Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been an exciting and busy few weeks at St Paul’s.

World Teachers Day!

On Wednesday 23 October, we celebrated World Teacher’s Day. This day recognised our incredible staff and the important work they do daily to inspire and guide our students. We’re so grateful for their dedication and the positive impact they make in our school community.

Halloween Disco

On October 24, we enjoyed our final disco of the year! Our P&F did an outstanding job transforming the hall into a Halloween themed space. Everyone came in costume and danced the night away, and it was fantastic to see such excitement. A huge thank you to our wonderful staff and parent helpers, your support made this event a fun evening for our students.

World Mission Month

Last Thursday, October 31, our school joined together to support World Mission Month. This meaningful initiative aims to raise funds for those in need, and we’re so proud of our community’s generosity and compassion.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to these events, whether through volunteering, organising, or simply showing up to support. Your involvement truly strengthens our St Paul’s community.

Weekly Parish Mass and Class Visit

Each week, a different year group at St Paul’s has the special opportunity to attend a Parish Mass led by Fr Leo. After Mass, we warmly invite parents to join us for a morning tea, a wonderful chance to connect with other families and staff. Following morning tea, parents are welcomed into their child’s classroom to see the learning environment and the exciting work students are engaged in.

This experience allows us to come together in faith, community, and shared learning.

We look forward to seeing you.

Angela Pecnik

Principal

This term students in grades 1 - 6 completed online assessments to assist teachers with identifying starting points for learning, to target teaching and to monitor growth. These assessments are administered in all school’s across the Wollongong Diocese. 

The students in grades 1 - 6 completed a Reading and a Mathematics assessment. These assessments are adaptive, meaning that it creates personalised test pathways determined by student responses (in a similar way to NAPLAN), giving a more precise picture of student achievement. The teachers will be analysing this data in the coming weeks and using it, along with a range of other classroom-based assessments to determine learning gains and areas for growth for individual students. 

Your child’s Semester Two report will be available via Compass on Friday 13 December. 

Teachers award students' overall grades based on the common grade scale. Below is information taken directly from NSW Education Standards Authority’s website. If your child receives a ‘C’ grade, this means that they have achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills at their stage level. It is important to remember that if your child receives the same overall grade for two consecutive reports, they have made progress. Between the two reporting periods, your child will have learned new knowledge and skills of a more advanced nature. 

The Common Grading Scale: Years 1-6

The Common Grading Scale: Kindergarten

Students and staff will be unpacking ways to be respectful to staff and peers over the coming weeks. They will unpack scenarios and watch clips that show how to be respectful. The school has developed some expectations on how respect is shown.

On 31 October we had the Socktober fundraiser. The event involved all years participating in a kickoff competition hosted by the Mini vinnies team. All grades brought old clothes, newspapers and plastic bags to create sock balls. The activities that we held were a penalty shootout, dribbling, and juggling. 

What did we do this Mission Month?

• We learnt about the mission of the Church
• We learnt about spreading the good news of Jesus through responding to the call to love God and to love each other
• We learnt about Saints and people who live out the mission of the Church in our daily lives
• We wore our favourite crazy socks to school
• We brought some old socks and clothes to school to make a sock ball.
• We made a gold coin donation 

This year we kicked goals for good and supported children in Mongolia to have a brighter future. Altogether SPAP raised $310.10. 

We are all very grateful for the donations given to us and want to thank all the people who donated towards Catholic Mission.

The Mini Vinnies Team will next be looking at the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Please keep a lookout in the coming weeks for further information from the Mini Vinnies Team. 

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary and the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. This month each day students have been given the opportunity to pray the Rosary.

Join us on Thursday, 12 December, for our End of Year Mass starting at 9:30 am. We warmly invite all parents and carers to attend. Following the Mass, we will gather in the School Hall at 11:30 am for the SPAP 2024 Christmas Concert and our End of Year Awards ceremony. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

After Friday Grade Mass, parents are invited to join us in the Church foyer for a morning tea. Following this, parents will have the opportunity to visit our open classrooms.

ACE Awards:
Nate 2B
James C 3B
Acacia 3B
Iylah 3R
Enrique 4B
Ivy 5R
Magdalena 5R
Aaliyah 5B
Aaron 6R
Dominic 6R
Eva 6R
Andre 6R
Roman 6B
Samuel 6B

Principal's Awards:
Nate 2B
Hendrix 3R
Iylah 3R
James C 3B
Enrique 4B
Ivy5R
Dominic6R

Mary MacKillop Awards:
Enrique 4B
Ivy 5R
MiaH6R

Our staff are currently engaged in creating a revised scope and sequence for English learning for 2025, focusing on textual concepts and mentor texts. This initiative aims to ensure that we are teaching quality literature that not only meets curriculum standards but also enriches students' understanding and appreciation of informative, persuasive, and imaginative texts. By integrating a variety of genres, including poetry, fables and digital texts, we are committed to fostering critical thinking andcomprehension skills. Additionally, we are collaborating to identify key themes and essential questions that will guide our instruction and assessment, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to literacy that meets the varied needs of our students. This collaborative effort reflects our dedication to enhancing student engagement and outcomes in English.

Mrs Belinda Evans - Instructional Coach

Upcoming Dragon Tag Gala Day 

We have sent home notes and a compass alert to families of students in 3-6 who are interested in attending a Dragon Tag Gala Day. This is an extrenal event that is organised and run by NRL Development Officers.

We still require parent helpers for the event. If you are able to assist please contact the school office. 

Date: Tuesday the 12th of November 2024

Location:  Sid Parrish Park in Figtree

Arrive: 9:00am Welcome – First Game 10:00am

Departure: 2:30pm last game

Transport: Parents and Carers will be responsible for transporting their children to and from the Gala Day. 

Details: Each team will play minimum 3 games, all games are non-competitive, 7 a side.

Students will be placed into the following teams: 

• Years 3/4 Girls Dragon Tag
• Years 3/4 Boys Dragon Tag
• Years 5/6 Boys Dragon Tag
• Years 5/6  Girls Dragon Tag

No experience is necessary as the Gala Day is not a formal competition; it is a fun day for the children to enjoy. Students are required to be at the grounds by 9.00am and we anticipate games to finish around 2.30pm.

We are also seeking parents and carers to assist with managing teams on the day.

Please note the following information from the NRL if your child is participating in the Gala day:

Congraulations Flynn Glover

Flynn has again been selected to represent Wollongong as a part of the Mackillop Cricket Trials to be held in Wagga across Monday 25 & Tuesday 26 November 2024. We wish Flynn the best of luck at these trials!

World Diabetes Day, 2024

In Week 5, Thursday 14 November, St Paul’s will recognise World Diabetes Day. Diabetes has touched the lives of many staff, students and members of our community. Students may wear a blue accessory to raise awareness. The school will accept donations to support research into improved care for Diabetes sufferers. We thank you for your support.

On the 25th October Liam and Dominic represented St Paul's in the CDF Public Speaking Regional Final. Liam and Dominic both presented in-depth arguments with confidence. The competition was of a very high standard and both boys should be proud of their efforts. We thank their teachers and parents for helping these boys prepare for the competition. Well done Liam and Dominic!

Please see the below invitation for our Volunteers Afternoon Tea on Friday 13th December 2024.

Firstly a huge thankyou to everyone for supporting the canteen!
We are thrilled that the canteen has become increasingly busy over the last few months and we wanted to trial the canteen operating hours 5 days a week.
Last term we opened up canteen on a Monday, thankyou so much to everyone placing orders on this day, we really appreciate your support however the majority of orders are being received in the later part of the week.
We feel the canteen is mostly being utilised Tuesday to Friday and we have made the decision to close on Mondays from next week 4^th November 2024.
Canteen operating hours: Tuesday to Friday 8:30am to 11:30am
Thankyou for your understanding. If you have any questions at all please reach out to the school or to me, kylie@takeabreaktuckshop.com.au.
 
 
Kindest Regards,
Kylie Thomas
Take A Break Tuckshop

Mark your calendars! Our annual P&F Christmas Stall will be held on Thursday, 5th December. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to purchase special gifts for their family. All gifts will be priced at $5 each, making it easy for everyone to find something meaningful.

P&F Zoom Meeting Invitation

Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Monday, 11 November, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Please join us for an evening of collaboration and planning as we discuss upcoming events, initiatives, and ways to support our school community. Your input and involvement make a real difference, and we would love to see as many parents and carers there as possible.

On Sunday, October 27, Fr Leo and the parishioners at St Paul’s farewelled Mary, who has retired after 22 years of dedicated service as the Parish Secretary. Mary has been a vital part of our community, supporting countless events and providing a warm, welcoming presence to all.

On behalf of the entire St Paul’s community, our staff, students, and parents, we extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes to Mary as she begins this exciting new chapter of her life.