Good afternoon Families,
It has been lovely returning to St Luke’s and thank you to the many of you- children and adults- who have so kindly inquired about my travels. My husband, Mark, and l have had a really wonderful trip exploring Barcelona, the Côte d’Azur, southern Italy including Sicily and finally onto Malta and Rome. We were blessed with fabulous weather, wonderful sites and experiences and delicious food as well. The many people we met along the way was the absolute icing on the cake.
We were in Sicily when Pope Francis passed away and we followed closely, as the world did, the days after this sad news and his funeral. When we got to Rome, Mark and l made sure we visited Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore where Papa Francis now rests in peace. It is a most beautiful church and there were thousands of pilgrims passing through each day to view a simple place where the word Franciscus is written with a single white rose resting there too. It is as he wanted and perfect. In his final address on Easter Sunday, he said, “The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion.” As Catholics, this is what we believe of the resurrection of Christ but Pope Francis personified this by bringing such hope to the world. So in this Jubilee Year- let’s continue to be Pilgrims of Hope ourselves, in whatever way we can.
I think with the movie, Conclave many people have got an understanding of the process of appointing the new pontiff. Whilst Hollywood has put its own interpretation on the process, there would be some relevance and factual integrity to it. It has been wonderful to hear that a new Pope has been elected- Pope Leo XIV. His predecessor, Pope Francis held him in high regard and we hope and feel confident that he will carry that beacon of hope for all in the work that he does, going forward.
It was very special to be able to be able to share a lovely morning with our Mums, grandmothers and other special women last Wednesday at our annual Mother’s Day breakfast. Over 130 women and children enjoyed a bite to eat and a juice or cuppa as well as a chat and the buzz was electric. We feel so fortunate to have so many women who inspire us each day with the way they nurture, advocate and raise the incredible young people we have the privilege of teaching here at St Luke’s. At the end of the breakfast, our children stood with their Mum and blessed them with these beautiful words:
Loving God,
As a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church.
Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as faithful mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.
We hope that all women enjoyed a very special day on Mother’s Day
Carpark caution- it is becoming increasingly problematic that many children are getting dropped off and gathering too early in the morning out the front of the school. I have mentioned in past newsletters that children should not be dropped off more than 5 minutes BEFORE our gates open. This is a SAFETY ISSUE for children and we do not offer supervision before 8.40 am each day. If you need to drop your child early, please stay with your child until the gates open or use the Before School Care option with MACSEYE: contact@macseye.vic.edu.au
If your child rides or walks to school, please time how long that trip takes and ensure your child is leaving home at just the right time. I have seen children riding around Blackburn and the school zone as early as 8.15am.
Could l ask that you talk to your child about the following safety requirements?
Do not walk/run between cars
Use the pedestrian crossing when walking through the car park to Orchard Grove
Do not throw things at others as they approach
Ball games of any type are not allowed in the morning
Do not ride up and down the path near the carpark or down to the automatic gate
Thank you for your support with this.
Our first Working Bee in a long time is happening on Sunday. If you can help for an hour, two or three- we would love to see you there. All jobs are simple… spreading mulch, painting our buddy bench, planting a few more plants and watering the front garden beds, raking the sandpit, cleaning out and reorganising the garden shed, clearing our drains of leaves, pruning etc… Please sign up now. You’ll need a WWCC and if you don’t have this, go online www.https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children and apply for it naming St Luke’s as a volunteer organisation and you’ll be fine.
Could all volunteers please bring along garden tools- rakes, shovels, wheelbarrow, blowers, brooms, GARDEN GLOVES, pruners, trowels etc... Make sure if you have garden tools for your children, that you bring them as well, as they’ll love to pitch in and help. We’ll have a light lunch afterwards and once again, l’m looking forward to another lovely community effort.
Birthdays are always exciting for our children and many parents love sending along a treat for their child to hand out. Could l request that the following consideration is given, when doing so
No lollipops- they actually pose a hazard as children run around with them in their mouths
All treats will go home with the child; they will not be eaten at school
Any sweet treat needs to be pre-packaged please.
Please make sure you look out for the P&F news that is distributed on a regular basis. The tea towel fundraiser was very successful as was the election day barbecue. These fundraisers require YOUR support so that everyone can enjoy an event being organised. Often the same people turn up and sometimes, due to a low number of volunteers, those same people spend a day on a BBQ or fete stall. Please volunteer when a call goes out… if we all contribute to one event a year, we will all enjoy the benefits of these community building, social events that raise important funds for some of the additional initiatives that make a difference to our children.
To finish my message this week and as Pope Leo XIV offered in his first address at St Peter’s, “(may) peace be with all of you” this weekend as you spend time together as a family. I look forward to seeing you next week.
Clare
