Being brought up in a pretty Catholic household, Lent was never any fun. No meat days (I rarely enjoy fish!), no desserts and being constantly reminded of what other good things should be forgone during Lent. It was just no fun. The season of Lent, which begins this Wednesday, at its best, reminds all of us that we can make choices for good. Today, the emphasis the Church gives us is more about choosing to do something positive for others during this time rather than giving things up or just being hard on ourselves. It’s probably a much bigger challenge to choose to not gossip or speak badly of someone/s rather than giving up alcohol for example. It’s a bigger challenge to choose to forgive rather than nurse hurts. Lent is an opportunity to look at our lives and have a close look at what we can improve to be our best selves. This all in the lead up to Easter which is the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. I maybe a bit old school but I do struggle with seeing Easter Eggs on supermarket shelves at the moment. Let’s wait in expectation for Easter and all that it promises.

Ash Wednesday is this week. Everyone is welcome to attend Mass in our Chapel at 8am on Wednesday to mark the start of Lent. As a school, students will be invited in their House gatherings on Thursday to have a small cross of Ash placed on their foreheads. This is a particularly Catholic tradition and the distributor of the ash will say to each person something like, “Repent and believe the Good News’. We would normally do this on Ash Wednesday but as the Year 12s will be on exam block and back at school Thursday, we’ll do it then. Another part of our Catholic tradition dictates that no meat products will be sold in the Canteen on Wednesday.

Interhouse Swimming is on next Monday 27 February. Students miss two periods on the day and have the other two at the pool. Year 8,9 and 11 are in the morning and Year 7,10 and 12 in the afternoon. It is always an enjoyable day. The day centres on participation and involvement. It is one of our ‘special days’ in our calendar. If there is some really good reason why your child won’t be in attendance, please make sure that a conversation is had with your House Coordinator. The Championship Swimming Carnival is on this Friday 24 from 1pm-3pm for the more serious swimmers in the College and those looking to represent the College at the upcoming BDSSS Carnival.