Dear parents, carers, staff and students

We are almost at the end of Term 3 and so much has happened and still to come. Students are going on exciting excursions and reporting back to us about their new learning. The term has certainly been a busy one with all students anxiously awaiting the Colour Fun Run next week. We pray for good weather and hope that there will be many parents joining in the fun activity.

We warmly welcome Fr Leo Duck who is the newly appointed parish priest here at St Paul’s. Fr Leo met with me briefly last week and is very happy to join us here as our parish priest. Fr Leo served in many of our parishes in our diocese and will join us on the first weekend in October if not sooner.I ask all students and parents and carers to make Fr Leo welcome when he celebrates his first mass at St Paul’s.

Monsignor Paul Ryan our retired resident priest who continued to celebrate the parish masses on Fridays so that our students could attend. Also, sincere thanks to Fr Bernard Dowdell and Fr Paul Gurr who celebrated masses for us on the weekends, while awaiting the appointment of a parish priest.

As we come to this weekend, First Holy Communion will be celebrated for our young parishioners so we pray:

Let us use the following reflection for our needs and the needs of our children

Dear God, you love each of us personally, Send your special blessing upon those who are about to make their First Holy Communion that they may grow in faith and love. Help us all to come to know Jesus in the Eucharist and welcome him with love.

We pray for the children who will receive their First Holy Communion: May they be nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus to live as followers of Jesus in the world.

We pray for the parents and other family members of those who are to receive their First Holy Communion: Through their love and example may those receiving their First Holy Communion continue to show the importance of the Eucharist for our daily lives.

We pray for the catechists and teachers who have prepared the children for their First Holy Communion: May the gift of Jesus be their strength and guide.

 Saint Luke calls it the breaking of the bread. Saint Paul calls it the supper of the Lord. Jesus referred to it as the new covenant in his body and blood. Most of us use "Holy Communion." But whichever way we describe it, Eucharist is the centerpiece of the Catholic Christian experience. Eucharist is richly embedded in the Jewish tradition of keeping the memory alive in the community of believers, that is – US

Holy Communion: This coming weekend fifty-eight of our young parishioners will receive the sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. They have participated in all their lessons with their families joining them under the direction of Mrs Julie Ferguson. The children are so excited about this big weekend with their final preparation taking place last Friday.

Thanks to Mrs Paula Potts who supports our parish in so many ministries and especially with the administration aspect for First Holy Communion.

Last Friday Mrs Lydia Jones, Mrs Amy De Santis and I supported Mrs Ferguson with the Preparation Day by having groups of students making bread. We thank Mrs Bennett, Mr McCann and Mrs Catherine Heyes as they conducted the various Holy Communion activities with the children. We do value all that you do for the children in our parish. Thank you.

We look forward to a reflective and blessed weekend when our young parishioners and their families come together to the Table of the Lord.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

1^st September

 On Monday 2^nd September our school celebrated World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. We gathered together for a whole school liturgy and reflected on the wonder and beauty of God’s beautifully complex ‘Web of Life’. As we begin the Season of Creation we offer our thanks to God for his marvellous works that have been entrusted into our care and ask for help as we take action to protect our planet and all its creatures.

 The students participated in rotational Creation activities throughout the day such as, nature scavenger hunts, looking at our ecological footprint, creating sea creatures, making windmills, creation art and recycling activities.

I invite you to join the students as they attend Mass each Friday. The children love to have their parents attend all school events and attendance at Mass is even more special to them. Please join your children at the Parish Mass ay 9.30am.

Thanks to all those who come along when our students have been to Mass.

• Week 8: Friday 13 September - Year 1
• Week 10; Friday 27 September - Year 6

The Year 6 Masses with Bishop Brian Mascord provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to come together in faith and celebration.

The following article and photo gallery is now available on CEDoW’s website.

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/together-as-one-year-6-students-gather-to-celebrate-an-education-milestone-with-bishop-brian-mascord/

Leah Mireylees Communications Officer Office of the Director

Cyclic Review: Every four years the School Improvement Team from the Catholic Education Office together with a panel of members consisting of a principal, visit each school in the diocese to celebrate the Improvements in the Learning and Teaching. They also look at the school’s key priorities for the year and assess for further improvement.

We will have a team come for a pre visit next Tuesday 17 September to meet with me; I will give a one-hour presentation of the school’s improvement journey for the last four years. They will then tour the school. On Wednesday 25 September the Leadership team, staff members, some students and parents will be asked to meet with the team.

At the conclusion of the day, the team will make commendations and recommendations and finally, I will meet with the Director of Schools next term to sign off on the Review.

We look forward to the team’s visit and know that there will be a lot to celebrate about the day-to-day life and learning at St Paul’s.

Principal's Award

Congratulations Lucas Glover, Amy Jedrzejczak,  Sienna Dawson, Arabella O'Shea, Declan McCann, Aiden Farraway, William Parreira, Matthew Shepherd Xavier Cabanas and Chloe Barnes who will be awarded a Principal's Award at next Assembly on Friday 18 October 2019.

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to postpone our next Assembly that was scheduled for Friday 13 September and to be presented by Year 4 students.

The next Assembly will now be held on Friday 18 October 2019 - Week 1 Term 4 commencing at 2:20 pm in the hall.

Sorry for any inconvenience that this change may cause.

Parents are asked to use the Parish side entrance to the hall.

Yesterday we received this note of sincere thanks from Tanya Di Pietro. Emily DI Pietro Year 6 baked a tray of cup cakes for our staff to celebrate this special day.

I sincerely thank all of the staff at St Paul's, for their ongoing support and devotion they show to all of our students and families.  We live in a modern society that appears to value online status rather than real relationships, and this has a significant impact on our children's self-esteem and self-worth.  The work you all do each and every day helps to reinforce our children's inner values, and with their ongoing relationship with our school and church we pray that they will recognise the amazing impact they can have on the world around them.

Praying for you all, and letting you all know how much YOU are all appreciated and loved.

Have a wonderful day x

Sincerely,

Mrs Tanya Di Pietro

School Support Officer | Administration - Diverse Learning Team 

Parents of Years 3 and 5 should receive the NAPLAN results sometime next week. According to ACARA I have been advised that these results can be accessed by 16 September.

Update on Major Works at the School: The work has commenced with our builders and most of you would not know that there has been quite a significant amount of work completed in the staff car park area of the school. The staff has had to use the parish car park due to machinery now located in the area.

Phase 1: Large pits have been buried to collect most of the storm water from the top oval.

Phase 2: Last weekend while excavating at the Front Entrance, the builders experienced some major difficulties with the service pipes that have now somewhat delayed the footings being poured. Last Friday, the site manager informed me that the work would take about three weeks before the Front Gate, Ramp and brickwork is constructed.

Phase 3: Relocating the fire hydrant from the side of the pedestrian entrance to the school to the opposite side of the administration entry gates.

Phase 4: This goes into action when a much needed fire hydrant will be installed in the Quiet Area of the school. After cutting through the concrete outside the Year 3 class rooms to lay pipes down.

The size of the playing area of the front playground has been reduced to allow the work to continue and our students and visitors to the school to be safe.

Last week, I informed the parents through COMPASS about the new arrangements for students who travel by Bus and Waiters at the end of the school day. Could you please inform all those whom you arrange to collect your child at the end of the school day that, they will be supervised by two teachers at the front of the parish office each afternoon.

Waiters: Parents are asked to come into the school/ parish grounds to collect their child, we will not allow a child to go to the car unaccompanied by a parent.

Parents I ask your consideration in collecting your child before 3:40 pm each afternoon. Students who are not collected by this time will need to wait at the Office from that time on.

Back Gate: A reminder to all parents that your child needs to be dropped off in the morning at the Back Gate before 9:55 am and collected in the afternoon by 3:30 pm. Students are not allowed to walk to their car, parents/ carers must come and collect them from the school grounds.

Sound System: This week we are having the Sound System in the hall installed. This will take the whole week and hopefully, we will have a more effective audio and visual system.  Thanks to the Catholic Education Office for this upgrade and for the costs associated with it. We are very grateful for this.

Mini Vinnies Student Leaders attend Annual Vincentian Youth Gathering.

Last Friday 6th September, Mrs Sykes and I accompanied our Mini Vinnies student leadership team to the annual Vincentian Youth Gathering held at the Xavier Centre in Wollongong.  The theme of the day was 'Refugees and Asylum Seekers' and was a very worthwhile experience as our students heard from inspiring speakers and participated in thought provoking activities on this very important issue.  The students also had the opportunity to connect with other Mini Vinnies groups from other schools and exchange ideas for social justice projects and participated in a very challenging Refugee simulation game.  One of the highlights of the day was hearing the very moving and challenging personal account of Fr Ngyuen, a Vietnamese Priest from our diocese, who was a refugee and fled his country at the early age of 12 to pursue his desire to become a Catholic Priest.  Fr Ngyuen's story brought home with new clarity to all of us the desperate plight of refugees and asylum seekers and the depth of their suffering and how vital it is that we as Christians become more informed as to how we can reach out to our fellow humans who find themselves in this situation, often through no choice of their own. The day was very well attended with 14 Primary and Secondary schools from across the diocese participating, as well as numerous adult members from St Vincent De Paul conferences. - Mrs Pannell, Pastoral Support Worker.
Regards,

Lisa Pannell

Pastoral Support Worker

St Paul's Albion Park - Monday, Wednesday

2019 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is moving online.  Offline assessments are only available for Years 3 and 4 students.

We have several students who have enrolled to participate in these assessments.  

The dates for the 2019 Assessments are:

Digital Technologies - 3 September 2019

Science - 5 September 2019

Writing - 10 September 2019

Spelling Bee - 12 September 2019

English - 17 September 2019

Mathematics - 19 September 2019

Laura Miller, ICAS Coordinator

Preschool Visits: This week we will have two groups of Pre school children from All Saints Preschool visit our school. Today, Tuesday 10 September and on Thursday 12 September.  We are sure they are going to feel very welcome in our school’s Resource Centre and a visit to the school grounds.

We also have a group of students from Albion Park Early Learning Centre visit, these students will be joining us next year and I am so happy to welcome them before their Transition Days.

