Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,

Advent
We are now in the first week of Advent, and 3JR led us in a beautiful prayer service on Monday morning. The passing of the weeks of Advent are traditionally marked with the lighting of five candles in an Advent wreath: one for each Sunday of Advent and one for Christmas day. The first candle is violet and represents hope; the second, also violet, represents peace; the third candle is pink and represents joy; the fourth, violet, represents love; and the final, central, candle is white and represents the light of Christ coming into the world.

Christ our Hope,
Shine in our lives with hope and promise. Open our eyes to see you in others. Help us to be people of hope.
We await your coming with gratitude.

Amen

KJG will lead our Week 2 Advent Prayer Service next Monday morning.


Student Leadership
Last week our appointment process for Student Leadership positions concluded with interviews for all the candidates. Before I announce the appointments, I would first like to affirm to all of our community that each and every one of the Year 5 candidates did themselves, their families and their school very proud throughout the entire process. In any selection process where there are more candidates than there are positions to be filled there will always be some who are excited and others who are disappointed. I can say, though, that every single student handled the announcement of the successful candidates with dignity and respect.

So now, it brings me great pleasure to announce that our Student Leaders for 2022 are:

Captains — Zara Hillman and Alexander Donaldson

Vice-Captains — Esther Adie and Hugo Dunstan

Year 6 SRC — Sienna Carroll and Jake Pholi

Mullungang House Captains — Mia Buser and Wyatt Brassil

Hartigan House Captains — Darcy Gooley and Oscar Rainger

McAuley House Captains — Tiana Pidding and Gabby Penfold

Fielding House Captains — Bryson Flynn and Flynn Wullaert


Presentation Night and Graduation
Given the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we are again unable to hold our Presentation Night in its usual form; instead, we will be holding a Presentation Week in Week 10. Academic, Effort and Application, Most Improved and Christian Leadership Awards will be presented at morning assembly to Year 3 students on Monday, and Year 4 and Year 5 students on Thursday. Parents of award recipients will be personally invited to attend the assembly to see the presentation of their child's award. All award recipients will be acknowledged in a special edition of the Carmeletta in Week 11.

Also due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold our usual whole-school End-of-Year and Graduation Mass. We will still be holding a Graduation Mass on Tuesday 14 December, Week 11, but it will be for Year 6 students and their parents only. At the conclusion of the Mass, Year 6 Academic, Leadership and Citizenship Awards will be announced. Recipients will receive their awards in the PAC after Mass. A letter with full details of our Year 6 Graduation and celebrations is coming to families today.


Bike and Traffic Safety
Yass’ new Learn to Ride Centre behind the Railway Station on Crago Street is scheduled for its grand opening from 10am this Saturday. Mt Carmel’s Year 2 students have been lucky enough to be invited to attend a pre-opening event on Friday morning, for a road-safety workshop with bikes and scooters. Thanks to Yass Valley Council for this wonderful opportunity.


Uniform Shop Additional Opening Times
The Uniform Shop will be open from 10am to 3:30pm on Monday 6 December and Monday 13 December, in addition to the usual Tuesdays 2:30—4pm. 

It will also be open from 10am—2pm on Friday 28 January and Monday 31 January, prior to the commencement of Term 1.


An Up-and-Coming Illustrator
The Bango Wind Farm is producing a children’s book called ’Tuppence the Orphan Turbine’ as an educational resource to help teach about renewable energy. Part of their project involved recruiting local students to help illustrate the story, and Jake Wullaert in Year 5 created some magnificent illustrations that will be included in the book.

Well done, Jake, and congratulations on your fabulous artwork.

Term Dates 2022
At the beginning of next year, Catholic Education is holding a System Day for staff professional development on Friday 28 January, and our regular Staff Professional Development day will be held on Monday 31 January. This means that all students, K-6 will commence Term 1 on Tuesday 1 February. Term 1 concludes on Friday 8 April, with Easter falling on the middle weekend of the school holidays.

May God’s peace be in your families,