St. Edmunds Newsletter – December 2025
As we enter the sacred season of Advent on Sunday, November 30, we are invited once again into a time of hope, reflection, and joyful anticipation. Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, to slow down amidst the busyness of December, and to center our days on the promise of God’s love made visible in the birth of Jesus. May this season encourage us to share our blessings generously, to practice kindness with renewed intention, and to embrace the peace that Christ offers to each of us.
I am continually inspired by the devotion of our staff and the support of our parents who entrust us with their children’s Catholic education. Choosing a Catholic school is a profound commitment to nurturing both faith and intellect, and I am deeply proud of the high standards and strong values that define our community at St. Edmund’s. Together, grounded in Christ’s teachings, we are shaping an environment where children grow in wisdom, character, and compassion.
On behalf of the entire staff, I extend heartfelt wishes for a blessed Advent season to you and your families. May these weeks of preparation fill your homes with faith, hope, love, and a joyful readiness for the celebration of Christmas.
Christmas Festivities
Confessions: When we receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, we show our desire to welcome the Lord with purified hearts.
- Grades 3 – 7 School students on Wednesday, December 3rd after our Whole School Mass
- Parish Penitential Services: Wednesday December 17, 7:00 pm
Spreading Christmas Cheer with Student Council!
Our wonderful Student Council is helping build community through acts of charity this holiday season! They have organized a special week of giving and Christmas spirit during the last week of school before Christmas Break, December 15–19.
We are inviting each class to contribute items to support families in need:
- Kindergarten: quinoa, lentils, couscous, barley
- Grade 1: juice, juice boxes, fruit cups
- Grade 2: peanut butter, tuna cans
- Grade 3: oatmeal, rolled oats, crackers, pasta
- Grade 4: boxed stuffing, rice
- Grade 5: coffee, tea, hot chocolate
- Grade 6: dry and canned beans, canned fruit
- Grade 7: dry and canned soups, soup broths
Please bring 2 items per student to help make this holiday season brighter for our community families.
In addition, we will celebrate a Christmas Spirit Dress-Down Week with the following daily themes:
- Monday: Christmas Hat Day
- Tuesday: “Frosty Day” – Blue and White colours and a toque
- Wednesday: Concert Costume (Dress Rehearsal Day)
- Thursday: Christmas Sweater Day
- Friday: Red and Green Day (early dismissal at noon)
Let’s come together to spread joy, generosity, and school spirit this holiday season!
Our TBIRD Choir practices take place on Wednesdays at lunch hour. Preparations are well under way for the December 10th presentation at ICBC. Thank you to Ms. Maryna for all your dedication in preparing the choir while also preparing all our students for our annual Christmas Concert…which now leads us to…
Christmas Concert:
Two of the most beloved institutions from our past and present finally meet in an epic crossover event! The quirky but lovable cast of the “Peanuts” will celebrate Christmas in the equally quirky and perhaps more lovable community of St. Edmund’s! Prepare to laugh along with Charlie Brown, Lucy Van Pelt and many more of your favourite characters from the Peanuts (est. 1950) as they navigate the halls of venerable St. Edmund’s (est. 1911). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll celebrate Christmas with the entire cast of St. Edmund’s School. Mark the date: December 18th at 7:00 pm!
Dress Rehearsal – Wednesday, December 17th – students will be expected to come in their Christmas Concert costumes. An email will be sent to classes describing the costumes / outfits they will need.
Evening Performance – Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m.
- Doors will open at 6:30 and students are asked to be in their classrooms at 6:40. After the concert, students must be picked up from their classrooms.
- Our PAC will also be accepting canned food donations at the door. Your generosity will help those in our St. Edmund’s community. Thank you so much!
Learning Updates (Report Card Day) – Friday, December 5th
Our teachers value your partnership in your child’s learning and enjoyed meeting many of you during the October conferences. Our first formal written learning update will be sent home this Friday. The report will include descriptive feedback highlighting your child’s strengths, areas for growth, their proficiency level, and goals set by your child in collaboration with the teacher.
The report is yours to keep, but please remember to return the folder next week with your signature on the back to acknowledge your receipt of the learning update
Kindergarten 2026/27:
If you have a child (sibling of a current St. Edmund’s student) born in 2021, please complete the Kindergarten 2026 Survey by Monday, December 1st, 2025. Preference is given to siblings, however due to interest for next year’s Kindergarten, we need to know how many spaces will be available for new families. Failure to complete the survey by the deadline may result in your child being placed on the waitlist for new families.
Safety: Drop-off & Parking Reminders!
Signs are not recommendations but are the regulations!
Thank you to our parent volunteers who show up for crosswalk duty helping our community and especially our kids, safely cross the street.
For all parent/guardian/caregiver drivers…
Obey all parking/drop-off zone signage:
- 6th & Jones Crosswalk – no stopping /parking in front of the crosswalk and up to the parking lot gate.
- Fire Zone in front of the Church entry and in front of the Gym entry on Mahon Street
With Gratitude
- To our grade 6 class for leading us in a reflective and reverent Remembrance Day Prayer Service.
- To our PAC and especially the grade 2 & 6 class parents for all the work they put into our Pancake Breakfast Fundraising event that took place on November 29th with proceeds going towards the artistic, athletic and technological needs of our school.
- Thank you to all our families who continue to support our fundraising efforts which are contributing to purchase resources for our Fine Arts Program, including the rental of equipment for our Christmas Concert! We are grateful for your Purdy’s Chocolate purchases and donations for the Christmas Brunch Fundraiser. You are asked to pick up of your Purdy’s orders on Dec. 8th at 2:30 pm (from gym foyer entrance on Mahon)
12:00 Early Dismissal for the Christmas Holidays – Friday, December 19, 2025
Our school community is getting excited for the upcoming Holiday Concert! The students have been working hard, and we can’t wait for you to see them shine on stage.
To help raise funds for the school and its programs, we will once again be auctioning off the first two front rows of seating. This is a great chance to avoid the rush for seats, enjoy a more relaxed concert experience, and guarantee a fantastic view of your child’s performance.
BIDDING IS NOW OPEN: https://www.32auctions.com/Concert25
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We look forward to celebrating the season together!