Dear Families,

Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) has informed me of the school fees for 2024.

We are very conscious of the current cost of living pressures and CECG assures me they have worked hard to keep fees to a minimum. However, we are not immune from rising costs and unfortunately need to pass on some of these costs in the form of increases in school fees.

School fees for 2024 are shown in the table below. The single school fee in 2024 will include the tuition fee and all school-based levies. CECG has also reviewed and updated the arrangements for family discounts, which are included in the table below.

Your school fees are used to support the delivery of high-quality education and maintain and improve facilities, including the funding of all staff and the maintenance and improvement of facilities at the school. Voluntary contributions to the Canberra Catholic Schools Build Fund (CCSBF) will be $210 per term for those families that opt-in to make a contribution to the CCSBF.

Our students continue to benefit from a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of learning and co-curricular opportunities. We continue to see improvement in academic achievements of students, particularly in literacy and numeracy. This commitment to learning combined with knowing each child continues to nurture the growth and development of every child.

We are very mindful of the impact that any fee increase can have on families.  If you have any concerns that fees in 2024 may cause hardship for you and your family, I encourage you to contact me for a confidential discussion on the assistance available to support your child.

We value your partnership, and we sincerely thank you for your continued support of our school. If you have any questions about school fees or require assistance on any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me, or our Finance Officer, Jo McCarthy, at the school.

Families are welcome to set up scheduled payments either termly, monthly, fortnightly or weekly. (Fortnightly payments for a single child should equate to approximately $151, assuming no payments are made in January.)

A New (Church) Year

Happy New Year! The new Church year commences this weekend with the first Sunday of Advent.

Advent is a season of waiting; we wait with hope, desire and expectation. One of our Advent companions is Mary, and during these weeks we remember her as she waited for the birth of her child. We know what waiting is like, as many of us wait with anticipation for the holidays.

Advent is also a season to prepare for Christmas. We know that the first coming of Jesus at Bethlehem will not happen again, so during Advent, we prepare and long for a new coming of Jesus into our lives. We take this time every year to practise how to receive Jesus every day of our lives. We remember the call of Jesus to us to make our world a peaceful and loving place, and so, during Advent, we make special efforts to be signs that God is with us. This is what the word ‘Emmanuel’ means – God-with-us.

Advent is a season with its own special mood, colours, sounds, words and joys. Sometimes it can be swamped by Christmas, and we can be tempted to celebrate Christmas too early. This Advent, may we all try to wait, as the world waited long ago for the coming of Jesus, the “Light of the World”.

Fete Sponsors

The following sponsors helped make our Fete a success. Please consider supporting them in return. Thank you to our:

PLATINUM SPONSORS

• Woolworths Conder
• Outset Carpentry
• McIntyre Property
• The Lazy Grazer
• Aquatic Achievers Swim School

 BRONZE SPONSORS

• Domino's
• Wokitup
• Better Trailers Canberra
• Flour & Frost

PRIZE DONATIONS

• Impress'd Jewellery
• Mad On Hair
• Poetry In Flowers
• Honeycomb Lane
• Canberra Cupcake Bouquet
• BZ Burgers
• M&K Meats
• Zambreros
• Star Buffet
• Hotel Queanbeyan
• Alpaca Magic
• Questacon
• Taronga Zoo Dubbo
• iPlay Belconnen
• Garden and Property Maintenance
• Bunnings
• Plus Fitness
• Big Barbers
• Lanyon Hair and Beauty
• Lanyon Nail Spa

Community Council

Following our last meeting of the year, I wish to publicly thank the Community Council for the work they have done for our school, and their support of all that we do. It has been another busy year at SCA, and our Council, chaired by Kristy Everding, has been actively involved in so many ways. Thank you to each of the members: Kristy Everding, Damien Webb, Melinda Reeson, Fay Holden, Trudie Hargrave, Sam Graham, Jo Reed, Cheyenne Symons and Brooke Coles.

Next Friday

Please join us at Holy Family Church, Gowrie, on Friday 8^th December at 9.30am as we celebrate Mass to give thanks for all the blessings this year has brought.

Semester Two Reports

Your child’s teacher is in the process of preparing Semester Two reports. There is a great deal of work and energy that goes into the writing of these documents, and I thank the teachers for their efforts. Reports will be made available via Compass on Friday the 8^th of December.

School Fees

A reminder that school fees are now overdue, for those who have not set up a regular payment through BPAY I ask that you settle your account with us by next week so that we are able to meet our budgetary commitments.

Leaving Early

If you are heading off on holidays before the end of the school year, please let the Front Office and classroom teacher know.

Library

Mrs Katherine Austin has begun the process of stocktaking books in the library. Please ensure your children have returned all books to the library as soon as possible.

End of Year Events

• End of Year Thanksgiving Mass – Friday 8 December at 9.30am
• Semester Two Awards Assembly – Tuesday 12 December at 9.00am
• Kinder Christmas Concert – Monday 11 December at 12.10pm
• Year 6 Graduation – Wednesday 13 December at 5.00pm
• Term Four Ends – Thursday 14 December (at 3.00pmJ)

It was once said…

“Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.”

~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Blessings to you and your family.

Matt Egan-Richards

Principal

matthewer@cg.catholic.edu.au

Cultural Exchange - Learning Beyond the Textbook

The world is a vibrant tapestry, woven with countless cultures and traditions. The process of cultural exchange enriches our lives through fostering an understanding and respect for diverse communities. 

Cultural exchange breaks down barriers, helping us to eliminate prejudices we may have towards those unknown to us. Imagine immersing yourself in a Japanese tea ceremony in Hayakawa Town or walking the cobblestoned streets and enjoying the Christmas Markets in Prague. Exciting, right? 

