Last Sunday was the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B. The Gospel outlines the story of the storm, which sets the stage for the display of Jesus’ power in front of his disciples and the people occupying other boats who were interested in the person of Jesus. 

The event presents a challenge to all believers that extends to our times: What do we choose in moments of tragedy and danger: trust or fear? According to Mark, the disciples had shared in the secrets of the kingdom and had been with Jesus when he healed the sick and cast out demons. Yet, in the crisis they doubt and get angry because Jesus has fallen asleep and is not paying attention to them. After quieting the storm, Jesus asked them: Why this fear? Where is your faith? He was not asking for “awe” at the miracle, rather he wanted real faith in him. Today’s reading offers three significant messages: 

• This event was seen as a sign of Jesus’ saving presence amid the persecution that threatened the early Christian community. 
• Faith needs to be nurtured. As disciples of Jesus we are called to discover more of who this person is and whom we have decided to follow. 
• In the midst of the storm, Jesus rests in trust while the disciples panic in fear. 

Faith is the sounding theme of the Gospel reading. Faith is very basic to our lives: not only religious faith but faith in general.

“Parents and families are recognised as integral members of the school community and partners in their child’s education” Australian Council for Educational Research National School Improvement Tool, 2016

This year St Paul’s is aiming to provide a range of opportunities for parents and carers to engage in the growth of faith and learning of their children. The CEDoW ‘Lighting the Way Together Parent-School Partnership Framework” states that active engagement occurs through communicating openly via formal and informal opportunities to share all relevant information about each child’s learning and wellbeing.

The school aims to provide such communication through:

• Grade Curriculum Overviews
• Semester Reports
• Parent and Carer Learning Conversations
• Seesaw
• Student Workbooks going home
• The inclusion of grade learning overviews in the Newsletter
• Fortnightly assemblies
• Meeting for students with Personalised Plans

This term has been a wonderful opportunity to meet with many parents and carers through Parent and Carer Learning Conversations. We thank the staff for their availability and hope that you found the time useful to discuss your child’s learning so far this year. 

Many of these communication tools will continue throughout the year. If at any time you would like to discuss your child’s learning or wellbeing please contact the class teacher by calling the office or emailing info@spapdow.catholic.edu.au 

At times you may also need to discuss your child with the Stage Leader. The Stage Leader for 2021 are listed below:

Early Stage One (Kinder)- Mrs Belinda Evans

Stage One (Year 1 & 2)- Mrs Jodi Marsh

Stage Two (Year 3 & 4)- Miss Olivia Djodan

Stage Three (Year 5 & 6)- Mrs Rebecca Nunes

On Friday 25th June, students are invited to dress in their pyjamas. Thank you to all who have pre-ordered a warm chocolate drink and cinnamon donut. We will continue to accept orders on the day for $5. Our Mini-Vinnies team is promoting this event, with all profits going towards supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal.

This Friday, Year 5 will not attend Mass as scheduled as we will be dressed in our pyjamas.

The St Paul’s Community gathered together today at a Liturgy at 2.30pm to celebrate NAIDOC Week. 

On Friday 16th July, St Paul’s will be celebrating Grandparents Day. We celebrate the Feast Day of St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus in July. Grandparents are invited to visit the school to celebrate with their grandchildren.

12:00pm - Open classrooms

12:45pm - BYO Picnic lunch with students

1:15pm - Lunch finishes as Grandparents move to the hall

1:30pm - Liturgy and Assembly with each grade presenting an item.

 If the weather is wet, there will be no picnic lunch and we will begin the day at 12:45pm with Open Classrooms.

ST PAUL’S WEEKEND MASS TIMES

Saturday Vigil 6pm

Sunday 9am

An extract from the Apolostolic Letter Patris Corde of the Holy Father Francis on the 150th Anniversary of the Proclomation of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation”.

Saint Paul VI pointed out that Joseph concretely expressed his fatherhood “by making his life a sacrificial service to the mystery of the incarnation and its redemptive purpose. He employed his legal authority over the Holy Family to devote himself completely to them in his life and work. He turned his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home”.

