From the APRIM
Dear Families
Grandparents Day
As part of Grandparents Day, we have prayer. This year, we would like to show photos of students with their grandparents or photos of grandparents and special friends as the prayer. Could families please send in photos electronically if possible, to sblack@nativity.catholic.edu.au or send the photos in a named envelope via the class office bag? I will scan these and return them as soon as practical. I would dearly like all photos by Friday 8 September (the Friday after Father’s Day).
Welcoming
Crossways is the Religious Education curriculum for all South Australian Catholic schools. It is divided into five strands: God, Us and Faith, Church for the World, Sacramentality and Prayer, Sacred Texts and Moral Life. Exploring Catholic traditions is interspersed throughout the units of learning, but other faith traditions are also investigated. Over a two-year cycle, students learn that “celebrations are a part of all religions and families” in Reception. In the Year 1 and 2 curriculum, students learn about “respecting the beliefs and practices of people of other religious traditions.” In Year 5 and 6, students research the spiritual connection that the First Nations Peoples have with their Country and the role of migrants in Australia’s history. They also learn that “there are many branches of Christianity which share a common faith in Jesus and have some different practices and beliefs.” Teachers are mindful of including all students in Religious Education lessons and celebrating special days with all our students. We welcome the opportunity for our students to learn about other cultures, so if there is a special day in your own family tradition, please let your child’s teacher know.
We want all our families to feel welcome here at Nativity. There is a story in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus stays at the home of a woman called Martha. I have always struggled with Jesus’ rebuke of Martha later in the story when she is worrying about all the details while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him, but that’s a topic for another day. The verb, “ to welcome” as used in this passage of scripture means “to receive warmly and graciously.” By using this verb, Luke indicates that Martha did more than simply letting Jesus and his followers stay in her home. Rather, she opened, not just the front door, but also her heart.
How do we welcome people in our community? Do we go out of our way to help others? Do we smile and say ‘hello’ to people that we don’t know? I was reminded just today, of how difficult it is for people who do not speak English as their first language to come to Australia and how it is just as difficult to negotiate all the red tape to stay here.
Let’s continue to make our community welcoming.
One of the marvellous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. (Jean Vanier)
Blessings to you all,
Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission