Shining Lights Week 5, Term 4
.... Primary Retreats
Each year, primary students participate in a half-day Retreat which is often led by Year 9/10 students who have chosen the RE: Journey elective. This week’s retreats for K-Year 4 focused on the Sacraments and how these symbolic rituals bind Christians together in community. The Year 10 students shared their understanding of the Eucharist as a ritual of Thanksgiving, with everyone called to be a part of the Body of Christ. Activities included sand sculptures, meditation, painting and dance.
The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.
POPE FRANCIS 
As we head towards Christmas, students are asked to contribute to our St Vinnie’s Christmas Hamper Appeal. Donations of Christmas treats and basic necessities should be made by Wednesday 7th December as they will be presented to members of the St Vincent De Paul Society at our Thanksgiving Mass on Friday 9th. In supporting the most vulnerable in our community we are reminded of the lowly shepherds and the gift-bearing foreigners who are commemorated in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels. May we strive to share generously and joyfully with others this Christmas; recognising that, despite our differences, we are all interconnected.
.... Free Webinars from InspiredEd.
With the beginning of the HSC year now having begun for our Year 11/12 students (and Year 10 approaching senior study), we would like to share with you some free live streamed webinars taking place on Sunday, 13 November via InspiredEd.
Designed for both students and parents in Year 10 & 11, the webinars will be delivered by qualified counsellors and senior HSC markers to address the following topics:
- How to manage stress during assessment and exam blocks
- Secrets to HSC success - Tips from the marking centre
- What you need to know about the ATAR
- English tips and tricks
- Strategies for parents: communication & emotional support
For those who cannot make the live sessions, Inspired Ed will share with you the recordings as on-demand videos for all registrations.
Please see the flyer below for more information.
.... Primary House Captains
In Week 3, our Primary House Captains were announced at our College assembly. We had 24 students from Years 4 & 5 who nominated themselves to step up and have a go at becoming the 2023 House Captains. It is fantastic to see how the students value these positions and to see how many are keen to lead in our school.
The students who nominated all did a brilliant job at preparing and presenting their speeches to their houses and talking about the values they see in House Captains and in taking on a leadership position. The things they spoke about included teamwork skills, listening, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, kindness and helping with war cries and assemblies to name a few. It shows that our students know what makes a good leader and that we have a superb group of students coming through to lead the Primary school in the future.
Unfortunately, not everyone can be elected to the position of House Captain. However, students have the opportunity to lead in many ways and to contribute to our school in a positive way. An example of that this term was Eamon Conville running an Art Club during lunchtime, on how to draw a dog and cat. The students who attended enjoyed their creations and I have seen many drawn and practiced since. So please encourage your child to keep aiming high, to get up after a disappointment and to continue to lead and make a difference in the small things they do every day.
