Dear Parents,
The Entrance Antiphon of this Sunday’s Mass is taken from Paul’s letter to the Philippians: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice! The Lord is near’(Philippians 4:4-5). Fr Michael Fallon explains this in the context of this Sundays readings. The opening word ‘Rejoice’ is ‘Gaudete’ in Latin – and so today has traditionally been called 'Gaudete Sunday'. This is also why we have a rose coloured candle and hanging. Our joy flows from the realisation that Christmas is very near. God is coming with special graces for all who cry out to God in their distress.
As the final week of the year draws to a close, I would like to thank our parent community for your support and contribution throughout 2020. This year has been a most trying and difficult year for us all to navigate. However as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, may I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all of you for your patience, resilience and flexibility in working with us throughout the year to insure the education of our students was maintained. A school’s community is only as effective as their parent body that supports the staff in the education and development of your children. For all your efforts, encouragement and enthusiasm throughout 2020, the staff and I are truly grateful. Your time and generosity is most appreciated. We look forward to your continued support in 2021!
Please see below Classroom Teachers for 2021:
Kindergarten- Miss Marie-Louise Tcherkezian / Mr Ben Horne / Mrs Patrice Hanna
Yr 1 – Miss Courtney Milone / Mrs Ally Trethowan
Yr 2 – Mrs Erin Wynne / Mrs Sarah Debrincat / Mrs Patrice Hanna
Yr 3 - Mrs Kaylene Searson/ Mr Aaron Debrincat
Yr 4 – Mr Brad Mogan / Mrs Samantha Roberts / Mrs Mel Szoloch
Yr 5 – Mrs Danielle Young / Mr Ben Kroon
Yr 6 – Miss Venice Boules / Miss Julianne Barker / Mrs Monica Burley
Today the children met their teachers for 2021 as part of our changeover session. We also welcomed new students from Yr1-Yr6 students who have enrolled for CTK to meet their classmates and teachers for the new school year. Students in each grade would have received a pre-requisite list for 2021 this afternoon. This afternoon we also welcomed two new members of staff who will be teaching at CTK in 2021. Welcome and best wishes for an enjoyable year to Mr Ben Kroon and Miss Julianne Barker.
Yesterday we farewelled our 2020 year 6 Cohort. Over the last seven years we have watched these students grow into young men and women who will be moving onto high school in 2021. Their contributions and the footprint they will leave here at CTK has and will continue to define the culture and character of our great school. Thank you to each and every one of our graduating class for the legacies you leave behind as a result of your involvement and time at CTK. We wish you all every happiness and success with your future endeavours and studies. Farewell and Good Luck!
A decision has been made to postpone the announcement of the year 6 leadership team for 2021 until early next year at the opening school mass in early February. As you are well aware, the COVID pandemic has impacted on various aspects of school life resulting in the cancellation of a number of school events. Our Thanksgiving school mass on the last day of the year where our school leaders for the following year are announced has been cancelled due to the restrictions placed upon us. Our opening school mass for 2021 will be celebrated on Friday the 5th February [Wk2] commencing at 9:15am. At that mass the student school leadership team will be announced and their badges presented.
Reports for each student were distributed on Wednesday. It is imperative you take the time to sit down with your child and discuss their report before the end of the term. This discussion would revolve around highlighting and acknowledging their achievements for the semester as well as planning how they are going to achieve success with the areas for development for next year put forward by their teachers. Celebrating achievement and planning on how to improve your child’s learning for the next scholastic year are the two major focuses as we conclude school for 2020. Congratulations to all our students on the achievements they have made with their learning throughout the year.
The annual swimming carnival will be held next Tuesday 15th December at Blacktown Pool. All children from years 2-5 will attend.. The carnival has emerged in recent years as a selection trial for the Hills Zone swimming carnival that will be held in February in 2021. Children in Kindergarten, Year 1 and those children in year two who do not attend the carnival will remain at school and participate in tabloid sports and activity day run by Sports in Schools Australia [SISA]. Year 6 school leaders will attend the swimming carnival to assist as officials etc. The remainder of our year six students will remain at school to assist our younger children participate in the tabloid day. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions parents are unable to attend. All students will travel to and from the carnival by bus.
Our final day [Wednesday 16th December] of the year will look different this year to previous years due to the pandemic restrictions currently in place. The usual whole school thanks giving mass and awards ceremony in the church will be replaced by three separate presentations which will take place in the hall. These presentations will follow a whole school liturgy, which will be held under the top COLA. There will be no official Year 6 farewell. Due to the COVID restrictions, parents are unable to attend the liturgy or presentations. It is anticipated that these ceremonies will be streamed live via zoom. Further details regarding this will be communicated next week. Children will be able to be picked up from school when the final awards presentation concludes at 12noon. Supervision will be provided for students whose parents are unable to pick up their children at midday. Please note that all children being picked up at 12 noon will need to be picked up through the drive through pick up on the top playground or via the back gate in Burradoo Close.
As the celebration of Christmas Day draws near, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021. May the birth of our Christ our Saviour bring every joy, happiness and good health to one and all.
God Bless- Happy Holidays!
Tony Hughes
Principal
