Dear Parents

Dear Parents

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Lent. Pope Francis continues to deliver messages during this “time for renewing faith, hope and love.” This week’s message reminds us that...

“In Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn. In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes enough simply to be kind, to be “willing to set everything else aside in order to show interest, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference.”

COVID-19 and Beyond

There is an enthusiastic sense of hope at present as we move towards the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, coupled with the roll-out of the vaccine. At present, Catholic schools are still bound by restrictions placed upon us by Catholic Schools NSW, some of which are different to the restrictions in NSW public schools. Unfortunately, this means that Monday’s scheduled Open Classroom for Literacy cannot go ahead. More details can be found in the Learning and Teaching section. However, we are looking at ways that we can begin enabling parents to engage with the school and the children whilst adhering to COVID guidelines.

On Monday morning following assembly, there will be a Class Parent meeting in the library. A big part of the meeting will be discussing ideas of how this will happen. If you can attend the meeting as a Class Parent, please enter via Gordon St and sign in with the NSW Services app. I hope to see as many class parents as possible.

Community and Connection

The School Advisory Council met last Monday evening to continue responding to suggestions from last year’s survey. The theme of communication was strong, especially during these COVID times. A message will be sent home on Monday regarding communications. Other actions are developing behind the scenes, one of which includes the establishment of a playgroup for our toddlers. Our first playgroup gathering will take place on Friday 12 March in the Parish Hall at 8.45-10.30. More details to follow. Thank you to Eleanor Hill and Kate Foley for their willingness to take on this great initiative.

The Parents and Friends Association plays a major role in developing community. The P&F AGM will be held on Monday 15 March in the School Library from 6.30pm. There will be a booking system in place for the meeting as numbers will be limited to 30. More details to follow.

Parish Youth Mass 

While St Kieran’s Family Masses are on hold at present, the Parish this month launched a monthly Youth Mass which takes place on the second Sunday of each month. Music will feature as a big part of the Mass and this will be led by Simon Hyland, an accomplished musician, singer and actor. The parish has extended an invitation to our students and families, especially those students in Stage 3. The next Mass is to be held on Sunday 14 March at 6pm. More information to follow. I highly recommend coming along to hear the amazing music and to be part of a contemporary celebration. 

Open Day

A reminder that Open Day is on Tuesday 16 March. Many thanks to the many parents who have offered to distribute flyers to local community organisations. Please spread the word amongst your friends and invite them to the day.

Please note that dates may be subject to change.  Remember to check your Compass App for any updates.

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Term 1:  Wednesday 27 January to Thursday 1 April (Good Friday 2 April)
Term 2:  Monday 19 April to Friday 25 June
Term 3:  Monday 12 July to Friday 17 September
Term 4:  Tuesday 5 October to Friday 17 December

Congratulations to the following students who received Merit awards this week:

KB: Amelie A and Axel C
KW: Grace C and Dexter G
1B:  Kailao H and Miles C
2B:  Zac B and Joshua M
2W: Jorgie A and Callum D
3B:  Tyler P and Saskia C
3W:  Leon A and Sarah C
4B:  Jacinta W and Lucy W
4W:  Zac F and Amelie P
5B: Jake B and Asten F
5/6:  Alicia M and Zoe M
6B:  Eve C and Raphyte M
PE:  Owen L and Sophia T
Italian:  Mateo B, Maddison R, Charles B, Monty T, Bellinda D, Sophia T
Kayla B, Kieran H, Freya M, Willow B, Samuel M and Thomas K

Project Compassion
During Lent we are encouraged to spend some time looking inwards and see the ‘direction‘ our lives are taking.

In our day-to-day teaching, both in the classroom and on the playground, we try to bring to the children’s understanding a perspective of compassion. Through turn-taking, talking about other children’s feelings, the use of picture books and discussions about differences of opinion we try to build in our students a sense of empathy and compassion.

The Annual Lenten Appeal by Caritas Australia is called “Project Compassion”; compassion means a strong feeling of understanding or sympathy for the feelings of others. By encouraging students to think about the lives of others we lead our children to a better understanding of compassion and how they can exercise this virtue in their own lives. 

Undies Thank You 
The Mission Team would like to thank the school community for their generous contribution to the “Say it with Undies” project. The undies will be taken to the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross next week.  

Yours in Religious Education,
     Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar

The PRC opens next Monday, 1 March and closes for students on Friday August 20, 2021. Students may use their logins from previous years and Kindergarten students will receive theirs in the next few weeks.

At St Kieran’s we have always strongly encouraged the students to participate in the Challenge to not only foster a love of reading but to develop their reading skills.
You must read a certain number of books to complete the challenge. See the table below:



There is a student site that makes it easier to search for books and enter the books that have been read.
Happy Reading!