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Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,
I wish all our students, parents and teachers a very warm welcome to Term 2. Although the school holidays were probably not what anyone had in mind, I do hope that everyone enjoyed a Happy and Holy Easter and that the altered circumstances allowed plenty of opportunities to form special memories of backyard campfires, family sports-days, games nights, dance-offs, or however your family took advantage of the time together.
ANZAC Day
Thanks to our school captains, Hope and Jeremy, who laid a wreath at the cenotaph on Saturday morning on behalf of the school. Mt Carmel has a proud tradition of participation in the Anzac Day march, and I know that many families marked the day in their own way, decorating their windows and front fences and participating the the Driveway at Dawn parade. Thanks to those families that shared images of their personal commemorations.
Families' Anzac Day commemorations video
Remote Learning Update
Many families have started the new term with Remote Learning, and I thank you all for your support, patience and commitment. Our apologies for the delay in the provision of resource packs for some groups but, as of today, all packs are ready for collection. If there are any families still experiencing difficulty accessing either Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom, please contact your class teacher by email, or telephone the school office. Catholic Education has established a dedicated IT Helpline for families engaging in Remote Learning – 1300 232 448 – and a website, https://cgonlinelearning.com.au, that contains lots of useful information for parents and students engaging with school remotely. We are working very hard to ensure that students working from home still feel connected to school. Each morning our school captains will be hosting a virtual Morning Assembly, including our school prayer, birthdays and daily announcements. This will be posted each morning in each class’ MS Team page.
A reminder for families whose children are attending school, the school canteen is open for pre orders for recess and lunch from Tuesday to Friday. No counter sales.
You will, I’m sure, be aware of the announcement last week that NSW Government Schools will begin a staggered return to school from Week 3. At this point in time I cannot provide specific information about what will happen at Mt Carmel School beyond Week 2; I hope to be able to provide families with a clearer picture early next week.
2020 Enrolments
Our enrolment drive for 2020 has already begun. The official enrolment period for Catholic Schools in this Archdiocese runs from Wednesday 6 May until Friday 29 May. If you have a pre-school child ready for Kindergarten, it’s time to enrol now. The Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn online enrolment form can be accessed by clicking the link below. If you need to access a hard-copy form, please contact the Front Office. An interview will be organised once the enrolment application is received. If your friends have a child starting in Kindergarten next year, please encourage them to consider Mt Carmel as an option for their children’s education.
Enrol Now
School Photos
School photos usually take place early on Term 2. These have been rescheduled for August 10; more information will be provided closer to that date.
May God’s peace be in your families,
GOSPEL: Luke 24:13-35
Now that very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. And it happened that as they were talking together and discussing it, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but their eyes were prevented from recognising him. He said to them, 'What are all these things that you are discussing as you walk along?' They stopped, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, 'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.' He asked, 'What things?' They answered, 'All about Jesus of Nazareth, who showed himself a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have now gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they could not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.' Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe all that the prophets have said! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer before entering into his glory?'
Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them saying, 'It is nearly evening, and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?' They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon.' Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
REFLECTION
This week we hear Luke’s version of the story of the walk to Emmaus. We know this story well. Most likely, if someone asked us, we easily could tell them the story. Familiarity can be good but at times, but it also can be a hindrance. Today I invite you to read this Gospel passage again. Read it slowly and attentively. Be open to the message that Jesus has for you today. After reading the passage, take a few minutes and quietly listen for Jesus’ message.
At times in our lives, we have been “the disciples on the road to Emmaus:” feeling lost, alone, sad, confused, and perhaps angered by our personal Calvary experience. True, it was not literally our crucifixion and death. Yet, most likely it was a time of great pain, confusion, anger, sadness or loss. Or it might have been a time when a significant person or part of your life died to you. Take a moment and remember one of your Calvary experiences. Like the disciples who never thought they would lose Jesus, you also were lost, sad, confused, depressed and perhaps angry.
What was that time in life like for you? How long did it take you to begin to recover and begin to come back to life? Did your faith sustain you during this time or did God feel light years away from you? Was there any sense, small though it may have been, that God, Jesus, or the Spirit was with you, sustaining you, strengthening you? These times are extremely difficult and they may threaten our trust and faith in God. We all know that bad things happen to good people; however, when they happen to us, our natural reaction is to question: “Why me? Why did God let this happen?”
If we hold onto our faith in God, Jesus eventually will appear to us again, most likely in unexpected ways, places, or people. Will our mind and hearts be open or will they be closed by anger, fear, and loss? Today may we pray for the grace to trust that Jesus will come to us. May we trust and believe that Jesus IS with us always! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)
REMOTE LEARNING
Welcome back to Term 2. Whilst the way we are learning at this point in time may look different, it is important that we don't forget the importance of prayer in our daily lives. I know that each class is including prayer in their remote learning lessons so I encourage all students to take time out to pray daily. In addition to class prayers, a wonderful family resource has been developed by Liturgy Brisbane and can be accessed here: https://litedliturgybrisbane.weebly.com/family-prayer-week-by-week.html/ The page provides a weekly family prayer which includes scripture, questions and reflection activities.
MASS SERVICES
Whilst we are still unable to physically attend mass, I would like to remind everyone that the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn will continue to broadcast mass each day so that we can listen in and participate in the celebration.
Resource URL: https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/
PROJECT COMPASSION
Around the world, people are coming together to make the world a better place. Whether it's ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water supplies or a sustainable income source or adequate health care for their families, we’re going to give our all too.
Thanks to all families who have been in a position to contribute this year. We raised a total of $370 to support those in need.
God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator
Book Club Virtual Catalogue - Issue 3
With numerous studies finding that reading at home is a key factor in a child’s lifelong success, Book Club provides a fun and easy way of bringing books into your home.
1. Term 2 Book Club catalogues are digital only (no paper catalogues) this term for the first time ever during these unprecedented times. To access and purchase from the latest Issue, please go to https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/virtual-catalogue-1/. We encourage you to sit down with your child and go through the catalogue together, discussing any books that sparks your child’s interest.
2. Once you and your child has made your final selection, click anywhere on the page to redirect you to the Scholastic LOOP website or go to the Scholastic LOOP app to place your order. LOOP orders are linked to your school in an easy, safe online process. Registering for LOOP will also keep you up-to-date with all of the latest Book Club news, information on exciting new releases, and our exclusive Book Club special offers.
3.Our Book Club Organiser will then take care of the rest! After everyone’s orders is submitted by the suggested close date of Issue of 18th May 2020, the Scholastic team get to work packing your child’s order full of exciting things.
4. Your child’s order is then delivered to the school/classroom, ready to take home and be eagerly read. If our regular Book Club order distribution procedure need to be adapted, an electronic announcement will be made. Orders that you have marked as a ‘gift’ in LOOP will be sent to school for you to secretly pick-up instead.
Find out more about Book Club here: https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-home/
If you require further assistance with Book Club, please contact Book Club Customer Service on 1800 021 233. 8.00am to 5.00 AEST.
The Mt Carmel School Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday afternoon between 2.30pm– 4.00pm during school terms.
Ordering Options - Uniform orders can be placed online via Qkr! or by order form, which can be collected and paid for from the front office.
All Qkr! orders placed before 2pm each Tuesday will be bundled up and sent home with your child on Wednesday afternoon.
Please note that if the incorrect size/item is ordered or the size selected does not fit correctly, please return the item along with a note regarding changes required and the correct size/item can be sent home.