Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s new year and is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. In fact, this season of Advent focuses on Christ’s threefold coming - past, present and future.

• We await and prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas.
• We hope and give thanks for Christ’s presence within us and in the world and sacraments.
• We look to the future, waiting for Christ to come again.

The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’. Lighting the candles on the advent wreath symbolises the coming of light (Jesus) into the world. Advent wreaths can be used in church, at school or at home.

The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) represents peace, the third (rose) represents joy, and the fourth (violet) represents love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ.

This Advent, we invite you to journey with us as we learn, act and pray for a more just and fair world - a world full of hope, peace, joy, and love.

A child living with encouragement learns confidence.

A child living with praise learns to appreciate.

A child living with fairness learns justice.

A child living with security learns to have faith.

A child living with approval learns love of self.

A child living with acceptance and friendship learns to find love in the world.

We pray for all children, that they mean learn the true meaning of Christmas and

be blessed with a world filled with hope, peace, joy and love.

Amen

Week 8

Congratulations to our P&F and our school community who have supported their efforts during 2018. To date, the various sub-committees have raised an outstanding $28 926.66 during 2018.

We thank them for their generous donations to the school which have totalled $14 718.14 and a commitment of a further $1500 towards helping us to pay for John Coutis to come to the school and speak to parents, staff and students early in 2019 as well as $15 000 towards new computers for the computer lab.

This year the P&F have donated a thermomix for the canteen, canteen vouchers for our gotcha and house point rewards, catholic education programs, school marquees, books for the library, a portable PA system which students use each week at assembly, school awards, shade sails and tools/items for our student kitchen and metal workshop, student sport representation to assist with associated costs, student fundraising efforts and swimming caps.

During the past 3 years, the P&F have managed to bring in close to $130 000 (less costs) and have donated back approximately $80 000 back into the school as resources which all our children get to enjoy.

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Mel Finnigan and the amazing P&F team who have worked so tirelessly throughout my years as Principal for the benefit of our school.

The commitment and thoughtfulness that they have applied throughout the years to determine fundraisers, priorities and resources for the school has been exceptional.

It has been an honour and privilege to work with such a dedicated team of parents, who obviously care so deeply about our children and Sacred Heart. It has been great to see so many community events which have brought all ages together and helped to ensure an inclusive school.

I thank you for your support throughout my time as Principal. I greatly appreciated being able to have a chat, gain parent perspectives and to have the opportunity to raise discussion points which we could deliberate, in such a friendly way.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Principal and it has been a great joy and pleasure to work so closely with your children. They really are a credit to a strong parent community, who understands and models the importance of helping out and serving others.

I am in awe at the amount of money that the P&F have managed to raise and put back into the school during my 6 years at the school. For such a small community to raise such significant funds is incredible and testament to the P&Fs enthusiasm and drive.

Year 10 Graduation 2018

Please join us at 11.45am on Friday 14 December for our Graduation Mass for our Year 10 students.

Last year for Thompson’s Christmas Lights!

This will be the last year that Robyn and Graeme Thompson will be decorating their house with Christmas lights. All donations from this year will be going towards Lifeline in memory of Dave Forsyth. They are already up and running so if you have some time, please go and enjoy the wonderful display and support this very worthwhile cause.

SAVE THE DATE

John 'JC' Coutis is an exceptional person. Born with a severe disability that rendered him a double amputee, John defied medical opinion by refusing to die. Today he gets around on a skateboard and travels the world inspiring tens of thousands of adoring fans to block out the negatives and be the best that they can be.

We have booked John to come and speak to staff, parents and students on Thursday 21 February 2019. We are hoping to have a shared parent and staff breakfast and John will address the group. He will then speak to Secondary and Primary students in separate talks.

While John considers himself most privileged to be able to impart his gifts and dynamic life experience to others, in turn he is widely acknowledged as one of the most inspirational speakers of his generation. His invaluable messages encompass respect for diversity, anti-bullying, inclusion, resilience, goal setting, tolerance, motivation, self-determination and courage.

We find that we often get guest speakers in to speak to our students but would really love our parents to hear the same messages. Please save the date and join us to hear this exceptional speaker. Details will be sent out early in 2019.

With blessings,

Mrs Janet Cartwright

Principal

janet.cartwright@cg.catholic.edu.au

~Stage 3 Ballarat Excursion~

Faith_in_Action_Orientations_for_2019.pdf