Dear Parents and Carers,

The shared vision of St Paul’s Albion Park is “In the richness of our Catholic Faith and tradition we achieve excellence.” Informed by our Catholic tradition, we believe that this shared mission is best achieved by when there is genuine partnership between home, school and Parish. Over the past weeks I have witnessed a genuine partnership between the staff at St Paul’s, our parents, students and the Parish. The Kindergarten students have settled into school so quickly and this is a credit to the partnership between the Kindergarten teachers and parents, and the procedures and plans implemented by the Kindergarten teachers during the transition to school playgroup. 

Students enjoyed participating in the St Paul’s Annual Swimming Carnival last Friday 14th February. This was another example where the partnership between the staff at St Paul’s, parents and the Parents and Friends Association was evident and alive. Congratulations and thanks to Mr Brian McCann, staff, parents, students and the Parents and Friends Association for making this such a successful event.

On Monday 17 February I joined with the Parents and Friends Association for their Annual General Meeting and their first meeting for 2020. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with a number of parents who gave their time to attend the meeting, and I once again witnessed a genuine partnership between the school, parents and the Parents and Friends Association who are an integral part of the school community. Can I congratulate these parents who have accepted formal positions in the Parents and Friends Association;

President- Sara-Jay O’Shea

Vice President- Melanie Jennison

Treasurer- Tim O’Shea

Assistant Treasurer- Kirra Groznik

Secretary- Amy De Santis

On Friday 21 February we come together to celebrate the Eucharist and acknowledge the new School Year and recognise our newly appointed school Captains. We join together with  Fr. Leo, members of the Parish, staff, parents and students in partnership to give witness to our Catholic faith and tradition. This will be another opportunity to gather in partnership as a community centred on Jesus Christ. 

On Sunday 23 February is an opportunity for staff, students, parents, and the Parish to join together in partnership to acknowledge and welcome our new kindergarten students and new families to St Paul’s. 

On Tuesday 25 February the St Paul’s Parent Information and Meet and Greet sessions will be another opportunity for a genuine partnership between the staff, parents and students of St Paul’s. The formal Parent Information session will be in the hall starting at 6:30pm. Parents will then move to the classrooms from 7pm-8pm collaborating with teachers about our students. 

All of these events provide opportunities to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with parents and the parish which will enhance student learning and wellbeing outcomes.

Staffing 2020

At the end of 2019 there were a number of sudden changes to staffing at St Paul's and we farewelled Mrs Lynn Arblaster and Mr Shaun Dutaillis. Staffing for 2020 has now been finalised and we formally welcome Mrs Monica Ward McCann who will be teaching Year 3 Blue beginning next Wednesday 26th February. Monica is well known to the students in Year 3 Blue and will bring much expertise to the role of classroom teacher.  I thank Mrs Tracey Aumuller for teaching Year 3 Blue over the past weeks. 

I would also like to congratulate Mr Brian McCann and Mrs Belinda Evans who were the successful applicants for the temporary Middle Leader 2 positions. I warmly welcome Brian and Belinda to the St Paul's School Leadership Team.

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

Date:        Tuesday 25 February 2020

Time:        6:30pm

6:30 pm in the school hall. Please contact the school office if you have any further queries or concerns about the St Paul’s Parent Information Evening.
 

Attached is a document listing Who's Who at St Paul's in 2020.

As such an integral part of our school community we invite you to all our Masses and liturgies during this year.  We hope as many of you as possible will attend and give each celebration special importance with your presence.  

We start our year with our Opening Mass this Friday 21 February 2020 at 9:30 am. At this Mass our Year 6 school leaders will be presented with their badges.

Our Kindergarten and new families will be welcomed to our school community this weekend at the 9:00am Parish Mass and will be presented with Welcome Certificates. After Mass in our School/Parish Hall our P&F will have  a morning tea for families to meet each other. We also hope our present families will be there to “meet and greet” new families to our school.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and our school will lead our parish Mass on Wednesday 26 February at 9:30 am in the church. Years 2-6 will be present to receive the ashes and Kindergarten and Year One will have their own liturgies in their classrooms later in the day. We hope as many parent as possible will join us to start this special liturgical season of the year.

Julie Ferguson, Acting Religious Education Coordinator

All parents should of received their Statement this week via email for their 2020 School Fees.  If you have not received your statement please contact the office to verify we have your correct email address in our system.

Please note that families have been billed for everything (Tuition, SEDSO, Resource Fees, Excursion Fees) for the 2020 school year and this is your debt for 2020. All payments made are allocated against your debt - not a specific item on the statement.

Fees can be paid by regular BPayment - the Biller Code and Reference details are on your statement.  If you were using this method last year please update these details with your Bank for 2020.  

The school office accepts payment for school fees by cash, cheque and EFTPOS. 

Alternatively you may wish to make a payment through the Compass Parent Portal using your credit card.  Please note that when making payments via the Compass Parent Portal it is best done through a browser on a laptop or desktop not through the Compass App on your phone.

Parents can log into their Compass Parent Portal at anytime and proceed to the My Payments section from the drop down menu in the settings cog on the top right hand corner of the page.  You can then go across to the History tab and view what you have been billed and what has been paid to date.  Any questions regarding payments by the Compass Parent Portal please do not hesistate to contact the school office for assistance.

All fees need to be finalised by 4 December 2020.

Should you be experiencing difficulty in paying your fees, please contact the school office for an Application for School Fee Concession form to sent home.  Please return the completed form with supporting documentation to the school office and we will arrange an interview with the Principal Michelle Rodwell to discuss this matter.

Lisa Payne, Senior School Support Officer

In 2020 all grades will have an oppoprtunity to showcase their learning during Friday Assemblies. This will be a time for students and their teachers to share with the St Paul's community the great things they are learning about in their classrooms.

Each grade will have 1 opportunity in the school year to showcase their learning at an assembly. These assemblies will be long assessmblies beginning at 2:20pm with a grade showcase and awards. 

There will be short assemblies timetabled throughout the year which will be an opportunity for our school leaders, student committees and teams to present information and for the school to recognise special events. These short assemblies will begin at 2:40pm and awards will also be given out at these short assemblies.

A timetable of both the long and short assemblies is currently being finalised and will be published through a Compass notification.

At St Paul’s, we value the critical role ongoing professional development plays in enhancing quality learning and teaching. Therefore, throughout the year all staff are encouraged to engage in professional learning opportunities.

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires Staff to ‘participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities’ and regularly ‘undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs’. (NESA Standard 6)

During Weeks 3, 4 and 5 staff will be engaging in the following professional learning.

"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn."   (R H Dann)

Our school has been successful in gaining a grant from the Shellharbour Council Small Environmental Projects Fund. Three lucky classes will be able to have this wonderful learning experience as they learn about features of living things and their environment in Science.

Creepy Creatures

At Butterfly Skye’s interactive one hour Creepy Creature workshop students will learn about a range of interesting invertebrates which may include Goliath Stick Insects, Giant Burrowing Cockroaches, Rainforest Millipedes and Scorpions.  Year 2 Red will participate in this activity during Week 7 on Monday 9 March 2020 from 11:35 am to 12:35 pm at school.

Animal Show

Shoalhaven Zoo’s one hour interactive animal show will showcase a range of native animals. Students will have the opportunity to touch and hold some of the animals and learn about their unique features and habitats.

Belinda Evans, Acting Middle Leader 2

Last year St Paul’s came 9^th in our Diocese, collecting 2285 recycled containers raising $944.03 for Vinnies. This year our school and the CEDoW have again committed our partnership to collect recyclable drink containers to the ‘Vinnies Return and Earn Program’.

We need your help to increase the number of recycled 10 cents cans we donate each week. All of our current canteen drink items are eligible.

Please donate any spare cans or bottles from home and place these into our school blue bins. Parents or students are welcome to drop them into:

• Blue Vinnies Bins outside the school office or
• Blue crates on the front playground

You will be making sure waste is diverted from landfill and helping Vinnies support those less fortunate at the same time - that's worth the extra few steps to a blue Vinnies bin!

This year CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

On Friday 28 February 2020 our school will participate in Clean Up Schools Day. 

Each grade will clean a designated area of the playground with their teachers. Students can bring in usable gloves if they wish.  

Belinda Evans, Acting Middle Leader 2

On Friday 14 February 2020 St Paul’s held our annual School Swimming Carnival at the Albion Park Swimming Pool. After all the rain we had been having we were fortunate for the weather to clear up just in time for our event. The talent on display by our students was fantastic and the competition was fierce as the students battled it out for the House trophy. In the end it was another victory to St Francis of Assisi (Green) House.  Congratulations to our Age Champions listed below:

House Champions

• 1^st        -           St Francis of Assisi (Green)
• 2^nd       -           St Mary Mackillop of the Cross (Gold)
• 3^rd        -           St Joseph (Blue)
• 4^th        -           St Paul (Red)

Girl Age Champions

• 7/8 Years        Kate Bancroft and Zali Barrett
• 9 Years            Charlee Mackiewicz
• 10 Years          Amy Jedrzejczak
• 11 Years          Chloe Barnes
• 12 Years          Gemma Cresswell

Boys Age Champions

• 7/8 Years        Jacob Mackiewicz
• 9 Years            Lucas Glover
• 10 Years          Eamon McCann
• 11 Years          Kobi Hillard
• 12 Years          Declan McCann

Congratulations must also go to our Parent/Grandparent relay team that was victorious against the students.

