Dear Parents and Carers,

A busy term of learning has come to fruition and our students, your children, are ready for the opportunity of rest and relaxation that the holidays will bring. Can I commend to you the careful planning of a good dose of nothing for some time during the holidays. Often holidays can be so planned and full and busy that the children might not get enough time just to rest.

Yesterday was the perfect day for our school cross country carnival, but the growing ill health in our community paused proceedings! we look forward to starting the term with a run around the showgrounds! Everyone has 2 further weeks of practice time to get their stamina up to the run.

Tuesday was a great day for the rugby league tag gala day for our Year 5/6 students. Mrs Scott and Mrs Collins were SO impressed by the sportsmanship of all students who participated. Well done to all the students who joined in on the day!

Thanks to the Community Council, and in particular Carmen Shoveller, for the wonderful Easter raffle which was a huge success. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation at the prize draw this morning. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who supported the raffle. The Easter raffle prizes are purchased by the Community Council from the proceeds of the sale of 2^nd hand uniform. Thank you for donating your children’s uniforms when they have grown out of them!

We end our school term on Holy Thursday and we await the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. I’d like to share a reflection on the Easter Sunday gospel from God’s Word to help us contemplate the season of Easter.

‘The gospels stress that Jesus’ resurrection was completely unexpected by his disciples, even though Jesus had told them on a number of occasions that he would rise from the dead. It seems they did not understand what he was saying. In John’s gospel account of the Easter Sunday story we see Mary Magdalen going to the tomb early in the morning while it is still dark. She is like you and me going to the cemetery to visit the gave of someone we love who has died. She is going to mourn, to grieve, to remember him, perhaps even to ask the question ‘Why?’ though she doesn’t expect an answer. When she finds the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, she is shocked and confused. She thinks someone has stolen the body. The thought that he has risen doesn’t enter her mind.

Later, while still searching, she meets a man she thinks is the gardener and she asks him if he knows where they have put Jesus’ body. The person says simple ‘Mary’ and suddenly, totally unexpectedly, she realises that she is in the presence of the risen Christ.

We also will meet the risen Christ in unexpected moments during the Easter season. Surely, we will meet him in the Mass and in the sacraments, and in moments of prayer. But, like Mary, we will also meet him in our brothers and sisters, perhaps in the gardener, or in the stranger we meet along the way, or in those in need: ‘ For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was frightened and you comforted me, alone and you came to see me.’ Then, like Mary, our joy will be full.’

May you have a blessed Easter and happy holiday. I am looking forward to being on Pilgrimage in the Holy Land quite soon after the celebration of Easter and being present in the places where Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead. In my absence we welcome Mrs Grant to the role of Principal (acting), and in Mrs Sheahan's absence at this same time, we welcome Mrs Ferris to the role of Assistant Principal (acting). The other staff changes for the short duration of the first weeks of term will be communicated at the start of term. 

Of note, if you know any teachers who are looking at moving to the Bega Valley please tell them we have a position advertised right now! Thank you.

Kind regards,

Jo

One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.                                 SOPHOCLES