In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrated Pentecost Sunday Year A. Last Sunday's Gospel reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit and that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life and is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last Friday as a nation we celebrated National Sorry Day which acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Sorry Day marks the start of Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. St Paul's recognised and celebrated National Sorry Day with a Liturgy of the Word led by Year One and the school choir. I would like to thank Miss Julianne Tonini, Mrs Jodi Marsh, Mrs Tracy Whalan and Mrs Gemma Bolton for their leadership. 

This week we celebrate Reconciliation Week. The National Reconciliation Week 2023 theme, “Be A Voice For Generations” calls on Australians to honour the work of generations past who fought for justice in Australia and to work together today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the generations to come. Reconciliation is about building a better nation; a more united Australia that respects and takes pride in 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, stories and achievements; an Australia that believes in the right of First Nations peoples to make decisions about our lives and our communities; and an Australia that stands opposed to racism, inequity and injustice. This is a very important time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

On Monday 30 May I accompanied a number of students from St Paul’s to participate in the Reconciliation Flag Walk with Shellharbour Council. The Reconciliation School Flag Walk, which involves all schools across the City and the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities is an opportunity to promote and celebrate the shared journeys of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the non-Indigenous communities of Australia. I would like to thank Miss Julianne Tonini, Mrs Josephine Ball, Mr Preston Wall, Miss Caitlyn Dryden and Mrs Jodi Marsh for their preparation and organisation of the planned experiences at St Paul's to recognise and celebrate National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.

I would like to congratulate Fr. Leo  who celebrated his 40 year anniversary in the Priesthood last week. It is vital that a school has the care and support of their Parish Priest and this is certainly what we have with Fr. Leo. The recent document written by Bishop Brian Bearers of Christ’s Love articulates the integral connection between schools and parishes and active collaboration between the school and the Parish Priest, we are certainly very fortunate to have Fr. Leo who is very much involved with the school community. A morning tea was held with staff in Fr. Leo’s honour and on behalf of the whole school community we congratulate Fr. Leo on his 40 year anniversary and to thank Fr. Leo for his leadership at St Paul’s Catholic Parish School.

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

Acknowledgement to Country

St Paul's Albion Park acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is built.

From this year, parents and carers will get earlier, simpler, and clearer information about their child’s NAPLAN achievement based on new, more rigorous national standards.

Parents will receive the results of NAPLAN early in Term 3.

Education ministers have agreed to change the way NAPLAN results are reported to parents and carers, now that all students are taking the tests online, and with the move to an earlier NAPLAN in March. New proficiency standards with 4 levels of achievement for each year level will replace the previous 10-band structure that covered all 4 levels tested and the old National Minimum Standard set in 2008 when tests were on paper. The new proficiency standards include a baseline benchmark to identify students who are likely to need additional support.

The numerical NAPLAN bands and the national minimum standard will be replaced by the following 4 levels of achievement:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support

The descriptors for each category will make it clear to parents what their child’s literacy and numeracy skills are at the time of NAPLAN testing, and support discussions with their school on their child’s progress.

Students at St Paul's catch a variety of buses that also have students from surrounding schools. Premier Illawarra operates these buses under the guidelines of NSW Transport.

They ask that all students behave on buses under the specifics of the code of conduct:

Each grade will have the opportunity to present an assembly fortnightly on Friday afternoons in the hall at 2:30pm. ACE, Principal and Mary MacKillop Awards will be presented at these assemblies. Parents are welcome to attend. Please see below the dates for the remainder of the year. 

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

In 2023 one of our Annual Improvement Plan goals at St Paul's is for students to demonstrate understanding of the school's Catholic values. While it is important to live all Catholic values, as a school we would like to focus on those specifically important to the student community at this point in time. Staff have worked together to identify values that they feel are most valuable. 

We are now seeking input from the wider community. 

Could you please read the selection of goals and choose four that you believe are most important for the community of St Paul's Primary School to hold as their school values?

Follow this link to access the survey: https://forms.gle/9MUAgc87bACTfpHN9

There will also be paper copies available at the school office, if this is your preferred option.

Mini-Vinnies continues to be well attended by students from Years 3 to 5. 

