St Kieran Newsletter Term 1, Week 10 - 10th April 2025

Principal's Message

Lord God, 
You loved this world so much, 
That you gave your one and only Son, 
That we might be called your children too. 
Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace 
Of Easter Sunday, everyday. 
Let us have hearts of thankfulness 
For your sacrifice. 
Let us have eyes that look upon 
Your grace and rejoice in our salvation. 
Help us to walk in that mighty grace 
And tell your good news to the world. 
All for your glory do we pray, Lord. 
Amen. 

As we move into Holy Week this year, we are exposed to the nature of God’s forgiveness in the manner in which Jesus accepts his crucifixion and death. Jesus is a victim of great injustice but instead of nursing feelings of hurt, anger, disgust and contempt, he exhibits a strong sense of compassion toward those responsible for his execution when he says, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.  

Jesus’ lack of self-pity is further illustrated as he slowly approached his death, crucified between two criminals and mocked by the religious officials and others who passed by. When one of the criminals makes fun of him saying, “Are you the Messiah? Then, save yourself and us!” Jesus has no angry response. Instead, when the second criminal asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom,” Jesus does not ask him what he has done or how repentant he is, but with compassion responds, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”  

The events of Holy Week remind us of our calling to be active Christians in the way we lead our own lives. If we are harbouring hurt within us, Jesus’ actions can encourage us towards forgiveness and away from grudges and bitterness. We have all experienced hurt through the actions or words of another and this hurt we might have carried for years and deprived ourselves of the opportunity to embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy by being unforgiving. Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. As we let go of hurt and resentment and don't allow them to define our life, we open ourselves to find compassion and understanding. Slowly, we embrace forgiveness and begin once more to live a truly Christian life.  

Jesus’ example to us on Good Friday, clearly defined for us the extent of God’s forgiveness and the encouragement for us to do likewise in our own limited human way. But Jesus’ example has an after effect as well, for on Easter Sunday he rose gloriously to a new life. No doubt this was the ambition of the three Nations that embraced forgiveness and reconciliation, instead of punishment and revenge.  

Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday 9th April, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year. 

As we know from the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead. Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. 

Thank you all again for your support during Term 1 - it has definitely been a busy one! Make sure you all take the time to rest and enjoy the time with your families over Easter. We look forward to seeing you back at school on Tuesday 29th April. 

Best wishes and take care. 

Mr Daine Burnett 
Principal 
daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au 

School Calendar

A reminder to all families to continue to check the school calendar on our website for dates and events that are coming up during the term. We conclude Term 1 for students on Thursday 10th April and return to school for all students on Tuesday 29th April to begin Term 2.

Kindy 2026 Enrolments

We are accepting Kindy Enrolments for 2026, with interviews to beginning this term for students to start at St Kieran next year. All parents need to submit an application to make sure your child is enrolled at St Kieran Catholic Primary School for 2026. 
If you have any questions or would like clarification, please ring the School Administration. 

Uniform

Just a friendly reminder to make sure that you have written your children's names on items, such as jumpers to ensure that they can be returned to the rightful owner. Labels or tags can be cut off as they maybe annoying for the children so please look at other options for putting the children's name on these items. 

A reminder to all parents that for the academic uniform the below shoes are to be worn - black lace up school shoes for both boys and girls. I would ask all parents to refer to the Uniform Policy on our school website from the beginning of 2024 for any further clarification. https://stkierancps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/2824/2024_school_uniform_guidelines.pdf 

Sign of the Week

At St. Kieran we have begun to learn some Key Word Signs (KWS) borrowed from Auslan signs (Australian Sign Language). These KWS will be included in our weekly memo and displayed around our school. There is also a display poster in reception so visitors can give it a try (if you scan the QR code it leads to a KWS video). Learning one key word sign a week is a simple but powerful way to increase our awareness and inclusion at St. Kieran. By committing to learning just one sign each week, we break down barriers and build empathy. It reminds us to be more mindful of accessibility and gives us the tools to connect with more people. Over time, these small efforts add up, leading to greater fluency and a more inclusive environment for everyone.

This week’s sign is: Go

Packed with Goodness - Save The Date !

Packing children's lunches is like trying to predict the weather—one day they love sandwiches, the next day they act like you’ve packed them a live snake. To help out, Mrs Pusey has organised a presentation for parents from the Packed with Goodness team. During this session, parents will be provided with new ideas to make lunchbox packing easier.  

There was so much positive feedback from the session last year, Mrs Pusey has worked hard in getting the team back. 

Date: Friday 16th May  
Time: 9am 
Location: Upper Learning Area 

Keeping Our Kids Safe Online – ySafe Sessions Coming Soon

On Wednesday, May 15, we’re taking a proactive step to help our students navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Students will be participating in interactive sessions delivered by ySafe, one of Australia’s leading providers of cyber safety education. These sessions are tailored to the needs of young students and are designed to empower them with the knowledge and strategies needed to stay safe online. 

Later that same evening, we will be hosting a parent session delivered by ySafe. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain valuable insights into the latest online trends, apps, and potential risks—along with practical tips on how to support your child’s safe use of technology at home. 

We’ll be sending out an attendance form closer to the date, so please keep an eye out and be sure to register your interest. 

Why This Matters 
In a world where devices are in our kids’ hands before they can even tie their shoelaces, learning about internet safety is no longer optional—it’s essential. Children are more connected than ever, and while the online world offers amazing opportunities for learning and fun, it also comes with real risks, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and interactions with strangers. 

At our school, we believe that prevention is the best protection. By educating students early and partnering with families, we can create safe, informed digital citizens who know how to spot red flags and make smart choices online. 

We strongly encourage all parents to attend the evening session—because keeping our kids safe online takes a team effort. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Thank you to all of the families who participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent and Child Workshops which occurred this week. It was wonderful to see the children engaging in learning about the Sacrament with their parents.  
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be occurring on the first Friday of Term 2, Friday May 2, at 6pm. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Kieran Parish.  

NCEC Federal Election Resources

2026 SCHOLARSHIPS NOW OPEN!

Aranmore Catholic College offers scholarships for students entering Years 7–10 in 2026, in academic excellence, leadership, music, netball, and rugby. These scholarships provide financial support and unique opportunities for personal and academic growth under the guidance and care of highly qualified specialist teachers.

Apply now: aranmore.wa.edu.au/enrolments

Keyed Up Music

Hello Parents and Carers Enrolments for musical instrument lessons are still open, save a spot for Term 2 via the Keyed Up Music Website. Enrolment Information • Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth - Keyed Up Music - Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth

FREE Health Coaching for Children & Families!

Murdoch University After School Program

The Murdoch University After School Program in Mathematics and Physical Sciences provides classes in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for students from the age of 10.