“I have come not to give peace, but discord.”

Luke 12:49-53

From the Gospel of the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C.

Dear families,

The above quote seems a contradiction to everything we learn about Jesus. However this passage is challenging us to think about what is important and that when we choose to stand up to disrespect or inappropriate behaviour we may indeed cause division. In doing so we are showing that we are followers of Jesus.

In the current climate of social media where anything seems to go the challenge is even greater. Saying what we like and hiding behind an avatar or a social media handle is much easier than saying it to another person in real life. As parents and carers the challenge is to stay on top of what our children are being exposed to. If you would like further information on how you can monitor and manage your children's social  media accounts go to the esafety commissioner website which is constantly being updated with the latest advice and information. Social media can have great benefits but it can also have very negative consequences and our children need support in being able to tell the difference and know what is ok and what is not. Just as we teach children about road safety and safety around their bodies we need to teach them how to be safe online and constantly check in to support them with this.

The school-managed iPads mean students cannot access the social media apps that many are using, however children who are accessing other devices at home can set up chat groups and join social media sites if you have not set restrictions. It is highly encouraged that any child who is accessing other devices and conversing with other people have their accounts joined to yours so you can also see what they are saying and being exposed to. It is part of the curriculum that we teach cyber safety skills and digital citizenship to the students however with an ever changing platform it is vital the conversation be ongoing and often not just from school but at home as well.

Parent Engagement Evening

Thank you to the families and staff who were able to attend the Parent Engagement evening. This evening was a wonderful success and would not have been possible without the support of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong staff who came along. The feedback from those who attended the meeting was overwhelmingly positive and we thank you for  providing such supportive responses. For those who were unable to attend we will be sending home letters that outline the content that is being taught as a part of the PDHPE syllabus. If at any time you have questions about this content please feel free to make  contact with your child’s teacher. We will also be sending home small posts through compass letting you know what content is being taught so you are able to have conversations with your children. These posts will be similar to the SEL focus for the week that is posted each Friday.

Matthew Holmes

We wish Matthew all the best next week as he attends the National Schools Swimming Championships in Brisbane. This is an amazing achievement and we look forward to hearing from Matthew what his experience is like when he returns.

Email and Telephone Communication Expectations

Please be aware that staff are required to be attending to the students during the day and attend meetings afterschool on some days. If you send an email or make a phone call staff will respond however it may take up to 48 hours before you get a response. Staff are not required to contact families or respond to an email or phone call from families after 5pm or before 8am. 

Payment of School Fees

As per the  Diocesan Fee School Policy, all fees are due and payable by the end of the school year i.e. fees are expected to be finalised in full in the year of issue.

For those families who are on an agreement, plan or instalments, please ensure that you are meeting the terms of the agreement.

If any family is having issues, please contact the school to discuss the matter confidentially.

Book Parade Tuesday 16 August at 9:30am

Students are invited to dress up as a book character or according to the Book Week theme “Dreaming with Eyes open.” We will hold the parade at 9:30 am and parents and carers are welcome to attend. If it is a sunny day we will hold  it outside in the court area. If it is wet we will be in the school hall.

Pupil Free Day Friday 19 August

Staff will be undertaking professional learning around writing and assessment.

God Bless,

PB4L (Positive Behaviours for Learning)

Towards the end of Term 2 we introduced a more formal approach to our afternoon dismissal process. We noticed that this had a great impact on our behavioural data being collected at this time and after speaking with some students it seems to have had a positive impact on their wellbeing. We try to focus on student’s organisational skills (checking bags are packed correctly and lining up in the correct space) and on positive aspects of their day, encouraging them to discuss these at home as well as anything else they need to inform you of.

Due to the success of this dismissal, we have now incorporated this approach into our morning routine. Students are greeted by a teacher (often Mrs Browne) over the microphone whilst lining up on the playground. Any messages are passed on and a positive focus on the day is encouraged. Teachers have indicated that the students seem more settled and ready to learn as they enter the classrooms because of this.

I would encourage you to continue to focus on the positive aspects of your child’s day as well as unpacking any issues that may arise. We thank you for your continued support and connection to school through PB4L.

Thank you,

Simon Farrugia

Assistant Principal

Confirmation

Thank you to all of the families who have enrolled in the Confirmation Program for this term. The first class commences this Sunday (14th) at 9:00 am in the school hall.

Classes will be held on the following dates:

9am on Sunday 14th August followed by 10.00 Mass

9am on Sunday 21st August followed by 10.00 Mass

9am on Sunday 28th August followed by 10.00 Mass

9am on Sunday 11th September followed by 10.00 Mass (followed by a practice after Mass)

Attendance of Mass is compulsory (Please note, there will be no class held on Father's Day 4th September).

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Thursday 15th September 7pm

Mary MacKillop

On Monday 8th August, we held a school liturgy to celebrate the feast of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop of the Cross. During the liturgy, staff and students learnt about the life of Saint Mary MacKillop and why she became Australia’s first saint. Through prayer, song and reflection, we are now inspired to follow her example and live out God’s values in our daily lives – helping others in need and setting our hearts on God’s way.

The Assumption

On Monday the 15th August, we will celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary with a whole school Mass. This will take place in the school hall, commencing at 12 midday. All are warmly invited to attend.

Activate Fire

On Friday 9th September, St Paul’s will be hosting an immersive spiritual experience for our Year 6 students, as well as students in Year 6 from St Thomas Aquinas in Bowral, St Michael’s in Mittagong and St Anthony’s in Picton. The day is an Immersive Spiritual Experience based on the Year 6 Confirmation Unit: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy Spirit. St Paul’s is hosting the day with Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong.

The school will be putting on a BBQ lunch for the Year 6 students on this day. If there are any parents who are willing to help cook or prepare/serve the food on this day, please let me know. Exact times to be confirmed in the near future.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

MEDICATION

Only medication that is prescribed by a doctor is permitted to be dispensed at School upon completion of a “Consent to Dispense Medication” form which is available from the office.  The form and the medication are to be given to the office staff in the original packaging with the student’s name and dosage.  We are not permitted to administer Panadol unless prescribed by a doctor and the necessary form completed.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

STAFF PD = PUPIL FREE DAYS

All staff will be undertaking Professional Development on the dates listed below which means that they are Pupil Free Days (the school will not be operating on these days):

Term 3:

Friday 19 August

Term 4:

Monday 10 October

Tuesday 11 October

Tuesday 20 December

CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS

If you change your address, phone number or email, please inform the school office so that we can update our records.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 2

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 2

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 2

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 3

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 3

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 3

Please see below the calendar overview for Term 3 2022:

Term 3 Events

Movie Night - Friday 16th September

We will be holding a movie night on Friday 16th September

Movie: DC league of super pets

Cost: $13 per ticket

Start Time: 5:15pm - we ask that families arrive 15 minutes early so that tickets can be checked and everyone seated.

Our Gold sponsor for the night is spoilt Hairdressing.

And our Silver sponsor PAL media.

More information will be coming home shortly on how to book tickets and pay for tickets.

We will also hold a raffle on the night and raffle tickets will be sent home with the eldest sibling in the coming week.

1st prize is a Family Golfing Package from Moss Vale Golf Club

2nd prize is a Hair Package valued at $300 donated by Spoilt Hairdressing

3rd prize is an Art Package valued at $225 donated by Carmel Slater Art

There are also a number of other prizes consisting of book packages, a handbag, gift cards, etc.

Tickets and more information will be sent home shortly.

Summary of planned events:

If you can Volunteer to assist with any planned events please fill in this google form:

 google link

WATER POLO