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Dear Parents / Guardians,

I sit to write this on Thursday night and am amazed at how quickly the first Term has gone. But a lot has happened. The College Swimming Carnival, Musical, Year 7 Camp and Year 12 Retreat have been highlights. We have five teams in MISA finals washed out on Tuesday and all students are progressing in their studies. The coming week sees the College Cross Country. Well done to all.

PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK

Palm Sunday, celebrated this weekend, is the commencement of the most significant week of our Catholic and Christian calendar. On Palm Sunday Jesus arrived triumphantly into Jerusalem and was welcomed as the Messiah, seen as coming to free the Jewish people from Roman rule. The week concludes with a period referred to as the Triduum, a word meaning three days. Here the Church follows the Jewish method counting a day from sunset to sunset. Holy Thursday evening to Good Friday evening is the First day; Good Friday to Holy Saturday is the second day and Holy Saturday evening till Easter Sunday evening as the third day. 

As Catholics we are called to attend the liturgies that occur on these very important days. Many may choose Thursday to join in the Mass of the Lords Supper or the veneration of the cross on Good Friday (where we vividly recall the journey of Jesus to the cross and his death). While the Easter Vigil on Saturday is the main celebration of the period and lasts a little longer and starts later than the usual Saturday mass. It was here that the faithful waited outside the tomb of Jesus. The Jewish Sabbath commenced at sunset on Friday and the body of Jesus was not fully prepared for burial – so they waited during Saturday, praying and mourning. 

Finally, we reach Easter Sunday, where Jesus rises and provides hope for the world. To miss any of the days of the Triduum is like missing one act in a three act play. It is best understood to be a three-day liturgy attended on various occasions. The purpose of the three days is not to re-enact historical events, but rather to the engage the paschal mystery as it is being celebrated in the midst of those gathered. 

The power of this cannot be underestimated. These three days become our preparation for our willing participation in the paschal mystery, so that it becomes our way of being Christian in our daily lives. 

As we move into the Term 1 school holidays, I pray that you can all enjoy a restful holiday and enjoy the beautiful Easter weather and immerse yourself in the solemnity and joy of the Easter liturgies during Holy Week and the Easter Triduum. I trust that all families will make time to visit their local Parish and enter into some of the services and events offered. 

LONG SERVICE LEAVE 

I would like to inform the community of John Therry that I will be accessing LSL for the first five weeks of Term 2. The prime reason for this is the wedding of my daughter. She lives in Lennox Head. My son is married and has one child and another due in May. So it is busy at the Marshall’s and I am looking forward to spending time with family. 

I am very happy to announce that Mr Brad McAllister will be the Acting Principal in my absence and Mr Brad Humbles the Acting Assistant
Principal. As Mr McAllister is well known to the community for his pastoral presence and educational knowledge the College is in good hands.  

APPIN MASSACRE MEMORIAL EVENT

I remind all that the memorial event for the Appin Massacre takes place on Sunday 18th April. Commencing at 11.00 and concluding by 3.00pm with the formal ceremony taking place at 12.00noon. Traditionally the John Therry aboriginal students play a significant role on this day with music and dancers. 

This event commemorates the massacre of aboriginal people – men, women and children, of the Dharawal nation. Fourteen were counted but the true count will never be known. This night attack came after months of trying to round up the local people with no success. This was partly because the local settlers supported the Aboriginal efforts to avoid the soldiers.