News from the APRE - Toni Foley
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Thank you to the wonderful P & F helpers who made pancakes for the community on Shrove Tuesday – several students commented that ‘they were the best pancakes ever!’ We really appreciate all the parents, staff and students who helped to make this a wonderful community event.
Our Ash Wednesday liturgies were wonderful prayerful celebrations and it was wonderful to have parents, grandparents and carers join us for that as well. The students’ singing was so joyful!
Second Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 17 March)
Toefuata'iga - (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah) is a 13-year-old primary school student from Samoa. Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.
Toefuata’iga’s school community struggled without reliable access to clean water, which impacted students’ education and hygiene. Teachers often had to leave the school to fetch water from nearby homes, disrupting lessons and adding strain to the community. When the water ran out at the school, students were sent home which meant they missed out on valuable learning time.
Thanks to the support of Caritas Australia in partnership with Caritas Samoa, Toefuata’iga’s school now has a 10,000 L water tank through a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program. Teachers and students are now able to focus on education and improved hygiene.
Watch Toefuata'iga’s story here.
Will you stand with students like Toefuata'iga this Lent?
Photo credit: Caritas Australia
Evangelisation & Faith Formation 
Our Catholic schools are both educating and evangelising communities. They areevangelising communities to the extent that they give an authentic voice to the religious dimension of the life through the lens of a community of faith. Our schools evangelise through their particular culture, through the life witness of staff and students and through the curriculum. (Religious Education Curriculum – BCE)
At Our Lady Help of Christians, evangelisation and faith formation are at the heart of who we are as a Catholic school. We are called not only to educate but also to nurture the spiritual growth of our students, staff, and families. Evangelisation is about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, while faith formation helps us deepen our relationship with God. Together, they strengthen our Catholic identity and guide us in living out our mission with purpose and joy.
There are many simple yet powerful ways we can embrace evangelisation and faith formation in our daily lives:
- Living the Gospel – We are called to live as Jesus taught us, showing kindness, compassion, and justice in our words and actions. By treating others with respect, forgiving readily, and serving those in need, we make Christ’s love visible in our school and beyond.
- Spiritual Formation – Taking time for prayer, reflection, and participation in the sacraments nurtures our faith. Whether through daily prayer, attending Mass, or learning more about Catholic and other religious traditions, deepening our spirituality helps us grow closer to God.
- Witnessing to the Wider Community – Evangelisation extends beyond the classroom. By engaging in social justice initiatives, supporting those in need, and sharing our faith through words and deeds, we bear witness to Christ in the world. Our Catholic identity shines through when we act with integrity and inspire others through our example.
As a Catholic school, we are all part of this mission—students, staff, and families. By embracing evangelisation and faith formation, we help create a community where faith is not just taught but truly lived. May we continue to grow together in faith, sharing the love and hope of Christ with all those we encounter.
Religious Life of our school Term 1
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Eight |
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Seven - Ten |
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Ten |
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2025 Parish Sacramental Program
The Sacramental Program is Parish-based and school supported where your child has the opportunity to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent Information Night will be held on 29th April. The program is offered to all Catholic students in Year 4. If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and would like to join the program, please contact Fr Nathan. Nathan.Mckay@cairns.catholic.org.au
Looking forward to a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Best wishes,
Toni Foley
Assistant Principal - Religious Education