Last Sundays Gospel…

In last week’s Gospel Jesus reminds us of the importance of human dignity, forgiveness and right relationships when dealing with practical moral issues that occur in our lives. Bishop Brian in his homily last Sunday spoke about the thread that runs throughout the Gospel is the responsibilities that members of the community have for the wellbeing of others when dealing with disputes that occur in the community.

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week as a Nation we recognise National Child Protection Week and RUOK Day. At St Paul’s we have and continue to recognise these two significant events in our community this week. 

On Monday our Year 3 to 6 students participated in a virtual classroom experience focused on the importance of keeping safe in a digital environment. Many of our students expressed to me the learning they gained from the virtual classroom experience and the importance of managing their own online safety. 

On Thursday we celebrate RUOK day, with students involved in a learning experience highlighting the many things in our life we are grateful for. We will be creating a Gratitude Tree at St Paul’s and also checking in with each other. 

On Friday all students are invited to participate in 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 student would like to participate in this activity we will be meeting at 8:15am outside the entrance to Albion Park Swimming Pool. Teachers will be accompanying students to walk safely to St Paul’s from Albion Park Swimming Pool. Please note that due to COVID restrictions parents are not able to walk with students and teachers this year.

Friday is also White Balloon Day which is held annually and coincides with National Child Protection Week. All students are invited to wear a white t-shirt to acknowledge the day and students will engage in activities highlighting the importance of child safety.

The Director of Schools, Mr Peter Hill wrote to all Principals expressing the importance of National Child Protection Week. I have included some of Mr Hill’s message to Principals  “This week is Child Protection Week and the theme is Putting Children First, something our schools do each and every day.  Child Protection Week provides the opportunity to recognise and affirm each and every member of our school community who offers care and concern to our students; and the many people who make extraordinary efforts in the pastoral care and support of our students, their safety and wellbeing. This work is never easy or simple. Nevertheless, the dedication and efforts of many people working together, putting children first, means that we are better able to assist with our students’ safety and wellbeing.”

We welcome two new staff members to the St Paul’s school community. Mrs Emma Mansbridge will be supporting Year One students and the Year One teachers and Mrs Gemma Bolton will be supporting Year Five students and the Year Five teachers for the remainder of the school year. Welcome Emma and Gemma to our wonderful St Paul’s school community.

Ms Lisa Payne has resigned from her position as Senior School Support Officer at St Paul’s. A recruitment process will begin next term for a new Senior School Support Officer. We wish Lisa all the best and I would like to thank Mrs Josephine Geer from the Catholic Education Office who has temporarily replaced Lisa. 

Mrs Wendy Carter has informed me that she will be retiring at the end of the school year. Wendy has been a valued member of the St Paul’s community for 30 years and in this time has contributed so richly to the school community in many ways. The St Paul’s school community will farewell Wendy at the end of the school year.

Thank you to all parents for the care you take to ensure your is dressed in their school uniform. A reminder that due to the changes in weather parents can decide to send their child in either Winter of Summer Uniform depending on the weather and student comfort. 

Thank you to those parents who completed the CatholicCare Out of School Hours Care survey. Many families indicated that there is a need for an Out of School Hours Care service to be established at St Paul’s. I am pleased to announce that CatholicCare have committed to establishing a service at St Paul’s to begin at the beginning of the 2021 school year. CatholicCare will provide information in the coming weeks for families regarding their service at St Paul’s.

The fourth partnership principle from the Parent-School Partnership Framework asks parents and the school community to create a connected and welcoming community. This principle involves;

• Being interested and aware about school events and activities.
• Engaging in the life of the school and parish by participating in community events.
• Allowing all voices to be heard individually, by participating in formal and informal opportunities to receive information and provide feedback
• Allowing all voices to be heard individually collectively, by participating in or supporting forums which allow collaboration and consultation between parents and the school.
• Modelling positive messaging about the school, parish and members of the school community.

As we continue to engage parents and carers in the life of our school and involve parents and carers in the learning experiences of our students we will be sending home Religious Education student exercise books at the end of Week 9, Friday 18 September. Feedback from parents and carers regarding the Science Technology student exercise books being sent home earlier this term was overwhelmingly positive. We are committed at St Paul's to create a learning community which builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with parents and the broader community which will enhance student learning and wellbeing outcomes.

The 2nd November 2020 we will be having a Pupil Free Day. Students will not be required to attend school on this day. Staff will be attending a Spirituality Day.

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

The theme for National Child Protection Week 2020 is "Putting Children First". This week to acknowledge National Child Protection Week the Year 3-6 participated in a Webinar with over 2000 students from various Catholic Schools around Australia. 

The webinar focused on Being an eSafe Kid- privacy and security.

