The Christmas decorations are starting to appear, carols are playing softly in the shops, and there's a buzz of excitement in the air. But before we get swept up in the festivities, the Catholic Church invites us to pause and enter into the season of Advent with a sense of patience and holy preparation.

Maybe you could consider some simple ways to bring the spirit of Advent into your family life:

• Have an Advent wreath positioned as a focal point in the home.
• Considering acts of kindness - donating to charity, reaching out to someone who is lonely
• Sharing the story of Jesus' birth
• Finding moments of peace
• Preparing for an eco-friendly Christmas as a way of being stewards of God's creation

Blessing and Opening of new facilities

As we received Federal Government funding for the recent construction of a new canteen and new student toilets, we are required to have an official acknowledgement of this project. This is scheduled to take place next Tuesday 10 December at 10.00am. Dr Mike Freelander, the Federal Member for Macarthur will be in attendance, along with Bishop Brian and Mr Peter Hill, our Director of Schools. Parents and carers are very welcome to join the invited guests, staff and students under the COLA for this event.

As it is an official event, ALL students are asked to wear their summer school uniform on this day, not the sport uniform.