The HOPE we have in Jesus Christ

Brings LOVE into our heart

And when we know the JOY of Jesus

His PEACE He will impart

Dear Friends,

We are at that wonderful time of the year, where we prepare for the coming of Christ and give thanks for all the year has brought us.  On Tuesday we celebrated a beautiful Mass together where we acknowledged and thanked God for all those in our community who selflessly volunteer their time for the children and families in our care.  

Teachers have also been busy writing articles for the Year Book, completing reports, preparing for our Nativity Play and formulating class lists for 2020.  On Tuesday afternoon Week 10, all students for 2020 will be grouped in the afternoon with their teachers and classes for next year.  New students in Year 1-6 will also be attending. Class lists will then be sent home via email on Thursday 19th of December. The staffing for next year has almost been finalised and will be published in next week's newsletter. 

The School Board met last week to finalise the Holy Trinity 2020 Budget, including the School Fees schedule.  In order to provide our school with the resources and to continue to meet parent expectations and our own aspirations for a high quality education, it is vital that Holy Trinity keeps pace with increasing education costs and the changing funding environment.  There is still some uncertainty around elements of government funding for Catholic schools.  In particular, the Australian Government is currently calculating a new socio-economic classification for non-government schools based on the personal income tax of families.  This is a significant determinant of the funding coming to Catholic schools.  We still remain focussed on developing teachers and staff to create respectful learning environments that enable our students to continue to flourish, because they feel safe, happy and motivated to learn.

School fees have increased around 4%, with the main change for Year 3 parents.  After much considered thought, attending the 3/4 camp over the last three years and discussions with parents and staff, we have decided to only have students from year 4, 5, and 6 attend camp in 2020; thus parents of Year 3 students will not have a camp cost added to their fees for next year. 

Please click here for our 2020 Fee Schedule. 

A reminder to those families leaving our school at the end of this term to please finalise their fee commitments as soon as possible.

Currently I am working with CE to develop a masterplan, looking at strategic building planning over the next few years, based on current enrolments and our educational beliefs. In the January holidays, our carpark refurbishment will be completed, with more parking provided, new line marking and a wider area for student drop off and pick up in the afternoon.  A new path around the edge of the ring road will also be concreted in for easier access. The 5 /6 classrooms will also be having a refurbishment, with a wall structure being removed from Mrs White's classroom and the Classroom Support room, allowing for a new classroom to enable our 4 Year 5 /6 classrooms in 2020. 

Thank you to Tiffany Fletcher, Campbell Sloane and our choir members who will be performing at Carols on the Block on Saturday night (see community news).  Thank you also to Michael Feerick and parents helpers who will be organising our L'Arche fundrising summer BBQ tomorrow.  I lool forward to seeing all those wonderful summer hawaiian shirts tomorrow! 

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

Philippa

Reconciliation

On Thursday 28^th November, a number of our students joined with many of their peers from our parish as they received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. The liturgy was a prayerful and reverent occasion, and all in attendance agreed it was a beautiful celebration. Many thanks to all of the teachers who assisted in preparing the students during class time, and being present to support their students on the night. Also, a big thank you to the parents who assisted with the home group programs, we have heard wonderful feedback on these sessions.

Thanksgiving Mass

Thank you so much for those who were able to join us at Mass on Tuesday morning. It was lovely to gather as a community to give thanks to those who support us through out the year. For those who were unable to make, please know how grateful we are here at Holy Trinity for all your support. 

Upcoming Dates

Week 9

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

Week 10

• Monday 16th Dec - 9:15am: Year 1 Advent Prayer Celebration - Peace
• Wednesday 18th Dec - 12pm: Graduation and End of Year Mass
• Thursday 19th Dec - All Day: Cotter Picnic Day - Last Day of School for 2019

2019 ELC Commemorative Tea Towel

We have some extra tea towels available at the ELC office for purchase at a special price of $10 per tea towel. 

Bus Wash

The Rock Wallaby and Ground Parrot classes went on the Action bus wash excursion this week. The excursion links with the current inquiry into communities help and support each other. 

Important Dates in the ELC

6 December, Summer BBQ (orders taken on QKR!)

10 December, 10.30am Bus Wash Excursion (Black Cockatoos) - TBC

11 December, Reports home (Black Cockatoos)

13 December, Christmas Nativity story (12pm & 5.30pm) Community BBQ (6-8pm)

13 December, Reports home (Ground Parrots and Rock Wallabies)

19 December, whole school picnic at the Cotter playground LAST DAY OF ELC.

Please note that the ELC closes on the last day of school, Thursday 19 December and will reopen for the School Holiday Program on 30 & 31 January 2020.

School Holiday Program January

Bookings are now being taken for the School Holiday Program offered on 30-31 January 2020. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

Before and After School Bookings for the ELC 2020

The ELC has now opened bookings for Before and After School Care for students attending Kindergarten and Year One in 2020. 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.

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

Stay and Play

Playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their families. Wednesday mornings from 9am-10.30am in the ELC Playground (weather permitting). Parents, grandparents, carers and children are all very welcome.

Football Coach Visit

On Thursday 29 November we had a fantastic visit from a professional Football coach from Osaka, Japan.

Keita Yoshikawa a full time coach with the international Coerver Coaching program,  is spending 6 months in Canberra to further develop his English skills and to work in many Coerver programs in the area.   He was excited to visit his first Australian school and was most impressed with our wonderful community.  The experience was very special for him and he commented on how different our school environment is to Japanese Schools.

He conducted coaching sessions with the Year 5/6 clases and then had lunch with the students.  He politely suggested that he loved his Vegemite sandwich!

Thanks to our staff, students and parents for making Keita feel so welcome and contributing to this memorable experience!

Cricket Clinics

Over the last couple of weeks Years 3/4 have participated in some cricket clinics provided by Cricket NSW. The students have engaged in a range of fun activities that have developed their catching, throwing and batting skills.

This drum kit appears in a sound, upbeat condition condition - Christmas gift for the budding musician? Comes with a family set of ear plugs. PIck up from the school TOMORROW (Friday) preferred. Contact Cushla ph 6281 7428 or cushla.sheehan@cg.catholic.edu.au

TERM 4, WEEK 09 - WED 11 DEC

Team Leader: Michael Kane, Doug Ridd, Anthony Friend, Chistie Woods

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.