November 30, Dear Parents/Caregivers, I write to update you on the arrangements for tomorrow. 8.40am: 9.30am: 10.30am: 11.10am: 11.45am: Classrooms Liturgy in the church Lunch as usual Classrooms Final Assembly 12.00pm: School closes for 2017 Please join us for the Liturgy and Assembly if you can. As always, you are warmly welcome. Students are required to be in uniform and will need their lunch. I have told the children that they may wear Christmas Accessories as appropriate. Please note that school closes tomorrow at 12.00pm. Alternative arrangements should be made if your child usually catches the bus home. We have had many special moments in this last week. The Senior Thanksgiving Celebrations on Tuesday were wonderful. Many thanks to those Year 5 families who assisted on the evening and also to Mrs Smith for her fantastic behind the scenes work. The Country Mile Café catered for the evening and the food was divine. The recipient of the John Dunlea award for 2017, was Aila Bevan. Congratulations, Aila. At assembly yesterday, Mrs Jayme Dempsey, on behalf of Chris Dempsey Cranes, presented scholarships to Allira McPherson and Johnathan Forrest. These generous scholarships for students who will attend Ravenshoe State High, recognise hard work, behaviour, attendance and general citizenship in the school setting. Congratulations Allira and Johnathan. I am sure, like us, the McPherson and Forrest families are very grateful to the management of Chris Dempsey Cranes for their interest and ongoing investment in the lives of Ravenshoe students. Our 2017 chess champion is Blossom Turner. Blossom was presented with a medallion on assembly yesterday. Congratulations, Blossom.
This morning, our choir sang at the Respite centre and as always, the singing and the students were beautiful. Our concert last Friday was certainly a great occasion. Thank you for your support with the raffle. The bear, donated by Mrs Condon enabled us to give a donation of $160 to the local St Vincent de Paul Society. Our celebrations tomorrow bring to a close what has been a wonderful and at times very challenging year. It is a chance for us to give thanks to our God for guidance and wisdom on this journey. It is also a chance for us to say goodbye to our Senior class and to the families who are leaving St Teresa s. Our deepest gratitude to the Ianthe and Trent Hearn, Leslie Grigg and Kylie Gillies, Kimberly Nichols, Jack Fox and Dustie Cockayne, Lyndell and Adrian Hill, John and Jodie Woffenden, Mikaylee Collins and Daniel White and Luke Scott and Nicole Buck. As you move away to create many new memories, we wish you well and hope that life affords many blessings. We say goodbye also to Miss Clark and Mrs Clifton and thank them for everything they have done for the students and for St Teresa s. The successful applicant for the Year 1 teaching position is Ms Katherine Porche. Katherine visited today and spent time with Justine and myself. The 2018 school year commences on Monday, January 22. The office will be open from Monday, January 15. Our teaching staff has a busy week of meetings and Professional Learning with other Catholic schools in the Western Deanery. Have a happy and holy Christmas. Mass times are outlined below. Please consider taking your family to Mass this Christmas to experience the peace, wonder and joy of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Travel safely, tread gently and have a happy break. With grateful thanks
Christmas at St Teresa s Church: Christmas Eve; Christmas Day: Ravenshoe. Mass at 8.30pm. Mass at 8am in Mt Garnet and 9.30am in A CHRISTMAS BLESSING. May there be harmony in all your relationships. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December morning. May each person that comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honour given to the Babe of Bethlehem be that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence. May the hope of this sacred season settle in your mind. May it be a fountain of courage for you. May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened within you. May it lead you to new awareness and appreciation of whatever you take too easily for granted. May you daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it contains. May the coming year be one of good health for you. May you have energy and vitality.
May you keep your eye on the star within you and trust this presence to guide and direct you each day. May you go often to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace. And may you bring this peace into our world. Amen. The following was sent this morning and is included for your information. The Non State School Accreditation Board (NSSAB) Review process recognises the great work that St Teresa's has carried out over its 5 year registration period, under the governance of The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Cairns. The education that St Teresa's provides to improve wellbeing and learning for all students has been recognised by NSSAB through its Cyclical Compliance Review and School Review. Your tireless work both in the school and wider community on a daily basis is to be acknowledged Catherine. On behalf of CES can you please congratulate and thank all those associated with this successful outcome and more so, to continue operating as a school and providing Catholic education to the Ravenshoe community for a further 5 years in the state of Queensland. Good News!