This weekend we remember the Diggers on Anzac Day and it is going to be so strange not attending a celebration or watching a march on the day. I can only imagine the sense of loss isolation is creating for those who served – Anzac Day is all about mateship and sharing story. Please keep those who served in your thoughts and take the opportunity to read the material in this newsletter about Anzac Day Commemoration from the local RSL. If you can give support that would mean so much as a reminder of our recognition and appreciation of the sacrifices made in the past.

When I think of Pentecost I always marvel at the fallibility of the Disciples who were clearly so traumatised and vulnerable at first and then, after Pentecost, so animated and charismatic. For me Thomas is such a relevant character today.  If there was ever a time when faith is tested it would be the past months of natural catastrophes and now the pandemic and recession. Where does one go for support and strength? It is so important to be reflective and contemplative. We are not the first generation to suffer and be challenged, we need to consider what was the emotional stimulus that enabled those in the past to strive and rebound from adversity. For many it was their faith and values that were the catalyst. Over Pentecost, don’t forget the story and the virtues that were instilled through the Holy Spirit.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:14, 22-33)

It was impossible for him to be held by the power of Hades. On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:

I saw the Lord before me always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. So, my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy: my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades nor allow your holy one to experience corruption. You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence.

Thank you

Thank you to each of you for your support and patience over the past month. We have a long way to go and everyone is trying to do the right thing.  As time rolls on you may get frustrated as the novelty wears thin, if it hasn’t already! Many are feeling very lonely at the moment and the craving for social contact is a challenge to everyone, please be patient. As a father of four I appreciate the issues with WiFi, no service and the hotspot…

As I noted last week, we will never get this perfect so please be patient and let us know if you have concerns. There have been some very funny situations that have emerged in some of the classes and we will start sharing some of those snippets. The winner last week was the student who logged in whilst on the tractor.

Future Communications

From this point on we will continue to provide College information on the CMC App under News & Events. The Gallery will also be regularly updated. Rather than receiving information fortnightly, the App will have regular updates and notifications. The newsletter will come out at the end of each term. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SMS messages will continue but will direct you to the App. If you don’t have the App, please download it.

2021 Enrolments

For those families who have a child in Grade 6, please access the College website for an Enrolment Form to enrol for Year 7, 2021. More information will be circulated and placed on the website outlining tours and information sessions. The schedule is still to be confirmed, as you would understand.

Home Handbook

Another useful resource currently in production is the the Home Handbook, that will be on the CMC App for families to access. The Home Handbook will be a reference tool for information, policies, processes, calendars and so on. Once made available if there is missing information that you would like to have, let us know and we will add more detail.

Please remember that if you have any concerns, get in touch with your child’s Learning Mentor as the first point of contact and they will work to resolve the concern or direct you to the right source.

On Saturday, take a moment to talk about the following prayer and observe a minute’s silence. The RSL has asked that all Australians unite and acknowledge the sacrifice of our current and past service men and women of Australia, New Zealand and all our coalition partners in their own special way.

Mr Brian Turner, Principal

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.