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Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,
Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the start of the season of Lent – a time of prayer, almsgiving and fasting in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the forehead. The ashes symbolise the dust from which God made us. We began our school day today with a prayer assembly, led by 5/6GZ, and students have received ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of humility and penance.
Another Lenten tradition that Mt Carmel School supports is Project Compassion, Caritas Australia's annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Students will be bringing home a Project Compassion Box as usual and there will be a donation box in every classroom. The theme of this year’s Project Compassion is Be More, taken from a quote attributed to Saint Oscar Romero: "Aspire not to have more but to be more.” You can read about Project Compassion and hear personal stories about how Caritas has helped people in need around the world by clicking here.
Open Classrooms and Book Fair
Thank you to those families who have booked a place to visit our Open Classrooms this afternoon. If you haven’t booked, it’s still okay to drop in, but if the classroom is already at its capacity of four families you will need to wait. Priority will be given to families who have booked. You are also welcome to visit the Japanese Room and the Library if your child would like to show you these special places in our school. The Book Fair is up and running in the Library as well, so you are welcome to browse and make a purchase. The Library has a capacity of 50 people at one time so, again, to avoid unnecessary waiting, you can pre-book a visit.
Road Safety
Each year, at the start of the year, I remind parents about the importance of road safety around our school, especially at congested morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up times. Next week is Transport NSW Bus Safety Week, so it is timely to remind all families about safety in our Bus Zone. Please observe the marked No Parking zone and Disabled Parking spaces along Dutton Street; do not perform U-Turns across the double lines in front of the school; do not cross the road in front of or between buses; and do not call children across the road to your car—please walk with them. Bus drivers have reported several safety concerns since the start of the school year and police have been asked to conduct additional patrols. If you need to drive around the block or park in Rossi or Meehan Street and walk to the front gate, the minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for the safety of all of our children.
Sickness
Please remember that, under our current COVID-19 restrictions, students must not attend school with symptoms of respiratory illness. Viral pandemics aside, bugs, colds, stomach upsets and the like spread easily in the classroom, so it is important that if your child is unwell they are given the time they need to recover in order that other students and their teachers do not become sick themselves.
Mt Carmel Playgroup
A reminder that playgroup will start tomorrow with Mrs Hodges in the Playgroup Room off the Dutton Street entrance to the Performing Arts Centre from 9-11am. Cost is $3 for the first child, then $1 for any additional children and includes morning tea. We are very excited to have playgroup back after a long hiatus last year. All are welcome; spread the word!
Northern Region Swimming Carnival
Mt Carmel was represented by 35 students at last Friday’s Northern Region Swimming Carnival in Queanbeyan. My sincere congratulations to all students who participated so well; I am extremely proud of you all. From this event, 17 Mt Carmel students have been selected to represent the Northern Region at the Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival in Narooma on Monday 1 March. Congratulations and best of luck to Alexander Donaldson, Skye Edwards, Zali Lenon, Neve Luckie, Sid Luckie, Imogen Maher, Jed Newman, Stella Pack, Brooke Reardon, Hayley Reardon, Emily Ryan, Grace Ryan, Jack Ryan, Jack Shannon, Milly Shannon, Flynn Wullaert and Jake Wullaert.
May God’s peace be in your families,
Michael Green
Principal
GOSPEL: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
'Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. 'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. 'When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Reflection
Today we begin the season of Lent. Lent is a time to step back and examine our lives. Lent is a time to repent! Today is the day we receive ashes on our forehead (if we go to church)! The ashes are a symbol of the reality that we came forth from the earth and when we die, we will return to the earth. The words that accompany the offering of ashes remind us that we are “dust.” We will have an end. We will die. However, that will not be the “end” of us. We will live eternally (hopefully) with God!
Jesus’ words in this reading may give us ideas about what we might do during Lent. Jesus warns his disciples not to do good deeds simply so others will think well of them. Jesus wants his disciples to be aware of their motivation for what they do. He wants them to do what is right or good because they desire to help others, love others and make the world a better place.
Jesus is not primarily concerned about the actions of his disciples. Rather, He is concerned about their motivations. Jesus hopes their actions and decisions will flow from love of God, love of the Gospel and love for the people and the world. Love truly is all that matters!
How often do we stop and examine our motivations? It is easy to move through the day and simply go about our business. Are we concerned about others or are we too preoccupied to even notice the people around us? I believe that the majority of people in the world want to be good people. Most people do care for others and desire to help them!
However, our motivations are not always clean and pure. At times, do I choose to do something so the other person will think well of me? Do I go to church because that is truly where I want to be? Or do I attend simply because I am supposed to? When I am tired, do I ignore someone who might need some help? And if I am in a bad mood, do I take it out on another?
I assume that all of us have made some of the choices listed above at times in our lives. However, if the majority of our time and attention is focused primarily on us and our needs, it might be well to reflect on our choices. Most often the source of our happiness is in the people in our lives. Hopefully, most of the people around us bring us joy and love. Yes, there will be difficult times. However if love is present, difficulties can be worked out. And in the daily, it is their presence, love and care that is the greatest gift we receive!
