“He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, 

and to wipe them with the towel.” 

John 13: 1- 15

(from the Gospel for Holy Thursday, Year B)

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today is Holy Thursday and the last day of the season of Lent. Tonight, we commemorate the last supper which leads into Jesus’ agony in the garden ahead of his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Tomorrow, we enter the Easter triduum which culminates in Easter Sunday.

The last supper initiated the sacrament of Eucharist. The concept of table fellowship where everyone is welcome at the table to share in the abundance that God has provided gratuitously to us all. It is an apt symbol of the kingdom of God- a place where everyone is welcome, has a place and where we share in God’s loving bounty.

At the last supper, Jesus washes the feet of his apostles. This action is symbolically and practically a sign of how Jesus wants us to be with each other. He wants us to reach out and help each other, humbly, practically and based on nothing more than the fact that help is needed. Jesus was showing us what “servant leadership” looks like. It is a radically different view of life compared to what the so-called “real world” proposes as “real life”.  Jesus’ commitment to proclaiming and building the kingdom of God led him ultimately to his death on the cross on Good Friday. In the eyes of the world, this ought to have been the end of the matter. On Easter Sunday, Jesus' resurrection defies the assumption that all has been lost. New life and the life in our eternal God was finally triumphant. This is the hope of Easter. There is always hope and renewal.

We have certainly had a very busy term. The children finish the term tired but in good spirits. Thank you for your ongoing and unwavering support of our school community. I hope your family has a holy, safe and refreshing break. School resumes on Monday 19^th April for all classes.

CROSS COUNTRY 21^st April 2021 (Wednesday Week 1 Term 2)

Our annual school cross country is held at school. Following the wet weather in recent weeks and the wet, muddy condition of the oval, we took the decision in the interests of safety to move the cross country to the first week of next term. Our cross country carnival will be held on Wednesday 21^st April (Week 1 Term 2). Parents and community members are welcome to attend the cross country. The children love to be cheered on and encouraged!

We will select the school cross country team after the carnival. The diocesan cross country will be held on Tuesday 27^th April (Week 2 Term 2) at Willandra Farm, Nowra. 

CANTEEN ONLINE SERVICE COMMENCING THURSDAYS IN TERM 2

I am pleased to announce that our canteen service will recommence in Term 2. The canteen will operate on Thursdays each week. The service will be an online ordering service only. Please note that there will be no canteen counter service at school. 

Orders for the canteen will need to be submitted each Wednesday before Thursday service. Our canteen supplier, Fresh Start Canteens, have moved to an online ordering system called QuickCliq. Your child’s ordered lunch will be delivered to the school in time for first break each Thursday. I have attached a copy of the canteen menu to this newsletter for your information.

How this new system works:

1. Set up your QuickCliq account: you will need to set up a free account for your family with QuickCliq in order to place orders and pay. The instructions for how to set up this account are attached to this newsletter.
2. Order and pay for your child’s lunch on Wednesday through QuickCliq. 
3. Lunch will be delivered to your child at first break on Thursday.

 Sentral_QuickCliq_Family_Register_flyer_Canteen.pdf

COVID-19 safe arrangements currently in place

The ongoing relaxing of restrictions have necessitated some adjustments of our routines and management of COVID-19.

Morning Assembly: We will continue with the morning arrangements that we have had in place for the last twelve months. There will be no morning assembly. Children will continue to line up in their designated spots, wash hands, go into class and pray the school prayer and get down to work. 

Morning Announcements: Will continue at 10:50am whilst the children are eating inside. We will celebrate birthdays, make announcements and award the “secret spotter” uniform award.

Weekly School Assembly: We are pleased to welcome parents and community members to join us at our weekly school assembly at 2:15pm each Thursday. You will notice that all children are seated on chairs as part of the social distancing requirements that are still in place. We ask that parents sit at the back of the school hall. Children will return to class after assembly to collect their bags. Normal afternoon dismissal procedures will be followed.

Daily cleaning: Our high touch areas and hard surfaces are cleaned twice daily by our cleaners. This measure remains in place and will continue in Term 2.

Good hygiene practices: Regular hand washing, use of hand sanitiser and regular reminders about sneezing and coughing remain in place.

Stay at home if your child is unwell: If your child is unwell, please keep your child at home. If your child has ‘flu like’ symptoms consult your doctor and consider having a COVID- 19 test.

COVID-19 testing: If your child has been sent home from school and has been asked to have a COVID-19 test, we need to sight a negative test result before your child returns to school. An electronic copy of the text advising the negative result is sufficient.

The current advice reminds us that ‘ We must all remain vigilant and maintain our personal hygiene procedures at this point in time, and especially as we approach the winter season.’

Click here for the  current COVID- 19 guidelines for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. 

Sport Uniform days for Term 2

Please note that Year 1 and Year 2 now have 2 days of sports uniform for all of Term 2.

Sport uniforms are to be worn on the following days for each class:

Kindy  – Wednesday and Friday

Year 1 – Wednesday and Friday

Year 2 – Wednesday and Friday

Year 3 – Wednesday and Friday

Year 4 – Wednesday and Friday

Year 5 – Wednesday and Friday

Year 6 – Wednesday and Friday

School Terms for 2021

Holiday fun

Wishing all our families and community members a peaceful and happy holiday break. This term has been productive with the children working hard and they are now ready to have a rest. Having a rest is a necessary part of maintaining our mental health and wellbeing and it is important that we take some time out to recharge ourselves ready for the next term. Our Parent Portal has some links to informative websites that provide ideas for the holidays that are free. 

Keep reading to your children. Mem Fox, well known Australian author says: “When we take time to read aloud to the children in our lives, we bond closely with them in a secret society associated with the books we’ve shared. The fire of literacy is created by the emotional sparks that fly when a child, a book, and the person reading make contact. It isn’t achieved by the book alone, nor by the child alone, nor by the adult who’s reading aloud - it’s the relationship winding among all three, bringing them together in easy harmony.” Reading Magic By Mem Fox. Not only will you be providing your children with a wonderful literacy experience you will be bonding with them in a way that will be remembered by them forever.

Spend some time kicking the footy or playing hide and seek outdoors in the beautiful weather.  Go for a bush walk or have a picnic in the park. There are many things families can do together that build relationships and improve everyone's mental health and wellbeing. The Southern Highlands provides a wonderful playground of opportunities just waiting to be explored. National Parks NSW often have holiday activities for children that are free or have a small fee. You can access their website via our parent portal.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 2 recharged and ready to learn.

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/st-pauls-moss-vale/wellbeing

Best wishes,

Katie Browne

Assistant Principal

Sacramental Program

Please continue to pray for the students who are preparing for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Holy Week

This week, a Holy Week display was set up in the school hall to allow students, teachers and visitors the chance to learn about and remember the last events of Jesus’ life. Students were able to complete a number of activities related to each of these events. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful efforts in putting together these displays.

As we draw to the end of term, I would like to wish all families a holy, safe and enjoyable Easter.

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator