Dear St Monica’s families and friends,

Welcome to SABBATH WEEK!! For parents new to our school, Week 7 each term is when homework is not set, we aim to have no meetings and focus on FAMILY time. It’s a much anticipated week for both staff and students.

I am in awe of the time and commitment families demonstrate in terms of the provision of love, care and nurturing for their children. Whilst the size, composition and demands upon families can vary, there are many common features.

A FAMILY IS A PLACE: to cry and laugh and vent frustrations, to ask for help and tease, to be hugged and smiled at.

A FAMILY IS PEOPLE: who care when you are sad, who love you no matter what,  who share your triumphs, who don’t expect you to be perfect, just growing with honesty and in your own direction.

A FAMILY IS A CIRCLE: where we learn to make good decisions, where we learn to think before we do, where we learn integrity and table manners and respect for other people; where we are special.

This year through our theme of FLOURISHING for ourself, others, God and creation, we take time to rest and meditate on the Creation story from Genesis.

The CREATION story is a story explaining God’s plan for each of us to FLOURISH, to become the BEST we can be. God blessed EVERYTHING in creation and wants creation to be happy! That includes us!

At the conclusion of this piece of scripture, we are invited to focus on the importance of Sabbath. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:3.

Lessons from taking SABBATH time:

• Sabbath is God’s provision to help us thrive, to engage in life-giving practices.
• Sabbath is God’s way of protecting us from our addiction to production - time away from devices!
• Sabbath is a great gift of God to help us regain perspective - a time to realign our priorities.
• Sabbath is God’s reminder that he built us for rhythm - we’re not designed to keep going and going. Everything has a time, season and rhythm.

Baby News - Congratulations to the Matchett family - Ryan, Laura and Elijah on the arrival of Nathanael born on Friday 24 May 2024.  All are doing well and Elijah is very excited to be a big brother!