Our children have been a part of a special cultural exchange during Indonesian lessons. We are delighted to participate in the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) and host the talented Sonia Slovenia Kayukatui and Ajeng Mawarni Putri at St Clare of Assisi. Both Sonia and Ajeng reside in different Indonesian regions. AIYEP links youth in Australia and Indonesia through a social, professional, and cultural exchange. It is a chance for all participants to grow their intercultural skills and professional experiences, and international networks - which has been operating between both Governments. 

Both have arrived with a wealth of cultural knowledge, freely sharing this with our wonderful students for the past three weeks. Children that learn about different cultures at an early age, both inside and outside of education, express greater empathy to diverging views, values, and practices later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social groups and feel more confident in themselves, as well as in pro-social interactions with others. Our students have learned about everything Indonesian and continue to nurture this, not only theoretically, but in practice.

Finally, a big thankyou to all of the AIYEP’s that were placed in Canberra and came along to our Fete to dazzle us with a Cultural Indonesian Dance. It was a lovely opportunity to celebrate our learnt school language beyond the textbook!

This Sunday, we begin the season of Advent. The word “Advent” derives from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” In this case, it refers to the coming birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.  Priests will wear purple vestments during this time, and it is traditional to have an Advent wreath as well. The Advent wreath consists of four candles, which are arranged in a circular pattern, surrounded by evergreen branches. Each candle corresponds to the four respective Sundays through Advent. Three of the candles will be purple in colour, and the other one will be pink. The purple candles represent hope, faith and peace, while the pink candle refers to the third Sunday of Advent, which is known as Gaudete Sunday. This is meant to encourage participants to continue praying as Advent is soon to reach its conclusion.

Advent candles

Each week during Advent has a specific meaning and relevance.

In the first week, Catholics will light the first candle. This signifies hope as it is commonly known as the “Prophet’s candle” and signals that Jesus is coming.

On the second Sunday, a candle is lit to celebrate faith. This is based on the everlasting love of God, and it is also commonly referred to as the “Bethlehem” candle. This reminds everyone that Mary and Joseph undertook the journey to Bethlehem.

On the third Sunday of Advent, it is traditional to celebrate Joy with the “Shepherds” candle. This third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and a literal translation here is to “rejoice.” It is a Sunday to remember Mary as the mother of Jesus.

On the fourth Sunday, the candle symbolises peace and is known as the “Angels” candle. The simple message here from the angels is “peace on earth and goodwill towards men.”

Thanksgiving Mass and Leadership Handover Ceremony

Next Friday, 8^th December, our whole school will travel to Holy Family Church to give thanks for the wonderful year we have had! Students will be bused to and from the Church, with Mass commencing at 9:30am. The Leadership Handover Candle Ceremony will happen within this Mass. Parents and carers are most welcome to join us at this time.

Christmas Dress up day Thursday 7^th December – supporting Catholic Mission and Global School Partners

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Once again this year we will be supporting the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. With so many families in need of help, we ask that you give what you can. Please see the list below for items that can be donated. Any donations can be bought to school. We will collect all items up until Thursday Week 9 – 7^th December. Thank you to those families who have already donated so generously – your kindness is appreciated!

Have a wonderful week.

Rachel Kennedy

Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to the children who will be awarded white cards at the 8.45 am Friday Morning Assembly

2023 TERM 4

WEEK 9 (4th December to 8th December)

Thursday 7^th December - Christmas Dress up day, supporting Catholic Mission and Global School Partners

Friday 8th December - Thanksgiving Mass and Leadership Handover Ceremony, Holy Family Church, Gowrie

Friday the 8^th of December - Reports go home Via COMPASS

WEEK 10 (11th December to 14th December)

Monday 11th December - Kindergarten Christmas Concert

Tuesday 12th December - Semester 2 Awards

Tuesday 12th December -  Last Day Canteen Open for 2023

Wednesday 13th December - Year 6 Graduation Liturgy 5pm

Wednesday 13th December - Canteen Closed

Wednesday 13th December -  Special Lunch Order Day

Thursday 14th December - Year 6 Big Day Out

Thursday 14th December - Canteen Closed

Thursday 14th December - Last Day of School for Term 4

2024 TERM 1

Wednesday 31st January - 1st Day for all children

 The last day the Canteen will be open for 2023 is

Tuesday 12th December.

NO LUNCH ORDERS on 13th and 14th December, it is closed for end of year cleaning.

Drawing to the close of the school year some stock may be unavailable and substitutes may have to be made.

Thank you for your support!

Merry Christmas

Michelle

Mrs Austin has commenced stocktake, your assistance with having all library books returned by Friday 1st December, 2023 would be appreciated. 

Even though there is no more borrowing books from the library, there is still an option through SORA.  Follow the instructions below:

All netball shirts need to be returned this week please, can you ensure they are washed.

The Parent Talk newsletter provides parents and carers with information about developments in education, wellbeing, CCSP advocacy work and other relevant news and events. Here is the link for your convenience. 

https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/parenttalk?nid=32

CRRL_School_Newsletter_Insert_South.pdf

About MindMap

MindMap is a mental health portal for children and young people (0-25), designed to help navigate Canberra’s mental health system and find the right service and support.

MindMap ACT offers 'Active Hold' - FREE mental health support while you wait. The team at MindMap will call, email or meet with you face-to-face to provide some helpful information and support while you wait for another service.

Contact the team via chat, phone or email.

Head to our site to find out more.

https://www.mindmap.act.gov.au