Dear Parents and Friends,

Week 6 is upon us already which also means we are officially halfway through Term 1! This week has special significance as we enter the Lenten season beginning with Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday being celebrated this week.

Thank you to our Hospitality Hosts leaders, Molly and Ella for helping teachers to cook up some delicious pancakes for the students and staff this morning. This was followed by the prayer ‘Burning of the Palms’ ceremony in readiness for Ash Wednesday tomorrow. The Lenten season calls us to take time for self-reflection and to prepare ourselves for the celebrations of Easter through prayer, fasting and self-denial. Parents and friends are most welcome to join us for Mass tomorrow commencing at 12 pm in St Patrick’s Church.

Special congratulations go out to Charlie Hindmarsh on his magnificent performance at the Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival in Narooma yesterday. Charlie was placed second in the 9 Years 50m Freestyle which has earned him a place in the Archdiocesan team to represent at the Mackillop carnival later this term. Well done Charlie-we are very proud of you!

I continue to be impressed by the great learning and teaching that is happening across our classrooms from K-6. The students are engaged and interested learners and the teachers are working hard to enable each and every child to become successful learners. Our school Facebook page is a great place to see snippets of the wonderful activities taking place in our classrooms across the school week.

No doubt most families have been shocked and dismayed by the recent media events regarding Cardinal George Pell. Please know that the safety and welfare of our students remain our absolute top priority at St Patrick's. The child safety approaches administered by our dedicated staff assure we are held to the highest professional and regulatory standards. They are embedded in organisational governance, policy, procedures, practice and culture. It is a key responsibility for everyone who works or volunteers in Catholic education. Thank you for your continued faith in Catholic Education.

Looking forward to the wonderful St Patrick’s Variety Evening on Saturday 16^th March being organised by our dedicated Community Council and parent body. Make sure you get your ticket soon.

Blessings as we begin our Lenten journey and take up the challenge to change our daily lives and become closer to God.

Christine Baron

Principal