SCHOOL & DIOCESAN SPORT

ATHLETICS - From St Paul’s through to Diocesan Representatives

 While it may seem like our own school carnival was run and won many weeks ago, the representative pathways have been in full-swing over the last two weeks. We congratulate again, our 2019 Age Champions:

 Our Athletics House Champion was:          ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

 Based on results at our own school carnival, a St Paul’s Athletics team, comprising of 32 athletes, participated in the CEDoW South Coast Athletics Trials on Tuesday 13 August (Term 3, Week 4) at Kerryn McCann Athletics Field (Beaton Park), Wollongong. Each of our athletes performed to their best of their ability and gave 100% at all times. This was not only when competing but also when encouraging and cheering-on their fellow squad members. Mr McCann was very appreciative of the students’ efforts, as well as the assistance and support of parents on the day.

 Whilst the team’s overall performance was pleasing, there was also some great individual honours. Holly Czornobej and Matilda Pearson, competing in the 11 years Girls category, were awarded 2nd & 3rd place, respectively. April Gray, competing in the 12 years Girls, also received 3rd place overall. A fantastic achievement from the three girls!

 These three girls, along with Ava Alaban, Gemma Bishop, Cooper Micallef, Wil Moran and Janae Robertson, were successful in being selected for the Diocesan Athletics Trials, which was again held at Beaton Park on Tuesday 20 August (Week 5). These trials bring together the top four place-getters from the South Coast and West Region athletic events, who then vie for a spot in the Diocesan Athletics Team.

 Of our eight students, we congratulate again, Holly Czornobej, who gained selection in the 11 years Girls 100m, 200m and Long Jump events. She will now travel to the Sydney Athletics Centre, Homebush on Monday 16 September to contest the MacKillop Athletics Championships. All the best, Holly!

Set up and sell - Lydia Jones, Jodie Robson Julie Wilson

 Selling - Renee Macgraw, Amy Moran, Olivia Abnett, Nicole Zonneveld, Janelle Gamble,            Lisa Rosete, Helen Cheetham, Rose Galea, Toni Frendo, Vanesssa Parreira,                                                             Maria Bancroft

Dear Parents/Carers

COULD ALL OVERDUE CHOCOLATE MONEY PLEASE BE SENT TO SCHOOL, we need to close this off.

Thank you

We’re 10 days out from our CUA Colour School Fun-Run!

Only 7 Days left to get busy asking for sponsors, and for those who haven’t yet, now is the time to create your child’s profile and start fundraising.

Please Note that All Money is Due Tuesday 17 September 2019.

Only cash donations, along with back page of sponsorship booklet, to be returned to the school office. Online donations also need to be finalised the same day.

Thank you to all the fantastic fundraisers, within our school community, who are getting us closer to our $10 000 target.

HOW TO ORDER YOUR CHILD'S PRIZE:

Between Tuesday 17 September and Friday 27 September 2019 simply visit schoolfundraising.com.au and log into your profile page. Then click on the ‘ORDER PRIZES’ button and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact the CUA School Fun Run team on 1800 Fun Run and they will gladly assist.

Thanks to parents who have returned their volunteer notes.

It isn’t too late for those who would still like to offer their time and help make it an amazing day. We really need assistance with the colour throwing.

If you are available, please send in your note ASAP.

Schedule of Events:                    

Students will run one lap, wait at finish line till all students have completed and continue with next lap/s, with or without their parents, until duration of allocated time has ended. 

• 12:30 pm to 12:45 pm - Race One (Years 5-6)                                      
• 12:55 pm to 1:10 pm - Race Two (Years 3-4)                                        
• 1:10 pm to 1:30 pm - Recess

All students recess needs to be LABELLED, and then will be placed in their class basket that will go up to the top oval.

(Please Note: The Canteen will not be opened for Recess on this day)

Every child will be offered a Frozen Quelch Fruit ice block             

• 1:35 pm to 1:50 pm - Race Three (Year 1-2)                                     
• 2:00 pm to 2:15 pm - Race Four (Kindergarten)                           
• 2:30 pm - Photo and Finish

REMEMBER to pack your child a White T-Shirt, old pants, hat and joggers, plus a bag and a towel. Your gold donation and your white shirt, if joining in on the fun.

Let’s get colourful St Pauls, as the reward for your fantastic fundraising efforts!!!!!!!!!!

Please see the attached Cyber Safety Poster, if you have any concerns about creating your child’s profile for the upcoming Colour Fun Run.

Please Note: We can only accept CORRECT CHANGE when purchasing uniforms on Assembly days or if paying at the office. NO CHANGE CAN BE GIVEN. Alternatively, families can pay by EFTPOS at the front office.

Parents/cares who are unable to attend assemblies and require uniform items throughout the term, please contact Maria Bancroft (0400570105). Items requested can be left at the office to pay and pick up at your convenience.

Donations of uniforms no longer required are always needed to replenish our stock. Please make sure uniforms has been washed and are in relatively GOOD condition (no broken zippers please).  Parents are welcome to drop off the uniforms at the office.

Maria Bancroft, 2nd Hand Uniform Coordinator