Dear Parents, What an amazing week it has been at St. Finbar’s! We started off the week with 200+ family wreaths coming into the school and being proudly displayed on the playground. They are now decorating our foyer and junior corridor. I would like to congratulate all St. Finbar’s families for contributing to this wonderful initiative which has started the Advent season for us. On Monday we also had basketball clinics run by the McKinnon Basketball association. This day was capped off with a visit from the CTI Melbourne United Basketball team. It was an incredible experience for our students with a select number of our budding superstars actually playing against the professionals. Special thank you to Kylie Hitchiner for organising this awesome opportunity for our students. On Wednesday night we had our Christmas Carols night and it was an absolute delight for me to see the children perform for their Grandparents and Special Visitors in the morning and Parents in the evening. The School and Community Spirit was clearly evident at this special celebration. Special thanks to Fr. Malcolm for attending and Mrs. Tammesild for organising the event. Well done also to the amazing staff of St. Finbar’s who prepared the children and also managed the ‘behind the scenes’ activities. Next Wednesday 9

th December we will have a special Mass and Morning tea for Mrs. Tammesild. I

would like to invite all parents and past students to come along to this special morning to celebrate the incredible impact she has had on our community over the past 16 years. We will also be having our ‘Up’ day from 12pm -1pm where the students will move into their 2016 classrooms with their new classmates and teacher. In next weeks’ newsletter I will be publishing where staff will be placed and what roles they will be undertaking. Today we have our inter house swimming carnival which has been eagerly anticipated by many students and staff alike. Special thanks to Mrs. Thompson who has been instrumental in coordinating this event. We will also be trialing a new school calendar on the school website. The calendar is located in the ‘Newsletter’ section of the website and will be a google calendar. The benefits of having this type of calendar is that the information is up to date and can be easily accessed by all community members, either via a smart phone, tablet or computer. Next year we will also be rolling out a new school app in Term 1 which will allow us to share information with parents quickly i.e.: sharing photos of children on camps and excursions, reminding parents about upcoming events quickly and easily. The app is a ‘members only’ software package and all members must be approved by the school. The app is an integral part of our current school website. Thanks to Miss Hill for organising this convenient feature for us. God Bless, Pat Berlingeri Principal

NEWSLETTER No 38 Thursday 3rd

December 2015

St. Finbar’s Primary School

90 Centre Rd, East Brighton Vic. 3187 Tel 9592 4479, 9592 4069 Fax: 9593 2433

Email: principal@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au

TERM 4 UPCOMING EVENTS:

DECEMBER

Fri 4 Whole School Swimming Carnival

Wed 9 ‘UP’ Day

Thur 10 Graduation Night

Fri 11 Year 6 Big Day Out

Mon 14 Brighton Cluster Student Beach Day

Wed 16

End of Year Mass 9am

Students dismissed at 2pm (Please note: change of time)

Thur 17 Teacher’s Day

Fri 18 Teacher’s Day

COMING HOME TODAY: NIL EMAIL ATTACHMENT/ LINK:

NIL

TERM 4 UPCOMING ASSEMBLIES:

Monday 7th December ~ Farewell Jerry Assembly

Monday 14th December ~ Father Malcolm Assembly

All parents are warmly welcomed to attend our weekly assemblies.

Assembly every Monday at 2:40pm. Please arrive on time to avoid disappointment.

Volunteers needed to help wrap Christmas Hampers

We will be wrapping the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers in the library on Tuesday 15 December at 9.00 am. If you could please spare some time to help with this wrapping it would be greatly appreciated!

‘Many hands make light work!’ Please email Judy Gregg at jgregg@sfbrigthoneast.catholic.edu.au to confirm your availability. Thanks, Judy Gregg ~ Religious Education Leader

This weekend we enter into the second week of Advent … there is an air of excitiement around the school as we wait in anticipation for Christmas ….. At the moment our school looks beautiful with the wonderful and creative wreaths that families have worked on at home … Hopefully preparing this wreath was a family activity and created lots of opportunities for talk, sharing and working together … the end results are certainly amazing! This week, I encourage you to spend a minute at the Sacred Space (set in the corridor outside the Year 1 rooms) and look at the Advent Calendar that has been set up ….. perhaps a conversation with your child/children can help focus this time of prepartion on little actions they can do to prepare ….. VINNIES CHRISTMAS HAMPERS!! Thanks very much for your generous contributions to the class hampers ….. two weeks left for collections ….. The following suggested ideas for inclusion in our class hampers: 2016 diary; Cinema Ticket; DVD or CD; Towels; Socks; Handkerchiefs; Toiletries; T-Shirt; Toys or games for children; Vouchers; Canned Foods; Christmas Goods

CLASS DESCRIPTION FA Single Mother 35 (girls 6, 7 and 9)

FK Single Female (2 cats) 75+

1H Single Father (45) + Boy (13)

1J Single Male (40)

2D Single Male (40’s) and Single Male (45)

2G Single Female (35) and Single Female (40)

3M Single Mother (60) + Son (25) + 4 Grandchildren (Twin Boys (9), Girl (7), Baby (3 mths)

3MC Father & Mother (50’s) + Girl (18)

4H Single Female (30)

4M Single Male (50) and Single Male (55)

5/6A Single Mother (45) + Boy (12) and Single Mother (40) + Girl (14) + Boy (11)

5/6D Single Mother (45) + Boy (12) + 2 Grandparents (approx. 80)

5/6W Single Mother (45) + Girl (17) and Single Mother (35) + Boy (8)

Enjoy your week,

This week began with children and parents arriving to the sounds of Christmas carols with beautiful Christmas wreaths in hand. Our school is aglow with the reminder that Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. I hope you have all had the chance to come into the Library and down the corridors to see all the amazing efforts of our families.

STUDENT WELLBEING NEWS ~ Mrs. Catherine Tammesild

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS ~ Mrs. June Kellar

SPORT NEWS ~ Mrs. Tania Thompson

CONGRATULATIONS: Well done to Maddie V – 3Mc for recently being selected to be a part of the Victorian State Elite Performance Team for Calisthenics. A wonderful achievement Maddie!

Bookings/Cancellations/Adjustments please call 9592 0994 directly.

Parents, please provide a broad rimmed or legionnaire sun hat and Sunscreen for the OSHC program.

Holiday program

January 2016 Holiday Program Holiday Program-Planned experiences

As with every holiday program children's interests are canvassed. We know that children learn best when they are interested and engaged. Using children’s interests as the basis for our curriculum decision making helps to ensure that learning is not only interesting but also meaningful and relevant to children. As the School Age Care Framework (MTOP) notes, being responsive to children’s strengths, abilities and interests helps to ‘ensure motivation and engagement in learning’ (DEEWR, 2009, p. 14). The activities are child-chosen and child-directed and have a wider appeal to other children and to the whole group. It is therefore important to acknowledge children's efforts and ideas and as such the holiday program flyer highlights the names and activities of the children whose ideas have been used. Thank you to the children who worked alongside Educators to ensure that the holiday program is a fun and interesting place to be. Activities whilst planned are flexible with consideration for active and passive time and seasonal changes. We aim to provide opportunities for children to relax as well as continue their learning journey through varied and interesting interactions with each other and community partners. Helpful Hints for Holiday program (8am-6pm) BYO HEALTHY LUNCH, SNACKS (extra snacks) AND DRINK BOTTLE WITH WATER: where food is brought from home, the service encourages families to provide food that is consistent with the: Australian Government guidelines Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood, and/or Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia. We encourage parents to provide extra fruit and vegetables for afternoon snack and “sometimes foods” to be kept to a minimum. Please note that the service aspires to be a nut free environment. Store lunches in our fridge (chilled water is always available @ the service) Snack time 10.15am - Lunch 12.15pm. Extra Forms to complete if necessary: Excursion form, Medication form

Bookings please call 9592 0994 or enter booking into the diary Administrative Procedures The email is a form of communication that we do use however it is specifically dedicated for changing permanent bookings, making advanced bookings/cancellations (ie holiday program, school closure days), account queries, addressing special needs, incidents that need clarification, and the like. It is no guarantee that the email will be checked on a daily basis as administrative duties are addressed off site and away from the service as our priority lies with the active supervision of children, their development and wellbeing. Clothing and footwear; comfortable and protective Behaviour- Children are expected to follow the rules and practice positive behaviour, where a mutual respect between staff and children shall be fostered. If a child/rens behaviour is deemed unsatisfactory, behaviour management action will take place to positively change the behaviour (redirect to quieter activities) if unsatisfactory behaviour persists, then an incident record will be completed and parents/guardians notified. The Coordinator/Directress reserves the right to exclude the child/ren from participating in the program.

