A Prayer for Faith on the Second Sunday of Advent

Father, prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth joyfully! We thank you for faithfully doing what you promised long ago when you sent your Son to earth so that we might have the chance to become part of your family. Let the promise of your second coming inspire us to live with hope and purpose.

As we wait for your plan to unfold, give us the patience we need. Remind us of the peace we can access when we take time to still ourselves before you and remember that you are God. We thank you that you are both sovereign and gracious.

Help us to find rest in the midst of what feels like chaos in our world. Amen.

Staff Changes

As announced last night at the P&F meeting, there are a number of changes occurring for 2022.

• Kim Bradbury will be retiring at the end of this year
• George Galvin is unlikely to return to St Therese in 2022
• Sue McGoldrick will finish her temporary contract at the end of this year. Sue will still be available for casual and block work next year
• Sheridan Keane will also complete her contract at the end of this year. Sheridan has been successful in gaining another 12 month contract in the Sydney Diocese for 2022
• Jenny Jancetic, who has been on leave this year will take up a position at Good Samaritan, Fairy Meadow for next year. Jenny will have the right to return in 2023
• Ana De Quintal, who has been at St Clare’s, Narellan Vale this year, has accepted another 12 months there. She also has the right to return in 2022
• Anne-Marie Gilmore, who has been at St Columbkille’s, Corrimal this year, will return in 2022
• Rita Crofts, who has been at St Patrick’s, Port Kembla for two terms, will return next year
• We have a couple of part time positions currently advertised which we hope to fill by the end of next week.

Reports

Academic Reports for Semester 2 will be available on Compass next Wednesday afternoon. Due to the extended remote learning period, the Catholic Education Office, in conjunction with the necessary Government authorities, have devised a simplified version of the report. Achieving an A-E grade will not feature on these reports. Students participation and engagement will feature in the areas of Religious Education, English and Mathematics.

Congratulations Sally Farrar

After going through an audition process, Sally has been successful in gaining a place in the Queensland Ballet's Guest Academy Program in 2022. This prestigious academy was established as a unique training opportunity for elite ballet students living outside the Brisbane metropolitan area. This is an awesome opportunity for Sally - we are all very proud of your achievement!

Building Update

Hopefully we will be able to include a few photos next week as a few significant things happen. New concrete is close to being poured for a slab at the back entrance to the building as well as the new stairs to the basement. They are also close to pouring the concrete across the front of the basement. These pours will then allow for new doors being installed and the building being much closer to a lockup stage. Completion date will likely be towards the end of Term 1, 2022.

Local Government Elections - this Saturday

Reminder to parents that voting in the Local Government Elections this Saturday is compulsory. St Therese School Hall will be used as a Polling Booth, open between 8am and 6pm.