It s Advent; only a few weeks till Christmas!

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P OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL TELEPHONE: 9584 9488 9 CENTRE DANDENONG ROAD, CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 FAX: 9583 2606 Email: principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au Website: www.

The four weeks of Advent allow us time to ponder how Jesus came into this world in such a stunningly humble way.

Our life is often distracted, self-centred and sometimes leaves us wishing we were better people.

our spirituality. The bumper sticker that reads, Be patient; God isn t finished with me yet is a reminder that, in God s eye, we are a work in progress.

1 P OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL TELEPHONE: CENTRE DANDENONG ROAD, CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 FAX: principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au Website: NEWSLETTER No.18 4 th December 2017 Dear OLA Families, It s Advent; only a few weeks till Christmas! The four weeks of Advent allow us time to ponder how Jesus came into this world in such a stunningly humble way. As we contemplate His birth in a bed of straw in a messy stable, perhaps, we see our own life as being a little messy too. Our life is often distracted, self-centred and sometimes leaves us wishing we were better people. If we can slow down and refocus our attention, we might realise that God is there, waiting to love us even though we have so many unfulfilled good intentio ns and so many unfulfilled desires about our spirituality. The bumper sticker that reads, Be patient; God isn t finished with me yet is a reminder that, in God s eye, we are a work in progress. Our faith is not a vaccine that prevents bad things from happening to good people. Rather, our faith is the new seed that brings forth new life and hope out of a life that contains struggle, difficulty, conflict and maybe misunderstanding. Christians, during Advent, are like the shepherds from the Bethlehem hills; we are called from our everyday activities to allow God to re-enter our lives, even when we are feeling least religious or ready for His coming, for His arrival within us. God, our Father, we thank You for Your love for us, a love that reaches out to accept us, no m atter our circumstance. As we contemplate the arrival of Your Son, help us to share our love with others. May our love, like Yours, be abundant and healing. Amen. Yours sincerely, Mrs Leonie Young Principal

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Term 4 December 2017 6 Wednesday School Closure Day 8 Friday Advent Whole School Prayer Service 2.

00am Grade 6 Final Assembly 2.30pm Grade 6 Graduation Mass 6.00pm Grade 6 Graduation Celebrations 7.00pm-8.00pm 18 Monday No Canteen New Leaders Assembly and Prep Nativity Play 9.

2 OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH PRIMARY SCHOOL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Term 4 December Wednesday School Closure Day 8 Friday Advent Whole School Prayer Service 2.30pm P&F Barefoot Bowls 14 Thursday Grades Orientation 2.30pm-3.00pm Reports Go Home 15 Friday Last Day For Canteen Advent Whole School Prayer Service 9.00am Grade 6 Final Assembly 2.30pm Grade 6 Graduation Mass 6.00pm Grade 6 Graduation Celebrations 7.00pm-8.00pm 18 Monday No Canteen New Leaders Assembly and Prep Nativity Play 9.00am Advent Whole School Prayer Service 2.30pm 20 Wednesday End of Year Whole School Mass 10.15am Term 4 Concludes 1.00pm Term 1 January Wednesday Term 1 Commences Grades am February Thursday Term 1 Commences Preps 8.40am

EDUCATION IN FAITH Term 4 Catholic Social Teaching Focus: Stewardship Scripture Focus: John 10:10- I came that they may have life and have it abundantly Advent Season This season of Advent is a time

Our Advent scripture readings following the theme of Mark s Gospel which reminds us to be ready for the Lord. It is about finding hope in the Christ Jesus and being people of hope.

Advent Prayer Dear Father, keep our hearts filled with the joy your Son s birth has brought to us. Help us to remember the waiting of Advent and to hold fast to the gifts you have given us.

