“He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ ”

Mark 4: 40

(from the Gospel for the twelfth Sunday in Ordinary time, Year B)

Dear Parents and Carers

We had a lovely day on Tuesday with the Athletics carnival. It was great to welcome families back to our sporting events to cheer on and encourage the children. I’m glad we made the decision to postpone the carnival to Tuesday given the fine weather we enjoyed. It was far more comfortable for the children and made for a very successful carnival. The children had a great day! I acknowledge that this decision may have made it difficult for some people to re-organise to be with us on Tuesday. The safety and wellbeing of the children is always at the forefront of our thinking and planning. I appreciate your understanding.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS

At today’s Award Assembly we awarded the children their ribbons for the carnival. We also announced the age champions and the overall champion house. The results are as follows:

Age Champions

Junior boy- Matthew Holmes

Junior girl- Phoebe Abbott

11 years boy- Nate Williams

11 year girl- Emiko Curcuruto

12 year boy- Luca Rochaix

12 year girl- Ella Caseley

War cries- Gold

Marching- Blue

Relays

Junior boys- Gold

Junior girls- Red

Senior boys- Gold

Senior girls- Red

Overall Carnival Champion House- Blue

I was very proud of the engaged, enthusiastic and sporting manner in which all the children participated in the carnival. I was especially pleased at the way the children encouraged each other  and were able to celebrate the successes of others. These are powerful life lessons and lessons aligned to our values as people of faith. In an era when our society seems to promote an attitude of “win at all costs”, it is both heartening and inspiring to see children show genuine care and concern for others, irrespective of the outcome of the contest. As Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3).

SEMESTER 1 REPORTS FOR YEAR 1 to YEAR 6 go home tomorrow Friday 18 June

Tomorrow we will be sending home the Semester 1 report for Year 1 to Year 6 via COMPASS. Our diocesan policy is that Kindergarten do not receive a formal report until Semester 2. We will be conducting Parent Teacher interviews next week. You can make a booking via COMPASS to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress and development. Please note that bookings will close on Sunday evening at 6pm.

I strongly encourage you to make these Parent Teacher interviews a priority. This is a formal opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher. Partnership is a key principle of Catholic education. Both home and school want the same outcome for every child - that the child learns and grows to her or his full potential.

A to E REPORTING

Our mandated reporting system, commonly referred to as A to E reporting, is designed to give you an indication of where your child’s current learning development. These grades have been allocated on the assessed standard of achievement for each child against the syllabus outcomes. The assessment by the class teacher describes each child’s skills and knowledge against the syllabus expectations for your child’s development at this stage. The grading is not a rank order of your child’s position in the class nor an arbitrary allocation. Teachers spend a great deal of time making these professional judgments based on each child’s learning data and demonstrated skills. These are evidence based decisions. 

That being said, the A to E system requires a little explanation.

A is exceptional: A child who is operating at more than a year ahead of expectation will receive an A. For example, a child in Year 4 receiving an A is operating at a Year 6 level i.e. eighteen months to two years ahead of expectation.

B is advanced: A child who is doing very well, is ahead of expectations and performing at an end of Semester 2 level, will receive a B. For example, a Year 2 child who is demonstrating knowledge and skills at an end of Year 2 or beginning of Year 3 standard will receive a B.

C is good: A child who is exactly where he or she ought to be at this time will receive a C grade. If your child receives a C, he or she is demonstrating skills and knowledge exactly as we would expect for a child at this stage of the year for their age and stage of development.

D is progressing slowly: a child who receives a D is operating at slightly below expectations. A child in Year 1 receiving a D would be performing an early Year 1 standard as opposed to a mid - Year 1 standard. This child is making progress and will be receiving additional support at school. Families will have been made aware of this additional support.

E is a basic: a child who receives an E is operating at a lower than expected standard. Families of children who receive an E will have already been contacted by the teacher to discuss your child’s progress and development. These children will be engaged with specific, targeted learning interventions.

Ultimately, we all want the same thing. In working together we can support and challenge each child’s learning by working together in the joint partnership that is Catholic education. Together we can achieve the best possible outcomes for your child.

SENIOR SCHOOL SUPPORT OFFICER (SSSO) APPOINTMENT- commencing Term 3

We have concluded the recruitment process for the SSSO position at St Paul’s vacated with Mrs Vaughan’s recent retirement. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Eileen Norman is the successful candidate. Mrs Norman will take up her new position at the beginning of Term 3 after she concludes her current role at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Bowral. Mrs Norman has a range of experience in a range of school offices across different school systems. We are very fortunate to have her work with us at St Paul’s and take up Mrs Vaughan’s legacy. I’m sure you will make Mrs Norman feel very welcome as she joins our school community.

P&F NEWS

P&F pie drive- orders and money by tomorrow Friday 18 June

We have had a good response to the P&F pie drive. We ask that the order forms and money be returned to school by tomorrow Friday 18 June. Delivery of the pies will be on Friday 25 June (last day of Term 2).

TOYS AT SCHOOL

Children do not need to bring toys or balls to school. We provide a range of balls, hoops, skipping ropes, sand pit toys as well as quiet play space toys in the small weather shed. These items are available every day. We also conduct structured play activities at play time.

If your child requires a sensory toy at school, please speak directly to your child’s teacher. The school also provides these options to support children who need them. Speaking to your child’s teacher about your child’s needs is important. Teachers are ready and willing to help. What is best for the children’s learning, wellbeing and development is always our first priority.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS FOR 2022 ARE NOW OPEN

If you have a child who is ready for school in 2022 or you know someone who has, our enrolment period is still open. We have had strong demand for places in recent years for the limited spaces we have available. This year is no exception. Applications can be picked up from the school office or downloaded from the school website. The first round offers of enrolment will be made in writing at the end of Term 2.

COVID-19 reminders

The most recent advisory to schools regarding COVID-19 was to maintain existing procedures and remain vigilant. We have been reminding the children of good hygiene practices (wash your hands; cover your cough/sneeze; wash your hands; stay at home if you are sick). We have maintained our regular, daily regime of hand washing and hard surface cleaning.

We are “all in this together” and I thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation in helping to keep everyone safe. 

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

WINTER UNIFORM

The children look lovely in their winter school uniforms. We will wear the winter uniform throughout Term 2 and Term 3. If children would like to wear a navy beanie, navy gloves or a navy scarf, they are perfectly welcome to do so. We want the children to be warm and comfortable at school during the cold months ahead.

Sport Uniform days for Term 2

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

Kindergarten - 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

Thank You

Yesterday I participated in my first Assistant Principal’s Appraisal. This process has given me the opportunity to reflect on the work I have been doing over the past three and half years and develop goals for the work I will be doing moving forward. I would like to thank the staff, students and parents for the positive feedback and support that you gave as a part of the appraisal process. I am truly humbled by the commendations and I look forward to continuing to serve the wonderful school community.

Regards,

Katie Browne

Assistant Principal

Thank you

Catherine du Bois

Religious Education Coordinator

CANTEEN ONLINE SERVICE ON THURSDAYS 

Our school canteen service operates on Thursdays each week. The service will be an online ordering service only. Please note that there is 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. 

If there is a problem with your child’s order please let our canteen supplier Fresh Start Canteens know. They will be only too happy to assist. If a child misses a lunch order, the school will make sure that your child has something to eat! We don’t want any child being hungry or unhappy!

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 in time for the first break on Thursday.

Sentral_QuickCliq_Family_Register_flyer_Canteen_1_.pdf