Dear parents, carers, staff and students,

This week we celebrate two important feast days in our church’s calendar of saints. As we read through their simple lives and all that they did in serving God, we may in some small way look at our own lives and reflect on how we can support our children in knowing our God and being all that he would want us to be.

Most of everything we know about Saint Joseph comes from Scripture. He was a very humble, working man. He was a carpenter.

 It is said that it was probably in Nazareth that St. Joseph was engaged to and married Mary. After discovering that Mary was pregnant, also after their engagement, he knew that the child was not his – and as such, he had planned on divorcing her quietly.

However, an angel came to him in a dream and told him that the child Mary was carrying was the Son of God. Immediately upon hearing this, Joseph took Mary as his wife.

The angel came a second time to tell him his family was in danger, and he also reacted immediately by leaving everything behind him — his family, friends, and all that he owned — to go to Egypt with Mary and their newborn baby, Jesus.

There is a lot we don’t know about St. Joseph, but we do know that he loved Jesus as his own son, he respected God and he was a righteous and humble man. He is the patron saint of:

• Cabinetmakers, carpenters and craftsmen
• Confectioners
• The dying
• Engineers
• Families
• Fathers
• Workers
• House Hunters
• People in doubt
• Travellers

Last Sunday we celebrated the feast day of St Patrick. What do we know about this saint who brought Christianity to those who did not believe in God?

St Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents. There is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. After escaping to Britain, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. The Irish liked to hear about the Bible, some of them did not understand how there could be three Persons in One God. But St Patrick was clever. He showed them a clover –a shamrock. He said,” This is one stem, but it has three leaves on it,” he touched each leaf to show God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. That is why we have shamrocks on St Patrick’s Day.

 He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D.

As we come to the end of this very busy week, I ask God’s blessings on you and your families. Thank you for your continual words of encouragement as we work with our children to make a difference in their learning. It is through your support that we get through our very busy days.

Yours sincerely,

Colleen Easton, Principal

 

My Sisters and Brothers

Conscious of the decision given today in Melbourne, I write to you amid the hurt, confusion, anger and other emotions that we may all feel at this time. As you would be aware, Cardinal George Pell was given a six-year custodial sentence relating to five charges of child sexual abuse.

Uppermost in my mind is the concern for those who have been abused. Recovery from such trauma can take a lifetime, if at all. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to give support to those who have been abused and ensure, in very practical ways, that our children and vulnerable people are safe in our communities.

At this time, I recognise the pain this whole matter has caused you as fellow members of the Catholic community. The abuse of minors by those ordained to represent the love and mercy of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is a profound betrayal of people entrusted to their pastoral care.

I am also aware that Cardinal Pell has lodged an appeal against his conviction, as he has every right to do under Australian law. Therefore, it is not appropriate for me to make any further comment that could be seen to prejudice the outcome of the appeals process.

This is a difficult time for everyone as the pain of today is being felt by so many—it is a shared pain. Let us reaffirm our desire, broken as we are, to become the Church that Jesus calls us to be.

I offer my continued support, and if you desire any assistance, please contact the diocesan director of professional standards and safeguarding, Ms Asante Viswasam, on (02) 4222 2405. If you would prefer to speak to an external organisation for support, LifeLine is available on 13 11 14.

Yours in Christ

Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD

BISHOP OF WOLLONGONG 13 March 2019

For all things give thanks.

1 THESS 5:18

Congratulations to the following students who received a Catholic Schools Week Award at our last Assembly on Friday 4 March 2019:

• Sienna Astill - Kindergarten Blue
• Chase Young - Kindergarten Red
• Sofia Di Martino - Year 1 Blue
• Harrison McDonald - Year 1 Red
• Archie Clifton - Year 2 Blue
• Sophie Kennedy - Year 2 Red
• Dakodah Hicks - Year 3 Blue
• Sienna Dawson - Year 3 Red
• Jae Narciso - Year 4 Blue
• Kenzie Coull - Year 4 Red
• Tamara Frendo - Year 5 Blue
• Kobi Price - Year 5 Red
• Thomas Allen - Year 6 Blue
• Billie Elliot - Year 6 Red

These students were chosen to receive this Award for:

"For bringing the love of Jesus to others through his or her example."

