Dear parents, students, staff and families,

As we begin our Lenten journey, we the church, are asked to reflect on our own personal journeys, where are we in our spiritual lives at the present moment and what can we do to make changes in our lives to know our loving God better? What is our prayer life like? What will we take up as we prepare for the passion, death and resurrection of God’s only Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we enter into this penitential season let us reflect on this prayer.

 God our Father,

You formed us from the dust of the earth and brought us to new life in Christ;

As we journey through these forty days of Lent:

 Help us to see Jesus in everyone we meet,

 To be like your Son Jesus in every way, especially with the poor, the sick and the lonely.

 Let us give generously to Project Compassion and pray for those who work with the poor and needy.

 During this Lenten season, help me to be merciful and forgive the wrong that others have caused towards me.

 May we find true forgiveness when others hurt us by what is said and done in sad times.

 Give your peace and love to all those who suffer injustice in our world.

 With your love, may our prayers and sacrifices this Lent helps us grow closer to each other and to you,

 As one family in Jesus, we make this prayer to you in His name.

Amen.

Lent is certainly starting very early this year. Our Ash Wednesday Mass in the parish will be celebrated at 12:00 noon. We ask you to attend with the school and parish community to begin our Lenten journey. This is a day of abstinence so we are asked to please refrain from eating meat on this day.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting that prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Our theme this year is ‘The future has a name, and that name is hope’.

During this special week we celebrate the strength and distinctiveness of our Catholic schools.

At St Paul’s we have celebrated this important week by involving all students through gathering for a special liturgy for Catholic Schools Week.

Our Year 6 students commenced this week on Fri 1 March: Year 6 Leader’s Day at Nazareth Catholic Primary School Shellharbour City.

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week Schedule:

• Monday 4 March 2019: Catholic Schools Week Liturgy for staff, students and parents
• Thursday 8 March 2019: Education Mass 6:30 pm at St John Vianney’s Co-Cathedral

“May the strength of God pilot us,

May the wisdom of God instruct us,

May the hand of God protect us,

May the way of God direct us

As we work together to make our school

truly Catholic.

Amen.

Congratulations to all staff members who received a Catholic Schools Week Award at our Catholic Schools Week whole school liturgy on Monday. Thank you for all that you do for the students and the parent community.

Last Friday our Year 6 students travelled to Nazareth Catholic School Shellharbour City to join other Year 6 students from Stella Maris, S Peter & Paul’s and Nazareth Catholic Schools to participate in a Leadership Day.

The students heard from the keynote speaker and State member for Shellharbour Anna Watson, they were engaged in a variety of interesting workshops and made connections with the studetns from our (SICS) group of schools.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you for having me lead a workshop at the SICS Leadership Day today.  It was such a well-organised day.  The students from each school were very respectful and engaged so well in the activities.  The hospitality from the parents and welcome by all the staff present was amazing.  What a treasure you have in the southern Illawarra, the Year 6 students are very lucky to have this each year.  An initiative other clusters of schools should invest in for the students.  Thank you also for my gift, most appreciated.

Well done!

Warm regards

Amy

Amy Sammut

Education Officer - Primary

Catholic Life, Education and Mission Team

The following grades will be attending the Parish Mass at 9:30 am on:

• Year 5 - Friday 8 March 2019 
• Year 4 - Friday 15 March 2019
• Year 2 - Friday 22 March 2019

Parents and carers are most welcome to join the students in the celebration of the Eucharist at these Masses.

Our Children – Engaging and Growing in God’s Love

Our children are precious to us and to God – made in his image.  As parents, grandparents, catechists and sacramental program leaders, how do we encourage and nurture our children as they grow in this awareness?  These sessions will reflect on the process of growth in faith, how children are actively involved in their own social and spiritual development – sometimes for the good and sometimes through suffering and hardship.

When and where:

• Tuesday 26  March 2019, 7:30pm-9:00pm
  Ingham Room, Xavier Conference Centre, 38 Harbour St Wollongong
  
• Wednesday 27  March 2019, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
  Phillip Room, Campbelltown Catholic Club, 20 Camden Rd Campbelltown

 RSVP: To Helen Bennett by Friday 22 March on 4222 2403 or helen.bennett@dow.org.au  

Enrolment Application Forms for Kindergarten 2020 are now available from the school office.

All completed forms and supporting documentation need to be returned to the school office by no later than Friday 12 April 2019 (last day of Term 1).

Supporting documentation includes:

• A copy of Birth Certificate
• A copy of Baptismal Certificate
• A copy of Immunisation Certificate (available from Medicare online)
• A small photograph of the child
• Proof of address (eg. Driver's License or Utilities Account)

Please note that we require to see an original copy of the child's Birth Certificate when returning the supporting documentation.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Clean Up Schools Day

Last week our students participated in Clean Up Schools Day. Each grade had a designated area of the playground to clean. We enjoyed cleaning up all sorts of rubbish and tidying up our school playground. Inspired by Pope Francis, Laudato Si we are committed to continue this action on Friday afternoons.   Mrs Belinda Evans 

 

Please join us on Friday 8 March 2019 at 2:15 pm for our Year 4 Assembly.

