Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last Wednesday we entered into the holy and sacred time of Lent. The seasons of Lent and Easter offer us a unique way to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is also a time for us as Catholics to reflect on the 3 Pillars of Lent; Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. The school community came together with the St Paul’s Parish community and Fr. Leo to celebrate the Eucharist and receive the ashes, which were mixed with ashes from areas in our Diocese that were ravaged by fire and blessed by Bishop Brian Mascord. 

This is a most significant time in our liturgical year and I encourage all of us, firstly as Catholics, and secondly as parents and staff in a Catholic school, to take the time to read through and reflect on the document attached from Bishop Brian Mascord. 

Last week the school community came together for the St Paul’s Parent Information Evening and Meet and Greet sessions. This was a wonderful opportunity for the community to engage and discuss the learning of all students at St Paul’s. At the Parent Information session I shared with the community the St Paul’s  School Review and Improvement priorities for 2020. There are 6 components that the St Paul’s School Leadership Team and staff will focus on for the next 12 months. The components and a brief overview are as follows:

Key Area 1- Catholic Life and Religious Education 

Component 1.4 Parents, Parishes and the Broader Church

This component focuses on strengthening and embedding the Catholic identity of the school as a living faith community within a contemporary context so that all members of the Catholic community have shared belief and understanding.

Key Area 2- Students and their Learning

Component 2.3 Reporting Student Achievement 

This component focuses on the ACARA National Learning Progressions and using the progressions in conjunction with the NSW Syllabus to plan quality learning and teaching experiences in English and Mathematics. 

Key Area 2- Students and their Learning

Component 2.5 Pastoral Care

This component focuses on implementing two new Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong policies- The Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy and the Diverse Learning Needs Policy. 

Key Area 3 Pedagogy

Component 3.6 School Climate, Learning Environment and Relationships

This component focuses on creating a whole school approach that ensures the most effective evidence–based teaching methods which optimise learning progress for all students, across the full range of abilities. 

Key Area 3 Pedagogy

Component 3.2 Provision of the diverse needs of learners

This component focuses on creating a culture of high expectations through strategic assessment, evidence–informed learning and effective feedback. Students are empowered to reflect and become responsive learners.

Key Area 5 Resources, Finance and Facilities

Component 5.2 Use of Resources and Space

This component will see the school working with the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong School Facilities Team to meet the needs of the community so that students have a safe and contemporary learning environment.

This week at St Paul's we celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW). Our theme this year is ‘Embracing our future together’. CSW is about celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of Catholic education and is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of our school community. CSW also marks the beginning of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong enrolment period. 

The week is an opportunity to celebrate with members of our Catholic community, recognising the strengths of St Paul’s Catholic Parish School. Our school has planned a number of activities that showcase the wonderful teaching and learning opportunities that St Paul's provides our students. Please continue to join us at the CSW St Paul’s celebrations. 

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

Dear students, families and school communities,

Thank you for your school's participation in Catholic Schools Week from 1-7 March. It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase many of the fantastic things happening in your school every day, and in all our Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong.

We thank you for working together in partnership with us to help make your school community such a vibrant, nurturing place of learning, faith, belonging and hope.

If you or a family member or friend would like to enrol your child in one of our schools, please download an enrolment package here.

Have a look at our Catholic Schools Week video below, celebrating what our students across the diocese love about their Catholic school. Can you spot the students from your school?

On Sunday 23 February 2020 the St Paul's Parish Catholic School Community and the St Paul's Parish Community joined together in partnership to acknowledge and welcome our new kindergarten students and new families to St Paul’s by celebrating Mass and a morning tea. I thank Fr.Leo Duck for celebrating the Eucharist with us and Sara-Jay O'Shea and the Parents and Friends Association for organising the morning tea. We had a wonderful time getting to talk to the new students and their families.

On Monday 2 March St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School opened Catholic Schools' Week by inviting parents, carers and grandparents into our classrooms. Students were able to show our visitors all the great learning that is occurring in our learning spaces. We then spent time together enjoying a picnic lunch in our playground spaces. Thank you to all our parents, carers and grandparents who organised their time to join us as opened Catholic Schools' Week.

On Friday 6 March we will be celebrating the conclusion of Catholic Schools' Week. Students will be able to wear mufti clothes to and from school on this day.

Please note that sensible clothing must be worn and covered shoes and a hat must be also be worn. Due to the St Paul's Sun Safe Policy we please ask that students do not wear strappy tops.

Students will be receiving a Zooper Dooper treat after the recess break. We look forward to celebrating the conclusion of Catholic Schools' Week at St Paul's. 

To help children understand what Lent is, you can tell them that it is a special time in the church year when we focus on doing things that bring us closer to
God.

It has been expected in the past that children would “give something up,” usually a favourite food or perhaps a pleasurable activity. There’s nothing
wrong with suggesting that children give something up for Lent, as long as they understand why they’re doing it and do it in the right spirit. It is important to
explain that giving something up for Lent can help us focus on God. Taking away something we like gives us an appreciation for all we have.

It is also a good idea to have the children do something positive related to what they’re giving up, eg if they’ve given up lollies for Lent, then they could take
the money they would have spent on the these and put it in a jar to be given to a charity which helps children in need.  Instead of just focusing on giving something up, we can help children learn about giving to others this Lenten season.

Julie Ferguson, Acting Religious Education Coordinator

On Tuesday 25 February Mrs Rodwell, Mrs Ferguson and five senior Year 6 students travelled to St Benedict’s College Oran Park, for the Project Compassion – Caritas Launch for the diocese.

Bishop Brian celebrated the ceremony and each school was presented with a candle and donation box by the Bishop and Mrs Monica McCann (Caritas Diocesan Director).

The students then had the opportunity to meet other representatives from the thirty-six schools that attended from around our diocese. Year Six commented that they learnt about the many ways Caritas help, not only people in under-developed countries but were surprised to learn what Caritas also do for people who are disadvantaged in Australia.

The students were wonderful representatives for our school and lived the theme for 2020 “Going further together.”

Julie Ferguson, Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with a Principal's Award today at our Catholic Schools' Week Liturgy:

Luke Pyers, Nicholas Carbonara, Andrew Kadzielski

School Photo Day is on Wednesday 25 March 2020.  Full Summer Uniform is to be worn.  Please note students in Years 3 and 4 are not to wear their sports uniform on this day.

School Photos envelopes were sent home yesterday afternoon with all students.  These envelopes were individually labelled for each child in the school.

Online payments for photos are strongly encouraged.  If you wish to pay by cash please ensure that the correct money is in the envelope as no change can be given.

Envelopes need to be returned to your child's classroom teacher by no later than Friday 20 March 2020.

Sibling Photo Envelopes are available at the office.  Please contact the office staff and one will be sent home with your child.

Lisa Payne, Senior School Support Officer

On Friday 5 June 2020 St Paul's Staff will be having a Staff Development Day. Please note that students will have a Pupil Free Day on Friday 5 June.

On this day staff will be focusing on the School Review and Improvement Key Area 2- Students and their Learning, Component 2.5 Pastoral Care. This component focuses on implementing two new Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong policies: The Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy; and the Diverse Learning Needs Policy. Staff will be spending time unpacking these policies.

This year we are going to trial a long and short assembly format. The short assembly will begin at 2:40 pm and this assembly will be led by a range of student leadership teams within the school and will be focused on celebrating and recognising important dates and celebrations throughout the year. Awards will be given out at the short assembly and parents are warmly welcome to join the school community in the Parish School Hall.

The long assembly will begin at 2:20 pm and a grade will be rostered on to showcase their learning. Awards will be given out at the long assembly and parents are warmly welcome to join the school community in the Parish School Hall. Each grade will be rostered on once throughout the school year to showcase their learning.

An overview of the short and long assemblies for Term 1 and 2 is below. Please note that awards will be given out at all assemblies.  We look forward to seeing parents and carers at our assemblies this year as we showcase the great learning at St Paul’s this year.

The St Paul's Uniform Policy states that no jewellery except for studs or sleepers (one per ear lobe), watch, signet ring or religious medals may be worn to school.

We ask that parents please check that students are wearing either studs or sleepers and not other earrings. At the next Parents and Friends Association meeting an agenda item will be the Uniform Policy.

Staff use a variety of means to communicate with students. A number of classes across the school utilise digital technologies to assist with this. Please not that not all classes utilise these tools.

The PB4L team are currently investigating a number of options for playground updates.  We are ordering extra equipment to use across all playground. We are also purchasing storage contains for the equipment.  A representative from the CEDoW completed a playground audit for the school.  A number of items were identified to help the school improve these spaces for the students.  The PB4L team will be visiting two schools in the area to observe their playground setups.  From there a long term plan will be developed that will include additional shade and options for more passive play.

