School News
Upcoming Dates, RE News, Library News & Important Updates
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please click here to access our school calendar to view all important upcoming dates. St Edward's Parent Calendar can also be accessed via your Compass Portal. From the Compass app you can access the calendar from the calendar symbol at the bottom of the screen. If you are accessing Compass via a browser the calendar symbol is on the top left.
R.E. NEWS
A Prayer for Advent
God of Love, Your son, Jesus,
is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior,
Amen
Advent
Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time.
This Sunday, 27th November, is the First Sunday of Advent. We light the first purple candle, typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This first candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Please enjoy this 2 minute clip as a family, exploring the meaning of Advent and some practical things you can do to prepare for the coming of Christ.
St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal
The St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal has begun! Our Mini Vinnies groups will oversee the collection and sorting of items. We ask all students and families to donate non-perishable food items that can be put into a Christmas Hamper to help those families who are struggling. Some suggestions from the St. Vincent de Paul Society are basic items such as noodles, cereals, biscuits, muesli bars, tea, coffee, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner etc. In addition to these items, they are hoping for some items to help people in need celebrate Christmas, such as chocolates, lollies, soft drink, christmas puddings etc. Thank you in advance for supporting this worthy cause, helping out local families in need. Donations can be made to the class teachers or at either School Office. Our aim is for each grade to donate a hamper.
School and Parish Fundraiser
Our School and Parish Christmas fundraising project is for the benefit of an orphanage in a parish in Myanmar and for the education and livelihood program of two Nigerian women in Nigeria. Each class has a collection jar to place donations in. This money will be collected and counted on Thursday 15th December. If you can spare any change for this worthy cause, it would be very much appreciated!
Family Mass - Sunday 4th December
Our final Family Mass for the Year is on Sunday 4th December. Students from Years 1 & 4 will be asked to take part in the readings, procession of the gifts and to provide morning tea. Mass will begin at 9.00am at Mary Help of Christians Church. We hope to see you there.
Altar Servers
Fr Paul has asked us to reach out to any students who are interested in becoming an Altar Server at weekend Masses. Students will be trained, and once training is complete, will be added to the Altar Serving Roster.
If your child is interested in training to be an Altar Server for Mass, please contact Mrs Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
A note regarding details of the training will be sent home once we have a group of students.
Christmas Pageant/Nativity Play
Father Paul is currently looking for students to be involved in the Christmas Pageant/ Nativity Play at the 6.00pm Children's Mass on Christmas Eve. If your child is interested in being a part of this play, please email the Parish, with your child’s name, your name and a contact phone number - southtamworthparish@armidale.catholic.org.au
Advanced Notice:
The Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held on Thursday 15th December at 10.00am. The Mass will be at Mary Help of Christians Church. Parents of the graduating class are invited to attend. The students will be presented with their Graduation Certificate at the end of Mass.
LIBRARY NEWS
Lego Challenge at Infants
Last week there was a 'Build a Robot' Challenge in the Infants Library at recess. There were many participants, but our winners were:
Ella Brewer and Ella Parry from Year 1.
Their robot was designed to help protect the environment and look after the animals. Congratulations, girls!
End of Year Borrowing Dates
Please note home borrowing will cease at the end of Week 8. It would be very helpful for the library organisation if all books from home could be returned to the campus libraries by then. Thank you to all families who have supported their child with returning their overdue books. Further overdue book notices will be shared in a couple of weeks.
1000 Books Before School will also wrap up in Week 8, and all bags will need to be returned to the Infant's Campus Office. Thank you to those families who have participated. It has been a great success!
Inspired Learners Year 3 and 4 wrap up
Years 3 and 4 Inspired Learners had their Expo opportunity this week, to show their teachers and classes what they have been learning. It has been an interesting semester with many absences, especially in term 3 with sickness, but the students rallied and did a great job.
The purpose of our small Expos is to give our students the opportunity to share the new knowledge they have discovered through their research with their class. An audience is an important part of learning new speaking skills and to be able to formulate thoughts and thinking.
Congratulations Years 3 and 4.
Library at Break Times
The Library is open to our students before school, recess and lunch. There is always, reading in every break and before school, various clubs at recess, and reading and drawing at recess and lunch. Borrowing is available all the time during the day and is strongly encouraged during break time.
The clubs include:
Early Bird Reading Club: from 8.15am every day when each campus is open.
Monday: Lego Club - Primary
Tuesday: Games Club - Primary
Wednesday: Lego Club or Craft Club
Thursday: Lego Club - Infants
Friday: Lego Club - Infants
Encourage your child to be a part of our busy, happy, vibrant library community by occasionally joining in with any or all of these activities. Please see below the days the library is open on each campus.
What day is the library open on each campus?
Primary: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week.
Infants: Thursday and Friday every week.
Both campuses are open:
From 8.15am for Early Bird reading and sticker collecting; and Recess and Lunch in playtime for reading, drawing and various clubs.
See you in the Library,
Mrs Annie
K-6 Teacher Librarian
SCHOOL TV
Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.
SchoolTV addresses this as an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.
Check out the resources on our school website