Last Sunday was the The Fourth Sunday of Easter and is known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Gospel draws on the image of Jesus as our Good Shepherd whereby Jesus acts towards us like a good shepherd: feeding, nurturing, defending and even laying down his life for us. Our Good Shepherd is deeply concerned about us, the flock and there is a deep sense of warmth and intimacy in the realisation that Jesus knows each one of us by name. Like a good shepherd Jesus is the source of life, nourishment, and safety for the sheep. Last Sunday was also World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Pope Francis in his message for this day writes that “ God does not like to reveal himself in a spectacular way, pressuring our freedom. He conveys his plans to us with gentleness.” Any reflection about Jesus as the Good Shepherd also serves as a reminder that shepherding each other in Jesus’ name is part of the vocation of every person. We are very used to thinking about Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Pope Francis reminds us that we can also be a good shepherd to each other.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to warmly welcome you to Term 2 and the Easter season, I hope families had an opportunity to spend time together celebrating the Easter season.  It was lovely to see students return to school looking relaxed and rejuvenated for what will be a busy Term 2.  At St Paul’s we are all looking forward to celebrating a number of community events this term and also having our parents and carers onsite to celebrate together, please see the events and dates on the side of the newsletter.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new families and students who have joined the St Paul’s school community this term. I also warmly welcome Mrs Karen Shaw, Miss Caitlyn Dryden, Miss Holly Brown, Miss Sarah Shembrii and Mr Samuel Franklin who have joined our school community in the role of school support officers, working alongside our staff to support our students. 

I am pleased to welcome Uncle Kevin Butler to St Paul’s for Term 2 and 3. Uncle Kevin is an Aboriginal Education Assistant from the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong and artist in residence. Uncle Kevin will be joining the school community every Wednesday to paint 10 Indigenous Welcome Poles for our school. Students will have an opportunity to help Uncle Kevin in the painting of the poles and are looking forward to this opportunity. 

This Thurdsday 29th April and Friday 30th April we come together with Bishop Brian and the St Paul’s Parish community to celebrate with our Year 6 students and their families as our students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I would like to express my gratitude to Fr. Leo Duck, Mrs Paula Potts, Mrs Jodi Marsh and the Year 6 teachers for preparing the students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmnation. I would like to express my gratitude to the St Paul’s Parish community for the organisation they have completed in readiness for the celebrations on Thursday and Friday evening. On behalf of the St Paul’s staff I would ask that you keep our Year 6 students and their families in your prayers and thoughts.

We warmly welcome Bishop Brian who will be visiting St Paul’s on Friday 30th April. Students are very excited to be able to spend some time with Bishop Brian as he visits our classrooms. Bishop Brian will spend time with staff during the lunch break and will have an opportunity to meet our Year 6 leaders throughout the day. 

Students and staff are looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with our mothers and grandmother’s next Friday 7th May. It is very fitting that we celebrate Mother’s Day in the month of May which is the month in the Catholic Church that we devote to Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary is a role model of love, strength, courage and faith. According to Pope Francis, a world without mothers, has no future.

“Profits and profit alone do not give a future, on the contrary, they sometimes increase inequalities and injustices. Mothers, instead, make every child feel at home and give hope.”

As a mother, Mary teaches the art of meeting and walking together and at St Paul’s we recongise that our mothers and grandmothers are an integral part of our St Paul’s community and I would like to express my gratitude to all mothers and grandmothers and the love and support you express daily to our students and the support you provide our school community. It is exciting that we can publicly regonise our mothers and grandmothers next Friday 7th May and I look forward to seeing you all at our Mother’s Day school celebrations. 

Wishing you every blessing,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

With the easing of restrictions, we are permitted to have parents on site. We will be able to hold assemblies in the hall. Entry and exit for the assemblies will be through the hall. Parents are asked to sign in using the QR code. 

The students will be rostered so that a grade can present once a fortnight.

Assemblies will be fortnightly on a Friday from 2:30 pm- 3:00 pm

The grades rostered are as follows:

30/4/21 Week 2 - Year 6
14/5/21 Week 4 - Year 4
28/5/21 Week 6 - Year 2
11/6/21 Week 8 - Kindergarten
25/6/21 Week 10 - Virtual Assembly developed by Year 6

We look forward to sharing our assemblies with you in person again.

All students should abide by the requirements for uniform at St Paul's. The following are some uniform requirements for your information:

• No coloured hair decorations – girls may wear headbands, ribbons, scrunchies in red or royal blue
• No jewellery except for studs or sleepers (one per ear lobe), watch, signet ring or religious medals
• No nail polish or make-up
• School hat is to be worn at breaks, PE and sport.  We have a “NO HAT - NO PLAY” policy - children will be asked to sit in shade if they do not have their hat

HAIR CUTS

• The emphasis is on “neat and tidy”
• Girls long hair or hair below the shoulders is to be tied back
• Boys hair should be no longer than collar length
• Extreme hair cuts and coloured hair are not permitted
• The emphasis is on evenly cut hair
  
• Extreme use of gel or products of that nature are not permitted

Please see the attached important information from Lake Illawarra Police regarding the use of motorised scooters.

