Dear Parents and Carers

“Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost. Compassion draws together those who have been estranged or never even dreamed they were connected. Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence. Compassion springs out of vulnerability and triumphs in unity.”

Julie Cannato, as quoted by Richard Rohr

It is difficult to add anything else to the reflection quoted above: if anything were to ‘say it all’, as we approach the season of Advent, this would be it. Rohr quotes Cannato elsewhere as saying that she believed that compassion was Jesus’ fundamental point or mission – to teach people of compassion. Perhaps the phrase that strikes me most tellingly is the beginning of the final sentence: “Compassion springs out of vulnerability…”, as Cannato appears to be saying that there can be no compassion until we too learn that we are as capable of blunders and mistakes, as much as anyone else. Perhaps only then, can compassion be seeded and grown.

School Fees – 2024

CE are very conscious of the current cost of living pressures and have worked hard to keep fees to a minimum.  However, schools are not immune from rising costs and unfortunately CE need to pass on some of these costs in the form of increases in school fees.

School fees for 2024 are shown in the table attached.  The school fee in 2024 will include the tuition fee and all school-based levies. We have also reviewed and updated the arrangements for family discounts, which are included in the school fee for 2024.

Your school fees are used to support the delivery of high-quality education and maintain and improve facilities, including the funding of all staff and the maintenance and improvement of facilities at the school.  Voluntary contributions to the Canberra Catholic Schools Build Fund (CCSBF) will be $210 per term for those families that opt-in to make a contribution to the CCSBF.

Our students continue to benefit from a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of learning and co-curricular opportunities. We continue to see improvement in academic achievement of students, particularly in literacy and numeracy. This commitment to learning combined with knowing each child continues to nurture the growth and development of every child.

CE are very mindful of the impact that any fee increase can have on families. CE have carefully considered these impacts in setting 2024 school fees and have attempted to keep the increases to a minimum. If you have any concern that fees in 2024 may cause hardship for you and your family, I encourage you to contact me for a confidential discussion on the assistance available to support your child.

We value your partnership, and we sincerely thank you for your continued support of our school. If you have any questions about school fees or require assistance on any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Kinder Nativity

A reminder that on Thursday December 7^th, at 12:00, our beautiful Kindergarten children will be presenting the story of the Nativity – the birth of Jesus. Our students and teachers have been working very hard, with many practices, to prepare and present this play. All parents in the school are invited to the performance.

Save the Date: Christmas Function

A reminder that in Week 10, on Wednesday December 13^th, we are hosting a Christmas Carols family night, at 6pm on the school blue top. Families are invited to have dinner and celebrate Christmas. Grades will perform carols throughout the evening, and if true to form, Santa will also pay the school an early visit. I look forward to seeing you then.

End of Year Reminders

A reminder please for any outstanding library books to be returned to school, so we can ensure to finish the year with a balanced stock take. A reminder too please, to let the school know if you are not returning to Sts Peter and Paul in 2024 and have not yet told us. As we are receiving enrolment enquiries for a number of grades, it helps the school in its planning and finalizing class numbers, if we have an accurate assessment of student movement. The final day of Term 4 is Thursday, December 14^th, and the first day of Term 1, 2024 is Wednesday, January 31^st. Kindergarten students attend school on that day. In next week’s newsletter, we will be publishing the staff list for 2024, including the grades to which teachers are assigned.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal