Newsletter Week 8, Term 4 2021

Principal's Message

Dear Families,

As I write this newsletter I am reminded that we are one month away from Christmas!! The lead up to Christmas and the end of the school year is always filled with great excitement.

This week has been filled with great excitement for so many of our students. Our Kindergarten - Year 2 students commenced their two week intensive swimming program at the Casuarina Fitness centre. In addition to this, in lieu of missing out on school camps this year, the Year 4, 5 & 6 students had some fun activities this week. This included kayaking and fun on the sand dunes at Kingscliff, learning circus tricks, dance fever running games and activities and fun sports. All in all the children had a wonderful experience and while the weather at times looked very dubious we managed to get through all our planned activities.

As indicated in earlier correspondence, due to the Covid Level 3 restrictions currently imposed on schools the “School Talent Quest” and Christmas Carols have had to be cancelled.

On the 6th December the school will celebrate St Ambrose Feast Day - this will also be a day of fun and celebration. This will entail jumping castles, barbecue and importantly the students spend the day learning about the history of our Patron Saint, stories associated with our school and our Parish/local community. Details will forward to all families shortly.

On the evening of the 6th December many of our students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Gregory Homeming will celebrate this special occasion at St Anthony’s Church, Kingscliff.

The Year 6 students will be attending an upcoming Parish Mass - 7th December  at 9.15am- whereby families of these students will be invited to attend. This will be an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of these students as well as farewell our Year 6 students and  departing families.

On the 8th December the school will be having its Kindergarten to Year 5 Presentations. Again, due to current restrictions, parents will not be in attendance. In saying this the school will ensure a short video and  photos of children receiving their certificates are made available.

It has been wonderful to see that different Year Groups have organised family get togethers. These family gatherings have been organised by the Parent Reps from each year group and provide a wonderful opportunity for children and families to come together in a social setting.

Last week we had our Kindergarten 2022 Orientation. It is always so uplifting to see the enthusiasm and excitement of these children as they take their first steps in what is a very big journey in their lives. We look forward to welcoming them and their families into our school next year.

Please be reminded to take note of the 2022 school calendar. The calendar has been set for next year, this includes School Holidays, Pupil Free Days, sporting carnivals, significant events such as Grandparents Day, Mothers/Fathers Day planned events, Parent Forum events (Disco/Movie Night etc).

Classes/Teachers for 2022 - the school is still finalising staffing arrangements for 2022. A notification will be made to all families regarding this, once the significant events of 2021 have concluded. On Thursday 9th December familie and students will be informed of the 2022 arrangements.

This Sunday commemorates the beginning on the new liturgical calendar and also signifies the 1st Week of Advent. The season of Advent is a very special time of year that sometimes gets lost in the bright lights of the Christmas season it precedes. In the all the fun and festivities that lead up to Christmas let us not forget that Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. As a suggestion this year, maybe have an advent wreath as well as a Christmas Tree!

Best Wishes,

Brian Laybutt
Principal

Religious News

First Sunday of Advent:  Sunday 28^th November

On the First day of Advent we celebrate the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year. We have a different set of readings each liturgical year. After Vatican II, the lectionary was divided into three years (A, B, and C) in order for Catholics to hear as much of the Bible as possible. This year we’re entering Year C, which focuses on the Gospel of Luke. Advent is a special time of waiting and preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Advent Wreath is a circle of evergreen which symbolises God’s everlasting love for his people, a love, which gives us Jesus so that we may know the extent of this love. The four candles represent the four weeks before Christmas, and one more is lit each Sunday, reminding us to shine with hope, love, joy and peace because Jesus will soon be here. Three candles are purple. The candle for the third Sunday is pink.

1st Sunday of Advent - In this Gospel reading Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 speaks of the importance of watching and waiting for the Lords coming.

All classes Religious Education Programs will focus on the Advent Season, the preparation and waiting for the coming of Jesus, over the next 4 weeks.

Sacrament of Confirmation

We keep in our prayers the children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Monday 6^th December 6:00pm at St Anthony’s Church.

St Ambrose Feast Day:   Tuesday 7^th December.

The students will celebrate this  special day on Monday 6^th December being involved in lots of fun activities at school.

Saint Ambrose’s Story is one of openness to follow God’s call. He was a popular politician in the fourth-century Milan.  In the midst of heated debates, the people of Milan recognised the gifts of Ambrose and elected him bishop.  He was neither baptized nor ordained at the time.  Humbled and shocked, he accepted the office and made the commitment to take his calling seriously.  He became a great administrator and theologian, a model of both prayerfulness and practicality.  Tradition honours him as one of the original Doctors of the Church.

School News

Year 4, 5 and 6 Fun Day

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School Planning & Organisation for 2022

Is your child returning? It is the time of the year we begin planning classes and staffing for 2022. To assist with preparation, we need to know who is NOT returning to St Ambrose next year.  Information is sought for any student who will not be returning in 2022 so that we can organise class structures and offer vacated positions to families on our waiting lists.

Are you planning a holiday? If you are planning to leave the school in Term 4 (prior to Wednesday 15th December) or in Term 1 2022, to go on a holiday, it is also important that you let the school know of your child’s planned date of departure and the return date.

Please email the school ASAP to advise us of your plans and details on sapot@lism.cathollic.edu.au or contact us on (02) 6676 0099.

A friendly reminder that School Fees should now be paid in full.

Please contact the school office if you wish to discuss on 02 6676 0099. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Dates for uniform orders are as follows:

Last Uniform Orders for 2021 Order by 5pm Wednesday 8th December - Uniforms sent home Friday 10th December.
1st Orders for 2022 Order by 5pm Wednesday 26th January - Uniforms ready for collection in Classroom when attending MAI or Best Start Testing.

Special Awards and Weekly Awards

Parent Forum

Community News