Welcome back to Term 4!

This week my RE NEWS is being written to you from the Blue Mountains where I am a participant at the Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Education Conference alongside 30 other CECG teachers and staff.

I am privileged that this conference is also being held on Gundungurrah Land, which is the land of my Mob on my Grandmother's side.

I have spent the week connecting with my culture and learning how we can continue to support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families.

I also had a bucket list moment when I was able to meet an Aunt Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann. (Aunt is a term we use in our culture to show our elders respect). Aunt Miriam-Rose is an Australian Aboriginal activist, educator and artist of the Ngan’gityemerri language group. Dr Miriam-Rose is the first Indigenous teacher to work in the Northern Territory. She teaches about Dadirri, a deep listening, and it was absolutely life changing to hear her speak as a key note at this conference, meet her and spend time with her. This experience was only made better by being able to share this with my own Mum, Kerry O'Callaghan, who is the Aboriginal Education Officer at CE, a moment I will remember for a life time. 

                 

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY

On Wednesday we will be celebrating our Patron Saint, St Francis as a school and community. We will begin with Mass at 9:30am in the school hall and due to the lessening of restrictions, everyone is welcome! We will then as a school be completing a variety of activities and celebrations across the day including teacher swap and a variety concert where the students will be able to share their many talents and gifts. We will also be providing a special lunch for the children of pasta and sauce and/or cheese. The dietary requirements of gluten free & lactose free will be accommodated as will those children who are vegetarian as there will be no meat in the sauce. If your child does not like pasta, please send them to school with lunch as normal. The day will be a free clothes day, but no donation is required as it is in celebration of our school and patron saint. If you have any questions, as always, please contact me here at school or via email.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

A reminder to those parents of children in Year 4 who wish for their child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year that Registration closes on Monday 17th October. Registrations must be made on the Parish QkR! platform, not the school one. There is also a parent formation session that needs to be attended by an adult (children do not need to attend) on either Wednesday 19th or Thursday 20th October at the Holy Family Church, Gowrie at 7pm. Only one session needs to be attended, not both. 

Have a great week!