With the final day of Term 1 fast approaching, we have the opportunity to reflect on what has been a busy start to the school year. Students, staff, parents and caregivers are no doubt ready for rest and relaxation.
It might be easy to fall into negative thinking when we are tired, however we encourage our families to reflect on the positives from the past term and look to the future in anticipation. The Easter story reminds us that it is a time for renewal, new opportunities and new life.
We're here for you
Easter is the perfect time to remind our families that the Christ the King School community supports one another if you are struggling or need support.
In addition to our support staff, including assistant principal, support teacher – inclusive education, and guidance officer, Christ the King School has a welcoming P&F Association. Not only does the association organise events that connect us as a community, it also coordinates meals and assistance through its Care and Concern team.
We thank everyone for their contributions to our school throughout this first term. We hope our newest members have enjoyed settling into school life and are working towards their goals for the year.
Coming together to celebrate Holy Week
All students from Prep to Year 6 have been sharing and reflecting on the Easter story and the importance of Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
This will culminate in a series of Holy Week prayer reflections to be led by our students as we approach the end of Term 1.
As we journey towards Easter, our students have been reflecting on the last week of Jesus' life, known as Holy Week. Prep and Year 3 students will re-enact Palm Sunday at our Holy Week prayer reflection on Friday, 24 March. This is a joyous time to connect as a community and we invite you to share in this reflection with the school and our students.
Traditionally, palm branches were used as a sign of welcome and to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. During Lent, teachers have discussed with students how we can all welcome Jesus into our lives and follow in his footsteps with random acts of kindness.
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is the day that commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples.
Often, Holy Thursday rituals will include the act of foot washing, which commemorates Jesus washing the feet of his disciples as an act of service on the night of his arrest.
Our Year 1, Year 2 and Year 4 students will lead us through our Holy Thursday prayer reflection. It is a reminder to us all, of the 'new commandment' that Jesus gave his disciples to love one another as he had loved them - a love that is most readily seen in Jesus willingly giving up his life on the cross on Good Friday.
We invite you to join us for this Holy Week prayer reflection on Monday, 27 March.
Good Friday commemorates Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, his sentence to death, his torture, and his crucifixion and burial. Traditionally 'good' had connotations of something 'holy' or 'pious', yet Good Friday is the most somber day for Christians, when the agony, death and burial of Jesus is remembered.
Before we break for the Easter period, our Year 5 and Year 6 students will lead us in this Holy Week prayer reflection. On Wednesday, 29 March, we invite you to join with us as we take the opportunity to explore and honour the cross of Christ.
We are inspired to share these reflections with our families, as Easter is a joyous time that fills us with hope. We invite you to join Christ the King School, Graceville staff and students as they share the stories of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday with the school community.
We are blessed to have occasions like our Holy Week prayer reflections, which provide opportunities for us to share our faith with students and parents, and sincerely hope you will find some time to reflect on and share your faith during the break.