Our school term is rapidly coming to a close. For many of our students, it has been the first full term of ten weeks in 2020. It has been a good term in many ways, despite the realities of COVID19. Student learning has been tracking well in the classrooms and the school has attempted to keep things as normal as possible. Zoom meetings have become a thing that we now do. In the last four weeks we have had two important Zoom meetings, one for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and on Tuesday night we zoomed for the Year 4 iPad 1:1 program commencing in 2021. While Zoom is not ideal, I look forward to receiving feedback about its ongoing use for some meetings once COVID19 passes. 

Last week, many students in Year 2 received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church over four nights. The parents and staff prepared the students for this important Sacrament. I would like to thank our staff for generously attending these important moments for the children in their classes. Father Leo and Father Pat led us in beautiful ceremonies.

I have some good news regarding the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist (First Holy Communion) which will occur next term. These two Sacraments will be introduced to parents through Zoom meetings. The dates for Zoom Sacramental meetings in Term 4 are:

Confirmation:                          Wednesday 14 October - Signs and Symbols for candidates and parents at 7pm

First Holy Communion:           Wednesday 21 October - Signs and Symbols for candidates and parents at 7pm

The draft schedule for receiving the Sacraments will be shared with parents soon.

On Friday 25 September 2020 our school would usually celebrate the Feast day of St Michael the Archangel. Due to COVID19 we will be celebrating this Feast day in a different way. We will be providing a video liturgy celebrating St Michael’s Feast Day. We will also be inviting students to wear mufti clothes on Friday 25 September 2020. Saint Michael the Archangel isn't actually a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank. Today, St. Michael is prayed to for protection, especially from lethal enemies. He is also the patron of soldiers, police and doctors.

Last Friday, Father Leo, Sister Sue, Mrs Sandrine Butler and I had the privilege of looking at all of the Year 5 and 6 entries in the annual Wollongong Catholic Diocese Christmas Art Competition. We were all incredibly impressed with the amazing entries. Of great significance was the religious reflection that each student provided about their artwork and the impact that elements of the story had on each student. Tomorrow, three entries from Year 5 and three entries from Year 6 will be taken to Wollongong for final judging. We also selected one highly commended entry from each grade. Congratulations to all Year 5 and 6 students for the amazing entries, especially the following ones:

Year 5:             The Eye of God            Mylan Brunton

                        The Dusty Road           Lexie Cooper

                        The Bright Night          Kieran Kochaniewicz

Year 6:              Faith and Trust                          Jasmyn Eastcott

                        The Birth of Jesus                      Jasmine Edwards        

                        The Guiding Pathway of Light      Wade McKenzie

Highly Commended

Year 5:             The Journey to Bethlehem       Tyler Smart