“At that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord.”

Luke 2:40

(from the Gospel for the solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord, Year A)

Dear parents and carers

Welcome to the 2020 school year!

We have had a calm return to school. This is always an exciting time of year. The children have returned to school full of stories of their adventures from the summer holidays. They are always a delight and a delight to work with! They are clearly ready to learn. 

Next Thursday 6 February, right across our diocesan system of schools, Kindergarten children will begin their school life. Starting school is always a significant milestone in the life of the child, the child’s family and school. We look forward to welcoming our youngest children into the school community.

Our school vision statement presents us all with the challenge to be “All to all in faith and learning”. This challenge applies to everyone within our community - to our students, teachers and support staff and parents who have chosen to be part of our school and thus, part of our parish community. The major function of all Catholic schools is to work together in order to “be the face of Christ” to the children and families entrusted to our care. St Paul wrote that in communities we ought “to encourage one another and build one another up” (1Thess 5:11). What a wonderful aspiration for our whole community to continually work towards! The measure of our success is how well we treat each other, the respect we show in our words, actions and how faithfully we live in gratitude to our creator God. In doing this together, we are showing our children how Christian adults conduct themselves. This how the children learn to grow in faith. This is what Jesus asked of us- that we extend the reign of God as a living presence within our school, families and community.

I am always happy to talk to you about the future of our school. I’d love to listen to your ideas and hopes for our school. Whilst not all things are possible, it can be productive to think together about what we can do. Please don’t be shy to say “hello”. I am always ready and willing to meet with you if want to discuss anything about your child’s learning or our school. Home and school are partners in the important job of educating your children. Good, open, honest and respectful communication is the key to all relationships. Let’s make this a priority for working together.

Beginning of School Mass Thursday 6 February at 9:30am

Next week, we will celebrate the beginning of our year together with a school Mass for Year 1 to Year 6. Parents and community members are most welcome to attend. We will come together to ask God’s blessing on our community and our work together for 2020. Fr Richard is currently on annual leave. We have a supply priest from Penrose Park saying Mass for us. Kindergarten will not attend this Mass given that this is their first day of school. They will however, visit the church as part of their school tour. We will arrange Fr Richard to visit them in their classroom when he returns from leave. 

Bushfire Emergency

This January has been most unusual with the bushfires emergency that unfolded right across Australia and within our own district. Our community’s response to the bushfire appeal on 7 January was both generous and effective. Thank you again to everyone who was able to help and contribute. St Vincent de Paul are financially supporting 55 families within our parish as a direct consequence of the bushfires. They are grateful for our help. 

We have been paying extra attention to the children’s demeanour as they return to school. Whilst the children may not have had direct experience of the fires, like everyone in our area, they would be aware of the fast moving events nearby. This can lead to some anxiety and be something children can potentially worry about. Yesterday I shared a video link via COMPASS offering some advice in talking to children about emergency situations. I encourage you to watch this short but informative video. The link is

We have reassured the children they are safe at school and that we are here to help. If you have concerns about your child, please let us know and we can organise some CatholicCare Counselling for your child to talk about and process these recent events. I have attached a flyer to this newsletter outlining the counselling services that Catholic Care offer in addition to the school based counselling.

Managing Air Quality 

Given the poor air quality recently, we have put in place some additional procedures. Children who have respiratory conditions will be kept inside on days when the air quality is poor. This will be done on a case by case, day by day basis. The child will have a friend to stay with them and they will be given activities to keep them entertained. We had a similar process in place last year.

On especially hot or smokey days, we will take the decision to keep all the children inside. Again they will be given access to activities. We will manage toilet breaks. Again, the safety, well being and best interests of the children will always guide our decision making.

Coronavirus Updated Advice

Today we have received further advice regarding coronavirus. The Catholic Education Office is in close contact with NSW Health officials to monitor and pass on advice. They have asked that the following statement be shared in all CEDoW schools.

The NSW Government has today requested that children who have visited China in the past two weeks not attend school or childcare services until 14 days have lapsed from their date of departure from China. 

Anyone who develops a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to Hubei Province or contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus, should immediately isolate themselves from other people, contact their GP or local emergency department or call the healthdirect helpline 1800 022 222.  

