Term 4 Week 9 of 11
Friday, 6th December 2024
Principal’s Message
Dear parents and carers,
The school year is quickly coming to an end and Christmas is approaching equally as quick. We are thinking about the tree, the presents and who is coming for lunch. During this time of busyness and preparation, it's also important to take stock and focus on what this time is about. Let’s take time to think about the wonderful birth of an amazing baby named Jesus and the miracle of God becoming flesh to live amongst us. This baby was born of humble beginnings, in a manger and grew to change the world. Let’s remember to give thanks for Jesus and share this with our families.
The advent season that we are currently in is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus' meaning 'Arrival' or 'Coming'. This is the arrival or coming of Jesus into the world. We can use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas and prepare ourselves to celebrate and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
This week our students met their classroom teachers. They will do this again this coming Monday. Two classes did not get to meet their classroom teachers as they had not been employed yet. I’m pleased to announce that we have employed our teachers now
1B will be taught by Sophie Dillon who comes to us from Mother of God in Ardeer. Welcome to Resurrection Sophie.
3A will be taught by Claudette Petruccelli who is currently a Learning Support Teacher at our school who has studied teaching. Welcome to your new role Claudette.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our School Christmas Carols at 6pm on Wednesday December 11 on our school oval.
Deputy Principal: Learning & Organisation
Year 6 Important Dates and Information
Who can believe it is almost time to farewell our wonderful Year 6 students as they continue on their educational journey to secondary school. Please see below the details for the next few weeks that Miss Salloum posted in our Week 6 newsletter!
Year 6 End of Year Timeline
The last couple of weeks of 2024 will be an exciting time for our Year 6 students. The students and their families are given the opportunity to reflect upon the memories over the past seven years of schooling and this will become the forefront of the celebrations.
To celebrate the success of the Year 6 students we have many events planned for both our parents and our students.
Below is a list of events for our parents and students.
Week 10
Wednesday 11th December
Whole School Carols Evening
Thursday 12th December
● Year 6 Big Day Out - Funfields
Week 11
Monday 16th December
● Year 6 Graduation Liturgy - 6.00pm
Tuesday 17th December
● Last day of Term 4
● Whole School End of Year Mass - 9.00am
● 2024 End of Year Awards - 2.30pm
● 2024 Year 6 Farewell on the oval at 3.00pm with school dismissed at 3.15pm.
Whole School Carols Evening
On Wednesday 11th December the Whole School Carols Evening will take place. The Year 6 students will have their final opportunity to showcase their many talents to the Resurrection School Community and lead us in singing Christmas Carols. (Please see details below!)
Year 6 Big Day Out – Funfields
The Year 6 Big Day Out is on Thursday 12th December where the students will go to Funfields Theme Park in Whittlesea as a celebration of their primary school journey alongside their teachers and friends.
Year 6 Graduation Liturgy
On Monday 16th December, the students will have their Graduation Liturgy where they will participate in a final liturgy as Year 6 students and receive a blessing from Father Gerard, with all students expected to be in full summer uniform.
Final Day & Farewell To Year 6s
Finally on Tuesday 17th December, we will celebrate the final day of the year. We ask that parents, if able to, join us for both the Whole School End Of Year Mass at 9.00am and the End of Year Awards Ceremony at 2:30pm.
At 3:00pm, Father Gerard will bless the Year 6 students and, weather permitting, we will form a Guard of Honour, leading our Year 6s to the oval. Students will then be dismissed at 3:15pm.
We understand that this is an exciting time for our students and their families. The Year 6 students who have grown, learnt and formed strong friendships over these last seven years of primary school and we want to celebrate together to make their final weeks at Resurrection as special as we possibly can.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Miss Salloum via email at ksalloum@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
End of Year: Reporting reminder
A reminder that as of 2025, reports will be made available online only. The transition to digital reports is a conscious and important one and is common practice in most schools. All reports will be made available on Monday 16th December both online or if you opted in for a paper copy, this will be sent home with your child at the end of the day.
Please note that nForma has had a few updates to the products recently. We have attached a ‘How to’ guide that shows you step-by-step how to download the app and have this ready to access your child’s report on Monday 16th December.
