Principal Report

Christmas Soiree

Thank you to our wonderful school community for turning out for our first Christmas Soiree. Thank you to Megan Meech who coordinated the Soiree and D'Arne Adams who worked organising the food and working with the P&F. Thank you Sarah Youd for organising the raffle, and the many Parents & Friends who helped along the way and on the night. Thank you to our students for a wonderful performance and staff for preparing the students with the carols. Thank you to Ben Dick for organising the fire truck and to our special visitor who came on the fire truck. There was much excitement when he arrived. Many staff helped with setup during the day and into the evening, including David Broos who made Santa's throne. Thank you Gerry Peters for organising the sound system. This combined effort resulted in a great evening. We are very lucky to have these great people in our school community.

Thank you to families that donated food items, produce, and craft items for the stall and towards our food for the evening.

Thank you to the following businesses for their contributions of food & donations as well as raffle prizes towards the evening. 

A CUT ABOVE THE REST BUTCHER

AH. PEASE SHOE STORE

A.L.M.

ANVERS

ASHGROVE CHEESE

CAROLYN MCLENNAN

CAR SPAS

CHAS KELLY TRANSPORT

COFFEE SPOT

DEVONPORT BOOK SHOP

DEVONPORT TEN PIN BOWLING

EB GAMES

EVOLVE SPORTS

FACE BAR

FOURWAYS FRUIT & VEG

HILL ST-LATROBE

HENNESSY’S BAKERY

IGA EXPRESS-LATROBE

LARDER CAFE

LEAPING GOAT

LIFESTYLE-DAILY GRIND

LUZETTE FLORIST

MACKEY’S ROYAL HOTEL

OLIVER’S BAKERY

PASSPORT SURF

PLATINUM MAINTENANCE & GARDEN

READING CINEMA

RELIQUAIRE

SO SILVER SO GOLD

SPLASH

TERRY WHITE CHEMMART

TOYWORLD

VALENTINO’S

WATERFRONT NEWS & LOTTO

WINGTON’S GLAMPING

WOOLWORTHS-DEVONPORT

YOLLA CO-OP

YOU DESERVE IT

Cardinal Mykola Bychok

One of our very own families received an invitation to the ceremony of Melbourne Bishop Mykola Bychok at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican last weekend, where he was elevated to the position of cardinal. Nataliia Stah and Jacob Hingston travelled to the Vatican to witness the event after receiving a personal invitation from Mykola Bychok.

At the age of 44, Cardinal Bychok became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic, and the first cardinal from Australia since George Pell.

Mykola Bychok was born and raised in Ternipol, in western Ukraine. He said he first felt a calling to follow Christ when he was 15 years old and was an altar boy. After graduating from high school, he entered a monastery at the age of 17 and professed his first vows the following year. He was ordained as a priest in Lviv, Ukraine, seven years later, and has also studied and served in Poland, Russia, and the United States.

In January 2020, he moved to Melbourne after Pope Francis appointed him as the Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, also known as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Melbourne.

Advent

The Four Advent Candles

Advent wreaths traditionally hold four candles (three are purple and one is pink). The candles represent Jesus coming as a light in the darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday until all four candles are lit. As Christmas draws nearer, each candle brings a little more light into the darkness. Sometimes a white candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to symbolize that Jesus is with us. This can be referred to as the "Christ candle."

Each of the candles lit before Christmas represent an aspect of preparation during the season of Advent.

The First Week of Advent: December 1, 2024

Pray the Advent wreath prayer for Week One

Candle Name: The Prophecy Candle

The First Week of Advent Represents: Hope

Candle Color: Purple

Purple is the primary color associated with Advent. Within the Catholic Church it symbolizes penance, preparation, and sacrifice. During the first week of Advent we remember the Old Testament prophets who foretold of Jesus’ coming with hope and anticipation. Are you ready to discover the hope Jesus is inviting you to experience this Advent?

The Second Week of Advent: December 8, 2024

Pray the Advent wreath prayer for Week Two

Candle Name: The Bethlehem Candle

The First Week of Advent Represents: Peace and Preparation

Candle Color: Purple

During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and focus on becoming better-versions-of-ourselves in preparation for Jesus’ coming. We remember the journey Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. What has your journey toward Christmas been like so far?

The Third Week of Advent: December 15, 2024

Pray the Advent wreath prayer for Week Three

Candle Name: The Shepherd's Candle

The First Week of Advent Represents: Joy

Candle Color: Pink

This third candle is pink and symbolizes rejoicing. During the third week of Advent we are filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas day. This Sunday is often called "Gaudete Sunday" as we reflect on the joy the shepherd's felt at the birth of Jesus. How is Jesus inviting you to experience greater joy this Advent?

The Fourth Week of Advent: December 22, 2024

Pray the Advent wreath prayer for Week Four

Candle Name: The Angel's Candle

The First Week of Advent Represents: Love

Candle Color: Purple

During this final week of Advent, we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made apparent in the birth of his Son. We reflect on the good news of God's love brought to us from the angel Gabriel. This is the last week to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. Are you ready?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

–John 3:16

Retrieved from The Meaning of the Four Advent Candles

Have a great week

Carmen Aylott

Principal