Rebecca Nunes

Assistant Principal

Dawn Service

It was a privilege to attend the dawn service this year with some of our Senior School Leaders. We thank Ivy Armstrong, Mia Hili and Lily Mowbray for being so reverent when they placed our school wreath at the epitaph at the Albion Park RSL St Paul’s was well represented with a number of families present to pay their respected to those who had fallen and those who fought for our freedom, which continues today. Fr Leo also placed a wreath on behalf of St Paul’s Parish. It was wonderful without strict COVID restrictions that over 1000 people of all ages were at the Dawn Service to honour our service men and women.

Julie Ferguson

Year 4 Blue Teacher

This Thursday 29 April and Friday 30 April, students from Year Six will be confirmed. With COVID restrictions still in place, the Church is at capacity with Confirmation candidates and their families. We keep the Year Six students in our prayers.

On Friday 30 April, Bishop Brian Mascord will be visiting the staff, students and school community. At 9.30am students from Years 4, 5 and 6 will attend Mass. 

An opportunity will be provided for Bishop Brian to meet with each Stage group of students in the middle session. Following Recess, Bishop Brian has been invited to our school Assembly in the Hall.

Parish News

FIRST RECONCILIATION (for students in Year Three or above)

21 June to 25 June

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (for students in Year Three or above)

11 September or 12 September

St. Joseph has two feast days on the Catholic liturgical calendar. The first is March 19 - Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The second is May 1 - Joseph, the Worker.

Pope John Paul II stated that “Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.” 

We can see from Joseph's actions in the scripture that he was a compassionate man, and obedient to the will of God. He also loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them.

Joseph is the patron saint of many things, including the universal Church, fathers, the dying and social justice.

Our focus for this week continues to be Passive Play and Central Playground. Teachers have been introducing some new and revised procedures and equipment in Passive Play and Central Playground so that all students can come into these playgrounds and have a fun and safe experience, using the equipment, toys and games in a respectful and responsible manner.

The student representative team met today and discussed their plans for a kindness project. They have made some wonderful suggestions and will be putting into action some of these over the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing these when we get them going!

The staff continue to look for positive interactions and happy playground play by handing out raffle tickets during the lunch and recess breaks. Congratulations to the following students who were able to select prizes for their outstanding playground choices these past few weeks;

Week 1:

Abbey McDonald - 1 Red

Elliot Klein - 6 Blue

Kai Fleming - 1 Red

Angelo Philip - 3 Red

Mia Klasson - K Red

Week 2:

Madison McKenzie - 2 Blue

Marian Joy - 1 Red

Diontae Williams - 2 Blue

Faith Winslow - K Blue

Billy Glover - 2 Red

The PB4L Team

SPLICED (Strengthening Potential through Learning in Interactive Challenging Environments in the Diocese of Wollongong) is a program offered to select students in order to extend and enrich their thinking.

In Week 3, some students involved in SPLICED will be participating in Workshop 2 - Developing.  In this workshop, students will work with external tutors who specialise in visual arts, written and oral language and creative and contemplative thinking to develop their projects.  The team of tutors will be led by John Charadia, Gifted and Talented Education Professional Officer from the Catholic Education Office, and students will be supported by Mrs Fogliada.  Students will work towards consolidating their area of study and the way they will present their work.  

We are all very excited to see the wonderful work our SPLICED students continue to develop.

Bree-Anna Fogliada

Diverse Learning Support Teacher

The National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be taking place for Years 3 and 5 nation wide between Monday 10 May and Friday 21 May. 

The assessment schedule for St Paul’s is as follows:

It is important that all students are at school no later than 8:55 am on the mornings of the tests. If your child is sick or will be absent on a testing day we ask that you please call the front office. In the event that your child misses one of the tests it will be completed when they are back at school as long as it is before the cut off dates listed above. 

Please ensure your child has working headphones at school.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Olivia Djodan 

Acting Middle Leader 

This term students will be bringing home their Assessment of Learning in Mathematics following the completion of a unit. This will occur twice per term. 

Parents are encouraged to look through the assessment and speak to their child about their results. We are hoping this provides parents and carers with a clearer understanding of their child’s attainment of numeracy concepts.

Each grade will bring home their two assessments at different points throughout the term depending on their grade’s scope and sequence of learning. The content that each grade is assessed on may also differ depending on which strand the unit was based. 

The assessment task is only one component of the assessment process. There may be more than one task needed to complete assessment for that outcome. The other components of assessment include class participation, bookwork, observation, verbal tasks and problem solving tasks. 

If your child is being assessed above or below stage outcomes their assessment proforma will not reflect a grade as assessments are addressing specific stage outcomes. 

Olivia Djodan
Acting Middle Leader

Dice Games
Dice games are an engaging way to get the whole family involved in mathematical thinking. They are able to cover a range of mathematical concepts and are easily adapted for a wide range of abilities and ages.

Race to 100

*Player 1 rolls the dice and adds the number onto 0 e.g. I roll a 7, 0 + 7 = 7. Other players repeat.
*Player 1 rolls the dice again and adds the rolled number onto the first answer. E.g. I roll a 5. 7 + 5 = 12
*Repeat by rolling and adding the number onto the previous answer. First player to 100 wins.
Practice subtraction skills by playing Race to 0. Start at 100 and subtract each roll.

Knock Out 

*Each player chooses their “knockout number” between 6-9.
*Take turns throwing 2 dice and adding the numbers together.
*If a player’s total is their knockout number they are out.

Trash Can Bingo

*Choose the size of the number you will make e.g. 2 digit, or 3 digit.
*Draw lines for the digit and a trash can e.g. 2 lines and a trash can for a 2 digit number.
*Choose your aim for the game. Try to make either the largest or smallest number.
*Roll the dice and choose which position the digit will go in...tens, ones or the trash.

*Repeat until all spaces have been filled.
*Person with the largest/smallest number wins.

We have had a great first week back after the school holidays, refreshed and ready to learn. In Year 5, we are continuing to grow in confidence using our iPads. Last term we mastered many new skills and are now more confident in using Google Classroom to support our learning. Some of our favourite activities on our iPads are: creating Pic Collages, iMovie Trailers and making ‘books’ using the Pages App to show our understanding of new concepts and to consolidate our knowledge.

At the end of last term we presented our Personal Interest Projects (PIPS) to the class. We not only showcased our technology skills and independent research capabilities but also practised speaking in front of an audience.

In Year 5 we have been given the opportunity to demonstrate many leadership skills and qualities, for example we were asked to create persuasive posters to advertise the recent St Patrick’s Day fundraiser, participating in composting and recycling initiatives and also supporting the PB4L student team by attending meetings, running class meetings and speaking on the PA system to announce prize winners.

We asked Year 5, about their Term 1 highlights. These included,  participating in the Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals, Green zone rewards especially going to the park, working with the other class to consolidate and revise our learning through Math games. Many students also mentioned they enjoyed the opportunity to use their iPads for photography and visual art activities. Every Wednesday, Year 5 looks forward to  participating in PE with Mr McCann and Creative Arts with Ms Pollard.

An ANZAC poem by Hayley Frendo

Last Thursday 22 April, we celebrated Earth Day, the annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the various environmental challenges that face our planet. The Earth Day 2021 theme is Restore Our Earth. Our WEN Student team led the school in prayer during the morning assembly, with the response, “Lord, open our eyes”. For Earth Day, Year 5 will also be planting various herbs and vegetables to revamp the school vegetable gardens.

Pope Francis has reminded everyone of the importance of working together to protect our planet:

"When it comes to safeguarding creation, there is no time to waste — humanity either must live up to its responsibility or continue on a path of self-destruction".

St Paul’s will be resuming the Return & Earn partnership with Vinnies in 2021. This means that we will have return and earn blue bins stationed throughout the school. 

The student WEN team has been reintroducing these bins to the school community through a presentation, where they have outlined what should and what should not be in these bins. 

Every little bit really does count and it is only thanks to your generosity that Vinnies are able to help thousands of Australians each year. So if you are able to donate some, or all of your eligible containers to vinnies, you are welcome to send them with your child and have them placed in our blue bins.

Katie De Sousa

Year 5 Red Teacher

The ICAS assessments will be held between 9 August and 3 September.  Further information will be communicated via Compass.

Week 3

• SEMP Policy Writing - Mrs Evans and Miss De Sousa 
• SPLICED Workshop 2 - Mrs Fogliada
• Case Collaboration Planning Day - Mrs Rodwell, Miss Djodan, Mrs Hingston, Mrs Marsh, Mrs Mansbridge 
• Reading Observation Survey Training with CEDoW personnel - Miss Tonini, Mrs Della-Libera and Mrs Maguire 

Week 4

• Reading Observation Survey Training with CEDoW personnel - Miss Tonini and Mrs Della-Libera

Olivia Djodan

Acting Middle Leader

The following dates have been planned as Staff Professional Development Days for St Paul’s this year. Being Staff Development Days they are pupil free days, so children do not attend school. The dates are as follows:

Please note that CatholicCare OSHC Care will put a survey in the newsletter closer to the Staff Development dates to seek parent/carer feedback regarding the provision of Vacation Care style service for the Staff Development dates.