PLEASE NOTE: Families of Year 6 students are strongly encouraged to download a copy of the school report as you will not have access to the portal in the new year.
2025 Transition Program
This week on Monday, our students had the first of two transition sessions with their 2025 classes and teachers. This is a great opportunity for students to build relationships with their peers, teachers and support staff and we encourage you to have conversations about this important transition and change which can sometimes be a challenging (yet exciting) time! You would have noticed that the children brought home a ‘Meet the Teacher’ sheet where you can learn more about their 2025 classroom teacher.
We look forward to the second transition session which will take place on Monday 9th December!
Annual Family Christmas Carols
The Resurrection family Christmas Carols will be held on Wednesday 11th of December from 6.00pm.
We are hoping that all students and their families will be able to attend as we come together to celebrate our school, our community and our faith. The timeline for the evening is as follows:
5:00pm-5:45pm
Family picnic on the oval (BYO food & drinks- please note that no alcohol is permitted)
No food or drinks will be for sale - BYO only
Families bring their own picnic rugs, deck chairs, etc.
All students are to stay with their families until called at 5:45pm.
5:45pm
Students will be called to assemble in the waiting area (near the stage) prior to performing. Staff will be supervising the students during this time.
6:00pm
All classes sing a traditional Christmas carol and a Christmas song
Carols to end with a shared song performed by all students and families.
The Christmas carols concert should finish by 8:00pm.
What To Wear
Children are encouraged to wear either a Christmas T-shirt OR a plain red t-shirt OR a plain green t-shirt OR a plain white t-shirt.
Black bottoms (black pants, shorts or skirts) OR navy-blue school pants or shorts
Runners
What To Wear
Children are encouraged to wear either a Christmas T-shirt OR a plain red t-shirt OR a plain green t-shirt OR a plain white t-shirt.
Black bottoms (black pats, shorts or skirts) OR navy-blue school pants or shorts
Runners
The 2025 School Fees Pack is now available on our school website under the parents tab for families to complete and submit at your earliest convenience.
To ensure the School Saving Bonus benefit applies to eligible students for the 2025 school year, the Department of Education (DET) has recommended that the bonus is allocated to eligible students once the CSEF process has been completed for 2025.
Please note that Resurrection is not required to provide families with the cash equivalent of the bonus as instructed by the DET.
Should you be eligible, please ensure all the relevant forms are provided along with a copy of your health care card/pension card and we will. Those eligible for CSEF may also be eligible for MACS concession should all terms and conditions be met.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email finance@rskingspark.catholic.edu.au
2025 Art Smock
Students will be bringing their current art smock home in week 10 and will NOT be needing to bring this back next year.
We have purchased art smocks for students to wear during art lessons. We will have varying sizes to ensure that all students have access to one and that it fits correctly. These art smocks will be cleaned at the end of each term, unless they require a wash earlier.
Thank you,
SUNDAY GOSPEL
This Sunday’s reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 3:1-6
All people shall see the salvation of God
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice cries in the wilderness;
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened
and rough roads made smooth.
And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel Reflection
The second and third weeks of Advent this year focus particularly on the role of John the Baptist as the one who prepared the way for Jesus and announced his coming. It continues the theme of preparation that was begun last week, but still, rather than preparing for the birth of Jesus, we are exploring the wider theme of preparation. The gospel writer includes a quote from Isaiah in which the prophet says, ‘Prepare a way for the Lord.’ (Often translated as ‘Prepare the way of the Lord’.) The application of this passage to John the Baptist is a logical one. This gospel emphasises that John was preaching ‘a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’. Throughout the gospel of Luke, the recognition of sinfulness and the desire to repent and seek forgiveness is the prelude to receiving God’s favour.
