SYMBOLISM IN ADVENT
Each year the Catholic Church gives us an incredible opportunity for a powerful encounter with Jesus. The Church invites us during Advent, to take a step back and look at who we are, what we are doing, and where Jesus fits into our lives.

Week 1, Hope Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are the hope in our messy world.

This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice,

and focus on what’s really important.

We place our hope in you

as we prepare our hearts

to celebrate your birth on Christmas.

Amen.

In the students’ classrooms, the prayer space during this season reflects many symbols. Each class will prepare a prayer space to reflect the symbolic message of each symbol:

A simple explanation is below.

THE PURPLE CLOTH:
At this time of the Church’s year we place a purple cloth on the table. Purple is the colour for getting ready. Advent is a time for getting ready. Advent marks the beginning of the Church Year. During Advent we are getting ready for Christmas and also for Christ’s coming again at the end of time.

THE BIBLE
The Bible is our special book. At this time in the Church’s year we tell the stories of people from long ago who were getting ready for the birth of Jesus.

THE CANDLES
The candle reminds us that Jesus is always with us. Traditionally, the candle is lit when we are talking and praying to God or when we are listening to the stories from the Bible. Some classes may have the four or five Advent wreath candles as part of their prayer space. Each candle representing a different week of Advent and a different focal point.

THE NATIVITY
Throughout Advent, different aspects of the Nativity story are introduced to highlight the preparation of the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Advent is a time to prepare and to rejoice in the year that has been shared with one another.

May you have a special Advent Season.

CHRISTMAS ART COMPETITION
Congratulations to Max Gardiner (Year 6) who won a Highly Commended Award for his Christmas Artwork titled “The Great Escape”. Max was awarded this prize at the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Art Competition, which was held last Sunday at Notre Dame University in Sydney.   Students from the Dioceses of Wollongong, Sydney and Bathurst competed in this Art Competition. It is a real honour for Max, his family and our school. Thank you to the wonderful staff who supported Max and all our Year 5 and Year 6 students in this competition this year. We are very proud of you all. 

MISSION DAY THIS FRIDAY- 6^th December
As mentioned previously, this Friday is our Mufti Mission Day. The children have been asked to wear orange clothes and/or orange accessories. A gold coin donation for the wearing of “mufti”, will be greatly appreciated.

SPLICED (Stretching Potential through Learning In Interactive Challenging Environments) EXPO
Thank you to the students, staff and parents who viewed our SPLICED Expo on Friday. The students had a fantastic time explaining their work to everyone in the school. Below are photos of the student’s independent project work on the theme “The Good, the Beautiful, the True”

A big thank you to Mr John Charadia from the Catholic Education Office and his team of talented teachers who also supported the children in this project across the Diocese.