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE NEWS

CURRICULUM NEWS

Electronic games are welcome although items bought from home are the children’s responsibility. St Finbar’s OSHC will not take responsibility for lost or broken games. KIDS ON WHEELS- bring anything with wheels and a helmet for safety. Fees

Holiday Program 8-6 $38 After rebate $19

Holiday Program 1/2 day $19 After Rebate $9.50

Sunsmart Guidelines: NO HAT NO PLAY. We insist children on wearing a hat @ all times during outside play. We recommend broad rimmed or legionnaire hats. SPF 30+ sunscreen must be applied prior to the arrival of the program. Staff will record and assist with application at intervals throughout the day.

Accounts

The accounts are now out and are due and payable within seven days. They are inclusive of Monday 16/11-Friday 2811/15. The service aims to have all families pay all outstanding fees by the beginning of 2016. That is: ZERO fees by 2016.

Should any families experience difficulties in finalizing their accounts then a time to discuss a payment plan is NOW. This is a potential opportunity for a resolution to large outstanding accounts. Families that have fallen into arrears will be issued a warning letter. Fees that remain outstanding by January 1st 2016 will immediately go to the Debt collection agency and care cancelled. Please set up an appointment with Melissa and Fr Malcolm Crawford; melissa.asmar1@gmail.com

5-6 December Altar Servers/Helpers Readers

6pm P Dungan

Counters B Mateer, B Cosgriff & K Reed

9.00am Oliver N & Sam R Watson & T Flanagan

Children’s Liturgy in the Marian Room Deanna – final one for the year!

11am Vienna & Audrey R West

5pm Oli D & Will Doyle family

PARISH NEWS

PARENTS AND FRIENDS NEWS

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS: 2015 Open Days – Term 4 - Tuesday 8

th December ~ 9am – 9.30am - LAST DAY!!

Reminder – order forms are available from the office or they can be downloaded via the school website. Orders can be left at the office and will be filled and returned to your eldest child’s classroom.

HEALTHY HUT TUCK SHOP:

Last day of lunch orders is

Tuesday 8th December

Over the counter sales available:

10th & 11 December and 14th & 15th December.

Assistance Urgently Required Flower arranging in the church. Own transport is required. On the job training is available. Volunteers will be rostered ON for two weeks, then OFF for a number of weeks depending on how many volunteers we have. If you can assist please call Diane on 9557 6214. Please consider joining with a friend to share the load.

COMMUNITY NEWS

www.holidayhappening.com.au

Children’s Liturgy This Sunday is our final Children’s Liturgy session for the year. Children are invited to attend in the Marian room during 9am Mass for their own special prayer time and enjoy a simple activity,

and then return to their families for the celebration of the Eucharist. Our very grateful thanks to Andrea and Deanna for their commitment to the program.

Bethlehem in Brighton A joint initiative of the Brighton Churches, Bethlehem in Brighton helps parents bring CHRIST back

into Christmas, with an interactive nativity, live music, animal farm, cake stall, craft activities, sausage sizzle and more. Held in the grounds of St Andrew’s Church (cnr Church and New Sts,

Brighton) on Saturday 5th December from 10am to 1pm, come along and enjoy the fun.

Christmas at St Finbar’s

Christmas Eve: 5.30pm Children’s Mass with Christmas pageant

7.30pm Family Mass 10.00pm Night Mass

Christmas Day:

9am Mass 11am Mass

Please contact the parish office 9593 2122 or BrightonEast@cam.org.au if you or your children

would be interested in reading or Altar serving at any Mass, or being part of the Christmas Pageant at the 5.30pm Mass this year.

HEY GIRLS… by popular request, it’s on again!!!

THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING NEW AND…

SEND REQUESTS FOR APPLICATION FORMS TO 23 BAY STREET BRIGHTON 3186 OR E-MAIL campbook@optusnet.com.au OR TEXT 0414 297 443 (please include email address) For further enquiries- 0414 2297 443 (ask for Wendy)

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 18th

DECEMBER 2015

DATE: TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2015 WHERE: HAMPTON GUIDE

HALL, 368 HAMPTON ST, HAMPTON COST AND TIME:

8AM – 6PM $55 9AM – 4PM $50 FOR GIRLS AGED 7 – 10 YEARS NB BRING A FRIEND AND TAKE OFF $5 EACH!!

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided. The event will be fully supervised by qualified adults at all times.

