GET ACTIVE IN NATURE MORNING FOR YEAR 13
To reintroduce everyone back into our school community post lockdown and post assessments, the Religious Education Department hosted a 'Get active in nature morning' for our Year 13 students. The aim of the morning was to simply take time out, reflect and actively become involved in improving the school environment. As May is the month of Mary, each class spent time in prayer at the Grotto in the school grounds for their own special intentions. Using the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, we reflected on our own personal lives and relationships with our families, friends and faith.
The morning also encouraged the five steps to well-being in all the activities set out for our year 13s - Connect; Keep learning; Be active; Take notice; Give.
Each class was given a different coloured bush to plant.
White symbolizes purity. Aside from that, the flower can also be used as a symbol of restraint and civility. Red indicates long-lasting relationships, and the love of nature and the magic of life. Purple is a symbol of respect and admiration or to show thankfulness. Pink represents joviality / joy / happiness. The pink flower is also associated with a mother’s love. We remember May as the month of our mother Mary.
Students then worked as teams, to assemble planters, fill them with compost and plant in an array of coloured flowers, herbs and grasses, to see the therapeutic value of working actively with nature.
Each Year 13 student, then planted their own sunflower seeds to take home, nurture and watch grow. With the yellow and orange, vibrant colours, the sunflower signifies creativity, energy and is a symbol of hope for a bright future. No matter how small or how little light there is, sunflowers are believed to seek out the light and hold their heads high as if in worship and adoration of the sun. They are therefore a symbol of true and faithful loyalty to something that is much brighter and bigger than ourselves! Sunflowers symbolize worship and faithfulness in various religions because of their resemblance to the sun, which is associated with spiritual knowledge and the desire to seek light and truth. We look forward to seeing the results of the Year 13 planting!
We concluded a busy morning, with a welcome ice-cream from the canteen. A thoroughly enjoyable morning for everyone, with a lovely, positive atmosphere- well done Year 13! A big thank you to Mr Turner, Mr O’Hara and Mrs Young for their tremendous assistance on the day.
Peace Within
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and
every one of us. -St. Therèse of Lisieux and
St. Theresa of Avila