St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill Newsletter

Looking back over 2019, I am immensely proud of the achievements of the St Agnes community.

This year, as a school we welcomed Year 11 at the commencement of Term 1 and Year 12 at the commencement of Term 4. The staff is to be applauded for the way in which they have embraced the rewards and challenges of the Stage 6 Curriculum and implemented it with positivity and enthusiasm. I feel privileged to be a part of a school with highly capable and committed teachers and support staff. One of the critical factors of any successful school is the staff. I don’t think there has ever been a time when being a teacher has been more demanding or challenging. To our teachers and support staff, thank you for your energy, passion and enthusiasm. Our teachers are privileged each day to participate in their students’ academic, spiritual and wellbeing journey. They celebrate their students’ achievements whether they be great or small, walk with them when they face difficulties and encourage them to be the best they can be.

This is demonstrated daily, and their commitment can be seen throughout this newsletter, rather than winding down, the staff have continued to work joyously to ensure that the students are provided with wonderful opportunities to grow and experience life to the full right to the last day of term.

 I would like to take the opportunity to especially thank all of the staff who are leaving St Agnes this year as their contracts come to an end, teachers: Ms Bojovic, Mr Nosworthy, Ms Woods, Mr Sahota, Ms Pauperis and IT support staff Brayden Hall and Michael Tramonte. I thank them on behalf of the community for the significant contribution they have made, the care they have shown to others, the joy they have brought to all of our lives and the superb effort they have made to make a difference in the lives of our young people.

 As a community, we welcome the return of Mr Usman Khan – Leader of Learning Technologies. Mr Khan returns from a secondment to the Parramatta Education Office. We are delighted that he has returned to St Agnes.

At this time of year, we as a school community look forward to celebrating the birth of our Saviour and listen to God’s message as He speaks to us so tenderly and simply through the loving image of the Holy Family. Joseph and Mary’s acceptance of His will, moved by faith, trust and love in God, guided them to that “night of nights”. We pray that God will guide us as we journey through the coming year. May we live with courage, love with compassion and be the voice of Peace on Earth.

I would like to wish all St Agnes parents, carers, students, staff and friends of the school, a very happy and holy Christmas and a safe relaxing holiday break    

As the 2019 school year comes to a conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the students and their families for your contributions and support of St Agnes in its endeavours to provide a quality Catholic Education in the Franciscan tradition.

 We are honoured that you have entrusted us with the care and education of your children. I also wish to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the entire staff, teaching and non-teaching, for their commitment, generosity and care provided for the students each day. We are indeed fortunate to have a great school built on the foundations of mutual respect, positive relationships and a strong partnership between home and school.

 In a special way, it is important to acknowledge the vast majority of students who come to school each day and give their best, in every way. Whether this be in the classroom, on the sporting field, in co-curricular activities or through their positive and encouraging support of their fellow students. Many set a high standard through their behaviour and co-operation with each other and their teachers, through the completion of schoolwork and by their genuine friendliness.  It is important that we recognise the role of the students in making St Agnes such a wonderful community. After all, the school exists for the education of the boys and girls and it is up to them to rise to the challenges of our high standards and expectations.

 I wish each member of our community a holy, safe, restful and enjoyable break from school and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.

Mr K Wolffe

Assistant Principal

What a year it has been! As we are in the season of Advent, we have also begun the new Church’s calendar. It is with so much anticipation as we continue with our St Agnes tradition of our Road to Bethlehem production as our special gift to the community. I’d like to firstly thank Mrs Cathy Larkin, Principal of Cathwest Innovation College for her generosity in allowing our Bethlehem production to be held in the back oval. The St Agnes community is very grateful for the Cathwest staff in accommodating and assisting us in so many ways big and small to make this production possible.

  It is always with great pleasure to share our Christmas celebrations with our local primary schools. Many thanks to Good Shepherd Plumpton, St Aidan’s Rooty Hill, Sacred Heart South Mt Druitt, Holy Family

Emerton and St John Vianney Doonside with Year 4 and teachers who came to celebrate this day with us. We hope you enjoyed our liturgical pilgrimage with live animals to make Jesus’ story just that much more special.

 And of course, a very big thank you to our wonderful Road to Bethlehem Cast for 2019. These students were the heart of the entire experience as their enthusiasm to be a part of this story was shown through the wonderful role they all played.

