Yesterday we made the '2023 School Year' official, with our Opening School Mass. The students were joined by parishioners, parents and of course Fr Mick who celebrated this important occasion for us. At Mass, I shared the following messages to the students from John J Muth's book titled, ‘The Three Questions’ which is based on a story written by Leo Tolstoy, one of Russia’s great novelists and most influential philosophers.

The story focuses on 3 key questions….

• When is the best time to do things?
• Who is the most important one?
• What is the right thing to do?

The main character, Nikolai, seeks the answers to these questions by asking his closest friends, each of whom have very different answers! How often, when you feel uncertain about something, do you seek counsel from those around you but find their answers don’t really help? This is because you need answers that are particular to you, your circumstances and the present moment. 

Nikolai goes and finds Leo, the wise old turtle, who unveils the answers he is seeking. Leo advises Nikiolai that;

In a world where, on many days, things may seem tricky and overwhelming, these Three Questions are a refreshing reminder that no matter how large the task, how difficult the journey or how numerous the challenges, each of us can still be a force for good in this world. We need only to centre ourselves in the moment, cast a glance around and act immediately, with generosity and kindness, to the ones standing closest to us.

My wish for each of you this year is that you live in the present, ask lots of questions and do a lot of listening. Be careful about which answers you accept, don’t feel you always have to agree with them and be mindful of judging others for their views.

Parent Information Evening - it was a delight to see so many families in attendance at our Parent Information Evening on Tuesday. If you weren't able to attend, you should have received an information pack from your child's classroom teacher. Please take the time to read this information carefully and contact the school if you need to seek clarification around any of the forms or items that have been sent home.