St Michael s Primary School

Transcription

1 St Michael s Primary School 3 5 Chapel Lane, Baulkham Hills 2153 Tel: Fax: Issue 39 Term 4 Week 9 Thursday 6 December 2012 From the Principal Dear Parents Only 20 days to Christmas So what do we think of when we hear such news? Probably, the thoughts that come to mind, are those associated with the necessary preparations that go to make the day an enjoyable occasion marked by lots of food, presents, lights and tinsel. Besides this type of joy there is another: Let s arise with joy in our hearts and share it with everyone. The meaning of Christmas will always be the birth of Jesus, God s Son. (Author uncertain). Christmas is an anniversary celebration of when God gave us the gift of Himself without splendour or opulence but in poverty and weakness, in the form of a tiny baby in an animal enclosure. Jesus, Son of God, emptied himself of power, privilege and possessions and was born into the human race in the humblest of manner. Boris Pasternak in his book, Dr Zhivago, wrote: Something in the world had been changed. The story of a human life became the story of God and filled the Universe. Indeed a worthy anniversary to celebrate. In the early years of the Church, Christianity grew and spread very quickly. This was because Christians were known for their unusual compassion for those around them so different to the treatment metered out by the Romans. The first Christians knew that God, taking flesh in Jesus for the sake of the whole world, wasn t an event of the past; it was the pattern for their own lives every day. People in any age of anxiety and oppression were attracted to a religion whose adherents dared not to follow the culture of the day but to transform it. Round about the year 250 A.D., a plague struck Alexandria and killed nearly half the population. Rather than trying to flee and save themselves, Christians stayed. In a time of pain and danger, they stayed and cared for the sick and dying. If we choose to reach out to others in the midst of our own worrying, as did those early Christians, we, too, can be liberated by the joy of knowing ourselves to be united to Christ. Everything necessary has been given to us in the Gospels. What is it? Firstly, to love one s neighbour the supreme form of living energy. Once it fills the heart of man, it has to overflow and spend itself. (Boris Pasternak. Dr Zhivago). The goodness of a Christian, one who models life on Christ is letting the wonder of God s love come through our lives and allowing it to be available to other people. Love is given so that love can be born in another and given in return. Wishing you every blessing for the week ahead As a baby, Jesus came From his home above, He left his throne and where he was To teach us how to love. As a baby, Jesus came The hope of eternal life, Recalling us back to God Giving meaning to our lives.

2 RE News Living Year of Grace For Fruitfulness in Our Work nurture our talents, gifts and potential: affirm us in the work we do each day; show us how we do make a difference. St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal Thank you so much for your generous support for our Hamper Appeal Please send any last items in by tomorrow. St Vincent de Paul will be collecting the items. End of Year Eucharistic Liturgy All are welcome to come along to our end of year Liturgy on Wednesday 19 th December at 10.15am in the Church. Parish Carols by Candlelight The parish invites all families to their Carols by Candlelight on Saturday 8 th December at 7pm on the oval behind the Church. Bring a picnic. Christmas Masses Christmas Eve: 6pm (outdoors, weather permitting) 8pm and Midnight Mass Christmas Day: 8am and 10am Children s Liturgy The Children s Liturgy of the Word takes place every Sunday during the 10am Mass throughout the term. David Ison KB Megan Loveridge 3M Georgia Simic KIH Caelan Kustreba 3R Thomas Cowling KR Natalya Ghetto 4C Brayden Marshall KS Javier House 4G Monique Giannotti 1HD Joshua Bugeja 4R Therese Barbara 1K Nicky Chai 4VG Sarah Wadih 1R Amelia Harvie 5A Allyssa Gatt 1S Rachel Wong 5C Matthew Roveto 2BT Ruby Carlick 5M Brandon Moore 2G Matthew Loveridge 5S Gemma O Brien 2N Liam Donnelly 6DD Madeleine Suprain 2P Angelina Halcrow 6F Nathan Woodward 2Q Aidan O Sullivan 6IB Kristie Maung 3J Sofia Buric 6OC Jenna O Keefe 3JR Fahed Tleyji DATES TO REMEMBER Friday 7 Dec Promotion Day Change over Afternoon (Children meet their teacher and class for 2013). Time: 2pm Mon 10 Dec Choir to sing at Epping Club 11am 12 noon Wed 12 Dec Year 6 Award Ceremony in the Hall 6.15pm Year 6 Graduation Mass in the Church 7.30pm Thu 13 Dec Year 6 excursion to Aquatic Centre Fri 14 Dec Year 2 6 Swimming Carnival at Waves Baulkham Hills Mon 17 Dec Student and Citizen of the Term Awards 2.30pm in the Hall Wed 19 Dec End of Year Mass at 10.15am in the Church Student and Citizen of the Term Awards midday in the Hall TERM 4 CONCLUDES Tue 29 Jan Mathematical Assessment Interviews with students Wed 30 Jan Mathematical Assessment Interviews with students Thu 31 Jan TERM 1 COMMENCES 2013 Kindergarten Year 6 SCHOOL BANKING Next week will be the last week for school banking for the year. Thank you to everyone. Hope you all enjoyed your rewards this year. A huge thank you to Mrs Tracey Wilde who has coordinated the school banking this year. UNIFORM SHOP Thursday 13 December 8.30am 9.30am

3 SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM The social skill for next week is: Good Sportsmanship Doing all you can to win whilst showing commitment to fair play and concern and respect for opponents. NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOMS KR Reflections of our First year of Big School The best thing I liked about Kindy: Isabella - Learning new things Riley - Making new friends Cristian - Doing play and write Samuel - Using ipads Kitwarla - Milking the cow on the Farm Audrey - Visiting the library Edwina - Doing Guided Reading Jack - Buying new books through Bookclub Morgan - Sport Olivia - Having a pet fish in class Aidan - Dad coming to help on the Farm Excursion. Oscar - Going to the canteen Max - Playing on Kindy grass Alex - The Olympic-a-thon Annabelle - Having nice teachers Natalya - Free play Cooper - Doing group work Kayley - Writing on mini white boards Colm - Making an animal enclosure Choirs of Angels The school choir will be singing Christmas carols in the foyer of The Epping Club on Monday 10th December from 11am. This is a community event so anyone wishing to attend is more than welcome. The Epping Club is in Rawson Street Epping. Lyndall Parker Music Teacher P&F NEWS Thank you to the outgoing 2012 P&F committee. Your continuous effort, dedication and hard work were greatly appreciated. The children of St Michael s truly benefited from your commitment. P&F Christmas raffle- $1.00 per ticket First prize $500 and 34 other fabulous prizes. Tickets returned back to school by Thursday 13 th December. HOLIDAY SCIENCE AT CASTLE HILL A fun and interactive day of science for 7-12 yr olds. Three in-depth activities with lunch included! When: 16 th or 17 th January 2013, 9:30am - 3:30pm Location: William Clarke College via Wrights Road Kellyville school Hall. Enter via Wrights Road and look for the bright sign that says "Holiday Science Cost: $95 (discount available for Double Helix members). Ages: 7-12 This exciting day of fun and interactive science features three in-depth activities: Sparks, arcs & conductors-a hands-on workshop where you can use our equipment to explore the nature of electricity and how it makes our lives easier. Includes spectacular demonstrations of wireless energy, levitating objects and a close-up look at a hot plasma. Electrophorus-A curious device that generates static electricity and produces glowing light. Best of all, you get to take it home. Squishy circuits-imagine a circuit that you mould with your hands then power up with electricity to make lights, sounds and more. Then when you're done, take your special squishy conductor home and the fun continues! Hope you have a safe and relaxing Christmas break. Mrs Lucy Messina (Leader of learning) SIGN THE PETITION DAY Catholic schools across New South Wales are united in their opposition to any reduction and capping of school funding and are petitioning Premier Barry O Farrell to have this decision overturned. On Tuesday 11 th December, all schools in the diocese will be asked to participate in a Sign the Petition Day. We will be distributing a flyer this week with details of how you can participate.

4 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE VALUE FOR MONEY.. School fees Catholic schools operate at about 80% of the resource levels of public schools and depend on the ongoing funding from state and federal governments. To meet the shortfall between the basic costs of running a school and the amount provided by governments, Catholic schools need to charge school fees, which we try to keep as low as possible. We will endeavour to minimise the impact of NSW Government s school funding cuts on families. No student will be refused enrolment because of a family s inability to pay fees. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please arrange a confidential meeting with your principal. CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA SCHOOL FUNDING WEBSITE The Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta School Funding website has been created in response to the NSW Liberal Government s plan to cut $1.7 billion from school education funding in New South Wales. It is vital that we continue to oppose the NSW Government s decision to cut $1.7 billion from school education funding. On this site, you will see resources including sample letters to MPs, slogans and information for schools and parishes to raise awareness of this issue and lobby the NSW Government to overturn this decision. This site is a collaborative space for our school and parish communities to work together in opposing the state government s short sighted education policy. You are encouraged to share your resources, thoughts and suggestions via this website. Sample below: Sport for Jove Theatre Company would like to invite the St Michael s community to the annual Shakespeare in the Park at the historic Bella Vista Farm. This year there are three wonderful comedies on offer: Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors and The Tempest. Bring a picnic and relax under the canopy of the stars with a beautiful evening of Shakespeare! Some seating is also provided. The season runs from 7 December 1 January. For more information on performance dates and to watch some trailers of our past productions, visit our website at Don t forget to say hello to Oliver (4R) and Max (2G). ADVERTISEMENTS For ages 5 17 years to develop confidence, communication and acting skills. Weekly classes: Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Dural, Kellyville, Quakers Hill, Rouse Hill, Bella Vista and Oakhill Drive. Enrolling now for Term Phone: act create communicate SAY NO TO FUNDING CUTS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MP TODAY

5 Christmas Eve Mass As is the tradition here at St Michael s, the children from our school act out the gospel at the Christmas Eve Children s Mass. This year, we will need a few primary children for the main acting roles and to narrate the story, and lots of younger (and older) children to dress up and act as angels and shepherds. If you will be attending the 6pm Mass on Christmas Eve and would like to be involved, please fill out the form below and return to school by Wednesday 12 th December. While we would love to include as many children as possible, there are only a few main roles. Hopefully, everyone who volunteers will be happy to be a part of this special play, regardless of how big or small their part! PLEASE NOTE: If you are chosen for a main acting or narrating role, you MUST be able to attend the rehearsal on Sunday, 23 rd December at 11 o clock in the school grounds. (After the 10am Mass) Thank you, Louise van Gend (Children s Liturgy Co-ordinator) CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN S MASS Name: Class: Age: Please tick the appropriate box and to return to school c/o 4VG Actor Mary (Must have some horse-riding experience) Joseph(Need to be in Year 5 or 6) Narrator Angel/shepherd