The Whole School and Invited Guests will attend a Farewell Mass for Mrs Colleen Easton on Friday 6 December 2019 at 9:30 am in St Paul's Church.  Mass will be concelebrated by Fr Leo Duck and Fr David Catterall.

Following Mass a Morning Tea will be held in the hall for invited guests only.

At 12 noon a Special Assembly will be held in the hall to farewell Mrs Easton.  Parents and Carers are most welcome to join us for this Assembly.

Dear parents, carers, staff and students

We have only two whole weeks of school life to go before the end of the term. At this very busy time for all of us, I would like to congratulate all the students for the way they continue to be positive in their learning and also on the playground with their teachers and friends.

The time before the holidays is always a time of anticipation awaiting School Reports and new classmates; I know each of you cannot wait for the holidays. You are such a good example to each other and I am so very blessed to have you all at St Paul’s following school rules and doing your best at this time of the year. Thank you.

At the start of this Advent let us reflect on knowing why we have the Advent wreath in our churches and in our sacred space in our classrooms.

The Advent wreath is large and circular in shape. The circle has no beginning or end, reminding us of God's unending love for us.

It is made of fresh evergreens, which are a sign of life. They point to new life and the hope of eternal life that we find in Christ. They also remind us to pray for all of God's creation.

The five candles contrast darkness and light. They are lit each week during Advent as we count the Sundays in Advent, waiting for Christ's birth. We are also reminded of those who waited thousands of years for the Messiah. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the fifth candle—the Christ candle—is lit. Jesus is the light of the world, and the darkness has not put it out. The full blaze stands for the fulfilment of the promise.

The candles are purple, the traditional colour of royalty and of penance, used in the seasons of preparation—Advent and Lent. One pink candle, lit on the third Sunday to represent joy and to mark the breaking of the fast that was kept in early times. It suggests the Rose of Sharon. The Christ candle is always white and is larger and taller than the others. It is placed in the centre of the wreath.

Let us journey as a pilgrim church during this Advent and pray:

God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour.
Amen.

May the Christ Child soon to come among us bring peace to our community, our country and our world.

May we feel His divine presence among us this Advent as we prepare for Christmas.

As we come to the final weeks of the year, we have so many celebrations and events that all of us are involved in and in the midst of it all we find ourselves giving generously to the life of the school.

I thank you for your contribution and participation especially those parent helpers and staff members who continually offer to do so much for the school.

Please take some quality time for yourselves as the holidays are fast approaching and that quiet cup of hot tea or coffee might not remain hot with all the interruptions you will joyfully experience.

Advent Blessings

 

Colleen Easton, Principal

 

Next Sunday 8 December 2019 we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Many Catholics believe this feast celebrates Jesus’ conception through the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary.  However, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary’s conception in the womb of Saint Anne without the stain of original sin.  Jesus’ conception is celebrated on the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, nine months before Christmas.

In order to become the mother of Christ she was conceived free from the burden of original sin.

Saints Joachim and Anne prayed for a child for a very long time.  Just when they had begun to lose hope, Saint Anne became pregnant with Mary.  In order for Mary to become the mother of Christ, her soul never suffered the effects of original sin.

“I am the Immaculate Conception” When Our Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 she told her, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Just as she appeared at Lourdes, Mary is usually portrayed as a young woman, dressed in white, with a blue sash or mantle and a halo of stars.  She is often shown standing on a hill and sometimes there are clouds, angels, and flowers shown as well.

On the cross before Jesus died, He gave Mary to us as a mother. She is the mother of God and our heavenly mother also. She takes care of us and loves us as the dearest, gentlest and purest mother.

At the end of this year we wish Mrs Sykes a very enjoyable time preparing for the birth of her first grandchild, Miss Potts who will take up a teaching position at St Antony’s Woodford United Kingdom and Mr Edwards who leaves us to take up a Middle Leader position at St Therese West Wollongong. Miss Belsito also leaves us to take up a permanent position at Ss Peter & Paul’s Kiama.

