From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of Nativity School,

This week we have celebrated Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday signalling the beginning of Lent. Lent is a season of simple living. As the entire Catholic Church prepares for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery, Catholics make special efforts to pray, do penance, and do good works. Every day of the forty-day Lenten season is an opportunity to live simply and prepare for Easter. Thanks to Sharyn for preparing each family some practical activities for the Lenten season and to Ms James’ Dad, Robin, for the beautiful handmade palm crosses you all received this week. Thanks also to the parents who made our pancakes, Kylie, Bonnie, Bianca, Ari and Bec lead by Parish Associate, Bianca.

Here are some of our students’ reflections on these celebrations:
Connor (2): Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent.
Amelia(2): I like Shrove Tuesday because we get pancakes.
Jack(2): Shrove Tuesday was nice because the pancakes tasted like syrup.
Mackenzie(R): people get rid of things like sugar out of their pantry. They make pancakes.
Scarlett(R): On Shrove Tuesday you get pancakes to celebrate.
Gabriel(R): in the old days people had to get rid of good stuff like sugar by making pancakes.
Ciara(6):You get ashes on your head.
Ava(6): We are starting to think about how Jesus sacrificed his life for us at Easter time.
Aston (4): It’s the start of the count up to Easter when Jesus died on the cross.
Casey(3): We give things up for the same amount of days that Jesus was in the desert.

Each term at Nativity, beginning in term 1 we undertake a Classroom Pulse Check In. The purpose of the Classroom Pulse Check In is to find out how students are feeling about their experience of school. Students are asked some simple questions about: Identity, Learning, Relationships and Belonging. The survey questions are available for you to see here: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/wellbeing-initiative
This survey provides important information to our staff to monitor student wellbeing and also to provide additional wellbeing support if it is needed. This support may be a small group learning how to manage anxiety or learning social interaction skills, an in class focus on friendship skills, some time with our counsellor or student mentor to name a few of our interventions.

We know that when students are feeling positive about school, they are less likely to get sick, have higher energy levels, be more focused in class and get better sleep. To support your child/children to keep in a positive head space you might like to ask these questions when talking about their school day.
What are 3 things that went well for you today?
Who are you most grateful for today and why?
What are you looking forward to most about tomorrow?
If at any time you are concerned for your child’s wellbeing, please contact a member of our staff for assistance.

Finally, On Tuesday afternoon students from year 3-6 met with Sally from Children’s University to hear about how the program runs. To celebrate our 40th Birthday and as an introductory offer the cost of participating will be subsidised by the school by $16. Forms for those wanting to participate are due no later than 15th March.

God Bless,
Erika