During our period of isolation, we have made a conscious effort to still join together in creating community videos. Last week, around 150 students from Year 2-12 sent in artworks, letters and messages of appreciation for the work of Victoria Police. The video ’10 minutes of Encouragement’ was sent to Cranbourne, Frankston, Dandenong and Narre Warren Police Stations as these are our local Police Force members. We also sent it to Nunawading and Boroondara Police Stations as they were the stations most impacted by the terrible tragedy two weeks ago.

Senior Sergeants and Acting Senior Sergeants from these stations have emailed back with their thanks for the creativity, kindness and thoughtfulness of our students. The artwork of our students will be hung up in some of these stations and the messages passed on to their officers. Well done and thank you to all students involved.

Anyone is able to access the clip using the following link. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone who you know who is connected with the Police Force and may appreciate it. http://www.caseygrammar.vic.edu.au/police-gratitude

Mothers’ Day

Although many of us will not have the opportunity to see our grandparents on Mothers’ Day, we still have a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation for the role of our mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and other significant women in our lives this Sunday. Our next community video will be on this theme and we intend it to be uploaded on Friday in preparation for Mothers’ Day.

In this context, when thinking about the type of language we use for God. We often think of masculine language, such as ‘Father’, however, it is worth remembering that the Bible also includes feminine metaphors and language to describe God’s relationship with us. The author of Isaiah writes, ‘As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you’. There are definitely silver linings associated with the time we are presently living in. However, this is not to discount the many challenges that families in our own school community are facing. Unemployment, underemployment, separation from loved ones, grief, loss and illness are experienced by people that we all know. In times where we may be feeling despair and sadness, may we feel the loving peace and comfort of a God who cares deeply about each one of us and the situations we are in.

This week, we pray a particular blessing on our mothers, grandmothers and all significant women who have nurtured, encouraged and helped us to grow.

Mrs Monqiue Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain