“He was lost and has been found.”

Luke 15:32

From the Gospel of the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C.

Dear Families,

I was fortunate to attend the principal’s retreat recently and the theme over the two days was compassion. This week’s Gospel is the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father shows compassion when his son returns after being lost.  In order to show compassion we need to be compassionate with ourselves first and foremost. The last few years have been very challenging and continue to challenge us with uncertainty. In order to be the best version of ourselves we need to prioritise and ensure we have a good work life balance. When we do this we are modelling for our children what this looks like.

On Friday Year 6 will participate in Activate Fire run by the Diocesian Youth Ministry team. We welcome the Year 6 staff and students from St Anthony’s Picton, St Michael’s Mittagong and St Thomas Aquinas Bowral. This program supports the children as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We pray they will be inspired by the Spirit and energised by the opportunity to come together. Confirmation is on 15 September, 7pm in the school Hall. We welcome Bishop Brian Mascord to celebrate this important sacrament with our students.

Memorial Mass for Don O’Brien

As we were unable to gather physically to celebrate Don's life a year ago, there will be a memorial mass  held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2 Bendooley Street, Bowral on Tuesday 13 September at 5:30 pm.

The RSVP for the gathering after the mass was due yesterday, (see compass), however there is no need to RSVP for the mass. All families are welcome to attend.

RU OK? Day

RU OK? Day is on Thursday. Now more than ever it is vital that we check in on each other regularly. RU OK? Day is a great way to remind us how to engage in a simple conversation that can save a life. You can access resources via the RU OK? Day website.

It is not our job to solve another person’s problems or issues, it is our job to just be there and provide support if we can. We are seeing a rise in wellbeing issues in society and it is vital that we first and foremost look after ourselves. If I use the safety scenario on the plane. You put your oxygen mask on before you help others. The same applies to wellbeing. You must look after yourself before you can look after others. This is the main focus of our school rule Respect Myself. When I am truly respecting myself I am putting measures in place to make sure that I am being the best version of myself. This means attending to my wellbeing. As adults we need to model this for our children so they can see the importance of this. This is why as a staff we have been focusing on Social and Emotional Learning for ourselves this year. If we are to teach and model SEL skills for the children then we need to have an understanding of our own SEL skills. Sometimes as adults it can be challenging to accept that we are the ones that need to change our behaviour to make a situation better for our children.  Social and emotional learning is not easy but the more you learn about it the more you see the impact it has on your own life and those around you. If anyone would like to learn more about Social and Emotional Learning you can find out at the CASEL website.

NAPLAN 2022

The NAPLAN results were sent home last week with the Year 3 and 5 students. NAPLAN is a point in time series of online tests that allow us to see how the students are tracking in Year 3 and Year 5. It allows us to look at growth over time as a school and for the students  between Year 3 and Year 5. Unfortunately because our Year 5 students did not sit the NAPLAN tests in 2020 we are not able to see their growth from Year 3 at this time. NAPLAN is just one source of data that we use as a school that assists in targeting areas we elect to focus on in developing our pedagogical practices and improving learning outcomes. If you would like to discuss your child's NAPLAN results then please make an appointment with the class teacher at a mutually convenient time. 

October is World Mission Month

Next week I will be taking the school captains to the Diocesian World Mission Month launch at Ruse. If you would like to learn more about Socktober 2022 you can access it via this link.

Uniform Rules Regarding Hair

It is a requirement that hair be tidy, tied back if long and off the student’s face. This includes boys and girls. Short haircuts that include a line is acceptable, however I ask that parents and carers refrain from allowing their children to have patterns cut into their hair styles. Styles of this nature can be saved for the holiday period. Hair accessories are required to match the uniform colours. Thank you for your support of this.

Personal Planning Meetings

These will be held in Week 9 and 10. Please look out for the link on your compass home page to book a meeting time. Due to the number of meetings we are not able to hold them outside of school hours. We appreciate this can be challenging for families. We thank you in advance for supporting us in booking a time during school hours.

Working Bee Thank You

A big thank you to those who assisted at the working bee making resources for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.

Thank you to the P&F

Father’s Day

I hope all our Dads and Grandads had a lovely Father’s Day and enjoyed time with your families. Thank you to the parents who organised and provided the Father’s Day stall for the children to be able to go shopping.

Fundraising and Community Building Events

The P&F are well on their way to reaching some fundraising goals. They have nearly enough money to purchase two buddy chairs and they have now been successful in receiving a grant from BCDU to redevelop the prayer garden. This is a wonderful achievement and has not been possible without the hard work and dedication of the P&F team of volunteers. Thank you to all the people who  have in some way no matter how small contributed to the fundraising efforts and community building events that the P&F have run this year so far or are running in the future. I am looking forward to the movie night. To end the term the P&F will run a Crazy Hair Day on the last day of term.  If you would like to contribute it will be a gold coin donation. The funds raised on this day will go towards the buddie chairs.

