Dear Parents, Teachers and Friends,

A recurring theme in the Bible is the role played by light and fire, in most cases

giving strength and certainty to those in times of need. So it is also in the

Christmas story.

The role played by the star was significant in the nativity event. It was the light

that guided people to find Christ. In his teachings, Christ told each of us that,

“You are like light for the whole world.” If we were to interpret this in terms of

the children in our care, what type of light would we be?

A candle? Whose light is soft and gentle?

A lighthouse? Whose light is strong is helpful in times of uncertainty?

A torch? That can show the way and lead by example?

Maybe the sun? Which gives out warmth and helps things grow?

Or maybe a light bulb? That allows people the freedom to continue to be

themselves when times are difficult?

So how will we celebrate Christmas with our children this year. Will we bury

them in an avalanche of commercial acquiescence? Cover them with tinsel and

bon-bons? Fill our bins with packaging and dead wrapping paper? Perhaps this

Christmas we could be a searchlight for our children by lifting their spirits

above the immediate and material, by opening up for them a broader far more

reaching vision of life that Christ, by his coming, intended them to have.

“God,

As we celebrate the birthday of Your son we

Have the advantage of knowing that through the action

Of His life the reason for His coming.

May this Christmas spark a rebirth in me of the values

Of my Christian heritage so that Christ’s message will be continued in my life.

Amen.”

Have a wonderful, holy and happy Christmas everyone. May God bless you

richly this festive season and we will see you safe again in 2013.

To those leaving our school community this year, we wish you all the very best;

stay safe, happy and comforted in God’s care.

School Newsletter 10th December 2014 Term 4, Issue 9

St M

ary Star of the Sea

C

ARNARVO

NTo Jesus through Mary

St Mary Star of the Sea School Board

Fr Adam Babinski Ex-Officio Karen Gilbert Treasurer

Steve O’Halloran Ex-Officio Di Ramirez Secretary

Paul Mullane Chairperson Andrew Alston Vice Chair

Max March Member John Nuttall P&F Rep

Parish Rep

F r o m T h e p r i n c i p a l ’ s d e s k

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER 11th December Advent Liturgy—Kindy Leading 1.45pm

following a Whole School Mass - Year Seven’s

Leading in the Hall

Year 10 Graduation 5pm

12th December Last Day of School

28th January Uniform Shop open 10am to 2pm

29th January Uniform Shop open 2pm to 4pm

30th January Uniform Shop open 2pm to 4pm

2nd February 2015 First Day of School

Prayer: As we all head off in

different directions these holi-

days, may we keep the mean-

ing of this time of celebration

central in our lives.

Lord,

in this holy season of pray-

er and song and laughter,

we praise you for the great

wonders you have sent us:

for the shining star and an-

gel's song,

for an infant's cry in a lowly

manger.

We praise you for the Word

made flesh in a little Child.

May we spread the good

news of Jesus’ coming

to all those we know.

Amen

PRESENTATION NIGHT

Last night we all enjoyed a very special event, ‘The Magical Christmas Jigsaw’ performed by the

students. Most of the technical aspects of the event such as lighting, sound, sets etc. were all undertaken

by our Middle School students, who did a terrific job. Congratulations to all involved, particularly

groundsman Mr Peter Brookes and Music Teacher Miss Katrina Ward.

STAFFING CHANGES

We welcome to the staff of St Mary’s for 2015 Mrs Sue Lyn Munro, who will take on the role of

Multi-Lit instructor. Mrs Munro will support the good work already done in this area by Mrs Sam Da Luz

and Mrs Sandra Griffiths.

Mr Jacob Windle will be taking leave for the 2015 school year. To accommodate this change, Mrs Megan

Babun will be teaching Year 5 and Miss Tricia De Vares will be teaching Year 6.

FAREWELL

We farewell from St Mary’s staff this year Mrs Jean Stretch, Mrs Trish Thompson, Miss Emily Roche

and Mr Paul Willison. Mrs Stretch and Mrs Thompson are retiring after long and committed service to our

school. Mrs Stretch 23 years and Mrs Thompson 9.

Miss Roche is leaving us to take up an ongoing position in Perth, we wish her all the very best for her

future in Catholic Education which we’re sure will be bright.

Mr Willison will be staying in town to pursue other ventures and we wish him all the best also, the

carnivals he organized this year were a credit to him.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

CAKE STALL

Tomorrow there will be a cake stall being coordinated by one of our Year 9 students, Kirsty Mullane, to

raise funds for Emma Holtham, Mrs Narelle Holtham’s daughter.

Emma is currently in Perth receiving medical treatment, Mrs Holtham is accompanying her.

This is a terrific initiative by Kirsty so please send your children to school with money to buy a cupcake,

or even just to make a donation.

FIRST DAY BACK

Our first day back in 2015 will be Monday, February 2 for students.

BUILDING LEVY INCREASE

Parents will note an increase in the building levy with their school fees. This has been recommended by

the Catholic Education Office to ensure St Mary’s has enough capital to maintain and improve our

existing facilities.

