Dear parents and carers,

This has been another busy week with lots of different things happening. Monday was Photo Day but the format was quite foreign. Due to COVID restrictions, the photographer was only permitted to take individual portraits. These individual portraits will then be compiled to make class and school group photos. This will be a timely reminder of the COVID challenges we have faced this year. We are all learning to be patient and find creative ways of doing things.

On Wednesday, the Kinder Transition students arrived for their second visit. As predicted, they were a little less shy. They thoroughly enjoyed working with their Year 5 buddies and chatting about lots of their favourite things.

Wednesday was also the day that Father Joe visited to celebrate a mass with the Year 3-6 students. His genuine way of connecting with the students is always a highlight of his visits. He also popped in to visit with the K-2 students. He was amazed at their knowledge of persuasive writing and he enjoyed listening to some of their current free writing texts.

 I have had some keen helpers as we try to make the school look its best in preparation for Mrs Hotham’s visit on the 19^th of November. We have now been granted permission to hold an outdoor event that day so we will be having afternoon tea after school. Please mark the date on your calendar and join us if you are able.

Today is Remembrance Day…a special day to remember all those who have served and sacrificed for their countries in wars and conflicts. I took the school captains to the Remembrance Day service, and they did a wonderful job of representing our school by sharing some readings and laying a wreath. They are to be commended for their efforts. 

This week we are looking forward to the 3^rd Kinder Transition Day. Our final transition Day is on the 24^th of November. The Kinder children will stay until lunch time that day and due to the change in COVID restrictions, parents who are fully vaccinated are welcome to come and join them for lunch. Current families are more than welcome to come and bring a shared lunch for their children  as well. 

With COVID restrictions easing, both Presentation Night and Graduation Mass will take place. Please note the dates in the box below. However, please also note that proof of double vaccination is required in order for parents to attend any of these events.

 Kind regards,

Acting Principal

Remembrance Day

On 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. The signing of an Armistice brought the First World War to an end. Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. On the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, a minute's silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. Each year on this day Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. We hope you can take time to reflect upon and respect our fallen men and women who fought for the freedom in our land. The following link includes a song titled Remembrance Day Child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUpuO0DLVw

 God of love and liberty,

we bring our thanks this day for the peace and security we enjoy,

which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war.

We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain,

but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come.

That the liberty, truth and justice which they sought to preserve,

may be seen and known in all the nations upon earth.

This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen 

Year 3/4/5/6 Class Mass

This week, the Year 3/4/5/6 students celebrated a classroom Mass with Father Joe. Due to current restrictions, our students were not able to hold a Mass in the Church, but the opportunity for a classroom Mass gave the students a more unique prayerful experience. During the Mass, they gave thanks for the gift of our bodies and prayed to God for guidance to always use our gifts to give honour and glory to God. The First Reading came from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians:

God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honour to those parts that need it. And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness. All of you are Christ’s body, and each one is part of it.

Congratulations to all students for your reverent participation in what was a very special class Mass.

Sacramental Program News

 Reconciliation and First Communion are both sacraments of initiation which form part of a child's spiritual journey. Sacraments sustain us and are visible signs through which the Christian Community celebrates God's loving presence or Grace. Congratulations to the children undertaking this journey. 

Sacramental meetings for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion have commenced. Meetings will be held at 6pm at St Joseph’s Church. One parent is to accompany their child to each of the meetings.

 The remaining meetings will be held on the following dates:

• November 17^th
• November 24^th

Please have your child bring along their Reconciliation and First Communion booklets to the meetings. 

The confirmed Mass dates for these sacraments are as follows:

• Sunday 5^th of December (First Reconciliation)
• Sunday 12^th of December (First Holy Communion) 

For more information, please contact Miss Schneider. Email:

danielle.schneider@cg.catholic.edu.au

Danielle Schneider

Acting Religious Education Coordinator