Dear Parents,

NAIDOC celebrations will occur during the school holidays between 7-14 July and this week-long event helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, enabling a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities.

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of a range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. 

At St Angela of the Cross, we recognise the Indigenous people as traditional owners of the lands on which our school resides. We acknowledge that these lands continue to be the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indigenous people.

In our commitment to fostering reconciliation and understanding, we are proud to share with you the meaning of our Indigenous art piece located at the end of the junior building, designed by a young Gunaikurnai artist, Zaralee McAuliffe-Douthat. Through Zaralee's artwork, we aim to celebrate Indigenous voice and traditions within our school community.

The artistic representation and story below not only beautify our environment but also serve as a symbol of respect and gratitude towards the Indigenous communities who have cared for this land for generations. 

Zaralee McAULIFFE-DOUTHAT 

Gunaikurnai 

Warragul (Dingo) 

(2023)

Warragul is the Gunaikurnai word for Dingo, and in making this artwork I wish to honour, thank, and pay my respects to the Dingo, who is one of the most misunderstood animals that have lived alongside Aboriginal people for thousands of years. As an apex predator and keystone species I admire their tenacity, adaptability and unique beauty. A true Aussie battler, they are fierce protectors who aid the survival of our other native species and strive to keep natural systems in balance despite the hardships they face at the hands of humans and domestic dogs. 

Thank you for protecting Country.

THE STORY: 

The story of this artwork is a simple one. A mother dingo keeps watch over her territory, a coat the colour of the sun, she shines brightly over the hills and valleys of Warragul. The Gunaikurnai people, with their shields and spears, join with Warragul the Dingo to safeguard the land from harm.

Blessing & Opening

We would like to invite our school community to the official Blessing and Opening of our Stage 2 Classroom Building. Please see invite with details below;

As a Catholic School, we commit to those in need by making a positive difference in the world. Today, Joe & Paul from St Vincent de Paul’s visited our school to collect our donations of non-perishable food items. As a school, we have collected and donated over 300 items, what an achievement!

We appreciate the generosity of our school community and thank our Mini Vinnies for their work in promoting and leading this wonderful initiative. 

• the form with your child's sponsors name, and name they will take in Confirmation. 
• a copy of your child's Baptism certificate
• the envelope for the contribution for sacrament resources

Who is Jairus?

Jairus is an interesting, if fleeting, character in scripture (Mark 5:21-24,35-43). Certainly, parents relate immediately with him. We don’t know how much he knew about Jesus or how interested he would have otherwise been about him. As an important synagogue official he probably shared the general disapproval of Jesus by religious authorities. By the same token he must have heard, or perhaps even witnessed, impressive accounts of healing by this teacher from outside the religious establishment. 

We know too how preconceptions can evaporate in the face of our child’s immediate crisis. Jairus didn’t hesitate. He could have sent servants or his wife, but it seems he knew, “that bloke from Nazareth can save her and I need to find him myself and humbly beg him to do so. Never mind what religious authorities or anyone else might say or think. Never mind the effects on my community standing or my career. My beloved daughter is dying, and I will do whatever I must.” Perhaps it was awkward kneeling before Jesus and begging, but he was desperate. 

Even after her apparent death, Jesus unwaveringly told him to “only have faith” and so Jairus did.  Those were the words that he needed to hear. Without trust, Jesus’ curative action would be frustrated, and the vibe of the disparaging and distrusting mob was so negative, he has them ejected. With only the faithful couple and the disciples around him, Jesus raises the girl. Amid the “astonishment” we can picture the joy of Jairus and his wife as their beloved daughter is restored to them in full health. What does Jairus do next? We don’t know, but it is hard to imagine that the encounter left him and his family unchanged. Probably they became devoted disciples. 

That we might have the faith of Jairus!

Deacon Mark Kelly