Dear families,
As we eagerly await this weekend’s announcements from the Premier, I hope you are managing to enjoy some of our newly found freedoms.
Revised fee statements are ready for distribution. Please look out for an envelope in your child’s bag next week. If you prefer to have your statement emailed, please contact Katrina on kchavarria@smaltona.catholic.edu.au . As previously mentioned, we have removed all other levies besides family fees and curriculum levies. While this year certainly looked different, our teachers worked harder than ever to try and offer the best in difficult circumstances and the cost of running the school has not actually reduced. In fact, our cleaning budget alone has close to tripled! It is imperative that any outstanding fees and levies are paid before the end of the year, unless another arrangement has been reached by consultation. We are able to offer payment plans for families and of course, holders of Health Care Cards also qualify for further governmental reductions, so if you find yourself in genuine financial hardship, please contact me at principal@smaltona.catholc.edu.au. In case you missed the announcement earlier this term, fees and levies will remain the same price for the 2021 school year.
We have much staff news to share:
I know you will join me in offering our congratulations and best wishes to Stefanie, Tim and Mirjana. We have a big job on our hands filling their shoes in 2021.
Enjoy this wonderful weather, keep on keeping safe.
Sonia
Yes, it is a thing!
At some point or another, you have most likely had your child come home saying they don’t like maths. One of the underlying reasons for feeling this way is often because they feel that they can’t do it.
Everyone is capable of learning in the area of maths however research is continually undertaken in this area and it is believed that at least 20% of the US population are highly anxious about maths and given the cultural similarities between Australia and the US, we can assume that this number would be comparable.
Click this link to access a short TED ED Youtube clip titled Why do people get so anxious about Maths? which further explains the research done in this area.
Although the first Sunday of Advent is officially the 29th of November, over the next four Monday’s we will be sharing a video liturgy to celebrate each of these important events in our liturgical year. A link to this will be shared on Mondays as a Seesaw announcement.
Advent Liturgy & Theme | Host classes | Date |
1st week of Advent HOPE | Year 5 | Monday 23rd November |
2nd week of Advent PEACE | Prep & Year 6 | Monday 30th November |
3rd week of Advent JOY | Year 1/2 classes | Monday 7th December |
4th week of Advent LOVE | Year 3/4 classes | Monday 14th December |
The season of Advent is peculiar to the Western church, it has no counterpart in the East. Historically, when the birth of Christ came to be observed in Rome on 25th December in the fourth century, Christmas was taken to be the beginning of the year. Thus Advent, once it took shape, served as the conclusion of the year. It was at the time, characterised by an emphasis on Christ’s coming in glory at the end of time rather than on preparation for his nativity.
In the time of Gregory the Great (590-604) the Advent season was shortened from six weeks to four. Eventually this four week season became universal in the Western church that combined three themes: spiritual discipline (arising from preparation for baptism), preparation for Christmas (originating in places such as North Italy before being adopted in Rome), and the last times. It was only in the 10th century with the merger of Roman and Frankish liturgical traditions that Advent came to be understood as the beginning of the church’s year.
Yours in Faith
Matthew Taylor
Religious Education Leader
Shabby
Adjective
If something is shabby it’s in bad condition and has not been looked after well.
Synonyms: run down, scuffy, neglected
On our hike through the mountains we saw a shabby hut.
His uniform looked shabby because he didn’t look after it.
Congratulations to…GREEN who were the Most Active House team and Year 5/6CT who were the Most Active Class.
https://newsletters.naavi.com/i/kNVOjyJ
Just a reminder – to continue to receive our newsletters after this year, please subscribe:
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Wishing you all a blessed Christmas!
Warmest regards Jenny Knox ~ Director of Innovation & College Develpment
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We hope you enjoy this updated edition and we thank all staff and students for their contributions.
Mount St. Joseph Girls' College
133 Maidstone Street
Altona, Victoria 3018
Camp Australia
Camp Australia brings to you The BIG Art & Expression Competition – where your child can display their creative talents and win BIG prizes. The competition is open to all registered Camp Australia families and, if you’re not registered, registration is free! Register free at http://pp.campaustralia.com.
There will also be 3 prizes for the top 3 schools; 1st prize $3,000 art grant, 2nd prize $2,000 art grant, 3rd prize $1,000 art grant.