Week 9 – December 9th, 2021
Prayer for the end of the school year
At the end of this school year, we give thanks to God:
For all the teaching and learning that has taken place in our school, both in and out of the classroom;
For the talents and gifts that have been shared and the challenges that have been faced;
For the burdens that have been lifted and the hurts that have been healed;
For the respect and care that has been given.
We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun and for those that have grown.
For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles,
For the hope that has lifted our hearts on the dark days
And for the love that has kept us going.
We give thanks for the community that we are.
Bless our families as we take our holidays, may our time together leave us with memories to cherish.
Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed to continue our journey together.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
Principal’s Message
Dear Parents and Friends of Loreto Nedlands
This time of year is always extremely busy for everyone. Not only do we have the many wonderful celebrations at school, but there is also numerous end of year wind-ups for your families and the groups to which you belong outside of school.
As we are currently in the season of Advent, our teachers shared this video with our students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC0FGQLBp7w. The message is that Advent is an expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation for God coming into our lives and hearts in all moments, all places, all times; past, present and future. So, as you continue the season of Advent with your families, I hope that you have opportunities to welcome God into your lives through the celebration of the Birth of Jesus.
I believe we have all earned a well-deserved break! I hope that you and your children have the opportunity to relax, breathe, enjoy each other’s company, and hopefully meet up with family and friends from afar over the Christmas School Holidays.
The staff will remain at school to finalise the year until next Friday. So, there will be no one in the office from Friday, 17th December until Tuesday, 18th January. Should you need to get in touch, please contact us via our admin@loretonedlands.wa.edu.au. I request that you do not contact individual teachers during this time as they too need the opportunity to recharge. The students are very fortunate to have such excellent, caring, and energetic staff to work with at Loreto Nedlands.
As you are aware, Loreto Nedlands School Fees have not increased since 2019. This is because we have been mindful of the worldwide pandemic and the economic impact that it has had on many families. However, the Loreto Nedlands Board has determined that an increase in the School Fees for 2022 is necessary to provide your child with a holistic, outstanding education. A key component of our Strategic Plan is to provide rich, diverse programs. Enabling students to identify and pursue their passions whilst challenging them to be the best they can be and providing stimulating and challenging learning environments consistent across the school. The detailed fee schedule can be found on the school website. Should any families experience financial hardship, please do not hesitate to contact me.
For the families who will be leaving us. Thank you for the many contributions during your time here at Loreto Nedlands. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
To the Year Six students, I congratulate you on completing your primary school years at Loreto Nedlands. You have already created many memories in your primary years, with many more to come. When you look back on your schooling, I hope you have a bucket full of positivity and mere droplets of regret. For the future, I wish you the very best. I see great opportunity at your fingertips…. and remember, Jesus will always be there to walk beside you. (taken from my speech)
Finally, to all the students. As I have watched you grow both in height and as a person, I congratulate every one of you because you have all grown in stature!
In the spirit of Felicity – Joy, Love, Hope – continue to be true to yourself and trust in God.
Wishing you a safe, Holy Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rika Andres
Principal
Staffing 2022
Principal: Rika Andres
Assistant Principal: Rebecca Barfoot
Year Six: Elizabeth Kezich
Year Five: Lori Coenen
Year Four: Julia Waller
Year Three: Emily Meneghello
Year Two: Chloe Ricketts (nee O’Callaghan)
Year One: Danielle Moore
PP: Amee Coles
K: Jessica Joseph (Tuesday-Thursday) – PK/K combined class (Friday)
PK: Justine Jacobs (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Health & PE/Wellbeing: Scott McCallum (Tuesday-Friday)
Music: Sarina Davey (Monday, Thursday, Friday)
Art: Stephanie Hantzis (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Library: Justine Jacobs (Monday)
Support/EALD: Alecia Gooch (Monday-Thursday)
Maths Support: Shelley Gibson (Monday-Wednesday)
Mission/RE: Katie Sharman (Tuesday and Friday)
Psychology/Art Therapist: Lizzie Stewart (Monday, Thursday, Friday)
Administration/Enrolment Officer/Marketing: Louise Miller (Monday-Friday)
Administration: Kara Figliomeni: (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
Finance: Steve Tucker (Tuesday and Thursday offsite) – (Wednesday and Friday onsite)
Education Assistants: Melina Dichiera, Miranda Billi, Sarah Clinckers, Shelley Gibson, Sonia Dowson
Sr Chris Neil ibvm
On Tuesday 16 November 2021, on her 97th birthday Sr Chris Neil ibvm passed away peacefully. Sr Chris grew up in Eastern Sydney with her five siblings in a house at the back of St Mary’s Cathedral. From an early age to escape the noise of a large family she would walk over to sit in the pews at St Mary’s for daily Mass and a bit of peace and quiet.
She did not have much of a chance to complete her schooling due to her disability, she was born with “collapsible knees”. She began work at an early age with dressmaking, working in a bookstore, tax office and then in accounts with the navy.
After her mother’s death, the family moved, and she continued her routine of daily Mass at Lavender Bay parish. A Jesuit suggested she go meet some of the Loreto Sisters at Kirribilli and the rest they say is history!
Sr Chris spent a decade at Loreto Nedlands before heading to Victoria and then back to her beloved Sydney.
Religious Education
What is the real meaning of Christmas?
Every year, the holiday season takes on a whole new level of joyful yet frenetic activity. With so much pressure and preparation behind making a perfect Christmas, at times we need to remind ourselves of the real meaning of Christmas. In this article, we’d like to look beyond Rudolph, Frosty, Elf on a Shelf and even Santa. We’d like to dig deeper into our understanding of Jesus and His relationship with God.
Have you ever heard the phrases “Jesus is the reason for the season” or “Keep Christ in Christmas” spoken this time of year? There is a good chance you’ve seen them on bumper stickers or heard it spoken at mass. While these phrases provide a good start, let us dig even deeper into the real meaning of Christmas. Consider this:
“God is the Reason for the Season. The Child of Christmas IS God.”
As parts of the holy trinity, they are one in the same, aren’t they? When people think of the real meaning of Christmas, they usually think of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger long ago. While this event is so special and miraculous, let us take this opportunity to think about the relationship between Jesus and God. What we mean is this – rather than focus on the birth of an infant Jesus Christ, let us think about Christmas as God being born into the world into the fully human form of Jesus Christ. Let us view Christmas as God becoming man without diminishing His divine nature. Let us also view Christmas as a celebration of God’s love for each and every person in the whole world.
What is the real meaning of Christmas?
God is all parts of the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It can get confusing as we talk about the three distinct persons of the trinity. We believe in one God in three Divine Persons, each with distinct and different roles. Yet any action made by one of the Divine Persons is God’s action. All Divine Persons are co-eternal, perfect and have the same objectives and motivations.
When we say that ‘God sent his son into the world’ (John 3:16) and ‘Jesus came into the world’ (1 Tim 1:15) we are really saying that God came to the world into a human form. God’s love for each and every person is so strong that he came to earth in human form so people could experience a personal relationship with him, build trust and understand His love for all people and our need for Him. Now that’s certainly something worth celebrating, isn’t it?
At the end of the day, does it make a difference if you say that the real meaning of Christmas is about Jesus or about God? You are not wrong to say it either way but thinking about the miracle of Christmas and God’s love for all can deepen our understanding of what we are really celebrating.
We send love to everyone in our community as God continues to do each and every day
Merry Christmas! You are loved!
Taken from www.leohousenyc.com
Anthony Corbett
Assistant Principal
Music Scholarship Winners 2022
Congratulations to our Music Scholarship Winners!
- Anabella Vazquez Yilo (Year 2)
- Elizabeth Shenker (Year 2)
- Christian Chibanda – Johnstone (Year 3)
- Sally Cairns (Year 3)
- Elena De Felice (Year 4)
Sarina Davey
Music Specialist
2022 Tuition Raffle – Congratulations to the Winner!
The 2022 Tuition Raffle has been drawn. Congratulations to Erica Cogan, winner of the Loreto Nedlands 2022 Tuition Raffle.
Standard Lottery Permit Number: LS217669821
Thanks to everyone who participated.
Jennifer Roughan
P&F President
Containers for Change Bar Number and QR Code
Loreto Nedlands has a registered Bar Number and QR Code for the Containers for Change Programme.
The number is C10345800
That means if you would like to collect and donate to the school, you just use the Loreto Nedlands QR Code below when you deposit.
The link below will take you to a site where you can find your nearest deposit point.
Julia Waller
Year Six Teacher
The Fathering Project
Holiday Tips for Dads and Kids
Year-end holidays can make wonderful experiences and memories for dads and kids. They can also be stressful and whip by incredibly fast. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for making the most of your holiday.
2. Give them a “Time Machine.” Instead of the latest electronic gadget, give your child time (and be sure to keep the commitments you make). Here are a few examples:
a. A simple trip together
b. A commitment to spend one hour of one-on-one with her, once a week, all year
c. Make homemade decorations together
d. Build a project together
e. Bake holiday cookies and regale them with stories from your childhood holidays
f. Learn some new things which make you a better dad for them like learning to coach a new skill.
g. Pick one day between now and the holidays to just watch him non-judgmentally all day. Just be aware of how unique and special he is. At the end of the day write down everything you love about him and then go share the list with him as a holiday gift.
3. Redefine interactive. Nowadays, interactive seems to mean a toy or machine that “interacts” with us people. Remember that what really builds families is interaction between people and other people! Make room for a feast of personal interactivity this season–like a neighbourhood football romp to exercise away those extra calories and catch up with the neighbours!
4. Consider “One In, One Out.” To relish the giving nature of the holidays, some families use a simple and powerful tradition: For every present a family member receives, she or he donates one of their previous possessions to charity. It’s a concrete way to live the Golden Rule—and cuts down on clutter, too!
6.Wrap recycled. Use “pre-owned” wrapping paper, newspapers, old maps, and other paper products to wrap your presents. It’s a perfect way to personalize a present, while cutting down on waste (and saving money).
7.Remember that simple is “in.” A majority of families are getting a bit sick of all the holiday hype. So, you’re not alone when you simplify and focus first on the true holiday spirit!
8.Give to others. Help your child or stepchild decide on a set amount of money they will give to charitable causes this year. If they are too young to earn their own money, give him/her some to donate.
9.Remember ritual. Repetition of meaningful rituals is an important part of building holiday traditions and instilling positive holiday memories for a lifetime. Rituals can include attending religious worship services, having special friends and family for a traditional meal, reading a favourite story every year, making a special holiday morning breakfast, or anything else that draws you closer to each other. Take pictures to help remember—and be sure that YOU are in some of them!
10.Nurture the holiday spirit all year. The holidays remind us what special people we have for children, family members, and friends. Try to remember and cherish that special feeling every day. We only get one crack at being our children’s dad while they still are children. So, let’s make the most of it!
Taken from www.fathers.com
Anthony Corbett
Assistant Principal