This gospel makes it clear that one way in which we can prepare a way for the Lord is to recognise our faults and failings and to seek forgiveness. It is only through such repentance that we can make ourselves receptive to the love of God. The only preparation of the way that is necessary for the Lord is a personal preparation to be receptive. We are absolutely assured of God’s love. The problem is that we often feel that we are undeserving of that love or are unable to receive it. When we are called to ‘Prepare a way for the Lord’ it is a call to prepare a way in our own hearts – to break down the barriers that we have put up; to clear the obstacles that we have placed in the path. God’s love will find a way! We simply make the way easier for ourselves to recognise God’s love if we ‘Prepare a way’.
Historical Context - At this time
This particular gospel goes to great lengths to place the events of Jesus’ life in a particular historical context. It is the gospel of Luke that identifies the birth of Jesus as taking place in the reign of Caesar Augustus and the governorship of Quirinius. Again, in today’s passage, the writer is keen to establish the historical time and place. It is made clear that the ministry of Jesus occurred in a particular time and place. But the gospel makes clear that the message Jesus proclaimed reaches beyond its original context across time and place to our lives today.
Have you thought? Baptism
We may think that Baptism is an invention of the Christian community but today’s gospel makes it clear that baptism was used within the Jewish community and was put to a particular purpose by John the Baptist. Baptism was part of the Jewish tradition well before the time of Jesus. Ritual cleansing by full immersion was an important element of worship and converts to Judaism were required to walk through a deep bath known as a mikveh. John’s use of baptism as a washing away of sin was a different interpretation of the well established practice.
Living the Gospel - Make way!
Today’s gospel is a reminder to us that Advent is a season of preparation. In this case, the preparation is all about making way for the love of God in our lives. The love of God surrounds us all the time. It’s like a rapidly flowing stream and sometimes we have placed boulders in the stream that send the water flowing around us. The call to make a way for the Lord is a call to clear the rocks out of the stream; to remove the obstacles that are directing the love of God around us and allow it instead to flow directly through us.
Resurrection Parish Celebrates Simbang Gabi
Prepare for the coming of Christ in the Philippine tradition with a nine-day novena Mass which starts at 5.00am on 16th December through to 24th December.
You are invited to stay back afterwards for breakfast which is prepared daily.
St Vincent de Paul - Last Call
9th December is the final day for the collection of non-perishable food items for the Christmas Hampers and toys for the children.
You can leave your gifts at the back of the Church or in the Parish Office.
Your generosity will brighten the Christmas celebration for those in need within our community.
Student of the Week Awards
Week 8
Prep A
Sophie Duddington
Denisse P - For showing such determination in your writing by adding lots of detail to your narrative plan and sounding out new words. Keep up the fantastic work, Denisse!
Prep B
Jacinta Polh
Nicholas M - For sounding out your words when writing your weekend recount. Keep up the hard work, Nicholas.
Prep C
Carla Tirotta
Minh T - For being a respectful member of the Prep Learning Community and always using your manners when communicating to the people around you.
One B
Matt Galea
Madeleine V - For always trying your best and becoming a more confident learner by asking questions for support. Well done Maddy!
One C
Thomas Pham
Aubrey R - For being resilient by happily completing your assessments this Term with an adult. Well done Aubrey!
Two A
Belinda Collins
Mary L - For always displaying positive behaviours in the classroom and being a role model for your peers. Keep up the great work Mary!!
Two B
Olivia Duvcevski
Pabalu A - Demonstrating her knowledge in learning about simple machines and their everyday uses in the inquiry unit- how the world works. Well done, Pabalu!
Two C
Dorothy Hall
Cungbawilian L - For being a responsible and reflective learner when taking on teacher feedback to improve his writing.
Three A
Ella Nowak
Zara H - For showing amazing motivation when writing her persuasive text by asking for ways to improve what she has written and how she can make her writing above standard. Well done Zara!
Jack I - For being an enthusiastic leader during our inquiry sessions. Your ability to lead a group is fantastic!
Three B
Kurt Cuguin
Matisse S - For demonstrating her knowledge of maps and coordinates by making an accurate map of the classroom. Well done Matisse!
Three C
Joss Coaley
Frankie G - for your amazing passion for learning and always wanting to do your best! Well done Frankie!
Chloe V - for your amazing efforts as we explored the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Congratulations on all of your efforts.
Four A
Vadao Khai K - For being a responsible member of 4A. You always show kindness, share resources with your peers and follow classroom instructions. Keep up the amazing effort!
Four B
Isaac M - For demonstrating a high standard fluent cursive writing, for being focused and participating in whole class discussions. Amazing work!
Four C
Emma V - For demonstrating detailed and critical thinking when developing her information report, extending her writing to an additional paragraph! Well done Emma!
Five A
Lavina Stewart
Dean M - For demonstrating resilience by confidently presenting his familys' Migration story from Malta to Australia. Well done Dean!
Five B
Malae Suaesi
Thao D N - For applying great thinking skills during maths to calculate and convert different units of measurement. Fantastic learning Thao!
Five C
Rosie Nojdek
Van C.T - For always being respectful, trying his best, and giving everything a go. Well done Van!
Riley L.M - For confidently and accurately converting capacity, weight and length measurements to and from decimal amounts. Amazing work!
Six A
Katherine Salloum
Louis Q - For always wanting to take your learning to the next level. I hope you keep this up as you begin your secondary school journey and thank you for being a dedicated member of 6A.
Bawi T - For being a reflective learner by being aware of his surroundings and making positive choices with those around him. Keep making these choices as you begin your secondary school journey Bawi!
Six B
Lena Aloi
Margarette D - For always having a positive attitude in class. You are an amazing role model for those around you. Well done!
Orlando M - For continuing to challenge yourself in your learning, especially in Maths. Your dedication to your education is inspiring to see. Great work!
Six C
Jake Moloney
Kiara F - For meticulously researching Caritas for her project on different Catholic organisations. Well done Kiara!
Jalen L - For presenting his family’s migration story using a range of visual stimuli to keep his audience engaged. Well done Jalen!
Noor O - For utilising his expertise in Canva to create an engaging presentation of his migration story. Well done Noor!
Japanese:
Yumiko Aiki
Ronel P (6B) - For being a thinker and a risk-taker, demonstrating a strong independent work ethic and a positive mindset in Japanese class. Keep up the fantastic work, Ronel!
Performing Arts:
Jody Banks
Dau D (Prep A) - For his excellent music learning over the year and for his enthusiastic and joyous singing when rehearsing carols for the Christmas Concert. Great singing, Dau!
Visual Arts:
Emma Lyons-Pell & Tosh Kaan
Sui Len Par Tluhlawng (Christina- 2C) - For your amazing weaving skills over the past 2 weeks. You showed resilience and kindness by helping your friends complete their weaving. Amazing work Christina!
S T E M:
Matt Dalton
Estela P (2A) - For always displaying a positive attitude in the classroom. Your smile brings a smile to others. Well done Estela!
P.E:
Jen Barresi
Milana P (6B) - For always showing a positive attitude in P.E, having the courage to try new things and challenging herself to always do her best. She is respectful to everyone around her and has been an absolute delight to teach. Well Done Milana!
TERM FOUR DATES
Week 10
Monday - 9/12
The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary
2025 Student Transition Day 2 (Prep – Grade 5s)
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Whole School Assembly 2.30pm
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday - 10/12
Our Lady of Loreto
Wednesday - 11/12
Saint Damasus I
Carols By Candlelight 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Report changes completed
Thursday - 12/12
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friday - 13/12
Grade 6 Big Day Out
2025 Prep Transition Session 5
Saint Lucy
Saturday - 14/12
Saint John of the Cross
Sunday - 15/12
3rd Sunday of Advent
Week 11
Monday - 16/12
Grade 6 Graduation Liturgy & Presentation Night 6.00pm
Reports sent out
Exec Team 9.30 – 11.00am
Team Leaders Meeting 3.30pm - 4:30 pm
Tuesday - 17/12
Whole School Mass 9.00am
End of Year Award Ceremony
Last Day Of Term (3.15pm Finish)
Wednesday - 18/12
School Closure Day - Handover Day
Thursday - 19/12
School Closure Day - End of Year Staff Lunch
Friday - 20/12
School Closure - Time in Lieu Day
Saturday - 21/12
Sunday - 22/12
4th Sunday of Advent
