Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

We are now in week four of remote learning and many students have settled into a routine of learning from home. I once again wish to thank all members of our College community - parents, guardians, staff and students - for the manner in which we continue to work together in the remote learning environment. At the beginning of this term, I asked for kindness and patience in this time where we are all navigating our way through a situation we haven't been in before. What has followed from that initial request has been nothing short of remarkable. Yes there have been frustrations and setbacks along the way, but in true Padua College spirit, we continue to persevere and meet these challenges. I am continually hearing stories of successes in our remote classrooms from staff and students, as well as hearing the gratitude of families for the learning environment provided.

Parents, guardians and students will have received a link to a survey regarding the delivery of remote learning this week. I encourage all members of the community to complete this survey so that we can use this data to continue to improve all that we are doing to provide the best online learning opportunities for the students of Padua College.

While we are aware that a number of students are finding learning from home challenging, and most students are missing the daily face-to-face contact with their classmates and teachers, homeroom teachers and House Co-ordinators are working with students to support them during this time. Please encourage your child/ren to complete the Weekly Wellness Check on Simon every Friday so that we are able to follow up with any students who may need some extra support.

There continues to be speculation in the media about when we might return to school in Victoria and I remind families that we work within the directions provided by the appropriate authorities. Any concrete decisions with regards to a change in the current conditions of remote learning will be communicated to families as soon as practicable.

Staff and Community News

Congratulations to Ms Scarlett Christopherson (M) and Scott on the arrival of baby Henry Gordon on ANZAC Day.

Condolences to Ms Tegan Mitchell (M Canteen) on the passing of her father recently. We also keep in our prayers Ms Grainne Temple (M) and her husband Kevin, on the passing of Kevin’s mother in Ireland last week. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Year 7 2022 Enrolments

If you have a child in Grade 5, please make sure that you have submitted an enrolment application form if you wish them to attend Padua College from Year 7 in 2022. Enrolments can be made online via the College website enrolments page or PDF link below.

Anthony Banks
Principal

Prayer

A Blessing for Mothers and Those Who Mother Us

Mothers come in all shapes and sizes, one size doesn't fit all and so God's creativity is as boundless as the stars. A few words come to mind when one thinks of mothers - nurturing, courageous (think of a tiger protecting her young), intelligent, hopeful, wise, amusing, loving, faithful, perhaps even a little bit eccentric!

But for some amongst us, we acknowledge that the reality of Mother’s Day may be a painful reminder for those who mourn the loss of a mother and for mothers who mourn the loss of a child, for those who are in difficult relationships with their own mothers or children, for those unable or not given the opportunity to have a child, for those mothers and their children who are sick in body or mind and for those who cannot be with their mothers or those special women who mother them because of the current social distancing measures. We ask our loving God to be with them all at this time.

Mothers are not just those who have naturally born children but are also those special and beautiful women in our lives who 'mother' us. We give thanks for all their gifts and for their presence in our lives and so we pray:

Loving Creator God,
As a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
So you watch over your Church through all her seasons.
Bless our mothers and all women who mother us.
May the example of their faith, wisdom and love shine for all to see.
May their lives, dedicated in love and hope bear witness to your loving mercy,
bringing them joy and peace.
And may we, their family, friends and our Padua community, honour and respect them always.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Mo Cromar
Pastoral Associate