On Thursday 5th March at 10 am our school will be joining hundreds of schools across NSW to break the record for the most students crunching vegetables simultaneously.

But we need your help to make it a success!

On Thursday 5 March 2020, please pack your child a container of vegetables for them to crunch on as part of their crunch and sip 

Need some ideas?

• carrot, celery, cucumber – cut into sticks or left whole
• capsicum – cut into sticks or wedges
• corn – raw baby corn spears or a cooked corn cob
• broccoli or cauliflower florets - raw or lightly cooked to keep their crunch
• tomatoes – small cherry tomatoes or a large tomato that can be eaten like an apple
• beans or snow peas - raw or lightly cooked to keep their crunch
• mushrooms – sliced or left whole

Thank you for your support

Breee-Anna McGeehann and Angela Spaccaventoo 

Our school has nominated three students to participate in a Robotics program called Rocketing Girls into Robotics. This is a fun, hands-on LEGO® robotics program run by the experienced educators of Project Bucephalus. Female students from around the Illawarra will have the chance to design, build and program robots in a series of games and challenges designed to inspire an interest in STEM.

Congratulations to Elise Jennison 3R, Natalie Moon 6B and Alyssa Shepherd 5R who have been nominated to join the 2020 robotics program launching Illawarra Girls into STEM!

Belinda Evans, Acting Middle Leader 2

We still need your help to increase the number of recycled 10 cent cans we donate to the ‘Vinnies Return and Earn Program’

The following is a report from Vinnies:

Thanks for your cooperation with Vinnies first collection of recyclable drink containers from St Paul’s, Albion Park, for this year. The result from this collection is as follows:

In order for Vinnies to continue providing this service it would be helpful if the school can encourage an increased number of eligible containers to be placed into the bins. 

Thank you.

Regards,

Jon D’Astoli

Our next collection is on the 18^th March. We are hoping to increase the collection. But need your help.

 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 milk crates on the front playground

This year is the 30^th Anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day. Last Friday our students participated in Clean Up Schools Day. Each grade was given a designated area of the playground to clean. The students and teachers 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.

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 6 and 7 staff will be engaging in the following professional learning.

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

Week 6

Week 7

Recently, the staff of St Paul’s participated in Collaborative Professional Learning with the Instructional Coach to enhance our knowledge and understanding in guided reading so that our teachers can continue to plan quality guided reading sessions for our students.

Thank you

Thank you to Mrs Nixon for covering books for the library. Your gift of time is greatly appreciated.

Robyn Warton & Louise Frendo, Library School Support Officers

Just some information to let the parents know that we hold a Runners Club at lunch time on Fridays for any students from Years 1 to 6 that are interested in having some extra running training.

Brian McCann, Sports Coordinator / Acting Middle Leader 2

Time for Healthy Habits is a collaboration between Early Start at the University of Wollongong, NSW Health and the University of Newcastle. The programs offered by the study provide parents of 2-6 year old children with practical information and support on healthy eating, physical activity, screen-time and sleep. Access is free and they can complete the program in their own home at a time that suits them. Further information about our study is available on our website if you would like to find out more http://www.timeforhealthyhabitsnsw.com

Megan Hammersley, PhD, APD

Project Coordinator | Time for Healthy Habits Project | NSW Health TRGS 

Early Start | Faculty of Social Sciences | 21.214D

University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia

T 02 4221 5670

M 0403 233 875

E time-healthyhabits@uow.edu.au

The Calderwood Active In-Betweens holiday program will be taking place in the April School Holidays over three dates. There are a range of activities and opportunities for kids to get involved and start developing healthy habits.

As a non-for-profit organisation we are proud of our program and the benefits it provides for kids during their ‘In-Between’ age.

The link to the event page and registration is: https://www.facebook.com/events/2406100976156552

Feel free to contact the office with any questions or concerns.

Kind Regards,

Samantha Pianca

Marketing Intern

Healthy Cities Illawarra

02 4283 8111

www.healthycities.org.au

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is conducting a research study that will provide tips for parents and carers with a focus on building healthy habits for the whole family.

The study is called Family Text Messages.

Participants will also have the opportunity to win a $200 supermarket gift voucher.

Dr Jenny Norman

Childhood Obesity Research Coordinator,

Health Promotion Service,

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Location: Level 1, 67-71 King Street, Warrawong, NSW 2502
Tel (Admin) 02 4221 6756 | Fax 02 4221 6722 | jennifer.norman@health.nsw.gov.au

http://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Health_Promotion