Principal's Message
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,
Last weekend Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong entered the season of Pentecost - a season of the Church’s year that marks the ‘birthday’ of the Church. Last Sunday's Gospel reminded us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life and is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week
Last Friday was National Sorry Day and this week marks the acknowledgement of National Reconciliation Week.
This year National Sorry Day was on Friday 26 May and is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It leads us into the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week which is held each year between 27 May and 3 June. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is, Be A Voice for Future Generations. Reconciliation is about building a better nation; a more united Australia that respects and takes pride in 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, stories and achievements; an Australia that believes in the right of First Nations peoples to make decisions about our lives and our communities; and an Australia that stands opposed to racism, inequity and injustice. This is a very important time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.Here at St Anthony’s we will be acknowledging the key themes in the classrooms with the support of our wonderful Aboriginal Education Officer, Miss Bronte Benson and through the leadership of Mrs Jocelyn Stradmann, who has coordinated a number initiatives leading to our Reconciliation Week Assembly tomorrow Friday 2 June, commencing at 2:00pm. I look forward to parents joining with our school community to acknowledge the important event
Take Care
Mr Justin Devlin
Principal