Dear Parents and Carers,

The Season of Lent
Next Wednesday, Catholics around the world will mark the beginning of the Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities. Lent is a time of preparation for the gift of new life that we receive at Easter. During this time, we are called to reflect upon our need for God and to address those things in our lives that distract us from the wholeness that only God can bring.

The St Benedict’s School Community will be celebrating Ash Wednesday mass next Wednesday. This mass will be led by Year 5/6, whilst other classes will participate in their classrooms via MicroSoft Teams.

Parents & Friends Committee
Last Tuesday the Parents & Friends Committee held their Annual General Meeting and first P&F meeting for the year. On behalf of the wider school community I would like to take this opportunity to thank those parents who were part of the 2021 Parents and Friends Committee.

At the Parents and Friends Committee AGM the following positions were vacated and filled:

President – Tim Smith

Vice President – Sally Veikennan

Secretary – Shae Haylen

Treasurers – Olga Morabito and Gunesh Haragli

Parent Rep Coordinator – Hannah Norgrove

Clothing Pool Coordinator - Barbra Cox

School Board Representative - Edwina Betts (until the School Board AGM)

Grounds Maintenance Coordinator - Sally Veikkanen Fundraising

Social and Fundraising Coordinator -  volunteer required

Thank you to all of these people who have volunteered their time and energy to be an integral member of this year’s Parents and Friends Committee. We are still looking to fill the position of Social and Fundraising Coordinator and find someone to support Barbra Cox in her work for the Clothing Pool.

Every Parents and Friends Committee meeting is open to all parents to attend. They are held on the Tuesday of Weeks 3 and 7 each term. Reminders will be through the Newsletter and Compass and they are marked on the School Calendar on the website. This term all meeting will be held online via MicroSoft Teams.

God bless.

Alana Quirk
Principal (Acting)