Dear Families,

What a wonderful celebration today of our St Patrick's Grandparents! It was wonderful to see so many grandparents joining us for this special occasion, the church was filled to the brim! Their presence brought great joy to our students, and it was a privilege to honour the love, wisdom, and guidance they provide to their grandchildren.

Thank you to all who were able to attend, celebrate Mass, visit the classrooms, and share morning tea with their grandchildren. The smiles, laughter, and cherished moments were a testament to the strong bonds between generations. We deeply appreciate grandparent support and the invaluable role they play in our school community.

A special thank you to Mrs Ferris for her organisation, Mrs Grant for being a wonderful hostess, and all staff and volunteers who helped make this event so memorable. We look forward to continuing this tradition and celebrating our wonderful grandparents for years to come!

Stewards of the Environment: As the school term progresses, I’ve been reflecting on a quiet but concerning trend we’ve noticed in our school grounds and beyond: a growing obliviousness among our children to the simple things that matter—like picking up a piece of rubbish, turning off a light, or noticing when something is out of place.

Too often, we see students walk past litter without a second glance, assuming “someone else” will take care of it. This small act—or lack of it—speaks to a deeper issue: a disconnect from the values of stewardship, responsibility, and care for creation. As a Catholic community, we are called to be caretakers of the Earth and each other. During his papacy, Pope Francis reminded us that “the Earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.”

This is not just about rubbish. It’s about forming habits of the heart—teaching our children to notice, to care, and to act.

Home-School Goals for Growing Shared Responsibility

Here are a few simple strategies we can all adopt to nurture responsibility and environmental awareness in our children:

1. Model Mindfulness: Let your child see you picking up litter, recycling, or turning off unused lights. Children learn most from what we do.
2. Daily “Care Task”: Give your child one small responsibility each day—watering a plant, feeding a pet, or tidying a shared space.
3. Talk About It: Share stories of people who care for the environment or make a difference in small ways. Ask your child, “What’s one thing you noticed today that you could help with?”
4. Praise the Effort: Celebrate when your child shows initiative or care, no matter how small. Encouragement builds habits.
5. Create a Family Challenge: Try a “rubbish walk” once a week—pick up litter in your neighbourhood and talk about why it matters.
   

Together, let’s help our children grow into thoughtful, responsible young people who don’t just walk past problems—but stop, notice, and act with love.

Blessings

Jo