The following students will represent St Paul’s at the Diocesan South Coast Swimming Carnival to be held on Thursday 5 March at Corrimal Pool:

James Allen, Preston Apps, Angus Bancroft, Sean Bancroft, Chloe Barnes, Ella DiMartino, Sofia Di Martino, Zali Barrett, Gemma Cresswell, Kobi Dunn, Lucas Glover, Kobi Hillard, Amy Jedrzejczak, Sophie Kennedy, Eamon McCann, Declan McCann, Samuel Mansbridge, Charlee Mackiewicz, Jacob Mackiewicz, Jaxon Moran, Lacey Pearson, James Schubert, Cooper Shepherd, Samuel Shepherd and Charlotte Van Der Voorde.

Thank you to all of the Parents and Grandparents that kindly offered their times to assist with the running of the carnival and took on roles such as, starter, time keepers, marshals, place judge and BBQ helpers. The carnival would not have been able to run smoothly without all of your help.

Brian McCann, Sports Coordinator

Occasionally, during the year help is needed to cover new books for the library and classrooms. The contact is good quality and doesn't bubble easily.  The books can be sent home with your child for you to cover. If you are able to help, please email us:

Robyn Warton - wartonr01@dow.catholic.edu.au or Louise Frendo - frendol01@dow.catholic.edu.au Thank you so much.

Robyn Warton & Louise Frendo, Library School Support Officers

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an initiative of the NSW State government. "The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely."

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

The Challenge is open to students from Kindergarten to Year 9. It opens on Monday 2nd March and finishes on the Friday 28th August 2020. The online student reading record needs to be finalised by this date to complete the Challenge.

This year, the students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 are attempting the Challenge as a whole in their classes. The class teachers will read the required number of books to the children. Children in the Infants' grades can complete the Challenge individually if they wish to however need to have started the Challenge by the end of Term 1. 

The students in the Primary grades are invited to attempt the Challenge individually. 

Students in Kinder to Year 2 are required to read 30 books from the PRC booklist.

Students in Years 3 to 6 are required to read 20 books from the PRC booklist.

The book lists and further information can be found on the Premier's Reading Challenge website. Books that are in the school library that are from the PRC book list have been specially marked and the children have been shown where to locate these books.

The usernames and passwords are the same as last year. Children interested in participating in the Challenge and who cannot remember their details or are new to the school, need to see Mrs Warton or Mrs Frendo in the library for their username and password. The children then enter the books they have read directly online on the Premier's Reading Challenge website. Once the Challenge has been completed, an email is sent to the school notifying us that the student has finished the Challenge. 

Any books read from 31 August 2019 can be counted towards the 2020 Premier Reading Challenge.

When a student enters the Challenge, they become eligible for a certificate. Certificates have the student's name and school printed on them. Due to child protection issues, the PRC no longer publishes an Honour Roll on the Premier's Reading Challenge website.

Please contact Mrs Warton or Mrs Frendo in the Library, if you have any questions.

Last week an invitation was sent home to all families to attend the P & F Welcome Morning Tea which will take place after the 9 am Parish Mass on Sunday 23 February 2020.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our new famiies to meet other members of our St Paul's School Parish Community.

Please RSVP for catering purposes by Wednesday 19 February 2020.

Sara-Jay O'Shea, P & F President

The Second Hand Uniform Stall will once again be available to families for 2020.

The stall, which is located in our school hall, is open at the first and last assembly of each term, and occasionally at assemblies throughout the term. Please head up the ramp in the hall to the room at the back of the stage prior to assembly starting or alternatively at the conclusion of the assembly.

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

All items $5

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.

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 rips, big stains or broken zippers please).  Parents are welcome to drop off the uniforms at the front office.

 Maria Bancroft, Second Hand Uniform Coordinator

Learning Labs is an academic and creative arts enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 during 2020, who are passionate, self-motivated and curious learners. Please see the schedule below and follow links to each region’s webpage:

Dates:                Wollongong campus: 14 – 17 April, 2020

Venue:               Wollongong campus: Little & Early Learning Labs

Applications close: 27 February, 2020