Week 11 Term 1

What Lies Ahead for Term 2 and Beyond?  

Easter - The Resurrection Brings Us Hope in Troubled Times

Easter is the greatest feast of hope that we could ever celebrate.  We humans are always in need of hope.  The hope that we have through the resurrection of Christ is a hope that touches every part of our lives here on earth, and reaches beyond this life to the next.  This has never been more true than today.

When Jesus rose from the dead, almost 2,000 years ago, God released a power into the world that no one could stop.  This power roamed the planet and found its ways into the hearts of millions and millions of people, from one century to the next until it reached us.

When we come together on Easter Sunday (even if via remote means this year), we are united by the hope that there is more to life than what we are now experiencing. The hope of Christ’s resurrection is that this powerful event can touch every part of our existence, even the dark and despairing situation in which we find ourselves.  It can bring light into the dark corners of our lives.

In these times of doubt and fear, I urge you all to trust in the Hope that Christ brings us.  Even in the darkest hour…. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Easter Raffle

We have decided to donate the small number of items to the Hospital Emergency staff in recognition of their great work over the last month or so. Those families who purchased tickets will have their money returned or credited to their accounts if they choose to go that way.

God Bless
Kevin Lewis BEd (Syd) MEd (ACU) GradCertRe (Uon)

College Principal
kevin.lewis@lism.catholic.edu.au 

What a term it has been.  We have all been tested by the events of the past month and will continue to be tested as the Corona Virus Pandemic continues.  I have been amazed by the amount of learning that continues to happen.  Teachers at St Paul’s have been on an exponential learning curve and students have been working hard to adapt to the new world of remote learning.  I would like to draw your attention to an email that was forwarded to all parents by Mr Lewis earlier this week.

Supporting Your Child During Remote Learning

Your child’s teachers are working very hard to create lessons and online learning activities for all students at St Paul’s College.  As a part of your child’s education, they are required to attend school, whether it be on-site or online.  Please understand that all your child’s work has been provided for them.  You are not required to homeschool, but rather help and encourage them to complete their work, which has been set by the teachers.  If your family has any issues with the internet, could you let the College know and printed versions of work can be left at the College office for collection.  If your child is having trouble logging into any of the online platforms, they should contact their class teacher via email or phone immediately. 

The following are ways to help you support your child’s remote learning:

• establishing routines and expectations
• defining a space for your child to work in
• monitoring communications from teachers
• beginning and ending each day with a check-in
• taking an active role in helping your children process their learning
• encouraging physical activity and/or exercise
• checking in with your child regularly to help them manage stress
• monitoring how much time your child is spending online
• keeping your children social, but set rules around their social media interactions.

We understand this is a new way of learning, and that some students will have home responsibilities, but it is very important to keep up to date with schoolwork.  We will be monitoring and contacting you in the coming weeks to let you know if your child has not completed the work set by their teachers.

As the term concludes, I would like to thank parents who have supported their children during this difficult transition to Remote Learning.  As teachers, we really appreciate this vital support and understand that you are the main educators of your children, and that we need to maintain our collaboration during this difficult time.

Your children will need guidance and support as we dive into the world of remote online learning, but rest assured, the skills they are learning now will better equip them for future learning opportunities.

Try your best to have a restful and stress-free holiday break.

Mr Leon Robinson - Acting Assistant Principal

Firstly, I would like to say to all our St Paul’s community that we are thinking of you in these challenging times and know that you are in our prayers daily.  The Pope is also aware of the of families facing difficulties and uncertainty:

“Let us pray today for those persons who are beginning to experience economic problems because of the pandemic, because they cannot work…  All of this affects the family.  We pray for those people who have this problem…  May the Lord help them to have the strength to cope for the good of society and the entire community.”

We recognise that being a teenager is difficult no matter what, and the coronavirus disease is making it even harder.  With school disruptions and cancelled events, many teens are missing out on some of the biggest moments of their young lives — as well as everyday moments like chatting with friends and participating in class.  For teenagers facing life changes due to the outbreak who are feeling anxious, isolated and disappointed, please know this: you are not alone.  We are journeying together with you in these challenging times.

Teenagers need to practise self-care and look after their mental health. Here are some suggestions from adolescent psychologist, Dr Lisa Damour: 

1. Recognise That Your Anxiety Is Completely Normal

Let your parents or a trusted adult know if you’re not feeling well, or if you’re feeling worried about the virus, so they can help. 

    2.  Create Distractions

Doing homework, watching a favourite movie or getting in bed with a good book as ways to seek relief and find balance in the day-to-day. 

    3.  Find New Ways to Connect with Your Friends

It’s not going to be a good idea to have unfettered access to screens and or social media.  That’s not healthy, that’s not smart, it may amplify your anxiety. 

    4.  Focus On You

Have you been wanting to learn how to do something new?  Start a new book, spend time practising a musical instrument or connecting spiritually through Christian meditation?  Now is the time to do that. 

    5.  Be Kind to Yourself and Others

And remember: now, more than ever, we need to be thoughtful about what we share or say that may hurt others.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our College community a happy and safe holiday.  Please allow this time together to be one of peace and understanding for the common good.

Mrs Bronwyn Shipton - Assistant Principal - Mission & Wellbeing

How Lent has turned out to be very different for us all this year!  Who would have thought on Ash Wednesday that there would be no public Easter Services, that much of the world would go into lockdown and that people would be being laid off work in their thousands upon thousands in this country?

At this end of Lent, our need for prayer has become even more heightened.  Fasting now for many of us is not now about giving up coffee or chocolate, but about fasting from physical interactions, interstate and international travel and other things that perhaps we took for granted.  Now more than ever in this time of isolation, our almsgiving is needed whereby we can look out for our neighbours, calling up family and friends to check-in and simply and authentically ask the question, “How are you going?”

Easter Services

Although our churches are currently closed to the public, Fr James will be live streaming the Easter Services for the Macleay Valley via Facebook through the following link: https://www.facebook.com/macleayvalleycatholicparish.  Please note that you do not need a Facebook account to watch these.

The Easter Services that will be streamed are:

• Holy Thursday 9 April: 6 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
• Good Friday 10 April: 3 pm - The Passion of the Lord Solemn Ceremonies
• Holy Saturday 11 April: 6 pm - The Easter Vigil Mass
• Easter Sunday 12 April: 9.30 am - Easter Sunday Mass

For those with limited internet access, Channel 7 will be broadcasting Easter Services LIVE from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.  The Lord’s Passion at 3 pm on Good Friday and Easter Sunday Mass from 10.30 am will be televised across the country on Channel 7, Prime 7 in regional areas and live-streamed on 7plus.  Both liturgies will be broadcast commercial-free and in their entirety.

Spiritual Resources During the Pandemic

There are lots of resources available on the internet to help support you and your family’s spiritual journey during this time.  The Macleay Valley Catholic Parish website has a number of good resources, which are being added to weekly.  I would commend these to your viewing.  They can be accessed easily via: https://www.mvcp.org.au/

As well, I will endeavour to make available some beneficial resources for you as the weeks (and most likely months) progress.  There is a page published in this newsletter with some resources for you, courtesy of the Parish.

I hope and pray that you and your family all have a happy and Holy Easter, and that you are able to engage in the deep solemnity and JOY of the Easter Season.  In our current world where so much has been taken away, we have a wonderful opportunity to be thankful to God for the JOY of the Easter story, namely the gift of new life that comes from Jesus' resurrection!

Please contact me if you have any questions about or ideas for ministry and evangelisation at the College.

Mr Dominic MacAndrews - Leader of Evangelisation