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Dear Parents, Teachers and Students,
Student Leadership 2021
Congratulations to all the Year 5 students who, today, presented their speeches for Student Leadership positions in 2021; the standard of speeches this year was outstanding! The next step in the process will be a panel interview next Monday 30 November. Good luck to all of our potential leaders.
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. We will hold a brief prayer service at Monday morning’s assembly and light our first candle, beginning our journey towards Christmas with a prayer 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
Presentation Night and Christmas Concert
Given the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold our Presentation Night in its usual form this year; instead, we will be holding a Presentation Week in Week 9. Academic, Effort and Application, Most Improved and Christian Leadership Awards will be presented at morning assembly to Year 3 students on Monday, Year 4 students on Wednesday and Year 5 students on Thursday. Year 6 awards will be announced at the Graduation Mass on Tuesday in Week 10. 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 10.
Likewise, we are unable to hold our usual Christmas Concert, so classes are working on a special digital presentation that we can share with families in Week 10.
Term Dates 2021
At the beginning of next year, Catholic Education is holding a System Day for staff professional development on Thursday 28 January, which was due to be the first day of Term 1 for students. Rather than have students return to school for just one day at the end of the week, Mt Carmel School will be moving one of our regular Staff Professional Development days from later in the year to Friday 29 January. This means that all students, K-6 will commence Term 1 on Monday 1 February. Term 1 concludes on Thursday 1 April.
School Fees
At last week’s Community Council meeting, school fees for 2021 were reviewed. There has been a 3% increase in the Primary Tuition Fee from Catholic Education, equivalent to $10 per family per term. Given this increase and the desire to minimise the financial impact on families, the Council has decided that none of the local levies will be raised in 2021. A letter with a full explanation and breakdown of fees will be sent to all families this afternoon.
May God’s peace be in your families,
First Holy Communion Sacrament
Congratulations to the children who celebrated their First Holy Communion at St Augustine’s Church! Thank you to Fr Mick, Di Carey, Kassie Miller, Linda Swadling, Mel Allan, Esther Glover and to the Mt Carmel Community for the preparation of this special occasion.
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Thank you to all the families who have donated items for this special cause. Your generosity and support is most appreciated.
Religious Education in the Classroom
Teachers and students have been engaging critically and creatively with Scripture passages through The Three Worlds of the Text: World Behind the Text, World of the Text, and World In Front of the Text. This teaching and learning method encourages students to learn from within the Bible and discover their own informed interpretation. Below is a short description of what the World of the Text means. Next week an explanation of the World in Front of the Text will be provided.
World of the Text
In what book and what section of the Biblical canon is this text placed? Are there any parallel passages for this text? Does this text quote another book in the Bible? What is the text saying? What type of text is this? What is the purpose of the text? What are the text structure and features? What are the characters, settings and events? How can we examine the text for speakers and viewpoints? What is the explicit and implied meaning? How does the author use the text to challenge our thinking?
Year 3 students explored the poetic form of the Psalm 23 (read here). Knowing that the psalms were written in poetic form, students were challenged to write their own poems of praise to God.
Gospel Reading, The Parable of the Judgment (MATTHEW 25:31-46)
World of the Text
This parable is the last formal teaching that Jesus gives in the Gospel of Matthew. The parable sums up many themes that Matthew has given prominence to throughout his Gospel. These themes include the need for righteousness (right relationship with God and others) to enter the Kingdom. Another theme is the need for performing good deeds or works of mercy as an expression of righteousness. A third theme is that all will be judged according to their deeds, especially the works of mercy towards those who are weak and marginalised (Brisbane Catholic Diocese, 2020).
Have a great week!
May peace be with you,
Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)
Congratulations to Fielding who won the House Spirit trophy last week.
As the Year 5 and 6 students will be at their daytime camp this Friday, there will not be a House Spirit Challenge this week.
Last week was National Road Safety Week - Year 3 made some clever posters to remind us all to be careful and be safe.
Congratulations to the young people in our parish who made their First Holy Communion over the weekend. The joy and reverence they displayed made for prayerful celebrations on Saturday and Sunday.
Thank you to everyone involved with the ceremonies: the parents and communicants who prepared so well over the last few months, and who read at Mass; Fr Mick, Kassie Miller, Melissa Allan and Esther Glover who assisted with the preparation day last Friday; Peter Cleary and family for the lovely decorations on the altar; Peter Walker, Frank Grace, Tallara Howard and Clare Broers for acolyte and altar serving; Annabelle O’Connell, Anne Eade, Linda Swadling, Paula Beaton and Deb Valencic who played and sang so beautifully at both Masses; Kassie, Mandy Leahy, Linda and Annabelle who helped with making the stoles; Tom Constantine and his helpers who took up the collections; the teachers and students from Mt Carmel, and the parishioners who prayed for the communicants and who attended Mass in support of their special day.
Finally, thank you Fr Mick for your generous support and guidance to our parish over the last twelve years. It has been a privilege and pleasure working with you for the last ten years. We will miss you but wish you all the best in your future adventures.
Dianne Carey
Sacramental Team Leader
Book Club - Issue 8 Closes This Friday
Issue 8 is now available!
Paper catalogues are not being sent home, so if you would like to view the online catalogue, please click below.