CatholicCare OSHC Care process will be similar for Staff Development Dates. When these are coming up please keep an eye out in the newsletter for a survey to register your interest with them. If they gain enough feedback to warrant running the day they will provide a Vacation Care style day, from 7am to 6pm, based on children's interests and ideas! Please give Becky and Matt a call at 0460 666 010 or email them at albionparkoosh@catholiccare.dow.org.au if you have any further questions.

Enrolments for Kindergarten 2022 are now open. Enrolments packs are available for collection at our school office. Please let your friends and the wider community know that enrolments are now open.

Applications close 3:00pm, Friday, 7th May 2021

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

Friday 14 May 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.

The objectives of WSTSD are:

• To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
• To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
• To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
• To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
• To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
• To promote the use of Public Transport.
• To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
• To reduce the level of traffic congestion.

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 14 May 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

Olivia Djodan

Acting Middle Leader

Between May and July this year, our school will be taking part in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). This is a nationwide census/survey of early childhood development held once every three years. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative run by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and includes all children in their first year of full-time school.

The AEDC provides vital information to communities about how children are developing in the crucial early years. AEDC data is relied upon by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers and government to inform planning and improve services and supports for children and families.

The AEDC Instrument is completed by teachers about children in their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is voluntary and is not a school test. The information collected gives a picture of how children are developing before they start school in five key areas or domains. It shows what is being done well, and what can be improved. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of full-time school to be included in the AEDC.

Information has been provided to all Kindergarten parents.

St Paul's Catholic Parish Primary School has a duty to take reasonable care for the safety and welfare of our students.  This care extends to assisting students to manage their medical condition that requires medication, where medication cannot be administered outside of school hours.

If your child requires staff to administer prescription or over-the-counter medication at school, you will need to complete a Request to Administer Medication Form.  

School staff will only administer prescription medication that: 

• Has been prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist)

• Is in its original container 

• Has an attached pharmacy label to the container

• Has been delivered to the school by the parent / carer and is accompanied by a completed Request to Administer Medication Form 

School staff will only administer Over-The-Counter medication that: 

• Is in its original container 

• Has been delivered to the school by the parent / carer and is accompanied completed Request to Administer Medication Form including the signature and stamp from a qualified medical practitioner

If your child requires more than one medication, you will need to complete a form for each medication.

ASCIA ANAPHYLAXIS ACTION PLANS / ASHTMA MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS

If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, asthma or an allergic reaction, it is important that the school is provided with a current ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan / Asthma Management Plan completed by a doctor.  This plan provides up-to-date information for the school regarding the medical management of your child’s condition.  

If there are any changes in your child’s health care needs, please inform the school as soon as possible.

The St Paul's Parents and Friends Association will be holding a Mother's Day Stall on the 7th May. All gifts can be purchased for $5 and students are asked to bring along a labelled bag to take their gift home. Each grade will be allocated a time between 9:30am- 11am to purchase a gift from the Mother's Day Stall. If you are able to help volunteer at the stall please contact Sara-Jay O'Shea via sarajayoshea@outlook.com

Book Club Issue 3

All orders for Book Club - Issue 3 need to be ordered via the loop by Wednesday 5 May. Unfortunately we are unable to accept cash payments. Parents can order and pay online using a Credit Card via the LOOP.

Thank you

Louise Frendo

School Support Officer

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT released a wonderful resource for parents and carers in late 2020. The Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools - A Guide by Parents for Parents was developed to support and accompany families as they prepare their child for school, or for the transition from primary to secondary school.

The guide offers practical ideas and advice from parents and carers who have 'been there and done that'. It includes areas such as preparing the school for your child, communicating with the school, conversation starters for challenging topics, as well as practical ideas such as visuals board to help establish morning and evening routines once school has commenced.

 The complete guide can be located via this link

The March 2021 floods in the southern part of the Diocese of Lismore have had a devastating impact on residents and farmers.

Accordingly, the Diocese of Wollongong is supporting a Flood Appeal launched by the Bishop of Lismore, the Most Rev Gregory Homeming, to provide financial and practical support to the Lismore community.

Bishop Brian Mascord and our Director of Schools, Peter Hill, urge our parish, school, and office communities to throw their support behind this important cause. 

The 2nd hand uniform store is particularly in need of the following items in good condition:

• Boys grey summer shorts in small sizes 4-8
• Boys summer shirts
• Girls summer dresses in larger sizes child's 12 and larger
• Sports polos and shorts all sizes
• Sports tracksuits sizes 4-8
• School jumpers size 8

All items $5

Please Note:

The Office can only accept EFTPOS payments when purchasing uniforms.

DONATIONS of uniforms which you no longer require 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 and Carers are welcome to drop off the uniform donations at the front office.