Dear Families,

Last night we celebrated the Graduation of our 2020 Year 6 Class.  It was a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate this lovely group and we wish them every success for the future.

Last week we shared the 2021 staffing structure.  As is typical with a new school year, the excitement of new opportunities is measured with the sadness of saying goodbye to not only students but staff.  Noreen, Holly, Jess and Christine leave us for a variety of opportunities and we thank them for their contributions to our school.  In particular we say farewell to Noreen who retires after 25 years at Lumen Christi as well as Holly who takes up an exciting role in contributing as a founding staff member of St.Angela's in Warragul.

This week we had the opportunity to offer our students a transition day when they had time in their new 2021 rooms.  We also had a few of the new staff visit on the day, either physically or via video conferencing.  It was such a positive experience with both the staff and students optimistic about 2021.

Can I take this opportunity to thank all the families and friends who have contributed across this school year in different ways. In 2020 being a parent of school aged children took on a new look and although it was certainly challenging, I hope you all have a greater insight into your child as a learner.  I look forward to working with you all again in the new year and during 2021 I am hoping to reach out more to the parent group to harness your interest and skills.

Thanks to the staff of the school who do their jobs so well and I am grateful for their contributions and what they have offered our school community.  As I have mentioned previously, I am fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated staff who embrace every challenge of their role.

To the students of the school, I offer a sincere thank you.  I truly have a wonderful job and the interactions I have with you all gives me great satisfaction and in my visits to your classes I am constantly impressed with your achievements.  2020 will certainly be a story that they will tell their grand kids. To our outgoing student leaders a special thank you, and to the newly announced 2021 student leadership team a big congratulations on your election.

Can I also take the opportunity to mention two events for next week that we warmly invite families to attend.

JUNIOR NATIVITY PLAY: To be held on the monring of MONDAY 14th December.  This event is outside, visitors are asked to please bring a chair with them.  We will start once the students have unpacked, got into costume and are ready to perform.

END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY & CAROLS PERFORMANCE: To be held TUESDAY 15th December, and again will start everyone is here and ready to go.  At this gathering we will take the opportunity to say goodbye to staff that are leaving our school this year. This event is also outside, again it is BYO chair.

2020 has seen us collectively as a school community work diligently to achieve strong outcomes for our children, and it is through this continued shared approach that our school will continue to go from strength to strength - So in 2021 it looks like we will be busy so enjoy a good rest over summer!

ICY-POLES: With the warm weather next week the 2021 School Captains will be selling icy-Poles for 50cents.  If the weather heats up we may decide to sell at both recess and lunch so maybe throw a few coins into the school bags!

I wish everyone a joyous and exciting Christmas.  Stay safe and enjoy the break.

Dave