14th August 2012 Reflection I recently read an interview with Sr Mary Carroll discussing her 50 years of service as a Good Shepherd sister. Much of her service is visiting women in prison. She stated that she tried to live out her founder’s motto “One person is of greater value than the whole world” (St Mary Euphrasia). Sr Mary evidenced that by saying she was speaking to an inmate recently who said, “Oh, I must let you go, I’ve taken so much of your time.” Sr Mary replied, “At this very time you are the most important person in my life.” How often are we less than truly present in our conversations and encounters with others throughout our busy days? Sr Mary indeed models what it is to be a great listener, a true witness in our human struggles to be more like Christ.
Acting Principal As you are aware I am booked in for surgery this Wednesday, and subsequently will be absent from school for the remainder of Term 3. Rob Blackley will be acting Principal of the College in my absence, and Chantelle Gauci will be acting Deputy Principal Students. I am sure that Rob and Chantelle, along with John Christie will provide excellent stewardship of the College during the five weeks that I will be away. I take this opportunity to thank all members of the school community for your thoughts and prayers at this time. Mark Sheehan Principal Celebration Day/Back to Parishes As indicated on the school calendar Tuesday 21st August is our Celebration Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate mass in our local parishes and participate in activities back at school following the Mass. It is a normal school day therefore all students are required to attend Mass within their parish and be at school for the day. If students are absent on the day a parental note is required the following day. We ask for your support in ensuring your child/children attend on the day. It is not an opportunity for them to have a day off school or use the excuse there is not much happening. Student Rolls will be marked. Students will start their day at their local parish church for morning Mass with the parish community as indicated below and return to school by bus for Celebration Day activities with a barbecue lunch included. CRC staff will be at all parishes and supervise the return to school. Finish time will be the normal school time of 3.20pm.
Students are to wear PE uniform and are expected to make their own way to church and are required 15 minutes before Mass begins. Mass times:
St Anthony’s 9.15am St Dominic’s 9.15am St Bernard’s 9.30am
Once the students return to school they will have the opportunity to be involved in a range of activities planned for the day. The VCAL classes and SRC students have been meeting for the past month each Thursday lunchtime planning and booking rides, ordering food and organising entertainment. Activities include jumping castles, dunking machine, sporting competitions, computer games, entertainment in the form of a DJ and our own CRC’s Got Talent. Many of these activities will be free with some having a small cost of a gold coin. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of food from the different stalls available. The Planning Committee has identified, in consultation with the Principal, the following charities for our support, Br Beausang College, Nairobi, Royal Children’s Hospital, Giving Christmas Tree and Children in Detention Centres. Funds raised will be distributed evenly to the four nominated charities and organisations. The day is a great opportunity to celebrate as a school within our parish communities and here at school and give to those who are less fortunate than us. Robert Blackley Acting Principal