Jesus, you came to this world with dreams and hopes that God has for all of us.  Your message to love God and to love one another went unheeded by many people during your time on earth.  Our world shows us many examples of a lack of love.  Help us to hear your message of love and forgiveness.  You forgave because you understood.  Help us to turn to you when we find it hard to forgive. Amen.

Please continue to keep all our Reconciliation candidates and their families in your prayers as they celebrate this sacrament next Thursday night. 

Dear Friends,

Over the last two weeks, staff have spent much time, working on our program of Inquiry and ensuring units continue to be trans disciplinary and concept based.  Last week, we had an IB consultant, Helen Morschel, work with each year group and facilitate a staff meeting, where we again collaborated about the process of inquiry and essential elements we continue to enhance in our students such as: 

• creativity (liberating human energy),
• curiosity ,
• initiative ( intuitive judgement),
• multi disciplinary thinking (collaboration, understanding what you do and do not know),
• empathy (core of our ability to communicate and be together).

It is so inspiring to share together in professional learning about our beliefs in education and vision moving forward for our students.  It is challenging when I watch programs such as Four Corners a couple of weeks ago, where pedagogy such as direct instruction are flagged as progressive and necessary pedagogy leading into the future, particularly for under performing schools.  We are challenged as a society currently with what are the best teaching methods- how lucky we are that at Holy Trinity we have a clear understanding and are committed to the pedagogy and skills needed to ensure our students are given every opportunity to achieve now and in the future. 

We are coming to the busy end of the year, with much happening around the school.  Below are the specific events in the next four weeks.  Please note that we finish school on Thursday 19th of December. 

Week 7

• Monday 25th Nov - 9:15am: KW Advent Prayer Celebration - Hope
• Tuesday 26^th Nov – Reconciliation Retreat Day - All Year 3 Students
• Wednesday 27th Nov School board Meeting 6pm
• Thursday 28th Nov - 6:30pm: Sacrament of Reconciliation ( Please note change of time) 

Week 8

• Monday 2nd Dec - 9:15am: 2R Advent Prayer Celebration - Love
• Monday 2nd Dec - 2:20pm: KG Class Assembly
• Tuesday 3rd Dec - 9:30am: Thanksgiving Mass and Morning Tea
• Friday 6th Dec: Summer BBQ for L'Arche 

Week 9

• Monday 9th Dec - 9:15am: 3/4G Advent Prayer Celebration - Joy
• Monday 9th Dec - 2:20pm: Year 6 Assembly
• Wednesday 11th December- P and F Meeting
• Friday 13th Dec - 12pm: Nativity Play
• Friday 13th Dec - 5:30pm: Nativity Play followed by P and F Community BBQ

Week 10

• Monday 16th Dec - 9:15am: Year 1 Advent Prayer Celebration - Peace
• Tuesday 17th December Year 6 Movie Day and Year 5 Leadership day.
• Tuesday 17th December-  Years 1-5 "One-Up" afternoon, including new students 2020 (move to new classrooms for the next year).
• Wednesday 18th Dec - 12pm:Year 6 Graduation and End of Year Mass
• Thursday 19th Dec - All Day: Cotter Picnic Day - Last Day of School for 2019

Congratulations to two of our Year 6 students, Abigail Van-Ballegooyen and Veronika Rover who were awarded the 2019 Fred Hollows Humanity Award.  It is just so wonderful to recognise and celebrate students displaying integrity, compassion and kindness that makes a positive difference to our school and the wider community. 

And finally, congratulations to Scott and Natasha Finnegan and all the staff at KidsBiz for being a finalist in the ACT Small Business Awards-  what a fantastic achievement and recognition. 

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

Philippa

Reconciliation Parish Mass

On Saturday 16th November, our parish celebrated our Term 4 Parish School Mass, and candidates for First Reconciliation were presented to the community.

It was wonderful to see so many families and staff in attendance to support our students who are receiving this important Sacrament.

Reconciliation Information

Please Note a message from Fr John Woods

Dear Parents and Carers,

Due to a number of factors the Celebration of First Reconciliation will now commence at 6.30pm NOT as previously notified at 7pm, Thursday, 28 November.

Again, please note that First Reconciliation Celebration will commence at 6.30pm.

I thank you for your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Kind Regards

Monsignor John Woods

Parish Priest

Baptism Certificates 

Students who are making the Sacrament of Reconciliation are required to provide a copy of their Baptism Certificate to the Parish Office before the Sacrament. Without this, students will not be able to receive the Sacrament. Students who were Baptised at Holy Trinity do not need to do this. A copy can be dropped in at the office or emailed to Catherine. Her email is wodennorth@cg.org.au 

Reconciliation Dates

• Tuesday 26^th November – Retreat Day for Reconciliation candidates.
• Thursday 28^th November – Sacrament of Reconciliation, 6:30pm at Holy Trinity Church

Thanksgiving Mass

Summer BBQ

Week 7

• Monday 25th Nov - 9:15am: KW Advent Prayer Celebration - Hope
• Tuesday 26th Nov – Reconciliation Retreat Day - All Year 3 Students
• Tuesday 26th Nov - Year 2 attending Mass
• Thursday 28th Nov - 7pm: Sacrament of Reconciliation

Emily Capper 

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Constable Kenny Koala visit

As the preschoolers inquire into Communities Help and Support Each Other, our three preschool classes received a visit from Constable Kenny Koala who gave some great advice on staying safe in the community. Kenny's tips are:

• stay close to a grownup and hold their hand when you are out
• Don't speak to adults you don't know
• always stay with your parents or a friend
• if you get lost find someone you can trust wearing a uniform like a police officer, parents with young children or shop keepers.
• if a stranger makes you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult straight away.

Marcus's dad came to speak with the Ground Parrots and Rock Wallabies today on his role as a volunteer fire fighter. The children loved hearing about his safety clothing and equipment and asking meaningful questions.

Woolworths Earn to Learn

Thank you to our school community who helped to collect over fifteen thousand Earn to Learn stickers. We were able to purchase some new sporting equipment for the ELC.

Swim and Survive program

Tomorrow finalises the swim and survive program. The students have thoroughly enjoyed the program and have learnt many important skills to be safe in water in a variety of environments. Thank you teachers and parents for assisting your child organise their swimming gear each day over the last couple of weeks. You can relax now knowing you only need to pack one bag, not two! 

Tennis

Over the last couple of weeks the Year 6 students have participated in tennis clinics provided by Tennis Canberra. The students have enjoyed this program and gained some impressive skills along the way. We thank the coaches for sharing their knowledge and skills in the game of tennis.

TERM 4, WEEK 7 - WED 27 NOV

Team Leader: Mark Bauer, Rian Foley, Anne Hitchings, Nigel Baker, Mary-Anne Winchester

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.