There is still available space in a parent webinar on 17th September from 4-5 pm regarding keeping children safe while using popular apps. Registration is compulsory and can be accessed in the link. Spaces are limited.

Please see the Parent Guide to Popular Apps flyer distributed by the eSafety Commission this week. It has many useful links to important information that will allow you to "put children first".

This Thursday, 10 September is the annual RUOK? Day. ‘Are you Okay?’

All of us want to belong and be connected and God has created us for relationships with others. Despite sometimes appearing to be connected and belonging eg. ‘How many likes we get for a photo on FaceBook’ our lives can lack face-to-face, meaningful conversations. When difficult times come, it can be hard to know who we can really talk to and trust with our thoughts and feelings.

It is with this in mind, that we are supporting RUOK? Day.

All of us, at some point in our life, needs support, someone to talk to and to genuinely take an interest in how we are doing. A simple question can change a life and a genuine conversation can change someone’s thoughts and encourage them to ‘share the load’.

Each of us has a part to play in connecting with others. It is not our job to ‘fix’ people’s problems or to counsel them, but it is our job to ask, listen and encourage the people around us.

Research by Jeffrey Froh with “Middle school” classes showed that with small doses of gratitude that students feel more connected to others and were less distressed and anxious. Expressing gratitude was not only associated with appreciating close relationships, it also related to feeling better about life and school. 

All classes at school on Thursday will be writing messages of gratitude to place on our “Gratitude Tree” supported by Josie Cooks from the Catholic Education Office and their classroom teachers.

The students are permitted to wear a white tee-shirt on Friday to celebrate the day.

You may also like to say the prayer below with your child and have a discussion about their safety and making wise decisions to help keep them safe.

God, Our Father, we pray that through Your intercession of St Nicholas

You will protect our children.

Keep them safe from harm and help them to grow and become worthy in Your sight.

Give then strength to keep their Faith;

and keep alive their joy in Your creation.

We pray, Jesus protects the innocence of children.

May they grow strong in the knowledge they are loved,

especially by a loving God! 

AMEN

Julie Ferguson

Religious Education Coordinator

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

Congratulations to all students who were involved in the Green-Zone Rewards Handball competition this past week. It was a hugely exciting event for all involved! A special thanks to the year 6 leaders who organised, refereed and ran the competition. Congratulations must go to the following students who were grade champions in the Grand Finals.

Kindergarten Boys

Isaac Nicholls & Toby Bancroft

Kindergarten Girls

Aspen Young & Amaya Brennan

Year One Boys

Flynn Glover & Diontae Williams

Year One Girls

Chloe Zonneveld & Abbey McCabe

Year Two Boys

Laikyn Shelton & Roman Melillo

Year Two Girls

Jacinta Vieira & Ruby Hobbin

Year Three Boys

Archie Clifton & Aiden Farraway

Year Three Girls

Gabrielle O'Shea & Zara Pabis

Year Four Boys

Max Gamble & Max Elliot

Year Four Girls

Lucinda Akele & Lilliana Farraway

Year Five Boys

Pacey Moylan & James Allen

Year Five Girls

Kiara Shelton & Emma-Lee Sutton

Year Six Boys

Declan McCann & Sean Bancroft

Year Six Girls

Holly Czornobej & Abbey Power

 * These students will all receive a canteen voucher as a prize. 

Classes are devising their own PB4L Rewards as an incentive for making good choices daily in the classroom and on the playground. We congratulate all our students who day in and day out behave safely, respectfully and responsibly at school. 

Our PB4L Draw winners for Week 7 are:

Alexis Wau - 2 Blue

Harrison McDonald - 2 Blue

Aidan Strawbridge - 2 Red

Andre Akele - 2 Red

Lily Hingston - 2 Blue

Our PB4L Draw winners for Week 8 are:

Lachlan Cannon - 5 Blue

Elliot Klein - 5 Red

Molly Clifton - 1 Red

Samuel Shepherd - 6 Red

Madelynne Dowel - 2 Blue

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

Principal Awards

Jaden Price - 3 Blue

Annabelle Dowel - 2 Blue

Ruby Baxter - 2 Blue

Abbey McCabe - 1 Blue

Mary MacKillop Awards

Leon Jones - 6 Red

The PB4L Team

Friday 11 September, all students are invited to participate in 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 student would like to participate in this activity we will be meeting at 8:15 am outside the entrance to Albion Park Swimming Pool. Teachers will be accompanying students to walk safely to St Paul’s from Albion Park Swimming Pool.

Please note that due to COVIDrestrictions parents are not able to walk with students and teachers this year. We need as many teachers who can meet at the Albion Park Pool entrance to walk with students.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids

Angela Spaccavento

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.