Dear Parents and Caregivers
This Sunday’s Gospel is the final scene of Luke’s Gospel for the liturgical year, Jesus forgives those who have rejected and punished him. Doing so, his mercy transcends time and his forgiveness extends to all who have rejected him throughout the ages.
This Sunday is the feast of Christ the King. This feast was first initiated when storm clouds were gathering around Europe prior to the Second World War. The feast still reminds us that even in the midst of economic and social turmoil, Jesus Christ is the King of all creation.
Mission Day
It is very fitting at this time of year that within school we live our schools school motto ‘in omnibus caritas’ translating to ‘in all things love’. Today was Mission Day, where children think beyond their own needs and wishes and consider others who are less fortunate or marginalised in our society and help them. This was evident with students gathering to act out our motto as a whole school, the children opened stalls raising in excess of a staggering $800 for Mary MacKillop Today at our Mission Day, whose projects transform our donations into invaluable wealth such as education, teacher training and business skills in communities of need.
Norwood Christmas Pageant
The Norwood Payneham Christmas Pageant is this weekend and I’d like to thank the team of parents who have worked so hard in preparing our students. By being so generous with their time they have provided a ‘golden memory’ for every child involved and a unique opportunity for them to represent the public face of our school. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
End of Year Concert
This week our school puts the final finishing touches on the End of Year Performance to be held next Monday 25 November at the Norwood Town Hall. I need to thank Miss Hoare for the time she has invested into writing and choreographing the night’s performance. It should be a spectacular finale to a great 2019!
2020 Class Placement
Our teachers take their responsibility towards class placement very seriously to ensure that we do the best we can for every child based on their learning, social and emotional needs. I believe we have constructed well balanced classes that support students to develop new friendships as well as remain with previous friends, whilst considering the learnings from the dynamic of 2019 cohorts.
Over the past weeks I have continued to receive 2020 placement requests. I need to reinforce that the closure for these requests was 1 November, 2019. Fortunately, in most instances these requests had already been considered. I need to reinforce that such late requests erode the primary intent of the process and undermine the enormous amount of time and consideration that teachers place into this process.
On Monday of Week 9 the children will spend a session with their 2020 teacher/s and new classmates. On this day the 2020 Class Placements will be sent home via letter.
Vacation Care
It is amazing to think we are only 3 weeks away from the end of the school year which occurs on Wednesday 11 December at 3pm. Please have your Vacation Care bookings finalised by Friday 6 December (when the booking portal will close) to ensure appropriate staffing can be organised.
I look forward to writing my final newsletter next fortnight and sharing some exciting plans scheduled for 2020.
God Bless
Brady Stallard
Photo: Whole school rehearsal for 'SJMS Tonight' A Christmas Special
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