Contents
- From the Principal, Mr Damian Smith
- The Seasons are Changing!
- Year 10 and 11 Final Assembly
- R-9 Water Play and Colour Burst
- R-6 Carols Night
- Year 9 Rite Journey Program - Return and Homecoming Ceremony
- Transition
- Christmas Pageant
- Staffing
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Children and Social Media
- End of Term
- From the Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission, Chloe Shanahan
- Advent - A Season of Preparation
- Year 9 Rite Journey Community Day
- Immaculate Conception of Mary
- From the All Saints Catholic Parish
- Teaching and Learning
- Years 3-6 Choir - Visit to Nerrilda
- Year 9 - HPE
- Year 10 - Science
- Out and About
The liturgical year has now changed from Ordinary Time to Advent. Ordinary Time is called 'ordinary', not because it isn’t special, but simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. In fact, the week of ordinary time was significant because we celebrated the Feast Day of Christ the King. It honours Jesus as the King of the Universe who reigns with love, truth, and justice. It was a reminder that the gift of Jesus is the perfect bookend to Ordinary Time as we enter into the season of Advent. I hope that the joy of anticipation that build throughout Advent takes hold for all our families as we edge closer to Christmas.
Last Friday the Year 10 and 11 students held their last assembly to formally conclude their school year. They recalled and acknowledged significant events and achievements from throughout the year and celebrated their learning and growth. Awards were presented to students to recognise their individual efforts.
When this cohort of students return to school next year, they will be our most senior students and will ‘set the tone’ for our school community in the way they live, learn and lead. I trust they will have a well-earned break over the summer holidays.
On Friday Week 7 our R-9 students engaged in a Water Play and Colour Burst Activity Course in the afternoon. Some fun and games on a Friday afternoon was yet another marker for students to know that the end of the year is near. It was great to see our younger students mix with pupils from higher year levels. We often see lots of wonderful examples of mentoring and leadership from our middle and senior year students when we create these opportunities. Thanks and well done to Mrs Jessi Nickolai and the staff for planning and facilitating a fun-filled afternoon.
Our R-6 Carols Night was held on Monday. The students were excited to celebrate the end of the year and spread some Christmas cheer. The weather held out and it was a lovely evening for students to share their singing and dancing performances with lots of families and friends watching on. Class awards were presented as we marked the end of the school year in a special way. Thank you to all those who came along. Well done to the students and staff for putting on a wonderful event for our school community.
As the year draws to a close, it is normal for us to thank and farewell people who will soon conclude their time with our school community. At the end of this year, we will be saying thank you and goodbye to the following staff.
Firstly, Henry Wallis will be taking leave from his permanent position next year to travel overseas. We wish Henry all the best for his exciting adventure. We will farewell Dominick Hentschke, Gus Nelson & Deb McArthur, who will be moving on to new opportunities outside of Port Augusta.
A couple of our valuable Educational Support Officers will also be leaving our school community at the end of this year. Goodluck to Abbey Grindell & Gemma Horgan who will be exploring new openings elsewhere.
We thank these staff members who have all contributed to our school community in different ways. They have left lasting impressions on students and families and we wish them all the best for the future.
The Church season of Advent begins this Sunday, 1 December. Advent is a season of preparation, extending over 4 Sundays before Christmas. It can be difficult to not get caught up in the hype of Christmas, with carols playing in stores and trees on sale very early, gifts being exchanged before the holiday breaks begins, and chocolate calendars giving us a count down to the big day. It is important that we take the time to slow down and consider the meaning of this liturgical season, particularly in the commercialism of our society. Advent helps us to focus on the importance of Christmas where Jesus, a tiny baby born in a little town of Bethlehem, brought love, hope, peace, and joy into the world.
One of the most well recognised symbols of Advent is the Advent wreath. The wreath has three purple candles and one pink, surrounded by greenery to represent life. Each Sunday, a new candle is lit and the themes of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love.
As we light the first candle of our Advent wreaths, we stop and consider hope. This candle takes us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all the promises that God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.
Throughout their Rite Journey class, Year 9 students have been exploring what they have to offer the community, which is connected to their RE learning of what they stand for as young people. Students have also considered the impact that their actions can have on the lives of others and what it means to be active citizens. Last Tuesday, students gathered together at All Saints Church to participate in a range of activities to learn about different organisations, how they connect with people, the services that they offer, and to give back to the wider Port Augusta community.
After liturgy with Holy Communion, students spent some time making Christmas cards, for hampers given to those in need, and writing letters to the elderly in our local nursing homes. This was an opportunity for students to take some time to think about some of our marginalised and vulnerable community members who may or may not have people to spend time at such a joyous time of year for many.
Students were split into groups to participate in different activities for the remainder of the day. Time was spent making sandwiches for Fr Jim to give to those in need, as well as beautifying the Church grounds in preparation for the summer, and visiting Vinnies and assisting in dressing the window mannequins, sorting through donations, setting up the Christmas display, and of course, purchasing items.
The highlight of the day for a couple of groups was visiting the Senior Citizens Centre to engage with some of our elderly citizens by playing cards, carpet bowls, bocce, bingo and spending time talking to and listening to their stories. It was clear that there were benefits to both our students and elderly citizens after the time they spent together.
Students embraced our school theme Let Your Light Shine throughout the day and have made an impact on the community in their acts of service learning.
Whilst we move into the season of Advent, and prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, it may seem a little strange that we side step and turn our focus to Mary. Whilst the beginning of the Christmas story has its focus on Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, we stop to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on 8 December. However, as this is a Sunday, it will be celebrated the following day on 9 December.
This is the day we celebrate Mary’s conception; the time when she was conceived free from original sin in order to become the mother of Jesus. It wasn’t until the 18th century that this particular day was celebrated and declared an important feast day in the Church’s calendar.
On Wednesday, 27th November, the Years 3-6 Choir spread some early holiday cheer by visiting Edenfield Family Care - Nerrilda. The choir beautifully performed a selection of Christmas carols for the residents, filling the air with joy, warmth, and festive spirit.
As part of Year 9 HPE this term, students have been participating in several different recreational games. This unit concluded with students visiting the Port Augusta Bowling Club. The students got some tips from members of the club before playing some games of bowls. Thank you to the members from the Bowls Club for giving up there time and facilities to help out our students.
The Year 10 Science classes spent the early part of Term 4 investigating the theories around rockets and had a chance to construct their own. The students worked in groups to design and construct their rockets, and all collaborated well. During week 5, all three Science classes spent the morning launching their rockets, with all groups having successful launches.
Important Dates
Year 9 Rite Journey Homecoming Ceremony
Port Augusta Christmas Pageant
Port Augusta Community Carols Night
Year 7 Transition Days (9-10)
R-9 Students Conclude Term 4
Years 7-9 Assembly
Social