 The Road to Bethlehem Production would not have been possible for the many staff members involved. It goes without saying that Bethlehem would not be possible without the staff Bethlehem team. It was truly a community effort. Thank you from the entire St Agnes community.

 Please join in saying a prayer as we journey to the star, to meet God face to face as one of us:

 Lord Jesus, we remember

that you were born into this world

on the first Christmas day.

Help us to remember,

that you were born in a stable

and cradled in a manger,

and so keep us from coveting wealth

and comfort and ease and luxury

which you never enjoyed.

Help us to remember,

that there was no room for you

in the inn,

and grant that our lives

may never become so crowded

that there is no room in them

for you.

Help us to remember,

that to you there came the shepherds

and the wise men,

and grant that learned and simple,

high and humble,

great and small,

may be joined in worshipping you

and loving you.

Help us to remember,

that you grew up in an ordinary home,

and went to school

and worked in a carpenter’s shop;

and so grant that we may think

task too humble and too common

our hands to touch,

when you, the Lord of Glory,

lived among the common things.

This we ask, for your love’s sake.

“Listen to what the Spirit is saying”

We welcome back our St Agnes ACYF pilgrims Sianne Dimarucut, Kyra Baracelon, Bianca Fragomeli, Ms Josiah Raad and Mr Harry Sadsad who joined 7,000 young people pilgrims from all over Australia to the biggest Catholic Youth Festival held in Perth. On their behalf, I’d like to formally thank all staff, students, families and friends who supported all of our ACYF fundraisers this year. We look forward to hearing how the Holy Spirit has moved their hearts and how St Agnes can be enriched by their experience in the new year.

For Christmas Mass times in the Blue Mountains and Parramatta Diocese, visit the web page: https://parish.parracatholic.org/catholicoutlook/christmas-mass-reconciliation-times-2019/

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room.

May the timeless message of Christmas fill your heart and home

with joy now and throughout the coming year.

- Blessings from the St Agnes Staff and Students

Pace e bene,

Mary Reyes

All students in Years 7 to 10 will receive their final academic report for 2019 shortly. This outlines clearly how the student has performed in each subject area and the Learning Advisor has also provided a holistic comment on their view of each student’s performance. I encourage all parents and students to read through the report carefully and reflect upon the learning attained. There is information below which provides suggestions as to the best way for students to prepare and ensure they are ready for the 2020 scholastic year.

Congratulations to our students who received an acknowledgement of their effort and success at our recent award ceremony. Our awards recognised:

• First in course (Year 11 only).
• Highly Commended - Academic Achievement. This first award is for students who regularly achieve consistent results in not only assessment tasks, but also, class tasks. The award is mutually decided upon by the respective class teacher and the Leader of Learning.
• Highly Commended - Sustained Effort. This award is for students whose effort is consistent and does not waver. They regularly complete the set work, homework and when or where possible, seek teacher feedback. This award is mutually decided upon by the Learning Advisor, Learning Mentor and the Leader of Learning Pathways.

First in course

Youth Frontiers Program

• developing life skills
• Increasing self esteem, resilience, leadership skills and capabilities
• engaging with community projects
• improving peer, parental and intergenerational relationships
• better engagement with school, including attendance and academic achievement then you should contact Mrs. Karafotias and request a parent consent form. 

Girls' Tech Day

Girls’ Tech Day was a one-day event designed to inspire and empower young girls from grades 7 to 12,  to pursue interests and careers in technology.  It was a series of learning workshops focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEAM), and the Arts.

Nashwa Karafotias

Careers Advisor

In May of this year six of our students met up with seven students from Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College to work on a photography project run by Mercy Connect.  The purpose of the project was for students to meet up with other students they wouldn't normally have the opportunity of interacting with, to work on a common project around photography using smartphones.  The girls from both schools had a wonderful time and forged some strong friendships, whilst taking photos of the city of Parramatta!  We all had the opportunity to meet up again with the students from Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College in August, to determine which photos should be used to create a photo booklet.  The quality of the photos taken by all the girls was most professional and inspirational!  Many thanks to Paul Taylor at Mercy Connect for running such a successful and worthwhile project!

OFFICE OPENING HOURS DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

          **PLEASE NOTE**

     The last day for payments for 2019 (eg school fees, etc) was Friday, December 13, 2019.  No money can be accepted after this date.

On the morning of the day the student needs to attend an appointment, the student needs to get a release slip from the attendance office. The student shows this slip to the teacher of the class where the student needs to leave early. It will indicate the time the student must leave class. It will be the students responsibility to keep track of time and leave class to meet his/her parent or guardian at the attendance window to sign out. We will not call students out of class, as it is very disruptive to the entire class.

