WEEK FIVE

OPENING OF EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Thursday 6 March was a very exciting day as we 'moved into" the Early Learning Centre.  Led by the College Captains, the Student Leaders escorted our youngest students down the boulevard through a guard of honour of older students.  College Captains, Teaghan Barone and Giordarna Rigoli, cut the ribbon at the entry to the Centre and the children had the opportunity to look through  the new facility with their Senior buddies, before the adults entered.   It was delightful to hear the exclamations of joy as they explored their new learning spaces. The school community was joined on the day  by architects, builders and representatives from the Catholic Education Office.  Father Richard blessed the children in their new Centre, before they headed off to class.    Once the new secondary building is completed we will have an official blessing and opening of this stage of our building programme.


ACC SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The Associated and Catholic Colleges Swimming Carnival will be held at Challenge Stadium on Tuesday.  Thanks to Mrs Christina DaVini, Mrs Fiona Wainwright, Mr Brendan Buckley and Mr Gareth Elliott for their work in training the students.  Results will be posted on the LIFE@HCC blog after the event.

CAMINO

It is just three weeks now until we leave for our trip to Italy and Spain. Last Sunday we did a training hike up the West Terrace Trail in Kalamunda - it was a good chance for students to continue to break in their hiking boots.  On Monday we will be walking from Leederville Station, around Lake Monger to the Catholic Education Office.  Ms Debra Sayce, Director of Religious Education, will address the students on the topic of Pilgrimage in preparation for our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella.

OPEN DAY
On Thursday we welcomed about 200 visitors to the College for Open Day.  Thanks to staff who set up the interactive learning displays and to students who assisted on the day.  We had lots of positive feedback, particularly in regard to the welcoming and articulate students who acted as tour guides and assisted with the learning displays.

3 YEAR OLD PROGRAMME
We will begin a 3 year old programme next term.  Parents interested in more information about this programme should contact the College Office.

MAKING HISTORY ...

200th ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP ROSENDO SALVADO

Saturday 1 March marked the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Bishop Rosendo Salvado.  Salvado was born in Tui in Spain on 1 October 1814.  At 15 he entered the Benedictine Monastery of St Martin’s in Santiago de Compostella.  Salvado was ordained a priest in Naples in 1839.  In 1846 Salvado travelled to Western Australia, in the same boat as Ursuala Frayne.  Having landed in the Swan River Colony he made his way out  to Victoria Planes and established New Norcia, where he worked with the Aboriginal people.  Since opening Holy Cross we have had a special connection with the Benedictine community of New Norcia.  On Tuesday evening a group of students and staff attended Ecumenical Vespers, at St Mary’s Cathedral, to celebrate the life of Rosendo Salvado.  It was a very beautiful ceremony, including some of the traditional Benedictine chants and excerpts from Salvado’s memoirs.  During this year we will focus on our Mission Statement linked to Salvado and the Enrichment Pillar - receive the gifts of God with gratitude, cultivate them responsibly and share them lovingly with others.

ASH WEDNESDAY
Today we marked the beginning of Lent by gathering together in Houses for Ash Wednesday liturgies.  The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year.   While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful. Lent is the period leading up to Easter.

OPENING OF THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Tomorrow we will move into the Early Learning Centre.  While we will have an Official Blessing and Opening at a later date, when this stage of the building programme is completed, we will have a small ceremony to welcome the children tomorrow morning, Thursday 6 March.  Parents who would like to join us are asked to meet in the Cafe at 8.45am.    Thanks to the architect, Mr Peter Lippman from EIW Architects, who has worked closely with us in creating a wonderful contemporary space which will provide so many opportunities for our youngest learners.  Thanks also to staff and students who have assisted with the process of moving into the new buildings.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we welcome the Kindergarten  - Year 2 children into their new learning space.  I am sure there will be a great deal of excitement!


Ms Mandy Connor
Principal