During the last two weeks, the school has been engaged in numerous activities. In the area of sport, we have had students attend an AFL day - Paul Kelly Cup (girls only), Diocesan Rugby trials and a Netball Gala Day to name just a few. The school also had a liturgy to remember ‘Sorry Day’, a parent/carer reflection night for Confirmation students, a ‘Spirit’ day for Year 6 students, School Photos, Tour de Cure, representation at St John’s High School Nowra’s 30th birthday and an SRC fundraiser day selling iceblocks. A very busy 13 days! At the moment the teachers are completing student progress reports which will be released through the school portal on Thursday 17 June 2021. A number of students will continue to represent our school at representative sports events over the next couple of weeks. 

For our Year 6 students who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, this week is a very important one. The two masses will occur on Saturday 5 June at 2pm and Sunday 6 June at 11:30am. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

The Sacrament of Confirmation consists of the renewal of baptismal promises and the laying on of hands and anointing with the oil of Chrism. The anointing of the candidate is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit, and calling the candidates to use these gifts to become involved in the life and mission of the community.

When the candidate is Confirmed, Bishop Brian will place his hands on the head of the candidate and pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This ritualises the connection to Baptism and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit in our vocation to follow the way of Jesus. The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation recognises that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The bishop anoints the candidate’s forehead with the Oil of Chrism, saying ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’.

At the end of the rite, Bishop Brian will say, ‘Peace be with you’ and the candidate replies with ‘And with your spirit’, symbolising the candidate’s place within the Church community. There has been a huge amount of preparation put into preparing the students for receiving the sacrament. Thank you to Father Leo, Mrs Hart, Mrs Lenihan, Mr Allmark, Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, Mr Fuller, Mrs Arnold, Mrs Mazzo and numerous staff for the enormous amount of time that they have all put into teaching the students, preparing the hall to become a sacred mass setting, the preparation of resources and the use of the cultural room. The preparation for Confirmation has been a true team effort. 

To finalise the Confirmation journey for 2021, all students in Year 6 will attend a celebration day at Milton on Monday 7 June 2021. This day is run by the ‘Youth Team’ in the Wollongong Diocese and is called ACTIVATE. Please keep all of our Year 6 students and staff in your prayers over the next five days. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation for students in Year 2 will occur in Term 3. At this stage we are unable to give you a date for the first parent/student evening meeting which will most probably occur in the next month. As you are aware, our Parish Priest Father Leo Mifsud will be leaving our parish in June and the new parish administrator priest should be announced by Bishop Brian Mascord within the next week. Once this new appointment is confirmed a decision on parent sacramental meetings will be shared with us. 

Parents may be aware through the media that we are now experiencing an Australia wide shortage of teachers. Up until this stage, we have only needed to split class groups a few times. As we head into the colder months, this may increase, but we will do everything to minimise disruption to the student learning in each class. Thank you for your patience.