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The School Newsletter Week 9, Term 4 2020

What's coming up

  • Tues 8 Dec: End-of year award ceremony 1.30pm (live streamed on Facebook)
  • Thurs 10 Dec: Kindergarten Orientation #2 - 9.30am - 11.30am
  • Thurs 10 Dec: P&F Christmas Fundraiser - out of uniform
  • Thurs 10 Dec: 200 Nights Reading Special Lunch
  • Fri 11 Dec: School Swimming Carnival
  • Fri 11 Dec: Water fun day at school for those not attending the Carnival- (out of uniform)
  • Fri 11 Dec: Canteen Closed!
  • Tues 15 Dec: Year 6 Graduation Mass and ceremony (by invitation only)
  • Wed 16 Dec: Last day for students

From the PrinciPAL

This weekend we mark the Third Sunday of Advent, and the Gospel is John1:6-8, 19-28. In this Gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist, the prophetic voice who announced Jesus as the Messiah. John’s role was to make straight the way to the one who comes as the Messiah. He is the witness to the one whom God has sent.

This Gospel prompts us all to identify the role that we are called to by God. Like John, God commissions us to bear witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the one who has come in the flesh, the one who is here with us, and the one who will come again in his reign as Lord of all.

In what ways am I the face of Jesus for my family members, for my friends, for my colleagues and for people I do not know personally?

Have a good week.

Peter Green

From The REC

St. Vincent de Paul fundraiser

We would like to thank you for giving money to the St. Vincent de Paul, Swansea Conference last Friday. The money will go towards helping people in our local community who need it during this festive season.

Year 6 Graduation Mass

Our Year 6 Graduation Mass and Ceremony will be held in the Church next Tuesday 15th Dec at 10.00am. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, family/community attendance will be by invitation only. The Year 6 students will be allowed to invite two family members to the ceremony. The Year 5 students and some staff members will also attend. Unfortunately, it will not be a whole school event. We look forward to honouring the development and achievements of our Year 6 students in this intimate Eucharistic gathering.

Advent

Last Friday we had a liturgy to recognise the second week of Advent. Here is a prayer that you can pray with your family.

Father in heaven, during this second week of Advent, help us see clearly the times when we have sinned. Accept our sorrow for having pulled away from you, and give us firm resolve to stay close to you.

God above, help us conduct ourselves in holiness. We long to be the people you expect us to be. Help us as we strive to make our souls spotless and our hearts and minds at peace.

Help us, Lord, to remember that we were baptized for a reason. Help us realize our baptismal call to live as children of God.

And dear God, don’t let us miss chances this week to be welcoming to other people and to work in harmony with everyone. Help us as we try to change our ways so that we are good examples of people who love and follow the Lord.

Tension Apartments Community Connection

We are still staying connected with our friends at Tenison Apartments. Year 1 have prepared Christmas Ornaments for the residents. We hope that the ornaments bring them some Christmas cheer and love. A beautiful act of kindness.

SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The annual school swimming carnival is this Friday 11th December at Swansea Swimming Centre. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions prohibit us from allowing spectators to attend the swimming carnival. The only parents and carers present will be those who have already been designated as officials.

Bus trip to pool

  • All of the students attending the swimming carnival will travel to and from the venue by bus. THe buses will depart school at 9.30am and then depart the pool at approx 1.30pm for return.
  • Parents are unable to collect their children from the pool. All of the students will travel back to the school on the bus, with the exception of children of officials, who are free to take their own children home – but not the children of anyone else.

The children attending the carnival will need to:

  • wear their swimmers under their sport uniform (they may substitute the sport shirt for a shirt in their house colour),
  • apply sunscreen when they arrive at the pool.
  • have a rash vest or t-shirt as well as a hat.
  • remain hydrated throughout the day.

All students must bring:

  • a towel,
  • goggles,
  • sunscreen and rash vest or T shirt
  • All food and drink.

The canteen will be available for snacks but no hot food is available. With Covid restrictions on the number of students allowed into the change rooms, there will not be an opportunity to change afterwards.

Each child may swim in only one distance for each event, e.g. either 25m breaststroke or 50m breaststroke, but not both distances. However, the 100m freestyle event is open to those who enter the 50m freestyle event only. The students will be given a wristband on the day and the teachers will record the age of the child (in 2021) on their wristband.

Thank you to the parents who are registered and able to volunteer on the day. You will have received an email notifying you of your role. Please report to the marshalling area at 9.30am so that we can start the day promptly.

There will be no unstructured water activities, i.e. “free swim” or novelty events

Unfortunately, a number of students have not returned the reply slip for the swimming carnival. We are unable to allow those students to attend the carnival and they will remain at school for fun water activities.

WATER FUN THIS FRIDAY

This Friday, those students who will not be participating at the school swimming carnival (including all of the Kindergarten students) will participate in water fun activities at the school. These activities will include:

  • Water balloon piñata
  • Liquid limbo
  • Duck Duck Splash
  • Shaving cream game
  • Water balloon relay
  • Forehead fill

The students participating in the water fun activities may come to school out of uniform. They may either wear their swimmers under their uniform, or they may change into them at school.

The students will need to bring the following supplies to school:

  • Rash vest or shirt
  • Swimming goggles (optional)
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Water guns, pistols, etc. (optional)
  • Lunch and recess - Please remember the canteen is not open this week

We are looking forward to a lot of fun.

AN ACT OF KINDNESS

We received this message from a parent yesterday morning:

When dropping the girls at school this morning, a Year 1 student was at the front gate very distressed and upset about walking into school. Tyler (Year 1) was walking down from Kiss and Ride, approached the student and asked if she would feel better if he walked into the school with her. He was so genuinely caring and sweet, I thought it was a really lovely gesture from a young boy.

Thank you, Tyler. We are proud of you.

Christmas FunDRAISER Day

This Thursday 10th December the P&F is holding an in-school Christmas Day for the students. This day will be run by the Year 6 students. Thank you, Year 6.

There will be a Christmas decoration stall, art competition (the students are already working on this), lolly jar guessing competition, out-of-uniform day (something with a Christmas theme, perhaps?) and a cake stall. Prices for the decorations vary between 50c - $3.00 and the guessing competition is 50c a guess or 3 guesses for $1.00

The P&F is asking for donations of baked goodies for our cake stall, to be delivered to the school by 9.00am this Thursday morning (10th December). The drop off point is at the back of the staffroom (accessed via the pedestrian footpath entering the car park) where there will be a table on the veranda to place the goodies on.

With COVID-19 restrictions we are restricted to items that are individually packaged. Cupcakes, biscuits, Christmas slice, etc. are to be individually packaged. The cake stall items will be on sale for between 50c and $1.

The P&F would like to take this opportunity to thank the following businesses for their kind donations. It still isn’t too late to get those raffle tickets in. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday. There are 22 prizes up for grabs! Please support these local businesses that have donated generously.

CHRISTMAS GUESSING COMPETITION

Throughout this week, some Year 6 students will be running a guessing competition. The students have a large jar of lollies, and they are challenging the other students to guess how many are in the jar. (Hint: It is between 50 and 600). 50 cents per guess, or three guesses for $1. The student who guesses closest to the exact number takes all of the loot home!

Our thanks to Anna Marriott and the P&F for organising the competition.

Children's UNiversity

Congratulations to the following students who graduated from the Children’s University.

It was the first year the school took part and what an amazing achievement by these students. Thank you Mrs Devlin for all your support.

200 NIGHTS OF READING

Congratulations to those students in Years 3 to 6 who have completed and recorded 200 nights of reading throughout the year. As an acknowledgement of this great achievement, these students will be provided with a special lunch on Thursday.

STEM DAY

Last Friday, the students used a range of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) skills to solve some problems. These skills included creativity, inquiry skills, critical analysis, teamwork/collaboration, initiative, communication and problem solving.

The students brought home their own lava lamps. They performed some engineering feats with blocks, cups, and paddle pop sticks, they designed a domino chain reaction, and they blew up a lunch bag!

Our day finished with a paper plane competition in which we saw some wonderful creations. Congratulations to Nate who built the plane that flew the furthest.

KINDERGARTEN 2021 ORIENTATION

This Thursday our Kindergarten class of 2021 will visit St Patrick’s for the morning. Their visit will coincide with the Christmas fundraising stalls that are planned for the day.

St Vincent de Paul Society needs members

Our members are the backbone of the St Vincent de Paul Society, and they live their faith in action by providing support and friendship through visitation both in homes and within the community. Members also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as Mini Vinnies with local schools and social justice campaigns. In the 2019-2020 financial year, the dedicated members of the St Vincent de Paul Maitland-Newcastle Diocese were responsible for assisting approximately 7500 people within the community. Our Conferences provide a service in most regions within the Diocese and are currently seeking individuals to become members who are passionate about providing a hand up to those who are disadvantaged. If you can help in any way for any amount of time that suits you, please call Sarah on 02-49221801, or email sarah.kemp@vinnies.org.au to discuss how you can make a difference.

BIKE EDUCATION: YEARS 5 & 6

Yesterday the students of Years 5 and 6 spent the afternoon learning about how to maintain their bikes. The lesson included:

  • Cleaning your bike
  • Lubing your chain
  • Inflating your tyres
  • Checking your brakes and quick releases

At the end of the day, some of the students set up an obstacle course which the students had to negotiate with their bikes in the shortest time possible. Robbie had the winning time of 23.34 seconds. However, Annabelle stole Robbie’s limelight with a massive crash as she was riding down some stairs, collecting a bench seat as she tumbled forwards over her handlebars. Fortunately, a bruise on her leg was the only injury. Thanks to Craig who made a special award for Annabelle

SCHOOL UNIFORM SERVICE

Please note that the school uniform service will not open during the school holidays. The first opportunity in 2021 to collect your uniform orders will be Friday 29th January, with QKR orders closing at 5.00pm on 28th January.

Changes to NEwcastle Buses

The 799 afternoon school service for St Patrick's will depart 1 min earlier as from Monday 14 December. If any students use regular bus services they should check timetables and be sure to use their opal card when getting on or off a bus.

HELP REQUIRED

As a caring community we would like to continue to offer our support to the Santamaria family after the loss of their dearly loved father and husband. If you can help to maintain their lawns for the rest of the year, it would be greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below where you will be taken to a lawn mowing roster, where you can volunteer to help on a particular Saturday.

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