From the APRE desk

Dear Parents and carers,

Week 9! It has been such a privilege to spend the last couple of weeks celebrating a wonderful year of learning with our students and the beginning of the Christmas season.

As we approach the festive season, we are excited to usher in the spirit of Advent—a time of anticipation, reflection, and celebration. Advent, derived from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming," marks the beginning of the liturgical year and invites us to prepare our hearts for the arrival of something truly special, the birth of Jesus.

Countdown to Christmas: Advent is traditionally a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. To make this season memorable for your family, consider creating an Advent calendar together. Each day leading up to Christmas, open a new door or box, revealing a small treat, a family activity, or a thoughtful message. This simple tradition can build excitement and foster a sense of togetherness.

Lighting the Way: The Advent wreath is a beautiful symbol of this season. It typically consists of four candles, representing the four weeks leading up to Christmas, with a fifth candle in the center, representing the Christ candle. Each week, light a new candle, and use this time to reflect on themes such as hope, peace, joy, and love. Encourage your children to share their thoughts and feelings about these concepts.

Acts of Kindness: Advent is not just a time for personal reflection but also an opportunity to spread kindness and goodwill to others. Consider engaging in daily acts of kindness as a family. Whether it's donating to a local charity, volunteering together, or simply being kind to neighbors, these actions can create lasting memories and instill the true meaning of the season.

Storytelling and Reflection: Gather your family for storytelling sessions focused on the Christmas narrative. Share the story of the birth of Jesus, and encourage your children to ask questions and express their thoughts. Additionally, take time for personal reflection, contemplating the values of gratitude, generosity, and compassion.

As we embark on this Advent journey together, let us embrace the opportunity to slow down, connect with our loved ones, and cultivate a spirit of joy and hope in our homes. May this season be filled with warmth, love, and the true blessings of togetherness.

Thankyou to the staff who work at OSHC who have been generously donating their food scraps to Fr Michael’s chickens! We love seeing sustainable practices occur in our school community.

Congratulations to the recipients of our Cornerstone Awards for Semester Two. You should be so proud of your achievements and we thank you for living out our Mercy values here at SSPS.

The 2023 recipient of the Catherine McAuley award goes to Year 6 student, Abiar Geu. Congratulations Abiar! This award acknowledges the great work St Saviour’s Primary does to engender wonderfully Christ-like values in our school community and Abiar has demonstrated the same compassion and caring attitude throughout her school life, just like Catherine McAuley. Abiar is a very worthy recipient. Congratulations Abiar!

Christmas Mass! All Welcome!

In closing, I wish for you a special Christmas message filled with peace, joy, and gratitude. Christmas is not just about twinkling lights, festive decorations, and delicious treats; it's about the joy of giving, the warmth of friendship, and the love that celebrating the birth of Jesus brings. The true spirit of Christmas lies in the love we show to those around us. Whether it's a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple smile, your actions can brighten someone's day and make this season even more special.

I hope you have a restful and peace filled Christmas break. Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas filled with love and the peace of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for reading, see you in 2024!

Ann-Maree