One of the highlights this year has been the introduction of Student Reporters. We are looking forward to adding new members to the team in 2021. If you are an interested student writer, please see Ms Jenkin in the library. Well done to Jasmine Hastings, Holly Fowler, and Grace Villinger on your work this year for the newsletter. You have been and are amazing!

The beginning of jingle

By Grace Villinger

Christmas was traditionally a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, but in the early 20th century, it also became a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike. The secular holiday is often devoid of Christian elements, with the mythical figure Santa Claus playing the pivotal role.

Christmas (or Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an octave.

Traditions:

Carols by Candlelight - Popularized in Melbourne in 1938 by radio announcer Norman Banks, the annual Australian tradition.

Myer Christmas Windows - One city-specific tradition are the Myer Christmas Windows. Since 1956, Melbournians have queued to see them.

Adelaide Christmas Pageant - Each November since 1933 the Adelaide Christmas Pageant has been held in South Australia.

Chocolate Calendars - In the lead up to Christmas, Australian’s count the days using a chocolate advent calendar.

In conclusion Christmas is a great holiday and the history is very interesting to learn. I highly recommend watching carols by candlelight and looking at the Myer Christmas windows. (they might not be displayed this year due to COVID). In general Christmas is a great time to spend time with family and be together.

GIFTING CHRISTMAS

By Jasmine Hastings

Merry Christmas, it is definitely not a normal year but like every year Christmas has arrived and its time to celebrate. Everyone knows that Christmas is fun, family food and of course gifts! Sometimes choosing the right gift for a family member or friend can be difficult especially with a budget. So, I am going to give you some ideas on presents to give to people based on their personality and hobbies.

Person 1:

If the person your buying a gift for is still in school and is someone who likes to be organised, then an amazing idea for a gift would be a planner like a diary or a white/cork/black board to hang in there room. Good places to get this from is Typo, Kiki. K and Officeworks.

Person 2:

So if the person you would like to by a gift for is an artsy sort of person the best thing you could get for them of course is a new sketchbook or some fancy pencils. Another amazing idea that all artists need is a mouldable eraser.

Person 3:

Star Wars, Avengers and other big movie franchise can be good if your person likes them. You can buy merchandising and then they will have an object that also shows a movie, singer or game that they particularly like.

Person 4:

Moving into a new place can be a stressful time and often you forget the little things so if the person your buying a gift for just moved into a new place, then buying them some coasters or small pot plants would be a great idea.

Person 5:

If you are buying for a female adult such as your Mother or Aunty, I suggest a scented candle or a bath bomb. Some store ideas would be dusk, lush and the body shop.

I hope these have given you some ideas on what to get certain people for Christmas. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I cannot wait to continue writing articles next year!

CODING FUN

TEAM SPHERO OBSTACLE RACE