Last Sunday In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong we celebrated the 2nd Sunday of Lent Year C. The reflection by Loyola Press explains that last Sunday’s Gospel reading we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert and temptation by the devil to the glory shown in Jesus' Transfiguration. 

The Transfiguration occurs after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' prediction about his Passion. After the prediction there is a discussion of the cost of discipleship. The placement of the Transfiguration story close to Peter's confession and Jesus' prediction encourages us to examine the Transfiguration in the larger context of the Paschal Mystery.

The Transfiguration occurs on a mountain in the presence of just three of Jesus' disciples—Peter, James and John. These are among the first disciples that Jesus called in Luke's Gospel. We recently heard this Gospel at Mass, on the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Only Luke's Gospel, which often describes Jesus at prayer, indicates that Jesus is praying as his appearance changes to bright white. Luke indicates that the three disciples were sleeping while Jesus prayed. They will be sleeping again as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his Passion and death.

As they awake, Peter and the disciples see Jesus Transfigured and Elijah and Moses present with Jesus. Elijah and Moses, both significant figures in the history of Israel, represent Jesus' continuity with the Law and the Prophets. In Matthew's and Mark's Gospels, there is reference to conversation among Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, but only Luke's Gospel explains that this conversation is about Jesus' later accomplishments in Jerusalem. Luke describes this as his exodus, connecting Jesus' Passion, death, and Resurrection with Israel's Exodus from Egypt.

On witnessing Jesus' Transfiguration and seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses, Peter offers to construct three tents for them. Having just awoken, perhaps Peter's offer was made in confusion. We also notice that Peter reverted from his earlier confession that Jesus is the Messiah, calling Jesus “master” instead. As if in reply to Peter's confusion, a voice from heaven speaks, affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding that the disciples listen to him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus' baptism which, in Luke's Gospel, spoke directly to Jesus as God's Son.

In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus' Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, the disciples keep secret what they have seen. Not until they also witness his Passion and death will the disciples understand Jesus' Transfiguration. We hear this story of Jesus' Transfiguration early in Lent, but we have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of it, we anticipate Jesus' Resurrection even as we prepare to remember Jesus' Passion and death.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would once again like to express my gratitude to our parents and carers for your support as the school responded to the extreme weather over the past two weeks and the school closures that occurred throughout this period.

The extreme weather has certainly devastated the lives and livelihood of many thousands of Australians.  Members of our own St Paul’s community have friends and family who have had their lives upended as a result of the devastating floods, which now extends right across the east coast of Australia. 

In response to the devastating floods, particularly in the Northern Rivers community of Lismore, Bishop Brian has established the Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese.

A message from Bishop Brian is provided below. Our CEDoW community is encouraged to support this appeal.

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ

My prayers and thoughts are with you all as this flood disaster continues. In recent days we have had towns in our diocese cut off; a number of our schools closed, non-operational or on alert; church buildings and agency offices affected by flooding and heavy rain; and clergy, staff, families, students and friends from our extended community experiencing another trauma. And while the rain is set to ease, authorities are warning it doesn’t mean the state’s flooding emergency is over.

In a heartfelt video message to his flock (see below), Greg Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore, said it had been “a very tragic few days”. To those who had “lost everything” in these floods, Bishop Greg said that everyone across the diocese was suffering with them. “This has all happened at a time when we were hoping that 2022 would be a year of hope, a good year,” he said.

As a diocese, I would like to provide practical support for the people of Lismore. I also want to provide pastoral and practical support for the people in our own diocese who have been, and will continue to be, impacted by these floods. I am inviting you to donate to my Flood Relief Appeal 2022 https://www.dow.org.au/giving/ so that, with your support, we can meet this goal

Yours in Christ

Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD

BISHOP OF WOLLONGONG

Year 6 School Camp

This afternoon we welcomed back our Year 6 students and staff from a three day camp at Fitzroy Falls. Students experienced opportunities that ignited creativity and problem-solving, stimulated a sense of adventure, encouraged social interaction and team-building, and promoted independence and confidence. I would like to congratulate our Year 6 students and for their leadership, maturity and the collaboration and care they displayed on the school camp. I would also like to thank Miss Tonini, Mrs Evans, Mrs Koczka, Mrs Nunes and Mr McCann for the time and preparation taken to ensure the safety, wellbeing and success of the Year 6 school camp.  The school camp will be a significant event that our Year 6 students will take with them as they leave our Primary school setting at the conclusion of the school year. I look forward to seeing our Year 6 leaders apply the leadership skills they learnt on the school camp in the leadership opportunities planed this year.

Face to Face Assemblies

I am looking forward to the return of our face to face fortnightly assemblies. This is an opportunity for parents and carers to join the school community to recognise and celebrate our students and their learning. I look forward to seeing our Year 2 students on stage this coming Friday 18 March sharing the wonderful learning that is occurring in our Year 2 classrooms. It will be great to have our parents and carers onsite and joining us one again in our community events.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for Peace and Justice

I would like to conclude the newsletter this week with a prayer, where we bring to our intentions, all those suffering, scared, displaced, carrying loss and heartache, across New South Wales and Queensland, across Ukraine, its neighbouring borders, and throughout our world. We call in our loving God, who is, as Pope Francis reminds us, is the God of peace and not war, father of all and not some. This prayer is the prayer of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for peace and justice in the Ukraine. 

God of peace and justice, who changes the hardened heart, and breaks the power of violence, we entrust the people of Ukraine to you. Protect them in this time of peril. Let them know not death, but life, not slavery, but freedom. For you're a father of all. And we're your brothers and sisters of one another. Give us strength to live the truth in love, choosing peace, not war. 

We ask this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

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.

This year NAPLAN will be held for students in Year 3 and Year 5. Information regarding the NAPLAN Assessments was advertised in the last newsletter to parents and carers of year three and year five students. 

Students will engage in a practice test. The purpose of this test is to check the internet capacity at school and the system. Students do not receive results for this. It is to give students an experience of the testing environment and the use of the iPad to complete the test.

Do not forget ALL Year 3 & 5 students need to have earphones/headphones by 24 March to engage in the practice test.

Should you have any further questions or queries please discuss them with the class teacher. 

Due to the adverse weather conditions we were unable to attend Mass for Ash Wednesday. Instead we had a liturgy in the hall on Friday for Kinder to Year Two and then in the afternoon for Year Three to Six.

Shrove Tuesday

A huge thank you to all who supported Pancake Day and to Kat in the canteen for donating a proportion of the sales - $75 to Project Compassion. It was a very busy morning and by all accounts the pancakes tasted delicious. In total over $170 was donated to Project Compassion.

St Patricks Day - Project Compassion Fundraiser

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.

St Joseph's Day - 19 March

Everything we know about the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus comes from Scripture. Joseph was a carpenter. Joseph was a compassionate, caring man. He loved Jesus and Mary very much. Joseph did everything he could to take care of his family. We celebrate St Joseph for the family man that he was.

Harmony Week

Harmony Week begins with Harmony Day on Monday 21st March. It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Students will participate in some activities during class over the week.

Project Compassion

Project Compassion Boxes were sent home last week. These will be collected at school during the last week of Term One or the first week of Term Two.

Second Week of Lent

(Week beginning Monday 14th March)

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.

Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.

Watch a short film about Biru’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Parish News

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.

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

PB4L Focus of the Week

The PB4L focus of the week is revising appropriate behaviour around the toilets. This includes being safe, responsible and respectful when transitioning from the classroom to the toilet and whilst in the toilets. 

PB4L Raffle Winners

St Paul’s PB4L Procedures recognise positive behaviour on the playgrounds through a raffle ticket system.  Teachers look for those students who are displaying our school rules Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe on on playground and award these students with a raffle ticket.  Each week, 5 students are drawn to receive a prize from our PB4L Prize Box.

Due to wet weather, we have post-poned our PB4L Raffle ticket draw.  We look forward to our Raffle returning in the coming weeks.

The PB4L Team

The St Paul's community takes pride in our focussed approach to the social and emotional development of students through the practice of social and emotional learning (SEL).  The aim of embedding SEL into the context of St Paul's is to assist in the development of a positive climate within our school and to equip students with the knowledge and skills to function with the complex social and emotional contexts of the world.  Through the PB4L Framework and the PDHPE syllabus, students have engaged in learning skills within the 5 domains of SEL:

1. Self Awareness: The ability to accurately recognise one's emotions and thoughts and their influence on behaviour.
2. Self Management: The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts and behaviours in different situations.
3. Social Awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathise with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms of behaviour and to recognise family, school and community resources and supports. 
4. Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
5. Responsible Decision Making: The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behaviour and interactions based on the consideration of others.

During PDHPE lessons, teachers have provided explicit teaching of the many SEL skills which fall within these domains.  Students practise these skills in everyday classroom and playground situations and continually reflect on their use of specific SEL skills.  As a school, we have embedded practices including class meetings, class mantras, community circles, kindness walls, and the BOUNCE BACK acronym to support students as they develop proficiency in emotional regulation.  

Why is SEL important for learning?

Research supports the concept that the facts a child knows and even early ability to read are not as predictive of school success as are factors like self-assurance, impulse control, ability to seek help from teachers and social skills.  Students with well-developed social and emotional skills find it easier to manage themselves, relate to their peers, develop resilience and a sense of self-worth, resolve conflict, engage in teamwork and feel positive about themselves and the world around them.  Improving social and emotional skills has a positive influence on children's attitudes, behaviours and performance, including academic success. 

 BOUNCE BACK is one of the many resources we utilise to teach SEL at ST Paul’s.  The BOUNCE Back Acronym is a list of strategies individuals can use to build resilience. All classes at St Paul’s have learnt and continue to practise the BOUNCE (Kinder - Year 2) or BOUNCE BACK (Years 3-6) acronym and strategies.  

On Friday 18 March 2022, the St Paul’s community will recognise the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative celebrates 12 years of action, connecting schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for 2022 is Kindness Culture. By building Kindness Culture together, we can promote inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students in schools across Australia.

On this day the students at St Paul’s will engage in a number of fun and engaging activities that promote kindness, tolerance, resilience and above all respect for one another. The activities will include buddy type activities with other grades. The whole school will participate in constructing a kindness tree to be displayed in the windows overlooking the front playground. The green zone reward will include a kindness focus.

The PB4L Team

In Religion we are learning about how our Catholic faith and tradition has given us a set of laws or rules to help us live our lives as people of Jesus. We have explored the 10 Commandments and re-worded them in a way that helps us to understand what they mean. We have also been exploring how Lent is a time to grow closer to God through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

Our focus in English has been the comprehension strategies of summarising and monitoring, We are now experts at using the key word strategy to summarise information!

Everyday in Mathematics, we practise our Mental Maths skills! We are getting stronger and quicker with our calculations!

We have also been exploring Number Patterns.  We were very clever at writing up our own number patterns and the rule. We then gave our pattern to a partner to solve.

In H.S.I.E. we are thoroughly enjoying exploring our world through using Atlas’! Investigating  the different biomes within the world has sparked great interest in all different continents. We are about to begin a research task about a biome of interest which we are very excited about!

In Science this term we have been learning about how contact and non-contact forces can make an object move. We looked at the forces involved in using a catapult system and tried to modify it so that we can make the block go a further distance. 

We also explored the non-contact force of friction and how the surface of an object affects the amount of Friction.

Visual Art this term has involved us exploring using colour. Check out our colourful birds inspired by artist Pete Cromer.

Our PDHPE unit has been our underpinning focus for term 1. We have been discussing the importance of Bouncing Back and having a Growth Mindset. We know that we are strong enough to bounce back from any situation and that with a Growth Mindset we will always be learning, growing and improving! We have got this!

Annalise Hastings, Angela Spaccavento and Laura Miller

Year 4 Teachers

Earlier in the week Year 6 headed off to Fitzroy Falls for two nights with Mrs Nunes, Mrs Evans, Miss Toninni, Mr McCann and Mrs Koczka. For most of us it was the first time we had been away from home but we were really excited to take on our new adventure.

As soon as we arrived we met our tribe leaders from Optimum Experiences and headed off to our first activity. Red and Blue tribes went for a long hike which was extremely muddy but a lot of fun! We learnt about some of the different ecosystems around the area. The Green tribe started with the Big Swing and then went to archery. The Yellow tribe started with team building games.

We certainly worked up an appetite and those chicken schnitty burgers really hit the spot for a late lunch. Then each of the tribes set out for afternoon activities. Followed by dinner and dessert before watching a movie.

The following day we had bacon and eggs for breakfast. It was delicious! We certainly have eaten well with so much food!

All the tribes geared up for a full day of action. Red tribe started with high ropes on the ‘lilly pads’ where we conquered our fears and worked as a team to support each other. Next we moved to the flying fox. The climb up the tree was pretty epic once we got past the ladder. Hang Dog has nothing on the flying fox! 

Afterwards we headed off to the big swing which is unlike any swing we’ve ever been on. Imagine a slingshot in action and that describes the big swing perfectly. It was awesome, especially the free fall for the first 30 seconds!! Next we took on Hunger Games with a spot of archery. Some of our tribe managed to hit the target! Then we walked back to base for lunch.

After lunch we did some problem solving team games. Then we had some time before dinner to organise our items for the talent quest.

Well, we’ll end here because we still have so much to do. Camp has been brilliant and we’ve had a fabulous time away. Building our friendships, conquering our fears and showing resilience. We cannot wait to do it again! It has been legen…wait for it…dary!!

Bianca Koczka

Middle Leader

During Weeks 8 and 9, all classroom teachers will be engaging in Collaborative Meetings with the parents of those students who have a Personalised Plan.  These meetings are to discuss the goals which are set for individual students and adjustments to learning which are being made to allow academic, social and behavioural growth.  We are pleased to have been able to offer meetings face-to-face, via Zoom and over the phone. 

Bookings were made available via Compass, but have now closed.

If your child has a Personalised Plan and you were not able to book a meeting during the scheduled times, please contact your child’s classroom teacher via our Front Office.

