Newsletter Week 9, Term 4 2022
Principal Message
Dear Families,
With the end of the year rapidly approaching it is now a time to evaluate and reflect on the year that was and begin planning for 2023.
During the week we welcomed some of our past students back to the school, our first Yr 6 class from 2016. It was such a delight to reacquaint ourselves with these wonderful young adults. This week we also celebrated our end-of-year mass. We had lots of fun on Wednesday celebrating St Ambrose Feast Day and a big thank you to Megan Mathews and Jeff Bottle who organised the sausage sizzle and jelly cups.
Today we held our school carols and nativity. Many thanks to all those who came along and a very big thank you to Mrs Hogan (Drama teacher) and Mrs Gabi Mathews (Music Teacher) for bringing this together and to our Yr 5 students who volunteered their lunch times to rehearse for the nativity.
On Saturday afternoon our School Choir will be performing at the Cabarita Christmas Carols. Many thanks to those students and families who will be participating.
Results from our School Canteen Survey were distributed to all families earlier in the week. Thank you to the 129 families who completed the survey. The outcome of the survey was that our canteen days in 2023 will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. With only 4% of respondents requesting the canteen be open 5 days a week and only 3% indicating that they would use the canteen for each of the 5 days clearly, this indicated that opening the canteen every day was not warranted.
Next week the school will have ou annual Yr 6 Graduation Mass and School Presentation Day Awards. At our Yr 6 Graduation Mass, we will recognise the achievements of our Yr 6 students, induct our 2023 School Captains, and importantly farewell not only our Yr 6 students but many families who have been part of our school's journey thus far.
The following families have their last child in Yr 6 this year and will be finishing their journey at St Ambrose.
ARNOLD, BAIN, BIELEFELD, DIPLOCK, GIRIDHARAN, HALLS, HAWKINS, JACKSON, JONES, KINNERSLY, LEHMANN, MARTIN, MORIN-GRAUE, O'CONNOR, PARISH, PETERSSEN, POLLOCK, SCULLION, SOENEN, TRIMBOLI, WILCOMES.
To these families, we sincerely thank you for supporting the school and entrusting your child's education with us. We wish you all the best for the future.
Next week we will also farewell two staff members Mrs Jo Ryan (Yr 2) who will be returning to St James, Banora Point having spent an exchange year at St Ambrose, and Miss Neisha Sharp who has worked in the undergraduate teaching program and as a teachers aid who has just completed her teaching degree and will work as a relief teacher. We thank Jo and Neisha for their contribution to St Ambrose and wish them all the best for the future. Mr Mike Lubans is taking a break from teaching, taking a year's leave from his permanent teaching position, and will return in 2024. We wish him all the best next year.
Thank you for your continued support.
Brian Laybutt
Principal
Welcome Back Year 6 - 2016
A small group of our First ever Yr 6 came back to St Ambrose to help celebrate St Ambrose Feast Day. These wonderful young adults completed Year 6 in 2016 and this year completed Year 12.
As part of their visit, we went to Kindergarten and worked out then when our Kinder students are finishing Year 12 these students will be 30! We also went and touched base with our current Year 6 where they reacquainted themselves with their kinder buddies from 2016. We wish them all the best as they now prepare themselves for what life has to offer!!
Weekly Awards
Religion
T H E A D V E N T W R E A T H
The Advent Wreath is made from evergreen leaves with four candles (three purple and one rose-coloured), and purple draping around it. The circular wreath shape represents the thousands of years in which God’s people waited for the coming of the Saviour. The green leaves remind us of the promise of new life – a life of hope which Jesus brought to the world, a life that would never end. The purple draping and purple candles remind us of the need to change and grow from selfishness to love during this season of Advent. The rose coloured candle, lit on the third Sunday, is a sign of joy to remind us that Christmas is near. As we reflect on the meaning of this wreath, let us remember that we are beginning a new season and a new liturgical year – a season when we take time to prepare for that great feast of Christ’s birth. By the fourth week of Advent all the candles will be burning. Each week of Advent a candle is lit.
