Dear Parents

We come today to the end of what has been a tumultuous school term. While there have been many challenges and difficulties during this time, I want to focus on the many wonderful things that have shone through these last 10 weeks. 

Our teachers shifted quickly to home-based learning from the outset. With constant tweaking and refining, they were able to provide the students with a variety of engaging tasks. I thank all our teachers for their constant, arduous work and their generosity of spirit during this time. They deserve a well-earned rest these holidays. 

The gratitude expressed by many of our parents who are juggling their own work and home-based learning has been so gratefully received by the teachers. I am sure you are all looking forward to a break from the struggle and hopefully have time to recharge in readiness for next term. 

Our students have shown great resilience during this time. Today I read the feedback and reflections from our Stage 3 students. Many of them expressed the positive experiences they have had with HBL but also expressed the challenges they have faced. I acknowledge the impact this time has had on all our students but reassure you that we will be looking after their wellbeing upon their return. 

I will write in more detail next term on the plan for the return to school for our students, but I would like to assure you that we will be very well prepared to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of all our children. I received confirmation from CSBB yesterday of the provision of an extra staffing allowance in Term 4 to aid teachers in supporting the students. 

While there is still uncertainty about the return to “freedom” in October, I am excited about the prospect of having our students back in Term 4. My wish is that we finish the year with a sense of normality and that we can celebrate the many important things that we do together as a St Kieran’s community. 

We received wonderful news during the week of the safe arrival of Jerome, a new addition to the Donato family. Congratulations to Joanne, Julio and Clara. 

May you all have a safe and restful holiday period and I pray that God watches over every one of us in the weeks to come. 

God bless, 

   Michael Gallagher
   Principal

More thinking about the Ripple Effect.
 

 
Following on from the ripple effect of St Kieran we would be remiss not to acknowledge St Augustine and the legacy he gifted to the Church of Christ.

Personally, I love St Augustine’s story as it is a story from sinner to saint. His quote “Give me chastity and continence, but not yet” speaks of this.
 
St Augustine is considered a Father of the Church. His theology and philosophy guided and formed the doctrine of the early Church. It would be fair to say that the ripple effect of St Augustine not only influenced the common people of his time but the top leaders and thinkers of his time. The Church adopted many of his precepts.
 
The theology and philosophy of St Augustine is evident today in the actions and words of our priests. The emphasis on hospitality in our parish is an outward sign of this.  The way our priests of parish walk beside us, fraternally, is another example. The warm and welcoming community of North Harbour Parish and her schools also speaks of the ripple effect in action.
 
During the past term, the ripple effect of care and support for each is a shining example of multiple ripples playing across our lives. Our teachers would like to thank the school and parish community for every act of kindness and appreciation. It is with an attitude of gratitude that we tumble into the holidays to rest, regroup and prepare for our new term. We wish our school community health and happiness spurred on by the ripples of love that play across your lives.

Yours in Religious Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

Library - Looking ahead to Term 4

 
On Tuesday October 12 at 9.15am, the whole school will participate in the Livestream of the Book Week performance, Bigger, Better, Brighter! In previous years we have seen this as a live performance.

BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER! explores the CBCA Book Week 2021 theme: OLD WORLDS, NEW WORLDS, OTHER WORLDS, in an interactive and educational musical adventure!
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Join Marley and characters from a selection of The CBCA 2021 Shortlisted Books, as she seeks to discover what it is that is missing and how best to recover it through a fun-filled and energetic celebration of CBCA Book Week 2021 that brings together all the elements of great storytelling - a hero, a mystery, a quest, and an exploration!
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Details on how to log on will be included in HBL activities next term. The teachers will also set work in preparation for this event, in particular, reading the texts included in the performance.

Library books
Due to lockdown, I know there are lots of library books still in many students’ homes. As we begin coming back to school next term, please consider finding any library books and bringing them back. I will leave a tub near the Gordon St entrance to the school so books can be left there.

The latest edition of Broken Bay News is now available online. This issue features Bishop Anthony's message about looking after your spiritual wellbeing, the new Pastoral Discernment Project on the Central Coast, online parenting help in lockdown, Bishop David Walker's 25th anniversary and so much more.

If you have a child starting in 2022 please forward their application to the school as soon as possible.  Applications are available from the school website.