From The Principal

Dear parents, families and friends,

This weekend we begin the season of Advent. It comprises the four Sundays before Christmas to allow us to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. In the Catholic Church, Christmas is not as big as Easter and so that is why Advent is four weeks and Lent is 6 weeks. Advent, like Lent is symbolised by the colour purple and allows us to prepare ourselves, our hearts and spirit to receive Jesus at Christmas. Advent is a time for us to pray to God, not just for ourselves, but also for the lonely, the poor and needy and for peace in our world. We remember that Jesus was born in poverty. Jesus was born to bring peace to the world and to free people from sin. Traditionally this is the weekend to set up the Christmas Tree and decorate the house with lights other Christmas decorations. In churches you will see the colour purple and the Advent Wreath. You will also begin to see cribs or nativity scenes (minus the baby Jesus) being set up in promenant places in the church. The nativity tells the story of God's love for the world made real through the gift of His son Jesus. The characters represented in the story and scenes tell us that Jesus came into the wolrd for all people, kings and shepherds, rich and poor, young and old. Just as the people of the Old Testament waited for the fulfillment of God's promise to send a saviour, we wait with anticipation and excitement for the celebration of Christmas. We wait for Christmas Eve and the arrival of Santa at some point during the night. We wait for Christmas morning and the presents under the tree. We wait for Christmas Lunch with our family and friends and all the laughs and good times. Advent and Christmas are truly magical times. They are times to be enjoyed, cherished and celebrated, but most of all it is a time to remember others, especially the poor and needy, and to act like Jesus to bring peace and love into our world.

One way we can think of others is to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. Each classroom has a basket for donations. Thank you to all families who have already given items of food for those in need.

As we near the end of term with only a few weeks to go, there are a number of events and updates I would like to provide details about for you.

Staffing Update

Miss Isabelle Maher has accepted a position at Sacred Heart, Newport. This is a career move for Isabelle as she wants to experience different schools and opportunities. We thank Isabelle for her time with us from her final teaching placement as a Preservice Teacher until now, especially her time this year as our P.E Specialist Teacher. Isabelle will be missed. Her calm, gentle and friendly nature as well as her hard work ethic will be a great addition to her new school. We wish her all the very best in her teaching career for the years to come. We are currently advertising for a Year 3/4 teaching position, which we hope to fill by Step Up Day.

Step-Up Day

Tuesday 10th December from 9.00am to 11.00am is our Step-Up Day. We ask that all students arrive on time. The Preps for 2025 will complete their final orientation session on this day and we will also welcome many new students across the other grade levels.

Class Groupings 2025

The teachers have been working very hard over the past few weeks to create the class lists for 2025. It is not an easy task at all as we try to create even classes with a balance of genders, friendships, learning needs and requests for pairings or separations. Once finalised, the class lists will not be changed, especially after Step-Up Day. I thank all students and parents for their input with this process.

School Picnic

This year, our annual end of year school fun day will be a School Picnic. It will be held at Yarraville Gardens from 9.30am to 2.00pm approximately. We are seeking parent volunteers to help out, especially with cooking the sausage sizzle lunch. Families are welcome to attend. Please see the Operoo notice for details.

Christmas Carols by Daylight

This year our Christmas Carols will be held during the day on Tuesday 17th December from 1.30pm until about 3.00pm. This will be a lower key event due to the effort and time that went into our school concert earlier this year. All families are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend.

To celebrate the last day of the term along with our Christmas Carols, all students can wear casual clothes with a Christmas theme - red, gold, green and white. Tinsel, santa hats, reindeer headbands and stars are also highly encourage, as well as Christmas tops.

End of Term 4

The last day of term is Tuesday 17th December with dismissal be at the normal time of 3.15pm. Following the Christmas Carols, all students, staff and families will line up to form a guard of honour for our Graduating Class of Year 6 Students of 2024. The guard of honour will extend from the hall doors and across the senior yard to the gate at Birmingham Street.

Year 3/4 Camp

Earlier this week I attended the Year 3/4 Camp at Portsea on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We had 3 full on, busy and exhausting days participating in a number of activities such as the Giant Swing, High Ropes and Raft Building. The giant slide was also a big hit. For most of the students, I think the highlight was the opportunity to swim and play in the waves. A big thank you to Mrs Witchell, Miss Maher for all the preparation and organisation that went into ensuring that the camp ran smoothly and safely. It is no easy task to organise 47 students, including morning, day time and night time medications as well as dietary needs. Thank you also to Miss Jess and Mr Pearce for all their assistance on camp as well. In all, a very successful and fantastic camp.

Confirmation

On Saturday 23rd November many of our Year 6 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Martin Ashe confirmed the students in a beautiful, reverenent and spirit filled liturgical celebration. We witnessed their commitment to the Catholic Faith and their anointing by the Holy Spirit. Their Confirmation completes the initiation of these candidates into the Catholic Faith. They are now full members of the Catholic Church. We now pray that the gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed on these young people on Saturday will grow and develop in them as they continue to walk in the footsteps and light of Christ, becoming witnesses to the Gospel in today’s world.

Each candidate took the name of a saint as their confirmation name. This name is not recorded on any official documents besides their confirmation card and the register here in the parish. By taking the name of a saint who inspires them the candidates will try to live their lives following the example and footsteps of these saints who themselves stood as witness to the Gospel of Christ. It also means that they have a special friend in heaven that will guide them and pray for them the rest of their lives. Thank you to the Year 5/6 teachers; Miss Marissa, Miss Jones and Ms Danni for their work in preparing the students. Thank you also to Mrs Witchell for the preparation work needed for the successful celebration of this Sacrament. This was her last major official duty as Religious Education Leader of St. Augustine's.

Upcoming Events:

Monday 2nd December, 6pm - 7pm: Music Lessons Concert, Hall

Tuesday 3rd December, 9am - 11am: Prep Orientation Three

Wednesday 4th to Friday 6th December: Year 5/6 Camp at Phillip Island

Friday 6th December, 6.30pm - Parent Farewell and Thank you Drinks for Loretta and Michele

Tuesday 10th December, 9am -11am Step Up Day including Prep Orientation Four

Tuesday 10th December, 6pm: Parent Committee End of Year Celebration - Drinks and Nibbles

Wednesday 11th December: Year 6 Big Day Out at Funfields

Friday 13th December: End of Year School Picnic at Yarraville Gardens

Monday 16th December, 6pm: Year 6 2024 Graduation Ceremony and Dinner

Tuesday 17th December, 9.30am: Whole School End of Year Mass

Tuesday 17th December, 1.30pm: Christmas Carols by Daylight

Tuesday 17th December, 3.15pm: End of School Year Dismissal

All of this plus finalising reports, completing all learning and teaching to meet curriculum outcomes and having a little bit of fun. It can be seen how busy the next few weeks will be, and you would be correct in thinking; how will they fit all this in?

I will be attending the Year 5/6 camp this week from Wednesday to Friday. Hopefully the weather will be nice, especially when we go to see the Penguin Parade!!

There is only one more newsletter remaining until the end of the year!

Kind regards,

Matt