From Our Assistant Principal Mission - Mr Brendan Tickle

Opening School Mass: A Celebration of Hope and Leadership

On Friday, 28th February, our school community gathered for a beautiful Opening School Mass, marking the beginning of the 2025 school year with the inspiring theme of Hope. It was a special time to reflect on the year ahead, placing our trust in God and embracing the opportunities to grow, learn, and serve one another with faith and kindness.

We were delighted to officially welcome Father Philip and Sister Evelyn as our school chaplains for 2025. Their presence and guidance will be a wonderful support to our students and staff throughout the year. We look forward to journeying with them in faith as they lead us in prayer, reflection, and service.

During the Mass, our Year 6 leaders were proudly presented with their leadership badges, a symbol of their commitment to serving our school community. As they step into these important roles, we encourage them to lead with humility, kindness, and a spirit of hope, inspiring their peers to follow in their example.

A special moment in our celebration was the presentation of the Lions Citizenship Award to Ebony Andrews. This award recognises students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship, kindness, and a dedication to serving others. Ebony is a shining example of compassion, leadership, and community spirit, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.

As we begin this new school year, we are filled with hope for the journey ahead. May we continue to support one another, grow in faith, and make 2025 a year of positivity and kindness in our school community.

Year 6 ‘Called to Serve’ Retreat: Embracing Leadership with Purpose

Our Year 6 students recently participated in a retreat, ‘Called to Serve’. It was a special day dedicated to exploring the theme of servant leadership. As the leaders of our school in 2025, the students reflected on what it truly means to lead with humility, kindness, and a desire to serve others.

Throughout the retreat, students engaged in discussions and activities that challenged them to think about their role as leaders within our school community. They explored the qualities of great leaders and set personal leadership goals for the year ahead—focusing on how they can contribute positively to their peers, teachers, and the wider school environment.

The retreat was an inspiring experience for our Year 6 students, reminding them that leadership is not just about titles or responsibilities but about serving others with a generous and open heart. We look forward to seeing them grow in their leadership journey in 2025!

St Carthage’s Ministry Team 2025: Leading with Faith and Service

We are proud to announce the 2025 St Carthage’s Ministry Team, a group of dedicated Year 6 students who have committed to serving our school and wider community. This team will play a vital role in assisting with school masses and liturgies, leading retreats, and organising fundraising initiatives throughout the year.

Congratulations to our Ministry Team members:

• Isabella Mullington
• Caitlin Gapes
• Ebony Andrews
• Jack Bryant
• Luka Van de Walt
• Nyah Marshall
• Olivia McLean
• Patricia James
• Savannah McPherson
• Ardjn Thind
• Olivia Maxson
• Max Phillips

Through their leadership, these students will embody the values of faith, kindness, and service, making a meaningful impact in our school community. We are excited to see all that they will accomplish in 2025 and look forward to their contributions in strengthening our school’s spiritual life.

Stay tuned for updates on their initiatives and achievements throughout the year!

Ash Wednesday: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a special season in the Church where we take time to reflect, pray, and prepare our hearts for Easter. It is a day of repentance and renewal, reminding us to live with kindness, faith, and a commitment to helping others.

Traditionally, Catholics receive a cross of ashes on their forehead, a symbol of our faith and our desire to grow closer to God. These ashes remind us to live with humility, love, and hope.

Ash Wednesday Celebrations

Unfortunately, Cyclone Alfred interrupted our Ash Wednesday service for K-2 and prevented Year 3-6 from attending mass. However, those students who were present at school on Wednesday participated in a meaningful prayer experience with their grade. They had the opportunity to receive ashes as a sign of their faith and their desire to be people of hope.

Lenten Promises

As part of our Lenten journey, students in their classrooms took time to make Lenten promises. These promises focus on the three key pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Here are some child-friendly Lenten promises students could make:
Prayer – "I will take a moment each day to pray for someone in need."
Fasting – "I will give up sweets or screen time one day a week to practice self-discipline."
Almsgiving – "I will donate some of my pocket money or time to help someone in need."

Even though our celebrations were affected by the cyclone, our students embraced the true meaning of Ash Wednesday—a time to reflect, renew, and prepare our hearts for Easter. We encourage families to continue this journey at home by discussing Lenten promises and finding ways to pray, fast, and give together.

