From the Principal

A message from the Principal

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many people that are part of our school community.

Thank you to the staff at Queen of Peace, they are a committed and dedicated group of people who continue to provide a learning environment that is both educationally challenging and nurturing for our children.  We thank Father John for his ongoing support and spiritual guidance of our school and in particular our students. Thank you also to families for your continued support of our school.

A number of families will end their primary education journey with us this year. Many of these families have had a long association with the school and their contribution has been significant. We thank them for their support of and commitment to Queen of Peace  and wish them well in the future.

Congratulations to our Year 6 graduates. We thank you for your leadership and the positive role modelling that you give our school community. We wish you well as you move onto the next stage of your education.

The class teachers for the 2019 year have been set, with the students spending time in their classes on orientation day, held last Monday. This is a very exciting time for both staff and students, as they prepare to experience what 2019 holds for them. Prior to this time, what is assured is the genuine care and consideration the staff and school take for every student, when placing them in classes for the following year, with the hope that they flourish and reach their full potential in all aspects of their schooling.

Parents, you play an important role, ensuring you provide the hope and enthusiasm for the year to come for your child; having a positive attitude will help your child dismiss any concerns or worries they may have.

End of Year Mass

Our final Mass for the year will be celebrated Wednesday 19 December at 9:15am in the church.  We will be celebrating the great year we have all had and thanking God for all of our blessings and there is much to be thankful for this year.  We will also be announcing our School Captains for 2019.  I hope to see you there to help us celebrate.

Final Assembly

Our final assembly will be at 1:00pm Wednesday 19 December in the school hall.  During this assembly we will farewell our Year 6 children and send them on their way to secondary school.  The car park will be closed after recess and you will need to park out in the surrounding streets.  We will dismiss all children from the hall and therefore do not want cars and children in the same area.  The entry gate will remain closed until all families exit the car park area.

Farewell Anne

Anne Price, Deputy Principal is retiring at the end of the year after 41 years in education.  Last week Queen of Peace hosted an event to celebrate this momentous occasion which was also attended by many of Anne's former colleagues and friends.  The room was beautifully decorated with portraits of Anne drawn by students.  Leon Colla and Sally Marr joined me in sharing Anne's career highlights, achievements and funny anecdotes.  The evening ended with the presentation of a unique gift to Anne, befitting her dedication.  

Important Dates for 2019

The dates for school beginning next year are as follows:

Prep classes:  Thursday 31 January 9am – 1pm & Friday 2 February 9am – 1pm

Years 1-6:         Classes begin on Friday 1 February

Term 1:             Friday 1  February – Friday 5 April

Term 2:             Tuesday 23 April – Friday 28 June

Term 3:             Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September

Term 4:             Monday 7 October – Wednesday 18 December

We can also confirm a Pupil Free Day on Monday 25 February for Staff Professional Learning.

This year, as we experience the waiting time of Advent, may we take stock of our lives, of the year that’s been and of the challenges ahead.  As we await the coming of Jesus at Christmas, we pray:

Loving God, help us to cut through the commercialism

that surrounds us to the heart of Christmas.

Help us to have the courage to

- do less shopping and more stopping to be grateful for what we have.

- to acquire less and enquire more as to how others are feeling.

- to give less attention to what is wanted

and more to what is truly and deeply needed.

Loving God, may our hearts be filled with Your joy, peace and love

at Christmas and in the coming year.

God bless our families and loved ones.

- Amen.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing everyone at the beginning of next year when we can welcome our new teachers, students and families  to our school community.

Warm regards

Darren Gibbons - Principal