Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students, 

This week, Catholic Schools Week, provides us all with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to belong to a Catholic Community. For me, when I reflect, the word privilege comes to mind. It is an absolute privilege to say that I proudly belong to the St Anthony’s Parish and school community. This was never more evident than over the last week with two significant events; our Ash Wednesday Mass and last Friday, our “Welcome to St Anthony’s Colour Explosion Day”.

During Ash Wednesday Mass, Fr Peter reminded us all of the sacredness this time is in the life of the church. The seasons of Lent and Easter offer us a unique way to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent provides us with the opportunity to walk with Jesus. We are all set the challenge to spend some time in prayer, to make time for others and ‘to go without’. This is a most significant time in our liturgical year and I encourage all of us, firstly as Catholics, and secondly as parents and staff in a Catholic school, to take up the challenge. 

Last Friday was certainly an ‘explosion of colour’. In the words of one of our grandparents, “a day full of fun, laughter and happiness!”. At the very heart of this day is what it means to belong to a Catholic School community. A place where you feel welcome. A place where there is joy. A place where we can focus on placing the needs of others before our own by fundraising to support our school missions. We were certainly blessed with fine weather and a dedicated group of volunteers who made the day so successful. I would like to acknowledge all the parents and high school students who helped set up and run the colour stations. A big thank you to the Axiak family who generously donated the jumping castles and to the Falcone Family for the generous donation of bread rolls for the sausage sizzle. Thank you to Kelly in the canteen, to the Fleming family for providing the Coffee Van service and to the P&F who organised the BBQ and the generous donation of providing each student with a free sausage sizzle. Finally to the staff of St Anthony’s. They are to be commended for their dedication and passion to make St Anthony’s not only a good school, but a great school. I would especially like to acknowledge the staff Colour Explosion team, led by Mrs Sookee, who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the whole event together.  

On Wednesday 4 March, at 2:15pm in the school hall, we invite parents and friends to come together to celebrate our Catholic Schools Week liturgy. This will be a time to acknowledge the privilege we all have in belonging to the Catholic community of St Anthony’s.

Take Care

Principal