Dear Parents & Guardians,
We have reached the end of another very eventful (and a very long) term. I remember that the first term of the school year always seemed to be shorter so it feels a little odd to be having such long terms at the beginning and shorter terms in the middle of the year.
Next week marks Easter week, the holiest week of the Church year. As a practising Catholic, Easter is time not just for rest, but to reflect on my faith. Easter encourages us to reflect on the sacrifices we make for others given that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in dying on the cross to save each one of us. I hope that you make time over the Easter holidays to join in the Easter masses.
Vey sadly, Fr Fabian, our parish priest, informed me at the end of last week that he is moving from the parish of St Anthony of Padua Melton South to the parish of Hampton Park. Fr Fabian has dedicated the last 14 years to the service of the community of St Anthony of Padua and played an enormous role in the implementation of our new school community. Fr Fabian has been an immense support to me in my first few years as Principal and I will be forever grateful for his friendship and assistance in getting our school up and running. Fr Fabian’s will be leaving on May 2, just after the official opening of our Stage 1 building. I am sure that lots of you will want to wish Fr Fabian well as he moves on to an exciting new chapter in his ministry.
EASTER WEEK 2023
Holy Week Important events: The holiest week in the Church year!
April 2: Palm Sunday: Celebrates Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
April 2 – April 6: Holy Week: The week leading up to Easter.
April 6: Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
April 7: Good Friday: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
April 8: Holy Saturday: Jesus’ body resting in the tomb.
April 9: Easter Sunday: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his victory over death.
EARLY CLOSE TOMORROW
Just a reminder that as usual, school will close early tomorrow for the last day of term. School will finish at 1.30pm.
REMINDER FOR TERM 2 & OFFICIAL OPENING
A reminder that the first day for students next term, is Thursday, April 27. Monday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 26 are student-free days and there is no school for children on these days. Kelly Club will be open for those parents and guardians who need supervision for their children. This will need to be arranged with Kelly Club directly, however, we can assist you in contacting them. Their number is: 0421 834 994. You can also download the Kelly Club app and book through this app.
On Thursday, April 27, we have the official opening of our Stage 1 building. This will be opened by Mr Sam Rae, Federal member for Hawke, representing the Minister for Education, Jason Clare, and Bishop Martin Ashe, auxiliary bishop of the western region of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
This is a really important day in the development of our school and I hope that this is a day that our children will remember when they are older.
HEALTHY FOOD & DRINK AT SCHOOL
It is important as a school community that we actively encourage our children to eat nutritious food at school. We are noticing that a significant number of children are being sent to school with might be safely termed as ‘junk food’ in their lunch boxes; that is food with lots of sugar and very little nutritional value. These sorts of food are not good for children as they do not help sustain their energy and concentration levels throughout the day. We would ask parents and guardians to avoid sending these sorts of food in their children’s lunchboxes.
Some of you might also have seen recent articles in the media regarding the drink, ‘Prime’ which as far as I am aware, is not available for general purchase
in Australia. Having read the recent information regarding this drink, this is definitely not suitable for children given the amount of caffeine it contains.
Prime potentially presents a significant health risk to children and must not be sent to school with children.
2024 ENROLMENTS
Our enrolments for 2024 are now open. If you know any families who are interested in an enrolment for
2023 or 2024, please encourage them to contact the school office.
UNIFORM
An additional new winter pant has been added to our school uniform and is available for purchase from Academy Uniforms.
God bless,
Bill Hill.
PRINCIPAL