Nau mai, haere mai, talofa lava, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, kia orana, warm greetings

Last week was the start of Lent. As we will all be aware Lent for the year 2024 started on Wednesday 14th February and will end on Thursday 28th March with evening mass on Holy Thursday. Lent is a Christian annual period that starts on Ash Wednesday lasting for 40 days (not including Sundays) representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. This time gives us all, as a Catholic community, an opportunity to reflect on our own faith. Traditionally Lent is a time of fast or giving up something - I prefer to focus on giving or challenging the lens in which we view the world. In the current world we live in, we find ourselves swayed into a pessimistic or general negative view. During this season, I challenge our community to focus on how we think and how we can make the world a better place by simply practicing a different mindset.

Our students will have their latest round of bi-weekly grades on their EDGE portal for you to check and discuss with your sons. It is my experience that any questions or issues, no matter how minor, are best dealt with early. Your first contact is your son's mentor teacher, if your need further assistance we have our pastoral team available.

My focus this lent is to focus as Pope Francis describes “fasting from complaints and contemplate simplicity”. In society at the moment is a feeling of loss of control, blaming others for the predicament we may be in and general frustration. By simplifying our situations and focusing on gratitude I believe we will gain a real sense of peace.