Thanks to his role in salvation history, Saint Joseph has always been venerated as a father by the Christian people. This is shown by the countless churches dedicated to him worldwide, the numerous religious Institutes, Confraternities and ecclesial groups inspired by his spirituality and bearing his name, and the many traditional expressions of piety in his honour. Innumerable holy men and women were passionately devoted to him. Among them was Teresa of Avila, who chose him as her advocate and intercessor, had frequent recourse to him and received whatever graces she asked of him. Encouraged by her own experience, Teresa persuaded others to cultivate devotion to Joseph.

Every prayer book contains prayers to Saint Joseph. Special prayers are offered to him each Wednesday and especially during the month of March, which is traditionally dedicated to him.

Popular trust in Saint Joseph is seen in the expression “Go to Joseph”, which evokes the famine in Egypt, when the Egyptians begged Pharaoh for bread. He in turn replied: “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do” (Gen 41:55). Pharaoh was referring to Joseph the son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery because of the jealousy of his brothers (cf. Gen 37:11-28) and who – according to the biblical account – subsequently became viceroy of Egypt (cf. Gen 41:41-44).

As a descendant of David (cf. Mt 1:16-20), from whose stock Jesus was to spring according to the promise made to David by the prophet Nathan (cf. 2 Sam 7), and as the spouse of Mary of Nazareth, Saint Joseph stands at the crossroads between the Old and New Testaments.

This week we are happy to report that we will be launching our Kindness Project with all students. This is an initiative by the student team who wanted to encourage and spread kind thoughts and actions around our community. The leaders have devised a slideshow to share with every class teaching about how the kindness shout-outs will be collected and shared.

Strategies for Developing Resilience in Children

Resilience refers to the capacity of an individual to overcome odds and demonstrate personal strengths needed to cope with hardship.  At St Paul’s we teach our students strategies for building resilience using the BOUNCE BACK Acronym. The Bounce Back Program teaches students how to ‘bounce back’ after encountering negative events, challenges, difficult situations or adversity and return to a sound level of emotional wellbeing.

While the social and emotional skills for developing resilience start with explicit teaching of these skills, it is through continual practise of these skills that children build their resilience and capacity to ‘bounce back’. 

During Term 3 and 4, we will be sharing some specific strategies for helping develop resilience at home using each of the BOUNCE BACK key strategies.  

Some activities for introducing the topic of resilience at home include:

• Reading stories where characters display resilience.

Suggested stories include:

• Banjo Bounces Back by Lachie Hume
• Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey 
• Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr Suess
• The Peasant Prince by Li Cunxin 

After reading one of these stories with your children, share a discussion about some of the obstacles the characters face and the ways in which they showed persistence and resilience, even when faced with a difficult situation.  

• Create a list of things which make your child feel better when they are challenged or upset.

This could include activities they enjoy participating in, eating healthy foods, talking to a trusted adult, physical activity, playing a game, playing with a pet or watching a funny movie.  This activity prompts children to begin considering strategies which help them to Bounce Back.  Once this list is developed, be sure to prompt children to refer to this list regularly, especially when faced with challenges, until they begin using these strategies independently.  

• Keeping a Bounce Back Journal

Encourage children to keep a journal (either written or through drawing) where they reflect on some of the difficult things they may have faced throughout their day and the strategies they used to Bounce Back. By naming the strategies children use to Bounce Back, they become better equipped to notice the challenges in their day, but to look at them from a positive mindset with the capacity to demonstrate resilience and persistence.

Bree-Anna Fogliada

Diverse Learning Support Teacher

Mathematics Assessment of Learning 

Next term students will continue to bring 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. 

ICAS

ICAS Assessment registrations close Friday the 23rd of July.

Please see Compass for information on the ICAS Assessments and how to register your child online. 

Olivia Djodan
Acting Middle Leader

We have been learning about what happened after Jesus died. 