Earlier in the term, Mr Tony Young from the Oak Flats Branch of St Vincent de Paul came along to our meeting to speak to the children about the needs of the wider community, especially as we approach the winter months. This week students had the opportunity to experience what those who are homeless sometimes only have to eat. We tried cold Minestrone soup from a can, as sometimes people do not have the means to heat their food. Everyone agreed that it would taste much better heated!

Students over the next few weeks will prepare to promote our Winter Appeal - held on the last day of Term 2, with the hope of helping those in need within the wider community. Our winter appeal will be a Pyjama Day where students have the opportunity to purchase a hot chocolate and donut for $5. Notes will come home next week.

Students from the older grades will be attending Mass on the Friday’s below. Parents and carers are invited to attend Mass, followed by an opportunity to visit the grade classroom and have morning tea in the hall. Mass begins at 9:30am in St Paul’s Catholic Church.

LITURGIES AND RELIGIOUS OCCASIONS FOR TERM 2

Please find a list below of Liturgies and events that will be celebrated in Term 2. Some Religious occasions will be recognised in the classroom during Religious Education lessons.

Mrs Jodi Marsh

Religious Education Coordinator

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS

RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION IN 2023

Dear Parents and Carers of Catholic Children in Years 3 to 6 in 2023.

If you wish for your child to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2023, please check the St Paul's Parish website (www.st paul's parish.org.au) for information on dates and expectations of the parish for each of these sacraments.

Thank you,

Therese McQuade

Coordinator, Sacramental Programme

St Paul's Parish

First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Parent/Carer Meeting, was held in church on Tuesday, May 16th at 7pm.

Our previous PB4L focus was ‘I can ask for help when I need to’. For some students, asking for help can be overwhelming as they may be uncertain:

• Who to ask for support
• How to ask for support
• When to ask for support

Throughout Week 4 and 5 teachers explicitly taught students strategies to support them with seeking help when in the classroom and on the playground. Teachers read to students different picture books which showed how characters in the story overcame a problem when faced with a challenge. 

Our current focus for Week 6 and Week 7 is ‘I can show respect for my school when wearing my uniform’. Throughout the two weeks staff will be awarding students stickers and raffle tickets for students who are correctly wearing the school uniform, for example school winter uniform and sport uniform worn on correct days, students wearing their school hat when outdoors.  Please refer to the attached document for the PB4L Matrix. We appreciate your support with this matter. If you have any questions regarding your child’s school uniform please speak to your child’s classroom teacher or please refer to the SPAP School Uniform Policy.

PB4L Student Leadership Team

Our PB4L Student Leadership Team has been reflecting on the school reward system. Students went to various classrooms and asked students what types of prizes students would like to receive when their name is drawn from the weekly raffle. Over the coming weeks the PB4L Committee will reflect on student responses so that we can ensure we all student voices are heard. 

Regards, 

Miss Alana Stroligo

Year 1 students along with Mrs Whalan, Mrs Bolton and Mrs Rippon led the whole school in a prayerful and reflective liturgy last Friday. Year 1 students and the school choir showed great enthusiasm and respect leading the school in the songs to recognise National Reconciliation Week and foster a spirit of healing at St Paul’s. 

This week students will be exploring the themes of Reconciliation Week in their classrooms through the creation of a Sea of Hands display and discussions around relevant picture books connected to the themes of reconciliation, healing and the power of voice. The upper grades will explore the history of Reconciliation Week and the significant dates that bookend the week. 

On Monday 29 May students from St Paul’s joined the Reconciliation School Flag Walk where over 600 students from 31 schools attended. 

After the walk students took part in the official ceremony with a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, speeches and an official exchange of flags between local Elders, Civic Leaders, community members and school flag bearers.

After the ceremony all participants shared lunch together and took part in afternoon activities. 

This year students in Year 1 to 6 are invited to compete in a Write on Competition organised by NESA. This is an annual writing competition open to all NSW primary students. In class teachers have been encouraged to give their students the opportunity to compose an imaginative text using an image as the stimulus. Entries close in the coming weeks so please keep a lookout in the coming school newsletters for some examples of students' entries. 

Miss Alana Stroligo

Using Place Value Research to Enhance Mathematical Outcomes

At St Paul’s our dedicated teachers are committed to providing the best possible education for your child. To improve student mathematical outcomes, our teachers have been using the research and teaching lessons developed by Angela Rogers, a renowned expert in the field of mathematics education. Angela Rogers' research focuses on the importance of understanding place value as a foundation for mathematical proficiency. Our teachers have been incorporating these valuable insights into their instructional practices to enhance student learning and achievement in mathematics.

