Dear Parents and Carers

This newsletter marks the end of our school year, and there have been many preparations happening around the school to get ready for 2024. The season of Advent is just like this, a time of preparation, a time of reflection of the past year, a time of clearing the clutter of our hearts and minds and waiting, waiting for the promise of a Saviour. In our Catholic tradition that saviour is not a grand king of power and wealth but as Kindergarten so eloquently explained to me this week, ‘Well ….he was born in that thing where the animals eat….it’s called a maaaanger.’ I am always personally astounded by the wisdom and foresight of our God to bring the 'greatest' in the form of the least. In this time of Advent and Christmas let us be grateful for all the blessings every family in our school are gifted with: love, a roof over our heads, a supportive community and peace. These are the true gifts of Christmas. 

In my Principal Address yesterday, I expresesed my heartfelt gratitude for the tireless and expert work of my staff this year. Our students and families are so blessed to have such a dedicated team caring for every child in our school everyday. I have been incredibly well supported by our leadership team: Mrs Valentini, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Cerff and Mrs Hedger, they all bring such wisdom and kindness to our school community. I thank the many people who volunteer their time and energy to our school, you are an example to your children and our community, the importance of giving without the expectation of receiving. I thank you, our parents and families for your support, working in partnership with us, the support and understanding that you have shown as parents leads to success for your child within our school and into their futures. The partnership between school and home reveals to our children the expectation and boundaries of the wider community and society, celebrating achievements and accepting mistakes as learning opportunities. At times this has not been easy for the staff or parents but ‘Together we are strong’, and I thank you.

I hope that all of our families enjoy a well earned break over the Christmas period, my prayer is that you enjoy precious time with your family and friends. Keep the story of Jesus at the centre of your family. Please enjoy this version of the Christmas story Christmas according to Kids

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2024. 

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Yours in partnership
Lindy Nelson

There are many options available for Mass over Christmas and January – a special outdoor children’s celebration on Christmas Eve and the beautiful Christmas “Midnight” Mass, 9.00pm Christmas Eve, starting with Carols from 8.30pm - both at Holy Family Church Ulladulla, beach Masses every Sunday in January, 5.00pm Mollymook Beach, and a variety of other special celebrations at Milton, Sussex Inlet, Bendalong – as well as the usual scheduled Masses. Please join us as we celebrate this very special time!

Our wonderfully talented singers have performed brilliantly at several events in our local community, it is a lovely opportunity to see the joy they bring.

Year 3 had the opportunity to learn the Balgan Story from Uncle Phil this year and be part of the story telling and filming with Phil and Jamie Lepre. This opportunity gave the students a deeper connection and understanding of the story, to country and to our new outdoor learning space. 

The students then extended this understanding by retelling the story in their own words, incorporating language, as well as painting elements of the story on a boomerang.

It has been a magical process to be part of.

Mrs McGregor
Year 3 Teacher

Payment of School Fees by Instalment

Existing Families in our school WITH Instalments

If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly

Existing Famlies in our school WITHOUT Instalments

If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2024 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.

IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.