1:1 iPad On boarding Meeting Tuesday 4 February at 6pm in the school hall

This year, we have introduced a 1:1 iPad program. For our Year 3 students and those who wished to opt in, we offer a device management system for the school sourced iPads. At this meeting we will go over the details of how this system works. We will also ask you sign an agreement with the school for the payment of the iPad over the next two years. 

We would like all families who are participating in the managed 1:1 iPad program to attend this meeting with your child. 

Obviously, the meeting is open to everyone who would like to attend and learn more about this exciting development for our school. Once the agreements and Responsible User agreements are signed and returned, we will then be able to give the children their iPad with our school profile, defined apps and cover. The iPads will be given to the children as part of the meeting. T The meeting ought to take no longer than 45 minutes.

All children at St Paul’s will sign a “Responsible User Agreement” irrespective of their participation in the managed 1:1 iPad program. All classes in the school will undertake a digital citizenship program during Term 1 obviously at an age and stage appropriate level. We want our children to be skilled, critical and safe users of technology.

Listening Interviews for Year 2 to Year 6 in Week 3 (Monday 10 Feb to Thursday 13 Feb)

Knowing each child as a person and as a learner is an important part in establishing an effective learning environment for your child in their new class. In Week 3, we will conduct listening interviews with you. This is an opportunity for you to meet and to talk with your child’s teacher for the year. The teachers are listening to you. You know your child better than anyone and we want to know all about your child. These brief ten minute meetings are vital in establishing the home and school relationship. At the meeting you will be given a class overview for the term. You will receive an update of the overview at the beginning of each term. We will send home an online booking note early next week. I ask that you make these meetings a priority.

Kinder and Year 1 Meeting Tuesday 11 February at 6pm in the school hall

Kinder and Year 1 families are invited to a meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 11 February to learn about how we teach reading at St Paul’s and how you can help. After an initial presentation you will be separated into Kinder and Year 1 groups. The term overview will be presented to you at this time. If you have a child in both Kinder and Year 1, we suggest you attend the Year 1 meeting. These meetings will take about 45 minutes in total.

P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) Wednesday 12 February at 7pm & nomination process.

All parents of St Paul’s are automatically members of the Parents & Friends Association. The P&F works to support the school and provide much needed resources for all our children to use. Specifically, the school has just installed 75” TVs and Apple TVs in Kinder to Year 5 classrooms as well as the library. The P&F has agreed to service half the cost of the loan to provide this technology to our children. The work of the P&F is to fund raise in order to meet commitments such as this.

The AGM for the P&F will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 7:00 pm in the school hall. Attached to this newsletter is a nomination form for the executive positions within the P&F. If you would like to nominate someone for these positions, please write the person’s name and indicate the position (or positions) for which you wish to nominate them. Place the nomination form in a sealed envelope addressed to the Principal and return it to the school office before Tuesday 11 December.

Sacramental Programs Information Evening Wednesday 12 February

In the Diocese of Wollongong, all sacramental programs are offered and conducted through the local parish. Catholic schools support these programs. The organisation and provision of the sacramental programs is conducted by the parish. Each year, the parish conducts reconciliation for Year 3 and older children in Term 1; Eucharist  for Year 3 and older children in Term 2 and Confirmation for Year 6 children and older in Term 3. Families are asked to present their children for these programs when they feel ready and able to commit to the requirements of the sacramental program. Fr Richard would like to hold a meeting in the school hall at 6.30pm on Wednesday 12 February for all families who would like to present a child as a candidate for any of the sacramental programs in 2020.

Gym on Fridays for all classes and Assembly on Thursdays fortnightly

We have engaged a specialist sports company, Gymnastrix, to conduct gymnastics lessons with all classes on Fridays. The company provide qualified teachers, who deliver program and assess the children. They also provide all the necessary equipment. The cost of this program is included as part of your school fees. All children will need to wear their sport uniform on Fridays for Term 1. We have booked nine lessons to accommodate the swimming carnival to be held on Fri 21 February. You have not paid for a gym lesson on this day.

Gym classes therefore means that we will need to move our fortnightly assembly to Thursday afternoons in odd weeks (Wk1, Wk3, Wk5, Wk7, Wk9). In Week 11, we will conduct a Holy Week liturgy in place of the assembly.