Yes, these staff members have been part of St Paul’s and supported our Year 6 students during their years at St Paul’s. On behalf of Fr Leo, the parents and students, I thank all of you for all that you have contributed to the fabric of St Paul’s

Last Sunday 1 December Sean Bancroft together with his mum and dad Maria and Andrew, Mrs Relf and I went up to Sydney for the Years 5 and 6 Christmas Story Art Presentation. We firstly attended Mass at St Benedict’s and then went into the Notre Dame University for a very well attended presentation. Students from the Archdiocese of Sydney, Bathurst and Wollongong had their artworks on display. The selected students were then presented with awards. Many of our students from the Diocese of Wollongong were awarded for their work.

Our Sean Bancroft’s artwork titled “Star of the Past.” was selected as the Archbishop’s Choice. This major trophy and award was shared with a student from Orange. To receive this award was the highlight of everyone from the Director of Schools Mr Peter Turner and the Very Reverend Don Richardson Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. Sean very humbly shared his creative thoughts with our Director of Schools Mr Peter Turner and was photographed several times with the Dean and the Director – It was precious to see Sean with that ever joyful smile that no one could take away that day!!!!

Mrs Relf was ecstatic about the award and sang Sean’s praises to the Director and Education Officer: Gifted Education, Creativity and Critical Thinking Mr John Charadia. It was the first for the Diocese that the Archbishop of Sydney’s award was selected and we are so happy that it was Sean’s creative art.

Sean’s work has made the Catholic Weekly next week, be sure to purchase your copy and read his Christmas Story Art explanation.

We are all so proud of you Sean and congratulate you on this award.

Please note that no Waste Free Warriors were selected in Week 6, Term 4.

Our Week 7, Term 4 Waste Free Warrior Winners are:

• Samuel Barrett - Year 1 Blue
• Jessminda Borg - Year 2 Blue x 2 awards
• Wezley Smith - Year 3 Blue
• Ava Quinones - Year 2 Red

Our PB4L focus for Weeks 6 and 7 Term 4 was learning to be safe on our front playground. 

Congratulations to the following students who have set a great example in Week 6:

• Sophie Groznik - Year 4 Red 
• Joseph Jedrzejczak - Year 1 Red
• Joseph Jedrzejczak - Year 1 Red - double winner
• Aiden Strawbridge - Year 1 Red
• Declan Johnston - Year 4 Red

Congratulations to the following students who have set a great example in Week 4:

• Ava Dawson - Year 1 Red
• Lily Harris - Year 1 Red
• Eli Coopes - Year 2 Blue
• Aiden Koloski - Year 2 Blue
• Breanna Cresswell - Year 6 Blue

On Thursday 14 November the following students attended the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's (CEDoW) event "The Good, The Beautiful, The True.  Student Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking" to acknowledged their 2019 SPLICED work:

Thomas Allen, Sienna Allitt, Olivia Barrett, Ella Di Martino, Emily Di Pietro, Hayley Frendo, Tamara Frendo, Elias Maounis, Rebecca McGlashan, Sophie Parker and Janae Robertson. 

Mr Peter Turner, Director of Schools made presentations of the 2019 Publication and certificates to each student, and launched the website.

See below CEDoW's coverage of the launch of this year’s SPLICED publication and website.

The Good, The Beautiful, The True: Student Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking

I ask all parents and carers to complete the recently distributed LANGUAGE BACKGROUND SURVEY. The Catholic Education Office has sent out this important survey to all school families in our diocese.  It is imperative that all eighty-seven families complete this and return it to school by Friday 6 December.

Last week I met with the Director of Schools Mr Peter Turner and the Cyclic Review Team that visited our school on Wednesday 25 September. I have included the signed off report for the school community.

St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Albion Park, is a two-stream co-educational K-6 school with a current enrolment of 361 students. Under the name of St Joseph's, the school was founded in 1882 by the Sisters of St Joseph and the school has continued to have a strong affiliation with their charism and the spirituality of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop ever since.

Located adjacent to the Parish Church of St Paul's, the school has always had a collaborative and harmonious  relationship  with the local Parish, however, in the recent year lengthy periods without an active clergy presence has made this challenging to maintain. The school, however, has an extremely vibrant Catholic culture under the Principals' inspirational and committed Catholic leadership which more than compensates for Parish complexities. This vibrant Catholic culture is evident in the school's vision statement which claims "in the richness of our Catholic faith and tradition we achieve excellence."

The current Principal has led the school for nine years and will be retiring at the end of 2019. She is supported by 37 teaching and support staff. The School Leadership Team, and the staff as a whole, has undergone significant personnel change in recent years, particularly evidenced by three Assistant Principal appointments in three years. This turnover of leadership positions has presented challenges for maintaining momentum in the delivery of school and system priorities.

The school has excellent relationships with the adjacent St Joseph's Catholic High School, and with other Catholic Primary schools in the region through the Southern lllawarra Catholic Schools (SICS) network. NAPLAN trend data is very positive and students are performing well above state mean in all areas and pleasing growth from Year 3 to Year 5 is noted.

Students and parents indicated high satisfaction with the school citing the excellent spirituality focus, pastoral care and broad learning opportunities on offer. Relationships with the Parents and Friends Association are respectful and collaborative. In spite of significant site maintenance and disruptions to normal school operations the school appeared calm and ordered, and staff and students were positively engaged and proud of their school. Student behaviour is excellent and there is a welcoming and family-friendly tone throughout the school.

The school buildings and facilities have undergone a number of refurbishments in recent years, however, classrooms are reasonably dated and not for contemporary pedagogy. The site is complex and restricted because of heritage protections and the original placement of buildings and compartmentalised playground areas. The school is in need of a renewed Master Plan for the site.

The panel thanked the parent group for their affirmation and kind words towards my principalship at St Paul’s.

I too would like to thank the students and parents who were interviewed at the Cyclic Review for their honest and supportive comments about my leadership.

This year the first semester report for your child will be electronically provided using the Compass portal. You should receive this on Monday 9 December 2019.

Please contact the office if you require your login details for the Parent Portal on Compass to be updated / verified - ie., reset your password.

All parents will have an opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss the report.

The Parents and Friends will sell Christmas gifts at the cost of $5.00 each for all those who forgot or were away today. Please do not forget your money to purchase a Christmas present for that special person. These will be available at the Office on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 December 2019 our Year 4 students will be going on their excursion to Minnamurra Rainforest. The students are so excited about their visit, where they will learn about the environment and consolidate their learning that has taken place within the classroom. This excursion was postponed due to inclement weather and now that it is finally planned they will enjoy their outdoor learning.

NRL Catholic Dragon Tag Gala Day

On Thursday 5 December, 136 students (13 teams) will be representing St Paul’s at the NRL Catholic Dragon Tag Gala Day. For those parents/carers with children attending, please find below information regarding the day: 

• DATE: Thursday 5 December, 2019
• VENUE: Reed Park, Dapto (Bong Bong Road)
• TIMES:
  • Student Arrival: 8:30 - 9:00am
    • Parents/carers are asked to sign-in their child, with their grade teacher at the event.
  • Welcome and Introduction: 9:30am
  • First Game: 10:00am
  • Finish: 2:00pm
    • Parents/carers are again asked to sign-out their child before leaving.

DIVISIONS & TEAMS

• Teams will be 7-a-side (on field), with 3-4 reserves.
• The NRL will be running the following divisions:
  • Senior Boys (Years 5 & 6)
  • Senior Girls (Years 5 & 6)
  • Junior Mixed (Years 3 & 4) – there must be at least 3 girls on the field at any one time in this division.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• NO TACKLING
• There will be other activities / events that students will participate in throughout the day
• A CANTEEN will be available on the day.

PARENT ASSISTANCE:

• THANK YOU to the parents/carers who have volunteered their assistance on the day. We have just enough volunteers to cover each of our teams. An email will be sent to these helpers, containing team lists, draws and rules, once they are received from the NRL Development

( *** This information will also be made available to relevant parents/carers via Compass.)

Diocese of Wollongong Representatives

Congratulations to Rebecca McGlashan (Year 5), who was recently selected in the Diocesan Girls Basketball team for 2020. Rebecca will continue to hone her skills over the Christmas period, in preparation for the MacKillop Selection Trials to be held in Wollongong, in late February next year. All the best, Rebecca! 

Mr Shaun Dutaillis & Mr Brian McCann, Sports Coordinators

Our Year 6 students will celebrate their years at St Paul’s with a Thanksgiving Liturgy on Tuesday 10 December at 6:00pm. They will then attend a Presentation of Awards from various community representatives and enjoy a meal and entertainment.

The Year 5 and 6 parents have been preparing for the Year 6 Thanksgiving celebration and on behalf of Miss Potts and Mr Edwards, I thank all those who have offered to support this celebration. The Year 5 students have provided soft drinks for the occasion and their parents have offered to attend on the night to help with hospitality and clean up at the end of the celebration. Thank you.

Our End of Year Thanksgiving Mass will be held in our parish church at 9:30 am on Friday 13 December 2019. On behalf of Fr Leo our parish priest and the school staff, we invite all families to thank God for the successful year of 2019. We have enjoyed many celebrations and mourned with those in our world and local communities, we have shared a journey that we are thankful for.

Please join our school community to witness the handing over of our school candle from 2019 school captains to the 2020 school captains at the end of Mass.

Following the Mass you are invited to have a BYO picnic lunch in the Quiet Area of the school. The students will then share the Christmas Story and we will distribute the End of Year Award Certificates.

Students new to the school will join with our students on Tuesday 17 December at 2:15pm to meet their new class teacher for 2020. There is always an element of surprise finding out who their class teacher will be and the new friends they will make and work with in their new class.

All students finish school on Wednesday 18 December at 3:15pm. Year 6 students are reminded that you are asked to perform your End of Year 6 dance routine that Miss Potts has so well choreographed after the Christmas Story.

Students from Year 1 to Year 6 will return to school on Wednesday 29 January 2020.

Students in Kindergarten are to refer to the Best Start information which will be sent home tomorrow.

On Thursday 6 February 2020 all students will attend from 8:55 am to 12 noon to allow a smoother transition to ‘big’ school.  Students are to bring crunch ‘n’ sip and lunch with them on this half day.

All Kindergarten children will start full days (8:55 am to 3:15 pm) from Friday 7 February 2020.

2020 School Fees

A copy of the 2020 School Fees was distributed to all families last week.

The fees for 2020 have been approved by Bishop Brian Mascord:

Tuition Fees - $1678 per family per annum

Parish School Enhancement & Debt Servicing Obligation (SEDSO) - $1025 per family per annum

A total of $2703 per family which will be billed at the end of January 2020.

The Resource Fee for 2020 will be $150 per student which will also be billed at the end of January 2020.

The following Excursion Costs for 2020 will also be billed at the end of January 2020:

• Kindergarten - $37
• Year 1 - $22
• Year 2 - $24
• Year 3 - $19
• Year 4 - $35
• Year 5 - $20
• Year 6 Camp Fee - $336
• Year 6 TShirt Fee - $35

Attached is a detailed letter with information from the Finance Team at the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong regarding School Fees for 2020 and New Arrangements for Payment by Instalment.

Please note that fees can be paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly.    If payments commence on 30 January 2020 the weekly payments will be $62 per week (44 weeks); the fortnightly payments will be $124 (22 fortnights) and the monthly payments will be $248 (11 months).  This will ensure that fees are finalised by 6 December 2019.

If you are paying by CDF Direct Debit or BPay please ensure that the amount you are currently paying will be sufficient to cover your commitment for 2020.

If you need to alter your Direct Debit please contact the school office to have a CDF Direct Debit Alteration form sent home for completion.

Diocesan Request to Pay School Fees by Instalment Form

A copy of the Diocesan Request to Pay School Fees by Instalment form for 2020 was sent home last week to each family.  A copy is attached for your reference.

If you wish to pay your 2020 Fees by instalment please complete this form and email it to:  instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au for processing by the Finance Team at CEDoW.

A copy of the 2020 Resource List will be distributed tomorrow to all students.  Attached is copy for your reference.

Lisa Payne, Senior School Support Officer 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LAST DAY OF TRADING FOR THE CANTEEN WILL BE FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER 2019.

There will be no Canteen available in Week 10 - please ensure that your child brings their own lunch and recess from home.

Made Fresh were the successful tenderers to operate our School Canteen commencing 29 January 2020. 

Thank you to Mrs O'Shea and Mrs Infante for covering books for the Library.  Your gift of time is greatly appreciated. 

Robyn Warton and Louise Frendo, Library School Support Officers.

We have been informed by Gareth Ward, MP, Member for Kiama that the following students will receive a certificate as they entered his 2019 Christmas Card Competition:

Ava Van Akker, Grace Philip, Harrison McDonald, Jazmine Gagnuss, Madison Smith and Olivia Gorrie.

