Dear Parents and Carers,

Last night our staff attended the annual Education Mass. It was a beautiful evening and I was honoured to be commissioned as a new Principal into the Catholic diocese of Wollongong. Our school captains also attended the event. 

Thank you to all of our parents who attended our Meet & Greets over the last two weeks. I hope the evening was informative and you had a chance to get to know your child’s class teacher. I also want to acknowledge our staff for their time attending the evening and for the preparation of the information slides. These will be shared with you via Compass.

It was wonderful to see our students attend school last Thursday ready for their school photos. I would like to thank our parents for supporting our uniform policy with the majority of our students coming to school in the correct uniform including hair and jewellery.

St Paul’s Uniform Expectations

Wearing a school uniform holds several important benefits, both for students and the educational environment as a whole.

Promotes Equality: School uniforms ensure that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, dress in the same attire. This helps to reduce social and economic barriers among students, fostering a sense of equality and inclusivity within the school community.

Creates a Sense of Identity and Belonging: Uniforms contribute to a sense of unity and belonging among students. When everyone wears the same uniform, it minimizes distinctions based on clothing and promotes a focus on individual character and achievements rather than outward appearances.

Fosters Discipline and Focus: Wearing a uniform instills a sense of discipline and professionalism among students. It sets clear expectations for appropriate attire and behavior, helping to create a conducive learning environment where students can focus on their academic pursuits.

Promotes School Pride and Spirit: Uniforms often feature school colors and insignia, fostering a sense of pride and identity among students. When students wear their uniforms with pride, it creates a positive image of the school and encourages a strong sense of community spirit.

When signing the enrolment forms at St Paul’s students, parents and carers accept to follow our uniform policy.

This is an extract from our Uniform Policy:

Hair Cuts

• The emphasis is on “neat and tidy”.
• Long hair is to be tied back below the shoulder.
• Extreme haircuts and coloured hair are not permitted.

I have highlighted the extreme haircuts and coloured hair which clearly states that it is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to horse tails, rat tails, mullets and mohawks. If your child has an extreme haircut the Principal will organise a meeting with you.

Parents are expected to support the school in monitoring and maintaining the correct wearing of the St Paul’s uniform and to support the maintenance of high standards of personal grooming and presentation. Commitment to this parental support was made at the time of enrolment.

Morning Supervision

Our morning supervision begins at 8.30am each morning. We have before and after school care (OOSH) available to parents who need to drop their children off before 8.30am. There are subsidies available to parents wanting to access these services. Since the beginning of the school term we have students being dropped off to the school office prior to 8.30am. Students should not be left in the office unsupervised by an adult.

Students Arriving Late

The school day commences at 8.55am. We understand that on occasion students may arrive late. All late arrivals need to be signed in at the school office, so we can monitor attendance. Students arriving late regularly impacts the child’s learning as they are missing out on learning and morning routines.

Students Leaving School Early

Over the past few weeks we have had a large number of students being picked up from school early. This is having an impact on teaching and learning. Each time a parent requests to pick up their child the office needs to call the classroom to organise the child to come to the front office. The teacher has to stop teaching to answer the phone and then organise for the student to pack up and leave for the day. This interrupts the flow of the teaching and learning. Last week, a teacher was interrupted five times within an hour. This is not only impacting the learning of the student leaving early who is missing out on the curriculum being taught. It also impacts the remainder of the class whose learning is stopped while the teacher attends to the phone call and then the student who is going home early.

Students at St Paul's are required to be at school between 8.55am and 3.15pm. I would request that appointments be made outside of these hours. If it is necessary for your child to leave on a regular basis please organise a meeting with the school principal.

On extreme weather days, the amount of students collected early increases significantly. All of our classrooms are air conditioned. We stay inside for lunch and recess so students are able to keep cool or dry. On hot or wet weather days PE lessons are modified and we try to stay in shaded areas or indoors such as the hall. 

Please see compulsory attendance information from the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong.

Opening and Closing of School Gates

Morning

The front and back gates will be closed by 9.00am each morning. Parents are welcome onto the front playground in the morning. As our students are playing parents are asked to sit on the silver seats. Parents would need to exit the gates by 9am

Afternoon

The back gate will be closed by 3.30pm. Students waiting for parent pick up should be collect by 3.30pm on the front playground. If parents cannot collect their child by 3.30pm they should be making other arrangements such as after school care which is available on site. 

Miss Angela Pecnik

Principal

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March. 

NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling. 

In preparation for NAPLAN 2024, our school will undertake activities to help students to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked.

Students and parents can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended. 

Students will be required to bring their own headphones to complete the tests. Bluetooth headphones do not operate when using the NAPLAN browser. Plug in headphones are required for all students in Year 3 and 5 sitting the NAPLAN tests. For students that have an iPad with no headphone jack (10th generation) the school has purchased adapters to support a hard-wired connection. Should you require more information please contact the school.

I am delighted to announce the tremendous success of our Lenten Project Compassion fundraiser! Thanks to the incredible generosity and dedication of our school community, we have raised a total of $616.80 to support those in need. Throughout Lent, our tree located in the Year 6 Corridor will be updated to inform staff and students of the total amount of money raised.

Throughout the Lenten season, we have come together to embody the spirit of compassion and service, reflecting on the importance of giving back to others. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and communities facing various challenges.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your support is truly appreciated and reflects the values we strive to instill in our students every day.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us remain committed to acts of kindness, compassion, and solidarity with those who are less fortunate. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a brighter future for all. 

Students will continue to be given the opportunity to make donations through their class Project Compassion box. Your continued support is invaluable and will further enhance our efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

In 2017 I embarked on a Holy Land pilgrimage and engaged in the Stations of the Cross around Jerusalem. It was an immensely profound experience. As I traversed the paths where Jesus walked, each station evoked a deep sense of connection to the events of his crucifixion, enriching my understanding of faith and spirituality. It made me feel humbled, spiritually renewed, and profoundly grateful for the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Christ, strengthening my commitment to my beliefs. 

Similarly, for students, engaging in the Stations of the Cross offers a tangible way to connect with the core tenets of Christianity, fostering a deeper understanding of Christ's sacrifice and encouraging personal reflection and spiritual growth. This year, Year 5 and Year 6 students will guide their peers through the Stations of the Cross. Students will traverse the school grounds, participating in stations 1-10. This will be followed by a liturgy led by Year 6, focusing on Stations 11-14. We extend a warm invitation to parents and carers to join students on Thursday, March 28th, starting at 2:30 pm in the Hall.

Regards,

Miss Alana Stroligo

Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Mini Vinnies Report - By Eva and Ameirah

On Monday, during first break, Tony, a representative from St. Vincent de Paul, paid a visit to the St. Paul's Mini Vinnies group. He shared insights into his work and encouraged us to consider how we can contribute to helping others in need. Tony highlighted the remarkable story of Frederic Ozanan, the founder of St. Vincent de Paul, who took proactive steps to address the needs of the less fortunate. Inspired by the example set by Jesus Christ and influenced by Rosalie Rendu, a prominent figure in charity work, Frederic and his peers worked closely to aid the impoverished residents of Paris. Over the years, St. Vincent de Paul has expanded its reach, providing assistance to individuals in need across the globe. This year, our group is enthusiastic about our upcoming efforts to provide financial support to those struggling, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives.

Next term, Tony will present the Mini Vinnies Team with their certificate and badge at an assembly. Further details will come. 

By Eva and Ameirah

We are currently placing a strong emphasis on respectful behaviour during Morning Assembly. This time allows students to participate in school prayer and receive vital information about upcoming events or announcements for the week. Morning Assembly serves as a moment for students to settle in, fostering a conducive atmosphere for learning.

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

On Thursday March 21st, we will be celebrating Harmony Day by encouraging all students to come to school dressed in their regular school uniform with an orange accessory. Harmony Day is a day dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity, inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians. 

Here are some ideas for incorporating orange accessories into your school uniform:

• ribbon
• scarf
• headband or hair accessories
• socks
• wristband
• bow tie
• hat

If your child would like to compete in a Harmony Day poster competition please refer to the attached link.

https://movingforwardtogether.org.au/

The PB4L Student Leader Team at St. Paul’s is all about giving students a chance to speak up at school. We want everyone to feel welcomed and respected. To make this happen, we think it's important for students to be part of making decisions. Their ideas help shape how things are done every day and make our school a better place. This Friday 8th March, at the assembly, we'll be giving badges to our PB4L Student Representative Team. Congratulations to these students:

6 Red Dominic

6 Blue Madelynne 

5 Red Chase

5 Blue Abby

4 Red Tyson

4 Blue Aspen

3 Red Eli

3 Blue Milla

Ace Awards:

Jasmine 1R

Ivy 1R

Henry 1B

Levi 1R

Leo 1R

Kyden 1R

Harrison 1R

Lennox 3R

Charlotte 3B

Leila 3B

Evie 4R

Wes 4B

Charlotte 5B

Principal's Awards:

Evie 4R

Khye 4B

Wes 4B

Christian 5R

Mary MacKillop Awards:

Evie 4R

Khye 4B

Wes 4B

Mrs Laura Miller & Mrs Tami Hennock

Year 5 Class Teachers

Please RSVP

In 2023, the students, staff and parents were consulted about opportunities for student leadership in Stage Three. The community gave their voice to the opportunities for leadership development in Years five and six, the voting process to be elected as leader and the types of leadership roles available.

As a result, various changes have been made that will begin this year. Students in Year Five will receive a Leadership Passport to work towards nominations for leadership roles in Year Six.

Please see the attached document with a summary of changes for St Paul's:

Dear Parents and Carers,

At the beginning of the year, an Insight cycle was opened up for you to complete. Below is a screenshot of what is visible on your Compass Page and a Parents Guide.

These were advertised on our Social Media to be completed by Friday the 23rd of February so we would appreciate if you could complete these as soon as possible. The Acceptable Use of Technology document is an important document for students to be able to use technology at school.

Below is a PDF with intructions on how to complete these. If you have any questions please contact the school office on 42 562772 or info@spapdow.catholic.edu.

Kristie Bicknell - Senior School Support Officer & Bethany Nunes - School Support Officer First Aid and Administration

Attached is a flyer for our upcoming School Tour. Please register by scanning the QR code on the flyer. 

Premier's Reading Challenge 2024: The Premiers Reading Challenge commenced on Monday February 26. All students in the Infant Grades K-2 will participate in the Reading Challenge in their classrooms however students in the Primary Grades 3-6 are invited to participate individually if they wish.

The students in the Primary Grades are required to read twenty books from the book lists found on the Premier's Reading Challenge website. Many of the books from the lists are on SORA or in our school library and have been specially marked. Students in Years 3-6 need to complete their online reading records located on the website. A user name and password are required to log into their individual record. These remain the same as previous years. If students have forgotten their details or are new to the Challenge please email the school PRC Co-ordinators Mrs Louise Frendo frendol01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Mrs Carol Harb harbc02@dow.catholic.edu.au

In an approved series on the PRC booklist, students can read any five books as PRC books. Students can read up to ten other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. You can find all the rules listed on the PRC Website. https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

The Challenge closes for student entries on Friday 23 August.

Happy Reading!

Mrs Louise Frendo & Mrs Carol Harb

On Friday, 1st March, St Paul’s took part in the annual national event, Clean Up Australia Day. We were blessed with clear skies as the students excitedly grabbed their gloves and got outdoors to help tidy and clean up our wonderful school grounds. Students enjoyed the fresh air and exercise as they acknowledged this special day as a wonderful opportunity to foster respect for creation and help us learn how to take responsibility for our own waste. The Waste Free Warriors are working together to find a way to make this a common practice in our school. 

 

We have had some amazing Sporting results at some of the recent Diocesan Trials. Congratulations to Flynn G who was successful at the recent cricket trials. Harrison M, Laikyn S and Jackson H were also all successful at the hockey trials. Jacinta V and Madelynne D were successful at the girls football trials. Good luck to all of the students in their upcoming Sport and we are very proud of the way they have represented our school!

The South Coast swimming carnival was held on Tuesday 4th March. We sent a team of 19 students, Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Frendo along to the carnival. All of our students represented St Paul's beautifully and the parents and grandparents who stayed to join us were wonderful supporters of all our students. It was really lovely! 

Below are our results for the day, showing the 7 students who have progressed through to the next level. A very exciting achievement in particular is for Jacob M who was awarded 2nd overall for the 11 year boy champion.

Results

100m Freestyle

• Jacob M: 3rd

50m Freestyle

• Bryson R: 1st
• Jacob M: 1st

50m Backstroke

• Jacob M: 1st
• Zali B: 4th

50m Butterfly

• Jack H: 2nd
• Jacob M: 1st

50m Breastroke

• Jacob M: 2nd

Male Senior 4 x 50m relay: 4th

• Harrison M
• Flynn G
• Cooper S
• Jacob M

Students will demonstrate continuous improvement in Mathematics as a result of explicit instruction at their point of need, informed by ongoing quality assessment.

Assessment plays a vital role in understanding how well our students grasp the concepts taught and helps us tailor our teaching to meet their needs effectively. Here's a brief overview of our professional learning.

Building a Shared Understanding:

Our dedicated staff has been actively engaged in staff meetings aimed at building a shared understanding of assessment. We believe in collaboration and this approach to assessment is essential for ensuring consistency and fairness in evaluating our students' progress and achievement. 

Baseline Data and Surveys

To better understand where our students and staff stand regarding their knowledge and feelings about assessment, we've conducted baseline assessments and surveys. This invaluable information helps us identify areas of strength and areas that may need additional attention.

Professional Learning Time

Our teachers have been investing significant time and effort in their professional learning to deepen their understanding of assessment practices. This commitment ensures that our teachers are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to support your child's learning journey.

Collaborative Design in Mathematics

In line with our commitment to excellence, our staff has been collaboratively designing assessments in mathematics. This process helps inform our teaching strategies, unpack the content in the new mathematics syllabus, and determine the next steps in our teaching approach for your child's mathematics education.

Professional Learning Update

New English Syllabus  Years 3- 6

With the introduction of the new English syllabus, it's been our priority to ensure our teachers are fully equipped to deliver the best educational experiences to our students. To achieve this, we've had the pleasure of collaborating with Mrs. Alexandra Hingston from CEDoW, who has played a pivotal role in this transition.

Mrs. Hingston has been instrumental in guiding our teachers through the student learning outcomes of the new syllabus. Her expertise has enabled our team to not just understand but deeply engage with the content and the expected student outcomes. The teachers have been exploring the 'why' behind what we teach, delving into the research that underpins the syllabus. This approach ensures that our teaching strategies are not only aligned with the latest educational standards but are also grounded in proven methods that support student learning and achievement.

This collaborative effort has sparked renewed enthusiasm among our staff, inspiring them to explore innovative ways to bring the English curriculum to life in the classroom. As we continue to navigate through this syllabus, our focus remains steadfast on enhancing our students' learning experiences, ensuring they are engaging, meaningful, and, most importantly, enjoyable.

We are incredibly grateful to Mrs. Hingston for her support and guidance during this period of growth and learning. Her contribution has been a valuable asset to our team, and we look forward to the positive impact this will have on our students' educational journey in English.