Dear Parents, Staff and Students

Sacramental Program

We extend a blessing on all the children with our school and Parish community who are preparing for their Sacraments.  These important rituals confirm the formal faith journey that was begun at Baptism. We thank Tania Gilbert, Sacramental Coordinator, and Fr Joby Jose for their leadership with the families and children.

Staff Update

A letter was emailed to all families yesterday advising that I have been appointed as Acting Principal of St Francis Xavier School in Manunda for the remainder of the school year.  I do not have a set start date yet but anticipate it will be in 3-4 weeks’ time.  As many of you know I have a long association with St Clare’s and this decision was made with great deliberation.  I am confident that St Clare’s has a comprehensive plan for 2021 and that great things will continue to happen at this amazing school.

Next week I will be in Cairns from Wednesday 19^th to Friday 21^st for the Term 2 Principal Conference.  Please contact Helen Andrews for any school matters during these few days.

Please pray for Fr Joby who has injured his foot and currently on crutches. We pray for his healing in coming weeks.

Peace and best wishes to you and your families this week,

Narelle Harney

Welcome   Community   Hospitality

May – the Month of Mary

Last Sunday we remembered all of the MOTHERS and mother figures who have touched our lives and our hearts. Mary, Jesus’ mother, was a woman admired for her bravery and loved for her devotion to God. God chose Mary for what could be arguably the most important job in history—bringing our Saviour Jesus Christ into the world. There is so much we can learn from Mary’s walk of obedience.

Mary, our model and mother, by your obedience and patience you have taught us how to be true children of God. Please help us by your powerful existence to overcome all our weaknesses, and to fulfil perfectly our tasks in life. Amen

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you

Blessed are you among woman and

blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,

pray for us sinners now

and at the hour of our death.

Amen

Sacramental Program 2021

Twelve children have started their lessons for the sacramental program.  Thank you to Tania Gilbert and Father Joby who co-ordinate this program. Children will make their Confirmation and First Eucharist during the one ceremony on Sunday 23^rd May at 10.30 which is Pentecost Sunday.  Please keep these children in your prayers.

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday is on Sunday 23rd May.  This marks the end of the Easter season.

It will be 50 days since the resurrection of Jesus. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and filled the followers of Jesus with the gifts of wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder. These gifts empower and enable us to give witness to Jesus Christ. Our school will celebrate Pentecost with a whole school mass on Tuesday 25^th May at 9.00.  All parents are invited to attend.  Please email Helen Andrews (handrews@cns.catholic.edu.au) if you wish to attend so we can organise seating arrangements due to COVID 19 restrictions.

Peace Be With You

Helen Andrews

School Calendar

Reminder statement will be sent out Thursday.

Payment of outstanding fees would be appreciated as soon as possible. 

Please contact the principal if you have any issues of concerns. 

Thank you to all families who have made their payment.

In 2020, 905 schools and 318 centres who took part in the 2020 Premier’s Reading Challenge, combining more than 161,000 Queensland children and students reading 2.23 million books. What an achievement!

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an annual statewide initiative for Queensland state and non-state schools and home-educated students from Prep to Year 9, as well as children (aged up to 5 years) enrolled in an early childhood centre.

The Premier's Reading Challenge aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read for pleasure and learning.

This year, St. Clare’s is excited to join the challenge and is asking students in all classes to participate.

For a student to successfully complete the Premier's Reading Challenge they are required to read or experience the number of books indicated below:

• Prep to Year 2—read or experience 20 books.
• Years 3 to 4—read 20 books.
• Years 5 to 9—read 15 books.

Experiencing a book includes classroom or at home activities such as shared reading, listening and reading along with a book, or being read to.

The requirement for Year 5 through to Year 9 students to read 15 books rather than 20 books acknowledges that older students are likely to select longer, more complex books that may take them longer to read.

Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability. While there is no compulsory reading list for the challenge, book lists are available to help students, teachers, parents and guardians select appropriate reading material.

The reading period begins on Monday 10^th May and concludes on 27^th August.  Students will be given a sheet to record their reading this week.  Completed forms are to be returned to the class teacher.

Successful participants will receive a certificate from the Premier at the end of the challenge.  Any classes with 100% participation will go into a draw for a range of great prizes.

FETE NEWS: 

We are excited that the St Clare’s Fete will be back this year and it’s all happening on Saturday the 11th September.

Our Fete committee met last week and is already working on making this years fete as awesome as it always has been, BUT to make this happen we need the involvement and support from you the parents. 

In the coming weeks Parent Packs will go home with information on where and how you can help and or donate. Our annual fete is the P&F’s major fundraiser and of course the money that is raised goes towards our school and children. 

If you have previously been involved on a particular stall and would like to help out on that stall again or you know where else you would like to help please let Alicia Johnston know or alternatively you can wait until the roster requesting help comes home in the parent pack . 

Thanks

Fete Committee