Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the past few weeks, our school community has taken time to reflect on the significance of National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.

National Sorry Day, observed on May 26, is a time to acknowledge the strength and resilience of the Stolen Generations Survivors. It is a day to recognise the profound grief and trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the role we can play in the ongoing healing process for our people and our nation.

Reconciliation Week, which follows, is a powerful reminder that reconciliation is a journey for all Australians. It invites us to walk together, grounded in truth and respect, toward a more just and equitable future.

This week, we acknowledged the importance of Reconciliation Week by participating in the annual Reconciliation School Flag Walk at Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra.

It was lovely to see so many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, parents, teachers, and Elders come together to celebrate culture, connection, and community. The event provided a meaningful opportunity to share stories, engage in cultural activities, and honour the rich heritage of our First Nations peoples.

As a school, we remain committed to fostering understanding, respect, and meaningful relationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through education, reflection, and action, we aim to contribute positively to a reconciled Australia.

Tomorrow we will be acknowledging World Environment Day. Our school will be wearing a splash of green. We will be focusing on how we effectively use our recycling bins at school. 

Next Thursday, we have our athletics carnival. This year we have invited students to nominate to enter as a competitor or non competitor. The school athletics carnival is an ameteur sporting event. It is a pathway to the diocesan events. 

Thank you to our parent volunteers and for our families who will be joining us for a day for students to demonstrate their sporting skills and to participate in some fun events.

We also have our P & F Trivia event on Saturday 21 June. It would be great to see our parents on the evening for a night of fun. There are some great prizes which will be announced in the coming weeks. Funds raised will go towards our new playground markings for our students to enjoy during playtimes.

Warm regards,

Angela Pecnik

Principal

Teachers will be available to discuss student progress at Learning Conversations for all students Kinder - Year Six. These conversations will be held as a face-to-face or phone conversation meeting with your child's teacher/s.

Learning Conversations are booked through Compass. Instruction on how to book will be sent when the bookings are opened.

Mrs Nichole Benoit

Assistant Principal

MINI VINNIES

This term students have been creating posters and poems to support the St Vincent de Paul NSW Social Justice Project.  The project question is “What can you do to help address homelessness and disadvantage in your local area?” Students will share their creative expressions towards the end of term.

Students are preparing to promote our Winter Appeal - held on Thursday 19th June, with the hope of helping those in need within the wider community. Our winter appeal will be a Pyjama Day where students have the opportunity to purchase a hot chocolate and donut for $5. An event will be released on Compass next week where orders can be placed. 

On the evening of the Thursday 19th June, students are invited to participate in a SPAP Vinnies Community SleepOut to raise awareness of Homelessness. We will come together as a school community to celebrate this event in the school hall beginning at 5pm and finishing at 6.30pm. During this event students must be accompanied by an adult. There will be the opportunity to purchase chicken noodles and participate in activities to raise awareness. More information will be shared next week.

PENTECOST

The feast of Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter season. In 2025, Pentecost falls on Sunday, June 8.  It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at the first Pentecost and is considered the birth of the Church. The liturgical colour of red is used on this day, before we enter the season of ordinary time once again.

MEET POPE LEO XIV

As a catholic community we are excited to introduce you to Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church . He was elected as Pope on May 8, 2025, succeeding Pope Francis.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Leo XIV, whose given name is Robert Francis Prevost, was born on September 14, 1955. As the Pope, he leads the Catholic Church and is also the sovereign of Vatican City.

What does the Pope do?

The Pope guides Catholics all over the world in their faith . He helps us understand Jesus' teachings and encourages us to live a life of love and kindness. You can find information about Pope Leo XIV on the Vatican's official website.

GRADE MASSES FOR TERM TWO

Students from Years 2 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 2

Mrs Jodi Marsh

Religious Education Coordinator

Hi I’m Logan and I’m Sienna and we are your school captains signing in for the fortnightly report.

This term has been a fun one so far and we're already halfway there. 

ALREADY?

Unfortunately the disco was postponed due to wet weather, we will get to you about a date.

On the 27th, first place runners were invited to the selection run, in Unanderra. Students ran on the pump track behind the Illawarra hockey stadium. Each lap was 1km, well done to everyone for doing their best. We had 2 runners who are going to the next level, Kye Daniel in 2R and Sienna Astill in 6R.

On Monday the second, it was the Shellharbour Reconciliation flag walk. All people who attended walked from the warilla surf club to Redal Reserve. At Redal Reserve there was a smoking ceremony and a performance of Aboriginal dances. After the dances were finished the people attending could participate in activities like drumming, and could grab a quick bite.

