ADVENT REFLECTION

“Are we there yet?” This is a question we have probably heard, and probably asked, multiple times throughout our lives. It is a question that frequently comes up in a journey, whether by those hiking in the woods trying to find a campsite for the night, or the kids in the backseat wondering when they would finally arrive at Grandma’s house for a holiday gathering. And it is a question that we may be tempted to ask during the Advent season which we began yesterday.

We’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving, and we know that many people have now jumped right into their Christmas festivities, barely taking a breath in between. But, with this Advent season, we are being reminded that we’re not there yet. This season of Advent, this beginning of the Church’s new liturgical year, is an opportunity for us to take the time to enjoy the journey. To proceed a little more slowly and intentionally towards Christmas – to notice what God is doing in our lives, and in the world around us, to help us be better prepared to welcome Jesus anew.

So, we may not be “there” yet, but, even now, Jesus is here, with us, as we begin this journey through Advent.

Prayer: Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, grant us the light and strength needed to journey through this Advent season, so as to always be prepared to encounter You.

DONATIONS FOR ST VINCENT DE PAUL

With Christmas fast approaching we will be again supporting the St Peter’s branch of St Vincent De Paul by requesting donations that they can use to create Christmas hampers for families in need. Donations can be brought into school by your child. They will be held in their classrooms until our Social Justice leaders for Term Four come around and collect them. The donations will be handed over at our end of term Mass on the 10th of December.

Suggestions for donations include:

• Tins of Ham, • Christmas Cake, •Cans of Fruit, • Biscuits, Chocolate, Sweets, • Bath Towels, • “New" Mens toiletries or socks • Women’s Toiletries  •  Retail Gift Vouchers

STAYING COVID SAFE

With only two weeks to go and despite a further relaxation of restrictions and COVID quarantine requirements I have decided to keep the current Covid safe plans we have in place at St Peter’s. This includes the current drop off and pick up arrangements with no parents or guardians on site. We are also  maintaining student bubbles at school. 

VACCINATION STATUS REQUIREMENTS

Visitors to our school and our Parish need to QR code in if they are entering the grounds and buildings and staying for more than 15 minutes. At the time of signing in with the QR code the Vaccination status of anyone over the age of 15 years needs to be checked and only visitors with full vaccination will be allowed to enter. This applies to and includes:

• 29th November - First Reconciliation Year 3
• 1st December - First Reconciliation Year 3
• 2nd December - First Eucharist - Year 4
• 5th December - Confirmation - Year 6
• 6th December - Helpers for Sausage Sizzle
• 7th December - Foundation 2022 Information Night
• 10th December - End of Year School Mass
• 13th December - Year 6 Graduation in the Church
• 13th December - Year 6 Graduation Family Celebration at School
• 14th December - Final School Assembly  

If you have family members attending these celebrations please remind them to bring proof of their vaccination status either on their phone or as a printed document. 

STAFF LEAVING ST PETER'S

The announcement of Mick Schinck’s appointment as Principal of St John Vianney’s Parkdale was met with great joy and some sadness. Joy, that Mick’s hard work has been rewarded and that he will now be able to lead as Principal of his new school community. Sadness that one of our outstanding leaders is leaving St Peter’s. 

 It is also with mixed feelings that I advise that the following staff are also leaving.

Joelle Diakrousis - Learning Diversity Leader

After five and a half years at St Peter’s, with the majority of that time as our Learning Diversity Leader, Joelle has resigned her leadership position at St Peter’s to pursue further study and to take on a part time teaching role at St Catherine’s Moorabbin.  Joelle’s work supporting students in their learning has been outstanding and we wish her all the best in her study and her classroom teaching.

Lisa Keppel - Foundation LK Teacher

After five years at St Peter’s Lisa has been successful in obtaining a teaching position at St Thomas Primary School in Drysdale. This will bring Lisa much closer to her family. A loss for us and a huge gain for the St Thomas’ Community.

Chantelle Strohhecker - Learning Support Officer 

Chantelle joined St Peter’s in April this year to work in the Junior School supporting the learning needs of Year One students. Chantelle has accepted a position at St Mary Magdalen Primary School in Chadstone. We wish Chantelle all the best in her new role.

NEW STAFF AT ST PETER'S

With teachers leaving St Peter’s we advertised for two classroom teachers to replace them. We received over 30 applications and interviewed eight teachers. Following this very successful process I am delighted to announce that Rebecca Nielsen and Eliza McNamara have been appointed to join the St Peter’s Community.

Rebecca will graduate from ACU at the end of this year. Her referees spoke very highly of her commitment, engagement and rapport with the students she has taught as part of her degree course.

