I recently had the pleasure to listen to a group of grade five children who presented a speech to their teachers and peers about why they would be a suitable candidate to be school captain. All the speeches showed a lot of thought and preparation had gone into them and they were of a very high standard. Whilst only some children can be chosen to do this role there are other opportunities for student leadership at St Michael’s including House Captain, Environmental Team and Student Leadership committee and I encourage those who missed out a school captain role to consider nominating for one of these roles. 

I am pleased to say that the following students have been chosen to be the 2024 school captains:

• Tommy Denyer
• Clementine Reid
• Olivia Uren
• Leila Howell

Congratulations to them and I look forward to working with them next year.

I would also like to congratulate this year’s school and house captains on their work this year. You have all been outstanding representatives of St Michael’s this year.

Lego Donations

Next year, we are introducing a new specialist subject, STEM. All grades will participate in STEM and we are on the hunt for lots of different materials to help stock our STEM classroom. In particular, we would love if you were able to donate any Lego (not duplo) that you no longer use at home. We thought that it might be a timely request, as many families are cleaning out items before Christmas hits. We thank you in anticipation! 

Advent

This coming weekend is the Second Sunday of Advent, where we are given the person of St. John the Baptist to ponder.  What a gift he is!  Jesus Himself stated that “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).  What a compliment!

What is it that made John so great?  We can point to two things in particular.  The first has to do with his calling and the second has to do with his virtue.

First of all, John was great because he was the transition from the Old Testament Prophets to the New Testament.  He was the bridge that prepared for the new life to come.  His unique mission makes him truly great.

But John was great not only because of his unique calling, he was also great because of the virtue he had in his life.  And it is this gift that is worth pondering for our own inspiration more than any other.

The particular virtue that John had was that of humility.  He saw himself as nothing other than a “voice of one crying out in the desert.”  And the Word he spoke was Jesus. 

John acknowledged that he was not even worthy to stoop down and untie the sandal straps of Jesus (Mark 1:7).   John was not in it for praise and honor; rather, his mission was to point everyone to the Savior of the world.  He could have sought the honor and praise of many and he would have certainly received it.  They may have even made him king.  But John was more than willing to fulfill his mission and then submit himself to the cruel sword of his executioner.  His humility was such that he was focused only on Jesus and desired only to point to Him. (https://mycatholic.life)

Lord, thank You for the gift of St. John the Baptist.  May his witness of humility inspire me in my Christian walk.  Help me, Lord, to always point others to You rather than to myself.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Kind regards

Jodie