Dear Parent and Carers,

Sometimes as children come to the end of the school year, whether they realise it or not, they start to feel anxious or concerned about the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents. At this time open communication between parent and child can become challenging with most questions at the end of the day being met with single word answers.  Here are some questions you can ask to get the conversation flowing:

• Tell me the funniest thing that happened to you today.
• What did you do today that made you proud?
• What games did you play with your friends?
• What did you learn about that you found interesting?
• What was the best part about today?
• What happened today that you wish you could have changed?
• What did you learn today that you did not know before?
• What was the most boring thing that happened today?
• Why are you looking forward to going to school tomorrow?

Advent
This week marks the beginning of Advent in our Catholic Church. The church sets aside the season of Advent so that we might prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus at Christmas. Advent is about prayer and reflection. The word ‘Advent' is from the Latin ‘Adventus,' which means ‘coming.' Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year (in the Western churches), and begins from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated - Christmas. The liturgical colour for this season is purple.

Like Lent, Advent is a preparatory season. It has significance because it is a season of looking forward and waiting for something greater; both for the annual celebration of the event of Christ's birth, and for the time when Christ will come again.

Each Sunday in Advent a candle is lit on an Advent Wreath, reminding us that Christmas is coming. The first candle is called the Prophet’s candle. It reminds us of the people who spoke God’s word for hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

Another tradition in the Catholic Church is that of the Jesse Tree. It is a representation of Jesus’ family tree, all the way back to Jesse – the father of David. The tree image is taken from Scripture where it is written; “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Isaiah 11:1

We have a Jesse Tree in the foyer of the front office. Come and have a look and find the symbols which represent different members of Jesus’ family.

Stay safe and healthy.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal