Dear parents,

Thank you to the parents and staff that attended the working bee last Sunday. We managed to tidy up a number of beds and spread 20 cubic metres of mulch. The ELC made significant changes to their spaces, demolishing a number of walls and moving equipment around. It has made both facilities look neater and more appealing.

Community Council

Next Tuesday we are holding our final community council meeting the year. This meeting will consider the 2021 school budget along with the proposed changes to school fees. This meeting also serves as our AGM and all parents are invited to attend. The meeting will take place in the staffroom at 5.30pm.

Staffing - 2021

This week we (hopefully) finalised staffing for the 2021 school year.  I remember last year we thought we had staffing organised and then we lost a staff member resulting in late changes being made.  There have been few changes to this year’s structure with the major changes revolving around the number of days worked by some staff members.

A reminder that class lists will be sent home with reports at the end of week nine.

Math’s Problem

Congratulations to Elizabeth Ulhmann who had the first correct entry drawn out this week. It was good to see some new entrants. This week’s problem is below.

Anshul says a triangle can have more than one right angle while his classmate Angie says it cannot.  Who do you agree with, Anshul or Angie?  When you write your answer you need to show why you think you are correct.

God bless

Peter Hughes

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

Jesus showed us that serving others and humility go hand in hand. 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.’

Advent

Advent heralds in the church's New Year. This year it begins on Sunday, November 29.  Advent is a season of waiting. Many of the words we pray, and sing are full of desire, hope and expectation. One of our Advent companions is Mary, and during these weeks we remember her as she waited for the birth of her child. We know what waiting is like, especially at this time of the year. We wait as the days are getting warmer, as the school year is coming to an end and as we look forward to the summer holidays. This 'waiting' can help us to celebrate Advent well.

1st Sunday in Advent Year B - 29 November 2020

“Stay awake! You never know when
the Lord will come.”

Something to Think About

Today we celebrate the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year.

Advent is a season of joy and expectation.

It is a time of preparing and getting ready for the birth of Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas.

The Scriptures

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Watch out and be ready!

You don't know when the time will come.

It is like what happens when a man goes away for a while

and places his servants in charge of everything.

He tells each of them what to do,

and he orders the watchmen to be on their guard.

"So be on your guard!

You don't know when the master of the house will come back.

It could be in the evening or at midnight

or before dawn or in the morning.

But if he comes suddenly, don't let him find you asleep.

I tell everyone just what I have told you.

Be on your guard!"

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

When Advent comes, we know that Christmas and the holidays are not very far away! It is an exciting time as we eagerly await the joy of Christmas. Christmas is a time for gift-giving.

What can you do to prepare for this wonderful celebration?

Imagine for a moment that you are Jesus. What sorts of gifts would you (as Jesus) want to give to people?

God of light and life, help us to see the needs

of others in the world.

Walk with us as we spread your hope and

love to all we meet.

Amen.

Every year our parish really gets behind our Vinnies members and their amazing hamper delivery for Christmas. Last year we filled and delivered net Vincent de Paul have soldiered on throughout the pandemic, but they are not able to visit the way they used to, and the hampers have had to be severely cut back.  This year parishioners are not allowed to deliver the hampers and nor are they able to donate items outside a very strict list.  What we ARE able to do is give our Vinnies a financial donation which they will then translate into vouchers for our neighbours in need.  Vinnies will purchase vouchers from supermarkets, which they will then give to those who would have otherwise received a great big hamper from us.

Our members of St Vincent de Paul are having their special “commitment” Mass this  Saturday 28 November 2020 at 5pm. We invite and urge you, to attend this Mass to support our people and the wonderful work they do throughout our community. They are truly amazing and incredibly dedicated.  At each Mass this weekend we will hold a special collection at the end which will go directly to St Vincent de Paul to meet the needs of many Gungahlin residents over Christmas.  Please be ready to give generously

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! 

Peace and Best Wishes,

Anne Leet

Religious Education Co-ordinator