Dear parents,

This week we observed Remembrance Day as a school.  Our DSM, Lee Revell, put together a wonderful presentation to share with all students.  Included were the details of relatives of families in our school that had served in our armed services. It was a revelation to me to see several ancestors who had fought in Tobruk and then gone on to fight in other major battles.

It brought home to me their sacrifice.  To be a ‘Rat’ of Tobruk and to survive that terrible experience and to then be sent of to fight elsewhere is hard to imagine.  I thank Lee for her work in putting the presentation together and also thank the families who shared their stories with us.

Last week I was fortunate to spend three days on the Year Six Camp.  The camp is located between Cooma and Jindabyne, so Thursday was a very cold day for all. We were fortunate to have better weather on the other days. The children enjoyed the camp which had many challenging tasks. The children encouraged and supported one another and enjoyed the experience. We all enjoyed the food!

Thank you to the Year Six teachers who spent three days away from their families to ensure the camp was so successful.  From next Monday our Year Five students and their teachers, along with Mr Hart, will attend their camp at Narrabeen in Sydney.  I am sure they will have a wonderful time.

Canteen

Planning is underway to open our school canteen on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from Term One, 2021. The operator currently runs another canteen on a Thursday and Friday and it is hoped that during term one he can train another person to operate our canteen on the Thursday and Friday. Until that time we will continue with Subway on a Thursday and Friday. We will keep parents informed as we finalise details.

COVID Precautions

On Monday morning parents will be gathering to farewell our Year Five students heading off to camp.  Next Friday afternoon parents will be dropping students off for the senior disco.  At the conclusion of both these events, students will be collected promptly.

As with all school activities involving parents, I am asking all to maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres.  This will not be policed but I ask you to consider the health of yourself and others.

Maths Problem

Congratulations to Sampson Bui (1 Topaz) who was the winner of last week’s prize. This week’s problem deals with an issue Mr Hughes is dealing with and he hopes you can help.

Mr Hughes has submitted a COVID plan which he hopes will be approved so that we can run a Carols Night on December 4^th at school.  He has to ensure that each family group is at least 1.5 metres away from one another.  He also has to allow room for people to move past other families as they enter and leave the event.  It will be held on the fake grass and grassed area at the back of the school.

Can you design a plan that he may use that ensures families are at least 1.5 metres apart and also allow for movement?

Swimming Kindergarten - Year 2

A reminder to all parents that the Kindergarten to Year 2 students will be commencing swimming lessons on Monday.  Please send the children to school with their swimmers underneath their school uniform.

God Bless

Peter Hughes

The Whole school focus theme for this year is: Be Just Like Jesus

To be like Jesus is to be a person willing to put others before yourself, to seek wisdom, and to care about how you interact with all people you come across in life. Jesus transformed twelve ordinary, and unlikely, people into the first generation of leaders of a movement that continues to affect the course of world history 2,000 years later. Jesus was more than just a spiritual leader. He gives a practical and effective leadership model for all organisations, for all people, for all situations. As we start to prepare for Advent and Christmas  we need to think about how we can ‘Be the hands of Jesus by giving to others.’

Booking to attend Mass

To attend Mass in person, please follow this link to make a booking.  We encourage you to all come back to Mass if it is safe for you to do so.  We look forward to seeing you! 

THIRTIETH-THIRD SUNDAY IN

​ORDINARY TIME

“Because you have been faithful in small matters,
come into the joy of your master."

Year A | Sunday 15th November | green

 Preparing to hear God’s word

God has given every person some special abilities and gifts to honour God and serve others.

Jesus reminds us that we should do our best with the talents God has given us.

Each of us must decide if we are going to use our gifts for God, and how we are going to do that.

The Story

In today's story, the master gives some of his money to each of his three servants to look after.

Then he leaves on a trip.

The servant who was given 5000 coins was able to earn 5000 more coins.

When the master returned, he was very happy with the servant for working hard to grow the gift he was given.

The Scriptures

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21

Because you have been faithful in small matters, come into the joy of your master.

Jesus told his disciples this story about the kingdom of God:

"The kingdom is like what happened when a man went away

and put his three servants in charge of all he owned.

The man knew what each servant could do.

So he handed five thousand coins to the first servant,

two thousand to the second,

and one thousand to the third.

Then he left the country.

"Some time later the master of those servants returned.

He called them in and asked what they had done with his money.

The servant who had been given five thousand coins

brought them in with the five thousand that he had earned.

He said, 'Sir, you gave me five thousand coins,

and I have earned five thousand more.'

"'Wonderful!' his master replied,

'You are a good and faithful servant.

I left you in charge of only a little,

but now I will put you in charge of much more.

Come and share in my happiness!'"

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Why do you think the master was so happy with the servant for using his 5000 coins to earn another 5000 coins?

What do you think Jesus was trying to teach about the abilities he has given to us?

God will help us to develop our talents but we need to be willing to use our abilities.

How might you use your talents to help or bring joy to others this week?

Peace and Best Wishes,

Anne Leet

Religious Education Co-ordinator

Don’t forget to order your gingerbread house kits!

The MTS Community Council are selling fabulous gingerbread house kits for you to create your own edible architectural gem. An amazing little present for you or someone else!

Choose from original, chocolate and gluten free. All the kits are egg, nut, dairy and palm-oil free.

The kit includes absolutely everything you need – gingerbread house parts (importantly!), piping bag, assorted lollies, baseboard, cellophane and a ribbon.

The kits cost $35 and can be purchased using the online order form -  Gingerbread House Kit Order Form .

Orders are due by Friday 21 November.

The kits will be available for pick-up outside the school hall after school on Friday 4 December. If you can’t pick it up on the day, it will be given to your child’s teacher to hand out on the following Monday.

We are also holding a ‘Grand Designs’ inspired gingerbread house decorating competition for the kids. Just send in a picture of their completed gingerbread house to MTSCommunityCouncil@mail.com with your child’s name and class for a chance to win a $50 cash prize.  You can use what is provided in the kit or add in some more of your own decoration.

The kits are from Gingerbread Folk. Check them out online at www.gingerbreadfolk.com.au .

Key Dates

Thank you for your support!