THANKFULNESS

 ““Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Thesalonians 5: 16-18

Last week, a parent commented that their family is getting ready for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated in many countries around the world and is rooted in religious and historical significance including giving thanks to God and giving thanks for the harvest. Not understanding the celebration, I think that it is always pertinent to reflect on the importance of gratitude and the impact on our lives. What are we truly thankful for and do we show our gratitude and appreciation to others? 

Gratitude is more than just a warm feeling; it's a mindset that can significantly improve our lives. Researchers have found that practising thankfulness has a myriad of benefits, both for individuals and communities. When we express gratitude, our brains release feel good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, which boost our mood and overall wellbeing. A thankful outlook can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and even enhance our immune system.

I am often thankful that I am a part of the St Bede’s community. At St Bede’s, we believe in the power of thankfulness as a community. We are thankful for our dedicated educators who inspire our students daily, our supportive parents who make our school a nurturing environment, and, most importantly, our wonderful students who bring life to our school. 

Our students can be heard expressing thanks, but are these just words and good manners or is this a display of real gratitude? One of the simplest ways to cultivate thankfulness is by making a conscious effort to count our blessings. Parents and teachers can lead by example and share and show your own gratitude. These conversations help children develop their own sense of thankfulness and understand the importance of acknowledging the good things that surround them.

At St Bede’s we encourage our students to express their gratitude not only within the school community but also beyond. Acts of kindness, charity, and giving back can be wonderful ways to share the blessings we have received. As we approach the end of year and Christmas, we will be organising various events that help others and instil a spirit of thankfulness and empathy.

Life is full of ups and downs, joys and challenges, but even in the midst of difficulties, we can find reasons to be thankful. The verse above encourages us to maintain a spirit of gratitude, not only during the good times but especially during the tough moments.

Let's make thankfulness a part of our daily routines, as it brings joy, unity, and strength to our school community. Let us all embrace the spirit of thankfulness and continue to nurture a culture of gratitude here at St Bede’s.

Regards

Andrew

On 29 October 2023, St Christopher’s Cathedral Parish will host an All Saints Day Party!

We invite children across the Archdiocese to dress as their favourite Saint and join us for a costume procession and themed activities as we celebrate this Solemnity. 

Festivities will be held at the Haydon Hall, 55 Franklin Street, Forrest after the 11am Mass at the Cathedral. 

Free tickets, to give a sense of numbers, are available at https://www.trybooking.com/CLLJJ  

We hope to see you there! 

On Wednesday 18 October, Mrs Dwyer and Mrs Fox attended and presented at the Steplab Instructional Coaching Intensive in Sydney. They shared with educators and school leaders the art of implementing a coaching program for teachers aimed at school improvement. Their presentation shared the wonderful coaching in place at St Bede's. We congratulate them both and acknowledge their efforts.

A big thank you to the Hendrie family (Cyconsol) and Crewdson-Thomas family (Trilogy) who sponsored the seven St Bede’s touch football teams. The Hendrie and Crewdson-Thomas families kindly purchased the team shirts for our players and coaches.