Dear Parents and Carers,

As we begin to prepare for the busy an exciting time of Christmas it is important for us to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. This brings to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan and the importance of accepting others for their differences and caring for others regardlgess of their beliefs or circumstances.

This week our Christmas Hamper Drive has started. Traditionally our school has supported the Catholic Care Community Kitchen each year with groceries and items to support those in need in our community. This year the Community Kitchen are asking if our school community can support them by donating the following items:

• Christmas puddings/cake & custard

• Sweet or savoury biscuits

• Tea bags, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar

• Chocolates, lollies or candy canes

• Chips or popcorn

• Christmas treats.

We will be collecting donations until the 9th of December. Thank you for helping us to be a school that supports our community.

Arriving Late to School?

If your child is arriving late to school, please make sure you are bringing them into the front office to sign them in. It is a Diocesan requirement for parents to sign their children in at the office if they are late.

Voiceworx

During the year we had a few students who participated in the Aspire Voiceworx program. Evie, Aurora, and Sienna attended rehearsals with students from other schools in the Manning, culminating in a performance in Newcastle. Congratulations to Evie who participated in this concert.

ICAS Results

Congratulations to the following students who received ICAS awards in Science, Spelling and Writing

ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools)

Student achievements:

Eleanor Healy
Distinction - Writing
Participation-Mathematics, Science & Spelling Bee

Susannah Healy
Distinction - Science & Writing
Credit - Mathematics & Spelling Bee

Ashlea Linehan
Credit – Science
Participation – Mathematics & Spelling Bee

Ben Linehan
Participation – Mathematics & Spelling Bee

Kaii MacMillan
Participation – Mathematics & Spelling Bee

Ben Raison
Merit – Science
Participation – Mathematics, Spelling Bee & Writing

Remembrance Day

On the 11th of November, our school paused to observe Remembrance Day. The liturgy was hosted by some of our Year 5 and 6 students and gave our school the opportunity to remember the service men and women who have given up so much. Riley and Oliver represented our school with pride at the community service.

Exciting times ahead!

We are extremely excited about the building works that will commence in the school this week. Years 1 to 6 classrooms will be getting refurbished with new carpet, wet areas, paint, learning walls and new furniture. Our students are very excited about having wonderful new spaces to learn in. Unfortunately, this does mean some disruption to the school during the final weeks of the year, but this ensures that our classrooms will be ready to go on Day 1 of next year.

Other exciting building works that are coming before the end of the year include shade sails over the playground equipment and new outdoor learning area and a new LED display wall in the hall.

Our school is incredibly grateful to the Catholic Schools office for supporting us in these exciting school upgrades.

Aspire in the Manning

Last week several of our Year 5 and 6 students were invited to take part in Aspire in the Manning. A creative arts project that included, art, drama, music and vocal. Over the course of three days our students created and were able to work with students from our other Manning Catholic Schools to create and present a play titled “The Election”. Our stage 2 students travelled to the Manning Entertainment Centre on Thursday to watch the performance and many families went along on Thursday night to watch the second performance. Congratulations to the following students who were all brilliant.

Art – Scarlett, Paige, Monique and Hallie

Music – Karlina, Arlo, Ashlea and Eleanor

Drama - Bella D, Samuel, Matilda Ryan and Matilda Robinson

Vocal – Willow, Bella C, Charlotte and Asta

Earlybirds

Our Earlybirds transition program has officially started. Last week we welcomed our Kinder 2025 cohort in for their first full day at Big School. Our Year 5 students were very excited to welcome their buddies and did a wonderful job supporting them.

Important Calendar Changes

Please note that our End of Year Awards and Advent Liturgy will now be held on Monday the 16th of December at the Wingham RSL Club. More details will follow in a separate note.

There will be no school disco on the 5th of December due to the hall being unavailable.

Please join me in a prayer to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in conflict.

Lord, we pray for those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. May their efforts to protect us never be forgotten or taken for granted. We pray for their families and those left behind, that they find peace.

Amen

God Bless

Mel Hunt