Dear parents, carers, staff and students

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope the time you have spent with the children has been enjoyable and restful in order to energise them in their learning this term.

To the new families who have joined us since my last Newsletter a very special welcome. The students have settled in well and when I did meet with them last week, they were happy to be at St Paul’s.

On the weekend we heard the Gospel reading that reminded us about the need for prayer. “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus instructs them with this prayer that we often pray. He refers to his Father God, our Heavenly Father when he says,”

As we enter into this new school term let us spend some quiet time reflecting on a word or a phrase from this prayer that speaks to each of us at this particular time.

I thank all staff and students for the way they have commenced this new term. The students have once again settled into their safe learning environment, ready to experience new infor- mation and enrich their knowledge and skills.

I thank all those parents who offer words of praise for our staff and the excellent work they undertake each day. I look forward to hearing your positive comments as we continue into the rest of this very busy term.

With every blessing to all staff, students and families of our school.

Colleen Easton, Principal

I invite you to join the students as they attend Mass each Friday. The children love to have their parents attend all school events and attendance at Mass is even more special to them. Please join your children at the Parish Mass at 9:30 am

Thanks to all those who come along when our students have been to Mass.

Week 2:  Friday 2 August – Kindergarten

Week 3:  Friday 9 August – Year 4

Week 4:  Friday 16 August – Year 3

Week 5:  Friday 23 August – Year 2

Week 7:  Friday 6 September – Year 5

Week 8:  Friday 13 September – Year 1

Week 10: Friday 27 September – Year 6

Our Year 6 students will travel to St John Vianney’s Co Cathedral Fairy Meadow on Tuesday 6 August 2019.

St Paul’s Year 6 students will join a cluster of schools to celebrate Mass with Bishop Brian.

The students will travel to and from Fairy Meadow by bus with their class teachers.

Parents will receive a notification shortly to prompt them to grant online permission via the Compass Parent Portal. 

There is not cost associated with this event as the school is covering the cost of the bus to transport the students to and from this event.

You are all invited to join the school community to celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Thursday 8 August at 2:30 pm.

This special day is an important one for our school as we try each day to follow in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop. We have many reasons at St Paul’s to celebrate this special day as our school was started by Australia’s first saint and we express the charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop by our faith, courage, trust and our actions of what we are to each other.

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 2019 for students as the staff will participate in a Spirituality Day at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

The children from our parish will receive the sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) on Wednesday 31 July 2019 at 6:30 pm in the church. We offer our prayers for these young parishioners that this will be a time for them to continue to grow in God’s forgiveness and love.

A COMPULSORY Parent Information Night will be held on Tuesday 6 August 2019 at 7 pm in the church for all parents wishing to present their children for the sacrament of Holy Communion this year.

Enrolment forms will be available on the night of Reconciliation. Please collect this and bring it with you to the Parent Information Night.

Holy Communion dates for this year are: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2019

Last Friday was a very busy one. We celebrated the feast day of Ss Joachim and Anne the grand parents of Mary our heavenly mother. A reflective liturgy was held in the church to commence the day with students, staff, parents and grandparents participating in the liturgy.

Thanks to our Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Sykes for preparing the liturgy.

Open Classrooms

Parents and Grandparents enjoyed their visit to the classrooms under the careful guidance of the children who so eagerly shared their learning with them. Following the classroom visit, the Quiet Area was filled with happy family members enjoying lunch in the sunshine.

Dance Spectacular

The front playground was then transformed into a stage area where our children waited eagerly to perform. This was an event not to be missed. Many came, watched, participated, enjoyed and appreciated student’s learning and their movement to creatively execute their dances to some lively music. Many thanks were offered to staff and myself for such a successful day and I include one of the emails that I received from a grandparent.

Dear Colleen
I just want to compliment you, your staff and all the school community on a wonderful Grandparents Day.
Even though we were unfortunate to not have a priest lead us in the Liturgy today, Janet Sykes and all that contributed in prayer and the thanksgiving presented it so well, very prayerful and meaningful for our special day.
The displays in my granddaughter’s classroom were wonderful and especially the children’s STEM projects, they were all amazing and a credit to them all. 
Last but not least, WOW the Dance Spectacular, all the classes put in great items, as well as the parents, teachers and grandparents. I finally got out of my comfort zone and joined my granddaughter in dance for the first time. 
Congratulations St Paul’s Community - you rocked it today.
In appreciation from Lynn Griffiths

Congratulations to Janae Robertson and Thomas Allen on receiving the annual Beverley Whitfield Award for Swimming.

The Mayor of Shellharbour City Council, Councillor Marianne Saliba attended our Monday morning Assembly to present the award. The mayor gave a brief description of the award and Shellharbour City Council’s commitment to acknowledge Beverley Whitfield as an athlete who set her goal to win GOLD one day at the Olympics. At the age of 18 Beverley did win GOLD at the Munich Olympics.

Well done Janae and Thomas on your achievement.

Our Parents and Friend’s Meeting was held last night. I invited a member from the Catholic Education Office, to present the Social Media policy. This policy has implications for all of us who use social media in one form or another. I take this opportunity to thank Mrs Rebecca Hill for giving so generously of her time to present this policy for us. The full implementation of the Social Media Policy becomes mandatory on 1 February 2020. I understand that parents are very busy and need to find someone to take care of the younger siblings etc. However, when enrolling your child at St Paul’s you did commit to work in partnership with the school and get involved, your attendance at these meetings is important.

Unfortunately, very few parents continually support the school by their attendance and to be a part of the discussions about school life. Thank you to those who give so generously of their time and commitment.

Thanks to all those parents and carers who attended our meeting last night. There was a lot of discussion and questions raised about the policy.

I thank the staff for giving so generously of their time to meet with you the parents and carers to discuss the learning and progress of your child. It is important for parents to take every opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher so that you are kept informed about all aspects of your child’s engagement in learning.

Thanks to all parents also for making the time to meet with your child’s teachers.

Please note that these dates are subject to change:

Week 3: Friday 9 August - Year 2 presenting

Week 4: Friday 16 August - Year 3 presenting

Week 5: Friday 23 August – Book Week Assembly 1:00 pm

Week 8: Friday 13 September - Year 6 presenting

The Principal’s Afternoon Tea Celebration will be held for all students who have now received either a Principal's or a Mary MacKillop Award.

I’m happy to invite students to spend some creative time with me on Wednesday 21 August 2019 at 1:15 pm.

I congratulate you on your achievement and look forward to our short time together to acknowledge such an effort. 

Students are allowed to bring their mobile phones to school. The expectation is that a consent form needs to be completed by the parent and the student. There are rules that students need to abide by if the choose to bring their phone to school. Students are not allowed to keep their mobile phone in their bags etc. during the day. They are to hand the mobile phone in to the office staff when they arrive at school and collect it in the afternoon when school finishes.

Also, it is not to be used inappropriately when collected from the office at the end of the school day. The school takes this matter very seriously as to its unacceptable use. Parents will need to collect the phone personally from the school office if a student chooses not to abide by the expectations.

Book Week:  Reading is my Secret Power

We have 6 competitions:

1. The Colleen Story Writing Competition– All students are encouraged to enter. The theme for Book Week is Reading is my Secret Power. The theme for the children's stories is anything to do with Superheroes, super powers, etc. Colleen sponsors this competition and provides the prizes - book vouchers
2. Guess the Super Staff Member - Children to guess who the teacher is (photos of staff dressed in cape and mask) plus their super power/name - entry forms available in the library
3. Colouring-In Competition - Infants only (colouring in sheets will be handed out in library lessons)
4. Create a Comic Cover - Primary only - invent a superhero, draw and design a comic cover that promotes reading
5. Trivia Competition - held in the hall - Tuesday 20th August - Recess time - entry forms available in the library
6. Guess the Book of the Year - from each category, children select the winning book from the Shortlisted books - entry forms available in the library

Book Week Activities

Monday 19th August- Author visit by Michael Salmon

• 12:10pm - 1:10pm - Author visit with Blue classes
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm   - Author visit with Red classes
• 3:00pm - 3:10pm   - book sales and signing

Tuesday 20th August- Trivia competition at Recess

Friday 23rd August - Book Week Assembly 1:00 pm

We will begin training for our annual Catholic Primary Schools (CPS) Basketball Challenge that takes place in Albury this year.

The training details will be shared on Compass as soon as it is finalised. Training will be held at St Joseph’s. Church Street Albion Park.

I thank the staff and parents who have offered to help with training and travelling to Albury to coach and manage the games. Yes, it is a big commitment and we are happy to support this sport that was established at St Paul’s many years ago.

I sincerely thank all those who gave so generously of their time to complete the Parent Survey for my Appraisal that is to be conducted in Term 4.

I shall keep you informed about the Appraisal and the outcome of it. The process now is:

• I send in documentation of my Key Achievements for the last four years of my Principalship 
• I also include my Professional Learning goals and Professional Development records 
• Parents and Staff are surveyed 
• An external panel will come to the school for the day on Tuesday 29 October and conduct interviews with the staff, parents, students and myself 
• The panel writes a report 
• Mr Peter Turner then meets with me to give me the recommendations. 

Principal's Awards

Congratulations Zane Stroemer who received a Principal's Award last Term at our Assembly on 5 July 2019.

Congratulations to Addison Dunn who will receive a Principal’s Award at our next Assembly on Friday 9 August 2019.

Mary MacKillop Award

Congratulations Thomas Allen following students who received a Mary MacKillop Award last Term at our Assembly on 5 July 2019.

Congratulations to Jimmy Robertson who will receive a Mary MacKillop Award at our next Assembly on Friday 9 August 2019.

Our next Assembly will be held this Friday 9 August 2019 commencing at 2:20 pm in the hall.  Year 2 students will be presenting this Assembly. Parents and Carers are asked to use the Parish side entrance to the hall.

Thank you so much for your fabulous support in collecting and sending in the stickers from the Woolworths Earn and Learn program. The total number of points we received was 55,740. We will be choosing our new resources soon and looking forwarded to our school receiving the new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) equipment. A big thanks to Mrs Frendo and her daughters for the many hours spent sticking the stickers onto the sheets.

Robyn Warton, Library School Support Officer

There are 4 weeks remaining to complete the Premier's Reading Challenge. Please ensure the online student reading records have been completed by August 30. The certificates will be delivered to school towards the end of Term 4. Congratulations to all the students who have worked so hard to complete this year's Challenge.

Robyn Warton, Library School Support Officer

Book Club Orders are due by Monday 5 August 2019 - please note that all orders are done online and no late orders can be processed.

We will be distributing Book Club Orders in a reusable bag.  We ask that once your child receive's their order that the bag is returned to the Library so that it can be reused for the next order.  We would like to create a boomerang bag process within the school community, as we try to minimise our wastage and therefore in a small way help sustain our environment.

Robyn Warton and Louise Frendo, School Support Officers, Library

Uniforms will be available to families at the next assembly, Friday 9 August 2019. Please head up the ramp in the hall, to the room at the back of the stage.

Parents/cares who require second hand uniform items throughout the term, please contact Maria Bancroft (0400570105). Items requested can be left at the office to pay and pick up at your convenience. All items are $5.

Please Note: We can only accept CORRECT CHANGE when purchasing uniforms. NO CHANGE CAN BE GIVEN. Alternatively, families can pay by EFTPOS at the front office.

 Maria Bancroft, P & F Second Hand Uniforms Coordinator

Our Top Oval is going to be transformed once again by an amazing colour explosion.

The day will involve music, class activities, running, fun obstacles, water and colour powder throwing (by staff and volunteer’s).

A student promotions team is currently being selected, and will be busy planning our Big Launch to occur in the coming weeks. The launch will definitely get your children reminiscing how great last year was, and for our new students, excited about this fabulous event.

On the launch day, every student will bring home a fundraising booklet and note on how to create profiles and gain sponsorship.

Weekly updates will be added to our St Paul’s Albion Park P & F Facebook page.

Let’s make this year more colourful and more successful than last year!!!!

Maria Bancroft, P & F Colour Fun Run Coordinator

Thank you to the following wonderful and supportive parents who assisted with the preparation, cooking, serving the orders and clean up at our Sausage Sizzle last week for the Grandparents and Dance Spectacular Day.

Suzy Stromer, Gordona Georgievski, Tracey Barrett, Danielle Holt, Riley-Ann Hofman, Joanne Smith, Tanika Apps, Michelle Barnes, Deanna Cabonora, Belinda Brennan, Helen Moon, Kristi Barrrett, Lisa Rosete, Jodie Robson, and Lydia Jones.

Special thanks to Lynne Alabaster, Brian McCann and Lisa Payne for all of their assistance, and to our two BBQ Extraordinaires - Kellie Mundt and Jane Bancroft.

Huge thank you to Maria Bancroft for the organisation, ordering, prepping, cleaning and cooking of the Grandparent's Day BBQ.

Amy De Santis, P & F Secretary

Please find attached an information sheet about Double Delights for Active Kids which was forwarded to us by Gareth Ward, MP, Member for Kiama.

It contains exciting news about an additional $100 Active Kids Voucher being available to all parents/carers of school aged children for use during the 2^nd half of this year.

Gareth would would our parents and carers to be made aware of the vouchers that go a long way to cover the costs associated with children participating in sport.

Jamberoo Junior Touch 2019 Registration

Registration form is available now until 31st August at www.jamberootouch.com.au/site/juniors

REGISTRATION DATES: Tuesday 6^th August and Tuesday 13^th August from 4.00pm to 5.00pm

VENUE: Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo

REGISTRATION FORMS To save time please bring completed registration form on Tuesday

These are available online at www.jamberootouch.com.au/site/juniors  

Or email to jamberoojuniortouch@gmail.com and make EFT payment.

COMPETITION STARTS: Tuesday 15^th October 2019

FINALS DAY: Tuesday 10^th December 2019

GAME TIMES: 4:45 pm and 5:15 pm

COST: $30 per player which includes Playing Shirt & Insurance Fees

NEW PLAYERS (only): will need to provide proof of age

AGES: 5 to 13

The University of Wollongong would like to invite our students to LITTLE AND EARLY LEARNING LABS, an academic enrichment holiday program, which is targeted  to students from Year 1 to Year 6 during 2019, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners.

Dates:                   

• Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 30^th September – 2^nd October 2019
• Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 2^nd – 4^th October 2019

Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)

Applications close: 21^st August 2019

See attached flyer for further information.