Week 8 Term 3
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,
We are getting ready to commence building class groups for 2025. If you wish to raise concerns regarding the placement of your children in particular classes, please put your concerns in writing to me by Friday of Week 2, Term 4 (25th October). All requests will be considered when classes are determined however cannot be guaranteed. Requests for grouping of friends is not necessary as the teachers will ensure each student has friends in their class the following year. The schools ‘Class Allocation Statement of Practice’ is on the website for parents to refer to should you have any questions about how classes are determined each year.
The Father’s Day celebration at the end of Week 6 was very well attended this year and a fabulous success. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us on the morning and thanks also to Red Barron and the Damianakis and Vidovich families for the fabulous catering. I look forward to celebrating again next year.
TeamKids are holding the Lunchtime Legends again this Thursday at second break. It is a bit of fun for the students in the hall so please encourage your child to join in. All students are welcome to participate, they don’t need to be students who attend TeamKids. TeamKids is also taking registrations for the Vacation Program if you need any care over the coming school holidays. Care is available from Friday 27th September until Monday 14th October as they offer care on the pupil free days as well as during the holiday period. For more information, please call 1300 035 000 or visit the TeamKids website at https://www.teamkids.com.au/venues/st-gregorys-primary-oshc/.
Congratulations to the 29 students who participated in the Northern Region Athletics carnival on Tuesday 27th August. All our students certainly should be proud of their efforts. Congratulations and best wishes to the 19 students who have progressed to the Mackillop Athletics Championships at Homebush on 25th September.
Thanks for your support of the Lap-a-thon on the day and through raising funds for the school by collecting donations which are due on the 18th of September so that the winning classes can be announced at the Week 9 GIFT Assembly. It was a wonderful day that the children thoroughly enjoyed participating in. An extra thank you to Ben Mills and Mick Cronin from the community council for all their work organising and cooking the BBQ, thanks to the parents, Grandparents and TSC for cooking and serving lunch for us all. We do also need to thank Steve Imrie for the music and Jonny Warren Properties for also supporting the day.
Last week was Week 7 of term and as a school we dedicate week seven to families. We do not set homework but rather encourage family time as the priority for the week. In the busyness of current day life, it is important to take time to slow down and enjoy being together. If you were not able to find the time last week, I encourage you do seek sometime in the coming weeks to enjoy a game together or some fun in the outdoors as it warms up nicely.
We had Georgina Manning conduct a parent session at the end of Term 2 and this term a staff session for supporting students’ wellbeing. Georgina provided many good ideas and there are others on her Peaceful Kids website. One interesting article talks about letting your children be bored and having to create their own fun away from electronics of course. The link below will take you to this article if you’re interested in finding out more.
We have our ‘Open Classrooms’ this afternoon from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Please drop in with your child to see what they have been up to at school. The students love showing their work off to their parents and carers. It is also an opportunity for you to have a quick chat with the class teachers. On Friday evening and Saturday morning many of our Year 6 students received the sacrament of confirmation at St Raphael’s Church. At Confirmation the priest or Archbishop places his hands over each baptised candidate and prays that the Holy Spirit will fill them with the gifts of the spirit. Each candidate is also anointed with Holy oil on their forehead. During the preparation period leading up to confirmation the students select a saint who inspires them by the way they lived their life and this saint’s name becomes the student’s confirmation name. The two liturgies were very special, and I congratulate all the students who took this beautiful step in their faith journey.
This week please join me in praying for our families, especially for those families in our community who are struggling in this time and for those who have recently lost loved ones from their families.
We bless your name, O Lord,
for sending your incarnated Son, Jesus Christ,
to become part of a family,
so that, as he lived his life,
he would experience its worries and its joys.
We ask you, Lord,
to protect and watch over the St Gregory’s community and all families,
so that in the strength of your grace
its members may enjoy the gift of your peace,
and, as the Church alive in the home,
bear witness in this world to your glory.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Have a blessed week.
Tiffany Reedy
