Dear Parents and Carers,

Christ, come into our world of darkness
Light up our lives with your coming.
Fulfil all our longings with the joy of your birth
Strengthen our resolve to work for change in our world
And to share the hope of your birth that each Advent brings.
Amen.

“Are we there yet?” This is a question we have probably heard, and probably asked, multiple times throughout our lives. It is a question that frequently comes up in a journey, like the kids in the backseat wondering when they would finally arrive at Grandma’s house for a holiday gathering. And it is a question that we may be tempted to ask during the Advent season upon which we are embarking today.

As we approach the beginning of Advent this Sunday, many people have already jumped right into the Christmas season, setting up their homes with decorations and already making plans for family gatherings. But, with this Advent season, we are being reminded that we’re not there yet. This season of Advent, this beginning of the Church’s new liturgical year, is an opportunity for us to take the time to enjoy the journey. To proceed a little more slowly and intentionally towards Christmas – to notice what God is doing in our lives, and in the world around us, to help us be better prepared to welcome Jesus anew.

So, we may not be “there” yet, but, even now, Jesus is here, with us, as we begin this journey through Advent.

Congratulations

Our school congratulates Miss Hannah Witheridge, one of our Kindergarten teachers, on receiving the Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award as part of the Catholic Education Wollongong's Lighting the Way Awards. This is an award for a teacher of 1-5 years of graduate experience who has demonstrated an excellent standard of classroom practice that has resulted in evidenced growth in faith and learning for students over the previous 12-month period. Part of the nomination for Hannah stated: "Hannah is thorough in all aspects of classroom preparation, from explicit modelling to programming and behaviour management. Hannah is an outstanding Early Careers Teacher who, in a short period of time, has achieved so much in service to others, where learning, teaching and community is at the heart of all she does." This is a wonderful acknowledgement of Hannah's dedication to her work and we are so proud of her. 

End of year for students

Please note that the last day for students will now be Friday 16 December which brings our school in line with other local schools. Our office will remain open on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 December. Aspire will be taking bookings for vacation care from 19 December. We apologise for any inconvenience that this change of date may cause.

Parent Survey

Parents are invited to complete an anonymous survey which seeks your input into areas affecting the education of your children and the general functioning of the school. Results will assist the school in the preparation of the Annual School Report as well as strategic planning. A link to the survey can be found here.

Cyclic Review

Earlier this term, our school was prepared for its Cyclic Review that is conducted by the Catholic Education Office. It is a review of the school's strategic planning and to assist in setting future planning goals. These reviews are normally held every five years, however due to the interruption of the pandemic, it has been six years since St John's last review.

As part of this review, a panel was due to visit our  school to engage in conversations with staff about the goals we have been working toward, with a specific focus on Religious Education and faith development, learning, pastoral care and well-being. This visit had to be postponed and will now be held on Tuesday 6 December. The panel would like to engage with a small group of parents between 12.30-1.00pm. Please let the office know if you would like to be a part of this process.

P & F Meeting 

The next meeting for the P & F will take place on Monday 5 December at 7.00pm in the Tiered Learning Space. All are welcome.

Wishing you a safe and rewarding week ahead.

Paul Moroney

Principal

THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING LITURGY

At our Monday morning assembly, Year 3 led the school community in a special prayer commemorating the Feast of Christ the King.

Congratulations to the students who read prayers and scripture passages so clearly. The crowns created by the students were very impressive, to assist in highlighting this special feast. 

During the liturgy it was mentioned how Jesus shows us that you do not have to be rich or powerful to be important. He shows us that what is more important is how you treat others. What we do and say is much more important than whether we are rich or poor or where we come from. Thank you to the Year 3 teachers and students for sharing this important message.

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

On Monday, 21 November, we had our first Kindergarten Orientation day. Many of our 2023 Kindergarten students were able to attend at different stages throughout the day. Understandably there were some nervous students and parents at the school gate. But once inside, the teachers and SSO’s were all very impressed with the children and how they interacted with each other. We look forward to next Monday for another orientation day.

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

The Season of Advent begins on Sunday, 27 November.

 Advent means “coming” – the coming of God among us; but the season of Advent is not merely a preparation to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem. This is there, but only as a minor theme. 

Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us, in three ways; in the past, in the present and in the future. The Lord Jesus is with us now, but in another sense he is yet to come, in his fullness, as the God of power, truth, justice and peace for all people. He will come to judge our response, yet we look forward to his return in glory, the final manifestation of God’s covenant of love with his creation, with joy.

Our reflection and prayer during this season should be hopeful – concentrating more on the future than on the past, and on how we can make that future present now. For the Christian, thinking of the future involves not only hope but enthusiasm, looking forward eagerly to Christ’s return. It also means patience as we wait and watch. It implies readiness to change as needs be, preparing the way for the Lord, responding to his initiative of love.

Happy Birthday to the following students and staff who are

celebrating their birthday this week  ,

 20th November - 26th November

Week 6 - Awards: PRIMARY 

Please provide consent via your Compass portal for your child to attend The 2022 Annual Swimming
Carnival on Friday 9 December at the Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre (Bradbury Pools), The
Parkway, Bradbury.  The carnival will run from approximately 9.30am to 12.00pm
* The competitive races will be for students who are confident swimmers and have squad training
experience.  If you wish to nominate your child you will need to fill in a form at the office or request a
form is sent home.  Races start at the deep end and students will dive into the pool.  Children will be
selected from this carnival to compete in the Primary Western Region Swimming Carnival 2023. 
Children will compete in the age they turn in 2023.
* Nominations for competitive races close on Tuesday 29 November
* Non competitive students will participate in novelty events in their age group.  Students will use
the 25m and shallow pool.  Competitive students will join the novelty events once ALL their races are
completed.

* Children without consent will NOT be able to attend the carnival. Consent is required via Compass
by Monday 5 December

Year 6 Farewell - Important information

In year 2, We have been learning how to make a shield. Ben, Archie and Andrew made a traditional Aboriginal Shield using the bark from a sacred eucalyptus grey gum tree. They used a shell and stone to scrap away the excess bark and shaped it with the stone. Then they measured where the handle needed to be placed. They looked at different types of designs and the meanings of symbols. Ben chose to use a mountain design because “it tells people who are in my family”, Ben is a proud a Gamilaroi boy. They used orange ochre and black charcoal to paint Ben’s shield.

The next P & F meeting is on Monday 5th December at 7pm in the tired learning space. All are welcome.