Last Sunday in Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrated the Second Sunday of Advent Year B. Sunday's Gospel reading presents to us the story of the Annunciation and of the birth of John the Baptist. The angel greets Mary in the most glowing of terms, acknowledging the favour she has found with God. The son Mary is to conceive is described in messianic terms. He will be called “Son of the Most High” and the “Son of God.” Mary's affirmative response to this seemingly impossible message gives evidence to the grace we know that she possesses from God. Only one who is “full of grace” can be so receptive to and cooperative with the will of God. Because of this, Mary is the model of discipleship for all Christians.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As I write my last newsletter as Principal of St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School my heart is filled with a mix of emotions—sadness and gratitude as I say farewell to this wonderful school community. After 4 years of incredible memories, shared triumphs, and collective growth, the time has come for me to pass the baton to a new Principal Miss Pecnik.

Reflecting on the last 4 years, I am overwhelmed with pride at what we have achieved as a community. St Paul’s is not just a place of learning; it is a vibrant tapestry woven with the dreams, aspirations, and achievements of each student, teacher, staff member,

Our school has always been more than just a building, its a place where relationships have been forged, ideas have blossomed, and futures have been shaped. The warmth and spirit of our community have been the driving force behind our collective success.

As I bid farewell, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each member of our St Paul’s school community. Thank you to Fr. Leo for his support, guidance and leadership. Thank you to the dedicated teachers and staff who have tirelessly worked to create a nurturing environment for our students. Thank you to the parents for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. Thank you to the Parents and Friends Association and Amy DeSantis for their amazing collaboration.  Most importantly, thank you to the students, the heart and soul of our school, for your boundless enthusiasm, curiosity, and unwavering spirit.

To my incredible School Leadership team, both present and past, your commitment and passion have been the driving force behind our accomplishments. I am proud to have worked alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.

As I embark on a new journey, I leave with a heart full of gratitude and memories that will stay with me forever. While I will no longer be your principal, the bonds we've forged will endure. I have every confidence that St Paul’s will continue to thrive and reach new heights under the capable leadership of Miss Pecnik.

As I say farewell, I want to leave you with this: our school community is not just a place; it's a legacy. Let's continue to build on the foundation we've created, nurturing the minds and spirits of the next generation of students.

Thank you for an unforgettable chapter in my life. I carry each of you in my heart, and I look forward to witnessing the continued success of our beautiful school St Paul’s.

School Captains and School Student Leadership 2024

It is my great pleasure to announce the 2023 Student Leadership Team that will represent the student body. These students will be formally recognised in a ceremony in February 2024. At this ceremony all Year Six students will also receive a special badge to acknowledge their important role as leaders.

School Captains 2024

Senior Leaders 2024

Pastoral Care Leaders 2024

ICT Leaders 2024

Hospitality Leaders 2024

Sport Leaders 2024

I wish the students all the very best in their leadership roles in 2024 and I would also like to acknowledge the 2023 Student Leadership Team for their outstanding contribution to St Paul’s Albion Park.

Semester Two Student Reports

I have had the pleasure to read the Semester 2 student reports. The reports are a testament of the high quality of work produced by students and the high quality of learning experiences planned and taught by teachers. The Semester 2 reports were released to parents and carers on Friday 8th December, this has provided opportunity for parents and carers to contact teachers for a learning conversation.

I would like to thank the staff at St Paul’s for their professionalism. The comments staff have diligently and professionally written highlight the depth and breadth of their knowledge about students and their learning attainment and growth, student attitude to learning and their well-being and behaviour strategies.  I would like to congratulate the students of St Paul’s on their hard work and their pleasing results.

Year 6 2023

As a school community we had the pleasure of joining our Year Six students and their parents and carers to celebrate the Year Six Graduation on Tuesday 12th December. This was a wonderful occasion to recognise the many achievements of these students. This coming Friday 15th December our Year Six Students will complete a milestone in their lives, the completion of their Primary Education. For the majority of these students St Paul’s has been the only school they have ever known. As these students leave us to begin the next phase of their journey, we thank them for sharing their special gifts with all of us. 

