Dear Parents,
Advent is the first day of a new Liturgical (or church) calendar and begins a four-week period of preparation in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The season of Advent is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s birth in the world as it is today. It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, special music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is. There are many different traditions associated with the four weeks of Advent. The Advent season invites us to step away from what can be a frenzied time of parties and shopping to consider how we commemorate the birth of Jesus, one of the holiest times in Christian faith. It is also a time to reflect on the triumphant return of Jesus at the second coming. May this year’s Advent season be on of hope renewal and anticipation as we await the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Reports for each student will be emailed to parents via the Compass Portal next Wednesday 7th December. It is imperative you take the time to sit down with your child and discuss their report before the end of the term. This discussion would revolve around highlighting and acknowledging their achievements for the semester as well as planning how they are going to achieve success with the areas for development for next year put forward by their teachers. Celebrating achievement and planning on how to improve your child’s learning for the next scholastic year are the two major focuses as we conclude school for 2022. Congratulations to all our students on the achievements they have made with their learning throughout a most challenging year.
With the uncertainty of weather and the unavailability of the church due to an unexpected funeral next Thursday evening at 5:30pm, the Christmas concert will need to be moved to Monday night the 12th December commencing at 6:30pm. As a staff, in recent days we decided to move the concert to the church due to the unpredictability of the weather. On Thursday morning I was informed of a funeral that is scheduled for late in the afternoon next Thursday. Due to the clash, the logistics regarding traffic and site access as well as the unpredictable weather, the decision was made to postpone and reschedule the concert to the following Monday evening. As a result of moving the concert to the church, we are restricted for space. Therefore, we ask that families restrict their attendance on the night to parents and siblings only. We are endeavouring to stream the night's event to enable extended family to view the concert from home. As the venue is now the church, there will be no food or refreshments allowed at the concert. I apologise for the late notice in the changes regarding the venue, date and for any inconvenience caused. It is important that the concert goes ahead after two years of missing out due to the pandemic.
Thank you for your continued support in this matter.
Over the last few years, I have seen a decline in the manner in which school ties and tabs are being worn with the Winter uniform by both the boys and girls respectively. I have always believed that if both these items are to be part of any school’s winter uniform they should be worn correctly with the top button of the shirt and blouse done up with both the tie and tab done up over the top button, with no gap between the top of the collar and the tie / tab. If these items are to be a part of the winter uniform, they should be worn correctly or not at all and also be regularly cleaned. It is important that our children take pride in their uniforms and wear both these accessories appropriately. I would appreciate your feedback on whether or not both these items of clothing continue as part of the winter uniform or we discontinue students wearing them. Please email me your feedback ahughes@parra.catholic.edu.au. I look forward to you sharing with me your feedback on the matter. Thank you.
Our meet the teacher afternoon for 2023 will take place on Monday afternoon 11th December at 2pm. This is a great opportunity for your children’s teacher for next year to meet with their students and outline the year ahead and their expectations as well as answer any questions their students may have for the upcoming year.
Our Year 6 Graduation Mass, presentation and supper will take place on Tuesday evening 13th December commencing at 7:30pm. Our senior graduating students will be joined by their families as they celebrate seven years of education at Christ the King and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives as they prepare for high school next year.
School will finish for the year on Friday the 16th of December. Our thanksgiving mass and presentation of awards will commence at 9:15am followed by our school community farewelling our graduation year six students. Our 2023 student leadership group will also be announced to the community. Children will be allowed to go home with their parents at the conclusion of the celebrations. Supervision will be provided for the remainder of the day for students who need to remain at school till the afternoon dismissal.
Have a great week!
Tony Hughes
Principal
