It has been a great Joy for Jo Harvey ACI and Janet Andrade ACI to be part of St. Thomas Garnet School. Jo accompanies the students of year 3 with support reading, and Janet conducts mindfulness prayer exercises in each class and then spends her time with the preschool children. We also animated the penitential service during lent. Through our being and our doing we are able to share the education of the heart which is very dear to the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We began in March 2017 the months have passed so quickly, we found ourselves at the leaving ceremony of Year 6.
This is the farewell message that Janet aci shared with the parents and the students.
“ It is a great Joy for me to be part of this very important day in the life of St. Thomas Garnet School. Today some of the children who you have nurtured, cared for and educated for six long years will be moving on to new schools. Teachers and School staff I am sure this is a proud day for you, because you can see that your efforts have borne fruit. You do not get an award, but your joy is in the fact that these young people are continuing their journey, not only proud of their academic ability but because you have helped them to be people who want to make a difference to the world. And this difference can only be brought about by people who care deeply about themselves and about those around them.
Here at St Thomas Garnet’s School they have been experiencing its three core values – happiness , integrity and wisdom . It is a happy school , and we have all witnessed the children’s great joy in working together as they performed with amazing talent and enthusiasm the musical ‘ Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat ‘ – something they will I hope always remember.
Year six students, today is a day for looking back and looking forward. And as you do this I pray that you do it with the values that are very dear to St. Thomas Garnet, to St. Rafaela the foundress of the handmaids of the sacred heart of Jesus and to all your teachers, and I am sure to your parents too. What are these values? They are values of the heart.
- First I hope that you really know that each one of you is precious, precious to God, to your Parents, to your teachers, but also precious because you are important to the future of this country and our world.
- The next thing I hope you have realised that you are gifted. Each person is gifted, and your gift is there to be developed and shared. So appreciate your giftedness, and cherish that gift in each of your companions and friends, enjoy life, and develop your talents.
- And finally respect. Respect your elders; respect your peers, but most of all respect yourself. Often we think that Respect is bowing to the will of others, yes that is important if you agree with what is being asked of you. But remember you have a mind of your own. Develop it, form your own judgements on what is going on around you. Do not be just a follower, be a leader. Remember some lead from the front; others lead from within a group. Remember a real leader knows his/her own mind, checks her values with the Lord in quiet times of prayer, and asks for the light to follow those promptings, remember you are not the only one who has the truth, so speak with others. And if things do not go the way they should, be ready to say sorry.
As I said this is a day of thanksgiving to your parents who supported you through your time here, to your teachers who were always there for you and most of all your companions with whom you have shared these special years.
I have said a lot to you, and now since I have been a small part of your lives I will let you know that I will always keep you in my heart and prayer. I pray that you will respect people, that you will love yourself, so that you may be confident, kind and gentle in all your dealings.
Thank you and I congratulate all the other children who receive their awards and wish all the very best and God blessings on the year 6th students you have received a strong foundation at St Thomas Garnet you can move ahead with great hope and confidence”
Sr.Janet Andrade.aci