Dear Parents and Carers

“All the truly great persons I have ever met are characterized by what I would call radical humility and gratitude. They are deeply convinced that they are drawing from another source; they are instruments. Their genius is not their own; it is borrowed. We are moons, not suns, except in our ability to pass on the light. Our life is not our own; yet, at some level, enlightened people know that their life has been given to them as a sacred trust. They live in gratitude and confidence, and they try to let the flow continue through them. They know that “love is repaid by love alone,” as both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thérèse of Lisieux have said.”

Richard Rohr

This weekend we celebrate Advent, and although Richard Rohr’s quote does not explicitly address Advent, the theme of gratitude is surely the response the season should provoke within us. Advent, which begins on Sunday, is a period of waiting for the birth of Christ into our lives. That knowledge alone inspires a sense of gratitude, that we should be so gifted. Let us repay that love, with love.

Market Day

Today our Year 6 students led the school in market day, which has been an annual staple at Sts Peter and Paul for some years. The students are involved in planning and creating the event, with all stalls and games created and made by them. All money raised will go to charity. They raised just over $1300! My thanks to our excellent Year 6 students, and their teachers, for their hard work.

Parent/Teacher Conversations

A reminder that next week, our Parent/Teacher interviews are taking place over Monday – Wednesday. Bookings have closed, however, if you have not yet made a time to see your child’s teacher, I encourage you to contact them directly and make a time for an interview. This year, the reports have no comments, which is a decision Catholic Education has taken for all schools. Interviews offer an opportunity for a more nuanced understanding of your child’s progress and learning challenges, in lieu of report comments.

Choir

Next Tuesday at 2pm, in the school hall, our Choir (ably led by Mrs Pearson) will perform a number of songs for the school. All parents are welcome to attend. The choir performance begins at 2pm.

Zoo Excursion

With the easing of COVID restrictions this term, excursions and the like are opening back up again. Our Year 1 students are having an excursion to the zoo next week, which will be very exciting and much fun. My thanks to the Year 1 teachers for coordinating the excursion.

Car Park Difficulties

If parents can refrain please from parking in the car park, at the end of the day, in such a way that parks staff members in, it would be appreciated. Several staff members have found it difficult to leave at the end of the day due to being hemmed in by other cars.

Year 5 Camp

As our Year 6 students did earlier this term, our Year 5 students are going on camp in two weeks. They are attending Cooba, a well-known camp that is a few kilometres from Cooma, on the way to Jindabyne. The students will have a great deal of fun and experience a few Cooba favourites, such as the high ropes challenge and the ‘Big Swing’. It is wonderful that these opportunities are opening back up again for our students. My thanks to our Year 5 teachers for organising the camp.

Have a wonderful warm week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal