Dear Parents,

This week we started our Foundation (Prep) Transition Days, with many excited students and nervous looking parents coming to school to experience life as Foundation students. There was such a wonderful buzz across the school as our new school students played, engaged in activities and started to get to know the other students they will have in their classes next year. The teachers were most impressed with how well our new Foundation students settled into school life. We are having three more Transition Days and we very much look forward to getting to know our new students and they get to know us too. This is such an exciting time for families and one we, as a school community, value and cherish.

Our remaining Transition Days are:

Tuesday 28^th November from 11.00am until 12.30pm

Tuesday 5th December from 11.00am until 12.30pm

Tuesday 12^th December from 11.00am until 1.00pm – with the children bringing their lunch on the final day so that they can experience what it will be like to have lunch at school.

These days are such a wonderful way for our new Foundation students to get to know our school and build friendships in preparation for next year.

Each year we invite you to donate an item to enable us to create our Christmas Hampers and each year you are so generous with your donations. This year we are acutely aware of the struggle some of our families are having and the need to ensure that all families are supported. With this in mind, this year we have decided to partner with the St Vincent de Paul Centre to enable our families who need support to reach out and receive a hamper privately, without needing to let us know of your need. As Dignity of the Human Person is paramount in all we do, we feel that this gives our families the opportunity to receive support in a way that enables you to remain anonymous. It also provides the opportunity for more of our families to be supported. We are asking those of you who feel they can support our Hamper Drive, to donate an item for Christmas – perhaps a tinned ham, plum pudding, lollies, chocolates, bon bons, a small toy, the list is endless! If you could have your donated item at school before Thursday November 30, it gives the St Vincent de Paul workers the opportunity to create the hampers in time for families to receive them for Christmas. Please know that donating to this cause is purely invitational and there is no expectation for anyone to bring an item. If you would like to send an item with your child, the hamper baskets are in each classroom. As always, we thank you for your generosity and community spirit.

If you would like to receive a Christmas hamper, please call the St Vincent de Paul centre on 0351273696.

As we begin the season of Advent, we are reminded that Christmas is coming. We focus on the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Kind regards

Lisa