From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Enjoy this final newsletter for 2018

Happy New Year

Last Sunday we witnessed the beginning of the new liturgical year and the beginning of advent. The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the lead up to the four weeks of Christmas. It is easy to get caught up with the trimmings of Christmas, the present sharing and the decorating of Christmas trees, however the Advent season calls on us to prepare the way for the arrival of the infant Jesus. How do we prepare? By stopping. The lead up to Christmas is often one of the busiest times of the year. It’s when we hit the shops, try to finish off work commitments, involve ourselves in catching up with friends and families. All of this is important but where is there the time to spend in reflection, in prayer and to give thanks for arrival of Christ in our world?

Each week a different candle is lit. The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent. On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

May peace and good will be with you all this Christmas 

Solomon Islands

As mentioned in last week’s edition of the newsletter, 13 students and 4 staff have returned from our annual immersion experience. Below are some of the comments that have emerged as students reflect on their experience:

.. my host family don't realise how much of an impact they had on me, I learnt how to live such a simple life. Coming back now and looking around in my room I realise I don't need at least 75% of what's in it. It amazes me how their lives are so happy even with how little they have. My host family were very involved in fundraising events in the town, so when I was there we went to a few events, and it stuns me how much they are willing to give away to help the community, the whole time I was there I kept in mind this year's SPC motto "but what I do have, I give to you" and they really illustrated that. They are also so humble about it. Everyone in the neighbourhood was included in anything, they all help each other when they need help and they do it out of the kindness of their hearts. 

Arizona

I could literally go on all day about how much of an impact this trip had on me and how amazing it was. My host dad is coming to Brisbane in April and I'm planning on bringing him to Melbourne to stay with my family for a while, the relationships that I have made are getting stronger by the day.

I can't thank you enough for how much patience you have had with me, those hurdles almost made me fail but I am so glad I didn't give up. Thank you for all the hard effort you have put into planning this trip and making it amazing.

I am just emailing to say thank you for your work in organising the trip to the Solomon Islands of course also a big thank you to the staff that took us. Our trip in to the Solomon Islands was so, so much fun and I enjoyed every moment of it (apart from maybe the part where we had to leave our lovely host families to go back to Australia). But thank you so much.

From Kaitlyn Tai

Farewell

We say farewell to the following staff who have contributed significantly to St. Peter’s College, whether it was just this year or many years:

Brooke Adams, Yolanda Bonica, Tania Brown, Christine Buhagiar, Christina Burton, Chris Denny, Travis Ernsdoerfer, Melissa Faulkner, Maria Gonsalvez, Caitlyn Jarrett, Taryn Joniec, Amanda Kerr, Amy Lowe, Jimmy Luong, Alex Lyster, Kara Patrick, and Rivonia Pereira (Maternity Leave)

We wish you well wherever your journey takes you beyond the gates of St. Peter’s College. Be assured you will remain in our hearts forever

Mr Chris Black

Principal