During the First Week of Advent, we watch and pray, awaiting the Lord’s coming. The season of Advent reminds us that we can
look forward to and prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is a season of so many things: of expectation, reflection, hope and trust. We are constantly in a state of expectation, always in advent, so much so that we can miss the present moment where,inevitably, God will be.
We have to wait, and Advent reminds us that we are waiting for God.

O God, open our hearts to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. Guide us in your ways of compassion so that we may extend your love and mercy to all people. Amen

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Week 8 of Term 4!  I cannot believe we are already into December! Last week I met with the School Board to finalise our budgeting and School Fees schedule for 2021.  Please see attached fee schedule fro next year, noting that the have only increased by 2. 4% for school levies and for tuition fees set by the Catholic Education Commission.  In order to provide our school with the resources we require, and to continue to meet expectations for a high quality education, it is vital that the school income keeps pace with the increasing education costs and the changing funding environment. 

         CLICK HERE FOR 2021 FEE SCHEDULE

As always, if fees create financial concern for any family, I would encourage you to make an appointment with me to discuss how we can help.  It is a policy in the Archdiocese that no student should be refused enrolment, excluded or disadvantaged because their family is unable to afford fees.  Any discussion on fees is strictly confidential. 

The School Board also discussed the Swim and Survive Program that we currently offer at Holy Trinity in Week 8 and 9 of Term 4.  Historically, when ACT schools followed the Every Chance To Learn Curriculum framework, swimming was a skill included in the PE and Health program.  In the Australian Curriculum, the focus is now only on the safety and survival component of swimming skills that can be taught in differing ways, not just through 8 lessons at a pool.  To ensure we are catering for the needs of our current community at Holy Trinity, and to be effective with our time and money,  the School Board has formulated a survey that we strongly encourage every family to please complete.  Your honest feedback will help us plan a Swim and Survive program in coming years that addresses the needs of our students. Please note that this survey will close on Friday 11th of December.  

Swim and Survive Survey

As we come to the end of another school year, we naturally have some staff  leaving to pursue other employment or personal opportunities.  We farewell Alex Mathewson, who has been granted a teaching position in an IB PYP school in North Canberra and to Mel Leach who has been granted a teaching position in Victoria.  We also congratulate Tiffany Fletcher who has been given a Music teaching job at a school closer to home and to Jennifer Ulmer who is pursuing a different career path in 2021.  We also farewell Jodie Swan, Annmarie Thomas and Jessica Pincott who have resigned and have taken career opportunities elsewhere.  Brigitta Van Deas will continue on leave for 2021.  I sincerely thank all these amazing staff member who given so  much of themselves to the children and families in their care over the years.  We are currently interviewing for a new Music teacher.  Our staffing for 2021 is as follows:

We have almost finalised class lists for 2021 and we look forward to welcoming our new students Year 1-Year 6 2021 on Tuesday 15th of December at 2pm.  Class lists will then be sent home to all families on the last day of term, Friday December 18th.  Please note, that I will not be responding to any emails requesting teachers for particular students based on the staffing for 2021 published above.

As we come to the end of another term, we ask that your please continue to ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform.  If your child has out grown something, please send in a note in explaining this-  we certainly do not expect you to be buying growing children new school shoes now! 

Please continue also to keep the students celebrating their First Eucharist, at weekend Masses in our Parish, in your prayers. 

With every best wish for a holy and peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families,

Philippa

First Eucharist

Congratulations to the children who received their First Eucharist over the weekend. Both Fr John and Fr James commented that the Masses were very special occasions for our parish and the families of these children. Congratulations on this every special occasion, we are so proud of you!!

As a community we will be celebrating Graduation Mass for our Year 6 students on Wednesday 16^th December 2020 at 12pm. As we need to remain with current restrictions in the Church, each student may have only 4 guests present at the Graduation Mass. We understand that this is challenging for families, however, we will record the handing over of leadership and the presentation of the Graduation Certificates for families.

Please click here to complete the guest registration form. If you do not require all 4 seats please it blank

* Year 3/4 and 5/6 will attend the Graduation Mass 

Year 5 - Leadership Ceremony

As a community we will be celebrating a Handing Over of Leadership Ceremony on Monday 14^th December at 2pm. Due to current COVID restrictions, things will be celebrated a little differently this year. As we need to remain within the current restrictions in the Church, unfortunately we are not able to have Year 5 parents to attend the Graduation Mass. Instead, we will be holding a separate event just for our Year 5 families, as we understand this is an important milestone for our Year 5 students!

Each student may have only 4 guests present at the the ceremony. We understand that this is challenging for families, however, we will record the handing over of leadership at the Graduation Mass for all families.

Please click here to complete the guest registration form. If you do not require all 4 seats please it blank

* K-2 and 5/6 will attend the Leadership Ceremony

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Please see note attached regarding the upcoming Christmas Appeal held by St Vincent de Paul.

School Holiday Program

The ELC is seeking expressions of interest in a limited school holiday program in the upcoming school holidays.

If there is enough interest the ELC will enrol children on the following days:

Monday 21 December 2020, Tuesday 22 December 2020, Monday 25 January 2021, Friday 25 January 2021.

Please email the ELC office elc.holytrinity@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in booking any or all of those days.

Before and After School Bookings for the ELC 2021

The ELC has now opened bookings for Before and After School Care for students attending Kindergarten and Year One in 2021. Children currently enrolled in BSC/ASC will be required to submit a new enrolment form. The ELC provides a warm, relaxing and fun environment for 4-7 year olds from 7.30am-9am and 3.10pm to 5.45pm, as well as a school holiday program during the school term breaks. Places will be limited and priority given to siblings of 2021 preschoolers and Kindergarten students.

The After School Hours care enrolment form can be found here. Please return to the ELC office.

The ELC also has permanent and casual BSC and ASC places available this term. Contact the ELC office for bookings.

Building deep emotional connections with kids

TERM 4, WEEK 9 - WED 9 DEC

Team Leader: Justin Irvine, Ross Hamilton, Tim Graham, Emily Nguyen, Kate Lategui

Reminder:  Could team leaders please ensure the ELC is vacuumed, as well as the main building and annexe.   Just the carpeted areas, as the bathrooms are done by the cleaners.