St Finbar’s Catholic Parish Mass Times Parish Priest Fr Malcolm Crawford Saturday 6pm Vigil

Parish Secretary Bridget Cooper (Tues & Thurs) Sunday 9am & 11am

Address 86 Centre Rd, Brighton East Weekdays Mon at 8.15am, Tues to Sat at 9.05am

Phone 9593 2122 Reconciliation After 9.05am Mass on Saturday

Email BrightonEast@cam.org.au Baptisms Most Sundays following 11am Mass

Contact the Parish Office St Vincent de Paul Hotline 1300 305 330

School Principal Mr Pat Berlingeri

School Phone 9592 4479

6 December 2015 A Cleansing Time

Cleansing, a turning away from self indulgence and self importance has been a

constant theme of the Bible. John the Baptist recalled that on the banks of the

Jordan, quoting the earlier prophet Isaiah: “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight …… so that all mankind will see the salvation of God”.

This is a timeless message – still relevant – as we read and hear in the current

Royal Commission on sexual abuse. Human nature needs to be challenged

even now, so that all of us open our hearts to God’s spirit, and God’s ways become all of our ways. This is a cleansing time for a lot of us, especially in

Advent –may this need of personal purification touch all our hearts so God has

space to enter in. Fr Malcolm Crawford

Recent Deaths: Fr Justin Woodford, Sean Atkinson, Eileen Clausen and baby Lucy

Rose Dalins.

Anniversaries about this time: Nellie O'Connor, Esther O’Brien and Laurie Taig.

Please pray for the sick: Brinal D’Silva, Liam Evans, Josie Spinella, Mary Barberi, Kath Dyer,

Denise Fitzsimmons, Louise Davis, Kathleen Chiosso, Judy Burke, Cody Fisher, Joan D’Cruz,

Kerrin White, Sheridan Veith, Adrienne O’Meara, Jim Russell, Elizabeth Breen, Michael Moroney, Delores Grant, Lisa Tonna, Maurie Beaumont, Geraldine Farrell, Kathleen

O’Brien, Tracey Harris, Michaela Burge, Tegan Whittle, Carmel Currie, Paul McManus,

Wendy Glennister, Sandra Charles, Jane Boyd, Patricia Cawte, Angela Portelli, Barry Watts,

Annalisa Ziino, Margot Rawson, Olive Mabag, John Watson, Odessa Prosser, Craig Tonini, Logan Tonini, Jill McKern, Jennifer Spencer, Nick Byrne, Tony Venier, Marie O’Brien, Luke

Marriott, Max Finch, Rosa Maria Santos, Tom Howard, Hendericky D Tolentino, Catherine

Stahn, Fr Ross McKenney and John Smith. Some of their names will be read out each week in the Prayers of the Faithful.

Parish News

Anointing of the Sick Mass Tuesday 8th December at 11.30am followed by lunch in

the Marian Room. ALL WELCOME

St Vincent de Paul This week-end we make our Christmas Appeal. There are envelopes on the pews to use or take home and return it to the collection plate next week. For a tax-deductible receipt, either use the envelopes or see the SVdeP members in the porch after Mass.

This week and next we are raffling a Christmas hamper valued at $150 (donated by CCI). Tickets $2 each, or 3 for $5. Calendars ($9) and Christmas cards ($8, $6 & $4) are for sale at the back of the church – please put money in the Poor Box by the side door of the church.

Mary Torpey from Ormond Parish will be singing at 6pm Mass next weekend, 12th Dec. Her Christmas CDs will be available for sale for $20 after Mass, $5 from each sale will go to St Vincent de Paul.

Advent Prayer preparation books, for Advent are available in the foyer, $3.00 each.

Assistance Urgently Needed in the Church: Flower arranging. Own transport is required. On the job training is available.

Volunteers will be rostered ON for two weeks, then OFF for a number of weeks depending on how many volunteers we have. If you can assist please call Diane on

9557 6214. Please consider joining with a friend to share the load.

Christmas Bowl Appeal The Victorian Council of Churches is again asking St Finbar’s to tend the fundraising stall at Woolworths in Church St, Brighton on Saturday 19th

December. We are looking for someone to co-ordinate the St Finbar’s contribution to this worthy cause. Please contact Fr Malcom or the parish office if you are able to

help.

