Newsletter Term 4 Week 8 (Wednesday 29 November 2023)
Our Front Page with Year 2.
Year 2 worked collaboratively to create a multimodal text about friendship. Each pair were to write in complex sentences to compare how they are different but also ways they are the same.
Our Gospel Reflection
Sunday’s Gospel passage is the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse with his disciples. It is about the end of time, the coming of the Son of Man, and the final judgement. We hear this description of the final judgement at the conclusion of our liturgical year, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel, this passage might also be read as a conclusion of Matthew’s report on Jesus’ life and ministry; the remaining chapters report the events of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to his disciples the scene of the judgement of the Son of Man. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep and goats upon their return from the pasture. The judgments made by the Son of Man will be based upon the acts of mercy shown to the least ones—the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. Indeed, Jesus, who suffered on the Cross, identifies himself with the least ones.
Recall that last week’s parable of the talents taught us that the gifts that we have been given are intended to be used for the service of others, especially the least among us. Our judgement before God will be based not only on how we have used these gifts and talents, but also on how we have extended ourselves in service to these least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us that whenever we have served these least ones, we have served Christ himself.
When we read today’s Gospel in the context of the chapters that follow in Matthew’s Gospel, we learn the extent to which Jesus identifies with the least ones. In accepting death on the cross, Jesus shows himself to be one of the hungry, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. To accept Jesus is to accept him who suffered and died on the Cross as one of the least ones.
From Our Acting Principal
This afternoon we are looking forward to the fun of the Family Pool afternoon from 4-6pm. I thank the school Forum for their effort and support in organising such an event for our families.
Last Day of Kindergarten Transition
Tomorrow will see our Kindergarten 2024 students complete their last transition day before beginning at St Brigid's in 2024. I thank Mrs Esslemont, Miss Langley, Miss Cooke and Mrs Wimble in their preparation of the students for school next year. A small assembly will be held on Friday at 2.45pm to present certificates and a small gift.
Step Up Day
As we start to finalise events for 2023, it is important to prepare for 2024. Next Tuesday 5th December, students will have the opportunity to take part in our ‘Step Up Program’. This will begin at 12.20pm and continue at the end of the day. This gives our students an opportunity to spend half a day with their teacher in their classroom for next year.
As outlined in a previous newsletter, class teachers for 2024 are as follows:-
- Kindergarten - Ms Karen Esslemont
- Year 1 - Mrs Hayley Kennedy
- Year 2 - Miss Emma Davis
- Year 3 - Mrs Vicki Jansen
- Year 4 - Mrs Kelly Schneider
- Year 5 - Mrs Sally Griffths
- Year 6 - Miss Laura Macdonald
Leadership Speeches
Year 5 are busy preparing and polishing their Leadership Speeches which will be held in the Parish Hall on Monday 11th December at 9.30am. Family and friends are invited to come along to these speeches and share this special time with Year 5. Students will be informed of their Leadership success by the end of the day with the actual positions announced at the End of Year Liturgy on Tuesday 12th December at 9.30am.
Vanessa Walters
Acting Principal
Student Awards Week 7
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:
Ready4Learning - Freya, Satkar & Banjo
Kindergarten - Whole class for such a wonderful year!
Year 1 - Braith & Kaya
Year 2 - Ella & Ryder
Year 3 - Ruby H, Caden & Landan
Year 4 - Piper
Year 5 - Tahnesha, Ruby & Yari
Year 6 - Ava & Van
Principal Award - Chloe (K) & Kindergarten
From the Wellbeing Team.
RESILIENCE and the role of communication.
So far we have talked about how important Problem-Solving and Goal-Setting are in terms of building resilience (the ability to bounce back and adapt to new circumstances). This week we look at the role of Effective Communication. Being able to express our feelings and needs clearly to others means we are more likely to be understood, and have a greater chance of getting what we need. However, we first need to identify our emotions, and needs. To do
this we can ask ourselves some helpful questions:
- What am I feeling?
- What thoughts am I having?
- What will help me to feel better?
- What would I say to a friend who was feeling and thinking this
way?
As communication is a two-way street, being able to listen to, and understand, what others are saying is helpful too. How good are your communication skills?
Swimming Carnival Helpers required
We are seeking parent helpers at our annual Swimming Carnival, to be held next Thursday 7th of December, 2023. We will need assistance with the following roles, for the carnival to run smoothly: Ribbons Table (x2), Place Judges, Time Keepers (priority 12), Infant/Primary novelties.
If you are able to help on the day, please use the following link to register.
https://compasstix.com/e/kkbutgdfjd
All assistance is truly appreciated.
Yours in sport,
Lee Love
Library News.
There will be no Library borrowing from Week 8 to ensure all books are returned prior to the end of the year.
Please look under the bed, in the cupboard, in drawers, under the lounge, in the Fridge?, for all overdue Library books. If you can manage to find a book that has been overdue for longer than one month, we will be offering two green tickets for your efforts.
Remember that you are still able to borrow any number of our ebooks via our online Library. You will just need your username and password which is the same as your School login.
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week or over the holidays:
December
Lane, Emma F, Danny- 3rd
Indigo - 4th
Hannah - 5th
Upcoming Dates
November
Thursday 30th - Year 6 Final Showcase
Thursday 30th - Family Pool Afternoon 4-6pm
December
Friday 1st December - Last Day of R4L transition
Tuesday 5th - Step Up day
Thursday 7th - Swimming Carnival
Monday 11th - Year 5 2024 Leadership Speeches
Tuesday 12th - End of Year Liturgy & Academic Awards
Wednesday 13th - Christmas Pageant
Wednesday 13th - Reports Home
Friday 15th - Rewards Day/Last Day of School
Jan's Bucket Club