Congratulations to Emily Hooper, Ava Quinones, Charlotte Hooper, Jane Carbonara and Sophie Parker who represented Shellharbour City and the South Coast Zone at the Australian Physie and Dance National Championships in Darling Harbour over the weekend. The girls were selected at qualifiers a few weeks ago to join the top 50 dancers for their age group. At the championships Sophie scored enough points to take her into the final round of 14 dancers. Congratulations girls!

NEWS from our Parish of St Paul’s Catholic Albion Park 

Christmas Mass Program

• Christmas Eve Vigil Mass 6pm
• Midnight Mass
• Christmas Day Mass 10am

Additional Sessions of Reconciliation

• Saturday 7 December 11am – 12noon
• Saturday 14 December 11am – 12noon
• Saturday 21 December 11am – 12noon

2nd Rite of Reconciliation

The following times are available in our region for 2nd Rite of Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas:

• Shellharbour – 7pm Tuesday 17 December

• Dapto – 7pm Wednesday 18 December

• Kiama – 6pm Thursday 19 December

Christmas Choir

As we head towards Christmas, parishioners of all ages are invited to join our parish choir for Christmas and beyond. Choir practice takes place at 4.30pm on Fridays – but even if you can’t get to practice, you can still be part of the choir for Midnight Mass. A special Christmas practice will be held on Monday 16 December at 7pm in the church. For more information, contact Catriona on 0422 201 054.

Ecumenical Prayer Evening in the Spirit of Taize

Our next Prayer Evening, drawing inspiration from the prayers and music of the Taizé Community, will be held THIS Sunday, from 6pm. The focus will be the Season of Advent. A cuppa will follow the liturgy. All Welcome!

Join the Adventure

It is with great excitement we announce CatholicCare will be holding a fundraising trek to the iconic Larapinta Trail (near Alice Springs) on 28 September – 4 October 2020. We are seeking participants to undertake the trek and help raise $100,000 to help children in need throughout the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Macarthur and Southern Highlands areas. To find out more visit http://tiny.cc/CatholicCareLarapinta

Work of Human Hands Showcase - Our Annual Advent Showcase of Handmade Items and Handicrafts

Our parish is blessed to have men and women who use their God given gifts to make amazing and inspiring ‘handmade items and handicrafts’. NEXT WEEKEND, after all Masses, some of these people will be showcasing and/or selling their handmade items. This Showcase will be an opportunity for parishioners to purchase Christmas gifts that have been made with love and that are “the work of human hands”.

A Vocation View

Make your decision to follow Jesus during this Advent Season. Delaying until "one" of these days is "none" of these days. Follow now. If anyone would like to know more, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Duane Fernandez, at vocations@dow.org.au

The SVDP Giving Tree is now in the Spirit of Taize located in the Narthex   

Please take a tag or two from the tree
and purchase the items that are written on them. These items will be used to make Christmas hampers for those people less fortunate than ourselves. Items need to be returned by 15 December, ready for packing the following day. SVdP are also holding a raffle, commencing this weekend. Tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5 or 7 for $10. The prize is 54 scratchies.

Farewell Mass for Mrs Colleen Easton

The 9:30 am Mass this coming Friday will be a Farewell Mass for Mrs Colleen Easton, who has been a deeply committed and devoted teacher at our Parish Primary School for past 23 years, including the roles of REC, Assistant Principal and, most recently, Principal for the last 10 years. We wish her good health, good luck, and great success in her retirement.

Preparation of our Church for Christmas

We would like as many parishioners as possible to come along and help give the church a “spring- clean” in preparation for Christmas, on Saturday 14 December 2019 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Remember, many hands make light work! Please write your name on the list in the Narthex if you are able to assist.

Carols in the Carpark 

This year’s Carols in the Car park will be held on Sunday 15 December, commencing with a free BBQ (donated by the Minns family) at 5 pm, followed by Christmas singing and a treat of festivities, brought to you by “Music by Serafina”

The Illawarra Hawks would love to see you and your students at our next Illawarra Hawks game.

The Illawarra Hawks will take on the Melbourne United on Monday 16 December and we’re offering Illawarra Schools a massive 20% off tickets.

The link to purchase tickets:

https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/illawarra-hawks-v-melbourne-united-wollongong-16-12-2019/event/1300571693C841C5