“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

Luke 3:4

From the Gospel of the 2nd Sunday of Advent year C

Dear families,

Advent is upon us. This is a time to reflect and prepare for the birth of Jesus and try to not let the business of the Christmas season take us away from what it is truly about. Advent is a time to reflect and prepare. It is where the traditions that we build and develop as a family are born. We are preparing here at school for the handover of our children to their next grade and teacher. It is at this time that we make sure all the details that are important are passed on.  It is a time where we farewell our Year 6 children and welcome our new Year 6 leaders.  As we prepare for the coming of Christ may we be alert.

On Monday the staff gathered to reflect on loss, grief and trauma. This day provided much needed support and guidance for staff in being able to navigate the year that we have had and re-energize them in getting to the end of this year. Thank you for supporting us with this additional pupil free day.

Part of our preparation for the end of the year is to consider staffing allocations. We are now able to announce the following allocations:

Mr Chris Boyd is taking Long Service leave for Terms 1 and 2 of 2022. 

Mari Sullivan has accepted a project officer position in the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong School Improvement Services Primary team for 12 months. I would like to congratulate Mari on this opportunity as she will be working on a team that will be supporting schools directly.

Hayley Barton will be returning from maternity leave. I would like to thank Nez Batshon for stepping in while Hayley was on leave and supporting the office while Mrs Vaughan retired and Mrs Norman began in her new position.

God Bless,

Katie  Browne

Principal

End of Year Assembly and Mass

We will be holding our end of year assembly and Mass on Friday 10 Dec. Due to current restrictions, parents and carers are not able to attend in person. We will arrange for both these events to be recorded. Details on how to watch these events will be provided closer to the event.

Year 6 Farewell Mass and Presentation Evening

Information was sent via compass last Friday about the final Year 6 events. If you did not receive this information please contact the office. Parents and carers are able to attend this event but must be fully vaccinated. If you are not able to attend then please let us know and we will arrange for you to view the event. A reply slip has been sent home this week seeking numbers for catering purposes.

Year 6 Mini Fete

Year 6 will be holding a Mini Fete to raise money for their gift to the school. It will be held on Thursday 2nd December and there will be a $2 entry fee which includes one guess for the number of lollies in a jar plus one turn at each stall. Year 6 have organised a number of stalls such as a bubble station, water pong, target game and a scavenger hunt. Students can also purchase an ice block for 50c. 

K-2 Swimming Program

Due to the current covid restrictions, the K-2 Learn to Swim Safety Program that was due to take place next week at Moss Vale Aquatic Centre will not be taking place.  Parents will be issued with a credit on their account.

Students are to come to school as normal.

InitaLit

InitiaLit is a MultiLit program. MultiLit is a research initiative of Macquarie University.

The research team, led by Professor Kevin Wheldall AM, are researching how best to teach children to read. As a result of their research they have developed a range of programs that support struggling readers and they have branched into providing programs for whole class learning. We have been using their MiniLit, Reading Tutor Program and Reading Tutor Extention program for a number of years with great success.

LOST PROPERTY

We have lots of lost property items that has accummulated over the year, more so during Term 4. It is full of well-loved and near-new jumpers and jackets, lunch boxes, and drink bottles. The clothing range from size 4 to 14. Please check your child’s cupboards and school bag if they are missing anything. If your child is missing anything can you please ask them to check lost property. At the end of the year most of the clothes will be disposed.

Please ensure your child’s name is on their property for easy return if misplaced.

P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) Tuesday 8 February at 7pm & Nomination process.

St Paul’s has a long and proud history of parent and community involvement in the life of the school. The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) is the parent body that facilitates and coordinates this involvement. The work of the P&F is to fundraise in order to support the school and provide much needed resources for all our children to use. All parents of St Paul’s are automatically members of the Parents & Friends Association. You do not need to join or be invited. 

The P&F meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the school staffroom or school hall for one hour.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the P&F will be held on Tuesday 8 February at 7:00 pm in the school hall.  Attached to this newsletter is a nomination form for the executive positions within the P&F. If you would like to nominate someone for these positions, please write the person’s name and indicate the position (or positions) for which you wish to nominate them. As a courtesy, please let the person you are nominating know that you are doing so. All nominations will be seconded at the AGM. Place the nomination form in a sealed envelope addressed to the Principal and return it to the school office before Monday 7 February 2022.

MEDICAL UPDATES

At the conclusion of the school year, all medication and medical plans will be sent home with the students along with a Consent to Dispense Medication Form for 2022.  Please ensure that your child’s medical plan and medication are updated for 2022 and sent to the office at the start of the school year in 2022 along with the completed form.

COMPASS ACCESS - DOWNLOAD SCHOOL REPORTS

For any families who are leaving the school at the end of the year, please download your child’s report when they are issued as you will no longer have access to Compass from 18^th December 2021.

Congratulations to these students who achieved a Merit Award at last week's assembly:

Congratulations to these students who received a Mission Star Award at last week's assembly:

Tuesday 7^th December 2021

Corbett Plaza - Bowral

The first of the tree lighting ceremonies will be held from 4.30 pm on Tuesday 7 December in Bowral’s Corbett Plaza. Celebrations will feature live entertainment and children’s activities, including face painting and balloon contortions. Highlands FM Radio host Adam Stokeld will MC the event, including appearances from Santa and local musician Harrison Graham, and will be incorporated with the festival of lights ‘Christmas Wonderland’ in Corbett Gardens.   

Thursday 9^th December 2021 

Civic Centre – Moss Vale

Our MC is local business owner Glenn Wallace, owner/operator of Birch Store and Birch Restaurant, will welcome Mr & Mrs Claus to the tree lighting ceremony at the Civic Centre, Moss Vale. Again, kicking off at 4.30pm, there will be entertainment from local musicians Jess Howell and Harrison Graham, as well as puppets from the Sydney Puppet Theatre and balloonist extraordinaire by Martha Montoya.

Friday 10^th December 2021 - St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School have been invited to this event.

Christmas Festival of Lights @ Mittagong

Destination Southern Highlands – Welcome Centre

Mark Wilson (Shaggy Cow) will host festivities at Destination Southern Highlands’ Welcome Centre from 4.30pm, with local musicians Jess Howell and Harrison Graham setting a festive scene to be visited by Santa Claus, whilst Stah, from Zero Central Circus will wow on stilts!

Events Calendar (Covid Permitting) 2021