Those who let themselves be led by the Holy Spirit bring new life to birth all around them.

Pope Francis

Dear Families,

Another year draws to a close. This year has proven to be a productive year for St Paul’s. The Cyclic Inquiry process was a joyful celebration of where the school has come and where we need to go. As a community we have a lot to be proud of and to look forward to over the next four years. I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your commitment and dedication towards our community. As we work towards bringing our vision to life which is to create a faithful, compassionate community that aspires to lifelong learning I am sure we will see a deepening of our faith and stronger community connections where all feel welcomed and included.

I would like to wish all our families a holy, safe and happy Christmas. During this time of Advent I wish you well in preparing for the holidays season and connecting with your loved ones. Thank you for your support and may the birth of Christ bring joy and blessing upon you all.

Thank you and God Bless,

Staffing for 2024

On Thursday 14 December we will be saying farewell to some staff and welcoming some new staff in 2024. There are still a few positions to be finalised and they will be announced at the beginning of 2024.

Principal - Mrs Katie Browne

Assistant Principal - Simon Farrugia

Religious Education Coordinator - Catherine duBois

The grade teachers for 2024 are as follows:

Kindergarten - Mrs Tania Calla-Hunstone

Year 1 - Mrs Joanne Cutler

Year 2 - Mrs Jocelyn Ponticello and Mrs Louise Cassidy

Year 3/4 Blue - Ms Catherine duBois, REC relief still to be confirmed

Year 3/4 White - Mrs Angela Despotovic

Year 5 - Mrs Rachelle Adams

Year 6 - Mrs Jacinta McAndrew and Mr Simon Farrugia

Library/STEM/Music - Mrs Jo Smith

Learning Support - Mrs Margaret Burton and Mrs Mary Lou Claremont

Office

Senior School Support Officer - Mrs Eileen Norman

School Support Officer Administration - Mrs Hayley Barton

School Support Officers Classroom

Mrs Maria Cervonaro

Mrs Michelle Gillespie

Mrs Helen Gorton

Mrs Jodie Illiani

Mrs Yvonne Kiah is taking 12 months Long Service Leave. We wish Yvonne all the best for her well earned leave. Mrs Raelene Rolwand has decided to pursue work closer to home and Mrs Lisa Evans will be moving out of the area for a sea change. We will farewell Raelene and Lisa at our End of Year Mass. 

We welcome Angela Despotovic who is an experienced teacher coming from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Bulli and Jacinta McAndrew who has been working as a casual for the last few years in a range of schools in the area. Please join me in making them feel welcome.

School Leaders

Over the next two weeks we will go through the process of electing our school leaders for 2024 and awarding all of Year 5 with the leadership badges. It is necessary that we be sensitive to the feelings of the students at this time and we remember that critiquing the chosen students is unhelpful and against the parent-school partnership framework. Putting your name forward for a position comes with a lot of emotion. For those who are selected it is a time to be grateful for the opportunity and for those who miss out on an executive role it is a time to remember that you can still shine as a leader. The community is reminded to be mindful of the comments made and to respect the school process behind this.

Leave

Mrs Browne will be on leave from midday Thursday 14 Dec and Friday 15 Dec. Mr Farrugia will be acting Principal during this time.

Thank you and God Bless,

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

School Dates

School concludes for 2023 for students on Friday 15 December 2023

2024 Dates

Term 1 = 1 February – 12 April

Thursday 1 February for Year 1 – 6

Kindergarten 2024 will have Best Start Interviews from 1 – 7 February 2024.  Kindergarten’s first full day will be 8 February.

2 April will be a Pupil Free Day – Staff Spirituality Day

Term 2 = 30 April – 5 July

29 April is a pupil free day and staff have a Professional Development Day

11 June is a pupil free day and staff have a Professional Development Day

Term 3 = 23 July – 27 September

22 July is a pupil free day and staff have a Professional Development Day

Term 4 = 15 October – 19 December

14 October is a pupil free day and staff have a Professional Development Day

20 December is a pupil free day and staff have a Professional Development Day

Thank you

A huge thank you to the school community for their support for the following:

Christmas Raffle

Parish Raffle

Vinnies Christmas Hamper donations

Your generosity in supporting all these causes has been overwhelming and we thank you.

Events

K-2 Learn to Swim program will run from 4 – 7 December.

Tuesday 12^th December will see the Promotions afternoon taking place where all the students move up a year level

Wednesday 13^th December Yr 6 Mass and Supper 6-8pm, Yr 5 students and parents assisting

Thursday 14^th December End of Year Assembly 9:30am following by Volunteers Morning Tea and End of Year Mass 12 noon

Friday 15^th December – Yr 6 Pool Day – Term 4 concludes with Final Clap Out of Yr 6

School Fees

School fees for 2023 are required to be paid in full by 9 December.

If a family would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024, please get a form from the office.

Year 6 Mass and Supper 6-8pm 13th December

For catering purposes please RSVP with numbers and dietary issues.  For Year 5 parents and students who can assist, please let the office know.

Year 5 parents and students assisting with Yr 6 Supper 6-8pm

End of Year Assembly on Thursday 14th December

In School hall from 9:30-10:30am

End of Year School Mass on Thursday 14th December

In School hall from 12 noon - 1pm

Year 6 Pool Fun Day 15th December

Consent to be given via the Compass App.  Bus departing at 9am and returning by 2:30pm.

Students are required to: 

• Wear their sport uniform 

• Students must have their swimmers/costumes, rash vest 

• Supply their own carry bag for swimming items 

• Bring a towel and underwear to change into after swimming and something warm in case it is cold 

• Bring any other swimming equipment needed: goggles, rash vest, cap, hat, sun cream 

• Bring enough food and drink for the day. They can bring $5 to spend at the Kiosk.  

School for students concludes on Friday 15th December.

If you have any changes to your address, phone number or email address could you please let the office know.

Withdrawal

If you intend to withdraw your child from the school, the withdrawal form is available from the office.  We currently have a waitlist, so advance notification would be appreciated.

Students who suffer injury at school may be eligible to lodge a claim under a Student Accident policy, in place with Chubb Insurance.

A summary of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's Student Accident Plan can be found in the following Parent brochure: Parent brochure

Both the Student Accident Claim Form and Student Accident Medical Practitioners Statement are required to be fully completed for the successful lodgement of a claim.

• Student Accident Claim Form
• Student Accident Medical Practitioners Statement

You will see from the claim procedures included on the claim form that once downloaded and printed, all documents, including the Claim Form and Medical Practitioners Statement, should be forwarded directly to Chubb Insurance. This will streamline the claim process and alleviate additional administration.

If parents/carers have any questions regarding the policy coverage or the management of a claim, please contact Chubb Insurance, 1300 722 032.

Please note that in relation to coverage, the insurer is not permitted under Australian Law to reimburse medical expenses or any payment ‘gap’ for services which are eligible under Medicare. Only medical expenses that do not fall under Medicare are able to be assessed. All benefits, except for fee relief, are paid directly to the parents of the injured student.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 8

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 8

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 8

Sharing with Others

Relationship Skills

1. Use your manners to ask if you can borrow an item.
2. Let the owner use the item first if they wish.
3. When you get to use it, offer it back to the other person after you have used it.
4. Say thank you for allowing use of the item.

We we have a company called Lunch Bunch Canteens who will be fulfilling our lunch orders each Tuesday and Thursday.

Please find the menu below and how to order details.

Please see below the calendar overview for Term 4 2023:

Southern Highlands Children's Choir

Commencing Term 1 next year

PCYC School Holiday Activities

Catholic Care have group programs to help adults and parents become the best versions of themselves. 

Their range of groups focus on:

• strengthening relationships
• parenting
• post-separation
• supporting parents with children in care
• managing challenging emotions
• grief and loss

Group programs are held in a supportive environment online or in-person at their Nowra, Campbelltown and Wollongong offices, with others who share similar life experiences.

Click below for details:

War on Waste at Empire Cinema

Next week Wednesday on the 6^th of December at 6pm Empire Cinema are screening episode 3, of season 3, War on Waste for FREE.

Craig Reucassel will be there following the screening ready for any questions the community may have for him. Waste is such a big issue for all of us, and in particular the current focus on cheaper clothing being better. This episode looks into fast fashion, and our role in reducing the demand, thus reducing the impact from such purchasing behaviours.

Hosting Craig at the Empire is such a big deal, and an excellent opportunity for staff, students and parents alike to get involved, be inspired and take action.

Healthy Family Bulletin