Collaborative Efforts for Continuous Improvement

We firmly believe in the power of collaboration among our teachers. Regular collaborative meetings and professional development sessions have been organised to promote the sharing of ideas, strategies, and best practices. By working together, our teachers are able to deepen their understanding of effective teaching methods and exchange valuable insights to further enhance the quality of instruction. This collaborative spirit among our staff not only benefits our teachers but also translates into improved learning experiences for our students.

Whole School Mathematics Goal

As a school, we have set a whole-school mathematics goal to further strengthen our students' mathematical abilities. Our staff is actively working towards this goal, aiming to provide comprehensive and engaging mathematics education across all grade levels. By aligning our efforts, resources, and instructional practices, we are fostering a cohesive and consistent mathematics program that supports student growth and achievement in this critical subject area.

Ways parents can support in-place value at home with my child

We greatly value your partnership and involvement in your child's education. We encourage you to continue supporting your child's mathematical development by engaging in meaningful conversations about mathematics at home and reinforcing the importance of perseverance and problem-solving skills.

We understand the importance of collaboration between home and school in supporting your child's mathematical development. To further enhance your child's understanding of place value, we have compiled a list of activities and games that you can engage in with your child at home. These activities are designed to be enjoyable and interactive, providing opportunities for your child to practice and reinforce their place value skills. Here are some ideas:

1. Place Value Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt around your home where your child has to find and identify items with specific place value properties. For example, they can find objects with three-digit numbers, locate objects with a particular digit in a specific place value position, or even search for numbers written in expanded form.
2. Place Value War: Play a game of "Place Value War" using a standard deck of cards. Assign each player a digit position (ones, tens, hundreds) and deal two cards face down. Each player flips their cards simultaneously and constructs a two-digit or three-digit number based on their assigned position. The player with the higher value wins the round.

3. Place Value Bingo: Create a bingo game using place value concepts. Make bingo cards with various place value representations (e.g., numerals, expanded form, word form) and call out corresponding numbers. Encourage your child to identify and mark the correct place value representation on their bingo card.

4. Number Riddles: Create number riddles that involve place value clues. For example, "I am a three-digit number. My hundreds digit is twice my tens digit, and my ones digit is half of my tens digit. What number am I?" Challenge your child to solve the riddles using their place value knowledge.

5. Place Value Charts: Use place value charts or grids to visually represent numbers. Ask your child to represent different numbers using base-ten blocks, drawing, or writing in the appropriate place value columns. This activity helps reinforce the understanding of the relationship between digits and their place value positions.

6. Ordering Numbers: Write a series of numbers on index cards or sticky notes. Mix them up and have your child arrange them in ascending or descending order. This game helps develop number sequencing skills and reinforces the concept of place value.

7. Place Value Memory: Create a memory game by writing numbers on index cards, making sure to include both the numeral and the corresponding base-ten block representation. Mix up the cards and have your child turn over two cards at a time, trying to find a match of the numeral and its base-ten block representation.

8. Place Value Exchange: Provide your child with a set of base-ten blocks or paddle pop sticks or straws (ones, tens, and hundreds). Give them a number and ask them to represent it using the blocks. Then, challenge them to exchange, regroup, or trade blocks to create a different number with the same digits. For example, exchanging ten ones for one ten to represent 30 instead of 20.

9. Roll and Expand: Roll a dice and have your child create a two- or three-digit number using the digit rolled. Then, ask them to write the expanded form and draw the corresponding base-ten blocks for the number. This activity reinforces the connection between the numeral, expanded form, and visual representation.

Throughout the year teachers have access to a variety of quality professional development opportunities. Casual teachers are employed to cover classes with the teacher ensuring the teaching program and routines are followed. 

“Those who dare to teach, never cease to learn” John Cotton-Dana

Congratulations to 3 Red who had the least contamination in their recycling bin this week. They will be receiving a Zooper Dooper and the opportunity to display the prestigious Laudato Si’ Plaque in their classroom for the week. 

On Friday the 19th of May, NRMA presented safety strategies through their show titled 'Science and Road Safety'. Students learnt many strategies to stay safe on the roads and in cars. See below a video of students from Year 3 and 4 talking about their favourite part of the presentation and what they learnt.

