Dear Parents,

Yesterday, elections were held for House Captains for 2024. The students that nominated to be a House captain had to speak in front of the rest of their team members outlining why they would be good leaders. Today we announced the successful candidates. They are:

McCarthy House Harry Collins and Annabel Bailey

O’Dwyer House Jesse Gault and Chloe Buck

McGrath HouseDaisy Sullivan and Pippa Smith

Finnegan House Willa Morris and Charlie Maher

We congratulate these students and thank all those who nominated to take on the role of House Captain and understand the disappointment of those who were unsuccessful. There will be numerous opportunities for all students in Year Six to take on informal leadership roles next year.

2024 STAFFING

'It is like a man about to go abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one, each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out on his journey. The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now a long time afterwards, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness." Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said, "you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness." Last came forward the man who had the single talent. "Sir," said he, "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back." But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have got my money back with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."

REFLECTION

This week’s Gospel is the parable of the “talents.” In this story the master of the house is going on a fairly long journey and he wants to safeguard his money while he is away. He gave one servant five talents, the 2nd servant two talents and the 3rd one was given one talent. The master, however, had an unspoken expectation. The master expected these servants to increase the amount of his money while he was gone.

The first servant and the second servant did what the master expected. They took the money and invested it. These investments increased the master’s money significantly. The increase varied but the master was extremely pleased with these servants. They had been excellent stewards of his resources.

The third servant, however, was a fearful person. He knew his master could be harsh at times. This servant decided that he simply would keep the master’s money safe. He buried the money in the ground and then waited for the master to return.

When the master finally did return, naturally he asked the servants for an accounting. Each servant came and reported what they had done with his money. The master was very pleased with the first 2 servants. Their investments had made him more money. However, the master was not pleased with the 3rd servant. Yes, the man kept his money safe, but the master had expected him to use it well and increase the amount of money — at least to some degree. Burying the money in the ground kept it safe but the master expected more.

How do we steward the resources that God has given us? Do we use them well and invest them wisely? Do we share them with others? Or do we hide them or dismiss them as insignificant? All our resources are given to us to share with others and the world. Do we believe that the resources or gifts we have are “good enough?” I pray we do!

We may believe that our resources are insignificant instead of using our gifts and resources. Do we use them for God, for others? (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

PRAYER SERVICE AND MASS

Thanks to Year 3 for their lovely prayer service celebrating The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary last Monday. Thanks to all families who were also able to come along on Tuesday and celebrate mass with us. It was a lovely celebration with Hennessy College and our Parish remembering all the great work the Presentation Sisters do.

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL

For many families in Young, the festive season will be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Because this year, Christmas is something they simply can’t afford, especially given they  can’t even afford to put food on the table each day. 

We can help!

Each classroom has a basket to collect non-perishable food donations. If you are able to add an extra item of food to your shopping cart each week, it could make a huge difference for our local community. Please ensure that the food items have an expiry date into 2024 and are non-perishable. That means things like canned food, jars of food, pasta, long-life milk are all welcome. And let’s not forget our furry friends either if you have some spare pet food. Vinnies have requested that we don’t donate toys.

We will take all donations to Vinnies on Friday December 1st so please join us in making this a memorable Christmas for our Young community!

GRADUATION MASS

On Thursday, 7th December, all students will be attending our Graduation Mass at St Mary’s Church at 9am. We ask that all students be dropped off at the church no later than 8:50am. Students who usually catch the bus are to exit at Hennessy. Teacher supervision will be provided from 8:30am outside the Parish Centre. All students will walk back to school following the award ceremony following the mass to commence their regular school day. We welcome all members of our community to join us for this special congratulating our Year 6 students on reaching a milestone in their education journey.

God Bless,

Warren Ziebowski

(Religious Education Coordinator)

Archdiocesan Touch Trials 

We wish Kynan Burgess, Jesse Gault, Nixon Gault, Daisy Sullivan & Molly Manchester the very best of luck today as they compete for selection in the 2024 Archdiocesan Touch Football Team in Lyneham today. Hopefully the weather holds out! We look forward to hearing all about your experiences!

We are busy in the planning stages of the excursions for 2024 and are excited to announce that we have finalised the Year 5 & Year 6 excursions.

Our Year 6 students will be heading to the Sydney Sports Academy in Narrabeen from Monday 26/02 to Wednesday 28/02. This is one of the many opportunities that will develop the student’s leadership skills. The excursion has been sent out via COMPASS and parents are encouraged to use the payment plan option to help manage the cost of this excursion.

The Year 5 students will head to Bathurst on Monday 25/03 for an overnight excursion. The students will have the opportunity to explore and learn about Gold as a part of their Gold Unit of work. This excursion will be available in COMPASS in the first week back in Term 1. A payment plan will be available for this excursion.

Photos and the video can be purchased via the secure picture link below. These will be available for purchace till the end of the Term.

Prices are as follows: 

Video Download - $15.00 ( If you prefer send a USB in to the front office with your $15 and we can transfer it on for you.) 

Digital photo download -  $ 6.00 copies each or $15.00 for all photos.

Photo Prints - starting at $4.00                                                               

Print Packages - $20.00 - 2x (5x7) + 1x (8x10)