God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 

(Acts 2: 32-33)

Dear parents and carers,

Sunday was Pentecost, the 50th and final day of the Easter season. It occurs 10 days after the Ascension and marks the beginning of the Christian Church. Over two thousand years on and the message and courage delivered at Pentecost lives on in our faith and our school.

This week, Kirstie Buckley and I attended the Current of Grace Conference here in Canberra. The two days focused on evangelisation in our schools and the way in which the Holy Spirit, as received by the first disciples at Pentecost, lives within us all.

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit

Come Spirit like rain, refresh, renew, revitalise.
Come Spirit like fire, embolden, enlighten, enable.
Come Spirit like a mighty wind, move, challenge, enkindle.
Come Spirit like wave, move, tear down, lift up.
Come Spirit, come Breath, draw us close, make song, bring intimacy.
Come Spirit, come Love, make one, make justice, make peace.
Come Spirit, come Kingdom, come Love.

Defence School Mentor

Welcome to Lisa Bauer who started at St Joseph’s today as the new Defence Support Mentor (DSM). Lisa joins us with a great deal of experience working in schools building community and supporting families. Lisa’s role is to specifically reach out to those at St Joseph’s who are currently serving, their families, or those who have served, and to support them during their time at St Joseph’s. If you would like to get in contact with Lisa, she works every Wednesday and Thursday, or via email – lisa.bauer@cg.catholic.edu.au

School and Family Counsellor

A reminder that Anna Cater, School and Family Counsellor at St Joseph’s, works two days a week to provide support to students and families. Currently she is leading the Tuning into Kids Program on a Tuesday morning each week, offering guidance and strategies for supporting children with anxiety. Please see below some valuable information provided by Anna, that parents my find useful.  

Children’s Mental Health – Information taken from Emerging Minds

When considering children’s mental health, we need to think about a child’s emotional, psychological and social wellbeing.  This includes how children think and feel, behave and interact, form relationships, learn and play.  Children need positive mental health to be able to engage in and enjoy daily life, and to develop appropriately. 

Most children experience good mental health most of the time, which helps them to manage the ups and downs of life, but sometimes they might be struggling to cope with challenges.  They might need extra nurturing, care and connection with parents/caregivers, to help them to get back to feeling good. 

When children have good mental health, they feel good about themselves and are content most of the time, but this doesn’t mean they are always/only happy - they still experience and feel a range of emotions including sadness, anger and disappointment.  When children are supported by a trusted parents/caregiver to understand, express and regulate these emotions, they are less likely to develop mental health concerns, as they are more likely to express their feelings and receive validation and support.   

I would encourage you to access this information on the Emerging Minds website to learn more about children’s mental health, including how relationships with parents and caregivers can help support mental health - https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/in-focus-understanding-childrens-mental-health/. 

If you are concerned about your child, please feel free to get in touch with me to discuss further – you can speak with their Teacher regarding a referral for school counselling, or contact me directly (I am available at St Joseph’s on Mondays and Tuesdays) via email – Anna.Cater@mccg.org.au.  I am available for parent consultations, as well as individual support students.

Interschools Snowsports

Once again we are seeking interest from families wishing for their child/ren to enter the 2024 Interschools Snowsports races this winter, and to represent St Joseph’s. For more information, please see the attached flyer.

Interschools Flyer

St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout

After many years of wanting to get involved, this year I have committed to joining the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout on Thursday 20 June. I am joining with CEOs and other Catholic school Principals and colleagues to raise awareness of homelessness in Canberra and to raise much needed funds. I have pledged a fundraising target of $4000 to support those in need... but quietly hope to go well beyond this with the help of the St Joseph’s community. https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/camerontarrant/act

This Friday there is a casual clothes day to raise some funds to go towards this worthy cause. Thank you!

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au