God Bless,

Learning technologies resources are available to all St Paul’s students to facilitate learning. They play a key role in your child’s education and are a powerful tool when used correctly. Here are some points of interest to help with discussions around using technology at school and at home for school related learning.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

Treat computers, iPads and other digital devices with care at all times. This includes:

- keeping iPads in their cases at all times.

- storing iPads in a safe and secure manner when not in use.

- not having food or drink whilst using a device.

- not using technology during wet weather, lunch, recess or without permission from the

teacher.

- users taking care of iPad while it is in their school bag.

- users not taking their iPad out on bus lines or on the bus.

- understanding that vandalism or any attempt to harm or destroy equipment or the data

of others will result in cancellation of user rights.

- agreeing that the technology provided by the school and 1:1 program is for learning

purposes only.

- not deleting school based work, change device settings, delete or upload programs onto

devices without permission from a teacher.

- understanding that teachers may check computers, iPads and other devices at any time.

- users bringing their iPad fully charged every day with a set of ear or head phones.

- users being aware that in the case of misuse iPads can be confiscated.

BE RESPECTFUL

use the internet or email appropriately as a respectful digital citizen. This includes:

- not using digital technology to harass or bully another student.

- not playing, sharing or viewing content that is inappropriate.

- informing my teacher if I come across material that is inappropriate.

- protecting my own or other people’s personal information over the Internet, including last name, address or telephone number.

- not sharing my password with other students.

- accessing only areas of the computer or network that are related to learning.

- not take or upload images of students, parents or teachers without their permission.

- not using school email account or message apps for non-school related emailing group messaging, including emailing parents or friends during the school day.

- not joining social media until I am the legal age required by the platform.

Thank you,

Confirmation

The final class will be held this Sunday 11th, beginning at 9:00 am sharp. Please let me know if you are unable to attend. Following Mass, there will be a rehearsal in the hall. Please bring in the Saint posters.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Thursday 15th September 7pm. Please arrive by 6:40.

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. Students will still need to bring in their morning tea, drink bottles and hats. Sports uniforms are to be worn.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

LEAVE FOR STUDENTS

If a student is going on leave for 10 days or more, parents will need to apply in writing and in advance for this leave.

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.

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 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.

BOOK CLUB

The book club catalogues were sent home a couple of weeks ago. The cut off date for orders is TODAY - Wednesday 7th September.  Please have your orders in by the end of TODAY.

During Week 6, Matthew Holmes and his family travelled to Brisbane for the National Swimming Championships. 

Matthew is an avid swimmer and has gone from competing in the school swimming carnival, the Diocesan competitions, Mackillop swimming championships, then onto State, and now National Championships.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 6

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 6

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 6

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 7

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 7

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 7

Our wonderful Kindergarten students will be performing at this year's Tulip Festival in Bowral. 

Our appearance date and time are as follows;

Saturday 24^th September 9.30am – 10am  - please mark this in you calendar. (This is the first Saturday of the school holidays).
 
Provisions have been made for a separate entrance for performers on Bendooley Street.
 
Please note for family and friends to attend as part of the audience, they will need to register for tickets and enter through the main gate. - please do this ASAP!

See the link to book tickets https://www.visitsouthernhighlands.com.au/general-admission-tickets-tulip-time-2022/

Please book tickets (they are free to all Wingecarribee residents) as they are you ticket to see your child perform.

I will send more details closer to the event - but for now - please book yourself some tickets!

Thanks for your support, 

Mrs Tania Calla- Hunstone

Please see below the calendar overview for Term 3 2022:

SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS

https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/holiday-break-camps

ST PAULS INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE FESTIVAL

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - FREE FAMILY FUN AT PARLIAMENT OF NSW

AUSTRALIAN PARENTS NEWSLETTER

HEALTHY FAMILY BULLETIN

September_2022_Healthy_Family_Bulletin.pdf

September_2022_Healthy_Family_Bulletin _pdf 3.05 MB

CYBERBULLYING AND ONLINE DRAMA WEBINAR

Cyberbullying_and_Online_Drama_CCSP_Webinar.pdf

Cyberbullying_and_Online_Drama_CCSP_Webinar _pdf 124.78 KB

MITTAGONG SWIMMING CLUB

Mittagong_Swimming_Club_School_Newsletter_Information.docx.pdf

Mittagong_Swimming_Club_School_Newsletter_Information _docx _pdf 649.54 KB

WOLLONGONG COMMUNITY RIDE