Last Sunday’s Gospel…

We heard in John’s Gospel that in response to Pilate’s questions, Jesus confirmed He was a King – but that His Kingdom is not of this world. His Kingdom is not like the earthly ones of great wealth and high profiles. This is the source of the Feast of Christ the King which marks the end of the liturgical year. A new year starts for the church with the beginning of Advent, also marked by the colour purple as a time of prayer and anticipation for the birth of Jesus.

From the Principal...

Report writing is well underway and I have begun reading them all. You will see that they are a much reduced version set by the diocese based on what is required by NESA. The teachers are making the effort in the general comment to commend students in specific areas where the rest of the report is centered on Religion, English and Maths. 

Classes are busily preparing for the virtual Christmas concert, First Communion, Confirmation, the End of Year Mass – to be held outside weather permitting, and the Year 6 Farewell events. There is a great deal of excitement and activity! In addition, we have a pyjama day this Friday to raise money with Minni Vinnies. We will farewell some of our retiring and leaving staff at the Mass and there will be a staff dinner at the end of term to formally recognize their contribution to Catholic Education over more than 40 years for all the ones who left during the year as well. I must say we are very much looking forward to the time when we can welcome parents and visitors into our school again! It’s just not the same without you!

Our students in Years 4-6 have chosen the captains for 2022. Congratulations to – 

School Captains – Davitah Seneviratne and Cameron Parsons

Vice Captains – Emily D’Souza and Damien Anbu

Blue Captains – Khloe Whyte and Lucero Rosales

Green Captains – Tadhg Healy and Chloebeth Santos

Red Captains – Alva Mammon and Sophia Masilungan

Gold Captains – Chloe Poll and Sapana Ghale

I am looking forward to working with them all in 2022.

The P&F Minutes contain a great deal of information so please take the time to read them. The only other bit of follow up from them was a request for some more time between the Year 6 Farewell Mass and the dinner. We were unable to have them on separate nights but Fr Sean is saying Mass for us at 4.30pm which should ease the pressure.

I look forward to being able to see many families at First Communion and Confirmation.

God bless,

Michelle Rolfe

Principal

Last week members of the PB4L Committee met and reflected on the 2021 Action Plan. Although the year is not over the committee then began creating the 2022 Action Plan. For the remainder of the planning day, the staff reflected on the current PDHPE Syllabus and reflected on ways they can implement Social and Emotional Wellbeing into the PDHPE units of work in 2022. We are looking forward to teaching these units of work with students at the commencement of next year.

Over the next two weeks teachers will continue their explicit teaching of playground and classroom expectations particularly focusing on transition times.

Uniform

I would like to thank all of you for all your support with school summer uniforms. We understand that we are coming to the end of the year which may mean you might start to purchase new items of clothing for students. Can I please ask that all items of uniform purchased follow the schools uniform guidelines in the Parent Handbook.

Just a reminder about a few things: (Please see the images)

1. School bags these can be purchased from Lowes. All students should have the Holy Family school bag with the school crest on the front.
   
2. School sport shoes are to be predominately white with white shoelaces. 
   
3. School leather shoes are to be leather with black laces or buckles.
   

   

   Regards, 

   Miss Alana Stroligo

Assembly awards Week 6

We are really missing having families on site, but we were able to hold an outdoor awards assembly for K-2 and another for Years 3 - 6

Years 1,3 & 5 Special Awards

Diocesan Sports Awards 2021

The Dicosean Sports Awards Presentation took place virtually, on November 12th.  Our very own Hudson Prenter (6 White) received a Primary Sports Council Medallion for his wonderful achievements during 2021. A summary is below:

He was also awarded, at our last assembly, a Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to the MacKillop 12/13 Years Boys Cross Country Team. Hudson and his fellow teammates won Gold at the NSWCPS & NSWCCC Cross Country Championships earlier this year.

We are really proud of you, Hudson! Congratulations!

Christmas is coming and for most of us it is a time of joy and hope, a time where we celebrate Jesus’ birth and spoil our families with presents.  However, for some disadvantaged families, Christmas is a burden and a worrying time. Our local St Vincent de Paul Conference has identified some families experiencing extreme financial hardship - families who do not even have the basic necessities in the home. 

As a school community we would like to support the works of St Vincent de Paul Society through their Christmas Appeal. We are asking each child to bring in an item that could go into a hamper. We will make up hampers with the donated goods. If your family is unable to assist, please do not worry - we do not want this to be a burden on you. If you would prefer your child to bring in an alternative item than what has been assigned to your child’s class, this is fine too (for example: a small gift for a child).

We would like the items brought to class by Friday the 10th of December.  

The First Lap voucher program provides $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of children aged 3-6 years who are not enrolled in school to contribute towards the cost of swimming lessons. The program has been expanded for the 2021/22 financial year to include children in kindergarten in 2021 and children starting kindergarten in 2022, who missed out on vital water safety education during their pre-school years due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The voucher may be used for an eligible child’s participation in a structured swimming lesson program with an approved First Lap provider. 

Vouchers are valid for redemption during the financial year of issue (Year 1 will commence on 1 December 2021 and expire on 30 June 2022).  

The First Lap program will run from 1 December 2021 to 30 June 2023.

On 1 December 2021, parents, guardians and carers can claim a First Lap voucher through Service NSW. You will need to have or create a MyServiceNSW account. 

2022