Dear Parents and Carers,

In recent weeks, we have had many wonderful opportunities to welcome you into our classrooms and school community. Events such as our Parent Information Evenings, Learning in Action sessions, Grade Masses, and Assemblies have provided valuable moments to connect, share, and celebrate the learning journey of our students.

Yesterday, we came together as a community to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. It was a joy to see the students enjoy delicious pikelets while supporting Project Compassion. This important initiative, led by Caritas Australia, provides essential resources such as food, clothing, and education to individuals and families in need. Through your generosity, we can make a real difference in the lives of others.

Today, our whole school gathered in the Church for the Ash Wednesday liturgy, a reflective and sacred occasion that marks the beginning of Lent. This season invites us to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, encouraging us all to open our hearts in service and compassion.

Next week we will be hosting our Welcome BBQ. At this event we welcome our new Kindergarten families, new families in Years 1-6 and new staff who have joined St Paul's in 2025. This is a wonderful afternoon to make new connections and begin friendships. We will be providing a sausage sizzle and soft drink. There will be games for the students to engage in as well. Please join us from 3.30pm - 5.30pm. 

Tonight we have our first Parent and Friends Association (P & F) meeting. The P & F play an important role in our school to build connections with our families and fundraising for school resources. The meeting is via zoom and begins at 6pm. A link to the zoom will be shared via Compass.

Angela Pecnik

Principal

School Counselling Services

At St Paul’s, we are fortunate to have a school counsellor on-site each week, providing valuable support to our students. This year, our counsellor is working fortnightly with Year 6 and Year 4 on fostering positive relationships. As the year progresses, other grades will also have the opportunity to engage in these sessions.

Students will explore important topics such as:
✅ Emotional literacy
✅ Friendships and conflict resolution
✅ Communication styles
✅ Respect and consent
✅ Healthy boundaries

In addition to these group sessions, our counsellor is available to work with individual students as needed. If you feel your child would benefit from speaking with the school counsellor, please contact your child’s class teacher to discuss further.

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of every child and fostering a safe, respectful, and caring environment for all.

Understanding Bullying – Supporting Your Child

When your child comes home feeling sad about their friendship groups or expressing concerns about another child making them feel unhappy, it is natural to be concerned. Many parents may immediately think of bullying, but it is important to understand what bullying is—and what it is not.

In 2025, a new Attendance Policy was implemented across all Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools to support regular student attendance.

Key Changes

Attendance Levels- New attendance levels have been established to address students’ attendance patterns:

• Regular Attendance: 90% – 100%
• Targeted Intervention: 71% – 89%
• Intensive Intervention: 70% and below
  
  

Notification Requirements

Parents who intend for their child to undertake a period of extended absence (more than five days) for any of the following reasons must provide advance notice to the school by completing the Notification of Extended Absence form and submitting it to the Principal:

• Misadventure or unforeseen events;
• Participation in special events not related to the school;
• Domestic necessity such as serious illness of an immediate family member;
• Attendance at funerals;
• Travel within Australia or overseas;
• Participation in recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasions.
  
  

Extended Absence

The term “Extended Leave” is now “Extended Absence” with updated procedures.

Travel-Related Absences

For extended absences due to travel, parents must submit the Notification of Extended Absence form along with relevant travel documentation. This documentation should include: Dates, locations of travel, Purpose and reasons for travel outside school holidays.

Acknowledgement of Extended Absence

After considering the explanation for the extended absence the school will issue an Acknowledgement of Extended Absence to the parent, regardless of whether the explanation for the absence is accepted or not accepted by the Principal. The acknowledgement may include agreed matters relating to the student’s learning and well-being. Accepted extended absences will be recorded as explained and Unaccepted absences will be recorded as unjustified.

Please see attached documents published by the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong regarding the new Attendance Policy and Procedures. Please contact the school office if you have any questions regarding attendance for your child.

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 12 March to Monday 24 March. 

St Paul's Test Schedule for Year 3 & 5

The NAPLAN tests will be completed online with the exception of the Year 3 students who will complete the writing assessment on paper.

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 2025, 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 to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended. 

Students are required to provide a pair of headphones to use throughout the NAPLAN assessments.

At our school, we're committed to supporting every student to thrive. If your child has diverse learning needs, they may be included in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). This process helps us understand the number of students across Australia receiving adjustments to help them learn. If your child requires ongoing, personalised support, they may have a Personal Plan (PP). This plan, developed in partnership with parents/carers, outlines specific goals and strategies to ensure your child can access and participate fully in their education. We work closely with families to regularly review and update these plans, ensuring they continue to meet your child's evolving needs.

PP meetings will be held later this term.

DIOCESAN LAUNCH OF PROJECT COMPASSION

On Tuesday 4th March, our school captains Sienna and Logan, along with Mrs Marsh attended the Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion in Warrawong. Bishop Brian presented the Project Compassion box to the school leaders from all schools. Project Compassion boxes will be sent home with students, today Ash Wednesday.

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SHROVE TUESDAY

Our fundraiser for Project Compassion at St Paul's was our Pancake Day this morning. Thank you to all who supported this cause and to students from Year 6 who served the pancakes to everyone. It was a great success and we raised $371.

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ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. The marking of the ashes on our foreheads on this day is a public expression of our faith and humility. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) As we live into that fullness, may we also be challenged to act with love and hope, now and for all future generations. 

The blessing and distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday normally takes place during the celebration of Mass. However, when circumstances require, the blessing and distribution of ashes may take place apart from Mass, during a celebration of the word of God. Today, all students received ashes on their foreheads.

PROJECT COMPASSION

Ash Wednesday

(5th of March 2025)

This Lent, we are called to Unite Against Poverty through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. By taking home a Project Compassion donation box or envelope, you’ll be answering the Gospels’ call to care for our global family and walk alongside the most vulnerable.

Your generous support this Lenten Season will enable Caritas Australia to provide life-changing support to communities facing poverty, food insecurity, lack of education, and water shortages, while building resilience against future challenges. Together, through faith and action, we can bring hope and opportunity to those most in need.

You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code above.
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

GRADE MASSES FOR TERM ONE

Students from Years 3 to 6 will attend the Parish Mass this term on Friday’s at 9:30am. Below are the dates for the Masses. Parents and Carers are invited to attend Mass with the students.

ASSEMBLIES 2025

Each grade will have the opportunity to present an assembly fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons in the hall at 2:30pm. ACE, Principal and Mary MacKillop Awards will be presented at these assemblies. Parents are welcome to attend. Please see below the dates for Semester One.

Term 1

Term 2

MINI - VINNIES

What is Mini Vinnies?

Mini Vinnies empowers primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action. Students meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society.

This year our Mini-Vinnies group will be meeting on Monday at Recess in 6 Red. Mini-Vinnies is open to all students from Year 3 to Year 6. 

Mrs Jodi Marsh

Religious Education Coordinator

Hi I’m Sienna and I’m Harrison and we are your senior leaders signing in for the fortnightly report.

Last week on Wednesday 26th of February, we announced our age champions for the swimming carnival. Congratulations to all of you, and to the people who came to participate. We also found out our winning house… congratulations to Gold House- St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. GO GOLD!

On Monday we had Clean up Australia Day and our school has never looked so clean! Thank you to everyone for helping with the cleaning up.

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday. The Year 6 hospitality and pastoral care team sold pancakes for $1 each. This was raising funds towards our Project Compassion collection. We hope you enjoyed them! Thank you for your donations. On this day the school captains went to St Francis of  Assisi in Warrawong to launch Caritas Project Compassion.

Today is Ash Wednesday and we remember that this is the start of Lent. In Lent we remember that we sacrifice something that is important to us. Today at the mass we received a cross of ash on our forehead. (These ashes where preserved from last year on Palm Sunday) 

On the 13th of March, from 3:30-5:30pm we have the Welcome BBQ. Every parent and student is invited. We all absolutely love BBQ’s!. We look forward to seeing you there. We hope the sausages and soft drink will be super yummy.

This year students have an event in their classrooms called Learning in Action. Parents are invited to come and watch their children achieve excellence. For example, in Year Six parents came and played maths games, it was a lot of fun playing maths games with our parents and carers! We know year 3 enjoyed playing maths games as well. We also know year 5 and year 2 will have a great time. We hope Years 1 and 4 had a great time as well.

These are your senior leaders signing out for another week. Harrison and Sienna

PB4L Focus Week 5 - Passive Play and Revision of Taught Procedures

Students engaged in explicit teaching regarding our updated Passive Play procedures.  Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 can select to access Passive Play as a play option when they play on the Central Playground.  This has been relocated to the Library (previously in the Hall).  Other grades revised previously taught PB4L procedures for the classroom and playground. 

PB4L Focus Week 6 - Top Oval

Students will meet as a Stage to revise ways they can be Respectful, Responsible and Safe while playing on the Top Oval. 

PB4L Focus Week 7 - Transitions (including Eating Time)

Students will revise the expectations of transitions around our school.  These include:

• Transitioning from morning assembly to classrooms
• Transitioning from classrooms to play areas for eating time
• Transitioning from eating time to play time
• Transitioning from play time to classrooms
• Transitioning from classrooms to dismissal areas

The Pivot Student Wellbeing Survey is a practical and targeted Wellbeing for Learning tool that allows teachers to measure, track and support student wellbeing so students are better placed to learn. 

Previously, this tool has only been utilised by Year 3-6.  This year, we have been granted access for all grades

Students completed a baseline survey during Week 6 of Term 1.  For the following 5 weeks, students will complete a 5-minute survey each week measuring, tracking and supporting students in the areas of general wellbeing, resilience, safety belonging and protective behaviours. 

Using this data, teachers will be able to facilitate lessons and provide support for students in identified areas of need.

Important successes that have been revealed from our baseline survey can be seen below. These scores are an average score of student responses out of a total of 5 points:

Harmony Day is a special opportunity to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity and promote inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. 

On Friday, 21st March, we invite all students to wear an orange accessory such as a ribbon, socks, or sunglasses (please note - no coloured harirspray) to show their support for inclusivity and unity. Together, we can celebrate the richness of our diverse community and reinforce the message that “Everyone Belongs.”

Collaborative Planning

During Week 6, our staff engaged in collaborative planning, focusing on our Annual Improvement Plan goal:

"Through evidence-informed, contemporary pedagogical practices, students will be engaged and demonstrate growth in their learning."

Using collected assessments and student data, teachers identified areas of need across all learners. In partnership with their grade-level colleagues, they designed targeted lessons and strategies to address these areas over the next two weeks. This collaborative approach ensures that teaching is responsive and aligned with the learning needs of every student.

We will meet again in three weeks to reflect on and evaluate the impact of these targeted practices on student growth, reinforcing our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in learning.

ACE Awards:
Chester 1B
Ruby D 1B
Ivy 2R
Jacob 2R
Mahlee 3B
Larni 5B
Reuben 5B
Kai F 5R
Bijan 5R
Logan 6B
Flynn 6B
Romeo 6R
Jennifer 6R

Principal's Awards:
Ivy 2R
Jacob 2R
Mahlee 3B
Rueben 5B
Kai F 5R
Romeo 6R
Jennifer 6R

Mary MacKillop Awards:
Kai F 5R
Reuben 5B
Romeo 6R

These students will receive their Awards at the Week 8 Assembly.

Dear Parents and Carers,

At the beginning of the year, an Insight cycle was opened up for you to complete. 

These were advertised on our Social Media to be completed by Friday the 28th 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

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

On Monday 17 February we held our school swimming carnival at Albion Park Pool. It was a great morning that involved our competitive swimmers from Years 2- 6 coming together to compete in a number of events.

A big thank you to all the parents who supported the running of the day.

Congratulations to our age champions:

Congratulations to our winning house:

Well done to all the students who represented St Paul's at the Southcoast Swim Carnival yesterday at Corrimal Pool. You were wonderful representatives of our school who tried so hard and braved the wet conditions.

Congratulations to Xavier Starling who has been selected to represent St Paul's at in the 9years 50m Freestyle the swimming selection trials this coming Friday. Well done!

Save the Date!

Cross Country Carnival

Date: Friday 28th March

Venue: Centenary Training Fields, Croome Road, Albion Park Rail

Transport: Parents and Carers are to transport to and from the venue. 

More information to come soon...

Enrolment application are now completed online via the following link

https://www.spapdow.catholic.edu.au/enrol/

The timeline for the Kindergarten 2026 enrolment application process is as follows:

If your child visits an Illawarra – Shoalhaven Emergency Department you may receive an “Emergency Department Post Card”. This card encourages parents / carers to contact the school. This is part of Health and Education’s ongoing commitment to the well-being and safety of students. Even if you haven’t received a Post Card you must let a school know about the visit. It is also important to communicate with the school after any significant injury to ensure your child is safe at school.

Contacting the school enables you and the student to be involved in developing any plan needed. If you can, before leaving the hospital ask for a written note or medical certificate outlining any necessary information for your child's teacher/s and school staff.

Necessary information the school requires

• Brief Description: What happened and when? 
• Current Health Status: How the student is feeling, and any immediate health concerns. 
• Medical Advice/ Necessary Information: Any specific recommendations or restrictions. Examples could include:
• Does the child need support carrying items?
• Can they participate in sport?
• Do they need alternate supervision to the playground?
• Can the child write?
• If medications are required to be given at school, please provide a letter outlining the details (e.g. medicine type, dosage, times etc) which is signed by your treating doctor. You will need to complete an authority to dispense medication form.
• Length of time for any adjustments or support: the school will need a rough indication of how long the injury will 
• Follow-up: Any referrals made by the hospital or recommendations for follow-up appointments e.g. GP or psychologist. 
• Return to School: A timeline of your child's expected return to school. In most cases your child will be able to return to school the following day, however parents should consult with the school first, to ensure that the school is aware of the current health concerns and can ensure the safety of your child. 

The school, in consultation with families, can put in place adjustments to support children and young people's wellbeing, physical health and academic learning. Working with the schools on this will help maintain a safe and supportive environment for all students. 

St Paul’s is a large site with many areas inaccessible for those requiring mobility support. As a result, additional personnel may be required to support the safe movement of students on the site. The school may require some time to organise personnel in this case. 

Please contact the school as early as you can to help us organise any communication among staff regarding the temporary needs of your child after an injury.

Communicating with the school

• Phone or visit the school's main office and ask to speak to the Assistant Principal or a Leadership team member about returning to school after a student is discharged from the hospital or after a significant injury
• The school may discuss your child's needs with you over the phone or if necessary, invite you to a meeting at the school. 
• Provide the school with documents provided by the hospital or fracture clinics such as written notes, a discharge summary or a medical certificate outlining the necessary information for your child

Please be assured that all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS

Please check St Paul’s Parish website (https://stpaulsparish.org.au/parish-sacramental-programs/) for information on dates and Parish expectations for next year’s Sacramental Program.

Many thanks

Therese McQuade

Co-ordinator, Sacramental Programmme            
St Paul’s Parish, Albion Park

PARISH BULLETIN