This will be the last edition of the Inside Out for 2020. It has been an interesting year which has seen us as a College community adjust and review much of what we do to accommodate the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic year. I would like to extend my thanks to you for your support and assistance over the year as you have worked with us to ensure the best is always available for the girls.

This week we met with the Members of the Company and the Board Directors to review the year and discuss the budget for 2021. As a non systemic Catholic College, these are the people who hold responsibility for the governance of our College. With them, we remain authentic in our commitment to the charism of  Good Samaritan Education evident across the network of Good Samaritan Colleges along the east coast of Australia. I am pleased to share with you their expressions of gratitude and thanks for the work of the College staff and the Board. They extend to all our families a warm and holy Christmas and a relaxing break over the season.

We were delighted to learn this week that the History Club has won another award for their work. It was announced by the Minister of Veterans' Affairs in Canberra, that St Patrick's History Club was awarded a special award in the Anzac Day Schools' Awards for best "'Innovative Commemoration'' in an Australian school. It comes with some prize money.

The focus of their application had to be on World War II and its impact on Australians. Our girls interviewed and worked with Bert Collins our 104 year old veteran, looked at the life of Nurse Haultain of Ingleburn who was killed in WW2 and also researched their own family members.

The description of the award is:  Award for Innovative Commemoration - Original and creative learning activities which engage students with veterans and/or current serving members of the ADF.

With the splash of Jacaranda mauve across our communities we know we are well into Advent. This is a season of preparation for the birth of our Lord. Whilst we can be drawn into the busyness of Christmas shopping and preparations for meals and festivities, we can sometimes lose sight of the fact that it is the birth of our Lord and saviour that is the real joy of this season. We look for the small moments of joy and kindness in the way people interact with each other, show compassion and empathy for our neighbour and extend some support and assistance to those in need. Here we witness the magic of Christmas. May you have a beautiful Christmas with family and friends and may the joy of the season find its way into your lives and households during this season.

I will leave you with a Christmas blessing.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Come Christmas God,
Christ-child of Bethlehem
Spirit of wonder,
Be born in us and your world
once more
that joy may be shared
peace proclaimed
and love abound.

(extract from Come Christmas God, by Kate McIlhagga)