Christ the King North Rocks Newsletter

Term 4 Week 6: Friday 12th November 2021.

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

As the liturgical year draws to an end,  the season of  Advent is just around the corner - a time of preparation for Christmas.  The readings of today’s Mass  encourage us to look at the goal of our life and to ask ‘What is my life all about? Where am I headed?’ We are invited to make a review of the past year.  As we approach the seasons of Advent and Christmas, Father Michael Fallon challenges us to pause and take stock. Are we following our deepest desires, or are we allowing ourselves to be distracted from our heart, laughing half our laughter and crying half our tears. Jesus came that we may live to the full. Is that how things are for us? As we stand before God as our judge as we know that we cannot hide from God who sees the whole truth in all its complexity. The judgment passed is simply a declaration of the ways things really are. At the conclusion of our life our hearts are open to God, we will enjoy communion with him for all eternity – we call that ‘heaven’. God does not punish. God will always love you and love me. But God cannot and will not force his love upon us. It is important to realize that sin cannot change God.

 

Congratulations to our senior students who made their Confirmation this week. These young men and women were confirmed by Father Ian and are now fully initiated into the church community. Thank you to the parents who prepared their children over the last few months, Claudine our Parish Secretary for administering the program, our REC Mrs Wynne and Fr Ian for celebrating the sacrament.

 

I am currently working on staffing for next year at Christ the King. Mrs Young and Miss Milone have secured permanent positions at St Mary’s Rydalmere and Our Lady of the Angels North Strathfield respectively. We congratulate both ladies on their appointments and wish them every success and happiness in their future endeavours. We welcome Miss Dana Cavaleri and Miss Shelja Chand who will join our teaching staff in 2022. The announcement of teachers for each grade in 2022 will be announced in week 10 during our annual Meet the Teacher session on Friday 10th December.

 

Inside the newsletter this week there is important information regarding the new COMPASS parent portal that has been introduced by CEDP. This new portal over the coming weeks will become the central App you will need to upload to your phones and home computers that will allow parent access to school SMS alerts, student attendance and leave, family information updates and  students semester reports just to name a few features. Please take the time to read the relevant section. If you have any questions or require clarification please contact the school office.

 

Thank you for your continued support of both our drive throughs  at Statham Ave and the our new set up in Burradoo Close. It is important that all parents using these points of pick up and drop off adhere to the protocols and procedures communicated to our families in recent weeks. It is imperative that all users are conscious of the safety of all members of the community during these busy times in the morning and afternoon. Thank you

Have a great weekend

Tony Hughes

Something to ponder

Got a problem you're not sure about, see if the homily this weekend has the answer.

Upcoming Events

Term 4 Week 7

Monday 15th November

  • PE: Year 5

Tuesday 16th November

  • PE: Year 5, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr1)
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am-12.30pm  email only

Wednesday 17th November

  • PE: Year 6 & Kindergarten
  • Kindy 2022 Meet the teacher Group 3: 9-11am Group 4: 12-2pm

Thursday 18th November

  • PE: Year 3, Year 1 & Year 4 (Gr2)

Friday 19th November

  • Online Band
  • PE: Year 2, Year 4
  • Kindy 2022 Meet the teacher Group 5: 9.00am-11am Group 6: 12.00-2.00pm

Term 4 Week 8

Monday 22nd November

  • PE: Year 5
  • Kindy 2022 Transition 1 Group 1: 9.00-10.30am Group 2: 11.30-1.00pm
  • Uniform Shop K2022 appointments only 8.00am-3.30pm

Tuesday 23rd November

  • PE: Year 5, Year 2 & Year 4 (Gr1)
  • Uniform Shop 8.00am-12.30pm   email only

Wednesday 24th November

  • PE: Year 6 & Kindergarten
  • Kindy 2022 Transition 2 Group 2: 9.00-10.30am Group 1: 11.30am-1.00pm
  • Uniform Shop K2022 appointments only 8.00am-3.30pm

Thursday 25th November

  • PE: Year 3, Year 1 & Year 4 (Gr2)
  • Gilroy College Year 7, 2022 Orientation Day 

Friday 26th November

  • Online Band
  • PE: Year 2, Year 4

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 30th November

  • Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Day 1


Wednesday 1st December

  • Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Day 2


Tuesday 7th December 

  • Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 7.30pm


Wednesday 15th December

  • Last Day for Students


Thursday 16th December

  • Staff Development / Pupil Free Day


Friday 17th December

  • Staff Development / Pupil Free Day


TERM DATES:

Term 4      Tuesday,      5th October         to      Friday, 17th December



2022 DATES TO NOTE

Term 1:

Friday 28th  January - Monday 31st  January - Year 1 to Year 6 Assessment days 

Tuesday 1st February - Year 1-6 begin school

Friday 28th January - Tuesday 1st February - Kindergarten assessment days

Wednesday 2nd February - Kindergarten begin full school days

Last Day Term 1:  Friday 8th April

Good Friday          Friday 15th April - public holiday

Easter Sunday      Sunday 17th April - public holiday

Easter Monday     Monday 18th April - public holiday    

Anzac Day             Monday 25th April - public holiday

Term 2:    Tuesday 26th April to Friday 1st July

Term 3:    Monday 18th July to Friday 23rd September

Term 4:    Monday 10th October to Friday 16th December


Other School News

RE News

It has been wonderful to gather together in prayer for some very special occasions this week.

Sacrament of Confirmation

This week, the young people of our Christ the King Parish were initiated into the church through the Sacrament of Confirmation. We congratulate several of our Year 5 and Year 6 students who received this special Sacrament over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. It was my pleasure, along with Mrs Walsh and Mr Hughes, to attend these ceremonies and present our candidates to Fr Ian our Parish Priest. 

Confirmation is a sacrament for those who have been baptised who wish to continue on the path of Christian initiation. They receive the Holy Spirit, conforming them more perfectly to Christ and strengthening them so that they may bear witness to Christ in faith and love.

Remembrance Day

On the 11th November 1918, the Great War, World War I ended. It was a war that embraced most nations on earth. The war ended with an armistice: a truce on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Today many countries throughout the world take time out, on this day, to reflect and pray. It is a day we commemorate all people who have died in war. 

Yesterday, we gathered as a school community on Zoom at 11am on the 11th November to remember and pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. 

Thank you to Year 5 for doing a beautiful job in hosting our liturgy for our school community.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal

This year Christ the King will again be supporting the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal. We can all help St Vincent de Paul spread Christmas cheer this year by donating items for families who need our help this Christmas. 

Below are suggested items that each grade is asked to donate to help create some wonderful hampers. All donated items are to be sent to your child’s classroom by Friday November 26th, 2021. Please ensure that all food items are within the expiry date.

Grade                                    Items to Donate to the St Vincent de Paul

Kinder & Year 3                    Chips, Lollies, Reusable shopping bags

Year 1, & Year 5                   Christmas Cake, Biscuits

Year 2, & Year 4                   Christmas Pudding, Lollies

                                                                                                 Year 6                                    Mince Pies, Biscuits

 

St Vincent de Paul is also collecting money donations this Christmas to support families in need across Australia. If you would like to also support the ‘Vinnies Christmas Appeal’, please send your donations to your child’s classroom. 

    

Sacrament of First Reconciliation 2021

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a prerequisite for First Eucharist (for children in Year 3 and above). Thank you to the families who have contacted the parish in relation to this program recommencing this year. A face-to-face parent information evening will be held in the church next Wednesday 17th November, commencing at 7.30pm. 

Details of the program, including dates of the Sacrament and the registration process will be shared during this meeting.

The Sacrament will take place on Tuesday 14th December: 3.30pm – 5pm and Wednesday 15th December: 3.30pm – 5pm

For further information, please contact the parish office via email: northrocks@parracatholic.org or ph. 9871.8710.

Library News

Could all library books be sent back to school by Monday next week. Please encourage your children to search for any books that are covered and have a Christ the King barcode on them. Students are encouraged to continue reading by using the eBook platforms available through the eLibrary, Reading Eggs and by visiting your local library.

The Executive Director's Summer Reading Challenge has started for this year. First prize is a $500 voucher from JB HiFi. Each time your child reads a book, magazine, comic, poem etc they fill in the form and have a chance in the draw. The more you read, the more chances! Visit the website for more information. 

Sarah Cook 

Teacher/Librarian LTST

Chess Championships 2021

The CTK Chess Championships will run as an online event this year. It is open to any student who can play chess.

Date: Thursday 18th November

Time: 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm

Venue: Online through chesssquad (students will be given their login on the day)

Cost: $13.50

This is an annual event that students love to compete in as there is an overall champ plus runners up and stage winners. Entry forms will be handed out to students today or you can enter online using the following details

website: https://sydneyacademyofchess.com.au/payment

Code: L7LGN36VVU

Year 1 Item

Year One have been learning all the different ways that God speaks to us and shows us love. They are learning how to show that love to others and share their special gifts with the class and the school.

Look at some of the beautiful gifts they have shared with their class. 

Captain's Chat

Congratulations on making it through another two weeks of learning! It’s been four weeks since we have come back to school already! We are halfway through Term 4 and only have a few more weeks to go.

Last Friday was our school photo day, we all did self portraits and class photos as well as any extras your children signed up for. Everyone has done so well and everyone looked great, thank you all for participating in them.

Yesterday, on Thursday 11th of November, we had a liturgy about Remembrance day. We remembered all of the brave soldiers who went out and fought to protect our country. 

It has been another great two weeks. It has been so nice to see everyone. We appreciate how hard everyone has been working. We are so close to the end of the year, so keep going and striving to try your best.

New Communication Tool: Compass Parent Portal

Thank you to the many parents who have already logged on to the Compass Parent Portal.

Usernames and temporary passwords were emailed to all families last week. 

Using the Compass Parent Portal you will be able to :

-  View your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary (please note : a hard copy of your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary will NOT be provided this Semester.  To access your child's Semester 2 Learning Summary, you will need to log-in to the Compass Parent Portal)

-  Be informed of important updates, events and reminders (this communication will begin next week)

-  View your child's timetable

-  Review your child's attendance

-  Provide explanations for periods of absence

-  Update your contact details

-  Book Parent / Teacher Conferences (this feature will not open until Mid 2022)

If you do not think you have received the email with your Username and Password, please contact Mrs Cassar or Mrs Street via the Office.

Finance Update

SCHOOL FEES ACCOUNTS DUE 18th November, 2021

A reminder that School Fee Accounts for 2021 are due for payment on 18th November, 2021.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties please contact Susan Ritchie on 8846 2700 for assistance.

Thank you.

Susan Ritchie

Senior Finance

Christ the King North Rocks.

Band News

Parish News

Mass recommencing Christ the King Parish

COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted and Masses have recommenced at Christ the King Parish.

Daily Masses have commenced each Wednesday at 9am, Thursday at 9am, Friday at 9.15am and Saturday at 9am.Please note there will be no Tuesday evening Masses until further notice.Weekend Masses have commenced with the Vigil Mass on Saturday at 5.30pm and continue on Sunday at 8am and 10am.

Please note the following:

Registration for Mass attendance will occur via the QR code utilising the Service New South Wales application on your smartphone. Pre-registration is no longer necessary.

The Christ the King parish QR Code is located on the windows of the church for parishioners to scan and register themselves and any dependents. If you do not have a smartphone, wardens will invite you to register by recording your name and phone number/email address manually on the sheets located in the church foyer. Please remember to check out after you leave Mass.

All attendees over the age of 12, must be wearing face masks before entering, inside and outside the church.

All attendees must adhere to the 1 person per 2sqm regulation. The wardens will count the number of attendees to ensure we do not go over a maximum of 240 persons.

All attendees must sanitise before entering the church and sanitise the pews before leaving.

We ask that these requirements be adhered to remain compliant, so we are not subjected to a maximum fine $55000 from the NSW Government Department of Health. Many thanks for your cooperation in remaining compliant with our parish COVID safety plan.

Community News

School Notes

Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Volunteer Form’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Parent Volunteers at CTK should visit the Parent Involvement page and complete the ‘Child Protection Training Module’ to be able to assist in any capacity as a volunteer within the school.
Click on title, go to Administration, print and complete the ‘Application for Extended Leave’ form to apply for student leave other than illness