3rd Sunday of Advent
In this Gospel reading, Matthew 11:2-11
Jesus sends a message of Good News to John the Baptist
In this third week of Advent, we light the pink candle as we pause and reflect on the first half of the Advent season, as well as look ahead to the last weeks. The joy that we have and will experience during this season magnifies as we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ, who is full of joy.
Lord, help me to see the wonder in your creation, to find joy amidst the trials. For in you I can rejoice and be glad. No matter what the world brings, I can find joy in you. Help me to celebrate with joy and gladness this Christmas, for in you all things are made new. Amen
Project Based Learning (PBL)
Over the last couple of years, the Year 5 and 6 students have been involved in Project Based Learning (PBL) in their Religious Education units. This has been implemented by the teachers with ongoing support and professional development from the creator and expertise of Michael McDowell, who is from the United States. “When problem and project-based learning (PBL) is designed and delivered effectively, it has the potential to create confident and competent learners.”
Last Monday I had the opportunity to travel to Coffs Harbour with Mrs Caitlin Davies and Miss Grace McMahon ( Year 5 teachers) for further professional development led by Michael McDowell. We look forward to continuing the PBL journey in our Religious Education units and to begin implementing this into Year 3 and 4 units of work.
Mrs Sue Falcke
School News
Canteen Update
Reminder Canteen is open Week 10, Sushi is available on these days and a reminder to order before 6.30am. Please keep in mind being the end of the year their is limited stock available.
New Canteen Days 2023: Monday, Wednesday and Fridays
Thank you all who participated in the Canteen Survey, if you wish to see the statisics see the PDF below.
Wellbeing
Parent Forum
2023 Class Representative - Nominate Now
Dear Parents/Carers
Would you like to be a 2023 Class Rep?
Being a Class Parent Representative (Class Rep) is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of your child’s education and the St Ambrose School community. As a Class Rep, you are a valued member of our school community, and your time and commitment are very much appreciated.
The purpose of the Class Rep is to help foster good communication in the school and to assist in the development of the school community. It provides another means of uniting the school community and enhances the quality of relationships within the school between teachers, parents, and children.
Each class from Kindergarten to Year 6 will have at least one Class Rep. The function of the Class Rep is not formally structured and is not meant to be an arduous task.
Time commitment
Class Reps do not have to carry the entire load. Their role is to encourage all parents to get involved.
The Role
Class Reps (minimum of one parent from each class) encourage awareness, participation and build a sense of community among their child’s class and year level.
The role can include:
- Welcoming new families into the class at the start of the year and through the year
Liaise with the teacher to assist with communication, coordinating parent helpers, and collecting resources for class projects/crafts.
Organising social class get-togethers so that parents and children can meet in an informal setting. Eg plays at St Ambrose Brown Park, drinks or dinners at a local Hotel, bottle and plate night, parent morning/coffee and cake, etc.
Recruiting support and assistance for other community activities within the school, eg Reading, Sports day, Gardening, Library, Fundraising events, etc
Organising class parents to run one event per year.
Encouraging parents to read the school and class newsletters and visit the website to read the parent handbook for current information.
Be supportive of school staff and our whole school vision
Include all parents when possible in the life of the class
Acknowledge and support class community e.g. teacher birthday, casseroles for families in need
How do I become a Class Rep?
You can nominate to become a Class Rep by providing your name, contact email and class to the school email sapot@lism.catholic.edu.au. At the parent information session at the beginning of each year, your class teacher will introduce the parent reps. We hope to have a Parent Rep for each class by the end of Term 4.
Community News
Competition Time
Coastal Abode Properties is having a Christmas Colouring Competition for kids in the area. The winner will be announced on 22nd December 2022 and the winner will receive a Village Roadshow One Pass Voucher for unlimited entry for 12 months.