Today may we be mindful of our choices and decisions. Jesus also reminds us to be aware of our motivations. Why do we make the choices we do? Do our decisions flow from care and concern for others? Or do I usually do what is best for me? We all have heard the saying: “what would Jesus do?” Today we might experience a choice or challenge as we go about our day. May we pause for a moment and thoughtfully ask ourselves: What would Jesus do? And then just be still for 60 seconds and listen for His answer! Jesus will respond! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
SHROVE TUESDAY
Yesterday we celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a delicious pancake recess followed by our annual pancake race. I'd like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who made this event possible and also congratulate McAuley who were our pancake race champions for 2021!
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (https://www.catholic.org/lent/ashwed.php)
Today 5/6GZ led our school in a lovely Ash Wednesday Prayer Service.
As we commence the holy season, let us turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Every year, countless people turn Lent into a demonstration of faith, love and generosity. You can be a part of this incredible community, who believe that there are simple actions we can all take to “be more” for our world.
Today every class received a Project Compassion Box to raise funds for those in need. Each child has also received a family box today so that we can all support Caritas in the great work that they do. We ask that you contribute any lose change you have and return your box at the end of the term.
Help make the world a fairer place for all. Let us be more!
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator
Mt Carmel Swimming Carnival
Here are a some action shots from the carnival. We are still patiently awaiting the arrival of the medallions so that we can award ribbons and age champions.
Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival
Well done to all the students who competed at the Northern Region Swimming Carnival last Friday in Queanbeyan. Ribbons were handed out on the day. If anyone missed out, please see Mr Dunstan. Congratulations to the following students who will be competing at the Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival in Narooma on Monday 1 March:
Alexander Donaldson, Flynn Wullaert, Jed Newman, Jack Ryan, Jake Wullaert, Jack Shannon, Neve Luckie, Brooke Reardon, Grace Ryan, Emily Ryan, Skye Edwards, Imogen Maher, Hayley Reardon, Zali Lenon, Stella Pack, Amelia Shannon and Sid Luckie.
Please register through the CSNSW website if you have not already done so.
Trials for Year 5 and 6 students
AFL (Combined Canberra Goulburn/Wollongong Boys trials) – Tuesday 16 March (Wollongong)
Soccer – Friday 12 March (Lyneham, ACT)
Cricket - Friday 19th March (Gundagai)
Please check the C & G sport website and the Facebook page for information about upcoming events including winter trials for netball, rugby league, hockey and touch football.
Gecko Sports
Stage 3 and 4TC are currently participating in a four week Lacrosse program on Tuesdays run by Gecko Sport. The rest of Stage 2 will participate in the program from Week 6 to Week 9. The kids are loving it!
Here are some photos of 5/6EG enjoying some lacrosse yesterday.
Book Fair 2021 - Photos of Books
These photos show all of the books available to purchase at the Book Fair, and may help you to dicuss which book your child may like to purchase. Also attached is the price list of all the books which are available. If you have any concerns regarding age appropriate books, please email our librarian Ev Turner at evelyn.turner@cg.catholic.edu.au.
The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon between 2.30pm– 4.00pm during school terms.
Ordering Options - Uniform orders can be placed online via Qkr! or by order form, which can be collected and paid for from the front office.
All Qkr! orders placed before 2pm each Tuesday will be bundled up and sent home with your child on Wednesday afternoon.
Please note that if the incorrect size/item is ordered or the size selected does not fit correctly, please return the item along with a note regarding changes required and the correct size/item can be sent home.
You might like to participate in an online Archdiocesan Lenten Renewal Experience “Walk in the Spirit” which starts this week and will be broadcast around the Archdiocese each week till Holy Week.
Watch from home, start your own group or join one of the groups already happening in our parish:
Thursday evenings - 7:30-9:00pm - Hartigan Centre, Yass.
Contact Perry Healey 0432 120 362 or Amber Maher 0418 681 437 or just turn up.
Thursday evenings - 7:30-9:00pm - Clonakilla Winery, Murrumbateman.
Contact Lara Kirk 0429 192 869 or Phil Seselja 0414 182 812 or just turn up.
Saturday mornings - 10:30 am-12:30 - Hartigan Centre, Yass.
Contact Lourdes OKeefe 0413 096 413 or Tim Kirk 0404 805 082 or just turn up.
To register or for more information go to https://cgcatholic.org.au/walk-in-the-spirit/ or contact lara.kirk@cg.org.au 0429 192 869.
Merici’s new Principal, Anna Masters, and her Executive are looking forward to meeting you at one or all of the College’s enrolment events. This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet the students and staff, attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.
The College is enrolling now for 2022 and beyond!
Please visit www.merici.college for all dates and information for Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!
Open Day and Year 7 2022 Information Night: Wednesday 28 April 2-4pm, 5.30-7.30pm
Be a Merici Girl Days: 22 April, 23 April, 6 May
Talk and Tours: 20 February, 27 March, 1 May, 21 August, 23 October
Telephone 02- 6243 4178 for all enquiries.
Yass Netball Association - Registrations Now Open
The ServiceNSW Active Kids Voucher covers the full cost for NETSETGO (5-10 years) and Juniors for the whole year.