One night the Disciples went fishing. They caught nothing all night. (Leila)

In the early morning Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was him. (Stephanie)

Jesus called out, “have you caught anything friends?”. They said, “No”. (Cody)

So Jesus told them to throw their nets over the other side of the boat. (Carter)

They caught so many fish they could hardly drag in their fishing net. (Evie)

Suddenly John knew it was Jesus. He said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”. (Daniella)

He had some bread and he invited them to come and eat. They sat and had breakfast together. (James)

We really enjoyed sharing our song about ‘Peter, James and John in a Sailboat’

Tom can see the ball. It is in the tree. (Elijah)

I love my baby brother. (Acacia)

I went to a party. I went to the movies. (Eli)

I went to the park with mum. I love mum. (Carolina)

I went to the tennis with Dad. (Levi)

I went to the discovery centre with Carolina. I had fun. (Abbey)

I went to my soccer. The next day my mum and dad were gardening and after that I went to the shops. (Chase)

I love playing with mum. I love mum. (Milla)

Dad looked and looked. Tom can see the ball. It is in the tree. (Emily)

I went to the property with my mum and dad and brother. (Mia)

To end our assembly we shared a beautiful song about rainbows. We loved learning the words and we know that together we make all the colours of a rainbow!!

We hope you enjoyed our assembly! We loved sharing our learning with you!

 Focus on Numeracy

As part of our School Review and Improvement priority we are engaging parents in our students’ numeracy learning.This page in our newsletter is part of our strategy and gives helpful hints on how to assist numeracy learning at home. 

Arrays 

Arrays are an important part of developing students' understanding of multiplication and division. An array is a collection of objects that are arranged in rows and columns. Examining how many objects are in each row and column and applying known multiplication, addition and skip counting strategies assists students in learning and understanding multiplication facts. It is important that students develop a deep understanding of multiplication before learning times tables off by heart.

Holiday Array Hunt

During the holidays students will be asked to go on ‘array hunt’. Students can photograph arrays they find in their homes and environments or create some using objects and toys. These photographs can be shared with teachers which will then be used in our Numeracy Sense during Term 3 to assist students in developing their understanding of multiplication. Please see below some examples of arrays in the environment. 

Students in Kindergarten to Year 3 have access to the PMeCollection. This is a collection of digital readers your child can read at home.

The PMeCollection is designed to help independent and guided reading both at home and school to improve digital literacy. Your child has access to a personal account, which can be tailored to cater for their reading needs with a selection of PM levelled readers. Please ask your child’s classroom teacher for access to your username and password.

PMeCollection Bookshelf app 

What parents need to do: 

1. Please download the PMeCollection app on your device from the App Store or to access the browser app, go to app.pmecollection.com.au on any browser. 

    2. Open the app and log in with your child’s username and password. 

    3. When you have logged in; your child’s assigned books will be on the shelves. 

How to use the App: 

• When you are in the bookshelf screen you are ready to go. 

• Touch a book, which will come up with the front cover. Press read and the book will open for you to read. 

• To turn the page, swipe your finger left for forwards and right to go backwards.

Getting the most from the App: 

The app comes with a variety of different features to enhance student development.

• Tap on a word to hear it.

• Swipe down to have the page read to you. 

• Swipe up to exit a book and access the home menu. 

• To record your child’s reading, press the record button in home screen, which will open the book again and press the microphone button on the bottom of the screen to record. This needs to be pressed for each page. You can listen to this by selecting the play button next to the microphone button. 

• The recording will be automatically stored on the student profile page. 

• Swipe on a tricky word and tap the clipboard that appears, and this word will be stored on the bookshelf menu. Tap on the green clipboard and your child can practise this word to learn it. 

• For further help using this application, press the ? icon in the top right corner to receive help.

https://app.pmecollection.com.au/get-started

Belinda Evans

Acting Middle Leader

This week we are recognising NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week which is held every year in the first week of July (this year July 4-11), so as to incorporate 'National Aboriginal Day'.

NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

To celebrate at St Paul’s we have a number of activities planned. Throughout the week in class the students are participating in an Aboriginal art activity to create a whole school Sea of Hands. On Wednesday we are hosting a gathering with our Indigenous Families and Carers followed by a whole school liturgy that will showcase indigenous dancing, our school choir singing in language and drumming.

Over the course of this term we have been privileged to have Uncle Kevin Butler beginning work on our school Welcome Poles. The work on the poles will continue into term 3 when the students will have the opportunity to engage with Uncle Kevin and support him in the journey of the creation of the Poles. We sincerely thank Bunnings Albion Park Rail for their support of this project with the donation of the poles and concrete for the Project and for facilitating the donation of paint from Taubmans paints to create the Poles.

Monica McCann

Breaking News with the Senior Leaders

Welcome to the Breaking News with the Senior Leaders. Today, we are going to talk to you about some events that have passed or are coming up in the next two weeks! 

Semester 1 reports: 

On Friday the 11th June the Semester 1 Reports came out on Compass saying how your children have been going the past two Terms. Yay how exciting!

REMINDER!: Don’t forget to check your child's reports on Compass.

School Athletes Carnival: 

Last week on Friday the 18th June we had our School Athletics Carnival which grades K-6 were involved in. We had so much fun with all the activities. Thanks to all the teachers for participating in many jobs and making this day happen and enjoyable.

This week’s events:

On Wednesday the 23rd June the school is attending and celebrating a NAIDOC week liturgy in the hall where we will be acknowledging our Aboriginal heritage. Some of the children will be getting involved to celebrate this special day.

On Thursday the 24th June Stage 3 are very excited to be attending a musical by St Joseph’s High School at the Roo Theatre in Shellharbour Village! 

On Friday the 25th June which is the last day of school and everyone will be participating in a Pyjama Day with donuts and hot chocolate which are $5 altogether. After school the children will have an option to attend the school disco in the hall.

Written by Ebony McCloy and Lilly Mowbray

Term 3 Professional Learning

• Week 1
• Teaching Reading Strategies- 3-6 teachers 
• Effective Literacy Teaching- K-2 teachers 
• Learning for Leadership- Mrs Evans and Mr McCann
• Growth Coaching- Mrs Nunes 

Week 2

• Collaborative Planning- K-2 teachers 
• Kinderspot- Mrs HIngston 
• Alight for the World- Mrs Fogliada 

The teachers in Years 3-6 are currently participating in professional learning  “Teaching Reading Strategies” facilitated by Elise Moore from the School Improvement Primary Team at the CEDoW.  Our staff are committed to improve student outcomes in reading and have been refining teaching practices in the classroom so that students deepen their understanding about a text to draw conclusions or consider multiple interpretations and perspectives. The students have been learning about the ‘super seven’ comprehension strategies: Making Connections, Predicting, Questioning, Monitoring, Visualising, Summarising, and Inferencing. 

Belinda Evans and Olivia Djodan

Acting Middle Leaders

Thank you to all those families who have finalised their fees for Term 2 and 2021.

New Enrolments for 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.

Please be sure to check out our Facebook page,

give us a like and share with all your family and friends.

 School Disco 25th June 

*DEPENDING ON COVID RESTRICTIONS*

The Parents and Friends Association along with Year 6 students and teachers will be hosting a School Disco on Friday 25th June.

Infants Disco Years K-2 students: 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm
Primary Disco Years 3-6 students: 6:30 pm till 8:00 pm

Details about the entry and exit to the school was communicated last week via a hard copy note. A reminder will be sent to parents and carers via Compass tomorrow afternoon.

School Uniform

The second hand clothes stall will be available at Friday School Assemblies every second week, our next one will be next term in week 2- 23rd July.

Deanna Carbonara will be available in the school hall foyer to help any parents and carers who would like to purchase any second hand clothing. 

Review of the School Uniform

School Canteen Survey

The Parents and Friends Association are seeking parent feedback about the School Canteen and the possibility of the School Canteen returning to a Parents and Friends run service. The Parents and Friends Executive are asking parents and carers to complete the survey via the link below. 

A rem1nder that 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:

Term 3- Monday 12th July

Term 4- Friday 29th October 

The Catholic Education Office has released information on changes to when staff development days are held. This will now be the case from 2022 onwards, this change is in line with the direction that the NSW Department of Education has also taken. Please see below a summary of the dates for 2022. (Term 2 and Term 3 2022, Staff Development Days are yet to be determined)

Specifically for 2022 the CEDoW gazetted dates are as follows: 

• 26 January - Australia Day holiday (Wednesday) 
• 27 January - Student vacation (Thursday) 
• 28 January - Staff Return Pupil Free Day (Friday) 
• 31 January - Staff at School Pupil Free Day (Monday) 
• 1 February - Students in Years 1 to 6 return (Tuesday) 

For Primary schools - Best Start Kindergarten Assessment will be conducted 1 February to 7 February and the first official day of the school year for the 2022 Kinder cohort is 8 February (Tuesday). 