On Thursday 7 March twenty eight staff members from St Paul’s attended the Diocesan Education Mass. Bishop Brian Mascord and many priests from our diocese concelebrated with bishop on the night. The following letter from our Director explains this significant event in the life of our schools.

Dear Colleagues 

I write to express my sincere thanks to everyone who attended, and to those who prepared such a wonderful Diocesan Education Mass last night. With more than 800 people in attendance, it was a great privilege to be able to share such a positive experience with so many of you. I’m especially grateful that, in the middle of what has been an extraordinarily busy Term 1, so many of you generously gave your active support of our Catholic community being part of such a joyous celebration of the Mass during Catholic Schools Week.

I am thankful for the enlivened sense of community so evident both at the Mass and in the sharing of the refreshments in the school hall afterwards. Many people have already commented upon the wonderful spirit of the Mass that they found inspiring and uplifting.

On your behalf, I thank all those who organised the event - members of the CLEM team, particularly Amy Sammut; and the staff and students of Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School; our student aboriginal dancers and didgeridoo players; the many talented musicians and singers under the direction of Tim Hart; and of course Bishop Brian, Fr Bernard Gordon, and the priests who concelebrated the Mass with them.

"The future has a name, and that name is HOPE"

With best wishes

Peter Turner

Director of Schools

Thank you to Mrs Nadia Newing and Mrs Monika Sydenham for covering books for the Library.  Your gift of time is greatly appreciated.

Robyn Warton and Louise Frendo, Library School Support Officers

Please join our Year 2 students for the Parish Mass this Friday at 9:30 am. This would be one way we could do something for ourselves during this time of Lent.

Congratulations to the following students who are the Mini Vinnies Student Leadership Team for 2019:

• Amelie Johnston - Year 6 Blue
• Breanna Cresswell - Year 6 Blue
• Emilie Hermann - Year 6 Red
• Matthew Shepherd - Year 6 Red
• Tamara Frendo - Year 5 Blue

Our Week 6 Term 1 Waste Free Warrior Winners are:

• Joshua Rayias - Year 5 Red
• Andre Pires - Kinder Blue
• Henry Smallman - Year 3 Blue
• Nicola Wynn - Kinder Red
• Sam Huetter - Year 4 Blue

Our Week 7 Term 1 Waste Free Warrior Winners are:

• Arabella O'Shea - Year 4 Blue
• Ty Smith - Year 5 Blue
• Shontel Risvetski - Kinder Red
• Anabella Maounis - Year 2 Red
• Noah Coopes - Year 6 Red

Congratulations to the following students who will receive a $1 Canteen Voucher as a prize for being a Weekly SPB4L Award Winner:

Week 7, Term 1

• Riley Hayes - Year 6 Red
• Ruby Hobbin - Year 1 Red
• Aiden Campion - Year 6 Red
• Poppy Faulks - Year 2 Blue
• Levi Hinkley - Year 6 Red
• Elijah Cassanego - Kindergarten Red

Principal's Awards

Congratulations to the following student who received a Principal’s Award at our last Assembly on Friday 4 March 2019:

Tasha Meljarejo

Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Principal’s Award at our next Assembly on Friday 22 March 2019:

Kobi Elliott and Mackenzie Hutchinson

Mary MacKillop Awards

Congratulations to the following student who received a Mary MacKillop Award at our Assembly on Friday 22 February 2019:

Lachlan Nixon

Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Mary MacKillop Award at our next Assembly on Friday 22 March 2019:

Hayley Frendo, Jayden Holt, Lachlan Cannon and Ashton Greig

The Parish Gates will be opened at 2:15 pm this Friday 22 March for the Year 3 Assembly.

Family and friends are invited to attend as our Year 2 students share their learning with you.

Celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians. It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

In our school we too have families that come from different parts of the world, some of these are:  Africa, Chile, China, Germany, Greece, Holland, India, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Lebon, Macedonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine and Vietnam.

The following facts and figures from the ABS 2016 census are fascinating about Australia’s diversity.

• nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas
• we identify with over 300 ancestries
• since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
• 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
• apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
• more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

Water Bottles 

I would like to remind all students that you need your own water bottle at school each day with your name clearly marked. Teachers do allow  students to keep these in the classrooms and have a drink during the day.

 If you are attending the school disco on Thursday 4 April you must bring your water bottle, as you cannot be allowed to go to the school  bubblers. Once you come into the hall for the disco you are not permitted outside. 

Toys

Students are reminded that toys of any nature are not allowed on the playground or in class. If the students bring these in for their Class Sharing time, all toys must remain in their bags until it is time to get them out for their turn of Sharing. Some students have been very distressed due to losing these expensive toys and unfortunately, our teachers cannot follow up on the loss of these toys.

Birthday Cakes

Due to the number of students who are anaphylactic and allergic to different foods, parents are kindly asked not to send in cakes of any kind to celebrate your child’s birthdays. You are asked to consider other alternatives and the teachers are happy to distribute these at the end of the day.

Rubbish Outside the School

Concerned parents have brought it to my attention that there is so much rubbish outside the fence of our school. I understand that this is something that we do not have much control over, however, could we help out by picking up any rubbish outside our fence as we should all be caretakers of our school surrounds. Thank you for your consideration.

Sunscreen

Unfortunately the school does not supply sunscreen or any kind of cream for our students. If you do wish your child to apply sunscreen, parents are asked to supply this and students need to apply this themselves. There is to be no sharing of any sort of cream between students.

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy – important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us make sure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Between Tuesday 14 May to Friday 24 May 2019, our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher.

For more info:

• How to support your child during NAPLAN
• information for parents and carers
• Watch a video that explains NAPLAN Online
• Subscribe to ACARA’s monthly parent newsletter, Parent Update

Rebecca Nunes, Assistant Principal

Please see below the link to the SICS Year 6 Leadership Day article on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's website:

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/year-6-students-thrive-at-dedicated-sics-leadership-day/ 

Jessica Sparks

Communications Officer

Office of the Director

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong

Thank you for joining our Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools across the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands, and Catholic school communities across NSW, in celebrating Catholic Schools Week for 2019. It's been a wonderful week of open days, activities, masses, liturgies and other special events - including the Diocesan Education Mass, which was a significant highlight of CSW. Read more about the Mass and listen to Director of Schools, Peter Turner's speech here.

Catholic Schools Week has showcased some of the fantastic things happening in our schools every day, and has very much highlighted our local Catholic schools - including yours! - as vibrant places of learning, faith, hope and opportunity. Thank you for your involvement.

We'd like to share with you our small Catholic Schools Week video that has been promoted throughout last week. Can you spot the students from your school in this video?

We will offer two sessions of Professional Learning for Parents on Kinder Reading on Friday 22 March 2019 at 9:30 am and Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 5 pm.

Enrolment Application Forms for Kindergarten 2020 are now available from the school office.

All completed forms and supporting documentation need to be returned to the school office by no later than Friday 12 April 2019 (last day of Term 1).

Supporting documentation includes:

• A copy of Birth Certificate
• A copy of Baptismal Certificate
• A copy of Immunisation Certificate (available from Medicare online)
• A small photograph of the child
• Proof of address (eg. Driver's License or Utilities Account)

Please note that we require to see an original copy of the child's Birth Certificate when returning the supporting documentation.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Thanks to all families who supported us in raising funds for Caritas. The money amounted to $375.00 that will be sent to this year’s Project Compassion this will be used for all those who do not have clean drinking water, medicines, food, clothing, shelter, education etc. etc.. Thanks also to Mrs Monica McCann (Director of Caritas) who allowed us to have a HUGE Project Compassion Box to begin our collection on the day.

Thank you to the staff and students for your help with Clean Up Schools Day a few weeks ago.

Please find attached a link for Clean Up Schools Day which highlights our school and other schools throughout the Diocese:

As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability we have begun partnership with St Vincent De Paul and the Return and Earn Program. Our Waste Free Warriors and Environmental Year 5 teams have begun educating all students about the correct use of these bins.  We have already begun placing our drink containers we purchase from the canteen or bring in from home. All money will be donated to St Vincent De Paul Society.

Our goal is for everyone to bring in one 10 cents refundable bottle to school each week. This would mean we would donate $36.50 to St Vincent De Pauls.  Belinda Evans

On Thursday 7 March our swimming squad took part in the South Coast Swimming carnival at Corrimal Pool. The competition was incredibly high and all of our students swam their best with the majority of students improving on their results from our school swimming carnival held at the beginning of the year. We would like to congratulate all students on their efforts and the way they represented our school. Special mention to Janae Robertson, who received runner up in the 12yr Girls Age Championship.

At the completion of the carnival we had 4 students who qualified to attend the Diocesan selection trials being held at Corrimal on Monday 11 March.

• Janae Robertson - 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley
• Thomas Allen - 50m Breaststroke
• Matilda Pearson - 50m Breaststroke
• Chloe Barnes - 200m Individual Medley

Brian McCann

On Friday 8 March, some students from St Paul’s were invited to participate in the Diocesan selection trials for Football and Rugby league. The standard at these trials is always very high and all of our students should be proud of their efforts.

In Rugby league, Mason Smith made the shadow team and nearly the Diocesan squad in the 12 year boys.  In the 11 year boys both Angus Bancroft and Samuel Shepherd tried out, with Samuel making the shadow team as well.

In football, all three of our students that trialed made it into the Diocesan teams and we congratulate Gemma Bishop, Matilda Pearson and Zane Stroemer on this great achievement.  Brian McCann

On Wednesday 13 March 2019 four students from St Paul’s took part in the Diocesan Trials to gain selection into the Wollongong Diocesan Hockey Team.  Gemma Cresswell, Breanna Cresswell, Billie Elliot and April Gray all represented our school and challenged themselves against the best in our diocese. Congratulations to Billie, Breanna and April for gaining selection into the Wollongong team. We look forward to hearing your results as you strive to make the Mackillop team.  Brian McCann

Lunch Boxes, Food Containers and Drink Bottles

Staff are continually picking up unmarked lunch boxes, plastic food containers and drink bottles from the playground.  These cannot be returned to the student who owns them as there are no names on them.  Sadly, some of these food containers and lunch boxes still contain food which has not been eaten.

Please ensure that all of your child's belongings are clearly labelled with their name.

Uniforms

We have had several enquiries at the office by parents whose child has misplaced a piece of uniform - hats and sports jackets in particular.  They are disappointed that these items have not been returned to their child as they have their name on it.

Please check at home that your child has the correct hat or jacket.  If you do happen to have an item of clothing at home that does not belong to your child and is labelled with another student's name please return it to the office so that it can be returned to the correct owner.  Lisa Payne, Senior School Support Officer

Last Thursday, eleven students and three teachers from the University of Wollongong who are undertaking a short term Academic study tour program visited our school of St Paul’s. The cohort was very interested in an opportunity to visit a Primary School during their program. This experience provided our students from Years 1 – 6 with a cultural exchange opportunity. The Japanese students were involved by teaching traditional Japanese language, art and games to our students.

The Japanese students were most interested in visiting the Canteen as the students are studying Dietetics and Nutrition and they were most interested in seeing the Canteen and the foods on offer to the students.

On Thursday 4th April 2019 at 10 am our school will be joining hundreds of schools across NSW to break the record for the most students crunching vegetables simultaneously.