3 EDUCATION IN FAITH Term 4 Catholic Social Teaching Focus: Stewardship Scripture Focus: John 10:10- I came that they may have life and have it abundantly Advent Season This season of Advent is a time when we wait with longing for the coming of the Promised Saviour. We are reminded of the importance to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas. Our Advent scripture readings following the theme of Mark s Gospel which reminds us to be ready for the Lord. It is about finding hope in the Christ Jesus and being people of hope. It is a time when we can show others that we are people who are awake and ready for the promised saviour. Advent Prayer Dear Father, keep our hearts filled with the joy your Son s birth has brought to us. Help us to remember the waiting of Advent and to hold fast to the gifts you have given us. Teach us to look for signs of Jesus presence throughout the Christmas season and every day of our lives. AMEN St. Vincent De Paul Giving Tree Every year the OLA Community donate toys and hamper items to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. The toys and hampers are distributed to families in our local community. The Giving Tree will be located in the school foyer. School families are asked to take a card from the tree and either donate a gift or hamper items. Please only send new toys and non perisable food items. Please buy and wrap gift with the tag attched and it place under the Giving Tree by Thursday 7 th December. Hamper items may be placed unwrapped under the tree.hamper item could include Bon Bons, Christmas plates and serviettes, chocolates, peanuts (Jars or packaged), Christmas cake/pudding and any other festive foods/items. Thank you for your generosity. Vinnies Gift Card A perfect gift idea could be to give a St. Vinnies Gift Card this Christmas. Much of the proceeds from the sales at the St. Vincent De Paul Opportunity Shops go towards the running cost of the soup vans. So help bring the spirit of Christmas to those less fortunate and give a Vinnies Gift Card as a present for your family and friends to enjoy. This little gift idea will go along way to helping the needy in our Melbourne community. Miss Michelle O Connor Catholic Identity Leader

4 ABSENTEEISM When a child is absent from school, please attendance@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au (Please do not absences to principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au) Please be reminded that it is important to include: child s name child s class reason for absence In the instance of contagious or serious illness please call on the day, and provide a note explaining the absence when your child returns to school. FAMILIES NOT RETURNING IN 2018 We need your assistance to plan for next year. If you are not returning to OLA next year, please complete the attached slip below. THIS IS NOT RELEVANT TO GRADE 6 STUDENTS. FAMILY NAME:.. We will not be returning to OLA school in the Year 2018 STUDENT NAME/S:... CLASS/ES:.. We will be attending: School Name:. Address and Phone:.. Parents Name:. Parents Signature:.. Please return to school office ASAP.

5 SCHOOL BANKING CBA SCHOOL BANKING IS COMING TO OLA

6 CANTEEN NOTICES:

ADDITIONAL NOTICES: KINGSTON LIBRARIES SUMMER READING CLUB I am pleased to announce that the Summer Reading Club will once again be taking place at Kingston Libraries throughout the summer holidays,

7 ADDITIONAL NOTICES: KINGSTON LIBRARIES SUMMER READING CLUB I am pleased to announce that the Summer Reading Club will once again be taking place at Kingston Libraries throughout the summer holidays, and it starts this week! This year the theme is Game On! Children and young people aged 5-16 years are encouraged to read throughout the summer holidays with incentives including mini prizes for filling in their reading record, weekly prize draws for book packs, and the major prize draw for an ipad and vouchers from Westfield and Dymocks. The Summer Reading Club will run from Friday 1 st December to Wednesday 31 st January and conclude with the major prize draw on Friday 2nd February (winners will be notified). Last year the Summer Reading Club was a huge success with more than 600 children taking part across Kingston and over 5,300 books read. With the help of your school, this year the participation in the Summer Reading Club could be even bigger and better! For more information on this year s Summer Reading Club, please contact Shelley Gasperino on , or by to library.youthservices@kingston.vic.gov.au.

St. Mary s Advent Season of Advent. Expectant Waiting. Hopeful Anticipation. Cheerful Preparation.

St. Mary s Advent Season of Advent. Expectant Waiting. Hopeful Anticipation. Cheerful Preparation. St. Mary s Advent 2016 Season of Advent Expectant Waiting. Hopeful Anticipation. Cheerful Preparation. What s Inside The Advent Wreath Advent Begins... Advent at St. Mary s Learn about how to incorporate