For a number of our families their association with the St Paul’s Community will be coming to an end. I take this opportunity to thank these families for living out their commitment to the school and for contributing to the building of this wonderful community in a multitude of ways. We farewell the following families at the end of 2023.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Fr. Leo, Miss Alana Stroligo, Mrs Katie Colquhoun, Mrs Julie Ferguson, Mrs Lauren Wilson, Mrs Kristie Bicknell and the Year 6 parent and carer organising committee for their hard work and dedication to the wonderful organisation of the Liturgy of the Word and the Graduation Dinner. The Year Six Graduation was a community event and celebration that our Year 6 students and parents and carers enjoyed and will remember. On behalf of the St Paul’s School Community we wish our Year 6 students all the very best for 2024.

Afternoon Tea with the Principal

Thank you to the many students at St Paul’s who have worked very hard in their classrooms and on the playground.  The following chart outlines the Student School Award System used at St Paul’s to recognise students who are trying very hard with their learning and on the playground.

I was able to celebrate an afternoon tea with our students to recognise their wonderful achievements. We were entertained with students telling jokes and sharing riddles. It was a great way to spend an afternoon!!! Congratulations to those students who received a Principal or Mary MacKillop Award in Term 4.

Staffing Update

As we make preparations to begin a new school year we do this with the knowledge that we will be farewelling some of the existing staff members of our community.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs Angela Spacavento. After 34 years of dedicated service to St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School Mrs Spaccavento has decided to embark on a new chapter in her life. Mrs Spaccavento has gone above and beyond, creating a positive and engaging learning environment that has made a lasting impact on many St Paul’s students. Mrs Spaccavento has consistently demonstrated exceptional teaching skills, creativity in the classroom, and a genuine concern for the well-being and growth of her students. As Mrs Spaccavento moves on to new opportunities, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for her unwavering dedication to education and St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs Alexandra Hingston who has been teaching at St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary school over the past 3 years. Mrs Hingston has been a source of inspiration for us all and her commitment to excellence and passion for diverse learning will be missed. Mrs Hingston's dedication and many achievements have contributed significantly to the positive culture of our school. As Mrs Hingston embarks on a new journey at the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong, we extend our warmest wishes for success, fulfilment, and happiness. May this next chapter bring as much joy and accomplishment as you have brought to all of us here at St Paul’s.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Miss Eliza Treble who has been a teacher and middle leader for the past 12 months at St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School. Miss Treble has been a role model, teaching the values of sportsmanship, resilience, and dedication and has been instrumental in fostering a culture where every student feels empowered to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle. As Miss Treble embarks on her new role at Stella Maris Catholic Parish Primary School, we wish this new adventure be filled with the same zest for life and passion that Miss Treble has shared with our community. We wish Miss Treble continued success, happiness at Stella Maris.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs Mourihno who has joined our school community this term. We take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for the invaluable contributions Mrs Mourihno has made during her time as the acting Assistant Principal at St Paul's. We thank Mrs Mourihno for her unwavering dedication to fostering a positive and enriching educational environment and your genuine passion for education. We wish Mrs Mourihno the very best for the 2024 school year.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs Fay Richter who has been in a temporary teaching position for the past year. Fay has made many wonderful contributions to the community in her role as Creative Arts Teacher. We wish Mrs Richer the very best for the 2024 school year.

I would like to acknowledge the work of Miss Kelly Rogan who has been in a temporary teaching position for the past year. Kelly has made many wonderful contributions to the community in her role as Kindergarten Support Teacher. We wish Miss Rogan the very best for the 2024 school year.

To these valued staff we say ‘thank you’ for the contributions they have made to making a difference to the lives of our students. We wish each of them abundant blessings as they all begin their new adventures in 2024.

