Calling Creative Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles and Cousins!

As you would be aware, Casey Grammar School has been supporting the amazing work of Backpacks 4 Vic Kids for a number of years. They are a wonderful local charity, and our staff and students have volunteered there. We also collect items at Christmas to fill their backpacks.

However, a new opportunity has presented itself…Santa Sacks!

Obviously, we know that you can never start preparing for Christmas too early, but when you have around 6,000 sacks to complete - earlier is certainly better! We have received 100 sacks to decorate and make uniquely special. Students from Junior and Senior School will be involved in this.

However, if you know someone who is crafty and would like to decorate a sack for a child who is away from their family at Christmas, please contact me for details (M.Riviere-Pendle@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au).

It is a wonderful cause and it would be great if we can have lots of members of our CGS Community involved and making individual, special sacks for the gifts to go in.

Junior School Class Chapels

Our students in Years 2, 3 and 4 are spending this term preparing for their class Chapel Services.

Whilst in the past this has been in person and we’ve invited families to share in it, we have decided to film the Chapel services to be made available to families once they have been completed.

Depending on restrictions, this will be either at the end of the term or early Term 4.

40 Hour Famine is Back

Extreme weather events, conflict and the Coronavirus pandemic have all had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world and has threatened food security for tens of millions of people.

This year, Casey Grammar School will be supporting the 40 Hour Famine and this will be launched formally at Assembly next week. It is important to note that students don’t have to give up food for 40 hours – it can be anything of their choosing. It is a great opportunity for our students to sacrifice something they value, such as furniture, social media, or talking, to help those in need.

Grocery Delivery to the Salvos

As a follow up from last term, I’m delighted to say that we were able to hand over more than 950 items of long-life grocery items to our neighbours at the Salvation Army. These were donated as part of last term’s Comfy Clothes Day. It was received with thanks from the Community Support team. Once again, thank you to all who contributed.

Thinking of Others and Staying Strong

As we experience another lockdown, our thoughts also remain with those in Sydney who are experiencing the challenges of an extended period of lockdown. All who lived in Melbourne last year understand the challenges this poses.

Amidst the uncertainty of continuing to live, educate and work in a pandemic, may we be reminded of God’s steadfast love for each of us. In Isaiah 54 it says: ‘My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my promise of peace shall not be removed.’ It’s a beautiful declaration and one that can give us strength.

Every blessing in the week ahead.

Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain