Dear St. Paul's Community,

Over the past four weeks, I have had the pleasure of interviewing families who would like their child to start their educational journey at our school. I am delighted to share the reasons why so many parents are choosing to enrol their children at St. Paul's. Our school stands out for its commitment to nurturing the whole child, grounded in our core values and strong community reputation.

At St. Paul's, our values of compassion, perseverance, integrity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. These principles guide our interactions, shape our curriculum, and create a supportive and respectful learning environment for all students.

St. Paul's has a well-established reputation for excellence in education. Our community knows us as a place where children receive high-quality instruction and are encouraged to develop into well-rounded individuals.

Our school's size allows us to provide personalised attention to each student. This ensures that every child feels valued and supported, contributing to their academic and personal growth.

Parents appreciate our robust intervention programs and differentiated instruction. These initiatives are designed to meet the diverse needs of our students, ensuring that each child can thrive regardless of their starting point. Our teachers are dedicated to providing tailored support to help every student achieve their full potential.

St. Paul's is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students feel welcome and valued. Our diverse community enriches the learning experience, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of different perspectives.

Beyond academics, we focus on the holistic development of our students. Through various extracurricular activities, character education, and community service opportunities, we strive to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact in the world.

We are thrilled that so many families recognize the unique benefits of a St. Paul's education and trust us to support their child's journey. 

Thank you for being a part of the St. Paul's community and for your continued support in making our school a place where every child can flourish

We are pleased to announce that our upcoming Learning Conversations will take place in Week 10, providing a valuable opportunity for parents to engage with teachers about their child's academic and social-emotional progress.

What Are Learning Conversations? Learning Conversations are personalised meetings where parents, students, and teachers come together to discuss the student's achievements, challenges, and growth. These conversations are integral to our commitment to supporting each child's holistic development.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Academic Progress: Gain insights into your child's strengths, areas for improvement, and overall performance in various subjects.
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Learn about your child's social skills, emotional well-being, and how they are developing resilience, empathy, and other essential SEL competencies.

Why Participate? These conversations are a critical component of our partnership with you in supporting your child's education. They provide a platform to celebrate successes, address concerns, and collaboratively set goals for the future. Your involvement and feedback are invaluable as we strive to create the best possible learning environment for your child.

We look forward to your participation and to the opportunity to work together to support your child's ongoing development.

Angela Pecnik

Principal

As we are aware many of our students are immersed in the digital world. Each newsletter we have been featuring apps such as Roblox, TikTok and Snapchat

The Premier called a state summit to assess the affects of social media on children and teens. Chris Minns says that he's concerned about the harm apps like Instagram and TikTok are causing. The summit is in response to calls to ban children under sixteen from accessing social media.

The Carly Ryan Foundation also helps unpack other apps- this week's feature app for our newsletter is YouTube. The recommended age for YouTube browsing is 13+

YouTube can be utilised by teachers for carefully selected videos that support the understanding of certain educational outcomes. 

Reports are released on Compass 28 June

As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 

Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers. 

We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.

Click on the link to watch a video about important changes to reports.

Students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participated in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Term 1. A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided for your child early in Term 3. The same report format is used for every student in Australia. 

NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. Proficiency standards provide clear information on student achievement. Student achievement is shown against 4 levels of proficiency:

• Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing. 
• Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing. 
• Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
• Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes that are expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.

If your child participated in 2024 and does not receive a report by Friday 2 August, contact the school office.

On the weekend of 8–9 June 2024, the diocese celebrated the patronal feast of the solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As we celebrated the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the whole Diocese of Wollongong looked to Mary, the Mother of the Church, who pondered the mystery of Christ in her heart. She supports us in our struggles and helps us rise when we fall. As a symbol of the Church, Mary nurtures hope within us and helps us understand our journey in the light of Jesus.

In Week 6, I led our classroom teachers in a staff meeting to explore the "Hail Mary" prayer. Since then, I have visited multiple classrooms to discuss this prayer with students. Over the next few weeks, I plan to visit each classroom to help students understand the words of the "Hail Mary" so they can engage more meaningfully in this prayer.

Look at some of their work!!

Mini Vinnies

Throughout the term, our school community has supported the St Vincent de Paul, 2024 Winter Appeal. This Friday on Friday 21 June students are encouraged to wear their winter pyjamas (along with enclosed shoes and school hat) to school.

We are offering an optional hot chocolate and cinnamon donut deal on the day. The cost of the hot chocolate and donut will be $5 with all profits raised from sales going to support St Vincent de Paul. Please ensure all notes and money are sent to school with your child prior to Thursday 20 June.

On Friday 21 June from 5:30-7:00pm students are invited to join the St Paul’s staff, Fr Leo, Tony along with other members from St Vincent de Paul in the School Hall. Students must be accompanied by their parents for this event. Throughout the evening we will be selling hot soup for a donation that will be given to St Vincent de Paul. Mrs Colquhoun and Mrs Nunes have organised for students and parents to participate in two activities throughout the evening. Please ensure you bring a cardboard box/es along with your sleeping bag and warm clothes. Following the event families may wish to participate in a sleep out at home. We encourage you to share your photos with the following email info_stpaulsap@dow.catholic.edu.au  These photos will be shared to our school community via social media. 

Like I said in my previous newsletter a few years ago, during COVID, I participated in the Vinnies Sleep Out. It was such an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the realities faced by those experiencing homelessness. The event not only raised awareness but also provided much-needed funds to support vital services for people in need. Inspired by the profound impact it had on me, I thought I would take part in this meaningful event again this year. 

Please visit the following website to make a donation to our SPAP Vinnies Winter Appeal for Homelessness fundraiser. 

St Paul - Feast Day

Thank you for joining our Years 3-6 students throughout the term at Mass. On Friday 28 June we will be celebrating the feast of St Paul (29 June). This year parents are invited to join K-6 students from 9:30am in the Church. Following Mass we will be hosting Open Classrooms (approximately 10:30-10:55am) whereby parents will be asked to support their child/ren with activities focus around the school value: Perseverance. This school value aligns with St Paul as he showed perseverance by spreading the teachings of Jesus in his world. 

From 12:00pm students will be participating in various activities whereby they must work collaboratively with their peers and show perseverance. These activities will be completed within stages and led by classroom teachers.

Refugee Week

Refugee Week 2024 in Australia will take place from Sunday, June 16 to Saturday, June 22. The theme for this year is "Finding Freedom: Family," highlighting the importance of family in the refugee experience and the contributions refugees make to their new communities. Parents are encouraged to have conversations with their children at home about refugee week. See below for some discussion points:

1. What is a refugee?
2. Why do refugees leave their own country?
3. What is it like to be a newly settled refugee in a new country?

The Little Refugee tells the story of a young Vietnamese boy who came to Australia as a refugee after the Vietnam War. The book is written from the perspective of a young boy, Anh Do. It explores why the family left Vietnam, how difficult it was to be in a boat on the ocean, and some of the challenges of settling into a new life in Australia.

By Alana Stroligo

Acting Religious Education Coordinator

PB4L Focus Week 7 & 8 - We need to be self aware so that we can identify and manage our triggers.

Students will learn that triggers can be actions of other people or situations that can make them feel and then react in a certain way.  Students will practice noticing their triggers, describe how they feel when reacting to their triggers in their body and list strategies for appropriately managing these triggers. 

Ideas for supporting this skill at home:

• Co-regulate with your child when they are triggered.
• After your child has regulated from a trigger, take time to speak about what triggered them and practice how they could react differently next time
• Help your child to take notice of how their bodies feel when they are triggered

PB4L Focus Week 9 & 10 We need to be self aware so that we can show respectful body language.

Students will learn how their body language can show how they are feeling and will discern between respectful and disrespectful body language. Students will practice giving feedback about what messages different types of body language (posture and gestures) communicate to others and will set goals for showing more respectful body language as needed.

Ideas for supporting this skill at home:

• Help your child to notice when their body language is respectful and disrespectful by stating what they are doing e.g. You have rolled your eyes.  That is disrespectful.  
• Practice demonstrating respectful body language using role plays.  You could take pictures of your child acting out a variety of types of body language so your child can see what their body looks like when being respectful and disrespectful
• While watching TV, point out when characters are displaying respectful and disrespectful body language e.g. She just walked away from her friend stomping her feet.  That is disrespectful body language.  I think she is feeling annoyed.  

Teachers will be looking for those students who are demonstrating self awareness in the classroom and the playground to receive raffle tickets and classroom-based rewards. 

ACE Awards: 
Zachary 2B
Archie 2R
Hayden 2R
Olive 2R
Austin 2R
Oliver 2R
Nixon 3B
Cooper 4B
Jessica 4B

Principal's Awards:
Zachary 2B
Archie 2R
Hayden 2R
Olive 2R
Austin 2R
Oliver 2R
Cooper 4B
Jessica 4B

Mary MacKillop Awards:
Sophie 6B

Athletics Carnival

What a wonderful event our school Athletics Carnival was last week! The day was filled with so many moments of personal sporting achievements, perserverance and fun. It was amazing to see the unique athletic talents of so many of our students on display. 

A special thank you to St Joseph's Catholic High School for supporting us by providing students and a teacher to assist with our events and games. 

As always I am grateful to the parents who volunteer their time to assist. Events like these can not happen without the support of our families. 

Below are some snapshots of the day.

Mackillop Cross Country

Congratulations to our students who competed at the Mackillop Cross Country Trials, we are very proud of your efforts!

NRL Gala Day

On Friday 14th June we sent 6 teams of students to participate in the Catholic Legends Gala Day. The students participated in a number of games and lots of fun was had by all. Our students represented us with pride and demonstrated great Sportsmanship throughout the day. Thank you to the teachers, Mrs Hennock, Miss Stroglio, Mrs Whalan and Miss mcNamara who assisted with the organisation and supervision of the carnival. A thank you also to the parents who volunteered to manage the teams on the day!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jacob M who competed over 3 days at the 2024 NSW State Pool Lifesaving Championships. He came 1st in Men’s U11 50m Obstacles, 1st in Men’s U11 50m Tube Swim, 1st in Men’s U11 50m Brick Carry 15m, and  1st in Men’s U11 50m Freestyle. 

Congratulations to Harrison in Year 6 who recently competed in the PSSA NSW Hockey Tournament. Harrison was selected to represent NSW in the PSSA National Tournament in Cairns in August. 

Congratulations to Jackson Yr 5 who was identified and invited to the Wanderer's Australian Junior Fiji Hockey Tour. Jackson will attend this event in December 2025. 

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week will be celebrated on Wednesday 3 July, Week 10. This will include a whole school assembly at 1pm in the school hall on Wednesday 3 July. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the school choir will lead the liturgy through dance, song and prayer. All students are invited to wear mufti, the colours of the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag or an Aboriginal art shirt.

Students will explore the theme of NAIDOC week with their class.

About NAIDOC Week:

"National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.

This year's theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation." Source: https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week

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