Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,

Student Leaders for 2024
It is my pleasure to congratulate the following students who, following a comprehensive selection process, have been appointed as Student Leaders for 2024:

Captains – Sofia Da Deppo and Harry Donoghue

Vice-Captains – Juliette Glover and Blake Foster

Year 6 SRC – Camilla Bremner and George Ballenger

Hartigan Captains – Rosie Rainger and Henry Gooley

McAuley Captains – Isabelle Pidgeon and Xavier Doyle

Fielding Captains – Reese Flynn and Jackson Shelton

Mullungang Captains – Lucy Miller and Lewis Matthews

The appointment process is never easy, and this year was no exception. There was a very strong field of candidates who put themselves forward for consideration and, although everyone cannot be successful in this process, each student represented themselves with immense pride for their school, teachers and classmates and will no doubt show their leadership potential in other ways as Year 6 Leaders in 2024. My sincere congratulations go not only to the successful appointees, but to all students who put themselves forward to be a part of this process.


Uniform Shop Additional Opening Times
The Uniform Shop will be open from 10am to 3:00pm on Monday 4 December and Monday 11 December, in addition to the usual Tuesdays 2:30-4pm. The Uniform Shop will also be open from 2:30pm to 4pm on Tuesday 30 January and from 10am to 3:00pm on Wednesday 31 January, before school commences on Thursday 1 February.


Term Dates 2024
At the beginning of next year, Catholic Education is holding a System Day for staff professional development on Tuesday 30 January, which will be followed by our own staff Faith Formation day on Wednesday 31 January. This means that all students, K-6 will commence Term 1 on Thursday 1 February. Term 1 will be an 11-week term, with the Easter break falling at the end of Week 9, and the term concluding on Friday 12 April.


Advent

Advent, our season of waiting and preparation for the birth of Christ, commences this Sunday. 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. Please join us for our Advent Prayer Service next Monday at 9am in the PAC, led by 1AH, as we light out first candle, beginning our journey towards Christmas, and pray for hope:

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 

End of Year Events
At 12pm next Friday 8 December we will be holding our Christmas Concert, featuring a Nativity play and a range of traditional and modern Christmas performances. All families are warmly invited to attend and celebrate this special time of year in our school community. 

At 9am on Wednesday 13 December, we will have a Year 3-5 awards assembly to recognise the efforts and achievements of our Primary students; parents will be notified in advance if their child will be receiving an award and are welcome to attend. On Thursday 14 December, we will be holding our Graduation Mass at 9:30am in St Augustine’s Church, with Year 6 awards being presented in the church at the conclusion of Mass. After Recess, at 11:30am, we will hold our traditional Farewell Assembly to wish our School Leaders well for their journey to High School.

All of these events are listed on our school calendar, which can be found on our website at https://www.mtcarmel.nsw.edu.au/calendar.

May God’s peace be in your families, 

Michael Green
Principal

Religious Education in the Classroom
Welcome to week 8! 3ER students are learning about the significance of the Sacrament of Baptism for the Catholic Church community. 

Below are a few student responses to the question: What happens during the Sacrament of Baptism?

Esther: The priest puts water over your head three times; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

George: Godparents have an important role during baptism.

Claire: You can get baptised if you are a child or an adult.

Benji: Your godparents are chosen to guide you through life.

Gracie: One of your godparents has to be catholic if you are baptised in the catholic church.

Jasper: You can wear a white robe and you can get a candle.

Charley: Baptism is the first sacrament.

Eddie Shannon from 3ER was recently baptised at St Augustine's Church. Congratulations, Eddie. Thank you for sharing your experience with the class.

Religious Life of Mt Carmel School

Advent
The liturgical season of Advent starts on Sunday 3 December, the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ and it is a time of preparation, waiting and praying for the arrival of Jesus Christ.

1AH will lead our Week 1 Advent Prayer Service next Monday morning at 9am. Parents and families are welcome to attend. 

Thank you to all the families who have provided donations for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. It is great to see so many baskets filled with donations!

We are seeking your support to help those less fortunate in our community through generous donations of non-perishable food items. Your generosity and support is most appreciated. St Augustine’s Conference has requested the following items:

Prayer to Christ the King 

Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations.
We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of
receiving from You, O Divine King,
mercy, peace, justice and all good things.
Protect, O Lord our families and the land of our birth.
Guard us, we pray, Most Faithful One.
Protect us from our enemies and from
Your Just Judgment.
Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against you.
Jesus, You are the King of Mercy.
We have deserved Your Just Judgment.
 Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
We trust in Your Great Mercy.
O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray;
May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognised on earth.
Amen.

Source: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

St Augustine’s Parish News

On Sunday 26 November, the session focused on the importance of the Feast day of Christ the King.

Parish Mass
Click on this link for further details http://staug-yass.org.au/wp/sacraments/. 

Enjoy your week!
Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator

Love One Another

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Touch Football Trial Information 2024 
Congratulations to Archer Regan and Henry Gooley who have been selected in the Canberra and Goulburn Touch Football team for 2024. They will compete in the MacKillop trials early next year. Well done to all the boys who tried out. 

Canberra Goulburn/Wollongong Boys AFL Trial Information 2024 
Date: Tuesday 20th February 
Time: Arrival: 8:30am Student Registration: 9:00am -9:15am Trials Commence: 9:20am Conclusion: Approx 1:00 - 1:30pm depending on numbers 
Venue: South Thomas Dalton Park Fairy Meadow (South Fields) 
Uniform: Football attire- mouthguards compulsory.
Registration: Registration is via the CSNSW website 
Cost: $15.00 Canteen: Students should bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks. 
Selection: The purpose of the trial is to select a team of up to 22 players to represent the combined Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn and Wollongong at the MacKillop AFL Selection trials. 
CONVENOR: Benjamin Woods Inquiries: Sherree Bush (CEO) Ph: 0409 305 296 Sherree.bush@cg.catholic.edu.au 
Registrations Close – Thursday 30th November 2023

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Tennis Trial Information 2024 
Date: Thursday 30th November 2023 
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Belconnen Tennis Club. Halloran Place, Macquarie, ACT 
Registration: Registrations are open on the CSNSW Sport Website –https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar
Please see the Registration Instructions for Parents 2020 
Nominations Close: Friday 24th November 
Cost: $15.00 per student. Will also be through the NSWCSS Website 
Uniform: Tennis Attire or School Sport uniform 
CANTEEN: There is no canteen available. Students are to bring their own lunch and snacks. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A FULL COURT GAME.

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Basketball Trial Information 2024 
Date: Friday 1 st December 2023 
Time: 10am - 2pm 
Venue: Belconnen Basketball & Sports Centre 42 Oatley Court, Belconnen, ACT Registration: Registrations are open on the CSNSW Sport Website – https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar
Please see the Registration Instructions for Parents 
Nominations Close: Friday 24th November Cost: $20.00 per student – Will also be through the CSNSW Website \
Canteen: Students may bring their own lunch and snacks. There is a small canteen facility available and there are shops nearby. 
Uniform: Students are to wear their school sports uniform to the trials as they are representing their school. Students are also required to bring along a water bottle for hydration. 

Please check the C & G website and the Facebook page for information about upcoming events https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar.

Ted Dunstan
Sports Coordinator

Current Loans
This week, students will be given a list of books they currently have on loan. Please encourage your child to return any borrowed books by the end of Week 9.


Holiday Reading - Sora

Just a reminder to Year 3-6 students that you can use Sora for your holiday reading.  

Remember, you can login to Sora with your normal CENet login that you use for Overdrive.

Also, you can go into ACEN Member Collection to use the Overdrive books. 

Visit https://soraapp.com in your web browser, or download the free Sora app from the Apple and Google Play stores on a mobile device.

This facility is always available for the students to use, especially during the holidays. 

Nat Broers
Teacher Librarian

Congratulations to the recipients of last week's Mt Carmel Awards.
 Awards are handed out at morning lines each Friday.

KAA Aurora Irwin Sophie Gannon Scarlett Klemmer	KJG Brooke Powell Josie Mattappillil Logan Hodgson Lewis Gianchou
1AH Samuel Logue Hennessey Rankin	1KG Adelaide Honan Benjamin Shoring Cooper Sadlowski
2LS Madison McGurk Elizabeth Kaveney Hudson Mackay	2SS Eleena Mattappallil Angus Dando
3ER Eddie Shannon Logan Johnson	3ML Heidi Tyndall Billy Field
4SS Macy Camilleri Phoebe Reynolds Riley Pholi	4TD Amelie Nagle Beau Jones
5AH Olivia Scanlon Juliette Glover Josephine Streatfeild Anika Lyons Arlie Daly Rory McCall	5KG Charlie Field Xavier Doyle Rory Welsh
6EG Charlotte Hardy Henry Ngo Ayrton Camilleri	6JR Mayce Brown Emmett Crocker

The Garden Club have been working hard to produce some delicious treats over the last few days. 

If you would like to purchase a container of Dried Rosemary, please pop into the front office, grab a container, and leave a gold coin donation.

Mrs Harvey's Music Room looked like Santa's workshop during Christmas Club on Tuesday. 

Year 5 & Year 6 2024 Camp Dates 

Year 5 Camp - Warrambui 
Term 1 - Week 7 - 13-15 March

 Year 6 Camp - Narrabeen
Term 2 - Week 9 - 26-28 June

Congratulations Xavier on your outstanding achievment in receiving an award that you are part of the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn Sporting Honour Roll. 

The Double Helix team is part of CSIRO Publishing and has a long-standing reputation for delivering expertly written, fascinating and fun science material for young people. Double Helix magazine is designed to foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). They aim to make it an easy, fun read for people, whether they are already interested in science or not.

Double Helix magazine also promotes critical thinking and literacy in school-aged children and teens. Each issue includes hands-on activities, recipes, experiments, comics, puzzles and prizes to win.

Click here to view the Double Helix website to find out more information.

The 2024 subscription is $52 per child and includes 8 magazines thouthgout the year. A invitation has been sent via Compass if you would like to accept and pay for this 2024 subscription. Please click on the Events tab within Compass, to access this opt-in magazine subscription. If you would like to purchase the subscription, please complete the invitation by tomorrow, Thursday 30 November. 

In 2024 Gerard Noonan will be offering private lessons in Advancing Music Composition & Drum Kit.
Mr Noonan has completed tertiary studies in composition, has CPM-3 in Drums & is a Registered Creative Kids Provider.
PH: 0408 622819

Yass Valley Triathlon Club is running another free women’s beginner triathlon early next year thanks to a grant from NSW office for sport.
If you would like more information, please see the below flyers. 

ACT Region - https://www.holidayhappenings.com.au/online-booklet