Term 2 commenced with great sadness following the loss of a community member, Colin Heapy. Our sincere prayers, condolences and sympathy to Colin’s family; his parents Brian and Maria, and brother Greg and his wife Laura. Thank you to the staff of St Joseph’s for the additional support they have offered to students over this week. Appreciation also to the Catholic Education Office Wollongong, especially Dr Paul McCann, Mr John LoCascio, Ms Susan Phillipson, Mrs Jo Cable and the counsellors from Catholic Care. Thank you and appreciation to Adrian and Jessica from the National Headspace Service. The support of these people is appreciated by the St Joseph’s Community.

Many thanks to Lake Illawarra Police Officers who attended our Prayer service on Wednesday and have offered support to the school and the Heapy family. Thank you also to the ex-students and community members for their attendance and support.

The purpose of the Prayer service is to bring solace to the family and friends. Solace is rather an old fashioned word meaning to bring comfort and consolation to those in times of great sadness. I hope our Prayers brought the Heapy family some solace as we journey with them. Thank you to all our local schools for their ongoing offers of support and to the many students in others schools who have been deeply affected by this sad event.

To our students, thank you for your understanding and participation in events during this week. I encourage all students to look after themselves and look after your friends, as well as those who are simply acquaintances. Seek help if you need it; go to a trusted adult who can direct you to the appropriate services. Attached in this newsletter are the resources from Headspace to assist you supporting yourself, your family and any young person. An additional letter will be issued once the funeral details are known. Over the next few weeks there will be evidence of a ‘roller coaster’ of grief in our community. I recommend that young people try to return to a routine. Feeling sad is normal, but if it is disturbing your sleep patterns or your thought patterns, then you need to seek help. If your friends have significant changes in behaviour, then you need to encourage them to speak to someone. In grief situations, particularly over the coming weeks, difficulty in concentrating is quite normal. If you have assessments, please discuss this with your classroom teacher.

Thank you to the students and staff who represented the school at the various ANZAC services in the region. It is important to remember the sacrifice made by those who have gone before us, as it is from them that we are able to live in freedom. Through all conflicts, many people have given their service or are currently giving dedicated service to our country. For this our rememberance is a way of saying ‘Thank You’.

Eternal rest grant unto Colin, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen