In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrated the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C. The reflection by Loyola Press explains that in last Sunday’s  Gospel reading, the third and final section of Luke’s Sermon on the Plain begins: And he told them a parable. There are actually four parables, three of which we heard in the Gospel last Sunday. They are all about how to be a good disciple.

The blind cannot lead the blind. And a disciple cannot be a good disciple unless he or she has learned from the teacher. Everyone who is fully trained is like the teacher who knows how to cure the blind. Before you can be a good disciple and teach others you must take care of yourself. Do not try to take a speck out of your brother’s eye until you have taken the board out of your own. Finally, only when you have purified yourself can you produce the good works that the teacher requires.

Discipleship asks us to produce good deeds. But to produce them requires the integrity and purity of heart found in the teacher. When people see your good deeds they will know that this is because you have a good heart.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you very much for your support yesterday as we worked together to ensure the safety and well being of our students and school community. Through your support all those students who were at school were able to be transported home safely. I was once again reminded of the collaboration, care and support of our parent and carer community and the great partnership between the school and our parents and carers. Thank you very much for your support and we are looking forward to being operational tomorrow.

Yesterday as a Catholic community we celebrated Ash Wednesday, which marks the  beginning of the Season of Lent. During Lent we prepare by prayer, fasting and alms giving for the joys of Easter. We had planned to celebrate Ash Wednesday as a school community with students, staff and parents however the weather did not allow for this to happen. We will plan to mark this important event in the coming week. I would like to thank Mrs Jodi Marsh for her leadership as the Religious Education Coordinator at St Paul’s for developing the Liturgies that will occur in the coming week . 

“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy”.
Pope Francis

Catholic Schools Week

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The first Catholic school in Australia was founded by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony. Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside the government sector) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents some 768,000 students in 1,751 schools across the country and employing 98,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities. 

Throughout Catholic Schools Week we reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established , countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools. In celebrating, we aim to strengthen the relationships between all who are involved in our schools by giving thanks for the outstanding learning that takes place in our classrooms each and every day. Catholic schools are places of hope, inspired by the person of Jesus. I would like to thank Mrs Jodi Marsh for her leadership with Catholic Schools Week celebrations at St Paul’s and the teachers for their professionalism and preparation of the learning experiences students have engaged in throughout Catholic Schools Week. I would also like to thank Mrs Bianca Koczka and Year 6 students for creating and leading the Week 6 Virtual Assembly which has a focus on Catholic Schools Week.

Year 6 Student Leaders Liturgy

On Friday 18 February, we celebrated a beautiful Liturgy of the Word with our Year 6 students, parents and carers and school community. At this Liturgy  our student leaders were officially inducted to their significant student leadership roles for 2022. Congratulations to the following students:

I am looking forward to seeing each of these students shine and grow in their leadership role this the year. There are planned opportunities this year for our Year 6 students to engage in leadership development.

Parents and Friends Executive Team for 2022

On Monday evening a number of parents and carers were able to join together via Zoom for the St Paul’s Parents and Friends Committee’s Annual General Meeting and Term 1 meeting. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Parents and Friends Committee for their ongoing support. I would like to thank the outgoing Parents and Friends Executive Team on behalf of our staff and students and thank them for their years of support and dedication, especially with Fundraising. It is through their initiatives that our students continue to access the curriculum through the provision of many resources including STEM and Sport Resources. 

A special thanks to Sara-Jay O’Shea for her leadership as the St Paul’s Parents and Friends Association President for the past three years.  Sara-Jay has been instrumental in her role as the Parents and Friends President and I would like to personally thank Sara-Jay for her support, care and amazing collaboration. 

Congratulations to the following parents and carers who were appointed positions at the Annual General Meeting

President – Amy De Santis

Treasurer – Katie Zanin

Secretary – Kelly Rayner

Sponsorship and Grant Coordinator – Melanie Jennison

Purchasing Facilitator- Sara-Jay O'Shea 

Second Hand Uniform Coordinator – Deanna Carbonara

St Paul’s is very fortunate to have a culture of collaboration with parents and carers and we will continue this collaboration in 2022 especially through the Parents and Friends Association.

Central Playground Upgrade

As you are aware the Catholic Education Office approved an upgrade to the central Playground for 2022. Over the past week engineers have been onsite to conduct a contour survey which is the first step in the upgrade process. During the April pupil vacation period work will begin on the Central Playground with an upgrade to drainage.

This term there will be a number of planned community events and our school staff are looking forward to returning to a greater level of parent engagement across our school. as a result of the easing of restrictions We recognise parents as key stakeholders in our school community and value the input that is offered about our work. Thank you to all parents and carers for your ongoing support. 

Yours in faith and learning,

Michelle Rodwell

Principal

Acknowledgement to Country

St Paul's Albion Park acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is built.

Did you know that when you open the newsletter you can translate it into your preferred language?

It is important that students present their OPAL cards to the driver when traveling on the bus. The bus drivers can deny the student entry when leaving school if they do not have their OPAL card with them. 

Students who need a School Opal Card or Travel Pass for 2022 can apply now. Parents/students will need to submit a new application if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation.

Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal Cardholders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will also receive a notification to re-apply.

This year, Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be held from 28 February to 4 March 2022. As we pause to reflect on the precious gift of Catholic education, we remember the intergenerational contributions that preceded us and that we continue to build upon. Since the very first Catholic school was established, countless children and young people have benefitted from the dedication and commitment of parents and staff in our Catholic schools.

Our school is planning a number of activities that showcase our wonderful learning opportunities and the accomplishments of our students.

Listed below is a schedule of events outlining how St Paul’s will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week:

School Tours: for potential future enrolments. Pre-booked via the School Office.

Parents and Friends Meeting via Zoom at 6:30pm: Monday 28th February.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day: Tuesday 1st March.

Caritas Project Compassion Virtual Launch Years 5-6: Tuesday 1st March.

Diocesan Swimming Carnival: Tuesday 1st March.

Ash Wednesday Mass, Years 3-6 at 9:30am in the St Paul’s Church: Wednesday 2nd March. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend the Mass at St Paul’s Church.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy of the Word, Years K-2 at 1:00pm in the School Hall: Wednesday 2nd March. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend. Please enter the School Hall via the Parish Carpark. Parents and Carers will complete a hard copy sign in form.

Staff Prayer Experience at 8:30am: Thursday 3rd March.

Mufti Day and Zooper Dooper Day: Friday 4th March. 

Clean Up Australia Day: Friday 4th March. 

Virtual Assembly Released: Friday 4th March.

SeeSaw Celebration of Learning: Students will publish pieces of their work throughout the week via SeeSaw.

Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Yesterday, pikelets (a smaller version of the pancake) were sold at our school canteen. A huge thank you to all who supported this cause and to Kat in the canteen for donating a proportion of the sales to Project Compassion. It was a very busy morning and by all accounts the pancakes tasted delicious.

Ash Wednesday – 2 March 2022  

(Week beginning Monday 28th February)

This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au

Again this year, students are encouraged, for a gold coin donation, to wear green or a touch of green on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday 17th March. Money raised will be considered as a donation towards Project Compassion. Students will learn more about the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves during the coming weeks.

2022 SACRAMENT DATES

Please see below the proposed dates for each of the Sacraments at St Paul’s Parish this year.

CONFIRMATION

For Year 6 students or older who have been baptised.

Confirmation Parent Information Night: Tuesday 22nd February, 7pm.

If you missed the Parent Information Night please contact the Parish Office.

Remember that enrolment forms need to be returned at one of the weekend Masses before lessons begin.

Four consecutive weekly lessons will begin on Saturday 12th March 4:15 pm - 5:30pm or Monday 14th March 4:15pm - 5:30pm

Confirmation Ceremony: Tuesday 17th May or Tuesday 24th May

FIRST RECONCILIATION

For Year 3 or older students who have been baptised.

Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Parent Information Night: Tuesday 3rd May, 7pm.

Four weekly lessons begin on Saturday 14th May or Monday 16th May.

First Reconciliation to occur Tuesday 14th June or Wednesday 15th June.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

For Year 3 or older students who have made their First Reconciliation.

Four weekly lessons begin on Saturday 13th August or Monday 15th August.

First Holy Communion Masses: Sunday 18th September 

Jodi Marsh

Religious Education Coordinator

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

Our PB4L Focus of the Week will be on Safety in the Toilets.  Teachers will be reminding students of appropriate behaviours to ensure all students are safe while accessing the Toilets. 

Playground Equipment Update

The following equipment has been added to our playgrounds.  The children have enjoyed using this equipment since its arrival 2 weeks ago!

• Front Playground:
• High Steppers
• Handballs
• Balance beam
• Netball posts
• Large tennis balls

• Central Playground:
• High Steppers
• Grip Balls
• Large tennis balls
• Additional beach toys for use in the sandpit

• Top Oval:
• • • Additional set of Soccer Goals
    • Netball Hoops
    • Volleyballs 
    • Hula Hoops

PB4L Team

Congratulations to the Year 6 students who were commissioned into their leadership roles last Friday. We celebrated this momentous occasion with a Liturgy of the Word in the hall that was shared with all grades, parents and carers via zoom. Thank you to those that were able to join us on the day. We look forward to seeing these students shine in their various leadership roles within the school.

Miss De Sousa, Mrs Koczka and Mrs Nunes

School Captains

School Captains and Senior Leaders

Sport Leadership Team

ICT Leaders

Pastoral Care Team

Hospitality Team

Year 1, Term 1, 2022

Year 1 have had a wonderful and very settled start to the new school year. Throughout Term 1, we have been very busy practising new routines, revising our school rules and participating in lots of small group activities to get to know our classmates and for our teachers to get to know us!

We have learnt about St Paul and our school’s Vision and Mission statements. We made beautiful crosses during Art to symbolise our School Motto, Constant in Faith and we also did some Guided Meditation on what we might talk to Jesus about if we could meet Him.

Year 1 really enjoy our Mindfulness time after lunch and recess to settle us, cool us down and prepare us for our new learning.

We have had lots of fun during our Literacy and Numeracy groups. We have been engaging in many activities which include making and breaking words, story writing, rhyming games and Word Bingo. In Numeracy we have been ordering numbers, bundling to make two digit numbers and using tens frames to represent numbers.

Brain breaks are an important part of our day! After working so hard, Year 1 love to do a Brain break and move around, this helps us to be ready for our next learning experience.

One highlight of our year has been returning to our school library to borrow books. We love reading in Year 1 and we really enjoy choosing new and different books from the library to read at school and to take home to read with our families! 

We have lots of fun in Year One!

Elizabeth Rippon, Tracy Whalan & Gemma Bolton

Year 1 Teachers

Personalised Plan Meetings for Term 1

Personalised Plan Meetings are conducted between parents and teachers for those students with Personalised Plans at least 2 times each year.  We will be conducting our Personalised Plan Meetings during Weeks 8 and 9.  We are currently working on developing a schedule for Personalised Plans to be conducted.  Additional information will be provided to the parents of those children with Personalised Plans in the coming weeks. 

The Diverse Academic Gifts and Talents Of Students At St Paul’s

At St Paul’s staff use a variety of learning frameworks to diversify the curriculum and facilitate quality learning and teaching experiences for all students. Gifted Education is a shared responsibility between teachers and parents.

St Paul’s follows Gagné’s differentiated model of giftedness and talent. Gagné defines giftedness as the possession of natural abilities at levels significantly beyond what might be expected for one’s age; that is, giftedness is outstanding potential that may or may not yet be evident in outstanding performance. Gagné defines talent as the achievement or performance of one or more systematically developed skills at a level significantly beyond what might be expected for one’s age.

Teachers may devise specific Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for students who have been formally assessed as gifted or requiring extension in particular subject areas. These plans may include:

• Differentiation within the classroom
• Opportunities for growth outside the classroom (including SPLICED,  Maths Games, STEM/Coding)
• A variety of grouping strategies
• Modified reporting procedures

Some of the gifted education initiatives available at St Paul’s for students to show their potential and engage in higher order thinking processes, include:

• The ACER General Ability Tests (AGAT) - a test designed to assist teachers of students aged seven to sixteen years (approximately Year 2 to Year 10) in their assessment of students’ general reasoning ability. These tests have been developed especially for use in schools. Each of the tests assesses students’ reasoning skills in three areas: Verbal and Numerical and Abstract (visual). At St Paul’s, all students take part in the AGAT assessment in Year 3, along with any students who are new to our school. The results of this assessment will assist teachers in differentiating the curriculum for all students at the school.
• The Slosson Intelligence Test - a verbal one-on-one test that provides an estimate of verbal cognitive ability. As it is not a full scale IQ test, the Slosson will not provide an IQ score, but rather an indication of the band in which a child may fall and also some valuable anecdotal evidence of their areas of strength and weakness. The assessment focuses on the following areas: Similarities and Differences, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Quantitative, General Information and Auditory Memory. If students perform highly in AGAT, they are then given the opportunity to take part in the Slosson assessment.  Along with the observations of class teachers and the collection of class assessment data. These two measures will assist St Paul’s teachers in better targeting the specific intellectual needs of our learners.
• SPLICED - A Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong initiative offered to students who demonstrate creativity, flexible higher order thinking, independence and reflective thinking. SPLICED stands for 'Stretching Potential through Learning in Interactive and Challenging Environments in the Diocese of Wollongong'. Students complete engaging and challenging activities based on the seven Key Learning Areas.
• The Maths Games and Maths Olympiad competitions - an opportunity for mainstream students in Years 4, 5 and 6 to learn valuable problem solving skills and expose them to the application of mathematical problem solving strategies and techniques. Teams of high-achieving Year 3 students may also be considered for entry to the Maths Games competition as a precursor to the Maths Olympiad. The Maths Games is aligned with the Australian curriculum and focuses on challenging students to think laterally and creatively when solving mathematically-based problems. 
• ICAS Assessments - ICAS Assessments are online assessments, designed to recognise and reward academic excellence.  The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of knowledge.  New ICAS Assessments are developed annually for each subject at every year level. This is to ensure an engaging and beneficial experience for all students.  All students at St Paul's are offered the opportunity to participate in the ICAS Assessment annually.  Please note that these assessments are voluntary and do come at financial cost.
• STEM/Coding - Various coding enrichment incentives are offered at St Paul’s K-6.  Select students who show strength in problem solving, reasoning and creative thinking are invited to participate with the support of a teacher during Recess breaks.  STEM/Coding enrichment includes use of technologies such as VEX IQ, MBots, Blue Bots, Spheros and Ozobots.

The process for embedding these initiatives into teaching and learning at St Paul's will be commencing over the coming weeks.  We look forward to facilitating these learning opportunities with students at St Paul’s and are excited to share this fantastic learning with our St Paul’s community.

Bree-Anna Fogliada

Diverse Learning Support Instructional Leader

Staff professional learning is a key component for professional growth for the staff at St Paul's and a key component for teacher accreditation and maintenance as established by the NSW Educations Standards Authority. At St Paul’s, we value the critical role ongoing professional development plays in enhancing quality learning and teaching. Therefore, throughout the year all staff are encouraged to engage in professional learning opportunities. The New South Wales Education Standards Authority requires Staff to ‘participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities’ and regularly ‘undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs’. (NESA Standard 6)

This term, our teachers have been participating in Professional Learning focused on teaching reading comprehension. The teachers have been working together in collaboration using student work samples to plan and deliver effective whole class and small group lessons to improve student outcomes in reading. As restrictions have been lifted the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong are now facilitating face to face professional learning. The following staff will be participating in professional learning over the next two weeks.

Week 7

Week 8

"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn."   (R H Dann)

The shared mission of all in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is to ‘create vibrant Catholic communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning’ (Lighting the Way, Vision and Strategic Direction, 2019-2022). I

nformed by our Catholic tradition, at St Paul's we believe this is best achieved when there is a genuine partnership between home, school and parish. In particular, the role of parents, as ‘the first and primary educators’ (Vatican II) of their child, is recognised and valued. We believe that the ‘partnership between a Catholic school and the families of students must continue and be strengthened’ (The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 1988).

Parents and carers in the recent Annual School Survey at the end of 2021 identified that they would like further opportunities to be enagaged in workshops and information sessions to increase their knowledge and understanding on key aspects of students learning and wellbeing.

We would like to hear from our parents and carers regarding the focus on parent and carer workshops for 2022. The link below is to a google form for parents and carers to complete if you are interested in participating in parent and carer workshops in 2022. 

We would love to hear from our parents and carers on the focus areas you would like the school to create workshops for so that we can cater for the community needs. We will include the survey in the next newsletter in order to give parents and carers time to respond as we acknolwdge how busy life is for families.

In Term 3 2021 a number of St Paul’s students participated in the ICAS assessments organised by the University of NSW. These assessments are designed to recognise academic achievement and students are assessed on their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to new contexts using higher-order thinking and problem solving skills. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 there was a delay in the results and certificates being received by the school. These have now arrived. Congratulations to the following students on their achievements and results in the following assessments:

Mathematics 

Credit: Koby Green, Jorge Liem, Leah Carbonara, Sienna Allitt

Merit: Ivy Richardson, Dominic Desantis, Beau Zonneveld, Matthew McCabe, Mason Hili, Chelsea Allitt, Wezley Smith 

Science

Distinction: Sienna Allitt

Credit: Ivy Richardson, Jorge Liem, Beau Zonneveld, Mason Hili, Leah Carbonara 

Merit: Wezley Smith 

Digital Technologies 

Distinction: Dominic De Santis, Sienna Allitt

Credit: Isabella De Santis 

Merit: Logan Holt 

English

Credit: Beau Zonneveld, Scarlett Carrett, Isabella De Santis, Sienna Allitt

Merit: Chelsea Allitt

Spelling Bee

Credit: Beau Zonneveld, Matthew McCabe, Sienna Allitt

Merit: Chelsea Allitt, Scarlett Carrett, Zaviiah Green, Charlee Mackiewicz

Congratulations once again to all of our students that participated in the ICAS Assessments 2021.

Information about upcoming ICAS Assessments 2022 will be shared later this term if you are interested in your child participating. 

Bianca Koczka

Middle Leader ICT and Special Projects

Keep your eye out this term for a Mathematics Assessment of Learning task coming home with each student. The purpose of this is to keep parents informed and involved in their child's learning. This term students will be bringing home 1 Assessment of Learning in Mathematics following the completion of a unit. This will occur twice per term for the remainder of the year.

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 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, observation, verbal tasks and problem solving tasks.

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

Olivia Roberts

Middle Leader

Over the past few weeks during the second break on the Central Playground students have had the opportunity to be involved in structured play activities. Structured play refers to a goal-oriented activity and involves following rules or instructions to reach a particular goal or complete the particular task. 

Structured play can be facilitated indoors or outdoors and has a clear starting point and a clear end point. Examples of indoor structured play include card or board games, building a lego set and assembling a model aeroplane or train set. Outdoor structured play includes organised sports such as rugby league, netball or soccer or other games such as tag or 44 Homes.

Structured play supports the development of new skills and provides opportunities to practise life skills such as learning to focus, paying attention, turn taking and following instructions. Structured play also supports the development of coordination and fine and gross motor skills.

Over the last few weeks students in different grades have been involved with structured play opportunities that include foam darts, modified french cricket, modified basketball and netball, frisbee, skipping and gardening. 

During these activities students have taken turns, worked together effectively as teams, demonstrated problem solving skills, supported their peers with encouragement and empathy and earned raffle tickets along the way whilst having plenty of fun! 

Great work on the Central Playground St Paul’s Students!

Monica McCann

CatholicCare Pastoral Support 

As we move into a new and exciting phase at St Paul’s with NSW Health Restrictions lifting, this Friday’s assembly will be our final virtual assembly for this term. A link will be shared through the Compass portal on Friday 4th March to be viewed in learning spaces and within the home. Whilst the virtual assemblies have played a vital role over the last couple of years at St Paul’s, linking the school community and families in being able to continue celebrating learning, recognising student achievements and highlighting significant events there is nothing like speaking to and engaging with a live audience.

In Week 8 the school community, from K-6, will finally be able to join together in the school hall with our Year 6 student leaders hosting our first face-to-face assembly. It will also provide opportunities for student leaders in the ICT team to further develop and demonstrate their technical skills and capabilities in projecting presentations and music through the hall's TV and sound system, with support from their year 6 teacher’s Miss De Sousa, Mrs Koczka and Mrs Nunes.

Parents are warmly invited to attend our whole school assemblies commencing in Week 8 at 2:30 pm.

Term 1 Whole School Assembly Schedule:

• Week 6 - Friday 4th March - final virtual assembly
• Week 8 - Friday 18th March
• Week 10 - Friday 1st April

Bianca Koczka

Middle Leader - ICT and Special Projects

On Thursday 17 February we held our annual swimming carnival at the Albion Park Pool. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather and it was a fantastic way to begin our school sport events for 2022.

This year, we were joined for the first time by the students from ASPECT and it was great to see them and all of our students enjoying their time in the pool.

Congratulations goes once again to St Francis (Green) House for being the overall winning House on the day. Congratulations as well to the following students on being awarded the Age Champions for 2022:

8yr Boys – Liam Aca-Ac

8yr Girls – Anamika Bradford

9yr Boys – Jacob Mackiewicz

9yr Girls – Olivia Phillips

10yr Boys – Harrison McDonald

10yr Girls - Kate Bancroft

11yr Boys – Lucas Glover

11yr Girls – Charlee Mackiewicz

12yr Boys – Oliver McDonald

12yr Girls – Lacey Pearson

We would also like to extend our thanks to all of the parents that volunteered their times to assist in the running of the carnival. Your involvement was a great help to ensure the day ran smoothly. We wish our Swimming Team the best of luck at the South Coast Swimming Carnival on Tuesday March 1.   

On Friday 25 March our school Cross Country Carnival will take place at Centenary Training Fields, Croome Road Sporting Complex. This is the first time our Cross Country Carnival will be held off site and as such once again we will be calling on parent volunteers to assist during the carnival. All students in K-6 will be catching a bus from school at 9:30am and will return to school at approximately 2:30pm.  More information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.

We would like to Wish James Schubert all the best as he attends the Mackillop Basketball trials on Friday 25 February.

We wish the following students the best of luck as they head off to the Diocesan Sports trials on:

Friday 4 March

Rugby League - Wesley Smith, Jake Primmer and Axel Braddick

Boys Soccer - Preston Apps and Sam Goodwin

Girls Soccer - Charlee Mackiewicz, Lucinda Akele, Hayley Frendo and Sophia Greig

Wednesday 9 March

Boys Hockey - Max Elliot and Oliver  McDonald

Girls Hockey - Kobi Elliot

Brian McCann

Sports Coordinator

On Friday 11th March our school will participate in Clean Up Schools Day. Each grade will clean a designated area of the playground with their teachers. We encourage students to bring their own reusable gloves on the day. Students are invited to wear mufti on this day and will enjoy a zooper dooper. This day is a great opportunity for the school community to come together and beautify our school again after the Christmas break. Students will not only be picking up any rubbish in the playgrounds but they will also be weeding the gardens. We hope the weather holds!

Each year, the NSW Premier holds the Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and to enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read more and to read more widely. 

The Challenge commenced on Tuesday February 28. All students in the Infant Grades K-2 will participate in the Reading Challenge in their classrooms however students in the Primary Grades 3-6 are invited to participate individually.

The students in the Primary Grades are required to read twenty books from the book lists found on the Premier's Reading Challenge website. Many of the books from the lists are on SORA or in our school library and have been specially marked. Children need to complete their online reading records located on the website. A user name and password are required to log into their individual record. These remain the same as last year. If students have forgotten their details or are new to the Challenge please email the school PRC Co-ordinator Mrs Carol Harb harbc02@dow.catholic.edu.au

The Challenge closes for student entries on Friday 19 August.

Louise Frendo

School Support Officer

• Term 2:  26 April 2022
• Term 3:  18 July 2022
• Term 4:  4 November 2022

Enrolments for Kindergarten 2023 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 3.00 pm, Friday 1 April 2022.

Please find attached a letter with updated fee information from the Catholic Education Office. If you have any questions please contact Kristie via email info@spapdow.catholic.edu.au or via phone on 42 562772.

Kristie Bicknell

Senior School Support Officer

Position vacant at The Benedictine Abbey Jamberoo

The Abbey is looking for one or two carers to assist with some of our elderly sisters living within our community. The role involves getting the sisters into/out of bed, personal care and meal assistance. Hours – Tuesday & Thursday 5pm-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 7am-9am. If you are the person for this job, please send resume or enquiries to Sr Hannah aged.care@jamberooabbey.org.au