for a moment to pray that we may join St Mary of the Cross in Heaven, together with all the Josephite sisters who set their hearts on the Father’s kingdom and His saving justice.

Explore the liturgy created by the Office of the Bishop Catholic Diocese of Wollongong to commemorate Mary MacKillop’s centenary in 2020. This is a wonderful resource led by Bishop Brian.

Celebration of the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Join our school community for a Mary Mackillop prayer celebration on Monday 9th August at 11.30am. The Zoom link is: https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/61990746889

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A mother carries her child in her womb, giving that child a share in her own life. What if a child were able to share its life with its mother? This is what we believe happened between our Risen Lord and his mother, Mary. It is our faith that our Lord nourishes Mary with His Resurrection life, meaning that her bodysoul, her total humanity, is filled with His Divine glory. She grace-fully made the transition from earthly to heavenly existence without the wrenching apart of body and soul which we may expect. This is what we mean by ‘The Assumption’. This has been believed and celebrated since the early centuries of the church. Why was it only proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950? Maybe because in the first half of the 20th century tens of millions were killed in wars, death camps and in the Russian and China Communist dictatorships. The Holy Spirit needed to remind the world that human beings are bodysouls made for transfiguration, not disfiguration by starvation, torture, or massacre.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

On the 9th August each year we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. We give thanks for the sacredness of the traditions and cultures of our Indigenous sisters and brothers, whom through their example have enlightened our way to walk gently upon this earth which our Creator has gifted us.

Video - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

MASS AT HOME LINK

If you would like to continue to pray the Mass in these times a good site to use is https://massforyou.com.au/

Fr Richard will be streaming Masses for St Columbkille’s on Tuesday to Friday, and then the Sunday Mass which will be uploaded on Saturday night for the Vigil. The masses can be found at www.corrimalparish.org.au

Ripples with Robyn Gallagher

Ripples Episode 24: Strength and Flexibility - In Conversation with Matthew Ames (Part 2)

Link: Ripples Episode 24

Description: In this Second Episode released this week Matthew Ames speaks about some of the practices that have sustained him over the years since surviving streptococcal toxic shock and the loss of his four limbs. He speaks about the value of gratitude, mindfulness, prayer and acceptance.

Visual Meditations

A reminder that the Catholic Education Office has a number of Visual Meditations available for your use. Gratitude, hope and kindness are just a few of the topics presented.

Have a great fortnight. Stay safe.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

The Emmaus Story (Luke 24:13-35) – Part 3, Celebrating and Responding

Today as we continue to reflect on this Emmaus journey, we arrive in town. The disciples invite the stranger to spend the night with them. Jesus accepts this invitation and shares a meal with them. “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them”. (Luke 24:30) It was at this point that their eyes were open and they recognised him for who he was - the Risen Christ. It was a moment of celebration and it coincided with the breaking of bread.

We continue today as Catholic people to celebrate in the sharing of a meal or the breaking of bread. It is here at this point that we are urged to be a people of action. We have made sense, gained access, celebrated and now we are called to respond. We are dismissed regularly from the Church and in this dismissal, we are called to be people of action to set out and proclaim. To go, to take the Christ we have just received through the Word and in Communion out to the rest of the world - to carry on the mission we, as Catholic people, are entrusted with. To make Jesus known and loved to others – just as the disciples did. “That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together". (Luke 24:33)

The scripture shows us that Jesus meets us where we are at, doesn’t leave us where he finds us and takes us to where we can’t go on our own. These challenging times call us, more than ever, to be people of faith and action.

Appreciating that life can get a bit mundane and repetitive during lockdown, I am hoping to inspire you and your children with some exciting ways to celebrate Book Week. 

Book week will be held from Monday 21^st until Friday 27^th August, and this year’s theme is Old Worlds. New Worlds. Other Worlds. Here is how you can get involved:

• Dress up on Monday 21^st August or Tuesday 22^nd (your teacher will let you know which day) and share your costume with your teacher and classmates during your Zoom lesson. Your costume can be your favourite character from a book, or you can get creative using this year’s theme. There is no need to purchase anything new, try using materials or clothes you’ve already got at home.
• Enter one of the two competitions being held for book week this year. Competition number one is to write a story based on the book week theme of Old Worlds. New Worlds. Other Worlds of no more than 500 hundred words. Here are some starting cues you might like to use: I opened the door and found myself in a strange world, If I had a time machine I would.., My best friend is a dinosaur. Illustrations are most welcome.
• Competition number two is to create a book trailer of a book of your choice. Your video should be about promoting the book you have chosen and should not be any longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds. You can find tips and ideas from Tristan Bancks here, How to Make a Book Trailer - Tristan Bancks. Some suggestions for free software/apps you can use to create your book trailer are: iMovie, Flipaclip, Stop Motion Studio, Animation Desk® Draw & Animate.
• Both competitions close on Tuesday 22^nd August at 9am (so you have 3 weeks). Please submit your entries to scclibary@dow.catholic.edu.au. All participants will receive a certificate and a winner will be selected from each stage and awarded with a certificate and a gift voucher. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 23^rd August. Have fun and good luck!

Thank you, I look forward to celebrating book week with you all and seeing your creative ideas.

Mrs Moon - Library SSO

In response to the COVID-19 developments and ongoing lockdowns, UNSW have advised that they have added an additional four-week ICAS sitting window in Term 4 from 05 - 29 October, for schools affected by Remote Learning.

We will endeavour to provide registered students with the opportunity to sit these assessments during this time. Specific dates will be shared closer to the time.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Libbie Tyrrell - Middle Leader 2

Maggie Dent and her support resrouces may be of assiatnce to you and your family at this time.  

https://mailchi.mp/maggiedent/a-special-message-free-resources-for-my-victorian-village-of-families-and-educators-1078066?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Keeping Calm and Connected: Mindfulness Sessions

CatholicCare has made available Keeping Calm and Connected: Mindfulness Sessions, offered as recordings and accessible through the website below. The website also includes an audio recording of the mindfulness reflection exercise 'A time to reflect with pride, love, and gratitude during COVID-19'.

The sessions focus on the following, with recordings ranging from 11 – 20 minutes:

• Mindfulness

• Mindfulness & Self Care

• Mindfulness & Sleep

• Mindfulness & Compassion

• Mindfulness & Worry

• Mindfulness & Gratitude

As we currently navigate this most recent COVID challenge, these resources help us to remember the importance of looking after and being kind to ourselves, whether it be watching these recordings, or something else that brings you calm and joy. 

https://www.catholiccare.dow.org.au/services-and-programs/family/family-care/courses/keeping-calm-and-connected-mindfulness-sessions-webinars/