ONLY TWO MORE SLEEPS ...... 

FETE PARKING and ACCESS to School    

As in previous years there will be some changes to the drop-offs and pick-ups on Thursday 14th and Friday 15^th November. We ask for your patience as there will be many students waiting for pick-up and we thank you for your understanding throughout the lead up to such an important and exciting community event.

Thursday 14^th November and Friday 15^th November Morning  

• Before School Care have access for early drop-off on Thursday morning at the Front Office. TBA Friday as there may be a huge slide in the way.
• The carpark and courts/blacktop areas will be closed both days. 
• Please drop children off near the bus bay on Heidelberg Street, as there will be staff on duty in this area from 8.20am. 
• Donations for the fete i.e. cakes/sweets etc can still be dropped off on Heidelberg Street as you drive through.  It will be collected from your car by our Fete committee on Friday morning. 
• If you need to come into the school, you will need to park off site and walk in, there is plenty of parking down near the Vikings Club or at the shops.  

 Thursday Afternoon – 14^th November  

1. We encourage you firstly to park in the neighbourhood and walk to the school to collect your child/ren. 
2. Bus students will be escorted to the bus as per normal - 2.55pm.
3. Bike students will leave from the school at their usual time - 3.00pm. 
4. There will be NO access to the donut or school carpark. 
5. Front pick up will begin on Heidelberg Street from 2.30pm for Surnames beginning with A-K  and Surnames beginning with L - Z  from  2.55 pm. (If your child is not there for pick-up at their time, we will kindly ask you to do a lap of the block and come back around as this will hold up the flow).  
6. AFTERS students will be escorted up to Afterschool Care. 

Friday Afternoon – 15^th November – FETE DAY

(We will be setting up for the Fete throughout the day) 

1. Front pick up will begin on Heidelberg Street from 2.00 pm for Surnames A- K students and Surnames L- Z from 2.20 pm.
   (If your child is not there for pick-up at the designated time, we will ask you to do a lap of the block and come back around)  
2. We encourage you firstly to park in the neighbourhood and walk to the school to collect your child/ren. 
3. Bus students will be escorted to the bus as per normal - 2.55pm.
4. Bike students will leave from the school at their usual time - 3.00pm.
5. There will be NO access to the donut or school car park. 
6. AFTERS students will be escorted up to Afterschool Care as per usual. Pick-up from AFTERS on Friday -please refer to communication from Pam Villatobas. 

If you need to pick-up your child for an appointment on the 14^th or 15^th November, please call ahead so we can have them ready. Again, you will need to park in the neighbourhood and come in and sign them out as per usual. There is NO parking onsite.  

If you have any concerns with these arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact me jo.reed@cg.catholic.edu.au 

Raffle Tickets

The first class who returns all raffle tickets will win a prize for the class!

Raffle tickets are overdue, all raffle books need to be returned sold or unsold. If you have misplaced your tickets please contact sca@cg.catholic.edu.au for a statutory declaration.

This Sunday's reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark: Watch for the signs of the coming of the kingdom.

In this week’s Gospel, Pope Francis reminds us that the story Jesus tells isn’t about predicting the end of the world. Instead, it’s an invitation to live well in the present moment. Jesus calls us to be “vigilant” and ready for when we are called to account for our lives.

Pope Francis explains that Jesus isn’t talking about the sun dimming, the moon darkening, or stars falling literally. These are symbolic signs meant to remind us that everything in the world will one day pass away, but Christ will gather His people in glory.

The important message, the Pope says, is that our lives and all of human history have meaning through Christ. We are part of a bigger story that leads to a final encounter with the Lord. Jesus wants us to remember that our lives are not random. They have a purpose.

Pope Francis encourages us to reflect on whether we are allowing God’s Word to guide us, or whether we’ve turned away from it. Even when things seem dark or difficult, it’s important to turn towards the light of Christ, who is always there to lead us. Adapted from Reflections by Nick Brodie.

Reconciliation Retreat Day

Yesterday our Year 4 students took part in a meaningful Reconciliation Retreat Day, where they engaged in a variety of activities centered around the powerful Gospel story of the Lost Son. Through reflection, prayer, and group discussions, they explored themes of forgiveness, healing, and the unconditional love of the Father. The retreat provided a space for students to reflect on their own experiences of reconciliation and to deepen their understanding of God's mercy. It was a day of spiritual growth, renewal, and community.

Important Dates and Reminders:

DATE CHANGE: Thanks Giving Mass and Handover Ceremony:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to reschedule the Year 5/6 Candle Handover Ceremony to Thursday, December 12th, at 11:40 a.m. We understand that this may cause some disruption and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Farewell Masses for Fr. James and Fr. Namora

Our parish will hold farewell masses for Fr. James and Fr. Namora on the weekend of December 14th and 15th. All are welcome to attend any of these masses and pass on their thanks and farewell messages. Light refreshments will be served after each Mass. 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Each year, our wonderful school community comes together to donate items to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, supporting those who may find the Christmas season challenging. Our local Vinnies conference assembles these donations into hampers, which are then gifted to families in our community. 

We are asking each grade level to contribute different items to help create these hampers. A flyer detailing the donation lists for each year level will be sent out on Monday. Thank you for your generous support!

This week White Cards will be presented on Friday Morning Assembly at 8.45am. Congratulations to the following children.

All library books are due back for end-of-year stocktake. Borrowing will close this week, and all books must be returned by Week 9.

Please start bringing them in as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation!

A few weeks ago lots of SCA students travelled to Boorowa and what a fantastic day we had at the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival!!

Some of us travelled by car and some went on the bus.  It was an early start for us all but once we got there, we were super excited.  It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and every now and then, we got a whiff of sheep poo!!

There was lots of eating, running, sweating and sunscreen but most importantly, lots of fun!

We had 200 children representing SCA and every one of them showed amazing skills whilst playing, as well as exceptional sportsmanship.

The trip home was much quieter as we were all pretty tired but it was worth it for such a great day!

A huge thank you to all the parents who came to support our school and of course to the coaches – we simply couldn’t have done a day like Friday without you.

Thanks to the staff who came to supervise our kids and watch them play awesome games of netball and touch. A special thank you to Mr Purcell, who camped out to ensure we got a great spot under the trees!!

Katherine Austin