After 3 years of not being held, we were blessed with a magic day at the Willandra Cross Country course at Brown’s Mountain, Nowra. The nerves and excitement were rife among the 24 students who were representing our school, St Paul’s and we definitely made our mark with some fantastic results.

Every child must be congratulated for the way they ran, demonstrating their natural speedy ability, determination and tenacity on what is a very tough course, and also, for the encouragement they gave to other students as they competed. There really was a great vibe amongst our team and school spirit was high.     

Special mention must go to three of our students who have qualified for the MacKillop Trials being held on Tuesday 13th June, 2023 at the Sydney Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park. 

Sienna - 2nd place in 10 year girls

Madelynne - 4th place in 11 year girls

Cooper - 8th place in 11 year boys

We wish them all the best at the next carnival. 

With 31 Diocesan Primary Schools competing, there were 93+ children in each race. Our 24 students all achieved such great results.

Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who attended, and supported the students at our school. Thank you to Mrs Rodwell for getting the students a great starting position on the start line and to Miss Treble for organising the event and conducting before school training. 

Mrs Evans

Notes have been sent home in regards to the Netball Gala Day on Tuesday 20th June 2023. A Compass event will be created in the coming days for you to give permission for your child to attend.

On Tuesday, 30th May, Year 4 students embarked on an exciting excursion to Minnamurra Rainforest. This excursion provided an invaluable opportunity for the students to delve deeper into their understanding of rainforests and their significance. Exploring the lush greenery and diverse ecosystem, the students discovered firsthand the importance of rainforests in maintaining sustainability, regulating climate, and providing vital resources for both humans and animals. The excursion also sparked discussions about the various perspectives on the environment and how they influence sustainability practices. 

As the students journeyed through the rainforest, walking a considerable distance to reach the captivating waterfall, they learned how crucial it is for people to utilise places and environments more sustainably. They investigated the intricate relationship between natural vegetation, natural resources, and the environment, recognising the need to protect these valuable assets for the well-being of future generations.

Year 4 students not only learned about the importance of rainforests but also engaged in practical activities that enhanced their understanding of navigation and sustainability. As part of our exploration, we created maps using natural resources found in the rainforest, such as leaves, sticks, and moss. These resourceful maps helped us recognise the directions of a compass, providing us with valuable skill for navigating through the rainforest and beyond.

  

On Friday May 19, teachers, students and members of the school community met at Albion Park Swimming Pool to take part in our annual Walk Safely To School Day. The skies were blue and the sun was shining brightly, making it the perfect morning to walk to school. Thank you to all the families who supported this initiative and the teachers that accompanied the walk. The aim of Walk Safely To School Day is to promote road safety, health, and the environment. It could not have occurred on a more fitting day, with the NRMA road safety workshop happening on the same day.

Please ensure when your contact details change to email the info account, so we have a record of the new details. info@spapdow.catholic.edu.au

If there has been any change of information in relation to your child, please contact the office as soon as possible.  This could include change in emergency contacts, change of address, email or phone number, or updated medical information. 

The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If students are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence. 

After seven days, absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school is not provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven-day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven-day period. 

The school will continue to support Parents/Carers and frequently send home letters giving Parents/Carers the opportunity to provide the school with an explanation for absences.

Please remember to inform the office or your child's class teacher if there is going to be a change in routine. If a parent is running late please contact the school office. If you have organised for someone else to collect your child, please inform the office of this as soon as possible or write a note for your child's class teacher.

The Year 6 Graduation Committee are holding a Pie Drive fundraiser to raise funds for the 2023 Year 6 Graduation. Please see the information below.

Please see below an article produced by CatholicCare on the advantages of Mindfulness for students.

The Parents and Friends Association are currently needing additional clothing racks to hold the secondhand uniforms. If anyone has any, preferably with wheels, that they could donate we would really appreciate the assistance. If you have one to donate, please drop it to the school office.

Thank you for your support

Amy De Santis

St Paul's Parents and Friends Association President

Thank you to those parents and carers who joined the St Paul's Parents and Friends Executive at the Term 2 Parents and Friends Association Term 2 meeting. Please see the attached minutes for the meeting.

Parish Life Newsletter