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- FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
- LIBRARY NEWS
- VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL
- COUNSELLOR'S CORNER
- PARENT HELPER AFTERNOON TEA INVITATION & RSVP LINK
- P&F HOT DOG DAY
- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION INVITATION & RSVP FOR SAUSAGE SIZZLE
- YEAR 6 FUNDRAISER: Lolly Bags $1
- SCHOOL CALENDAR
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Sunday’s gospel described how Jesus hung on the cross under a sign that read, “This is the King of the Jews”. The Roman soldiers may have meant the label as mockery, but ultimately Christ revealed his kingship through his death on the Cross. This week the church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. This feast concludes the liturgical year and moves us into a period of preparation and waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Understanding the Feast of Christ, the King may be challenging. While we may have some sense of what the concepts of kings or royalty traditionally mean, Christ is King is different from the traditional understandings of royalty. Christ's kingship extends to all places, all people, and all times.
To the people in Jesus’ time, he certainly wasn’t the king they were expecting. The long-awaited Messiah was supposed to free God’s people from the oppressive Romans who had come into the Promised Land and were controlling them. But Jesus was not a military commander. He did not incite rebellion against the Romans. Jesus is King, but not the kind of king imagined or expected. Instead, he preached about love of God and others. In his kingdom, Jesus taught that we care for each other, especially the weak, the outcast, the sick, the sinners and our enemies. He shows us that love requires sacrifice, and that the sacrifice is worth it. He is the revelation of divine love. His kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries, but those who had the eyes of faith were able to see. In the kingdom of God, the king washes the feet of the subjects and expects us to follow that example. This should be the way we look like Jesus.
The Gospel reinforces the great mystery of our faith. In the moment of his crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Saviour of all. The irony is that the inscription placed on the cross, perhaps in mockery, contains the profoundest of truth. As the leader’s jeer, the thief crucified by his side recognises Jesus as Messiah and King and he finds salvation. He asks Jesus to 'remember' him. What does he want Jesus to remember about him? The biblical idea of remembering is about more than remembering where I left my car keys or remembering to call my mother on her birthday. When we remember someone in the culture of the Bible, we do so to act on their behalf and to their benefit. When I want you to remember, it means that I want you to do something for me too! The good thief on the cross wants Jesus to remember him and come to his assistance. Jesus promises that he will, and that he will be welcome that same day in Paradise.
This is a good week to 'remember' someone in this biblical way. To complete this challenge, you need to act on behalf of that person and deliver some blessing into their lives. Write them a letter, give them a call, or send them an email or a text. If appropriate, let them know that when you remembered them you felt God’s Spirit move you to connect with them. Be open to the workings of the Spirit this week in guiding you towards the opportunities to remember others. We pray also for the Year 5 students who are currently discerning their call to servant leadership modelled by Jesus.
We congratulate Jessica Walker who will be joining the staff at St John the Evangelist, Campbelltown and Megan King who will be joining St Francis College Edmondson Park. We are very grateful for their contributions to our school community during 2022 and wish them every blessing as they commence new adventures in 2023.
PARENT SUPPORT REQUESTED
Recently, we have had several incidents involving disrespectful behaviour of students in the school toilets. This has included the wastage of the soap made available for student use and the throwing of toilet rolls into the toilets. I have addressed these concerns with students especially in Year 2 and 3 during visits to individual classrooms and would very much appreciate the support of parents in reinforcing the school expectations around respectful, responsible and safe behaviours at all times. I know these behaviours would not be acceptable at home and have stressed this with the students.
I am very grateful in advance for parental support.
May Christ continue to be our way and life in the week ahead.
Tina Murray
Principal
Over the next two weeks the PB4L focus will be appropriate behaviour in the hall. This will help us to be a respectful and responsible audience for the end of year events. Teachers will discuss and revise these expectations with all of the children. Could you please make time to speak with your children about these expectations.
