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- From the Principal - Mrs Katie Browne
- 2025 Term Dates and Pupil Free Days
- From the Assistant Principal - Mr Simon Farrugia
- From the REC - Ms Catherine du Bois
- From the School Office
- Calendar Overview
- P&F News
- Year 5 Leadership Speeches
- Awards
- Canteen for Term 4 - Thursdays only
- SEL Focus - Week 9 and 10
- Pastrol Support
- Brain Busters
- Community News
Dear Families,
We have come to the end of the year and there is much to celebrate. Our community has grown in many ways and areas. We have seen student growth in faith; children are articulating the values of respect, determination and kindness more frequently. Learning; our recent testing has shown growth in English and Mathematics across the school and wellbeing; children are having happier interactions with each other and report that they feel safe at school. The Christmas carols on Friday evening were a great way to celebrate our Community and leave us feeling with a sense of joy.
I would like to personally thank each and every member of our community for your ongoing commitment to St Paul’s. It is this positive parent-school partnership that ensures our school continues to thrive in the best ways possible.
This picture is Madeline Hely’s winning entry for the Director’s Christmas Story Award. Her message and reason for choosing to paint this picture is not dissimilar to the feeling across the school, “A moment of Peace”. Madeline said in her written submission, “I really wanted to paint Jesus’ birth because it is a story that is peaceful and fills me with warmth. The birth of Christ is the day a saviour was born, a moment of peace in the world. I tried to show the connection between Mary and Jesus when she first saw him and gazed at him in wonder. I wanted to capture the peace in the painting and the warmth coming from Mary and her comforting mother figure. I like to think my painting connects to my life as I see my mother also as a warm, kind, caring and most of all, loving parent.”
There is a sense of peace, calm and joy in our school community. I wish you Christmas blessings as you spend time with your families and pray this sense of peace will continue over into next year.
God Bless,
Staffing 2025
We are still finalising some staffing and there may be some minor changes.
Principal - Mrs Katie Browne
Assistant Principal - Mr Simon Farrugia
REC - Ms Catherine duBois
SSSO - Mrs Eileen Norman
Kindergarten - Mrs Tania Calla-Hunstone
Year 1 - Mrs Joanne Cutler
Year 2 - Mrs Angela Despotovic
Year 3 - Mrs Belinda Ballantine (nee Bayot)
Year 4 - Ms Catherine DuBois
Year 5 - TBC
Year 6 - Mrs Jocelyn Ponticello
Library/STEM/ Music - Mrs Jo Smith
Part Time - Mrs Margaret Burton, Mrs Louise Cassidy, Mrs Mary Lou Claremont and Mrs Jacinta McAndrew
School Support Officers: Hayley Barton, Maria Cervonaro, Michelle Gillespie, Jodie Illiani, Mrs Bernadette Taylor.
Catholic Care Counsellor - Rochelle Ingate
We are in the process of recruiting for a teacher to fill Mrs Adam’s vacancy. As soon as we can we will confirm the successful candidate with the community and make plans to introduce the teacher to the class.
At the end of the year the following staff will be finishing contracts with us and we will acknowledge their commitment to the school at the End of Year Mass: Mrs Rachelle Adams, Mrs Cathie Curcuruto, Mrs Kate Dance, Mrs Helen Gorton, Mrs Suzanne King, Miss Tiana Roberts.
We have had a number of casual staff, teachers and School Support Officers, who have continued to ensure we are able to provide teachers in classrooms and student support. We are truly grateful for them and we look forward to seeing them in 2025.
Mrs Helen Gorton has decided to retire at the end of the year. Helen has worked for St Paul’s for 20 years and considers the school like a big family. She has been on long service leave this year and has decided that it is time to try new things.
Mrs Kiah is retiring from full time teaching however she will be continuing to work in the school as a casual teacher. Mrs Kiah requested that as she is not leaving the community or fully retiring from teaching to not be farewelled at this time. We look forward to seeing her in 2025 as a casual teacher.
Semester 2 Academic Reports
Families will be able to access your children’s report from 3pm on Friday using the compass portal. Families are encouraged to download the report so you have a copy. Any parent or carer who would like to discuss their child’s report with the teacher are encouraged to make an appointment through the office.
End of Year Awards
At the End of Year assembly there will be some awards given out. These are annual awards sponsored by different community members. These awards come with specific criteria that must be met for the recipient to be considered for the award which is set by the person or group donating the award. There are only a handful of awards for this assembly and because the awards come with prizes they are considered prestigious to win. Staff spend time discerning over the process and make nominations before the final decision is made.
As a school we are currently reviewing our award structure and have some plans to implement some grade based awards outside of the fortnightly assembly moving forward in 2025 however for now the current structure stands. The citations are printed below so the community can fully appreciate what the awards are for. It is important to note that the name of the award may not fully describe the purpose of the award so the citation is important; for example, the Sport Person Award is not for the person that has achieved the highest standard in sport. It is for sportsmanship shown throughout the year at break times, during class PE and carnivals held at school. Some awards are for set grades as indicated by the sponsor.
Veritas Award for Christian Living - Dominican Laity
Year 6
This award is given to a child whose actions reflect the Gospel values as taught to us by Jesus. St Paul’s has a long and proud association with the Dominican Order who for eight hundred years have sought to preach the Gospel all over the world. This includes us here in Moss Vale where the sisters came to manage our school for nearly one hundred years, including forty years on this site. The Dominicans following St Dominic’s example promoted truth, study and preaching. The recipient of this award is a child who treats others with respect, shows empathy, encourages others, is modest, displays reverence, is fair and plays fairly. This child tries to live the Dominican ideals.
Quiet Achiever Award - Wendy Tuckerman State Member of Parliament
Year 6
This award is given to a child who goes about their work in a diligent, focussed and quiet manner. This child demonstrates a commitment to their own learning, respects the rights of others to learn and considers the common good of the whole school. This is a child who seeks to do their best each and every day.
Sports Person Award - William Family
Year 6
This Award is given to a student who displays enthusiasm for sport and who ensures that it is played in the ‘right spirit’. They ensure that others are given a fair go, they encourage others, they value teamwork and they use their own skills to assist in improving the skills of others.
Chris Smith Memorial Award - St Paul’s P&F
Year 3 - 5
This award is given to a student who displays the qualities Chris Smith, a former teacher at St Paul’s embodied; namely an infectious positive attitude, a generosity of spirit, using personal talents for the good of others, dedication, respectfulness and an enthusiastic involvement with the life of the school.
Year 5 Encouragement Award - CWA Committee
Year 5
The award is given by the COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (CWA) in memory of FLORENCE GREEN. The Florence Green award is given to a child who during their time at St. Paul’s has displayed a commitment to the school and who has been consistently trying their best.
Active Citizenship Award - Stephen Jones Federal Member for Parliament
Year 3 - 5
This award is presented to a student who is active in the development of civics and citizenship at St Paul’s. This student displays the values of tolerance and inclusion, respect, responsibility and concern for others.
Wingecarribee Community Service Award - Wingecarribee Council
Kinder to Year 6
This award recognises one student from each school who has shown initiative and action in supporting their local community.
End of Year events
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.
Year 6 farewell mass and supper - Tuesday 17 December 6 pm.
Students wear full school uniforms and sit with their families in set seats.
End of Year assembly Wednesday 18 December 9:30 am
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 12 noon
This is our final school mass for the year. All are welcome.
Parent Forum
Thank you to the people who have provided feedback using the google form. If you have not yet had a chance please take a few moments to complete the form. We will analyse the information and start sharing the feedback in 2025.
| 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
Semester 2 Reports
At this time of year, you might be forgiven for thinking that students and teachers are beginning to slow down as we head towards the end of the school year – not so! Our teachers in particular have been very busy putting together student Academic Reports for Semester Two as well as ensuring a steady routine and workload to best support student transitions into the 2025 school year.
Schools are required to provide written reports, at least twice a year, on student achievement. A 5-point scale is used to outline student achievement against the year level achievement standard.
