Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

This week we are celebrating Catholic Education Week, and we at St Mary’s have looked closely at our achievements and celebrated the learning taking place across our school. I asked the children what it means to be a student at a Catholic School, and I have shared some of their responses below.

Mitchell - Prep

I love handwriting and playing. I feel good at St Mary’s.

Paige and Maliah - Grade 1

We get to learn lots of different things. We celebrate God. We’ve got kind friends, and our teachers are funny.

Kyle - Grade 2

It feels like the best school. I have friends, we work hard, and we look out for each other.

Addison - Grade 3

I love having lots of friends. I am excited to learn and we are treated fairly.

Austin - Grade 4

I feel safe at school because I know the teachers care for me. We respect each other, and I love being challenged with my learning.

Arlin  - Grade 5

I feel respected, safe and welcomed. The teachers acknowledge our thoughts and questions.

Zahli - Grade 6

I feel happy and safe at St Mary’s. We welcome everyone and treat each other how we like to be treated.

Tomorrow is National Sorry Day, and it allows us, as a  school community and nation as a whole, to reflect and pay our respects to our Indigenous communities, past and present.

Prayer

Almighty and loving God, 

you who created ALL people in your image.

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past. 

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again 

so that sins will be forgiven.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession 

of land, language, lore, culture, and family kinship that 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. 

We live in faith that all people will rise 

from the depths of despair and hopelessness. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones

through the separation of children from their families.

We are sorry and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless, and inflicted and heal their spirits. 

In your mercy and compassion, walk with us 

as we continue our journey of healing 

to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope.

Amen.

Aboriginal and Islander Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, (NATSIEC) 2003.

Kind Regards,

Maria