Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s hard to believe we are entering the seventh week of Term one. The students have settled into school routines and expectations, and I thoroughly enjoy visiting the classrooms to witness their excellent work.

We celebrated Shrove Tuesday with the students cooking pancakes across the school and began the Lenten journey with our students celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass with the parish community.

The Meaning of Ash Wednesday & How We Can Be More Like Jesus

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of 40 days leading up to Easter. It is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, reminding us of our need for God’s mercy. The ashes placed on our foreheads symbolise two important things:

1. Our mortality – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
2. Our call to repentance – Turning away from sin and striving to live a life that reflects Jesus’ love.

How Can We Be More Like Jesus During Lent?

Jesus lived a life of love, service, and sacrifice, and Lent is an opportunity for us to follow His example. Here are three key ways:

1. Prayer – Growing Closer to God

Jesus often took time to pray and be with His Father. This Lent, we can:

• Spend more time in prayer each day.
• Read the Bible or reflect on Jesus’ teachings.
• Pray for others, especially those in need.

2. Fasting – Making Sacrifices for a Greater Purpose

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, showing self-discipline and focus on God. We can:

• Give up something (like social media, sweets, or complaining) to grow spiritually.
• Practice self-control and gratitude.
• Use the time or resources we save to help others.

3. Almsgiving – Helping Those in Need

Jesus always cared for the poor, the sick, and the lonely. We can:

• Donate to charity or give to those in need.
• Volunteer our time to help others.
• Be kind, forgiving, and compassionate to everyone.

Lent is not just about giving something up—it’s about becoming more like Jesus. By praying, making sacrifices, and helping others, we prepare our hearts for Easter and grow in faith, love, and kindness.

Today, we celebrated our school assembly, which our senior students conducted. The assembly celebrated the learning across the school and introduced our leadership for 2025.

Leadership at St. Mary’s is not just about wearing a badge—it’s about setting an example, serving others, and positively impacting our school. Today, I am honoured to introduce our 2025 Student Leaders, who will play a vital role in shaping our school community this year.