God Bless

Mr Steve O’Halloran

Principal

Middle School Award Winners 2014 Year Seven

Daniel Bumbak Religious Education

Mathematics

Society and Environment

Science

Health

Bree Hudson English

Physical Education

Brooklyn Roberts Food Technology

Duke Warren Art

Patrick Mullane Design & Tech

Matilda Anderson Music

Grace Punch Drama

Angel-Rose Marino Media

Cooper Chapman Scitech Award

Geraldton Universities Encouragement Award

Matilda Anderson Scitech Award

Luke Nuttall Scitech Award

Bree Hudson Scitech Award

Year Eight

Prince Gupta Religious Education

Society & Environment

Music

Media

Chelsea Botica English

Drama

Health

Haylie Bumbak Mathematics

Design & Tech

Lydia Luis Science

Teaghan Black Food Technology

Alana Byron Art

Chloe Lambert Physical

Education

Year Nine

Khan Henderson Academic Excellence

Religious Education

Society and

Environment

Mathematics

Science

Media

Kirsty Mullane Principals Award

English

Food Technology

Drama 9/10

Art 9/10

Health

Amber Faithfull Projects

Will Faithfull Physical Education

Roger Clark Graphics 9/10

Year Ten

Brenden Vo Religious Education

Mathematics

Science

Health

Certificate 1 Leadership

Caltex All Rounder Award

Naomi Sepiso Munalula English

Society and Environment

Music 9/10

Library Award

Jax Punch Physical Education

Certificate 1 Hospitality

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Award

Presentation Sisters Award

We would like to thank the following donors for our 2014 Book Award’s

Hon Vince Catania MLA

Shire of Carnarvon

Gascoyne Deployment Commission

Rio Tinto

Lions Club

Hon Ken Baston MLC

Soroptimists International

Sweeter Banana Co-Op

Order of Old Bastards

Hon Melissa Price MP

P&F

Primary School Awards 2014

Citizenship Awards Progress Award Academic Award

Kindy Kayden Games Amiria Waru

Pre Primary Ava Preston Daniel Nguyen Roe Beckenham

Year One Dayne White Bridget Redden Merissa Le

Year Two Mylyne Thach Tran Gia Bao Phan Alex Bettini

Year Three Tanna Bellotti Leon El Said Magnus Warren

Year Four Lachlan Bettini Emily Bumbak Angela Lyall

Year Five Daniel Smith Mackensie Chapman Angelina Smyth

Year Six Fynn Morgan Bianca Dei Giudici Adanna Okoronkwo

Library Award Grace Nuttall

Presentation Sisters Rachel Gilbert

Indigenous Encouragement Award Brody Phillips

SPARK Award Lily Baker

S.P.I.R.I.T Award Rachel Gilbert

Uniform Shop News The uniform shop is open every Tuesday

and Thursday till the end of term from

3.15pm to 4.15pm.

Opening Times for 2015 Wednesday 28th January—10am to 2pm

Thursday 29th January—2pm to 4pm

Friday 30th January—2pm to 4pm

Then every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.15pm to

4.15pm each week.

Come in and see Charmaine or contact the school

office on 99411 328 for more details.

Cup Cake Stall

Kirsty and Pat Mullane have

organised a cake stall—raising

money for Emma Holtham.

All cakes are a gold coin

donation.

Available at recess and lunch

time on Thursday.

From the REC – Kate Chilvers

School Liturgies – Term 3 Year 10 Graduation – Thursday 11 December (5:00pm) Advent Liturgy/Whole School Mass: 3rd Week Advent – Thursday 11 December (1:45pm)

Carys Da Luz—”Mary and Baby Jesus”

Kimberley Catholic Volunteer Service

WANTED: VOLUNTEER WORKERS

The Diocese of Broome, WA, requires volunteers to assist with the work of the local Church on

Aboriginal Missions. There are various important voluntary tasks: administration, building

maintenance, gardening, shop staffing, cooking, cleaning etc. Placements are preferred for a period of

6 months plus. For further details, and an application form, please contact:

Volunteer Coordinator Anneliese Rohr: 08 9192 1060

Email: volunteers@broomediocese.org

Web: www.broomediocese.org

Mail: PO Box 76, BROOME WA 6725

STUDENTS ABSENT FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF 2015 SCHOOL YEAR

We are required to have a wri#en explana(on for any child who is absent for an extended period at the

commencement of the new school year.

This is a legal requirement for our Government Census reports. If your child/children are going to be on

extended leave please fill in the Extended Absence No(fica(on form a#ached and hand this to the

Administra(on Office by the 12th December.

Thankyou

Friday—Last day of School Pre Primary to Yr 2

Please see timetable below for End of Term activities to be held this Friday. Please note that Recess and

Lunch times will be altered to cater for this Friday’s end of Term activities.

The Kiosk at the Civic Centre and the Aquatic Centre will be open to the students to purchase snacks and

refreshments if they would like to bring some money. The canteen will be available to those students who

still wish to order their recess and/or lunch.

Timetable for Last Day of School Activities

Time Pre-Primary – Year 2 Year 3 -6

8.50 Class Activities

9.00 Walk to Civic Centre

9.30 Movie: Tarzan

10.50 Recess

11.10 Return to School

Late Recess for Yr 3-6

12.00 Sausage Sizzle and Games (excl Year 1)

1.00 Walk to Civic Centre Bus to Pool

1.30 Movie: Planes – Fire and Rescue

2.45 Bus return to School

2.55 Return to School

3.15 End of Term 4 End of Term 4