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Dear Parents and Carers,
On Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent, the “Sunday of Hope” in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, through whom God has promised to save and redeem His people. Advent signals for all of us, that Christmas is just around the corner. If my loaded letterbox and email inbox is any indication, our consumer society places a great deal of effort on doing everything possible to keep our attention away from the true meaning of Christmas and instead, firmly fixed on our wallets and on spending.
When we reflect on the Christmas story it was the Three Wise Men who seemed to have grasped the true understanding of the Christmas event. They spent many weeks in anticipation as they travelled from their homeland to Bethlehem.
When they arrived, their purpose was to honour the newborn child and, out of courtesy they each brought a gift. Last week a representative from the St Vincent de Paul Society needed to make two trips to transport the huge amount of donations collected by our community through the Mini Vinnies Christmas Appeal. We are grateful to all members of our community for your generosity and for sharing the true message of Christmas to the members of our wider community who are in desperate need of the gifts of compassion and care.
Although we have the opportunity for a period of anticipation during the season of Advent we do in fact live our own lives in a constant Advent state. We are continuously waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfil, to hope, to struggle and to overcome fear. Advent invites us to prepare for the commemoration of God’s coming by taking time to have a closer look inside ourselves away from the busy outside. This looking inside is not about remorse or regret, nor about listing ways life over the past year could have been different; it’s not about wishing we were better people. It’s about forward movement, getting new bearings, relying more on God for directions. It’s about a fresh start.
As we embark upon our 2021 Advent journey, may we all be open to the opportunity for a fresh start and to allowing God’s grace to guide us and work within our lives.
Enjoy your week and be watchful for opportunities to live out the messages of Christ’s way and life.
Tina Murray
Principal
Congratulations are extended to Mr Chris McInerney who has been appointed as 3-point co-ordinator at John the Baptist Primary School, Bonnyrigg. Chris will leave a wonderful legacy at Mary Immaculate through the contribution he has made to building of the collective capacity of staff to support the diverse learning needs of our students. The John the Baptist community will be greatly blessed by Chris’ contributions, and I know Chris will embrace the opportunities for personal and professional growth in a new school community.
We wish Mrs Alyssa Galvez-Salonga every blessing as she prepares to welcome her third child in January.
Further announcements regarding staff changes and appointments will be made as they become available.
HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM
At the end of the week the Parish Sacramental Program for Holy Communion culminates with the reception of the sacrament at four masses. We thank our wonderful priests and the dedicated members of the Parish Sacramental Team which includes members of school staff for their commitment to supporting parents in the faith development of the young members of our parish.
CLOTHING POOL
The Clothing Pool provides a wonderful service for the families in our school.
We wish to thank our Clothing Pool managers, Ni San and Lenni Pasaribu for the management of the Clothing Pool. We are extremely grateful for their commitment to this very important initiative.
Any donations to the Uniform Pool for 2022 will be very gratefully accepted through the Office.
KINDERGARTEN 2022 TRANSITION
This week we complete the Kindergarten 2022 Transition to School program. We would like to thank all families for their cooperation with the COVID guidelines to ensure that we were able to run this program so successfully once again.
Over the last three weeks the children have been involved in a variety of activities to help familiarise them with some of the expectations at Big School. We have talked about the School Rules, read lots of stories, counted, played games, completed some craft activities, as well as spent time getting to know each other.
The children received a Ready, Set, School bag which is provided by the Catholic Education Office containing lots of items to help get them ready for school. We would encourage you to spend some time going through the bag with your children. They also have laminated cards on which to practice their names in readiness for beginning school next year.
I would like to thank the staff who were involved with the Program and who ensured that it ran so smoothly. We look forward to welcoming our new Kindergarten students and their families in 2022.
MRS LILLIAN DEL GIUDICE
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to all the students who have returned their books, well done! ALL BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED THIS WEEK PLEASE. There are still 98 students who need to return their books. If the books cannot be found you can choose to either send in a replacement book or the money to cover a replacement. We ask that you please search at home for any Library books and Classroom readers which might be hiding on shelves, under beds etc. Thank you too to the generous families who have donated spare Library bags.
Remember that holidays are the best time for the children to keep reading. All those lovely books at home on the shelves, books for Christmas, and don’t forget the local Library – if you are you not already members of the Campbelltown Library, it is free to join - just call in to the Eagle Vale Leisure Centre and ask there.
Premiers' Reading Challenge: Congratulations to all the students who will receive their completion certificates this week. Special congratulations to the students who will receive a Gold Award for completing four years in a row, and some who will receive a Platinum Award for seven continuous years – fantastic commitment to their reading. This year was very different but we still had 94 students who were able to complete the challenge. Let’s hope we have a few more next year!
Have a good Christmas break, and as the end of year draws nearer, and our lives become even busier, try to remember how important it is to take at least ten minutes a day to read with your children – they learn from you the importance of reading in their lives.
"I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers. To become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage."
Roald Dahl
Mrs Susan Bryant
Teacher Librarian
Did you know that the word Advent means ‘a coming, approach or arrival?'
This week is the first week of Advent. Advent actually begins our Church’s liturgical year and prepares us to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It gives us a time to reflect and rejoice in the coming of Christ who was promised by the Father.
Year 3 are eager to share how we can prepare for the coming of Christ.
Kara’s Advent Poem
At the church
Dazzling light of candles
Very important season
Excited for the coming of Christ
Nativity is set up
Time to wait
Adam
The Advent wreath is a way that we can prepare for the coming of Christ. It helps us track the weeks of Advent. It represents the four Sundays of Advent.
Isaiah
During Advent, people await the coming of Christ. We are trying to be kind to one another in 3 Green. We have been looking for acts of kindness and have named these ‘Good News Stories’. Kids being reunited after lockdown. Learning new things at school, meeting new friends and playing new and enjoyable games.
Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, grants us the light and strength needed to journey through this Advent season, so as to always be prepared to encounter You.
FEAST OF MARY IMMACULATE
8 December 2021
Next Wednesday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We will be celebrating this special day by participating in a class liturgy and participating in a range of fun learning activities. The P & F will also be giving each child in the school an ice block.
Students will be able to wear Christmas themed clothing on the day to ensure it is extra special!
If you have NOT submitted a Request to Pay School Fees by Instalments please complete one and return it to the School Office as soon as possible. Please note we do not accept Direct Debits anymore.
If you have previously completed a Request to Pay School Fees by Instalments YOU DO NOT have to complete it again.
If you DO NOT complete a Request to Pay School Fees by Instalments your School Fees for 2022 will be due in FULL 28 days after you receive a 2022 School Fee Statement.