• 8 April - Last day of Term 1 (Friday) - 11 weeks (10 plus 1 day) 
• 25 April - First day of Term 2 (Monday) 
• 1 July - Last day of Term 2 (Friday) - 10 weeks 
• 18 July - First day of Term 3 (Monday) 
• 23 September - Last day of Term 3 (Friday) - 10 weeks 
• 10 October - First day of Term 4 (Monday) 
• 19 December - Last day of Term 4 (Monday) - 11 weeks (10 plus 1 day)
• 20 December - Pupil Free Day 

This year, in New South Wales we will celebrate the first Working with Children Week in recognition of the thousands of people who contribute to the lives of the state’s children in education, sports, arts, and community organisations.

This annual event will also raise awareness of key child protection provisions in NSW including the Working with Children Check and the Child Safe Standards.

More than 1.8 million people hold a NSW Working with Children Check clearance in NSW for volunteer or paid work.

Hey families, over at St Paul’s OOSH we have been very busy finishing our Vacation Care program for this coming school holidays. We will be operating the service on the Tuesday and Wednesday of both the first and second week of the school holidays as well as the Pupil Free Day on the first week of Term 3. These are dates 29^th and 30^th of June and 6^th, 7^th and 12^th of July! Our flyers are now out and you can find them on the link below. We have a range of fun activities for the children including Kidchella where the children will have a chance to party and do a range of fun festival games, TV game show day, Olympics of obscure sports and NAIDOC day. Bookings are open now and you are able to book in right up until the day (spots pending).

NSW Health is seeking the support of schools to encourage parents and carers to vaccinate their children against flu this winter and has provided the following advice.

For young children, flu can be life-threatening, and the flu shot is their best protection against severe flu. Flu shots are free for children from 6 months to under 5 years of age, as well as pregnant women, all Aboriginal people from 6 months of age, people aged 65 years and over, and people with medical conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes, and cancer.

For more information and resources from NSW Health please see the link below

Fresh Start Canteens have been operating the school canteen one day per week on a Thursday.  The service has been operating in conjunction with Nazareth Catholic Primary School, Shellharbour City.  The service runs out of Nazareth Catholic Primary School and lunches will be delivered to St Paul's at 10:50 am.  Please see the documents attached for the menu and details to order lunches.

If this proves successful, Fresh Start Canteens will hopefully commit to further days of operation. *please note there will be no canteen Thursday 24 June 2021.

The following students competed in various events at the Wollongong Eisteddfod.

 

Grace Kusa was entered into 10 events at the speech and drama eisteddfod at Wollongong over 3 days.

10yrs under - Public speaking - 1st place

10yrs under - Prepared mime - 2nd place

10yrs under - Prepared Reading Solo - Highly Commended

10yrs under - Verse speaking - Highly Commended

10yrs under - Prepared reading No 2 - 2nd place

10yrs under - Prose Solo - Highly Commended

10yrs under - Bible Reading - 2nd Place

 

Grace and Isabella did a poem for 2 together with 30 other children in the section - they didn’t place but they did a wonderful job in a strong section.

Logan and Mia Hamilton competed in the 8/u sections at the eisteddfod.

It was Mia’s first ever eisteddfod and she competed in two sections and came away with - 2nd in the 8/u prepared mime.

Logan competed in 8 sections and came home with
1st 8/u Australian poem
2nd 8/u Bible reading
3rd 8/u poem
3rd 8/u prose extract
3rd 8/u prepared mime
3rd 10/ u public speaking
HC 8/u character in costume

Isabella De Santis competed in her first Wollongong Eisteddfod for Speech and Drama. Isabella performed beautifully and achieved 3 x first place, 2 x second place and 1 x HC.  Isabella was happy to have some of her school friends there to share the stage and to support one another. 

Myah’s results
Was a 1st place
And VHC (very highly commended)
Myah also competed in her very first junior 12U championship and was awarded very high marks for each item.

Sienna's Result was
2nd place

But the highlight for both girls Sienna and Myah was also winning 1st place in the 11-12 years Poem for Two in a large tough section.

Well done to all Students who took part in the Eisteddfod!