Catholic Schools Week (CSW) marks the start of the enrolment period for 2017.
As part of CSW, parents and carers are encouraged to visit their local Catholic school to learn about the variety of activities and educational initiatives available to students.
The theme for CSW 2016 is ‘I Belong. You Belong. We Belong.’ which aligns with the Catholic Church’s strong focus on supporting refugees and asylum seekers and the need for a compassionate global community.
The theme also ties in with the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Year of Mercy, which centres on pardon, strength and love.
To celebrate and promote CSW, student and teacher representatives from all 56 schools will join together with members of the wider community, local politicians and parishioners, for a special Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, at 11am this Tuesday. The Mass will illustrate the themes of belonging and mercy.
Furthermore, Catholic schools in the Diocese will celebrate in a variety of ways at their own school by hosting events such as open days, open classrooms, liturgies, grandparent days, art exhibitions, morning teas and more.
One school that is looking forward to celebrating CSW this week is St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilaben Bay.
Principal, Leigh Peacock, said “Catholic Schools Week at St Joseph’s Primary School Kilaben Bay is an opportunity for our school to showcase what we do best – high quality learning and teaching within a caring and supportive Catholic community."
Mr Peacock is extending an invitation to all in the local community to visit St Joseph’s.
“All are warmly invited to our school’s CSW Open Day which will be celebrated next Wednesday, 9 March. We will begin with our Catholic Schools Week Liturgy at 9.30am, followed by a community morning tea in our school hall with entertainment provided by our school’s concert band. Open classrooms and our physical education classes take place at 10.45am, followed by a free community picnic style barbecue lunch. In addition, our gymnastics program is able to be viewed on Monday and Friday,” he said.
There are so many activities planned across the week at different times and on different days at each school, that parents are urged to contact their local Catholic school to find out how they're celebrating and be involved.
Catholic Schools Week is about forging and strengthening relationships between each school’s community including students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider public. One of the central pillars of Catholic education is creating a sense of belonging and community and providing the support that is integral to enabling students to become the best versions of themselves.
To find out how, and on what day, your local Catholic school is celebrating CSW, please contact the school directly. Find your local Catholic school here.