What is The Big Vegie Crunch?

Only around 5% of NSW children eat enough vegetables. To help our community do better, St Paul’s will be taking part in The Big Vegie Crunch (part of Vegetable Week) Thursday 4th April 2019.

Primary schools across NSW will be joining together to break the record for the most students crunching vegetables simultaneously. Last year 50,260 students crunched together.

But we need your help to make it a success!

On Thursday 4th April 2019, please pack your child a container of vegetables (not fruit this time) for them to crunch on.

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.  Angela Spaccavento

Please come and join our parish and school community and show your support for all those who suffer and those who survived cancer. Your support for those in our community will be seen as a symbol of strength for families who live with and those who have cared for all cancer sufferers.

Please join us for a few laps or even a longer walk.

As part of our Lenten Journey, we are offering a fish meal commencing on Friday 8 March up to and including Friday 12 April 2019 students are encouraged not to purchase meat products from the Canteen on Fridays.

The Fish Burger will consist of an oven baked crumber fish fillet, lettuce and tartare sauce on a hotdog roll.  They will be $4.50 each.

Cross Country BBQ

Helpers are needed for the upcoming BBQ to held directly after the Cross Country on Wednesday 3rd April. If you are able to help, please return the volunteer form to the school office.

School Disco

The first school discos for the year will be held Thursday 4 April 2019.

• The Junior disco (Kinder, Years 1 and 2) will run from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.
• The Senior disco (Years 3 to 6) will run from 6:30pm to 8pm. 

Please remember to send a labelled water bottle with your child. Cost is $5 per child. Parent helpers are needed. If you are able to assist, please email Sara-Jay O’Shea (P&F President) at sjayoshea@outlook.com  children will be fully supervised and will not be permitted to leave the school hall until parents come to collect their child.

Second Hand Uniforms

Parents/cares who require second hand uniform items throughout the term, please contact Maria Bancroft (0400570105). Items requested can be left at the office to pay and pick up at your convenience. All items are $5. 

Please Note: We can only accept CORRECT CHANGE when purchasing uniforms. NO CHANGE CAN BE GIVEN. Alternatively, families can pay by EFTPOS at the front office.

Please remember to send in the OLD St Pauls sports uniform. We are going to be donating all the uniforms to a school overseas who would greatly appreciate such a kind gesture for their disadvantage students. If you like to support this initiative, we ask for families to drop off any items from the old sports uniforms at the front office.

Support Group

One aspect of the P and F is our Support Group. The support group provides meals for families within our school community who require a little bit of help. In particular families who are experiencing difficultly due to illness, loss of employment or even a new baby in the family.

The P and F may send out a request to the school community throughout the year, asking if anyone can help by cooking a meal or two to be stored in our freezer. If you are not a cook, a pre-cooked meal from the supermarket would be great too.

"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." Acts, 20:35

If your family or a family you know is in need of meals, please do not hesitate in contacting our School Principal Colleen Easton. Please also be assured your siltation and name will be kept confidential.    Maria Bancroft

P & F Facebook Page

Please be reminded that the St Paul’s P&F Facebook page is NOT an official school page. It is run by volunteers.  We always recommend confirming directly with the school if you are unsure of any event or information required.

You can find us at:

St Paul’s Albion Park P & F

Summary of Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday 3April 2019 - Cross Country BBQ, helpers needed
• Thursday 4 April 2019 - Disco, helpers needed        
• Monday 6 May 2019 - P & F Meeting at 6:30 pm in the St Joseph’s Room

Amy De Santis, P & F Secretary

It is time for our Big Book Fair again!

A voucher for 20% discount will be distributed to all children this afternoon.

The voucher is valid for Saturday afternoon, 23 March 2019 from 12 to 5 pm. This coincides with Family Day, where we are offering free face painting and a balloon artist. As always there will be plenty of choice available from the Illawarra Sports Stadium canteen and BBQ.

www.lifelinesouthcoast.org.au