Dear Families,

Advent

Yesterday as part of our Professional Learning program for teachers, our Religious Education Leader Kathy Toomey and Fr Michael presented to staff for us to learn more about Advent. Advent marks the beginning of the new Church year, Year C, where we hear from Luke’s gospel. Fr Michael provided a very engaging and interesting summary of Luke’s gospel stating that it is many people’s favourite gospel due to the rich stories and parables that are shared.

Luke champions the disadvantaged and poor and provides a greater emphasis on the role of women compared to the other gospels. Luke also places Mary as a key figure during the Christmas story.

During Advent we prepare for the birth of Jesus. In classes students will be invited to participate in prayers with an Advent wreath, candles and purple prayer cloth. They will also have an Advent calendar with windows to open, which will reveal each day a part of the Christmas story accompanied by a simple positive action to carry out for the day.

Given Luke champions the marginalised, it is fitting that again this year we collect for those in need through the St Vincent De Paul effort to create hampers. Information about this effort can be found in the Education in Faith section of this newsletter. Please assist us to make a difference in the lives of others this Advent season.

Sacramental Dates for 2022

Fr Michael, Kathy Toomey and the three Principals from our parish, met to organise key dates for the Sacramental program and other liturgy dates for 2022. These will be shared with families very shortly.

Swimming Lesson

Junior classes continue their swimming lessons which appear to be going well. Each student has the opportunity to participate in six lessons.

2022 Prep Transition

Over the past month we have had the 2022 Prep Orientation session and three Wednesday morning transition sessions. It has been wonderful to meet these very excited young ones and we are looking forward to them starting their journey with us next year.

Student Wellbeing

Lindy Chaplin-Holmes, our Student Wellbeing Leader, applied for and received a grant from Nillumbik Council to promote the ‘16 Days of Activism’ within the school. In the Wellbeing section of the newsletter Lindy outlines how we are attending to this from next week and how we are promoting respect through the relevant learning activities.

The popular SWELL Art sessions have resumed and there are some swell photos (pun intended!) on the Wellbeing page. Thanks to Jen Kernaghan and Faith Bell for working with our students to provide them with this opportunity.

School Fees

Thank you to all families that have attended to their 2021 school fees. If your school fees are currently in arrears, please contact Liz in our office to discuss payment options. Should you be experiencing financial difficulty at this time please do not hesitate to contact me directly. The 2022 School Fee Commitment Forms will be sent next week and we would ask that they are returned by December 10th.

Warm regards

Patrick Green

Please refer to our School google calendar for events throughout the year.

Links

CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS

Wonderful Reading and Writing tasks in 3/4ES

3/4ES Spelling outdoors this week