Last week's first reading at Sunday mass was one that speaks deeply into our lived experience today. From the book of Wisdom (written around 50 years BCE) comes this passage about wisdom:

Wisdom is bright, and does not grow dim.
By those who love her she is readily seen,
and found by those who look for her.Quick to anticipate those who desire her, she makes herself know to them.
Watch for her early and you will have no trouble:
you will find her sitting at your gates.
Even to think about her is understanding fully grown;
be on the alert for her and anxiety will quickly leave you.
She herself walks about looking for those who are worth of her
and graciously shows herself to them as they go, 
in every thought of theirs coming to meet them.

In human history people has always sought the opinion of the wise and to grow into being more wise themselves. This is because there is a sense of grace and serenity exhibited by those imbued with wisdom. It is a state of being that is very desirable and we wish always to have a more deliberate, calm, grace-filled life. 

This scripture helps us to identify that wisdom is not going to be found in books or a special program or a self help plan. Instead it is available to us all, daily, and we simply need to be seeking wisdom in order to be able to build our opportunities to experience and practice.

Kate Dourley
Principal

Always Helping

Yesterday marked a special occasion in the Sale Diocese calendar, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Major Feast Day (15th November). This feast Day is special for the Sale Diocese, as it is the name of our cathedral (St Mary’s), or the spiritual home, of the diocese. The Jerusalem Community (Year 1) celebrated Mass on Wednesday with this feast as the theme.

St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, as part of the St Thomas the Apostle Parish, belongs to a large family called the Sale Diocese. The Sale Diocese stretches from Cranbourne all the way to Orbost. It covers this area of Victoria mostly encompassing the Gippsland portion of our state.

On Friday we gathered as a whole school at our flag pole area to take part in a Rememberance Day liturgy. It was led beautifully by Mr McDermott and his grade six leaders. 

Each community created poppies. As they created their poppies it was a good time to share with our children the significance of the red poppy symbol worn by many Australians on this important day.

Years ago, during times of war, soldiers noticed bright red poppies growing in the fields where their friends and comrades had bravely fought. They thought the red colour came from the love and courage of those who gave their lives to protect others.

In Australia, on Remembrance Day, people wear red poppies to honour and remember these heroic soldiers. This tradition holds three meaningful purposes. Firstly, it serves as a respectful way to remember and pay tribute to the soldiers who are no longer with us. Secondly, it's a reminder of the important reasons these brave individuals sacrificed so much – to protect what they believed in. Lastly, wearing the red poppy helps keep their memories alive, expressing gratitude for the sacrifices made for our country. It's a beautiful tradition that teaches our children about the importance of remembrance and gratitude.

If you would like to see a short video, head over to this link on our Instagram page.

Passenger Safety for all children

To travel in a car, all children under 7 years old must be in a child restraint/car seat.

Drivers are responsible for all children aged under 7 being secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size. All other children and passengers must wear a seatbelt.

Below is an easy visual showing each age group and when a child is able to wear just the seatbelt.

All children must be safely fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size. It is recommended that a booster seat is used until a child is at least 145cm tall, even if they are more than seven years old. This is due to the design and placement of vehicles’ seatbelt anchor points. It is important not to rush a child out of a booster seat until they are the appropriate size.

When is my child ready to use a normal seatbelt?

A child is ready to use a normal seatbelt if they are seven years of age and 145cm tall, and at least one following has been met:

• The child’s shoulders no longer fit comfortably in a booster seat;
• their eye level is higher than the back of the booster seat, or;
• their shoulder level has surpassed the seat’s shoulder marks.

How to wear a seatbelt

When seatbelts are worn correctly, they reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash.

The top part of the seatbelt should be placed nicely on the shoulder and the bottom part placed flat on the hips. The seatbelt needs to be a fit firm with no twists or knots.

Safety Door

Always have children enter and exit the car using the safety door (footpath side and backseat preferred). 

If you are dropping children at the Drop off Pick up zone, always ensure children enter and exit using the safety door. 

King Swim's 'Fast Track' is a 4 day holiday program, this intensive swimming program is a great refresh for children at all levels plus we are offering it at a heavily discounted price to ensure it is accessible to all families.

The All Wheels Ride event is happening next week on Thursday 16 November 2023. It is an evening activity that runs from 6:00pm til 7:30pm.

This is a free evening for all father figures and their children (0-6 years of age), who are local to Clyde North, to bring along the child’s favourite set of wheels and have some fun. Push a pram, scoot on some roller skates, pedal some training wheels on a bicycle, or push along on a scooter. There will be a free supper and play activities provided as well. Come along and make a pedal-powered smoothie on our Smoothie Bicycles. Babies are very welcome to be pushed around in their pram or stroller by their father figure.

Tickets for the event can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/CMSAC