Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

We are in the final weeks of term and getting ready for a speedy end to our school year, with many events on the calendar.

Congratulations to Mitchell Telling for winning the “Best in School”  DOSCEL Christmas Card Competition. Well done, Mitchell on a wonderful effort.

We are heading off for our school Fun Day at the Sale Cinema tomorrow, and due to the weather conditions, we have decided to return to school after the movies rather than stopping at the park for lunch. This will keep our students dry and clean rather than risk wet socks and uniforms.

We will be trialling new bell times for 2024 next week. The class times will be shorter with 15-minute breaks and a half-hour lunchtime. These time changes allow for more explicit class learning and support positive behaviours on the playground.

Trial Bell Times week beginning December 4th - 8th December 2023

As mentioned, this is a trial run to review where we will need to tweak what is put in place to support the learning of all our students. I will keep our school community informed of any updates.

Maria.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
				1st Whole School Fun Day Out to Sale Cinema - No hot lunch orders.
4th	5th Board meeting 5:00 pm	6th	7th	8th Hot Lunch Orders due by 9:00
11th Grade 6 Fun Day Out	12th Grade 6 Orientation Day at YSC	13th	14th 9:30 am Graduation Mass 6:00 PM Graduation Dinner	15th Hot Lunch Orders due by 9:00
18th	19th Last day of school for students. School starts 30th January 2024	20th  Happy Holidays.

Every year, at the Yarram Agricultural show, schools are invited to present their students' art and handwriting. Congratulations to our prize winners for this year, for their beautiful handwriting and creative artwork. We are very proud of you.

Junior Classroom Winners

Middle Classroom Winners

Senior classroom Winners

Religious News:  Thursday the 30th of November.

Combined Church Choir: Sunday the 10^th of December.

This starts at 7:00 pm.  We ask children to be at the Regent Theatre no later than 6:45 pm, please.  Students are asked to dress in white T-shirts or dresses or jeans with a white t-shirt.  Thank you to all students and families who have volunteered for this beautiful celebration.

Advent Prayer Service

Everyone is invited to our Prayer Services throughout Advent.  Our first Prayer Service is on Tuesday the 4^th of December at 11:30 am.  It will be led by Grades Five and Six.

Advent:

The Season of Advent begins this Sunday the 3^rd of December.  Advent is a very special time in our Liturgical Calendar.  It is a time of waiting and preparation, which begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and ends on Christmas Day.  Advent is a beautiful season, as it is a time where we look forward to Christmas, but also a time for prayer and thinking about times when we could have made better choices as well as reflecting on occasions when we have made the right choice.  It is also a time for families, remembering Jesus’ family as well as our own.  It is also a time to think about how we can help bring light into the lives of others.

Advent Wreath:

The Advent wreath is made from leaves which are twisted to form a circle.  The circular shape is a symbol that there is no beginning and no end to God’s love for the world.  Candles are put into the wreath.  Four candles are put around the wreath and often a fifth one is placed in the middle.  A candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas Day, the fifth candle is lit on Christmas Day to honour the birth of Jesus.  In the Catholic tradition there are three purple and one pink or rose candle. The Advent wreath is a symbol of growth and of life. The candles remind us of Jesus - the light of the world and a guide for us to follow. The four candles, each representing the four Sundays of Advent - a candle for HOPE, PEACE, LOVE and JOY.

This Sunday the first candle to be lit is purple.  This symbolises hope with the ‘Prophet’s Candle,” reminding us that Jesus is coming.

Each Tuesday, during Advent we will celebrate with a Liturgy in preparation for the birth of Jesus.  This Tuesday the Grade Five and Six will lead us in prayer and song.  We will light the first candle - the candle of HOPE - as a sign of our commitment to bring about a kingdom of hope, peace, love and joy.

Advent is also the beginning of the new Liturgical Year.  The new Liturgical Year will be year B and that means that most of the Gospel readings for Mass are taken from the Gospel of Mark.

Kind Regards,

Sue Benc

The Design a Plate fundraiser has been postponed until next year. Parents who have ordered a plate will receive their plates in the new year, updates will be posted as appropriate.

We apologise for any inconvenience.