Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 3 comes to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank our staff, parents and carers for the tireless efforts in ensuring our students have been able to continue to learn and grow in a safe, supportive and caring environment through Term 3. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Mental Health Month is celebrated each year in the month of October in NSW. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and well-being, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages help seeking behaviours when needed. The following link maybe of interest; http://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au

We look forward to seeing you on Monday 12 October for the start of Term 4. Have a wonderful holiday break. Enjoy your family and stay safe. Thank you.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Season of Creation

As we near the end of the ‘Season of Creation’ it is timely to reflect on the many ways, large or small, in which we are stewards of God’s creation. Thank you for taking the time to implement changes or initiatives, advocate to others and pray for our Earth. 

Sacramental Updates

Confirmation: Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November @ 7pm. These liturgies will be held in the Monsignor Downey Hall.

(Confirmation workbooks need to be returned to school by the end of Week 2).

First Holy Communion: Saturday 21November and Saturday 28 November @ 3pm. These Masses will be held in the Monsignor Downey Hall.

(Booklets and online classes commence Monday 26 October Week 3 and books returned by November 16) 

Retreat days have been scheduled, however due to COVID, specifics of these days will be forthcoming. 

Bishop’s Annual Appeal

THIS WEEKEND!! In support of clergy care and parish ministries. This year’s Bishop’s Appeal has moved to an ONLINE format. Visit dow.org.au/giving

Bishop Brian Mascord states: “Our faith calls us to help one another through prayer and action. Your donation to this appeal this weekend, will enable me to provide a dignified retirement for our diocesan clergy and ensure that our parish communities stay connected during this time of pandemic. If you are in a financial position to give, I would be very grateful.”

NB: Alternatively, there will be a collection box near the exit door at St Columbkille’s Church.

Migrant & Refugee Sunday

The last Sunday of September of every year is World Day of Migrants and Refugees. For 2020, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee”, with a focus on the need for the pastoral care of internally displaced persons. On this day we express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move, increase our awareness about the opportunities that migration offers and pray for the associated challenges.

Birthday Blessings

Fr Geoff turned 80 last week. We wish him God’s blessings now and always. We thank him for his Ministry at Corrimal and Bulli Parishes. Happy Birthday Fr Geoff! 

RIPPLES Episode and Meditation

“This week's Episode features Peter Turner as he explores the question "For What Do You Wish to be Known? One of our schools was eager to engage with this question and asked if we could approach Peter. This was a question Peter had raised in a forum with our Beginning Teachers and I was eager to hear more about what motivates and guides him in his decisions. It's a question that prompts us to consider both our purpose and the principles that underpin this. 

The Meditation draws on the Episode and is a Meditation on Purpose. A series of quotes by spiritual writers and modern day mystics are offered to reflect on with a journal or internally”. (Robyn Gallagher: Professional Officer: Staff Spiritual Formation: Catholic Life, Education and Mission Services: Emmaus Catholic Education Centre, Macarthur) 

The links to this week's Podcast are provided below.

PODCAST LINKS:

LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au

APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808 

LINK via CEDoW Learning Continuity Site: 

PARENTS: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/clem-spiritual-formation/spiritual-formation/parents

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CathEd.DoW/videos/349786609793095

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CFbdJFTA99e/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CathEd_DoW/status/1308292912824741889

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator 

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal's Awards

KB - Nova Forrest, Carter Milne, Kaylan Pons, Duncan Stewart

1B - Roma Aimasso, Brody Foster, Poppy Galaxidis, Indie Humphries, Sophie Matinus, Halle Petch

1G - Matthew Bertacco, Bronte Jansen

2B - Jasmine Bertacco, Nate Elliot, Andie Lucchitti, Madison Stone

3B - Cooper Ashton, Millie Dalton, Georgia Doherty, Takoda Dorrington, Nathan Noonan, John Tadros

3G - Matthew Munn

4B - Sibella Bartzos, James Brown, Charlee Campbell, Imogen Smart, Isabelle Stenos, Mason Stone

6B - Harper Fursey

6G - Lucas Sharman, Lukas Srbinoski

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award 

1B - Keira Fabon

1G - Flynn Karhoff, Theia Vincent

2B - Harrison Esteves, Scarlett Raschilla

2G - Adelaide Blacka, Ethan Oliver

3B - Taj Bloom, Nathan Noonan

3G - Maddie Nightingale

5G - Grace Docherty

6G - Isabella Oliver

School Medallion 

3B - Dominik Raschilla

3G - Matthew Munn, Maddie Nightingale

5B - Alyssa Fitzpatrick, Matilda Noonan, Marcus Saveski

5G - Zachary Jacobson

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the UNSW Global Science and English ICAS Assessment for 2020. A special mention to the following students for their outstanding results: 

Science

Merit: Christian Da Silva, Tobias Fielding

Credit: Alissa Bishop, Rafael Gerace, Cameron Ritz, Isaac Ayers

English

Merit: Alissa Bishop, Anastasia Auld, Livina McLuskey, Tobias Fielding, Mira Cameron

Credit: Mae Cameron, Isaac Ayers

Digital Technologies 

Credit: Alissa Bishop, Daisy Ann Smith

Libbie Tyrrell - Middle Leader

The Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney, designed to celebrate and explore children’s creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story.

This exhibition and competition provides the opportunity for Years 5 and 6 students to share with the wider community a greater awareness of the role of the arts in Religious Education. Children can develop deeper appreciation for their talents and recognise the value of the arts in expressing understandings of the Catholic faith. to the following students who were selected for judging at the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.

Year 5
- Maddison Beverley
- Marcus Saveski
- Anisha Hira

Year 6
- Alessandra Ezquerro
- Olivia Otsyula
- Sophia Kordalis

Following the judging of the Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition, the top 52 artworks have been chosen from the artworks entered into the competition to be a part of the exhibition at the Wollongong Art Gallery. Those chosen were works that were judged to best respond to the criteria and were exemplary of Stage 3 reflective writing and artistic skills. Alessandra Ezquerro - 6 Blue artwork has been selected in the top 52 finalist for this year's exhibition. Congratulations Ally.

The Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition opening and awards night will be a virtual event and will be premiered on YouTube from 7.00pm on Wednesday 14 October with the announcement of the overall winners.

Congratulations to Oscar for donating his hair to help raise funds and support families facing blood cancer. His donation of almost $2000 will help accelerate blood cancer research - for the Leukaemia Foundation.  Well done Oscar.

The Canteen will be closing on a Tuesday from Week 1 of Term 4.  As it is being run by a private business, the low numbers of lunch orders on a Tuesday, it is not financially viable for them to remain open on a Tuesday.  

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support with the new Fresh Start Canteens.  It has been a big adjustment for them to have jumped in and taken over from Made Fress and we are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer the services of the Canteen.

We ask that you please claim your child’s lost clothing, lunch and drink bottles from the lost property baskets in the Basement before the end of term.  Unclaimed items with no name labels will be washed and either placed in the clothing pool or donated to charity. 

Thank you in advance.