St John the Evangelist Catholic High School Nowra
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31 John Purcell Way
Nowra NSW 2541
Subscribe: https://sjedow.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 4423 1666

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

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37th ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II ABORIGINAL ADDRESS

November 27 has been set aside as a National Day of Celebration in recognition of Pope JPII’s address to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people on 29 November, 1986 in Alice Springs. As he spoke the wind arrived and whipped some of the red earth through the crowd and it seemed like the Holy Spirit was present.

“You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others”.

This day was significant for the Catholic ministries working in AITSL communities amongst the 120,000 Catholic Indigenous peoples. We recognise our co0nnection at St John’s with Catholic Mission and the immersion groups that they organise for us to Darwin and the Northern Territory and their continuing work with indigenous communities.

END OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR

On Sunday 26 November we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. This also signifies the end of the Liturgical year and the commencement of the next liturgical year. This also commences the Holy Season of Advent the following Sunday, 3 December. This is a time of waiting and hope in preparation for the coming of the saviour, the birth of Jesus. To mark this occasion many Parishes and schools will prepare an Advent wreath.

This is made up of a circle of evergreen leaves and branches with four candles. The candles are white or purple and some customs have a pink candle for the third Sunday. A fifth candle, the Christ candle is placed in the centre.

On the first Sunday of Advent one candle is lit, on the second two and so on. The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve. The circle symbolises God’s everlasting love for us. Evergreen plants are also a symbol of endless life. Lighting an increasing number of candles represent the ever-increasing light of Christ as we move towards Christmas, where Jesus comes into the world for us.

I would ask all families to engage in the Advent activities in your local Church and encourage the students to explore the significance of this time of year.

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ST MARY'S OUTDOOR LEARNING & HEALING SPACE

I had the pleasure of being invited to the opening of this area. As all would know the devastating bushfires of January 2020 caused significant damage to the school in Milton.  As the fire raged at the fence line and pushed into the school grounds it was thankfully stopped by determined volunteer firefighters with local support.
Although devastating at the time, Principal Laurinda Nelson spoke beautifully of how the community has come together in the aftermath to learn many lessons and blessings.
The new facility is top of the range and will provide learning and joy for the community for years to come. 

YEAR 12 GRADUATION DINNER

On Wednesday 8 November we celebrated the final Year 12 event with the Graduation Dinner. After the difficulties of covid and the associated restrictions, we took the event offsite to Figbird Cottage in Terara.

It was a magic night – despite some rain. After the rain the sun shone brightly and the dance floor was filled. A fitting event for Mrs Kelly as she has invested six years with these students on their journey into adulthood. We wish all students well as they commence the journey beyond school.

Mr Wayne Marshall

Principal