Advent signals for all of us, that Christmas is just around the corner.  If my letterbox is any indication, we are certainly under significant pressure to keep our attention for Christmas firmly on our shopping lists and wallets. When we reflect on the Christmas story, the Three Wise Men seemed to have grasped the true understanding of the significance 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 just one gift. Like the Three Wise Men, our community has been invited to collect items to support the wonderful work of the St Vincent De Paul Society. Thank you for the overwhelming generosity that will support needs within our own community and the wider community. 

Our feast day celebrations will be one of the last opportunities we will have as an extended school community to come together before the end of the school year, and I encourage everyone to be part of this very special celebration. In mentioning this it would be remiss not to thank in advance the P&F and the parents who have volunteered to assist with the catering for this event. Thank you also to our wonderful staff, under the leadership of Mrs Simpson, who have organised the mass and Christmas concert. Thank you to our amazing students who will lead us in our celebration. As we gather as a school family we are reminded that Christmas is a time of celebration and thanksgiving and as a school community we have much to celebrate and be thankful for during our time together during 2022. 

It is also a timely reminder that the greatest gifts we give others are not items that can be bought but are what we give of ourselves both in our words and in our deeds, especially through those acts of service and compassion that are given without an expectation of a reward in return. This has happened daily at Mary Immaculate throughout the year. 

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 world outside. This looking inside is not about remorse or regret, nor is it 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 hope and a fresh start. 

A driving dynamic of Advent is hope. If we had nothing to hope for, there would be no point to this season. The original hope was for a child to be born who would bring justice and peace to the world. But that larger hope is filled with smaller ones—daily hopes that can shape us as people.

Some hopes will shape our relationships. The Christ Child grew to be a man who embodied forgiveness and generosity. A life of hope sees the good in others, is patient with their shortcomings, and tenaciously envisions them at their best.

Some hopes will shape our life work. The promised Messiah proclaimed God’s realm of justice and mercy. No matter what jobs we do or work positions we hold, as hopeful people we maintain fairness and integrity as short-term and long-term goals. We make our work matter for the common good.

Some hopes will shape our character. Jesus exemplified hope that cultivates true interior freedom. A hopeful person cannot continue in anxiety, needing control, and habitually angry.

In the week ahead I invite you to consider how is hope visible in your life? Where has it possibly faded? 

Enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you at our Feast Day celebrations.

Tina Murray

Principal

We congratulate the following new staff who will be joining the Mary Immaculate team in 2023 - Tenealle Hay, Soliette Markovic and Melissa Barber. 

It is with great sadness, but also much pride that we congratulate Andrew Astill who has been appointed as Acting Assistant Principal at St Thomas More, Ruse.

We are very grateful for Andrew’s contributions to our School Community during 2021 and 2022 and wish him every blessing as he commences in this new appointment in 2023. 

STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN 2023

If parents are aware that their child/ren will not be returning to Mary Immaculate in 2023, we request that this information be provided to Mrs Pizarro in the school office as soon as possible. This information will allow us to confirm placement of both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list.

A copy of the leaving form is attached for completion and return to the school office.

PROMOTION TO CLASSES FOR 2023

Students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher and classmates for 2023 on Tuesday December 13. New students who will be joining Mary Immaculate in 202023 have also been invited to attend. Information about 2023 requirements will be provided to students and will be shared with parents via Compass. Students are reminded to remember to return the All About Me for 2023 profile to their 2022 teacher so these can be passed on to the 2023 teacher.