Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week we held a very successful Enrolment Information evening with about 50 families in attendance. Thank you to the staff who attended, those who presented about their various roles within our school and to our wonderful office staff who were present to keep things running smoothly.

A special thanks to our Year 6 students – Ivie, Jace and Aviyana from 6 Black and Willow, Adam, Jack, Jace, Amelia W, Charlotte-Grace and Amelia M from 6 Red. These students came along dressed in their uniform after hours to assist us with school tours for new families and answer questions. Our visitors were very impressed with your wonderful manners and obvious pride in our school. Well done!

ENROLMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN 2026

Places are filling fast for our 2026 cohort of Kinders. Siblings of current students should be enrolled by now. If you have not yet enrolled your younger child, please do so ASAP - you don't want to miss out! 

We are now halfway through Lent…..

and I would like to take a moment to reflect on its significance and how we can all use this time to reevaluate our lives, regardless of our faith backgrounds. Lent is traditionally a period of 40 days leading up to Easter, marked by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. For many, it is a time of spiritual renewal and deep reflection.

For those who may not regularly attend Mass or who come from different faith traditions, Lent can still offer valuable opportunities for personal growth and introspection. Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of this period:

1. Self-Reflection: Lent encourages us to take a step back and examine our lives. Consider setting aside a few minutes each day to reflect on your actions, thoughts, and relationships. Ask yourself questions like, "Am I living in a way that aligns with my values?" and "How can I be a better person to those around me?"
2. Acts of Kindness: One of the core practices of Lent is almsgiving, which involves giving to those in need. This can be as simple as performing small acts of kindness each day. Whether it's helping a neighbour, volunteering your time, or donating to a charity, these actions can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver.
3. Mindfulness and Prayer: While prayer is a central aspect of Lent for Catholics, mindfulness practices can be beneficial for everyone. Taking time to meditate, practice deep breathing, or simply sit in silence can help you connect with your inner self and find peace amidst the busyness of daily life.
4. Fasting and Moderation: Traditionally, Lent involves fasting or giving up certain luxuries. Even if you're not religious, you might consider using this time to practice moderation. This could mean cutting back on screen time, reducing consumption of unhealthy foods, or limiting other habits that may not serve your well-being.
5. Community and Connection: Lent is also a time for strengthening community bonds. Engage with others in meaningful conversations, support one another, and build a sense of togetherness. This can be particularly important for our school community, where fostering a supportive environment benefits everyone.

Lent offers a unique opportunity for all of us to pause and reflect on our lives. By embracing the principles of self-reflection, kindness, mindfulness, moderation, and community, we can use this time to grow and improve, both individually and collectively. We encourage the children to look at Lent as a journey taken together, supporting one another as we strive to become the best versions of ourselves.

YEAR 4 BYOD INFORMATION EVENING

Parents and Carers of Year 4 students are invited to come along on Wednesday 26th March to hear information about the BYOD program which will start in Term 2. A representative from NexTechnolgies will be here to explain the purchasing options available to parents. 

EASTER EVENTS - Thursday 10th April 

BUS SERVICE TO CAMERON PARK

As you may be aware, there is no designated bus for our students who live in Cameron Park. The current arrangement is that children must disembark at Edgeworth public school and wait for another bus, with no guarantee of a seat when it arrives. For this reason, understandably, many families choose to make alternative arrangements for their children. The bus company has denied requests for a designated service, stating that there aren’t enough children using the bus to justify a service.

The majority of our families come from Cameron Park and there are more than enough children to fill a bus.

Earlier this term, I emailed Clayton Barr, our local MP,  in relation to the bus service. I explained that many more of our families would make use of a bus service if it was direct, making it safer for the children. His office has responded, asking if I would allow him to forward my letter to the transport minister for NSW. His office has also advised that emails from parents would add weight to our request.

If you would like to support our campaign for a designated bus service for our students, please write to: Clayton Barr, Member for Cessnock, at cessnock@parliament.nsw.gov.au.  In your email, you need to include that you are happy for your email to be forwarded to the Minister for Transport NSW.

We have an email already worded and ready to go. If you would like to ‘copy and paste’ and send it off, please contact the office and we will send the wording to you.

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL FEAST DAY - 26th April

Our families are warmly invited to attend the Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on Saturday 26th April - 5pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at West Wallsend. There will be a cake and light supper after the Mass. Please join us for this community event. 

ANZAC DAY MARCH - OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE

Our students have been asked to participate in the ANZAC day march and service at West Wallsend on ANZAC day, 25th April (the last Friday of the school holidays). Some of our school leaders will lead the march with our school banner. I will be in attendance with Mrs Garven and we will march with the children. 

We will meet at the corner of Withers and Carrington St, West Wallsend (in front of Simply Pharmacy) at 9.30am. 

Children who are participating should wear full school uniform please. If they are wearing the medals of a relative, these are worn on the right side of the chest. The march will proceed to West Wallsend Workers Club for the service. 

Please let us know if you are planning to bring your child along so that we can look out for them on the day. 

Take care and God Bless,

Danielle Reed

Principal