Project Compassion: Making a Difference Together

At St Carthage’s, we are proud to support Project Compassion, an annual Lenten fundraising campaign run by Caritas Australia. This important initiative helps provide food, clean water, education, and support to communities in need both in Australia and around the world.

This year, our school will be holding three special fundraisers to encourage students to give generously and make a difference:

St Patrick’s Day Casual Clothes Day – Gold Coin Donation
On St Patrick’s Day, students are invited to wear green and bring a gold coin donation to support Project Compassion. This fun day is a great way to celebrate while also helping those less fortunate.

Easter Egg Guessing Competition
Starting in Week 9, students will have the chance to take part in our Easter Egg Guessing Competition. Each guess will cost 50c, and the student who guesses the closest number of eggs in the jar will win a delicious Easter surprise!

Project Compassion Classroom Boxes
Throughout Lent, each classroom will have a Project Compassion box where students can place donations. We encourage students to do extra jobs at home to earn money to contribute, like helping with dishes, tidying their room, or feeding pets. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference!

We look forward to seeing our school community come together in the spirit of generosity and compassion. Every dollar raised helps change lives, and together, we can make a real impact. Thank you for your support!

Attendance Matters 

Building the habit of good attendance is crucial for a positive and successful school year. Here are some tips to help your child develop this habit:

• Establish a Routine. Set a consistent daily routine for your child, including wake-up times, breakfast, and a specific time to leave for school. Having a predictable schedule helps your child understand the importance of punctuality.
• Create a Positive Morning Environment. Make mornings enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere at home. Encourage open communication and express your enthusiasm for the day ahead.
• Establish Clear Expectations. Clearly communicate your expectations regarding attendance and emphasise the importance of being present at school every day unless there's a valid reason for absence.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Help your child to learn that going to school on time, every day is important.

Reinforcing the idea that attending school regularly is crucial for a positive school experience. Foster a love for learning by encouraging your child's natural curiosity. 

Help your child to see school as a place to explore new ideas, discover interests, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. Foster positive social connections at school by encouraging friendships. Knowing that they have friends to look forward to can motivate children to attend school regularly.

PBS

At St Carthage’s, our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) program helps create a safe, respectful, and welcoming learning environment for everyone. For the remainder of the term, our focus will be on two key areas:

Weeks 7-8: Be Respectful – Learning Spaces

Respecting our learning spaces means ensuring that everyone has the chance to focus, participate, and succeed in their learning. The goals for Week 7-8 are:

• I work cooperatively and respect the right of others to learn.
• I wait for my turn to talk.
• I listen to others when they are talking.
• I work well with others.
• I allow others to learn without distracting them.
• I follow instructions.

By following these expectations, we can create classrooms where everyone feels valued and supported in their learning journey.

Weeks 9-10: Be Safe – Playground

Playing safely is an important part of caring for ourselves and others. Our focus in the playground will be:

• I play in the correct areas and use equipment appropriately.
• I wear my hat.

These simple but important actions help keep our playground fun, safe, and inclusive for everyone.

We encourage all students to keep these PBS expectations in mind as we finish the term strong. Together, we can ensure our school is a respectful, safe, and positive place for all!

Parish Mass Times 

St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore

• Tuesday - Thursday 8:00am
• Friday - 12:05pm
• Saturday Vigil - 5:30pm
• Sunday - 9am & 11am
  

Carmelite Monastery Chapel, Goonellabah

• Monday - Friday 7:00am
• Saturday 8:00am
• Sunday 7:00am
  

St Dympna’s Church, Dunoon

• Sunday - 8.30am

Parish Family Mass

We warmly invite all families to join us for our upcoming Parish Family Mass on Saturday, 29th March, at 5:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school and parish communities to come together in faith and fellowship.

Families from Trinity Catholic College, St John’s College Woodlawn, Our Lady Help of Christians, and St Carthage’s will be gathering for this special celebration, and we would love to see as many families as possible attend.

Following Mass, everyone is invited to stay and enjoy a sausage sizzle and drinks, providing a great chance to connect with others in our parish community.

We look forward to celebrating this special evening with you and your family. We hope to see you there!