This Sunday, 26 November marks the end of the church calendar year with the Feast of Christ the King.

Thank you God for sending Jesus to be our saviour and our friend. Thank you also that he is a King. Help us always to follow him, honour him, and serve him in his Kingdom. Thank you God that we are “kids of the kingdom.” In Jesus Name, Amen

Christ the King Sunday celebrates the full authority of Christ as King and Lord of the universe. Officially called “The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King,” it is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent. The year, which begins with Advent 2023 and ends at Advent 2024 is Year C.

The liturgical vestments for the day are coloured white or gold, in keeping with other joyous feasts honouring Christ. Lord Jesus Christ,
You are a King who cares deeply for his
people. May we search out those in need, so that Love and
Justice will reign as the Kingdom of God is brought forth
within us. We ask our prayer in your name and in the power
of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

 

Christ the King Day

What a fabulous day we had yesterday with our prayer service, stalls and buddy activities. A huge thank you to all staff and for working together to make the day so special. It was a wonderful feast day celebration. Thank you, Mrs Carroll for leading the music with our terrific choir. The readers were exceptional and did a fabulous job. I hope all the children enjoyed the day!

 

Staffing 2024:

Just as we know that the process of primary schooling encourages and supports our children as they stretch and grow towards transition to secondary schooling, so too, do the teachers and staff continue to develop in their profession and from time to time move on.

We say farewell to Anna Fanning, Lilly Hartley, Julie Gummer, Cathy Pagani, Deirdre Hughes, Domenica Carrello, Damian Albuquerque and Brian Dobbie who have been shining lights in our school over many, many years. We thank them for the contributions they have made to the lives of the students at CtK. Some of the staff mentioned will be joining us at our Carols night Wednesday evening.

All parents have been sent the CtK Staffing 2024 list.

School Advisory Council and Parent & Friends Annual Community Meeting 2023

I wish to thank my wonderfully talented staff and lovely parents for attending the Annual Community Meeting. At this meeting we presented reports from the Chairperson, Toni Beaton, Board Treasurer, Alan Pecotic and my Principal Report. The P&F held their meeting with Alison Reddyhough and Una Hosgood stepping down as President and Representative to the Advisory Council. Both have been instrumental in helping build community and enact change in our school all in the best interest of the children. Thank you so much Alison and Una, you will be missed but know you gave so much of yourselves, bravo! Research shows that when parents are positively involved in all aspects of their children’s lives, children develop into positive, well-balanced adults who realise their full potential.

 

Move-Up Morning

Monday, 9 December will be an opportunity for the children to visit their new classroom, meet with their new teacher and any new classmates for 2024. The morning will involve some schoolwork, or art, social mixing games and informal discussions about expectations for next year.

 

A reminder, we have our Christmas Carols next Wednesday, 29 November, which is starting at 6:00pm in the Quad. As a community, we will also have an opportunity to farewell our Year Six students. Each class will sing Christmas Carols. The focus will be on the Spirit of Christmas.

 

Here are the Events for the last week (Week 9) of 2023:

 

Monday, 4 December – Move Up Morning for Kindy-Year Five children. The children will meet and work with their new teacher for 2024 from 9:00am until 10:30am.

Tuesday, 5 December – at 9:00am in the Hall, we will be having our Year Six Graduation Awards, Head Boy and Head Girl announcement for 2024 and the Cheryl Babich Scholarship Award. This will be attended by the whole school and we would love to see parents attend this very special and important ceremony.

Wednesday, 6 December – At 9.15am at CtK Church, we celebrate the 2023 Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass. This year, our Year 6 students have been outstanding leaders of our student community and have led various ministries and roles that assist in setting the tone of our school. We take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication to our school and for the way they have conducted themselves this year. I hope all the Year Six families will make the effort to attend this celebration and give thanks for the blessings of this school year. When we look back over the year, and as our Year Six students reflect on their years at Christ the King, we realise that there is so much to be thankful for. Please help to make this a time when our Year Six students remember with pride, that they were part of a caring and supportive faith community who came together to honour and farewell them.  

After Mass, we will have a morning tea for the Year Six parents in the Hall followed by a Graduation lunch and disco for the Year Six students in the Hall.

Thursday, 7 December – Year Six to attend King’s Park. Reports will be available via SEQTA Engage. Parents are most welcome to make a time to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss any aspect of the report on Wednesday, 13 December between 8:30am and 10:30am. Please make the booking with your child’s class teacher and not through the Office.

Friday, 8 December – Christ the King Fun Day, we are all going to the movies. Last day of the 2023 school year.

 

Pupil Free Days (Staff Professional Development), Public Holidays

School Start and End Dates for 2024:

TERM 1

• Teachers Return – Monday, 29 January and Tuesday, 30 January
• Students return – Wednesday, 31 January
• Labour Day Public Holiday – Monday, 4 March
• Last day of term for staff and students – Holy Thursday, 28 March
• Good Friday – Friday, 29 March
• Easter Sunday – Sunday, 31 March

 

TERM 2

• Students return – Monday 15 April
• ANZAC Day – Thursday, 25 April
• Staff PD Day – Friday, 26 April
• WA Day – Monday, 3 June
• Last day of term – 27 June

 

TERM 3

• Staff PD Day – Monday 15 July
• Staff and students return – Tuesday 16 July
• Last day of term for staff and students – Thursday, 19 September
• Catholic Day for all staff and students – Friday, 20 September

 

TERM 4

• Staff PD Day – Monday, 7 October
• Staff and students return – Tuesday 8 October
• Staff PD Day – Friday 8 November
• Last day for students 2024 school year – Friday, 6 December
• Last day for staff 2023 school year – Friday, 13 December

 

This is a hectic time of the year and there are many events, tasks and dates in our minds. Despite all this, we need to ensure that we take the time to do the important things with patience and with the right attention to detail. The most important of these is how we treat each other. Students are tired, parents and staff are very busy and, in this time, we can help each other immensely by being kind and being thankful for having each other in our lives. A happy supportive community is one where children feel safe to grow.

There are ‘good things’ happening in our school due to the efforts of so many people; seek to be one of those people in the coming week!

 

Andrew Kelly
Principal