Courage, Faith, Love

Dear St Agatha’s Community,

I am delighted to share some wonderful highlights and exciting plans as we begin to close out 2024 and start to look forward to a bright start to 2025.

Congratulations on a Spectacular Production!

Our recent school production of 'Aladdin Trouble Jnr' was an incredible success, and I am beyond proud of our talented students who brought this story to life with such energy and joy! A huge thank you goes to our dedicated staff who made this possible: Mr. Block for his exceptional leadership in coordinating the production, along with our creative specialist teachers—Mr. Brendon Browne, Miss Hyde, Mrs. Korkak, Sensei Ashcroft, and Sensei Andrews— as well as all the teachers, LSOs and admin, who all devoted many hours to ensure a memorable show for all. Your hard work and passion are truly appreciated!

Welcoming our 2025 Foundation Students

As we look forward to the 2025 school year, we are thrilled to welcome our new Foundation students through our orientation program. It has been wonderful to see their excitement as they explore their new learning environment and meet their teachers and peers.

I am also pleased to announce our dedicated Foundation team for 2025: Mr. Brendon Browne, Miss Casey Thompson, Mrs. Priscilla Maddelena, and Miss Rebecca Woods. These educators are passionate about early learning, and I have no doubt they will create a nurturing and inspiring environment for our youngest learners.

New Start Dates for 2025 School Year

To support a smooth transition for our Foundation students amidst ongoing building works, we have scheduled a staggered start for the 2025 school year. Foundation and Year 6 students will begin on Thursday, 30th January. This will provide an opportunity for Foundation students to settle into their new surroundings and enjoy the dedicated support of our Year 6 leaders, who will serve as their buddies. The entire school will then commence on Friday, 31st January. We are confident this plan will support a positive start to the new school year for all students.

Cybersafety: A Growing Concern

In today’s world, technology is a wonderful tool for learning and connection. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the potential risks, especially with children having access to technology in their bedrooms. We urge families to prioritize cybersafety by setting clear boundaries for technology use at home, including creating tech-free zones, monitoring online activity, and having open discussions about the importance of online safety. Together, we can foster a safe, supportive digital environment for our children.

Advent Season Celebrations

As we approach the end of the term, we look forward to celebrating the Advent season together as a school community. Through a series of special liturgies, we will gather in anticipation of the joyous birth of Jesus, embracing the spirit of peace, hope, and love that this season brings.

Thank you all for your continued support, enthusiasm, and dedication to our school community.

Prayer of Love and Compassion

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, humbled by the commandment You have given us: to love one another, just as You have loved us.

Help us to see each person with the compassion, kindness, and understanding that You see. Teach us to embrace our neighbors without judgment, to offer forgiveness freely, and to extend a helping hand to those in need. Fill our hearts with Your love so that we may be a source of comfort, encouragement, and peace to everyone we encounter.

Guide our thoughts, words, and actions so that in all we do, we reflect Your love. May we build up each other with patience and respect, bringing light to those who are struggling and strength to those who feel weary.

Lord, we ask that You deepen our capacity to love, even in difficult moments. May we be quick to listen, slow to anger, and always open to understanding. Let our lives be a living testimony to Your commandment of love, inspiring others to know You and to walk in Your ways.

We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Warm regards,

Michelle Bruitzman

VillageOSCH News