“So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Matt 20:16

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

Dear parents and carers

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

Next Wednesday, we would like to finish our term together with a bit of fun. We are holding “pirate day”! Your child can come to school dressed as a pirate or in a costume inspired by a pirate. The teachers have organised fun activities for the day. There will be a pirate story reading session with a mystery guest for Kinder to Year 2 children. 

We want this to be a fun event and certainly not a stress upon anyone. Do whatever you are able and comfortable with doing. It is our belief that events such as these contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes for the children. In short, we’d like the term to end with some joy! 

CROSS COUNTRY WRAP UP

At tomorrow’s virtual whole school assembly, we will announce the age champions and winning colour house. The assembly will be posted on our school facebook page for you to watch.

I am very proud of the fact that we were able to conduct the cross country and comply fully with the COVID-19 restrictions. This was not possible in most other schools. The cross country was an event that was as good for the children’s physical health and wellbeing as it was for their mental wellbeing. I want to thank our school staff who worked hard to provide this opportunity to the children.

Next term, we will attempt to conduct some of the events that would have constituted our athletics carnival. We are advised that high jump is not a possibility. We will, of course, ensure that the required COVID-19 safety restrictions are met and everyone kept safe. We will aim to begin in Week 2. Of course, if COVID-19 restrictions should change, we will need to reconsider the feasibility of these plans. We will keep you informed.

BASKETBALL SKILLS CLINICS

Our basketball clinics for Year 2 to Year 6 will continue until Week 10. 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-1 restrictions. The children really enjoyed the opportunity and were a pleasure to work with. We. 

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.

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

We have received some donations for our planned sensory space.  A sensory space is an alternate play area for the children to use during break time. This is another quiet play option for our children. 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. 

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 (and you can choose to wear summer uniform next week)

Given that the weather is now warming up, children may wear the summer uniform next week (Wk 10) if you so choose and your child would be more comfortable. In doing so, I ask that the children wear either the full summer uniform or the full winter uniform, not a “mix and match” of both. All children will wear the summer uniform from the beginning of Term 4. 

Our uniform suppliers are 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). Both suppliers 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

There will be one more LOLS episode for this term, which will be posted next week. The theme for this episode is ‘Shine Your Light’.

Reconciliation Program

Just a friendly reminder that all students who are participating in the online Reconciliation program need to complete all of their lessons before the end of term. Congratulations to the students who have made their First Reconciliation! Please continue to pray for these students and their families.

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

Remember to regularly check our Parent Portal.

There are regularly updated ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and messages from Don O’Brien - Principal.

https://sites.google.com/a/dow.catholic.edu.au/st-paul-s-moss-vale-home-page/home