Dear Parents, 

Welcome back to the start of term 2, I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday and Easter period with your families. 

As parents, it’s natural to be concerned about the wellbeing of our children, and it’s important to keep ourselves informed about the current state of youth wellbeing. Unfortunately, the data paints a concerning picture. Across the world, young people are facing a range of challenges that are impacting their mental, physical, and emotional health. Factors such as social media, gaming, academic/sporting pressure, and economic instability are just a few of the many challenges affecting the wellbeing of children and adolescents today. While it’s important to remember that every child is different and may face unique challenges, understanding the broader trends can help parents stay informed and better equipped to support their children.

On our school website, under the Student Wellbeing section there is a link to SchoolTV. Click on the icon as shown below and this will take you to a range of resources and topics published monthly from leading specialists and organisations. You’ll also find fact sheets, suggested books, apps, and websites on a variety of topics that may support you as a parent with some difficulties your child may be facing.

https://stangelawarragul.catholic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter 

Anzac Day/Time in Lieu Closure Days
A reminder to all families that there will be no school next Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April. The 25th is the ANZAC Day Public Holiday and the 26th is a Time in Lieu day for school staff.

The St Angela of the Cross Cross Country will be held on Friday 3rd May for all students.

We encourage students to dress in their house colours for this event. The Cross Country will be held onsite from 9am -11am.

Parents/Guardians/siblings are welcome to attend the event but must sign in via the office prior to entry. A reminder for all visitors to please BYO Chairs and/or Picnic Rugs and feel free to purchase a coffee from Kiki 77 Coffee Van which our Parents and Friends have kindly organised. 

TIMETABLE

Seniors 

9:10am:  12/13 Boys and Girls (3km)

9:35am: 11-year-old Boys and Girls (3km)

9:55am: 9/10-year-old Boys and Girls (2 km)

Juniors

10:15am: Grade 2 Boys and Girls (1km)

10:30am: Grade 1 Boys and Girls (1km)

10:40am: Foundation Girls (500m)

10:50am: Foundation Boys (500m)

11:00am Presentation (Individual Places from each race, 1st – 3rd. Overall House Aggregate Award).

As we begin Term 2, we encourage families to label all uniform pieces. Every effort is made to return lost property to its rightful owner so please name all items clearly.

All uniform looks the same and often same size, please help us look after your child's belongings.

If an item of clothing has been lost you may notify the classroom teacher and also check at lost property located in reception. 

Congratulations to our Parish Priest, Fr. Brendan Hogan who will celebrate 25 years since being ordained a priest this weekend. 

Image of God

John’s second reading (1 John 3:1-2) has tantalised us for many centuries, reminding us that, “what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that, when it is revealed, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.” Our Catholic Catechism affirms that “man was destined to be fully human and fully divinised by God in glory’ (Cat 398), “The word became flesh to make us partakers of the divine nature …. for the Son of God became human that we might become God” (Cat 4601). Astonishingly, as Pope Francis teaches us, “God carefully fashioned us, loves us unconditionally, delights in us at every moment and is now flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone.”

We gain a glimpse of Godself when we learn to really look at what’s before us, the delight and pain that’s around us; when we feel something of the hidden joy and despair of others,their desire for life and their cold despair. Daniel O’Leary tells us, “Once we commit to identifying God’s intimate presence in our evolving sensual perception of the world’s most beautiful artistry, creativity and imagination, in our every breath and heartbeat, in our daily darkness and invincible light, then we are (already) living the incarnation of God in Jesus.” (O’Leary, An Astonishing Secret p13). That’s at least a part of “how he really is.” And is this future, bonded with our Creator, just for an exclusive club? Well, no! Jesus tells us, “there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.” (John10:11-18). Maybe God’s unconditional love is waiting to embrace the whole world. Now that’s something to look forward to!

Deacon Mark Kelly

Six adults receive the fullness of the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. Michael, Connor,  Ben, Daniel, Alison and Nicole have been many months preparing for what was a wonderful  uplifting Easter Vigil at St Joseph's Warragul. Before a full church including their families and  sponsors, these six have begun their new lives as fully fledged Catholic parishioners in our  Catholic parishes of Warragul and Drouin. We always need new blood and so how blessed  are they and we! Alleluia indeed! Let we long standing parishioners ensure we welcome  them and engage them in the life of our parishes.