Assistant Principal
PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
The Parish Sacramental Program is now open for registrations for 2023 and will close on 31 December 2022. You are able to register your child for the sacraments on the parish website.
Points to remember:
Candidates for Reconciliation need to be in Year 3 or above.
Candidates for First Holy Communion need to be in Year 4 or above
Candidates for Confirmation need to be in Year 6 or above.
If you have any questions please contact the Parish Office on 02 4626 3055
Congratulations to 5 Blue, the only class to earn a Gold Star last week, and their third for the year, well done! Borrowing is now finished for this year, we need to start collecting all outstanding loans to return to the Library so we can stocktake and have the shelves ready for next year. Please search your rooms, book shelves etc at home to see where any Library books or Classroom Readers might be hiding! We ask that you also have a look for any of our Loan Library bags too, or any bags you no longer need - we like to have a collection of spare Library bags on hand for those students who forget their bags, so we are happy to receive donations. Thank you.
Library tomorrow – Kinder
Next week:
Tuesday – Year 2
Wednesday – Year 5
Thursday – Year 3
Even though we will not be borrowing, it is important 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.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
The last campaign for the year was sent home last week, if you wish to order please do so before tomorrow Thursday 24 November, to give the orders time to arrive before the end of school. Remember all orders are ONLINE ONLY. Thank you for your support.
CHESS TOURNAMENT
Our 2022 Chess Tournament is now coming to an end. We are into the elimination rounds, and have seen some very close matches. To those students who have already been eliminated we would like to offer congratulations – the way to improve our skills and strategies is to have a go, and that is what they have done. To those still going we wish you all good luck with your remaining matches.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
A digital citizen is anyone who uses digital tools such as computers, mobile phones, or the internet in their work, school or for fun. Just like citizens of a city have to adopt rules and standards of behaviour in order to live together, those of us in the digital world should do the same. Our school rules – Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible – apply to our online community as well as our school community. As we are approaching the school holidays, when our children may be more exposed to the use of technology and the internet, it is important to remember to supervise their usage and be aware of the sites they are accessing.
“The interactive nature of many of the new media facilitates more
dynamic forms of learning and communication, thereby contributing
to social progress" and as parents and educators we should... "encourage all
people of good will who are active in the emerging environment of
digital communication to commit themselves to promoting a culture
of respect, dialogue and friendship.”
Pope Benedict XVI, 2008
Happy reading!
Mrs Sue Bryant
Teacher-Librarian
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are putting the call out again this year to create hampers for the St Vincent de Paul Society to give generously to families at Christmas. Last year the school community was overwhelming in their support and made such a difference in the lives of those who struggled to have a Merry Christmas.
Each grade will be collecting items to create Christmas hampers for families within our school / parish community as well as in our local area.
The Mini Vinnies Team, in conjunction with guidance from teachers and mentors from the St Vincent de Paul local Conference Centre, will pack the items ready for delivery.
Students can bring their allocated items to school and place them in the class tubs.
Items are to be donated by Wednesday 8 December (Week 9).
When considering your donations please check the use by dates and ensure that they are as long as possible.
Grades are asked to bring:
Thank you in advance for your generosity and to all of those families who have already donated.
Yours Sincerely,
Year 6 Mini Vinnies Team
Miss Earnshaw and Mrs Young
Staff Mentors
The P & F are holding a fundraising HOT DOG DAY on Friday 2 December.
During Lunch 2 students who have pre paid for their hotdogs will be able to collect them.
If you would like your child to receive a hot dog please return the note sent home this week to school by 23 November.
Hot dogs are $3 each.
Each year the students of Year 6 hold a fundraiser to put money towards a gift for the school. The purpose of the gift is a gesture made in commemoration of their time at Mary Immaculate. A $1 lolly bag fundraiser will be held this THURSDAY 24 November at Lunch 1. Students will be able to purchase one lolly bag to take home.
YEAR 6 CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO WEAR MUFTI DAY CLOTHING TOMORROW THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2022 FOR LOLLY DAY
