Dear Parents,

Last Friday evening a number of our staff and I attended the annual CEO Wollongong Lighting the Way FAITH & LEARNING AWARDS. This event was sponsored by the Catholic Development Fund. The awards recognise various areas of excellence and I am pleased to share with you that two of our staff received prestigious awards. Congratulations to Bridgette Duffell who was recognised with the top ‘Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award’. This is an award for a teacher of 1-5 years graduate experience who has demonstrated an excellent standard of classroom practice that has resulted in evidenced growth in faith and learning. Bridgette received a $2000 scholarship to fund a suitable professional development opportunity. Congratulations Bridgette. 

Another staff member Mark Mongta was recognised with the top ‘Outstanding Support Teacher Award’. Mark is one of the Aboriginal Education Assistants who works with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students each Friday, as well as a number of other schools each Monday to Thursday within the Diocese of Wollongong. This is an award for a support staff member who has demonstrated active promotion of the aims of Catholic education, consistent performance significantly above what is expected and independent initiative, resourcefulness and demonstrated ability to adapt to innovation /change in the educational setting. Mark received a $2000 scholarship to fund a suitable professional development opportunity. Congratulations Mark. 

Last weekend over 80 students in our parish received their First Holy Communion as part of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Our Year 3 teachers, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Callaghan, Miss Karas and Mrs Lenihan prepared our students for this Sacrament. Mrs Frances Fairs and catechists prepared the students from the state schools within the parish. Our Religious Education Co-ordinator Mrs Mathieson co-ordinated numerous aspects of the Sacrament, including the parent/student gatherings prior to receiving the Sacrament. Mrs Royston co-ordinated the transformation of our school hall into a sacred and beautiful mass setting. Father Pat and Father Leo led each congregation of people at each mass and had very meaningful words and messages for the students and parents. The most important message I heard was, “Use the Sacrament to enhance our lives and give us strength, by attending mass on a regular basis to receive Holy Communion each week.” Congratulations parents and students for the reverent way you prepared and engaged in this important Sacrament. Thank you to all staff, parishioners, Father Pat, Father Leo, choirs, musicians and students who assisted at the masses.

Today our new Kindergarten students for 2020 attended the second orientation day. It was another successful morning and we look forward to these students beginning their seven year journey with us in 2020.

Last night we had our annual twilight swimming carnival at Nowra Pool. This carnival was attended by students who nominated to compete in 50 metre or 100 metre races, using freestyle, breast stroke and butterfly strokes. The event was co-ordinated by the Year 4 teachers, Mrs Koczka, Mrs Olijnyk and Mrs Webster. The carnival commenced at 5pm and concluded at 6.45pm. Almost every staff member assisted at the carnival, supported by numerous parent helpers. The sportsmanship displayed by the students was outstanding and student behaviour was commendable. Thank you to everyone who assisted at the carnival in any way. 

This Sunday 1st December 2019, the parish and school will celebrate the final “Mass With A Difference” for 2019 at 6pm on God’s Grass, between the Church and the Year 4 classrooms. All families are welcome to join this outdoor mass which celebrates the diversity of people within our parish. Bring your own chair or rug. Additional seating will be provided. Congratulations to Bernadette Pullen and her team who organise this mass on a regular basis. This is truly a ‘Mass With A Difference’.

I spoke with the NSW Department of Health regarding another case of Whooping Cough. The Department of Health has recommended that the school continues to inform parents immediately through the Skoolbag App and/or text messages as soon as a case is reported. The Department of Health urges parents to read the information attached to each Skoolbag notification. The two documents are attached for you to read. Basically if a child does present with a cough of any type I recommend that a visit to the doctor is undertaken. The school will continue to educate the children about hand hygiene and the most appropriate way to cough. What I believe is a good period of school holiday time to break the cycle of Whooping Cough at our school. The Catholic Education Office Wollongong has recommended all teaching staff have the Whooping Cough vaccination again, as they only last ten years. I recommend the parents doing the same for their own health. The two documents are attached. If you have any further questions, please contact the NSW Department of Health on 42216400.

The final three weeks of school will include the following events:

Friday 29th November

Mission Fair 9am - 11am

Grade Mass - Year 3 11:30am - 12:30pm

Tuesday 3rd December

Year 6 Graduation

Tuesday 10th December

Parents and Friends Thank You evening

Wednesday 11th December

End of Year Assembly

Monday 16th December

School Christmas Concert

Wednesday 18th December

School concludes for 2019

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton