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- From the Principal - Mrs Katie Browne
- From the Assistant Principal - Mr Simon Farrugia
- From the REC - Ms Catherine du Bois
- From the School Office
- Calendar Overview
- P&F News
- Canteen for Term 4 - Thursdays only
- Awards
- SEL Focus - Week 5 and 6
- Year 6 Fundraising
- Pastrol Support
- 2025 Term Dates and Pupil Free Days
- Brain Busters
- Swap It
- Community News
Dear Families,
Thank you for your support last week in participating in or preparing your children for the various activities that were on. The book parade was a great celebration of literature and your support of the book parade was exceptional. Dominican family day demonstrated what makes our school so special. The joy in the children's faces of being able to share a picnic with their grandparents or great people and the mass with Fr Richard was a highlight. The parent forum was also another big success. While small in number the parents who attended are to be commended for taking on the task of offering insights into what can make our school an even better place. I am truly grateful to the parents who attended for taking the time out to be there and the staff who were also able to support this process. A google form will be shared for those who could not make it to contribute their thoughts in the coming days. Yesterday’s cultural morning tea was another highlight and the visiting families saw our new bilingual section in the library. Today we had the opportunity to learn about the Torres Strait culture through song and dance from the visiting performance group Wyniss. The children learnt about games that were played before there were toys and shops. Some of these games we still play today. Your children may come home today and ask you what games you played when you were little.
As the school year begins to come to a close it is essential that families continue to be across communications and activities that are on. Next week Years 3 - 6 will be going to Sandon Point for the beach safety program. The Surf Life Saving group will be visiting to teach the children about general beach safety K-6. In Week 8, K-2 have their learn to swim program and in Week 10 we have the end of year events.
As the Christmas season approaches and life becomes busy we pray that we are able to find peace and calm to ensure we can focus on our work and continue to achieve high standards. We pray for the gift of kindness, that we see and acknowledge the little acts of kindness people do for us each day and that we take advantage of opportunities to show kindness to others.
God Bless,
Road Safety
A gentle reminder to please avoid making U-turns in front of the school, as buses are often present. For the safety of all students and everyone else, we ask for your cooperation. Additionally, the little crest outside the school can limit visibility, making it more hazardous. Police do monitor the area and you can be booked for crossing over double lines. Thank you!
Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Day
We are looking forward to our Kindergarten Orientation day on Tuesday 26 Nov from 9 - 11 am. The transition to play program is underway and the children are settling in beautifully as a group. Our current Kindergarten parents are responsible for providing morning tea for the new families on the orientation day. Your class parent reps will be in touch to make arrangements.
Changes to Academic Reports
As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.
The following changes were evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024:
- A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
- All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Extensive
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Elementary
Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers.
We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.
Reports will be accessible on Compass on Friday 13 December from 3 pm. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher you can book a meeting through the office.
End of Year Events
Christmas Carols - Friday 6 December 6pm -7pm
We will be holding Christmas Carols on the school oval weather permitting. Bring a picnic rug or chairs to sit on and join in the Christmas carols. Should it be wet or extremely windy we will hold them in the school hall. All children will be learning some songs to sing during the event. More information to come closer to the event.
Community Christmas Carols - Saturday 14 December
We have been invited to participate in the Community Christmas Carols. The school Choir and any other interested children will sing some songs at this event. More information to come home closer to the event.
Year 6 Farewell Mass and Supper - Tuesday 17 December 6pm
RSVP for additional family members are required by the google form.
End of Year assembly Wednesday 18 December 9:30am
We will hold our annual assembly to celebrate 2024. Some annual awards will be presented and Year 6 will be farewelled.
End of Year Mass Wednesday 18 December 12noon
This is our final school mass for the year. All are welcome.
CDF Sports Awards
The CDF sports awards are an annual event recognising the sporting achievements of students in our systemic primary and secondary schools. The athletes need to meet certain criteria within the school sports pathways before being awarded a Sports Council Medallion. Achievements outside of the school pathways are not taken into consideration for these awards.
On Friday November 15, Matthew Holmes will be recognised for his selection in the Diocesan Swimming and Cross Country teams when he was presented a Sports Council Medallion. Well done Matthew!
PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests)
ACER’s Progressive Achievement approach is used in thousands of schools in Australia and around the world. The approach focuses on assessing and monitoring student growth over time and is underpinned by an understanding that students of the same age and in the same year of school can be at very different points in their learning and development.
Why do schools use PAT tests?
- They provide a measure of student achievement in each learning area
- There is a common achievement scale for all tests within a learning area (PAT scale scores allow teachers to compare achievement on the tests within each learning area regardless of year level and the specific test completed and to monitor progress over time)
- They are mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- They provide overall descriptions of the types of skills mastered and those still to be developed based on test performance
- Individual and group reports have automatically calculated scores and sorting functions that allow comparison of scores across students, strands, etc.
- They can be used to inform teaching and learning and to assist in planning effective and targeted learning programs.
