STM NEWS | Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Loving God,we thank you for the joy of Easter and the gift of new life in Jesus.
Help our families to be places of love, forgiveness, and hope,
where kindness is shared and joy is renewed each day.

As we celebrate the risen Christ,
may we notice signs of new beginnings in our homes, our school, and our world.
Bless our families with peace, courage, and gratitude,
and help us to live as people of light and love.

Amen.

Thank you for the prompt and positive way you engaged with our Learning Conversation bookings this term.

We trialled a new booking platform, and the excellent uptake from families shows that it has been easy to navigate and supportive of finding times that work around busy family schedules. We are grateful to our staff for their thoughtful preparation and the professional way they conducted these important conversations.

For families who were unable to attend, teachers will follow up to ensure these discussions still take place, as connecting early in the year is vital in setting students up for success. We trust that the interviews provided valuable insight into your child’s start to the year, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.

Your next formal update will be the Semester One Report, released at the end of Term 2.

What a joy it was for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who attended the Cultural Thriving People Event last week held at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre.

Experiences like this are a powerful opportunity for connection country and a beautiful way for culture to be shared together. We thank Ms Jessop and Mr McGinty who led and supported our students at this event.

Harmony Day was a wonderful highlight of our term, bringing our community together to celebrate the many cultures and traditions that make us unique.

The colour, joy, and sense of belonging across the day reminded us how powerful unity can be. As a Mercy community, it is essential that we continue to promote our core values—especially respect, kindness, compassion, and justice. Celebrations like Harmony Day help us model these values and, most importantly, instil them in our children. When they learn to appreciate differences and treat others with kindness, they help build a more inclusive and caring world.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day so meaningful. May its spirit continue to guide us throughout the year.

Next Friday, we look forward to celebrating our annual SPORTS DAY!

The weather looks perfect, and we anticipate a school buzzing with families, fun and fitness. We acknowledge to work of Mr Cristian Morgado who has put in hours of work behind the scenes to make this day possible. While we have winners on the day, it’s the spirit of teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship that is what the day is all about.

We’re looking for enthusiastic helpers to assist us in our canteen.

Whether you can spare a few hours a week or even just one day, your support makes a huge difference. Volunteers assist Jane with preparing food, serving students, and keeping the canteen running smoothly. You’ll need to be a registered volunteer, but don’t worry, we can guide you through the process if you’re not registered yet.

If you’re keen to get involved, we’d love to have you on board and you just need to let the front office or a member of leadership know. It’s a great way to support our school community and meet some wonderful people.

The majority of our direct school correspondence is now sent through the EdSmart platform.

This means you will receive emails containing important information, often with an online form to complete and sign. If you have not been receiving these messages, it may indicate that your email address is no longer active or that we do not have your most up‑to‑date contact details. To ensure you don’t miss any important notices, please take a moment to check that you are receiving EdSmart emails and monitor your inbox regularly. Keeping your contact information current helps us stay connected and ensures you receive all essential school communication.

As the holidays approach, it’s a timely reminder for families to stay alert and continue guiding children in the responsible use of their devices.

One simple but effective strategy is encouraging children to use technology in shared family space, such as the living room or kitchen rather than in bedrooms. This helps make online activity more visible and easier to supervise.

With the new online safety laws now in place, we also encourage families to review their child’s access to social media and ensure parental controls are still active and effective. It’s important to check that children have not found ways around age restrictions or monitoring settings, as these safeguards play a key role in keeping them safe.

The online world changes quickly, and staying informed about potential risks can be challenging. At school, our teachers continue to support students by teaching them how to navigate digital spaces safely, respectfully, and responsibly. By working together, school and home we can help our children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying protected and making positive choices online.

Gospel Reflection for Holy Week

Palm Sunday: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” | Jesus is welcomed with joy and excitement as he enters Jerusalem, yet he comes humbly, not with power or status. Palm Sunday reminds us that God’s ways are often quieter and gentler than we expect. We are invited to welcome Jesus not just in celebration, but in the everyday moments of our lives.

I wonder how we choose to welcome Jesus today.

Holy Thursday: “Take and eat; this is my body.” | At the Last Supper, Jesus shares a meal and gives himself in love to his friends. He shows that love is expressed through service, generosity, and presence. Holy Thursday reminds us that caring for others is at the heart of Christian life.

I wonder how we can show love through our actions each day.

Good Friday: “Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.” | Good Friday invites us to pause and reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus. Even in pain and rejection, Jesus remains faithful to love. The cross shows us how deeply God cares for the world.

I wonder how we respond when we see suffering around us.

Easter Sunday: “He is not here; for he has been raised.” | Easter Sunday proclaims that life and hope are stronger than death. The empty tomb reminds us that God brings new beginnings, even after darkness. We are called to live as people of hope and joy.

I wonder where we might notice new life or hope this Easter.

Walking together through Holy Week

Holy Week commemorates the final week of Jesus’s life, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his resurrection.

During Holy Week, we are invited as a school community to walk closely with Jesus in the most profound moments of His earthly journey. This sacred time in the Church’s calendar offers us an opportunity not only to remember these events, but to reflect deeply on their meaning and how they shape our mission as a Catholic school.

During Holy Week, our students thoughtfully shared and “broke open” the story of Jesus’ final days, bringing faith to life through prayer, reflection and action. Beginning with Palm Sunday, students recalled Jesus’ joyful welcome into Jerusalem and reflected on how we too can welcome others with glad hearts. On Holy Thursday, they explored the Last Supper, learning about Jesus’ gift of love in the Eucharist, and the Washing of the Feet, which reminded us that true leadership is found in humble service. Students also reflected on Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, recognising his trust in God even in moments of fear. Through the Stations of the Cross, students walked with Jesus on his journey of suffering and love, considering how compassion and kindness matter in our world today.

On our return to school on April 7, our celebrations of Easter Sunday will joyfully proclaim the Resurrection, reminding us, that hope, new life and God’s love always have the final word.

This shared journey through Holy Week deepened our students’ understanding of faith and encouraged them to live as people of hope and love.

We thank you for your generous support for Project Compassion through our ‘Loose Change for Big Change’ challenge and our Easter Raffle.

Students have enjoyed counting their Project Compassion Box coins on a regular basis, often adding in their loose change at the end of a play break after visiting the canteen. We will wait until the end of the school term to announce how much has been raised as we are still collecting project compassion boxes. Together, your small contributions will help create big, positive changes for people in need.

Our school will soon celebrate a special “Be You” Day, inspired by Project Compassion’s theme Unite Against Poverty.

Led by our enthusiastic Year 5/6 students, the day will invite all learners from Reception to Year 6 to take part in a series of hands‑on activity rotations designed to spark creativity, teamwork, and empathy. Together, students will explore what it means to embrace their individuality while contributing to a shared mission of supporting others and making a positive difference in our world.

This launch will invite students and us as staff into an experience of what it means to ’be’ during Lent: be present, be still, be aware, be compassionate, be hopeful…and we want to take action!

The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist form the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. If your child is 8 years of age (or older) and you would like them to be involved in the program for 2026, please contact Melissa Musolino or Edna Dumbrell at the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

Please click on the link below to access the parish bulletin to find out about events happening within the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

Bulletin – Elizabeth Catholic Parish