This weekend we celebrate the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the Gospel Jesus is beginning to prepare his disciples for the events of the passion – his death and resurrection. In foretelling his sufferings and death, which took place some months later, Jesus intended to prepare his disciples and other followers for what he knew would be for them a severe crisis of faith. Jesus speaking more generally to all the disciples goes on to lay down the conditions for any who wants to follow him: it means taking up ones cross and losing one’s life in order to find it.  This is the path that Jesus must go and the path that all who would seek association with him must also be prepared to embrace.   

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week students in Year 3 received the Sacrament of Penance. I would like to thank Julie Ferguson, Paula Potts and Fr. Leo for preparing the students to receive the Sacrament of Penance. The students were very excited to receive this Sacrament and were reverent and prayerful in the Church. I ask that you keep our Year 3 students in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Next Monday 31st August is a Pupil Free Day. Staff will be involved in a professional learning day which will look a little different due to the new COVID restrictions. The professional learning will be delivered via Zoom with each teacher in their own classroom. The focus of the day will be on the PDHPE syllabus. Staff are looking forward to learning new content and how to plan a unit of work for term 4 based on the new syllabus. A reminder that students will not come to school on Monday 31st August. 

Today we began the grade based whole school hand ball competition. Thank you to Angus Bancroft, Rebecca McGlashan, Sean Bancroft, Tamara Frendo, Archie Faulks, Declan McCann, Charlotte Van De Voorde who have organised the competition. This is an initiative that the Year 6 students have led and I would like to commend them on their leadership. 

The third partnership principle from the Parent-School Partnership Framework asks parents and the school community to maintain a safe, supportive and respectful school environment. This principle involves;

- Upholding school rules,directives, policies and processes in place to ensure the wellbeing of all, and the effective learning and wellbeing of students.

- Respecting that the school has external accountabilities in regard to staff and student wellbeing and safety.

- Following school-based communication protocols that uphold the privacy of all and are aligned with current legislation and are considerate of the school as a workplace and the commitments of families.

- Ensuring processes for raising and resolving concerns are clearly communicated and adhered to.

- Adhering to the standards of the CEDoW Social Media Statement. Ensuring our language and behaviour are not aggressive, abusive, intimidating or threatening.

The shade sail on the font playground has been taken down due to damage from the recent storms. The shade sail will be replaced in the coming weeks. Thank you to all of our students who were very responsible and safe whilst the shade sail was on the ground and cordoned off. Students are very excited to have their basketball court back in action.

Thank you to those parents who have taken the time to complete a short survey so that CatholicCare can determine the viability and community need for the Out of School Hours Care service at St Paul’s. For those parents who have not had a chance to complete the survey and would like to complete the survey, the details and link is below.  

Please find the link to the survey below. The survey will close on Wednesday 26 August 2020.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=zlmHQHHqOUOz47-22C6OuCe6RogtQQNEgk7B6IPZm7BUNUk0UlVFMlpTT1dLUzYwUzdWRE03RzRRQS4u

CatholicCare have developed a video highlighting the activities they offer as part of their OOSH service. Please find the link to the video below

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=zlmHQHHqOUOz47-22C6OuCe6RogtQQNEgk7B6IPZm7BUNUk0UlVFMlpTT1dLUzYwUzdWRE03RzRRQS4u

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

CONGRATULATIONS to the following children who made their First Reconciliation this week.

Connor Alaban, Chelsea Allitt, Jessminda Borg, Xavier Cabanas, Scarlett Carrett, Sienna Caruana, Eli Coopes, Mitchell Diamant, Addison Dun, Kobi Elliott, Aiden Farraway, Poppy Faulks, Lucas Glover, Jamie Grant-Green, Mason Hili, Kirsti Hobbin, Alex Hofman, Maya Huetter, Elise Jennison, Lily Jones, Ryan Jones, Hayden Kendall, Sophie Kennedy, Aiden Koloski, Charlee Mackiewicz, Matthew Mc Cabe, Alice Madeley, Hunter McKenzie, Jaxon Moran, Milla Nagy, Aden Nixon, Austin Nixon, Amellia O’Dwyer, Gabrielle O’Shea, Ava Quinones, Ryan Jones, Dante Rosete, Alivia Veljanoski, Chelsea Veljanoski and Ruby Whitehead, Kalea Williams.

