Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

I hope our final newsletter of Semester 1 finds you and your loved ones safe and well.

Over the past two weeks we have been delighted to welcome Fr Kevin Corrigan and Fr Terry Horne to St Clare’s to lead Year Level Masses and Liturgies.

These gatherings help and challenge our young people to think about what is important to them and how they will generate the change they want to see in the world.  Working to change the world is a daunting task.  Yet, when we apply the saying ‘think global but act local’, we make the challenge more manageable and more easy for people to “opt in”.  This has certainly been the case for our school community over the past few weeks as staff, parents and students have tackled the challenge of homelessness and poverty by showing a wonderful level of support for the Vinnies Winter Blanket Drive.

Students have supported international calls for environment action through the St Clare’s Environment Group’s activities to clean the grounds, establish recycling bins and initiate sustainable practices in the school.

Year 10 students continued their contribution to the CatholicCare Community Kitchen which produces hundreds of meals per week for those in need in our community.  These activities are at the core of Catholic Social Justice and give witness to the teachings of the Church and the example of Jesus.  St Clare’s Professional Development Day for staff tomorrow (1 July):  Learning for Justice which features guest speaker Stan Grant, is a further expression of our commitment to equality, diversity and the churches responsibility to help close the gap.

The Josephite Order have played a major part in the development of a Catholic Education system in our region.  On Monday, we had the privilege of hosting a morning tea to thank and farewell Sr Ellen Shanahan who is moving to Lochinvar after over 60 years of service to our community, including a period as Principal of St Joseph’s, Taree and many years as a pastoral support person across the Manning.  We wish Sr Ellen every happiness in the next stage of her life.

Much has been written in recent years about the importance of individuals and organisations being able to respond to challenging situations with flexibility and resilience.  This has certainly been the case at St Clare’s over the course of Semester 1 as the countinuing influence of COVID and now the flu virus has been felt by students, parents and staff.  Events have been cancelled or rescheduled, exams held and reheld with inventible catchups and staff training shifted to small groups and virtual meetings.  It has been a testing time for all in our community and I thank parents, students and staff for their willingness to maintain a sense of humour and a willingness to work together to achieve positive outcomes for the young people in our care.  I hope the holidays are a restful period for all.

Thank you for your care for each other and your service to our school community.

God Bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal