Whitefriars School

Newsletter

6th December, 2017 Term 4, Week 8

Dear Parents,

Advent

God called John the Baptist to “prepare a way for the Lord”,

namely the coming of God’s son Jesus. In so many ways our world

is like a wilderness where the voice of God has difficulty being heard.

Just as John the Baptist attracted the people of Jesus’ time

by the integrity of his life and the power of his message,

we too are called to live in such a way that our lives ‘speak’

the Word of God and draw people to Christ.

“May the Advent season sustain us in our waiting for the coming of the

Christ child and give us courage in our living.”

Congratulations to Barbara Ahern who has been appointed to the position

of Principal at St Patrick’s School at Mansfield Park.

Barbara has contributed much to our Whitefriars School community over her

12 years here. She has supported children and families in a myriad of ways. In

the area of curriculum, Barbara has shared her love of learning and her

leadership with staff here has been significant. Timetables, rosters and WHS

have been attended to with much diligence, and a sense of humour, by Barbara.

I am very grateful to have shared my leadership time here at Whitefriars with

Barbara who has been a very committed and supportive Catholic leader. I know

that she has much to contribute to St Pat’s and it is great that she will remain as

part of the Croydon Park Parish and also within the Catholic North Western

Community.

Next week we will also farewell Luisa Farinola. Luisa did her primary education here at Whitefriars and is now completing

her time as a teacher in this community. For over 40 years she has made a difference to the lives of hundreds of students in

the Woodville area, both as a classroom teacher and as Italian teacher. She has also shared her love of Italian through

teaching at Star of the Sea and at the former Mater Christi community. High expectations of students and a calm manner

have been hallmarks of Luisa’s efforts in teaching. We wish her well as she moves to retirement, sharing more time with

her husband John and family, including three beautiful granddaughters.

We will acknowledge both Barbara and Luisa’s time and commitment to Whitefriars at our Thanksgiving Mass next

Tuesday.

Other Staff Information

Permanent appointments: Kerry Hesketh (English as Additional Language (EAL)), Aidan Br igden (Physical

Education and Class Teacher) and Vicky Radetti (Italian) have all been appointed permanently to our staff.

In 2018 Jess D’Angelo (Dance and Drama) and Angela Camozzato (Class Teacher) will both take leave for the

12 months. Caitlin Nicolle has gained a permanent classroom position at Plympton International School while

Connie Lopresti will take on teaching Italian at St Francis School at Lockleys.

We thank Caitlin and Connie very much for their considerable contributions to our community and wish them

well in their new appointments. May Jess and Angela enjoy their break away from school life as they pursue

different options.

“A certain sense of God’s wonderful love strengthens me.”

(St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, 1873)

For your diary…..

Sunday, 10th December - 7pm Parish Multicultural Carols Night at Mater Dei Church Monday, 11th December - 5.30pm Basketball and Netball Presentations Tuesday, 12th December - 7pmThanksgiving Mass and Year 7 Gradua-tion Thursday, 14th December— Last day of school for 2017 - 9am Final Assembly hosted by Specialist Teachers - 3.05pm Students dismissed 2018 Monday, 29th January - 8.45am First day of school for 2018

45 Beaufort Street, Woodville Park, 5011

Phone - 8445 1895 Fax - 8445 1876

Email address: info@whitefriars.catholic.edu.au

Our website: www.whitefriars.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Ms Mary Hemmings Deputy Principal: Mrs Barbara Ahern

APRIM: Mrs Angela Scodella

OSHC & Vacation Care Phone: 8244 4155 or 0459 988 149

Croydon Park Parish Office Phone: 8346 0944

We also thank Elaine Reynolds, our School Counsellor, for this year. We are grateful for her commitment

on her one day each week.

We will acknowledge these staff and their commitment at our Assembly on Thursday next week.

Carols on the Green

Staff, students and families were all very disappointed not to have our Carols Night last Friday evening.

Due to predicted heavy rain, for safety reasons we cancelled this event.

We look forward to the children sharing their efforts with us at our extended Assembly next Thursday

morning. Children can wear their Christmas clothes that they were going to wear to our Carols

performance on that day. Parents are warmly invited to this special performance.

Come and do your Christmas shopping!

Our Year 5/6 classes have created Christmas Cards and small gifts as part of their learning this term! On

sale between 8:30and 9:00am tomorrow outside the Library will be their high quality range of gifts. The

gift items available to buy include bath bombs, emoji pins and Christmas cards and labels. Cost of the

items range from $1 to $5.

Thanksgiving Mass and Year 7 Graduation: Our Community gathers to give thanks to God for the

many blessings of this year and to acknowledge the contribution of our Year 7 students. All students are

asked to be present for this occasion. Summer uniforms to be worn.

Master Plan Yesterday our staff met with our Master Plan architects to provide some “big picture” ideas for future

development of our site. As we embark on developing a Master Plan, all in our community are invited

provide us with your perspective on our school and facilities at present. Our architects “Detail Studio” will

gather this information to develop a plan for the development of our school. This will lead to

reconstructing some aspects of our site and refocussing the present uses of our facilities. Please take the

time to contribute your thoughts and ideas by clicking on the link Master Plan Survey and complete this

survey.

Student Reports

Next Tuesday our student reports will be sent home, providing you with a summary of your children’s

learning in this second semester. Contained in each envelope will be the class to which your child has

been allocated next year. In determining classes we aim to include at least one of the children they

nominated with whom they would be happy to work. We also strive to build gender and learning needs’

balance. Children will find themselves with many new classmates and this allows them to broaden their

friendships. Classes mix in their year levels for many different activities and they have the opportunity to

mix readily with children across the year levels in their play times.

Our Year level structures for 2018 will be:

Year 6/7: 4 classes Year 4/5: 4 classes Year 2/3: 4 classes

Year 1: 3 classes Reception: 3 classes

Croydon Park Parish Multicultural Christmas Carols

Join in and listen to Carols from around the world on Sunday 10th December at 7pm at Mater Dei Church.

It is a wonderful and joyful way to prepare for Christmas. Special visit from St Nicholas.

Come and share in our Multicultural Carols on Sunday

…some staff are even performing at this occasion!

Children’s interests and skills and competency invite us to ‘re-imagine education’, to think beyond our

own experiences of education. As teachers our task is to open children up to possibilities, to provide them

with broad experiences. As parents, we invite you to work with staff in the year ahead to support your

children in their learning. In an ever changing world we know so very clearly that children (and adults)

learn at different paces and in different ways. Within families children meet milestones at different times.

Children of different ages participate in a range of sporting and arts activities outside of school.

Yours sincerely

Mary Hemmings

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1st Week of Advent– Year B Advent is a time for recognising the presence of God– in history, in our midst today and in eternity. When the Son of God became a human being it was so that he could reveal the great love that God has for each of us, and the plan of God for the salvation of humankind

and the restoration of the entire created universe.

The Kingdom of God is already among us; we look back with gratitude to the birth of Christ; we rejoice in God’s abiding presence with us now and we look forward to the end of

time when Christ will come again in glory.

Stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the building is coming, in the evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he

comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake! (Mark 13:35-37)

Reflection

Where do I see the presence of God in my life?

Open my eyes, Lord, to your presence in my life; come and be my help.

Angela Scodella, APRIM

End of Year Thanksgiving Mass and Year 7 Graduation Ceremony

Farewell to Mary Hemmings, Barbara Ahern and Luisa Farinola

Tuesday, 12th December

at 7pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall

2018 Year of Youth The Year of Youth started on 3rd December, 2017 and continues throughout 2018.

This Year of Youth provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the gift of young people, and the gifts they contribute to the Church and the world.

May we give thanks for the energy, joy and passion the youth bring to our community.

The following students celebrate their birthdays from the 6th to 12th December:

Armando Ducaj, Gloria Kachappilly, Tahj Leonard-Down, Henry McCaffrey, Nina Nguyen, Truc Nguyen-Le, Mitchell Sanders,

Santhosh Sundaram and Holly Zakelj.

As part of our RE unit on Prayer and Liturgy,

we have been learning about Mandalas. Part

of our brief from our teacher was to design

our own Mandala and to explain the

symbolism used in our Mandalas.

“My Mandala tells the story of the connection

of God with humankind. Every human being

starts as a simple flower that needs to be

nurtured and loved. God looks after everyone

and provides care for them regardless of their

race, wealth or actions, this is represented by

the cross. The designs on the exterior of the

flower symbolise peacock feathers. In many

religions, these feathers symbolise peace,

purity, love, compassion etc. (The good

qualities found in someone.) These qualities

are gained by staying close to God and having

a good intention/mind. The branches/leaves

that encompass the flowers make up a human.

A simple flower, that with the help of God

grows to be a fragile, intricate, unique

creation is what my Mandala shows. Our God

works with his children to make them into a

beautiful flower like this.”

(Design and explanation by Rebecca Shaji)

Christmas Masses

St Margaret Mary’s - Christmas Eve Family Mass, Sunday 24th Dec at 6pm - Christmas Morning Mass in Polish, Monday 25th December at 8.30am - Christmas Morning Mass in English, Monday 25th December at 10.30am

Mater Dei - Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December, Mass in Vietnamese at 8pm preceded by Christmas Carols and play starting at 7pm - Christmas Mass During the Night Sunday 24th December at 10pm in English, (in place of Midnight Mass)

St Patrick’s - Christmas Morning Mass, Monday 25th December in English with Vietnamese/English singing, at 8.30am

Advent Confessions Mater Dei

- Saturdays before the Vigil Mass. Saturdays 5.15- 5.45pm - Tuesday 19th December (2 priests English and Vietnamese) 6pm – 7.30pm

St Patrick’s Sunday Mornings 8am to 8.20am

St Margaret Mary’s Saturdays 9th, 16th and 23rd December 12—1pm (2 priests on 16th & 23rd) Wednesday 20th December (2 priests English and Vietnamese) 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Parish Multicultural Carol Service Mater Dei Church 7pm—Sunday 10th December

Includes Burundi, Filipino, Italian, Combined Parish Schools and Staff and Students of the

Parish Shools and St Patrick’s Vietnamese choirs. Community Carols. Christmas play by Vietnamese youth (in English). Visit from St Nicholas. A wonderful night for all the enjoy.

Croydon Park Parish

CANTEEN ROSTER - TERM 4, WEEK 9

(If you are able to help please contact Erica or Iris in the Canteen)

Mon—11 Dec Tues—12 Dec Wed—13 Dec Thurs—14 Dec Fri—15 Dec

CANTEEN

CLOSED Kerry Farrington Tina Bodjo Cheryl Rawson

SCHOOL

HOLIDAYS!

WHAT’S NEW ON

SKOOLBAG?

Our Skoolbag App notifications can now

be read in many different languages other

than English.

To change the language setting:

Select the see the “More” option on

the bottom right hand side of your

screen and choose the language of

your choice.

Please note the language will change

for notifications but not for

attachments.

Congratulations to Alysha Bubner (5/6CR) who was chosen to compete in the Pacific School Games

from 3rd to 9th December after having earlier competed in the SAPSASA Diving Competitions

in March this year.

The Pacific School Games is an international event and

Alysha is representing Whitefriars and South Australia

in this SA School Sport event.

She will be competing in the 1m

and 3m Springboard events and Team Synchro.

South Australia has 23 divers competing in this

event ranging in age from 10-16 years.

Well done Alysha on this fantastic achievement!

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