This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is traditionally a time of preparation and planning for the celebrations and reflection that comes with the Christmas season. Advent is an opportunity to stop and reflect on the gift of Jesus Christ and how His birth impacts and changes our approach to life and to those around us. As a community, we have been reflecting on the dual charisms upon which the College is built and how they might be incorporated into what we do and why we do it. One of the common themes between the Marist and Carmelite charisms and the current functioning of the College is with regard to the approach we take. Many people comment on the calmness that they feel when they enter onto the site. This calmness (whilst certainly not always evident) is apparent during breaks and in the general movement of students and staff. Marists have presence and simplicity as a basis and Carmelites refer to contemplation and silence. When we practice these in our day to day living, it enables us time to think and allow the Holy Spirit into our lives. In terms of the Advent season, this time of stopping and reflecting does allow preparation for Christmas. I encourage all in our community to try to take some time to stop and reflect on the meaning of Christmas before the season gets away from us.

Next Friday, we have invited our Year 12 students back to the College for a small celebration and farewell. These group of students were not able to attend a graduation or the farewell assembly that would normally occur each year. The College will be providing a pizza and ice cream lunch and will have some opportunity for the students to gather as a group. This will be followed by the formal at Campbelltown Catholic club a few days later. Once again, I congratulate these students on completing the HSC and thank them for their flexibility in a difficult time.

Year 7 – 10 reports are currently being written by staff. These reports form a valuable piece of feedback to both students and parents on the student’s progress and can form the basis of discussions around effort and achievement. I thank the staff for their input and encourage students to be considering how they might improve and develop prior to the end of the year. It can also form the basis of how they might launch into the start of 2022.

As you would be aware, following the distribution of each end of semester report, we give the opportunity for parents and students to meet with staff to discuss progress. These Year 7 – 11 Parent/Teacher/Student meetings are again to be held in the last week of school this term and present an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and opportunities for growth. Whilst the preference for these meetings is for them to be held face to face, this will not be possible this year. The restrictions around physical distancing in inside spaces and requirements for only vaccinated adults to be on site would restrict these meetings greatly. For this year, these meetings will again be held via zoom and parents will be able to book a timeslot either on the evening of Tuesday December 14 or the morning of Wednesday December 15. More details on how to book these meetings will be available in the next week.

As always, a very big thank you to the staff, students and parents for your flexibility and ongoing support during the year.