After a recruitment process I would like to congratulate Mrs Tami Hennock who was the successful applicant for the Year 5 classroom teaching role for 2024. Mrs Hennock is currently teaching at Holy Cross Catholic Parish Primary School at Helensburgh. Mrs Hennock brings much experience and wisdom to the role of Year 5 classroom teacher and we look forward to welcoming Mrs Hennock in 2024. 

After a recruitment process I would like to congratulate Mrs Belinda Posadas who was the successful applicant for the Larger Instructional Group Size and Learning Support role in 2024. Mrs Posadas is currently teaching at Shell Cove Public School and will provide such expertise in this role and we look forward to welcoming Mrs Posadas in 2024. 

After a recruitment process I would like to congratulate Mrs Skye Sefton who was the successful applicant for a Learning Support role for 2024. Mrs Sefton is currently working in Learning Support at Corpus Christi Catholic High School and will bring much knowledge and experience to this role and we look forward to welcoming Mrs Sefton in 2024. 

Classes for 2024

After completing the recruitment process, and careful consideration of class teacher placements. I am pleased to announce teachers for 2024.

Merry Christmas

As we come to the end of the 2023 school year I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support from our families across this year. We are very fortunate to be part of a community who work together for the benefit of all our students, who are at the centre of all the decisions we make and the goals we set. And to you, our parents and carers, my sincerest thanks for your support of the school this year, for the way in which you have engaged fully in the partnership with us in the education of your child. Thank you on behalf of all staff for everything you have contributed to our community this year.

I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the staff at St Paul’s, for guiding and supporting our students, for their commitment to St Paul’s, to the school’s purpose, mission, and values. I would like to acknowledge the staff’s commitment to the well being and the growth of our students. The staff have worked tirelessly throughout the year, demonstrating tremendous adaptability and commitment to ensuring learning continuity for all students as we have come out of two years of remote learning.

Thank you to our amazing students, who with the support of their parents and carers, once again engaged in remote learning with enthusiasm and confidence. It's often said that children are far more resilient and adaptable than we give them credit for! The courage, determination, openness to what might be, curiosity, love of learning, the attitude that springs from a place of gratitude are true testament of what our St Paul’s students have demonstrated this year. Congratulations to our students on all they have achieved in their own personal growth in faith and learning. 

I would like to thank the school community for the beautiful gifts, emails, flowers and best wishes I have received as I bid farewell to St Paul's.

On behalf of the staff, I wish all of our families a blessed Christmas filled with hope, joy and love. I pray you all have a safe and happy Christmas and holiday break and we wish you and your families all the joy that Christmas brings.

Wishing you all the very best for 2024.

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.

Mrs Olivia Roberts, Miss Kelly Rogan, Mrs Tara Teo, Miss Amyllia McGeehan

Mrs April Grove, Miss Kelly Rogan, Mrs Tara Teo, Miss Amyllia McGeehan

Mrs Gemma Bolton, Mrs Karen Shaw

Mrs Tracy Whalan, Mrs Elizabeth Rippon, Mrs Karen Shaw

Mrs Suzette Bennett, Mrs Carol Harb 

Miss Julianne Tonini, Miss Caitlyn Dryden

Miss Samantha Ryan, Miss Caitlyn Dryden, Mr Tom Barrett

Miss Eliza Treble, Miss Kayla McNamara 

Mrs Annalise Hastings, Mrs Rebecca Nunes, Mrs Janet McDonald Cook, Mrs Cathy Shulz

Mrs Bree-Anna Fogliada, Mrs Kylie Linnett, Mrs Louise Frendo, Mrs Christine Calleja

Mrs Suzanne Hayes, Mrs Louise Frendo, Mrs Christine Calleja

Miss Alana Stroligo, Mrs Lauren Wilson

Mrs Katie Culquhoun, Mrs Lauren Wilson, Mrs Angela Waistell 

Mrs Jacinta Wells

Mr Michael Tully

Thank you to all our amazing Parents and Carers that helped out at the Christmas Stall! It was a great day and our students loved the gifts that were on offer!