What does a ‘C’ Sound achievement standard mean?
For all Australian Curriculum subject areas, students are assessed against the relevant Achievement Standard for that year level. It is important to recognise that the Australian Curriculum achievement standards clearly outlines the expectations of a ‘C’ standard. If your child receives a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement, they are operating at the year level standard and expectation. This means that the student is achieving everything required for the subject at that stage in their corresponding year level at school. Therefore, attaining a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement means your child is on target for their age and year level.
When will I receive my child’s report?
Semester Two reports will be available to view on Compass on Friday afternoon (13th December).
Year 6 Reports
Your child’s reports will be available to view on Compass until 31st December 2024. As none of our students are going to a Wollongong Diocese Systemic Catholic High School, your access to Compass for the Year 6 child will cease. It is recommended that you download your child’s reports.
Year 6 Farewell Mass and Supper
The Year 6 Farewell Mass and Supper will take place on Tuesday 17th December. This is an important event for our Year 6 students and our staff as we bid them farewell. Mass will commence at 6:00 pm followed by supper, speeches and a presentation in the school hall. Year 6 students are required to wear their summer/winter school uniform.
End of Year Assembly and Thanksgiving Mass
On Wednesday 18th December, we will hold our End of Year Assembly in the school hall, commencing at 9:30. This will be an opportunity to hand out many special awards and announce the Year 6 captains for 2025. After the assembly there will be a short break, followed by our Thanksgiving Mass at 12:00. The new student leaders will receive their badges and recite their leadership pledge in front of the school community. There will also be a special photo presentation shown, celebrating the many achievements and experiences of 2024.
We look forward to seeing you there at each of these events.
Thank you
Catherine du Bois
Religious Education Coordinator
We strongly suggest that you download the report from compass prior to the end of the year because you will no longer have access to your Yr 6 child's file in 2025.
If you have any issues, please contact the school office.
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.
Please see below the calendar overview for Term 4 2024:
| 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.
Welcome to The Woodage 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.
On Thursday 5th December, Year 5 who nominated for school leaders for 2025 had their speeches! Congratulations and well done to our future leaders!
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded the Principal's Award in Week 8
| Kindergarten | Hugh | Johnson |
| Year 1 | Quince | Waenkaew |
| Year 1 | Oliver | Chlamers |
| Year 2 | Matilda | Day |
| Year 3/4 W | Beau | Figtree |
| Year 3/4 B | Sam | Slater |
| Year 5 | Anthony | Vella |
| Year 5 | Faith | Senkwe |
| Year 6 | Aarushi | Panta |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Merit Award in Week 8
| Kindergarten | K.D | Arellano |
| Year 1 | Syon | Parajuli |
| Year 1 | Nicholas | Wray |
| Year 1 | Kai | Pollard |
| Year 1 | Sahas | Basnet |
| Year 2 | Demitri | Psarakis |
| Year 3/4 W | Archie | Anderson |
| Year 3/4 B | Hattie | Eccleston |
| Year 5 | Mackenzie | Sheather |
| Year 5 | James | Grosvenor |
| Year 6 | Aarav | Basnet |
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Mission Star Award in Week 8
| Kindergarten | Wolf | Ryall |
| Year 1 | Hamish | Taylor |
| Year 1 | John | Lopez |
| Year 2 | Harper | Babula |
| Year 3/4 W | Grace | Desborough |
| Year 3/4 B | Peyton | Mathias |
| Year 5 | Henry | Holmes |
| Year 6 | Odhran | Connolly |
The canteen will continue as normal Thursday this week and next Thursday as well, with slightly reduced variety for both weeks.
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.
Greeting Others
Social Awareness
1. Look at the person
2. Use a pleasant voice
3. Say 'Hi' or 'Hello'
Mary Lou Claremont
Diverse Learning Support and Instructional Coach
Minnamurra Rainforest
Moss Vale High School Information Evening
Healthy Family Bulletin
Girls Trials - Representative Soccer 2025
