In last Sunday’s Gospel Jesus challenged the Pharisees with the concept of hypocrisy. The Pharisees attempted to trick Jesus by asking him what to do with money. Jesus’ response helps us to understand how to live in right relationship with others, ensuring we are just in our actions. Bishop Brian in his homily explained that the choices we make must uphold the dignity of others.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to welcome you all to Term 4 and hope the pupil vacation was a chance to spend time with your children and family. It was lovely to reconnect with our students last week and hear of the great holiday adventures many of our students shared with their family over the pupil vacation. The students have settled into school routine well and are looking forward to the learning experiences, excursions, school camp, Kindergarten orientation and end of year activities planned for this term. 

As a school community we began the term celebrating with a number of  Year 3 students and their families as our students received the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Both celebrations on the 17th and 18th October were very prayerful and reverent and I look forward to celebrating with our remaining Year 3 students and their families this coming weekend. I would like to express my gratitude to Fr. Leo, Paula Potts, Julie Ferguson, the St Paul’s Parish community and the St Paul’s school community for preparing the students to receive the Eucharist and for planning the beautiful ceremonies.

This week is Book Week! Each year since 1945 the Children's Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. Schools play an important role in Book Week by celebrating books and promoting Australian Authors and Illustrators. Mrs Warton and Mrs Frendo have organised wonderful activities for each day to celebrate Book Week. It was great to see our students and staff dressed in amazing costumes for the Book Week Parade, thank you to parents and carers for organising your child's Book Week costume.

Book Week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of reading and books can hold and keep all kinds of information, stories, thoughts and feelings alive. Books provide a window into lives we can never live and places we may never be able to visit. The staff at St Paul's encourage all our students to read a book tonight to the family. I would to express my gratitude to Mrs Warton and Mrs Frendo and all the staff for the organisation that has gone on behind the scenes to make Book Week a memorable experience for all of the students at St Paul's.

As we begin to move towards the end of the year, planning for 2021 is underway and as a teaching staff we continue to focus on our students and their learning. The best person to determine your child’s class placement for next year is their current class teacher, in consultation with their grade partner(s), student’s past teachers and members of the School Leadership Team, as they know your child best in the classroom and playground settings. At St Paul’s  we take into account the spiritual, academic and emotional well being of each child, as well as considering their social interactions, so that we work towards our main goal of having balanced classes in all grades.

I also recognise that as your child’s primary carer, parents and carers may have specific information that you wish to share with me, as the Principal of the school, that may assist in the organisation of class placements for next year.

In light of the above, the following protocols will need to be adhered to when making a request for class placements in 2021: 

• All requests must be in writing no later than Friday 6 November 2020 via the school email account addressed to Michelle Rodwell.
• At the discretion of the Principal an interview may be organised to discuss the requests in further detail. Asking the class teacher to follow up your request on your behalf will not be accepted.
• As there will be changes with teaching staff for 2021 please do not request a particular teacher as there is a possibility that the current classroom teachers on a grade for 2020 will not be the same in 2021.
• Class teachers and the School Leadership Team are often privy to information concerning the spiritual, academic and emotional well being of all students, therefore no guarantees will be given to supporting any requests as we need to factor in all information and all students.
• Please note that no changes to class placements will be made after classes are announced at our Meet the Teacher Transition morning on Thursday 10th December.

As you would be aware the NSW Government regulations have allowed schools to plan camps and excursions for Term 4. Students are very excited and looking forward to their planned excursions this term. Classroom teachers have completed Risk Assessments and a Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) COVID Safety Risk Assessment. The safety and well being of students and staff is paramount when planning and participating in excursions. 

Over the coming week you will receive an information sheet from your child’s classroom teacher outlining details of your child’s excursion. You will then receive a notification via Compass to give approval for your child to attend the excursion. I am pleased that our students can be involved in their planned excursions this term.

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

Semester Two Reports

Please see the following information regarding the Semester Two Reports for 2020. Reports will be distributed via the Compass portal on Monday 7th December (Week 9). If you wish to discuss the report with your child's teacher then it will be conducted over the phone due to COVID-19 restrictions. More information on how to request an interview will be available closer to the release of reports.

The rationale for the Semester 2 Report, 2020

Due to COVID-19, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has permitted schools to select the content that will form the basis of educational programs for Kindergarten to Year 10 students during 2020.

As a result, not all syllabus content will be reported upon in Semester 2.

Rebecca Nunes

Assistant Principal

One of the “School’s Review and Improvement” initiatives for 2020 was to create an outdoor Sacred Space for the students. After discussion with the Catholic Education Office, a site on the eastern end of the school, close to the top oval, was decided as the best place to set up this space. The materials used all came from trees that needed to be cut down from inside the school property.

I would like to thank my husband, Kim Ferguson for the many hours he spent building the small altar and lectern, also making sure that each log has all sharp edges taken off, sanded and painted with decking oil so it is safe for the children to sit on. Thanks to Kevin Carter  and my family for helping at the beginning and end of the process.

The students have all enjoyed using the Sacred Space this week for religion lessons and saying the rosary.

This special area will be dedicated to one of our past teachers, Margaret Carriage. Margaret had worked at the school for over 20 years before losing her fight with cancer. She was instrumental in building up most of the maths resources in the school and organised many sporting events for the students. Margaret followed in the footsteps of Mary MacKillop “Never seeing a need without doing something about it” Fr Leo will bless this site during the term.

The 2020 Christmas Story Art Competition virtual event was viewed online last Wednesday evening. It was announced that our school finalist Elias Maounis (Year 6) will have his artwork (pictured below) taken to be exhibited (with others selected in our diocese) to the Sydney Exhibition.

We congratulated Eli on this great honour. You can also read the description that accompanied the art, which explains the symbolism in the artwork and the reasons behind Eli’s choices.

I encourage families to go and some of the selected artworks from around the Diocese which are exhibited at the Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong, until the end of November. Due to COVID restrictions, only 20 people will be able to view the exhibition at one time. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday to Sunday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

The third and fourth Communion Ceremonies were held on the weekend and next weekend the last two ceremonies will be held. Although it has been difficult this year with COVID restrictions, it has been very special to see these children receive Jesus for the first time. They are to be commended on their reverence and all students participated with enthusiasm in their lessons.

We congratulate Amellia O’Dwyer, Hunter McKenzie, Alice Madeley, Kobi Elliott, Milla Nagy, Sienna Caruana, Aiden Farraway, Dante Rosete, Hayden Kendall, Conor Alaban, Lily and Ryan Jones who made their communion last weekend.

We look forward to celebrating with Gabriella O’Shea, Ava Quinones, Sophie Kennedy, Ruby Whitehead, Poppy Faulks, Isabel Groznik, Mason Hili, Kirsti Hobbin, Chelsea Allitt, Matthew McCabe, Alex Hofman, Kalea Williams, Charlee Mackiewcz, Chelsea and Alivia Veljanoski, next weekend.

We ask our Lord to bless all these children and to keep them in the palm of His hand always.

Julie Ferguson

Religious Education Coordinator

A reminder that Monday 2nd November will be a Pupil Free Day. Students will not be required to attend school on Monday 2nd November. Staff will be participating in a Spirituality Day. Thank you for your support with the Pupil Free Day on Monday 2nd November.

Book Week “Curious Creatures, Wild Minds”: This week students have had a fantastic time participating in various activities to celebrate Book Week "Curious Creatures, Wild Minds". Infant students used their craft skills to make their own Curious Creatures while Primary students were challenged in Trivia. Author Chris Collin entertained the Infant students with a virtual zoom session (Primary students will have this opportunity tomorrow - Thursday). There was lots of excitement amongst both staff and students today when the Teacher's Parade / Grade Dress Up Parades took place. St Paul's Book Week spirit was definitely alive!

Award-winning children’s author Chris Collin recently visited our school via the internet with his Live Virtual Author Visit! Chris has published three best-selling books, including the wild and wacky Funky Chicken: A Bushy Tale of Crocs and Chooks and his second in the Funky Chicken series, the award-winning Funky Chicken: Chooks in Space! Chris’ presentation is educational, great fun and highly interactive! His philosophy is simple; encourage our kids to read and write by making reading fun! The presentation included storytelling, puppets, video slideshows, singing and dancing! Chris even explained how a picture book is created. Some of our students become illustrators for a day and created some of their own rhymes!

• Funky Chicken: Chooks in Space is in the Qld and Victorian Premiers Challenge Book List and was voted WINNER in the 2016 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards! 

• His first book Funky Chicken: A Bushy Tale of Crocs and Chooks is in the Premiers Reading Challenge Book List in Qld, NSW and Victoria and was shortlisted in the 2014 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards.  
• A Bug Called Doug is in the Qld Premiers Reading Challenge Book List

You can download for free, educational activity sheets specific to our books from the Funkybooks website. www.funkybooks.com.au/educational. These activities are great fun and available for anyone to use including teachers, parents and care givers! 

If you are interested in purchasing a signed copy of Chris' beautiful books, Funky Chicken puppets or other merchandise, you can place an order at www.funkybooks.com.au

Robyn Warton & Louise Frendo

Library School Support Officers

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

This fortnight, our PB4L Focus has been a revision of our Classroom Expectations. The teachers have noticed that all students at St Paul's have returned to school settled, calm and ready to learn.  This means that the students of St Paul's are continually practising our three school rules: Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe.

Our PB4L Representatives for Years 3-6 have continued their great work collecting playground raffle tickets from classrooms and drawing the raffle on Tuesdays.

Our PB4L Draw winners for Week 2 are:

Chelsea Allitt - 4 Red

Ruby Hobbin - 2 Blue

Emilio Hernandez - 5 Red

Declan Wilson - 5 Red

Ava Dawson - 2 Red

All classroom teachers have been discussing how the students of each class who are in our 'Green Zone' would like to be rewarded for their outstanding behaviour throughout this Term.  We look forward to each classroom celebrating the respectful, responsible and safe behaviour displayed by students in a variety of ways as decided by teachers and students in each class.

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

Principal Awards

Laikyn Shelton - 2 Blue

Alexis Nicholls - 4 Red

Isaac Starling - 2 Blue

Mary MacKillop Awards

Sam Goodwin - 4 Blue

Alexis Nicholls - 4 Red

The PB4L Team

This year at St Paul's we are very excited to announce that students in Years 1-6 will have the opportunity to showcase their many talents. This event will be known as 'SPAP X Factor'.

Students will have the opportunity to rehearse their acts during recess times on a Wednesday for Stage 3, Thursday for Stage 1 and Friday for Stage 2 at school. The students will perform their acts only in front of their own Stage cohort. This is due to COVID-19 restrictions still being in place.  

SPAP X  Factor performances will occur on three dates:

Years 5-6 (Stage 3): Thursday 3rd December 

Years 3-4 (Stage 2): Friday 4th December

Years 1-2 (Stage 1): Thursday 10th December 

All performances will commence at 11:30am in the school hall. As previously mentioned, due to COVID-19 restrictions the students will be performing their acts only in front of  their Stage cohort. So unfortunately no parents and guests will be able to attend.  

We are holding 'expressions of interest' in Week 2 and then rehearsals will begin in Week 3. Following the expressions of interest session in Week 2 the children will be asked to commit to these regular practices. The students will need to have their item ready on these days with appropriate music given to Mr Holgate and or Miss Allison. This must  be on a  labelled (student name and class) USB. Please ensure the music being used has no inappropriate language or themes. 

We are looking forward to watching the talents of many of our St Paul’s students. 

Cain Holgate and Rachel Allison

Just a reminder that Friday 23 October is School Photo Day.  Students are to wear Full School Summer Uniform and have their Photo Envelope back to school prior to Friday.

The National Theatre for Children presents “Showdown at Two Bob Billabong,” a curriculum aligned educational play performed by professional actors who lead students through a fun outback colonial adventure, all while teaching important lessons about money!

The financial literacy program features wacky characters from the Australian Goldfields like Barry Reef, Ned Jelly the Bushranger and Old Two Bob.

The program is a fun and engaging way to educate and inspire your students about numeracy and financial literacy.

The students of St Paul’s are privileged to engage in this livestream event on Wednesday 28th October for all students in Kindergarten to Year 5.

Annalise Hastings

Middle Leader

We are taking enrolments for 2021.

We would love to meet your family and watch your child grow and learn.

Enrolments in Term 4 welcome!

Please contact the school office on 4256 2772 or alternatively find enrolment information on our website http://www.spapdow.catholic.edu.au/

We will be sending out our Kindergarten Transition to School ebook soon!

Every year the Diocese of Wollongong conducts trials for a variety of sports. Students who are successful during these trials represent the Diocese of Wollongong at MacKillop Level Trials and might advance to represent at a State Level if they are successful at MacKillop Trials.

Students are required to be experienced players and extremely talented at their chosen sport. These trials are not gala days or school-based carnivals. They have not been designed for students “to come and try or for the experience”, they are for students who are elite at their sport and expect to make it to the next level. These trials are for 2021 Year 5 and 6 students only.

The first sports that we are accepting nominations for are Cricket, Softball, Basketball and Tennis. Please refer to the following information for the nomination criteria.

Cricket

These trials are for talented year 5 students who have regular cricket experience and representative background. Exceptional year 4 students will be considered but these cases must be cleared with the convener. Students must be a representative or elite player

Softball

Students should know the game well, play regularly and be familiar with the rules of softball. District/Association Representatives are encouraged to nominate for these trials

Basketball

Students must be talented basketballers, regular competition players with representative background

Tennis

Students should have extensive teams experience play regular competition and display an ability to represent at MacKillop level

Early in Term 1 2021, We will send out more information seeking nominations for: Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball, Hockey, AFL and Touch Football.

Further information about dates and venues has been sent home with those students interested or who meet the criteria. Should you require further information regarding this please email Mr McCann. (mccannb02@dow.catholic.edu.au)

Brian McCann

Sports Coordinator

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.