Dear Parents and Carers,

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'

Amen.

This Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season, a significant period of time in the church's calendar. Advent means a period of waiting and preparations. Waiting can give us the opportunity to see and hear and feel things we’re often too busy to notice. And while we wait, we may see other waiting people, pensioners, parents, disabled people, teenagers, young children, and notice the look in their eyes, the joy, the pain, the hope, the despair; we may see beautiful things, ugly things; we may hear a kind word, a cruel word, a baby’s cry, a shout of rage, a snatch of music… Such experiences are all part of the Advent journey.

The scripture readings of Advent invite us to recall our faith history, to hear of the expectant people of Israel, waiting in joyful hope for the coming of a saviour. Seeing what is happening in our world today, we realise that we have a very real need of a Saviour. So words like waiting, yearning, hoping, longing, listening, praying, and staying awake are Advent words. Through them, we enter into the hope-filled atmosphere of the Advent season. I pray that you and your family enjoy a peaceful and joyous Advent season.

Paul Moroney

Principal

KINDERGARTEN & ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE ENGAGE IN KINDNESS

Yesterday students from Year 8 at St Patrick’s College came to visit Kindergarten.

They spoke about KINDNESS and participated in several activities which reminded us the importance of being KIND.

All it takes is one kind word or a beautiful smile to make a difference.

It is so easy to be kind. Thank you to the students and teachers for their participation in highlighting this important message.

 

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Congratulations to our Year 2 students who will make their First Reconciliation tonight. They have been busy participating in the sacramental program and have shown they are ready to receive the grace of God through this sacrament.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION LITURGY & CELEBRATIONS

The Year 6 Graduation Celebrations will begin next week. We look forward to celebrating this milestone of completing Primary Education with our Year 6 students, their parents and teachers.

Our Year 6 students will celebrate their graduation with dinner at the Campbelltown Catholic Club on Tuesday, 5 December. This evening will be a special occasion to celebrate the achievements of our graduating Year 6 students. It will be an opportunity for teachers and students to come together and reflect on the growth and accomplishments of the past academic year. We are looking forward to an enjoyable and memorable night for the children.

On Friday, 8 December, we gather together to celebrate a liturgy for our graduating students for 2023. We look forward to the presence of our school community at this joyous occasion as we congratulate our Year 6 students and wish them success in their future endeavours. They have provided a wonderful example throughout the year and taken on their role of student leaders with a high level of commitment and responsibility. They will leave behind a myriad of memories, laughs, cultural talents and academic achievements. We wish them all every success when they move onto high school in 2024.

ANNUAL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

On Friday, 24 November, our school dove into an ocean of excitement and enthusiasm at the annual swimming carnival held at The Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre, Bradbury. The event was a resounding success, bringing together students from Years 3 to 6 for a day filled with spirited competition and of course, lots of fun in the water! The annual swimming carnival was a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their swimming talents, build teamwork skills, and create lasting memories with their peers. 

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended to cheer on our students. Your presence and encouragement contributed to the positive and uplifting atmosphere of the day.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mrs Sinfeld, Miss Davidson, Mrs Walker, our parent volunteers and teachers for their planning and participation in a successful day.

The winning house and age champions will be announced at the morning assembly this Monday, 4 December.

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. 

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

Today we held our second Kindergarten Orientation day. Many of our 2024 Kindergarten students were able to attend. 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 continuing this significant program for our community next Wednesday. 

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

The Season of Advent begins this Sunday, 3 December.

 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  26th November - 2nd December

Welcoming

KB  - Adelina L - for being a friendly, welcoming face to all who visit Kinder Blue.

1B- Lincoln S - For welcoming others each morning with a friendly smile and greeting.

2B - Stefan G - For being inclusive of his peers on the playground and in the classroom.

3B - Georgia S -  for being a friendly face to all who enter 3 Blue.

4B - Ethan D - For always being a friendly and welcoming student to others.

5B - Stella B - For welcoming our Kindergarten students with a friendly smile all the time.

Week 7 - Awards: INFANTS

After a few delays, the donations for St Peter's School, Felefa arrived safely in Samoa this week. Father Feleki is in Samoa at the moment and was able to organise the transportation and distribution of furniture and teaching resources to the school. Without a doubt, the most popular with the students was the sporting equipment which was purchased with money raised by St John's at the Hoodie/Oodie fundraiser in Term 3 this year.

Any families who know that they will be leaving St John's at the end of the year (except for year 6) can you please notify the school as soon as possible. We do have an exit form that will need to be filled in

Thank you in advance