Dear Parents, 

This week a number of our students have represented our school most admirably. Yesterday Ashleigh Innes (Year 6) and Evie Wood (Year 5) attended the Regional Public Speaking Competition at St Joseph’s Bulli. They both presented their speeches with great confidence. Unfortunately, they have not been nominated to move through to the final round of Public Speaking. To get to this level is exceptional. Congratulations to Ashleigh, Evie and their families. Well done. 

Yesterday a group of our senior Year 5 and 6 students represented our school at the Mark Taylor Cricket shield match at Narellan. It was an early start and a late finish for these boys, their families and Mr Hunt. From all accounts, it was a great cricket match and our students certainly held their own. Congratulations to all of these students and a thank you to Mr Hunt and the parents who transported the students. Our participation in the Mark Taylor Shield has concluded for 2019.

Last night students who will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist at their First Holy Communion on Sunday 24 November 2019 gathered in the school hall with their parents/carers for a preparation evening. Thank you to these students, parents and staff who attended this important evening. Father Pat, Mrs Mathieson and the teachers were pleased with the engagement of families. 

The Kindergarten Orientation Evening for 2020 students is on tonight from 7pm to 9pm. Some parents have already commenced their journey as parents of present siblings and those who have participated in the ‘Transition to School Through Playgroup’ sessions each Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning for the first four weeks of term. Tonight is an opportunity to have all questions about Kindergarten 2020 answered. We are looking forward to the meeting tonight.

Final preparations are being made for the Year 5 Leadership Camp on 31 October 2019 and 1 November 2019. Both days have been very carefully planned and will provide crucial leadership and faith opportunities for the Year 5 students. I look forward to joining the students for parts of the camp, including the evening program. Please keep these students and staff in your prayers. 

Please keep the School Fair on Sunday 10 November 2019 at the forefront of your planning over the next three weeks. It is hoped that all students will attend the school fair, bring along carloads of family, extended family, friends and neighbours. This is our major fundraiser for the year. The tickets in the raffle are selling well. There are only 600 tickets available and the prizes are exceptional. The $4000 travel voucher for first prize will be highly sought after. Please get involved in the excitement! 

This Sunday 27 October 2019, the school and parish will celebrate the regular “Mass with A Difference” which occurs a few times a year. The mass is at 6pm, on God’s Grass opposite the Year 4 and Year 2 classrooms. This is always a beautiful and lively mass. Please feel invited to join us for the mass.

Finally and most importantly, on Friday our school will celebrate a Mission Mass. It will commence at 11.30am and all families are invited to attend. Thank you to Mrs Mathieson, Mrs Royston, staff and students who have been preparing for this mass. This is such an important part of our Catholic heritage and truly reflects the story of the Good Samaritan. See you at mass. 

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton