A very warm welcome back to Term 4. There are lots of exciting faith, justice and learning opportunities planned for the remainder of the year. Please ensure you read the newsletter and compass alerts to keep abreast of the ways in which you can be involved in the life of the school.  

Australia celebrates World Teachers Day on Friday 27 October 2023. The New South Wales Education Standard Authority (NESA) invites you to take your child to go on a treasure hunt for teaching gems in NSW. A gem is a teacher you care about, past or present, who motivates and inspires you and others. Follow this link to find your gem!

AITSL is also shouting out to school communities to celebrate Australia’s teachers for their skilled work in educating, inspiring and supporting our students.

On a sadder note, once again, we find ourselves shocked and preoccupied with terrible events of conflict in our world. The war in the Middle East has once again flared, with many innocent people, including children, caught up in the worst of human behaviour.

Here at home, in Australia, we too have been grappling with how best to assist our indigenous people, the first peoples of this land, to have improved and more equitable lives in the future. Again, in the lead-up to last week’s referendum, we have witnessed the best and worst of human behaviour in our own daily lives.

We must, at times like this, remind ourselves that God loves each and every one of us equally. No one race or individual is ‘better’ or more worthy in His loving eyes. The words and actions we choose when discussing these matters or interacting with others demonstrate the kind of person we are and the underlying values that guide us. 

Most of us would be feeling that our world, and indeed our own nation, is in great need of peace and justice. The solution to our troubles can seem so very difficult to achieve when hatred, greed and bigotry are the obstacles. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin as Jesus would have asked us, by loving one another in our own families and in the communities in which we live and function daily. 

The words of understanding and peace that we speak and the example we set through our actions have great power to influence those around us, especially our children. As Christians, we who seek and pray for peace are reminded:

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalms 34: 12-14)

In the weeks ahead, we continue to pray for peace and justice in our world and in our own country, that our leaders may be guided by the value of love of humankind, and the desire for justice and peace for all.

Kathy Uroda - Principal