Eliza graduated from ACU at the end of 2020. Eliza completed a placement at St Peter’s in 2020 with Andrea Crough in Year Two. In 2021 Eliza has been working across a number of schools before taking up a full time position teaching Year Three and Four at St Anthony’s Glen Huntly. 

CLASSES FOR 2022

At the end of 2020, in consultation with the teachers, I decided to leave the classes of 2020 together for 2021. 2020 had been a very interrupted year with limited face to face social interaction.

Even though 2021 has also been interrupted we are creating new classes for 2022. The process we use is to enter considerable information into a program called Class Creator. This includes Academic, Behaviour and Social information. The social information begins with students identifying five friends in their year level who they believe would work well with. 

The teachers then work with this data to create classes that are balanced academically and behaviourally also ensuring the social connections are in place and that their is a balance of boys and girls. 

Once these classes are created I then allocate classes to teachers. In doing this I am looking to give students opportunities that include exposure to a range of teachers in their time at St Peter’s. 

Next week students will be given the opportunity to spend time with their new class and their 2022 teacher or teachers. It is an exciting time in the school year that is the culmination of a lot of work by our teachers over the last four weeks.  

SCHOOL FEES

As the school year comes to an end we are finalising the Excursion part of the 2021 student levies. With an interrupted year and a substantial part of it in lockdown some classes did not spend all of the Student Levy that was allocated for excursions. Once this is finalised you will be advised of a rebate that will be applied to your School Fee account.

SENSORY AREA

During the lockdown period Louise Van Corler, our Wellbeing Leader, worked with a group of social work students to clean up our garden area and create a Sensory Space for our students. On the weekend of the 20th / 21st of November Louise and her husband, Hans, created a paved path area in the Sensory Garden. It looks fantastic and will be a gathering space as part of this quiet sensory area. Our thanks to both of them for this gift.

PERMANENT SHELTER

We have received a State Government Grant to build a permanent shelter over this paved area in our Sensory Garden. If the building of a shelter falls into your line of work or you know someone who would be interested in quoting for this work please email me principal@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au Under Government grant conditions the builder of this shelter must be registered to complete such a construction. 

NEW DRINK STATION

On the 13th of September I advised you that Andrea Crough successfully entered our school in a H20 Heroes competition organised by CIVIQ. Our entry detailed some of the steps that have been put in place in our attempt to make St Peter’s more sustainable and encourage our students to be good environmental citizens. Our prize of a new $6,750 drink station has arrived and been installed ready to use.

THANKYOU

Leanne Malaeb, mother of Leo 2AC, who through her work place Provendex, donated over 300 bottles of Hand Sanitiser to St Peter’s. We are very grateful for this generous donation. 

ACTIVE SCHOOLS - GO FOR GOLD - STUDENT PRIZE WINNER

As part of the Active Schools program our studnets were entered into a Golden Ticket Prize Draw. I am delighted that one of our students was a prize winner.

Oscar Parisotto FMR won a Fitbit Ace 

REMINDERS

Pupil Free Day

This Friday, 3rd December is a Pupil Free day and there will be no school for students as staff plan for 2022. OSHClub will be offering their full day program on this day. Bookings are to be made directly with OSHClub.

End of 2021 School Year

The last day of school for students this year will be Tuesday, 14th December with students being dismissed at the normal time of 3:25pm.

First Day of 2022 School Year

All students will start on Monday, 31st January next year.

SCHOOL HOUSE SPORTS

Today the St Peter's House Sports were held in perfect conditions at Centenary Park. The students did an amazing job and it was great to be able to offer an event that was very close to the format from previous years. Thank you to the parents who came to support along with the staff from St Peter's who ensured it all ran smoothly. 

Congratulations to our winning team for 2021 - Blue House!! 

VICTORIAN 12 & UNDER AFL

 

Well done to Noah Montgomery & Ella Matthews who played in the Victorian Team for AFL on Sunday 21st November. Playing against the best students in their age group from around the state, both students acquitted themselves extremely well and should be very proud of this fantastic achievement. Well done Noah & Ella!! (photo below)

SWIM TRIALS

 

Swim trials for the St Peter's Team to compete at next year's Bentleigh District Carnival will take place on Monday 13th December.  All details were sent in a letter to Years 2-5 families last week however just a reminder that these trials are non compulsory and should only be attended by students capable of swimming a strong 50m lap in any given stroke. Whether accepting or declining, an answer is required via Operoo.