BRIGHTON COVENANT OF CHURCHES

Grand Organ Master Series - Sunday 6 December at 2.30 pm St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Cnr Church and New Sts. Spectacular music on the mighty War Memorial

Organ with nearly 3,000 pipes! This month, Thomas Heywood performs music

including The Blue Danube and Christmas favourites. All welcome. Admission at the door includes program. Adult $30 / Conc $25 / U18 FREE.

Enquiries: office@standrewsbrighton.org.au Tel: St Andrew’s Parish Office 03 9592 1240

Entrance Antiphon

O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.

Communion Antiphon

Jerusalem arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.

Community News

Parish Calendar: 31 January 2016 Noon - Farewell BBQ for Fr

Malcolm

Fidelity Books and Pieties

at 443 North Rd, Ormond is a Catholic bookshop, run by a non-profit co-op and now staffed by

volunteers. A small shop front that goes back a long way!! Huge range of books to grow your Faith: bibles,

Missals, children's, teens, theology, lives of the saints, Catholic history,

philosophy, Catechisms, inspirational, devotional, social

teaching. Also statues, rosaries, religious gifts, Nativity

Scenes... Why not give a religious gift for Christmas!

ADVENT OPENING HOURS FROM MON. 16TH NOVEMBER - SAT. 19TH DEC.

Mondays 10 - 4:30 Wednesdays 10 - 4:30

Saturday 10 - 12. Enquiries 9578 2706

Children’s Liturgy Our final session will be held this Sunday during 9am Mass. Children are invited to attend in the Marian room for their own special prayer time and then return to their families for the Eucharist.

Our very grateful thanks to Andrea and Deanna for their commitment to the program this year.

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOOR, ST PATRICK’S

CATHEDRAL

Sunday 13 December, 2.30pm St Patrick’s Cathedral, Cathedral Place, East

Melbourne

In announcing the Extraordinary Jubilee Year

of Mercy, Pope Francis asked that a special holy door be opened in every diocese, ‘to allow

everyone in every part of the world to

experience the Mercy of the Father ... the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through

which anyone who enters will experience the

love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope.’ (Misericordiae Vultus)

To mark the opening of the Jubilee in

Melbourne, Archbishop Denis Hart will open a special Holy Door of Mercy on Sunday 13

December at 2.30pm.

Program highlights: Opening of the local Door of Mercy by

Archbishop Denis Hart at 2.30pm; Food stalls,

music and activities hosted by Aboriginal

Catholic Ministry, CatholicCare, Catholic Mission, Melbourne Vocations Office, and

more! Hour of adoration and prayer led by

Bishop Vincent Long OFMconv at 4pm. Pilgrims are advised to arrive as early as 2pm,

as we anticipate a large crowd for the official

opening of the Door of Mercy at 2.30pm.

Parish Contacts

Please feel free to contact any of

these people if you would like to become more involved in Parish

Life.

Rosters for Lectors, Collectors and Special Ministers at Mass Paul Dungan 9592 2463

Counting Roster

New Volunteers please call Tony Grant 9596 4577

Children’s Liturgy Parish Office 9593 2122

Altar Serving Parish Office 9593 2122

Church Flowers and Linen Rita Maguire 9592 4159

Church Decoration Jim Sinclair 9598 9541

Senior’s Group Sue Sharry 9592 7229 and Joan Hamilton 9592 2498

Music Joy Conheady 9596 2643

Lent/Advent Prayer Groups Parish Office 9593 2122

Sacramental Enquiries (Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation)

Parish Office 9593 2122

Chair of Parish Pastoral Group Tony Grant 9596 4577

St Vincent de Paul Members/Volunteers: Philip McInerney: 0423 109 506 Assistance Hotline: 1300 305 330 (Mon to Fri 10am - 3pm)

Tennis Club stfinbarstennisclubbrightoneast.com

Netball Club

www.stfinbarsnetballclub.com.au

Next Parish Pastoral Group meeting:

2016

Children’s Liturgy dates (9am Mass):

Dec 6.

Parish Roster 13 Dec 3nd Sun Advent / Year C

6.00pm 9.00am 11.00am 5.00pm

Lectors Marie Birkensleigh Mary Devlin Michael Heffernan Isabelle McConnell

Special Ministers Volunteers Sherrill Hansen / John Mason Jenny Reiche Mary Callea

Altar Servers Reese & Aidan Lani & Eden Lauren & Sarah

Children’s Liturgy

Data Projector Powers Dials Choir Volunteer

Counters M Phipps, P Rodis & M Malone

Readings First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18 Psalm: Is 12: 2-6 “Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7 Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18