Students in Years 1-6 engaged in PAT Adaptive Reading and PAT Adaptive Mathematics tests during Week 4. Students were supported in their classrooms by their teachers to complete these online tests.
Holy Communion
The final Holy Communion class will be held on Sunday 17th or Monday 18th. We will hold a short rehearsal (20-30 minutes) on Monday 18th, beginning at 5pm in the school hall (this is straight after the Monday class).
Following this, all students will make their Confession in the Church (this includes St Paul’s students). Once students have made their Confession, they are free to leave.
The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be held on Sunday 24 November 2024, beginning at 12 noon. Please aim to arrive by 11:40.
Thank you
Catherine du Bois
Religious Education Coordinator
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.
If your child is Asthmatic or Anaphylactic please ensure the necessary plan has been forwarded to the office along with any medication so that it can be processed. We also need a "Consent to Dispense Medication" form to be completed.
Student Injuries
If a student has sustained an injury please inform the school office as we have to do a care plan and risk assessment. Please also forward any ED report or doctor letter as well.
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 on Visas and Residency
You also need to inform the school office if your child has gone from a Temporary to Permanent Resident of Australia or if they have become a Citizen (we do require a copy of the Citizenship Certificate).
Please see below the calendar overview for Term 4 2024:
| Week 5 |
Tuesday November 12 - Incursion K-6 - Opera Australia "Wyniss" Musica Viva Wednesday November 13 - Kindergarten 2025 Playgroup Friday 15th November - AFL K to 6 Friday 15th November - Kindergarten 2025 Playgroup |
| Week 6 |
Monday November 18 - Surf Life Saving Incursion Beach to Bush - K to 6 Wednesday November 20 - Year 3 and Year 4 Excursion - Surf Awareness to Sandon Point Bulli Wednesday November 20 - Kindergarten 2025 Playgroup Thursday November 21 - Year 5 and Year 6 Excursion - Surf Awareness to Sandon Point Bulli Friday 22 November - Kindergarten 2025 Playgroup Sunday 24 November - First Holy Communion |
| Week 7 |
Tuesday November 26 - Kindergarten 2026 Orientation from 9am to 11:30am |
| Week 8 |
Monday December 2 to Thursday December 5 - Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 - Learn to Swim at Moss Vale Pool Friday December 6 - Christmas Carols on the Oval at St Paul's |
| Week 9 |
Saturday December 14 - Community Christmas Carols |
| Week 10 |
Tuesday December 17 - Year 5 Mass and Supper at 6pm Wednesday December 18 - End of Year Assembly 9:30am & Mass at 12pm Thursday December 19 - Year 6 Pool Fun Day and Year 6 Clap Out 2:30pm Thursday December 19 - Term 4 concludes for Students |
Thank you to Custom Printing who have designed and donated all of the sponsorship package flyers for the event.
Welcome to JK Day Construction who have come on board as one of our round sponsors for the evening.
Welcome to Nick Knowles Pharmacy who have also come on board as one of our sponsors for the evening.
AGM
As the year starts to come to an end we are already looking forward to 2025. The AGM will be held on Tuesday 11th February. If yoou would like to nominate for an executive position for know someone who would be interested in one of the positions please contact the office.
We we have a company called Lunch Bunch Canteens who will be fulfilling our lunch orders each Thursday only.
Please find the menu below and how to order details.
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 3
| Kindergarten | Callie | Smithers |
| Year 1 | Benny | Raz |
| Year 2 | Jacob | Stevens |
| Year 3/4 W | Kora | Muhlbock |
| Year 3/4 B | Amani | Turner |
| Year 5 | Nevaeh | Hine |
| Year 6 | Dusty | Anderson |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 3
| Kindergarten | Ava | Suro |
| Year 1 | Angus | Fenner |
| Year 2 | Claudia | Simpson |
| Year 3/4 W | Evie | Ireland |
| Year 3/4 B | Matilda | Sheather |
| Year 5 | Scout | Eccleson |
| Year 6 | Dominic | Bowen |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 3
| Kindergarten | Darcy | Woods |
| Year 1 | Miya | Muhlbock |
| Year 2 | Kristen | Aguinaldo |
| Year 3/4 W | Xavier | Luker |
| Year 3/4 B | Thomas | Malady |
| Year 5 | Alexa | Cuttriss |
| Year 6 | Ava | Despotovic |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 4
| Kindergarten | Oliver | Dupille |
| Year 1 | William | Lin |
| Year 2 | Florence | Alves |
| Year 3/4 W | Blayze | Parmenter |
| Year 3/4 B | Peyton | Mathias |
| Year 5 | Jackson | Regan |
| Year 6 | Ava | Despotovic |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 4
| Kindergarten | Elijah | Cloribel |
| Year 1 | Khloe | Chindunga |
| Year 2 | Stella | Johnson |
| Year 3/4 W | Joseph | Grange |
| Year 3/4 B | Sazal | Gurung |
| Year 5 | Lucas | Malady |
| Year 6 | Min | Zhou |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 4
| Kindergarten | Arlo | Wright |
| Year 1 | Evreet | Bains |
| Year 2 | Isla | Hine |
| Year 3/4 W | Poppy | Wilson Christian |
| Year 3/4 B | Sam | Slater |
| Year 5 | Eden | Noyes |
| Year 6 | Shannon | O'Meley |
Working with Others (being a team)
Responsible decision making
1. Identify the task to be completed.
2. Assign tasks to each person.
3. Discuss ideas in a calm, quiet voice and let everyone share his or her ideas.
4. Take responsibility for your part of the task
5. Work on tasks until completed or when instructed to stop
Thank you to everyone who has supported Year 6 and their fundraising this year.
A total of $647.70 was raised by the Year 6 cohort by hosting a Cake Stall in April and the Silly Socks in November.
Thank you to the school community for supporting these events. All money raised will go towards purchasing school blazers.
A Big Thank You,
I would like to thank everyone who came along to our Cultural Story Sharing Morning Tea, it was a welcoming and happy gathering, and a HUGE thank you to the Nepalese families who provided some delicious treats. It was wonderful to have Meredith and Liz from the Wingecarribee Community Development Office visit to do the acknowledgment of country and share some local activity information. Thank you to Mrs Iliani and Bina for doing the School Prayer in English and Nepalese, and Mrs Iliani for providing a tour of the Bilingual section in the library.
This was an example of God's love in St Paul's school community – wellbeing through connection with prayer, food, and company.
Dear families,
Mini Vinnies are planning to participate in some Christmas activities this year.
There will be a note coming home with your child soon requesting donations for a food item that your child chose. The students will bring the item to school which will be collected and made up into Christmas hampers to donate to St Vincent de Paul for the Christmas Appeal. Your support would be very much appreciated.
Also, the students have been invited to enter a Christmas Card competition that they are welcome to start at home and will be working on at school during Mini Vinnies.
We appreciate this can be a difficult time of the year for some, if any family has any questions or require any support please contact your child's teacher, or contact me through the office.
Warm regards,
Bernadette Taylor
CatholicCare Student Wellbeing Officer
| Term 1 | 31 January - April 11 |
| 31 January - Pupil Free Day | |
| 3 February - Pupil Free Day | |
| 4 February - First day of Term 1 for Years 1 to 6 | |
| 5 February - Kindergarten's First Day | |
| 3 March - Pupil Free Day | |
| Term 2 | 28 April - July 4 |
| 28 April - Pupil Free Day | |
| 29 April - Students Return | |
| 10 June - Pupil Free Day | |
| Term 3 | 21 July - 26 September |
| 21 July - Pupil Free Day | |
| 22 July - Students Return | |
| Term 4 | 13 October - 19 December |
| 13 October - Pupil Free Day | |
| 14 October - Students Return | |
| 18 December - Last Day for Students | |
| 19 December - Pupil Free Day |
*These are provisional dates and are subject to change
Hello Brain Busters,
I was lucky enough to go to a VIRTUAL REALITY experience last week.
The experience was a trip to Egypts Pyramid of Giza.
This week's Brain Busting exploration is about Triangles and prisms.
Enjoy!
Task:
- What type of Prism are the Pyramids of Giza ?
- What is the name of the triangles that are visible on the Pyramids of Giza?
- Why were these types of triangular formations used rather than another types of triangle formation? This is a thinking question
- Make a model of the main Pyramid of Giza and share it with us at school with your responses to the above questions on the Pyramids surface; Bring it to school for display in the Main hallway.
Diverse Learning Support and Instructional Coach
CAMP WOMBAROO
HEALTHY FAMILY BULLETIN
MITTAGONG RSL JUNIOR DISCO
AQUATHON
The much-anticipated MMJ Aquathon returns to Wollongong Harbour on January 26, 2025, marking the very special 25th anniversary.
It’s Australia’s biggest swim-run attracting participants from across Australia and only 80km south of Sydney.
An event the wider community can take part in, and is proud to support the Black Dog Institute and local sports clubs.
With the popular 5k fun run, and multiple swim-run aquathon events, all ages can take part.
CSNSW SPORT AQUATHLON – 19 December
Its on again!! Holiday fun time. The 2024 CSNSW Sport Aquathlon open to students in Catholic schools in NSW. Polding & MacKillop affiliated students register through csnsw.sport portal as per usual sport registration.
(>>> SPORT REGISTRATION HELP <<<). Non affiliated Catholic schools register through portal – select CSNSW Sport as your school.
- Thursday, 19 December 2024
- Heats from 8:30am Finals from11:30am
- Amour Park & Max Parker Aquatic Centre, Revesby
- 8 – 11 yrs 100m swim, 1km run
12 – 19 yrs 200m swim, 1.8km run
- Entries close 6 December $40. Late entries $55 up to 13 December
More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/
WELCOME EXPERIENCE
Regional Development Australia is starting a ‘Welcome Experience’ initiative which may be of interest to families that are new to the area. Click the link above to see what it is all about!