Selected students will receive a Catholic Schools Week Award.

The parish gates will be opened at 2:10 pm for access to the hall.

All Book Club Orders need to be returned to school by no later than Monday 18 March 2019.  Please note that NO LATER ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED after this date.  Robyn Warton, SSO Library

Our Week 4 Term 1 Waste Free Warrior Winners are:

Rory Smith - Year 1 Red

Hugh Lawson - Year 1 Blue

Flynn Clifton - Year 1 Blue

Mila Garnero - Year 1 Blue

Isaac Starling - Year 1 Blue

What a blessing to have our Shaded Space in the front playground. Such a welcome relief from the ongoing heat! allow the students to have shaded space to play their games. Sincere thanks to the Parents and Friends Association for funding this structure and a special thank you to Helen Moon for coordinating the project.

It is imperative that parents and families of our students observe all directions and instructions in reference to security. To ensure maximum security of our students, all gates are locked when students are under the supervision of their teachers. Parents are requested not to accompany students to their rooms or use the Back gate. Teachers have responsibility for supervising students in and out of the school gates.

The Front Gate near my Office will be open each morning and afternoon for prams and elderly grandparents and carers. Please use the pedestrian access nearest the Office Entry.

I thank all those who attended our Parent Information evenings. Many future directions for our school were shared and teachers informed all those who attended about class routines and expectations. We hope these will be helpful so you can support your child.

Meetings such as these are important so that parents are informed about matters that make the school day less stressful for all concerned.

I sincerely thank all staff members for the additional time you gave to conduct these meetings. I value your dedication and the gift of your time and I thank your families who in turn support the school.

Since my last Newsletter, we have held our School Leaders’ induction at our Opening School Liturgy.

Students very readily came forward to receive their badges in the presence of the school community, proud family and friends. The following letter was sent to me by mail by a family member who visited from Sydney.

Following media reports of the conviction of Cardinal George Pell, a statement has been released by the President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, to the Catholic community.  A copy is attached for your information.

There is no doubt news of this verdict of Cardinal Pell will give rise to a range of emotions and responses.  The legal process will now run its course.

We should never forget, that in any matter of this nature our concern and prayers are with victims and their families.  Please be assured, that our school system works tirelessly to ensure the safety of every child in our schools, and will continue to do so, as together we share the responsibility for the wellbeing of your children.

If you or your child requires support, please contact the Principal directly or you may also wish to contact the CatholicCare Sydney Parent Line NSW on                        1300 1300 52.  Concerns of child abuse and crimes must be reported to the relevant authorities which are the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) and the Police.

Child Protection personnel at the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong are also available to provide confidential advice and support as required.  

Peter Turner, Director of Schools, Diocese of Wollongong

Please come and join our parish and school community and show your support for all those who suffer and those who survived cancer. Your support for those in our community will be seen as a symbol of strength for families who live with and those who have cared for all cancer sufferers.

Please join us for a few laps or even a longer walk.

"On Friday 1st March, I went to the MacKillop Basketball Trials at the ‘Snake Pit’. Our first game was at 9:00am, which we won against Canberra / Goulburn because we used great teamwork and good communication. At 10:00am, we played against Wagga Wagga and unfortunately lost because we didn’t use communication. Parramatta was our third opponent and we didn’t play very well as a team. Our final game was against Sydney and we were all pumped! This was my best match because I scored 2 baskets for my team and also got some interceptions. At the end of the day, all the teams gathered on the main court to hear who was selected for the MacKillop team. Although only one person from our team was chosen to go the state trials, I really enjoyed my experience at the basketball trials for 2019."  Ethan Meehan, Year 6

Screen Time is a new feature of iOS 12. It lets you know how much time you and your children spend on apps, websites, and more. This way, you can make more informed decisions about how you use your devices, and set limits if you'd like. To learn more about how to turn on Screen Time, view your report and set limits, and manage a child's device visit https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT208982

Our Annual Cross Country Carnival will be held on Wednesday 3rd April (Week 10) at St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School, Albion Park.  This event is a whole school event.  Shaun Dutaillis, Sports Coordinator

Our Annual Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 28th June 2019 (Term 2, Week 9) at John O'Dwyer Oval, Croome Road, Albion Park.  This event is a whole school event.  Parents will need to arrange transport for their child to and from the event.   The back-up date for this Carnival is Wednesday 3rd July 2019.  Shaun Dutaillis, Sports Coordinator

Canteen Now Opened on Mondays

Due to the number of parents / carers who have offered to volunteer on a Monday in the Canteen we can now reopen the Canteen as of Monday 4 March 2019.

Thank you to the parents / carers who have come forth and offered their assistance in the Canteen enabling us to reopen it on Mondays.

We still don't have enough volunteers for Thursdays so at present the Canteen will remain closed on a Thursday.  If enough volunteers come forward we can relook at this.

As part of our Lenten Journey, we are offering a fish meal commencing on Friday 8 March up to and including Friday 12 April 2019 students are encouraged not to purchase meat products from the Canteen on Fridays.

The Fish Burger will consist of an oven baked crumber fish fillet, lettuce and tartare sauce on a hotdog roll.  They will be $4.50 each.