Tomorrow is World Environment day. World environment day will be a day of  fun activities led by year 5 students. They will help encourage us to recycle materials and how to use all bins correctly. Tomorrow we can wear green accessories such as Green socks, hair accessories, a tie or a bright green hat. Even though it’s going to be a blast, make sure to wear your full school uniform, including your hat and shoes.  

On Monday the 9th, King Charles will enjoy his birthday, which means school and most shops will close to celebrate. He will turn 76 years old

On Thursday the 12th, we have the athletics carnival. Students will participate in events such as the 100m, discus, shot put and long jump.Remember to go to compass and get your parents to nominate for these events.

These are the school captains signing out for the week!

Sienna and Logan!

In Week 6, the PB4L focus is respectful behaviour in the school hall 

The teachers will:

• Pre-remind students of the expectations when entering and exiting the hall
• Praise and reward students when they are responding to teacher instructions and the bells

In Week 7, the PB4L focus will be showing respectful behaviour towards staff and peers

The teachers will:

• Pre-remind students of the PB4L expectations
• Explicitly teach the students how to demonstrate respectful behaviour when responding to teacher directions 
• Praise and reward students when they are demonstrating desired behaviour

The PB4L students have surveyed the students across St Pauls to obtain student feedback for new playground equipment and line marking for our playgrounds. The student representatives are supporting staff and awarding points for classes demonstrating desired behaviours during morning assemblies. 

Keeping your child safe when driving to and from school

Here are a few tips to help keep your child and others safer at the beginning and end of the school day:

• Make sure your child is fastened in a child car seat that is suitable for their age and size. The seat should also be correctly fitted in the vehicle.
• Stay under the 40km/h speed limit in school zones and look out for children who may be about.

• Watch for flashing lights on buses. They let you know that the bus is picking up or setting down children who may be crossing or about to cross the road. You must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash, unless a lower speed limit applies.

• Always give way to pedestrians particularly when entering and leaving driveways.
• Slow down and prepare to stop near any crossings around the school. At a supervised crossing, follow the directions of the school crossing supervisor.

• Always park and turn legally around schools. Manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns are dangerous during busy school drop-off and pick-up times.

• Drop your child off and pick them up on the school side of the road. Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous – they may run to you without checking for traffic.

• Always help your child get in and out of the vehicle through the ‘Safety Door’. The ‘Safety Door’ is the rear kerb side door of the vehicle. It is away from passenger passing traffic and safest for your child.

Mathematics

As part of our school Annual Improvement Plan teachers have been working on growth and engagement in Mathematics. At St Paul's teachers guide students Mathematical understandings through Targeted Maths teaching. This ensures all students recieve small group instruction which enables them to develop their skills and understanding. In Year 3, the students and teachers have recently been looking at Rounding and Multiplicative thinking. Take a look at some of our Mathematicians at work...

On Monday 2 June, St Paul’s took part in the Shellharbour Reconciliation Flag Walk. A group of 25 students and Mrs Staff, Ms Tonini and Mrs Wilson caught a bus to Warilla to attend the walk. 

We met Aunty Jo and attended the Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, dance performances, sausage sizzle and activities such as drumming, footy pass competitions, nature playdough, Sea of Hands and chalk walk. We had a great day! 

Olivia G and Kai H were our flag bearers this year, handing the flag over to elders and community leaders at the end of the walk. Larni M and Amarli B represented St Paul’s in the Coomaditchie artwork which will be displayed at an official ceremony during NAIDOC Week in July.

This Friday Aunty Jo will be visiting classrooms to talk about Reconciliation Week. Students will explore this year's theme through the poster and some students will create a Sea of Hands installation.

ACE Awards:
Henry 2B
Jasmine 2R
Antonia 2R
Olivia 3R
Eli B 4R
Faith 4R
Daniella 4R
Ava L 4B
Milla 4B
Aspen 5R
Olivia 6R
Brie 6R
Abbey M 6R
Libby 6B
Hamish 6B

Principal's Awards:
Henry 2B
Jasmine 2R
Antonia 2R
Eli B 4R
Faith 4R
Daniella 4R
Ava L 4B
Milla 4B
Aspen 5R
Olivia 6R
Libby 6B

Mary MacKillop Awards:
Eli B 4R
Faith 4R
Daniella 4R
Ava L 4B
Milla 4B
Aspen 5R
Olivia 6R
Libby 6B