We appreciate your assistance in advising your child of this policy.

At the request of Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Catholic Outlook is back. You can get your own copy of the revised Catholic Outlook which will be published quarterly as an A4 magazine with a focus on Catholic faith formation, spirituality and a look at what is happening across the agencies and ministries of the Diocese of Parramatta. Look out for copies in your local Catholic Church, Catholic school or Catholic office.

Help vulnerable people in crisis turn their lives around, recover and thrive. Your compassionate gifts and prayers will help CatholicCare to connect people with support and services to build strong foundations for self-sufficiency, fulfilling family relationships and brighter futures. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal via yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal

The Plenary Council invites people to continue to participate in the journey towards the Council sessions in 2020. There are many opportunities to engage in the “Listening and Discernment” phase by participating in small group sessions within the Diocese. Ask you priests or Deanery Representatives for session dates in parishes and deaneries or contact the Pastoral Planning Office on 8838 3441.

Blacktown Neighbour Aid, a program with CatholicCare, is looking for volunteers to support our senior clients in the Blacktown area to remain living independently in their own home. If you feel you would like to make a positive difference to other’s lives in this way, please contact the Manager, Deb Woolacott on 0418 114 055 or email deb.woolacott@ccss.org.au.

The Epiphany Pilgrimage, through the Blue Mountains, is a not-for-profit event of the Diocese of Parramatta and outreach of the Blue Mountains Deanery. Beginning at Emu Plains on 2 January and finishing 7 days later at Bell, pilgrims walk 110km through the beautiful Blue Mountains bushland, celebrating the Christmas season with each parish along the way. Registration and details at epiphanypilgrimage.org and facebook.com/epiphanypilgrimage

St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, is hosting weekly devotions to Mary Immaculate and St Bernadette and Adoration of the Blessed Sacraments every Wednesday evening at 7pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office on 02 9672 4037 or admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.org.au

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish in the Upper Blue Mountains has opened an Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s Church, Katoomba. If you would like further information or would like to sign up for a weekly hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, please call the parish office on 02 4782 2804.

The Nigerian Catholic community come together to celebrate Mass every second and fourth Sundays of the month at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes. For more information, please contact Nigerian chaplain Fr Chinonye Akamadu via the parish office on 02 9631 8135 or Stella Nwosu 0405 478 472.

Kirinari, located in Llandilo and Wiyanga, located in Dundas, are purpose built centres for learning that provide an inclusive education for students with a moderate intellectual disability and high support needs. If you have a child or know someone who would benefit from an alternate platform for learning in Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, please phone 02 9840 5689 for further information.

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville, is holding their annual Mass of the Holy Innocents on 28 December at 11am. Fr David Blowey OFM Conv will celebrate Mass, followed by a Rosary procession to the Shrine of the Holy Innocents. Lunch will be available and please bring a plate to share. For enquiries, please contact the parish office on (02) 9629 2595.

The Pastoral Planning Office is running a training day in the Alpha Catholic program at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown, Sunday 9 February, 9.30am – 4.30pm. The workshop will look at where Alpha fits in the faith formation process in a Parish. To register, and for more information, please contact Lisa in the Pastoral Planning Office on 8838 3497 or lisa.bright@parracatholic.org

Open Support, a not-for profit, community service organisation is in need of volunteer drivers for their Country Care Link program, which is a transport service for regional NSW families, couples and individuals when in Sydney for medical appointments and hospital stays. For more information or to receive a volunteer information pack, please email volunteer@opensupport.org.au, call 02 8382 6437 or visit www.opensupport.org.au

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth invite families and young people aged 18 to 35 to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family on 28 December at the Our Lady Queen of Poland Convent in Marayong. Mass will be held at 3pm, with Adoration from 4.30pm. RSVP to Sr Paula by 26 December on 0449 656 406 or vocationscfn@gmail.com.

Campion College’s Summer Program provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience college life and a taste of the Campion College course. Students aged between 16 to 20 are encouraged to attend the program from either 5 to 9 January or 13 to 17 January at the campus in Toongabbie. Program is free for all local and interstate students. For more information, contact Student Recruitment Manager Christine Vella on 9896 9303 or study@campion.edu.au, or visit www.campion.edu.au/summer-program

For more events please go to: parracatholic.org/events