As we come to the end of another year, it is time to reflect on the year that was! It was a year that no-one could have predicted and as we returned to school in January we did so with a great sense of excitement and hope for what 2021 could and would be after a disrupted 2020. We were certainly under a false sense of hope and as the year progressed we knew that things were going to be a repeat of 2020. And so began the roller coaster ride that was to be 2021! We were all thrown back into chaos, both personally and professionally, as we navigated our way through another new normal. Social distancing, hand washing and sanitising again become a way of life, parents, carers and families became distanced, technology became our best friend again!, children were again learning from home and parents were again teaching from home and we all honed our skills from last year.

Unfortunately. as we moved into this final term restrictions were not eased, however, whilst we still could not have our families on site during school hours we were able to celebrate the Year Six Dinner and Disco with parents and carers. Our Year Six teachers also organised a fantastic fun week for the students, which in part, helped to make up their disappointment of missing out on the Canberra excursion.

So we look forward to next year and a much more settled year. I thank each and everyone for your ongoing support, patience and understanding throughout the year. It has been a privilege to be involved in the education of your children. I pray that the peace of Jesus be with you and your families this Christmas and New Year. I encourage all families to celebrate with their Church family. Christmas without Christ just doesn’t make sense. I trust the holidays will give you time to relax and rejuvenate yourselves for the coming year. May God bless all families with peace and good health.

I recently read this reflection on the Christmas story put into today’s context and it got me thinking about the way that we are so quick to judge others. During this Christmas season I hope that we all take the time to look at others ‘through the eyes of a child’ so that we can see things more openly and empathetically.

The first Christmas that little Linda learned to read, she was allowed to distribute the family gifts on Christmas day. According to family custom, the one who distributed the gifts could open the first package. After all the gifts were distributed with loving care, Linda kept looking around the tree and among the branches. Finally her dad asked, ‘What are you looking for, dear?’ To which Linda replied, ‘I thought Christmas was Jesus’ birthday and I was just wondering where his present is. I guess everyone forgot him.’

That is the challenge which faces us all this Christmas - to put the Christ back into our family Christmas. This is an ideal time for families to focus on the important things that affect their family life - the time they spend together, the quality of relationships within the immediate and extended family group, the willingness to put others first and to forgive one another. Please remember to include Jesus on your family gift list - make the religious significance of Christmas visible in your home and join with your Church family for this special feast.

And so to another Christmas! The little baby born in Bethlehem, serves to remind us of the truth that our God is a God who loves us, even to the point of becoming one of us. In becoming human, God has given each of us dignity and importance, and the opportunity to transcend the worries of this world and focus on our eternal destiny.

Merry Christmas everyone!

THANK YOU

As this is our last newsletter for the year there are so many people to thank:

• To Fr Bing, who has supported our students, staff and families in his role as School Chaplain and provided faith leadership and guidance to our school community in so many different ways.
• To our Leadership Team, Co-ordinators, Additional Needs Teachers, Wellbeing Officer and our various teams and committees, thank you for your continued support in all areas of school life.
• To the Teachers and Teachers Assistants, I would like to express my sincere thanks for everything you do to ensure that quality teaching and learning continues to occur.
• To our secretaries, support staff and cleaners who work tirelessly to assist the students, teachers, parents and visitors to our school. So much of what they do goes unnoticed!
• To you, the parents and families of our students, who continue to support and assist us each and every day.
• And finally to our students, who make us proud to be their teachers by what they do and say, not only when they are ‘on show’ but each and every day they are at school. I believe that we are truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderfully supportive school community.

Farewell to Families

We would like to wish all families who are leaving St Carthage’s all the very best for the future, wherever life may take you. Thank you for the contribution which each family has made to our school. Our best wishes and prayers go with you.

Farewell to Staff

We would like to take this opportunity to farewell some of our staff members who will not be returning in 2021. We would like to thank them for the great contributions which they have made to St Carthage’s school community. We trust that their new endeavours will be rewarding and successful and we wish them all the very best for the future. Goodbye and good luck to Mrs Loadsman, Mr Gordon and Mr Collings.

Year Six Graduation and Final Assembly Photos

Classroom Teachers for 2022

Kindergarten:           

K Gold             Mrs Loretta Farmer

K Blue             Mr Benjamin Evans

K Red              Mrs Megan Yates

Year 1                        

1 Gold             Mrs Janelle Connelly & Mrs  Jenny Allen

1 Red              Mrs Tina Shea & Mrs Wendy Dardengo

1 Blue             Mrs Cathryn Bailey

Year 2                        

2 Gold             Miss Annabel Overell

2 Red              Mrs Kim Robb

2 Blue             Mrs Haley Rogusz

2 White           Mrs Mia van der Walt

Year 3                        

3 Red              Mrs Winkler-Dunn & Mrs Bethany McDermott

3 Blue             Mrs Kerri-Anne Kane & Mr David Morrissey

3 Gold             Mr Mark Taylor & Mr Andrew Camilleri

Year 4                        

4 Red              Mrs Louise Mayes

4 Blue             Mrs Donna Atlee

4 Gold             Mr Jason Dimmick

Year 5                                    

5 Blue             Mrs Michelle Sudiro

5 Gold             Mrs Toni Lynch

5 Red              Mrs Toni McRae

5 White           Mrs Kristine Mumford

Year 6                                    

6 Blue            Mr Brendan Matthews

6 Red             Mrs Janette McFadden

6 Gold            Mr Brendan Tickle

6 White          Mrs Sally Innes                                                                                                                                                                                    

NAIDOC Poster & Colouring In Competition

Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAIs) and Best Start Kindergarten Interviews

We start the new school year with our Best Start (Kindergarten only) and Mathematics Assessment Interviews for all exisiting students. MAIs are on Tuesday 1st February and Wednesday 2nd February 2022 (Years 1 to 6) and Best Start Interviews (Kindergarten) are from Tuesday 1st February to Monday 7th February. Everyone should have received a confirmation email from schoolinterviews.com.au at the time you made your booking or during the holidays if I have to make the booking for you.

Please contact me via email at amanda.deeps@lism.catholic.edu.au if there are any issues with you MAI bookings.

If you are new to our school the MAI interviews for your child/ren will occur when we have returned to school.