We will recommence interest groups with children on Thursday afternoons on even weeks (Wk 2, Wk 4, Wk 6, Wk 10). In Week 8 we are conducting the school cross-country on Thursday 19 March and thus will not hold interest groups on that day. Children will be given the opportunity to select their interest group early next week.

Photograph Permission

You will receive today the photo permission form for your children. We are required to seek this permission from you annually. The consent form allows for your child’s image to be used in the school newsletter, our school facebook page or by the diocese in their publications (print and digital). If you do not give consent to your child’s image to be used or do not return the permission form, we will not be able to use your child’s image. Your child therefore, will not appear in any of our school publications (print and digital inclusive). We love to celebrate your child’s achievements. Publishing pictures is a good way to do this. We ask that you return the consent forms at your earliest convenience.

Opening School Mass

There will be a Whole School Mass on Thursday the 6^th February at St Paul’s Parish, commencing at 9:30. We will gather together to celebrate the beginning of a new school year and ask God to bless us and guide us in all that we do. All are warmly invited to attend.

 Sacramental Programme

 Information Session

There will be an information session on Wednesday 12^th February. This is open to all families with children who wish to complete a sacrament this year, particularly students in Year 3 and Year 6. This will be held at 6:30pm in the School Hall.

 First Reconciliation

Enrolment forms will soon be available for those who wish to participate in the Reconciliation Programme (students in Year 3 or older). These can be picked up and returned to the Parish office.

 Enrolment period: 2nd February – 9th March

• Reconciliation Classes: 15th, 22nd and 29th March
• First Reconciliation: Friday 3rd April

 Thank you

 Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

 A prayer for Australia in drought and fire

Our heavenly Father, creator of all things and especially the creator of this land and its original peoples, we call out to you in these desperate times as fires have swept across several parts of our country.
Our hearts cry out to you for those who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost properties in the wake of these ravaging fires 
Father we pray, in your mercy, restrain the forces of nature from creating catastrophic damage; in your mercy protect human life.
Guard those volunteers, rural fire service personnel and emergency services who selflessly step into the breach to fight these fires. Guide police and authorities who help evacuate and shelter those who are displaced.  Bring comfort and healing to all who suffer loss.
Remembering your promises of old that seedtime and harvest will never cease, we pray that you would open the heavens to send refreshing rain upon our parched land. 
In your mercy, we pray for drenching rain. 
We pray that despite the forecasts, in your miraculous power you would bring forth rain to quench these fires and to bring life back into the earth, so that crops may grow and farmers may bring forth the harvest of the land again.
We bring these requests before your throne, in the name of your Son, who died and rose again for our deliverance,
Amen.

AFTERNOON PICK UP ARRANGEMENTS

Welcome back to the school year. It is wonderful to see the children’s smiling faces eager to share their holiday stories. In the afternoons the children are especially excited to see their families and share their news about the day especially while things are new. This means their attention can be impacted while around roads. Please familiarize yourself with our afternoon pick up procedures.

Buses: Children line up in bus lines and are escorted by the duty teachers to the buses on Garrett St from 3pm. 

Walkers and riders: Leave from the Garrett Street exit after the first three buses have left. If you are going to be walking with your child, we ask that you wait in the infant's weather shed and then walk out after the bus lines with your child. Once the three buses have departed the walkers and riders are then able to leave. No parents should be collecting children from this exit by car.

Cars: If you are picking a child up by car then you must pick up from Innes Road. We deliberately keep cars and buses separated to ensure everyone’s safety. Children are walked by the duty teachers down the egress road to the yellow painted line. We ask parents to wait inside the gate and behind the yellow line. Once the children have arrived they may walk to their parents and then leave via the exit gate. Children must hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road. Children are not permitted to walk out the gate to meet you. Parents must come inside the gate. This is to ensure everyone's safety and that no child can get through the gate without an adult.

Teachers wait until 3:10pm before walking back into the school. Children who have not been collected by this time are taken to the office. We ask parents to please be prompt in collecting your children. Your children are not supervised by a teacher after the pick up times.

Changes to pick up arrangements: Please notify the office by 2:30pm. It is very difficult for messages to be delivered after this time and can result in confusion. For younger children it can be helpful for parents to make a small card the same size as a bus pass that says what the arrangements are each day if they are not the same everyday.

We appreciate and thank you for your support with these arrangements as it ensures everyone is safe when going home.

Regards,

Katie Browne

Assistant Principal