“Jesus said to him, ’I do not say seven times, but seventy times seven.’”

Matt 18: 21

(from the Gospel for the twenty fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A)

Dear parents and carers

We live in interesting times. Many of the assumptions and expectations of our pre-COVID lives are now uncertain, changed or impossible. In talking with parents, children, staff and community members a theme has emerged. It seems there is a collective weariness, a sense of an unaccounted for tiredness or lack of energy. The psychologists tell us that this is a normal response to an abnormal and protracted set of circumstances beyond our control. If you feel this way, be reassured in knowing it is normal and to be expected. We need to be kind to ourselves.

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus is asked about forgiveness. The fundamental question was about how many times should we forgive? In Jesus’ Jewish culture there were clear understandings of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. There were purity codes that drew clear distinctions between who was “in” and thus acceptable and who was “out” and unacceptable. People were placed in categories and treated accordingly. Being right was more important than being forgiving or kind.

Jesus’ response was typically challenging. Jesus asserts clearly that we should forgive each and every time forgiveness is sought. Whilst superficially this seems like a simple proposition, it proves to be much more challenging in our daily lives. There is security in knowing exactly what’s what! 

Jesus is advocating an open heartedness and a willingness to deal with others based on love and forgiveness. Our Catholic tradition calls this “compassion”. Compassion literally means “to be with” or “to walk with”. It is not sentimental sympathy or patronising mercy. It is placing ourselves in the position of the other as a fellow human being. Jesus challenges us to see the face of God in others and the hand of God in all life circumstances especially when they do not obviously present themselves.

In these strange times, we need to look to the actions of the Holy Spirit amidst the confusion and complexity. We must be kind to ourselves and to others, even when we fall short or appear to fail. We are as Catholics called to act and respond with compassion. As Jesus says, we must forgive “not seven times, but seventy times seven times”. 

Go gently everyone.

CROSS COUNTRY

This week we have concluded the cross country races for all our classes. We timed the class based races in order to facilitate age based results in determining the age champions. We will announce the age champion and winning colour house during the virtual whole assembly next week. A recording of this assembly will be shared via our facebook page.

We have filmed the start and finish of each race. We will compile these into an iMovie and share this with you once it is completed.   

I would like to thank Mr Boyd for planning and coordinating this event for the children.

BASKETBALL SKILLS CLINICS

Last week we started our basketball clinics for Year 2 to Year 6. We have worked with the stadium to ensure that we have clear COVID-19 safe protocols in place and that we are complying with all COVID-19 restrictions. The children really enjoyed the opportunity and were a pleasure to work with. We will continue these weekly clinics until Week 10. 

BRING A DRINK BOTTLE TO SCHOOL

A gentle reminder that as part of our COVID-19 restrictions we have closed the drinking bubblers at school. We have provided filling stations for the children to refill drink bottles during the day. This means it is important that every child has a drink bottle at school each day. This is especially important as the weather begins to warm up.

“PIRATE DAY” to be held on Wednesday 23 September (Week 10-just because it’s fun!)

We would like to finish the term with a bit of fun. We are going to hold “pirate day” during the last week of school. Your child can come dressed as a pirate or inspired by a pirate. The teachers have organised fun activities for the day. There will be a pirate story reading for the youngest children. We want this to be a fun event and not a stress upon anyone. Do whatever you are able and comfortable with doing. We’d like the term to end with some joy! 

WE NEED WOOL!

The Moss Vale CWA has been in touch asking us to make pom poms for display in Leighton Gardens as part of the Christmas celebrations. If you have any knitting wool (or acrylic) at home that you could spare, we would be grateful if you could send it to school. The children will be making the pom poms as part of structured play. It should be a lot of fun!

SENSORY SPACE- donations needed

Late last term, we introduced structured play each day for children to access during the second break. This has been a great success. We would next like to create a sensory space/alternate play area for the children to use during break time. This is a quiet play option. We are asking for donations of second hand toys and play equipment such cars, dinosaurs, tea sets, dolls, prams etc.  If you are able to donate any of these items or other second hand toys/play equipment in good condition, it would be greatly appreciated. Any donations would be gratefully received at the front office. 

CONCERNS REGARDING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT REPORTED IN NEWS OUTLETS RECENTLY

Yesterday, I shared a letter with you regarding some disturbing digital content that was being distributed through social media platforms. You may have heard about this on news reports. The children are safe from exposure to such content at school. Our school digital security places a firewall around access to social media for all devices, whilst at school. Our school managed devices do not allow apps such as Tic Tok to be installed or accessed at any time. Our school’s digital citizenship program teaches children about e-safety. 

This present issue does raise questions for what families can do to keep your children safe in the digital age. I would direct you to the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner where you will find many resources and current advice about keeping children safe on-line. If you or your child encounters harmful or illegal material whilst online, you can make a report to the e-Safety Commissioner. This link will give you information about what should be reported, what will be investigated and possible outcomes.  Reports can be made anonymously. It is worth a look to stay informed. We all have a responsibility for keeping kids safe online.

Check the CEDoW COVID-19 website for updates

Stay up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 and its implications for our school by visiting Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) COVID-19 Information centre available here. This site has been created and regularly updated with COVID-19 specific advice for all our school dicosean communities. 

Thank you everyone for your ongoing understanding, patience and support as we move through this together. As difficult and often inconvenient as it is, this is how we do our bit in keeping everyone safe and continuing to drive the transmission rates down. 

SUMMER UNIFORMS IN TERM 4

With the end of term fast approaching, a reminder that children will return to school in Term 4 wearing our summer uniforms. Our suppliers at Whytes Tailoring and Clothing in Argyle Street Moss Vale (02 4868 1911 or visit https://www.whytesclothing.com.au/ )and NSW Uniforms (0400 805 596 or email ethne@drewdesigns.com.au) have our summer uniforms in stock.

Sport Uniform Days by Class

Your child will need to wear the sport uniform on the following days each week.

Kindergarten- Friday

Year 1- Thursday & Friday

Year 2- Thursday & Friday

Year 3- Wednesday & Friday

Year 4- Wednesday & Friday

Year 5- Wednesday & Friday

Year 6-Wednesday & Friday

LOLS: Lessons and Liturgy and Scripture

The latest LOLS episode has been posted on our school Facebook page and on Google Classrooms. The theme for this episode is creation, focusing on the appreciation of all of God’ creatures. The video also features some photos of pets that belong to students and teachers at St Paul’s. Thank you to everyone who sent in a beautiful photo of their children and pets!

Season of Creation

The Church is currently celebrating the Season of Creation, which is held annually between 1 September and 4 October. The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.

Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home. The Season of Creation unites the world’s 2.2 billion Christians around one shared purpose. With so much injustice all around us, now is the time for Christians everywhere to come together and show the world how to love each other and creation.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

Over the next three weeks students from Year 1 to Year 6 will be participating in ACER’s PAT (Progressive Achievement) testing. ACER PAT Testing provides teachers with norm referenced information about their student’s skills and understandings in Reading, Mathematics and Grammar and Punctuation. Our diocese has bought the licence for these tests and all schools in the diocese are completing them during Weeks 8 - 10 of Term 3. By completing the tests on a yearly basis schools are able to measure growth in students abilities and plan professional development to support student growth moving forward. 

The tests are completed on ipads during class time. Students are quite familiar with the process and it is just another part of the school day. Tests are also differentiated on the basis of students capabilities. This ensures students are able to complete the test at their current ability level.

At St Paul’s we have added the AGAT test this year to the suite of tests. The ACER AGAT test is a general capabilities test that measures the students’ general reasoning abilities. This year we will test students in Year 3 - 5 however from 2021 this test will be a Year 3 test only. The AGAT will be used in determining students that may be suitable for the SPLICED program in 2021. SPLICED- Stretching Potential through Learning in Interactive Challenging Environments in the Diocese of Wollongong is a creative thinking enrichment program that students are invited to join.

Below is the test schedule. Not all classes complete all tests. Students are required to have headphones for the test. If your child does not have a pair of headphones at school could you please provide them. We are not able to share headphones or lend them.

If you have any questions about the PAT tests then please make contact with your child’s teacher.

Book club orders (Issue 6) close on Monday 14th September.  No late orders accepted.  Books will arrive by the end of the term.