“If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all. ”

Mark 9:30-37

(From the Gospel of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary time, Year B)

Dear Families,

Jesus was teaching the disciples that the greatest are those who serve all. During this pandemic we are being challenged daily to put our needs before others. When we are feeling challenged, it can be difficult, however our faith in God will carry us through these difficult times. I would like to acknowledge all the people who are serving others in some way every day. This term we have not only had to deal with the pandemic but the loss of our leader. Many people have demonstrated their ability to serve during this time in so many ways. By providing meals, sending messages of condolence, providing food for the staff, supporting each other by offering to do little tasks. As a community we have come together for the greater good. We have revealed mission stars on every level. I hope over the holidays everyone can rest, recuperate and refresh ready for Term 4. 

Next week the recruitment process for the substantive position, Principal of St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School will begin. I appreciate this may be difficult for the community under the circumstances and raise emotions, however it is a necessary part for the school in moving forward in 2022. Don O'Brien has left a lasting impression on the community of St Paul’s and I am sure the qualities he embodied will be considered as necessary qualities in a suitable candidate moving forward. I ask that you join with me in praying for the recruitment team as they make this decision for the benefit of our school community.

Take care and God bless,

Mrs Katie Browne

Acting Principal

Term 4 Plans for Return to School

Please keep a look out for compass notifications towards the end of the school holidays. As soon as we know what will happen next term we'll let you know via Compass. Thank you to all our families for following the Public Health Orders and keeping your children at home and supporting them with their online learning. Thank you to the families who are essential workers and have continued to fill in the form so we can plan for supervision.

Year 5 and 6 Camp

This year our Year 5 and 6 camps will not go ahead at Tallong. The company has canceled all bookings for Term 4. I appreciate this will be disappointing for our students as camp is a great opportunity to farewell primary school for Year 6 and prepare Year 5 for their leadership roles. 

We have been able to secure a one day booking late in Term 4 with Cameron from Explore Discover Act who led a leadership day with Year 6 at the start of the year. This will be dependent on restrictions at the time and the day will be organised to ensure both Year 5 and 6 get a lot out of it. Cameron is an engaging presenter who is highly sought after by schools. We will cover the cost of this day including food from your camp fees and refund the remaining fees once we have finalised the costs. 

Social Media Policy and Learning Technologies

One of the advantages of learning technologies has been the ability to provide students with interactive learning during remote learning. The downside of learning technologies is the access that can occur to undesirable information or social interactions. During remote learning parents and carers are encouraged to monitor their children while using devices to ensure they are being safe and not viewing content that is inappropriate. Teachers check all resources that are submitted online however there are times when security measures allow something through. If you have a concern or come across something that is not appropriate then please raise it with us.

If you would like to read further about tips for parents or how to keep safe online you can look on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website -  iPads in schools. and you can read the Diocesan Social Media Policy.

Transition to School Playgroup

A letter was sent out to our 2022 Kindergarten families consigned by Mr Noel Henry - Head of School Improvement Primary Services Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong this week. Due to restrictions the Transition to School Playgroups have been cancelled. We hope to hold an orientation zoom meeting for our families later in Term 4. Last year the diocese developed an eBook that we were able to personalise for our school. Kindergarten students were able to read the book and become familiar with St Paul’s before beginning this year. We will be offering the same again for our new students and families. We will share the link to the eBook when it is ready.

Personal Planning Meetings

We had hoped to have these meetings at the end of this term however decided to postpone them once the lock down began. We will hold the meetings early in Term 4 even if it means they will be via zoom. Families will be notified early in Term 4 when and how we will meet.

Parent Portal

The St Paul’s Parent Portal is a one stop shop for families. It has links to the class overviews, information about school procedures and links to a variety of online sites that provide a wealth of information for families. Take some time to have a look and feel free to provide some feedback via the feedback form. You can access the portal via this link. Please bookmark it and check in as the class pages will be added to during the year.

Dulcie Ryman

Acting Assistant Principal

FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

On 14 September 2021, we celebrated the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In this feast, we celebrate the cross itself. Exaltation means to raise high, to sing praise to, to lift up. This feast is a reminder whenever you see the cross to exalt, to praise God for loving us so much that God gave God’s only Son, Jesus.

The Crucifixion is the greatest act of love ever known, and for those who look upon the cross with faith, it has the power to transform us. The power to remind us to give ourselves to others.

The cross is a physical reminder of the sacrifice of Christ. In Mark 8:34 Christ invites us, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This scripture is a reminder for Christians to not just wear the cross or even admire it, but to make it the heart of their lives, to serve others and carry on the mission of Jesus as they ‘take up the cross’. The message of the Gospel reminds us that we are called to serve.

The cross is a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. This feast presents us with an opportunity, an invitation to discover love through serving others.  It could be as simple as making regular phone calls to someone who may be lonely during isolation. Perhaps there is someone in our lives we feel God is calling us to forgive. Perhaps we could use some of our own resources to serve, for example mowing an eldery neighbour’s lawn or organising food delivery to a family who may be doing it tough financially.

Let us use this feast as a reminder to live a life of service.

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

1:1 iPad program: Attention Year 2 families.

This week Year 2 Families were sent, via Compass, information about the 1:1 iPad program for 2022. If you did not receive this information then please contact the school. A form will be sent out in Week 1 of Term 4. Please be ready to look at this form to make your selections and secure your order for your child’s iPad for 2022.

ATTENDANCE

On a weekly basis you will receive an email regarding your child’s outstanding/unexplained absences. 

• You can go into compass to your child’s records and update the unexplained absence.
• You can print this and fill in the reason for the absence and return it to the office.
• You can ring the office and the office staff will enter the reason for the absence.

If your child has been absent from school and has had to have a covid test, a copy of the negative result needs to be sent to the school prior to your child returning to class.  This is a requirement from CEDOW.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to those of you who have completed the survey re Sacraments of Initiation requested by Bishop Brian. We are grateful for your valuable contribution. If you have not yet filled in the survey, would it be possible for you to do so as your response will contribute greatly to this project?

You can access the survey via this link here: Sacraments Survey

Every blessing to you and your family.

Sr Monica Barlow rsj

Young Archie Writing Competition

Please read the flyer for more information. You can access further information on the website:

https://southcoastwriters.org/youngarchiewriting

Autism Summit

Parents and Carers of children with Autism are invited to register for a summit beingheld from the 20 - 24 September. The event is free. You can find out more on their website.

2021 Autism Explained Online Summit

Free Fun with the Parliament of NSW

School holiday free fun with the Parliament of NSW on Monday 27 and Wednesday 29 September and Friday 1 October for children up to 12 years. Click on the link below to view the flyer and register online.

BOOK CLUB Issue 6

Scholastic Australia will be allowing families to order from Book Club Issue 6 and have their order delivered straight to their home address for FREE. The home delivery option can be selected by parents at the time of ordering.

Please remember that the school  no longer accepts payments or orders. Payments are placed via scholastic.com.au/LOOP or the LOOP app which can be downloaded.

Here is the link to the Book Club Issue 6 online catalogue.

Book Club Issue 6 Catalogue

School Terms for 2021