Last weekend we began the season of Advent in the Church Year. The four weeks of Advent allow us time to ponder how Jesus came into the 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 intentions.

 “Are we there yet?” This is a question we have probably heard, and probably asked, multiple times throughout our lives. It is a question that frequently comes up, especially when the kids are sitting in the back seat wondering when they will finally arrive at the destination. It is also a question that we may be tempted to ask during the Advent season. We know that many people have now jumped right into their Christmas festivities, barely taking taking time to catch their breath but, with this Advent season, we are being reminded that we’re not there yet. This season of Advent, this beginning of the Church’s new liturgical year, is an opportunity for us to take the time to enjoy the journey. To proceed a little more slowly and intentionally towards Christmas – to notice what God is doing in our lives, and in the world around us, to help us be better prepared to welcome Jesus anew.

So, we may not be “there” yet, but, even now, Jesus is here, with us, as we begin this journey through Advent.

Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, grant us the light and strength needed to journey through this Advent season, so as to always be prepared to encounter You.

First Eucharist

We congratulate our students and families who are celebrated their first Holy Communion last Sunday. We thank Fr Bing for his support in ensuring our students don't miss out on this very special step in their faith journey by putting on a special Mass on Sunday at 5.30pm in the Cathedral. We thank our Year Four teachers, for preparing our students, Mr Hatchman for his great organisation and support and Mr Whitney for his beautiful music.

Year Five Camp
On Tuesday our Year Five students are heading to Camp Goodenough for their camp. I know they will have a great time and we look forward to hearing all about their experiences when they return next Thursday.

The Be Centre

Last week we received 'Need to Play' bags from the Be Centre in Sydney. These bags were sent to us as our school was greatly impacted by the February floods. The Be Centre acknowledges the ongoing impact that these floods have on students and have put together bags for students at St Carthage's. 'In each bag is a selection of sensory toys and art materials which can help to reduce anxiety in children as they process the trauma from the floods. Encouraging children to play out their experiences is a powerful way for children to safely express their feelings and make sense of their experiences.' (Michelle Carlyle CEO Be Centre Foundation Limited)

The Be Centre have recently developed a short online course for parents/carers called 'Need to Play'. This is a free course and can be accessed at www.BeCentreAcademy.org.au

We are very grateful to the Be Centre for supporting our students by the provision of these bags.

School Reports

School Reports will be sent home on Friday, 9th December. Parents may not feel that an interview is required at this time and may prefer to wait and catch up with your child’s 2022 teacher during our Term One interviews next year. If you would like an interview, please contact your child’s teacher.

School Leaders 2023

Over the past week we had the privilege to listen to our Year 5 students campaigning for leadership roles within our school for 2023.

When I spoke to the Year Five group at their Leadership Retreat I began by telling them that leadership is not about being the most popular student or the best athlete or the best scholar but it is more about the qualities, attributes and values that you can bring to the role and about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could and supporting them along the way.

They were asked questions at their retreat such as; what makes a good leader, who is a role model for you in your leadership aspirations and what qualities do you bring to the leadership role you seek. As we know, leadership can be very rewarding but it can also be very challenging, sometimes lonely but always a privilege.

It is exciting to know that we have a group of children who are very excited to be a part of this journey of leadership within our school. I know that any of the children chosen for leadership positions will represent the school well and most importantly represent themselves and their family.  We look forward to congratulating the new leaders in a few weeks time.

Christmas Concert
Our school Christmas Concert will be held on Monday, 12th December, starting at 5:15pm with a BYO picnic tea. For those families who are not coming to the picnic tea, we will require all children to be at school at 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start. All our families are invited to bring a chair or picnic blanket along to enjoy the evening’s performance.
Students are asked to wear their Sports shorts and shoes, with a green or red T-shirt, Christmas T-shirt or Colour House shirt. They may wear a Santa hat or tinsel on their head. Year 6 students who have a character role will have their costume
provided.

End of Year Mass
On Thursday, 15th December we will celebrate the conclusion of our 2022 school year with Mass at 9:30am in the Cathedral. At the conclusion of Mass, we will farewell the 2022 Year 6 students and the 2023 student School Leaders will be announced. All members of our school community are invited to join
us for this important celebration.

2023 Date Reminders
Dates for starting school next year:

• Staff: - Administration Day: Friday, 27th January 2023
• Years 1-6: - Complete Maths Assessment Interview (M.A.I.): Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January 2023. We will advise when bookings are open.
• Years 1-6 return: Wednesday, 1st February 2023.
• Kindergarten: - Complete M.A.I. & Best Start: Monday 30th January -Thursday 2nd February 2023.
• Kindergarten begin: Friday, 3rd February 2023.