We thank Fr Leo for his pastoral care of our parish and for the guidance he has given the children receiving the Sacrament. The children were very excited about receiving Reconciliation for the first time and were extremely positive when they returned to school.

The children reflected in their religion books on the Sacrament and recorded what a wonderful time they had.

“I talked to Father and it was the best. He laughed and talked to me.” Aiden.

“I felt calm and happy after I had my First Reconciliation.” Scarlet

“When I had my Reconciliation, it didn’t take long. I loved being blessed by God”. Ava

May these children be blessed as they now begin their preparation for their First Holy Communion.

Pope Francis has established 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. This day calls on "every person living on this planet" to care for our shared Earth.

Next Tuesday the whole school will participate in a variety of rotational activities to celebrate this day. Activities will include participation in a liturgy and hands-on activities, reflecting on their role in being stewards of our world and care of the environment. It will be a fun-filled day which we are sure the student will enjoy.

Julie Ferguson
Religious Education Coordinator

Please ensure all email communication with the school office is sent through the school info email account info@spapdow.catholic.edu.au 
This will ensure that messages are received in a timely manner. All office staff have access to this account and it is checked regularly throughout the day.
If an email is sent to individual staff members and they are on leave for any reason the messages may not be received.

In line with Catholic Education Office Wollongong directives and due to COVID 19 we are no longer able to accept cash payments at the office.
EFTPOS payments can be used for all transactions including second hand uniform.

In line with COVID 19 restrictions we are obliged to send home any student presenting with COVID like symptoms. If your child is displaying any of the following symptoms of illness during the school day you will be asked to collect your child from school and have your child tested for COVID as per NSW Health recommendations:

 Fever

 Coughing

 Shortness of breath – difficulty breathing

 Sore throat

 Loss of smell or taste

Your child will remain off school until a negative COVID result is received and the result is communicated to the school.

If your child displays the following symptoms they will need to stay home until they are symptom free. You are encouraged to contact your GP for their advice on whether a COVID test is required.

 Headache

 Muscle or joint pain

 Runny nose

 Fatigue

 Nausea

 Vomiting or diarrhoea

 Loss of appetite

Please do not hesitate to contact the office at any time if you have any questions or concerns regarding any of our COVID restrictions or any other issues regarding your child at school. Our friendly office staff are here to help you at any time.

The Second-Hand Uniform Stall is still operating. Parents/carers who require uniform items please contact Maria Bancroft - 0400 570 105. Items requested will be left at the office to pay and pick up at your convenience.

All items $5

Please Note:

Office can only accept EFTPOS payments when purchasing uniforms.

DONATIONS of uniforms no longer required are always needed to replenish our stock.
It is important that all uniforms have been WASHED and are in relatively GOOD condition (no rips, big stains or broken zippers please).
Parents/Carers are welcome to drop off the uniform donations at the front office.

Last week we celebrated National Science Week. The 2020 schools theme is:

Deep Blue: Innovations for the Future of our Oceans

Classes participated in a STEM Robotics Expo in the Library and had an opportunity to experiment with the Robotics we have at our school. The students were engaged in coding activities. Some of the tasks included navigating Spheros and Mbots through a maze as well as stacking towers in the VEX IQ battlefield. Some of our students played ‘Mary had a little lamb’ using bananas as a piano keyboard, using the Makey Makey. It was wonderful to witness our students using some of the 21st Century skills of problem solving, critical thinking collaborating and communicating throughout the week.
Thank you to our wonderful P&F who generously donated $5000 towards the purchasing of the robotics and to MBC Employment for their donation of the Ozobots and Makey Makey.

Some activities across the school included designing floatable boats, investigating water density, designing a floatable city to stand up to rising sea levels, investigating sustainable fishing. Thank you to all the parents who supported the students in the K-6 STEM Challenge at home. It was wonderful to see so many creative designs of sailing boats and ocean ecosystems. A special mention must go to the students and teachers in Year 2 for the grade with the most STEM Challenge entries.
Congratulations to the following students for their participation in the STEM Challenge:
Kinder Blue:
Khye McMahon
Amaya Brennan
Kinder Red:
Andrew Jennison
Toby Bancroft
Year 1 Blue:
Piper Smith
Abbey McCabe
Year 2 Blue:
Isaac Starling
Kate Bancroft
Year 2 Red:
Rory Smith
Lily Harris
Chloe Fletcher
Sofia De Martino
Samuel Barrett
Zali Barrett
Mya Thompson
Beau Zonneveld
Angelo Philip

Belinda Evans

Middle Leader

Thank you to all students who are trying their best to follow our school rules in the playground and classroom.

Teachers have been looking for positive behaviours on the playground and rewarding students with raffle tickets to go in the weekly draw.  Our raffle ticket box is overflowing!

Classroom teachers have invited students to share ideas for a "Class Green Zone" reward for all students to enjoy at the end of this term.

This fortnight, our PB4L Focus has been on our Playground Procedures, in particular the proper use of all our playground equipment.  Class teachers have been reinforcing Playground expectations prior to each break time.  Our Year 6 Leaders have put together some tutorial videos on how to properly care for all our equipment.  These tutorials will be shown in all classes over the next week.  

Our PB4L Representatives for Years 3-6 have held a class meeting in each class this week  to share the following:

• Our new playground rosters have been altered to abide by the updated COVID Guidelines.  This means that each Stage will play together on a rotation through our 3 playgrounds.
• New equipment has been ordered for each class to care for and use in the playground.  Classes will be responsible for their own equipment and must ensure it is returned to the classroom after play time each day.
• Reminders on the proper use of playground equipment
• The PB4L Raffle Ticket box has been refilled with new prizes including Free Time vouchers, handball and small toys.
• The shade cloth for the Basketball area is being repaired as soon as possible

Our Year 6 Leaders are also planning a Handball Competition to reward those students who have demonstrated positive behaviour in the classroom and playground.  This competition will unfold throughout the coming weeks.  We thank our wonderful  Year 6 Leaders for all their support in this awesome initiative!

Our PB4L Draw winners for Week 5 are:

Grace Kusa - 4 Red

Allira Cabanas - K Blue

Abbey McDonald - K Blue

Cecilia Kolyvas - 4 Blue

Brianna Harb - K Red

Our PB4L Draw winners for Week 6 are:

Logan Holt - 2 Blue

Eva Bocco - 2 Blue

Mia Hamilton - 2 Blue

Mia Sassi - 2 Blue

Declan Johnston - 5 Blue

Brianna Greig - K Blue

Congratulations to the following students who have received or will be receiving a Principal Award:

Principal Awards

Samuel Barrett - 2 Red

Gabrielle O'Shea - 3 Blue

Jaida Cannon - 5 Blue

Owen Jones - 5 Blue

Indianna Surian - 5 Blue

The PB4L Team

Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia, spend a week celebrating books. Since 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has hosted Children’s Book Week to honour and celebrate the work of Australian authors and illustrators. The CBCA Book Week for 2020 is from 17 - 23 of October.  The theme this year is: “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.”

St Paul’s will be celebrating Book Week a little differently this year.

Monday - 19 October - Trivia for Primary and Craft for Infants in the classroom

Tuesday - 20 October - Live virtual author visit

Wednesday - 21 October - Class parade 

Thursday - 22 October - Live virtual author visit

Friday - 23 October - Liturgy in the classrooms

All students in the Primary grades will have the opportunity to participate in trivia in the classroom. The questions will focus on the Shortlisted books, authors, illustrators, library skills and the theme “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”.

Students in the Infant grades will be able to make their own “Curious Creature”.

Children can come to school dressed as their favourite book character or something to do with the theme: “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.” Each grade will parade on the top oval with their corresponding class watching.

Liturgy in the classrooms - focusing on Jesus as a storyteller and the stories given to us in the Bible.

Robyn Warton and Louise Frendo

Library School Support Officers

Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking! 

Friday the 11 September  is Walk Safely to School Day   (WSTSD).

WSTSD  is an annual event when all primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. If any students and parents would like to participate in this event we will be meeting between 8:15 am - 8:25 am on Friday the 11 September outside the entrance to Albion Park Swimming Pool. 

Please meet St Paul’s staff between these times. We will start walking to school by 8:25 am. 

All welcome to join us.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids

Angela Spaccavento