This week we will examine the second of the Pillars of Lent, Fasting. I think there would have been a collective cry of despair by Fish & Chip shop owners a number of years ago when it was announced that the act of Abstinence; not eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays throughout the year, had changed so that this no longer applied to Fridays throughout the year. Fasting is different from Abstinence in that it requires us to limit the food that we eat but does not restrict what this food may be. As I understand, the purpose of Fasting is to assist us to “walk a while in the shoes of others”. We, in Australia, are very privileged and, whilst we do experience difficulties at times, these are generally quite insignificant when compared to what so many, worldwide, encounter on a daily basis. Limiting our daily intake of food throughout the Season of Lent could have two very significant effects; we could donate what we save to assist those less fortunate than us and perhaps we could lose those COVID Kilos that we promised to remove as part of our New Year’s resolution.
FIRST RECONCILIATION
Our Year Three children are well on their way to being ready to receive the Sacrament of Penance in a couple of weeks. The next step in their journey is the Parent/Child Workshop which will commence in the Church next Thursday at 6.00pm before moving to the school Library where a range of activities will be completed. Please continue to keep these children, their families and their teachers in your prayers at this very special time.
ASSEMBLY
The first of our Performance Assemblies will be presented by Year 4M tomorrow in the Multi-Purpose Hall commencing at 9.00am. I have been advised that we are to maintain the same protocols as were in place last year for the time being.
- The presenting class and their buddy class (Pre-Primary M) are the only students to attend.
- The performance will be live streamed to all other classes.
- Two family members only per child are invited to attend and all must sign in at the school office.
I look forward to enjoying our Assemblies again and hope that we will be able to return to all of the children being able to watch them live in the very near future.
FACTION SWIMMING CARNIVAL – YEARS 4-6
This will be held next Thursday 11 March at Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre, Broun Avenue in Embleton commencing at 9.30am.
The Carnival is always a great event that caters for all swimming abilities. Mr Webb has, again, produced a programme that will have all of the children engaged throughout the day with fun and challenging events. Parents may take their children home at the conclusion of the Carnival at 2.00pm but must have arranged this with their child’s class teacher prior to the day of the event.
DADS’ & KIDS’ CAMPOUT
50 families have already signed up for this great night for dads and their kids. Please ensure that you register by 10 March to assist the organizers with their planning.
PARKING
I have received a request from a neighbour in Sydenham Street that parents please refrain from parking in front of residents’ driveways as this is very frustrating. Please consider using the Drive through Pick up that operates every afternoon in the Parish carpark as this is a very safe option for the children and alleviates much of the parking congestion around the school. Also, please do not stop on the streets surrounding the school to either drop off or collect children. This is a very dangerous practice and could very easily lead to serious injury or the death of a child.
