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Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
An Advent Reflection by Maryellen Thomas rsj
Take a moment to close your eyes and go on a journey of remembering. Think back to when you were a little child and some special event was to occur in the very near future. You may have been awaiting a birthday or a holiday or Christmas. As you remember, tap into the anticipation that you experienced at this time. Each day brought greater excitement and expectancy even though it felt as if the anticipated moment would never arrive.
For Christians, the anticipation of the birth of Christ in the season of Advent resembles our childhood experiences. The word, Advent, derives from the Latin adventus, which means coming. While it is a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, it is also a reminder of the Second Coming of Christ.
Fortunately for us, rather than having to endure the agonising wait of the child, there are symbols that make the anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child a little easier. The Sunday readings break down the period into two specific sections, those of remembrance and anticipation. On the first two Sundays we look forward to Christ’s second coming and on the remaining two we look backwards to the story of Christ’s first coming in the Bethlehem of long ago.
The Advent candles, which are usually placed in a wreath, highlight the significance of each of these Sundays. The wreath, which is created out of evergreens, symbolises everlasting life. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love.
As we light the first one, the candle of hope, we have a beautiful reminder to prepare our hearts even as we prepare our homes to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is hope that keeps us from despair and urges us to be compassionate, kind and loving towards one another. It is hope that encourages us to believe and trust in a merciful God.
The second candle represents faith. It is sometimes known as the Bethlehem Candle, as it serves to remind us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. It symbolises the expectation and utter confidence felt by all who are anticipating the coming of the Messiah.
While three of the Advent candles are purple, the third one to be lit is a pink (rose) colour, and that is the liturgical colour for joy. This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday, that is, it is a day when we rejoice that the world has experienced the birth of Jesus and that we have reached the midpoint of this Advent season.
The final candle, which brings us a message of peace, is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. It reminds us of the message of the angels:
Jesus brought about peace in the most unexpected of ways. Today he brings us inner peace and thus encourages us to put aside our differences and do what we can to bring about his peace in today’s world.
As we move into this coming Advent season, may we capture the excitement and anticipation of the child as we prepare for the birth of Jesus in our hearts and in the world around us.
| Reminder: Tomorrow, Tuesday 1st December is a School Closure day. |
Kind regards
Jodie
As per the fee letter sent to families on 6th April 2020, Important Message about School Fees, there will not be an automatic reduction in school fees due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
School fees are an essential portion of resources for the operation of our school and assist our leaders and staff to enhance curriculum and teaching programs. Therefore, we are asking, for those who can, to continue to support the school financially.
If you have concerns about your financial situation, please contact Maria Churton, School Administration Officer at office@stmtraralgon.catholic.edu.au so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements to enable your child(ren)’s education at our school to continue.
Cancellation of Student Activities
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all student activities for the remainder of 2020 have been cancelled. This now includes the junior swimming program, the Grade 1/2 Camp experience and any further excursions. Gr 3, 4 and 6 camps.
Credits for these student activities will be processed in the coming weeks, updated fee statements will then be issued. If this credit results in your fee account being overpaid a refund may be requested. Such requests must be submitted in writing, via email to office@stmtraralgon.catholic.
Each week students from each class are awarded Student of the Week certificates. These children are nominated for the example they have been within the school based on the School Wide Expectation focus for that week. The weekly focus will be from Wednesday until Tuesday the following week. Awards will be presented to students in class until assemblies can resume.
In Week 8 the School Wide Expectation focus was Safety.
I have the right to feel safe in our school environment.
The award winners for week 8 were:
| Romi Colgan | Harry Wight | Alice Bragger |
| Evie Boyington | Zanthe Flewin | Miley Wilson |
| Ayaan Bijarani | Ruby Darby | Michele Lear |
| Marcus Tsaikos | Xavier Buhagiar | Ashleigh Nachorny |
| Ella Van Der Meer | Mia Francolino | Olivia Pugliese |
| Hailey Lourensz | Tajh Brand | Layla Graham |
| Leni Rayner | Isla Rabette | Aliana Krieger |
| Dermot Clarke | Beth Wallace | Millie Bermingham |
| Alexander Witte | Tyler Zandona | Josh Ness |
| Livia Lowe | Jasmine Ness | Charlee Geary |
| Jacob Zelenewicz | Kumen Konyi | |
| Isabella Suter | Sam Van Iwaarden |
Answer from last week:
384 000 ÷ 42 = 9 142.85
You would run appropximately 9143 marathons to get to the Moon.
This week we celebrate the first weekend of Advent. The word ‘Advent’ means coming and this is the time of waiting expectantly for the ‘coming of Jesus’. If someone is coming to visit your home, how do you prepare? Do you: tidy your house, prepare a meal, make up the spare bed? It is easy to be prepared for a visitor when we know what time to expect them but what if someone arrives unexpectedly? Would you find yourself ready, would everything be in order? It is like that with the second coming of Jesus, only God knows when he shall come. In this week's gospel, we are reminded that we must stay awake and be ready for Jesus when he returns. What do you need to do to prepare for Jesus? Talk with your children about what we can do … it can be as simple as being nice to our siblings, helping out with jobs at home, giving to someone who needs it.
Dear Families,
St. Michael’s Primary School has supported our local St. Vincent de Paul Society for many years through our food and gift collections.
Normally at this time of year we would be celebrating the end of our school year with our giving Mass. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions we are unable to gather in our usual way.
St. Vincent de Paul Society, however, still desperately needs the support that we, along with our sister schools, provide the people within our community.
This year we are asking that each child donates some festive items. These donations might include: Christmas food, serviettes, wrapping paper, bon bons etc. Consider donating the items that bring joy into your household during this special time of the year.
We ask that the children bring their donation to school by Friday 11th December.
Thanks for your generous support.
Sue Rickwood
(REL)