Welcome back to the 2023 school year. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces yesterday as our families returned to school. A special welcome to those families and students that are new to our school. Each year, our school focuses on a Holy Spirit Mercy Value – Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Service and Courage. We also have an additional value – Excellence. The Founder of the Sisters of Mercy, The Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley, is displayed prominently on the side of the Lynch Family Hall as you enter our school.  She was a guiding light with her testimony of faith, holiness and hope as she ministered to the poor and disadvantaged.  Our school was joined by the Sisters of Mercy in 1971 and their charism of mercy and justice is just as important to us today.  Pope Francis said:  ‘People today…need us to bear witness to the mercy and tenderness of the Lord which warms the heart, rekindles hope, and attracts people towards the good.’

This week at Holy Spirit we value compassion. What does this mean? It means
sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Compassion gives us the ability to understand someone else's situation and the desire to take action to improve their lives. It is the quality that allows us to step outside of ourselves and see the circumstances of others. It supplies the will power to do what is necessary to make the world a more caring place. This week we pray our students show others compassion in and out of the classroom.

Our senior leaders will be involved in leadership activities this week to determine how they can be shining witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the way they lead in our school during the coming year.  They will be identifying the values and factors that will enable them to be good role models in their leadership role.  I look forward to working closely with students chosen to represent our school as leaders.

Next Wednesday morning, our school community will gather for our Opening Liturgy. In addition to celebrating the beginning of a new school year, we will commission our student leaders at the end of the prayer. Our Year Six students have a very important role in developing school spirit as leaders and role models to the younger students. The Opening School Liturgy will commence at 8.40am in the Lynch Family Hall. Everyone is welcome to join us. I look forward to seeing you all there.

SAINT JOHN BOSCO is the patron saint of apprentices, editors and publishers, schoolchildren, magicians, and juvenile delinquents. His feast day is next Tuesday – January 31. He was born in Piedmont, Italy and grew up in extreme poverty. After ordination, he devoted his whole life to educating young people, especially the poor. He founded the Salesians, men and women who continue this work with youth throughout the world.

As we go about our work O God,
As we strive to walk with Jesus
Remind us that we are the face of Christ,
Who is with us always.
May your grace, mercy and peace,
Bless us, protect us and transform us all,
This day, now and forever. Amen

God bless
Caroline Fuller