 

STATE TEAM TRIALS 2022

School Sport Victoria conducts State team trials for the sports listed (below) along with other sports that can be found on their website; Cricket, Basketball, AFL, Netball & Soccer nominations are due to open on December 1st and close on various dates depending on the sport There will not be District trials, instead elite & outstanding performers in each specific sport only can apply via the School Sport Victoria website if they have been approved by their school. The expectation is that students nominating would have won at least a Best & Fairest or MVP in their chosen sport at the highest level of competition offered at their club, preferably finished high in League voting, along with being very fit, most likely in Cross Country and Athletics teams as well as being outstanding players in our Inter-school Sport Program. Any parent considering nominating should consult Mr McCarthy prior to paying the nomination fee to assess the student's suitability. The closing date for initial school (not SSV) nominations to ensure your child's participation is Friday 28th January.

 

Should your child ultimately be successful, there may be multiple days of trials & camps requiring parents to transport / attend with their child in order to be involved. There are also significant monies required if selected.  Parents must be committed to the entire process and understand this is not a come and try activity. Sending students without the necessary skills / talent could not only undermine their confidence but will also increase numbers at the trial making the selectors job a lot more difficult. If there are more than 3 students nominated in a chosen sport a school-based trial may be required. Generally, these trials are for Year 6 students or exceptional Year 5's. (Top 3 in League B&F standard)

 

After consideration and consultation, if you think your child is ready for State Team selection trials .. .. Parents can then Google School Sport Victoria or go to

 http://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic

for more information and should monitor this website for closing dates and relevant information as it is updated. There is also a link to the SSV home page on our Bentleigh District web page.

12 Years and Under Sports Sports include but not limited to :

Australian Football (Boys / Mixed & Girls), Softball, Basketball, Football (Soccer), Hockey, Golf, Netball, Rugby League,  Touch Football and Cricket (see SSV site for more details). 

Tennis is done via a Bentleigh District trial where students playing a very high level of competitive tennis can nominate by emailing jmccarthy@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au by Friday 10th December so numbers for the District can be finalised. Please include current competition level and applicable ranking. Representing the Victorian Team is done separately via the Bruce Cup - see the website for details

Check the website for all other sports noting some years State Swimming, Cross Country and Athletic teams can be chosen via external competitions rather than through school-based District / Division/ Region/State Competitions, When nominating your child for more than one sport you should also note that trials for AFL, Soccer, Netball & Basketball may be on the same day eliminating the possibility of going through for more than one mainstream sport.

Justin McCarthy

YEAR 4 CAMP TO OASIS MT EVELYN

On a cold Thursday morning the Year 4 students got to go to camp and let me tell you it was a blast!

When I arrived at school we had to put our sleeping bags and big bags in lines.We went upstairs to our classroom and did meditation then finally we went on the bus.

On the bus it was a 45 minute drive to the Oasis camp site. We finally got there and everyone was so excited it was like everyone was on a sugar rush.We went into a big hall with a basketball hoop and a soccer goal. Mr. Mac talked to us about Commemorance Day so we did a minute of silence.

All of us were so excited to find out our cabins.  We ate our fruit and snack and then we found out our cabins. In my cabin was Maya, Tia, Zoe, Zara and Guiliana and you can't forget the amazing Ms.Knight. After that we got to do our first activity with Ms. Knight. We did crate climbing and it was super fun. Siara got 13 it was the highest score in our group. Our next activity was flying fox with Mrs Van. People went upside down and even Mrs Van did!!That was fun.

Mr Hanney arrived and my group was super lucky because we got Mr Hanney for Reptile House. I patted the biggest snake, Sushi and people got to hold Sushi and there were two other snakes. The reptile house was fun.

Then we all headed back to our cabins to get ready for the 20 minute night walk. I walked with Anya and Baxter. There was a swinging rope and I got scared but the rope hit me really hard. Then we finished our night walk.

Archery was our 4th activity and we did it with Mr Mac. It was really fun! I nearly hit a bullseye and Jack hit a bullseye!!

The next activity was candle making with Mrs Mackie. I got a slice in my candle and got a slice in it that looked really cool. Jake made his really big, like massive.

We had pizza for lunch and  it was really good but sadly we had to leave and go back to school.

By Amelia 

FIRST EUCHARIST CELEBRATION - YEAR 5

Congratulations to the following Year 5 Students who celebrated their First Eucharist on Thursday, 25th November.

Max Agrimi, Laurencce Bloomfield, Lucy Bondesan, Imogen Bracken, Ethan Brady, Annabelle Broad, Xavier Brodrick, Jamie Brown, James Caltabiano, Zoe Clemens, Joshua Clement, Grayson Cooper, Keegan Dawson, Bianca De Filippis, Patrick Dolgov, Alice Eyles, Eloise Fitzpatrick, Archie Flegeltaub, Thomas Foley, Fraser Hall, William Haydon, Georgie Johns, Flo Kimball, Millie Lane, Ben Leadbetter, Lincoln Leversha, David Lo Schiavo, Tara Loukos, Lachlan McGrath, Paige Mikhael, Millie Natoli, Evie Pelc, Aaron Perera, Teegan Perera, Sam Pickering, Jack Purcell, Harper Quinnell, Isla Recupero, Chelsea Reneaux, Gemma Roach, Viv Ronchi, William Sam, Marley Silver, Giulia Taranto, Max Turner, Siera Verderosa, Maddie Wain, Annabel Wall.

YEAR 1 ROBOTS

The Year Ones busily designed and constructed robots. On completion the children voted for their favourite overall. See below the winners in each class. Oscar Aherne-McInteer, Zac Alessi, Scarlett McCracken, Alexia Hlongwane.

WEEK 7 ASSEMBLY

Please click on the Link below to view the Week 7 Assembly

Week 7 Assembly

BUCKET FILLER

STAR AWARDS - WEEK 7 - HONESTY

FOUNDATION TO YEAR 2 - For Demonstrating HONESTY Through Their Words and Actions No Matter How Hard It Is!

Gemma Conheady, Mika Wibowo, Zachary Tzimopolous - FLK - Connor Basias, Darcy Owen - FHP - Ava Shelton, James Romanelli, Oscar Parisotto, Mia De Blasis - FMR - Rafael Racelis, Lexi Hutcheson-Barth - FSS

Eleni Sardellis, Alison Voulelis - 1CO - Lexi healy, Isabella Zhang - 1BR - Jack White, Kiara Nichols - 1BD - Henry Divall - 1GD

Lachlan Webb, Jordan Greco - 2GS - Noah Siegert, Liberty Paul-McKeown, Sophie Ferwerda - 2GM - Leo Bou Ayache, Hudson Oates - 2AC

YEAR 3 & YEAR 4 - For Demonstrating HONESTY Through Their Words and Actions No Matter How Hard It Is!

Luke Khoury, Angela Nguyen - 3IK - Aidan Martin, Jakob Wibowo, Patrick Pickering - 3OG - Phoebe Pica, Sadie Howe - 3MR - Nicholas Haritonas, Christiana Ikonomou - 3GJ

Edward Henry, Faith Andrinopoulos - 4MM - Giuliana Nigro, Madeline McDowall, Peter Kalaitzis - 4MK - Dean Parthimos, Leila De Petra - 4JK

YEAR 5 & YEAR 6 - For Showing HONESTY In all that they Do at St. Peter's!

Lizzy Robertson - 5GH - Leo Stafford - 5RD - Paige Mikhael, Keegan Dawson - 5PH

Isabelle Casa, Matilda Hoang - 6FG - Archie Rizzi - 6KM - Harlie Twitchett, Xavier Biviano - 6MH - Zach Sahib, Philip Jacobs - 6SH

WEEK 8 ASSEMBLY

Please click on the link below to view  the Week 8 Assembly

Week 8 Assembly

BUCKET FILKER - WEEK 8

STAR AWARDS - WEEK 8 - TEACHER'S CHOICE 

FLK 

Luca Nasello: For putting 100% into the presentation of his work and persisting with tasks, even when they become hard.

Oliver Mercuri: For showing improved focus and attention and working hard to complete tasks.

Georgia Hoang: For her positive attitude to learning and care and concern for others.

FHP

Hollie Thompson: For always being kind and helpful to others.

Henry Adams: For always accepting challenges with determination and a positive attitude.

FMR

Evie Coleman: For always being kind and helpful to others.

Jack Beare & Denver Malthouse: For making a big effort to maintain focus and engagement in class activities.

FSS

Aiden Acero: For trying his hardest with his work and maintaining focus. 

Theo Morrison: For always using his manners and helping others when they need it. 

Allegra Pollio: For being a good class role model and trying her best with her work. 

1CO 

Maya Kouwiloyan: For her much improved attitude towards learning.

Costa Mihelis: For making a big effort to maintain focus and engagement in class activities.

1BR

Harrison Dunbar: For always trying his best with every task.

Jeremy Dudeja: For completing every task with a big smile on his face.

1BD

Ella Quinn: For always trying to include others in classroom activities.

Archie Bateman: For being a good class role model for hard work.

1GD

Eloise Stephens: For an improved effort and attitude in her school work.

2GS

Asher D’Souza: For enduring kindness to those around her. 

Billy Quinnell: For being responsible and committed in his behaviour and work. 

Piper Smither: For aiming high and achieving her goals. 

2GM

Chase Hutcheson-Barth: For returning to school in Fourth Term displaying a wonderful ATTITUDE and applying himself to a high standard.

2AC 

Alexandra Schreurs & Arthur Yudhistira: For maintaining the highest standard in presentation and quality in every piece of work.

YEAR 3 & YEAR 4

3IK

Rochelle Brown: For entertaining the class with her amazing creations and musical performances.

Karen Ta: For always being a positive learner and embracing all challenges.

3OG

Jack Logan: For being an exemplary student. A positive, hard worker and a great friend to all members of 3OG.

3MR

Jacob Hoang & Eloise Bracken: For having a positive attitude towards learning and embracing all challenges.

3GJ

Geneva Lal: For maintaining the highest standard in presentation and quality in every piece of work.

4MM

Golden Bao: For putting 100% into all work tasks, online and in the classroom.

Amelia Webb: For her outstanding story writing.

4MK

Ashlyn Burke: For her hard work and determination during maths lessons.

Zoe Rezsnecki-Carrere: For being a kind and supportive friend on the playground.

Jacob Salasinski: For being a good friend on camp.

4JK

Costa Xenos: For the positive attitude he has returned to school with and the effort he has put into all his work.

Sienna Benvenuto: For the concentrated effort she has put into improving her Mathematic skills.

Dean Parthimos: For his enthusiastic attitude to all his learning.

Annabelle Sheen: For her friendly and helpful attitude to everyone at school.

YEAR 5 & YEAR 6

5GH

Tara Loukos: For pushing herself that little bit further to independently problem solve. 

5RD

Frederick Khoo: For continuing to challenge himself in Mathematics. 

5PH

Tom Foley, Gemma Roach, Eric Huang - For making a first class POST COVID comeback

6FG  

Ethan Grenfell & Adhi Prathish Menon: For enthusiastically returning to school after Remote Learning.

6KM

Daniel Kelly: For working so hard to be the best he can be.

6MH

Neeve Kell: For using her positive attitude and engagement in the classroom.

6SH

Imogen Murphy: For being an excellent role model in everything that she does.

Lucy Monaghan: For being a caring and kind person to everyone she comes across.

P & F News

SACRE COUER BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS

2022 Bursaries

New means tested bursaries have just become available for new students commencing in Year 7 – 12 in 2022:

• Henri Curmi Bursary provides 50% tuition fee remission until the end of Year 12
• Kathleen McCarthy – Janet Stuart Bursaries provide up to 75% fee remission until the end of Year 12; there are up to two bursaries available.

Applications close: Monday 6 December 2021.

2023 Scholarships

We have also opened applications for our 2023 Scholarships for places in Years 7 – 11:

• Academic Scholarships for entry in Year 7
• General Excellence Scholarships for entry in Years 7 - 11
• Music Scholarships for entry into Years 7 - 10

·         Science, Maths and Creative Arts Scholarships for entry in Years 8 - 9

·         Access Science, Maths and Creative Arts Scholarships for entry in Year 9 for families who may otherwise not be able to access a Sacré Cœur education

Applications close: Friday 4 February 2022.

Information regarding our Bursaries and Scholarships, including the application forms, can be found on our website.

I invite you to share this information with your families so that families are aware of the opportunities available to them. I also include a link to a Google folder that includes a JPEG and PDF of a small newsletter advertisement you may like to include in your School newsletter.

Should you, or your families, have any questions regarding these Bursaries and Scholarships please do not hesitate to contact Ms Julie Muldoon, Admissions Manager on 9835 2713 or admissions@sac.vic.edu.au

At Sacré Cœur, we value academic endeavour and curiosity. Expert teachers support each student, believing wellbeing is at the core of achievement and our highly connected community embraces each student where they are valued as an individual. We are proud of the education our students receive and especially proud of the young women they become.

The 1st Central Moorabbin Scouts are running an Open Hall event for interested families to find out more about the Scouting movement, and to register expressions of interest as Adult or Youth members as below.

Date: December 6th
Time: 6pm
Address: 1st Central Moorabbin Scout Hall
185 Bignell Rd
(Centenary Park)
Bentleigh East

Please feel free to contact me by email or mobile if you need any other information.

Yours in Scouting
Murray Taylor
--
Murray Taylor
LiC 1st Central moorabbin Scout Group
gl.1stmoorabbincentral@scoutsvictoria.com.au