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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.
Jesus came into this world at that first Christmas for all of us, to bring meaning into our lives and hope for our future. That’s what we celebrate at Christmas.
During Advent and Christmas, festively decorated evergreen wreaths may hang on windows and on doors. In churches, it’s also common to see special wreaths lying flat, adorned with four 4 candles (usually three purple and one pink). This familiar symbol of the season is the Advent wreath. Traditionally, the Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches. Both the evergreen branches and the circular shape symbolize the passing of time and eternal life. The shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, reflects the complete and endless love that Jesus has for us. During the Advent season, we eagerly anticipate his coming and the promise of eternal life in heaven with him. The four candles of the Advent Wreath, represent four messages; Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Each week a new focus is introduced through the lighting of the candle. This week, being week one, is Hope.
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- 6th 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.
For those who would like to view the Diocesan SPLICED work, there is a website which you can go to. Type in your search engine: spliced2019.dow.catholic.edu.au
STUDENT REPORTS
Student reports are released to the Compass Parent Portal or printed to go home with children if requested on Friday 13th December. Please take the opportunity to celebrate your children's successes and talk about their learning. Grade distribution charts of results will be available from the office on Monday 16th December.
We are printing Year 5 reports this year as they will need them for high school enrolments next year and for Year 6 as they will no longer have access to COMPASS once the student rollover is done in January.
If you wish to have a printed copy sent home please let us know by this Friday.
HELPER THANK YOU MORNING TEA
If you have not already done so, please return your RSVP to the school office for the helper thank you morning tea. We hope you are able to join us.
END OF YEAR REMINDERS:-
Tuesday 10th December
Surf Education Sandon Point (Yrs 4-6)
Wednesday 11th - Friday 13th December
Year 6 Camp
Monday 16th December
End of Year Awards (Kinder - Yr 5) 9.15am-10.15am
P&F Sausage Sizzle/Stall 5.30pm
Christmas Concert 6.30pm
Tuesday 17th December
End of Year Mass 9.30am
Year 6 awards to follow at end of Mass
Helpers Thank You Morning Tea 11am
Wednesday 18th December
Last day of school for students and staff.
Have a lovely week.
Mrs Katrina West
Acting Principal
Listed below are some important school dates. The school calendar is updated regularly and can be accessed via the school website and Compass parent portal.
DECEMBER
| Tuesday 3rd | Learn to Swim Day 7 (Bowral Pool) for K, Yr 1, Yr 2, Yr 3 |
| Wednesday 4th | Learn to Swim Day 8 (Bowral Pool) for K, Yr 1, Yr 2, Yr 3 |
| Thursday 5th | Learn to Swim Day 9 - Water Safety Bowral Pool) for K, Yr 1, Yr 2, Yr 3 |
| Friday 6th | Mission Day - Mufti Day - orange theme |
| Tuesday 10th | Surf Education at Sandon Point (Yrs 4, 5 & 6) |
| Wednesday 11th | Year 5 Leadership Day Year 6 Camp - Day 1 |
| Thursday 12th | Year 6 Camp - Day 2 |
| Friday 13th | Year 6 Camp - Day 3 |
| Monday 16th | Transition to new classes End of Year Awards (Kinder-Yr 5) P&F Sausage Sizzle dinner/Christmas Picnic 5.30pm Followed by Christmas Concert 6.30pm |
| Tuesday 17th | End of Year Mass 9.30am and Year 6 Awards Parent/helper Morning Tea 11am |
| Wednesday 18th | Last day of School for 2019 for teachers and students |
| Thursday 19th December | Closed |
| Friday 20th December | Closed |
JANUARY 2020
| Tuesday 28th | Staff return |
| Wednesday 29th | Years 1-6 commence Kindergarten Best Start Assessments commence |
| Thursday 30th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
| Friday 31st | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
FEBRUARY
| Monday 3rd | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
| Tuesday 4th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
| Wednesday 5th | Kindergarten Best Start Assessments continue |
| Thursday 6th | Kindergarten commence full day |
The link below will take you straight to the parent calendar.
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated for Student of the Week
Kinder - Sam Purdon
Year 1 – Nadine Shute
Year 2 – Caleb Kenna
Year 3 – Sophie Joseph
Year 4 – Willow Purdon
Year 5 – Olivia Dulhunty
Year 6 – Nash Linsley
The trophies were presented to Sam and Olivia.
Keep up the good work.
Term 4
-
- Mission Day (Mufti Day), Friday 6th December 2019
- End of Year Mass Tuesday 17th of December 2019 at 9:30 am, St Michael’s Church, Mittagong
PARISH NEWS
FIRST RECONCILIATION
Parents who have children going into Year 3 in 2020 (or older) and who wish their children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist next year, please collect an enrolment form from Father Sean after Mass. Enrolments close 8th December 2019.
Thank you to all the wonderful donations of food for the St Vincent De Paul Christmas appeal. Every family has been very generous. This generosity will help families in our community to have an enjoyable Christmas.
YEAR 5 VISIT TO MARY MACKILLOP PLACE
Last Wednesday, 27th November, 2019, Year 5 were very honoured to attend the Mary MacKillop Place Museum. It was a wonderful learning experience to hear and see the extraordinary life that St Mary of the Cross MacKillop led. A big thank you to all who organised this excursion and to our P&F for the sponsortship of the bus transport.
SCRIPTURE STUDY
Tuesday 10th December 2019, in the Parish Hall at Bowral, all are invited to an introductory meeting at which a general overview of how we approach a study of scripture and a discussion about the Gospel of St Matthew which will be used for most of our liturgical year beginning in a few weeks. If there is interest, this could become a monthly gathering. All welcome.
SECOND RITE OF RECONCILIATION
Friday the 20th December, 6pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church at Bowral the Second Rite of Reconciliation will be available for all who wish attend.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENT
All are welcome to attend the "Walk through Bethlehem" at Mittagong Anglican Church. See details below.
Rebecca Mitchell, Acting REC
Bring your whole family, your Grandparents, a picnic rug and a chair, & bring your small change – all for a fabulous night to celebrate Christmas with our School community, and best of all the entertainment is provided by the students.
CONTACT US:
Got any suggestions? Can you assist us? You can contact the P & F any time.
Email: mittagongsmmpandf@gmail.com
As you may be aware, at the end of each year, the Library undergoes a stocktake of all resources. This enables all books to be returned to correct shelves and repairs or replacements organised.
The library is now closed for borrowing.
As the end of term approaches, it's time to start looking for all those missing library books.
SCHOOL FEES
Arrangements should now be made to ensure that all outstanding school fees are finalised by Friday 6th December.
You can check your balance via the COMPASS portal. It is best accessed by opening in browser and then going to the 'billing' tab. You need to access the full website of Compass as the Compass App does not contain this information.
If you will not be able to meet your school fee commitment by 6 December 2019 please contact us as soon as possible.
Note: The mobile app is not designed for complete use of the Compass platform; it is designed for quick access to a set of specific information and specific actions.
Events currently open in Compass which require parent attention:
- Year 6 Camp
- Year 5 Excursion to Mary MacKillop Place
- Surf Education Program (4, 5 and 6)
The Canteen is open Thursday and Friday this week.
Don't forget our Christmas Lunch deal this Friday!
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrate a birthday this week:
Hunter M and Darcy H