“Taking Up Space: The Length and the Breadth and the Height and the Depth”

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.

The unit of exploration this year is entitled “Taking Up Space: The Length and the Breadth and the height and the Depth”. The unit is a Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking process and can include engagement in a broad selection of Key Learning Areas such as Mathematics, History, Religious Education, English, Science and The Arts.

Students who are engaging in the SPLICED program will be meeting with Mrs Fogliada once each week to work on their project and receive feedback and support.  Students will also be provided ample opportunities to continue their projects as a means of quality differentiation in the classroom.  

In addition to weekly sessions with Mrs Fogliada, some students will be invited to participate in whole or part day workshops.  These workshops are facilitated by John Charadia, the CEDoW Education Officer: Gifted Education, Creativity and Critical Thinking, and are supported by various tutors specialising in visual arts, literature and higher-order thinking.  

Each year, we are astounded by the incredible work produced by our students participating in SPLICED and we are excited to see what this year holds for our students.

A number of students in Years 4, 5 and 6 are currently participating in a Mathematics Enrichment program.  This program is based on the framework of the Maths Games and Maths Olympiad.

The Maths Games and Maths Olympiad are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn and develop valuable maths problem-solving skills, while offering enjoyment and an appreciation of maths.  

The main aims of the Mathematics Enrichment program include:

• Introducing students to important mathematical concepts
• Teaching major strategies and developing flexibility for problem-solving
• Fostering creativity and ingenuity and strengthening intuition
• Stimulating enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics
• Providing for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges

Students engage in these lessons weekly and are eagerly developing their Working Mathematically skills.

During Term 1, students in Year 3 and any new students to St Paul’s in 2022 who are in Yr 4-6, will be assessed using the ACER General Ability Tests (AGAT). Unlike previous years, this year students will complete the assessment on iPads through the PAT assessment portal.

The ACER General Ability Tests (AGAT) is a series of tests 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.

Each of the tests assesses students’ reasoning skills in three areas:

• Verbal
• Numerical
• Abstract (visual)

This information can then be used by teachers to differentiate learning to cater to the needs of students.

If students receive a high achievement, parents will be informed and further assessments will be carried out to identify the cognitive ability (potential) range.

As part of the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong Diverse Learning Policy, teachers will also assess students’ ability using a range of strategies including assessment results, work samples, the traits, behaviours and aptitudes form in order to differentiate appropriately for their needs. 

Students in Year 3 will complete this assessment with their Classroom Teacher this Wednesday 16th March.  New students in Years 4-6 will complete the assessment throughout the remainder of the week with Mrs Fogliada.

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)

The following staff will be participating in professional learning over the next two weeks.

Week 9

Week 10

Olivia Roberts

Middle Leader

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.

Kindergarten have wasted no time in getting started with their numeracy learning. Kindergarten teachers have begun implementing ‘Number Talks’ as a part of a whole school focus. A prompt is displayed and students have been talking about the different ways they can find the total. This promotes both flexibility with numbers and numeracy vocabulary. It has been amazing to see the amount of knowledge students have about numbers already.

Olivia Roberts

Middle Leader

Our students will begin lunch time coding again this term. Some of the robotics the students will be using this term are VEX iQ, Ozobots, MBots and Spereos. The students will be working individually and in teams learning how to code a sequence of algorithms to problem solve. These learning experiences are highly engaging and include invaluable skills like critical analysis, problem-solving, digital literacy, communication, initiative, independent thinking and creativity.

Watch this space!

This Friday Year 2 will be leading St Paul’s first face-to-face assembly since early 2021! They have been busily preparing with the support of their teachers Mrs Bennett, Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Marsh and are looking forward to sharing some of their learning with the school community during this time.

Parents are warmly invited to attend this and future assemblies at 2:30 pm in the School Hall.

For future reference please add the following assembly dates to your calendar for the first half of the school year:

Term 1 Whole School Assembly Schedule

• Week 8 - Friday 18th March - led by Year 2
• Week 10 - Friday 1st April - led by Year 5

Term 2 Whole School Assembly Schedule

• Week 2 - Friday 6th May - led by Kindergarten
• Week 4 - Friday 20th May - led by Year 4
• Week 6 - Friday 3rd June - led by Year 1
• Week 8 - Friday 17th June - led by Year 3
• Week 10 - Friday 1st July - led by Year 6

The students and staff of St Paul’s are looking forward to seeing you there.

Bianca Koczka

Middle Leader - ICT and Special Projects

Get Ready for the Big Vegie Crunch

On Thursday 31st March at 10 am our school will be joining hundreds of schools across NSW to break the record for the most students crunching vegetables simultaneously.

But we need your help to make it a success!

On Thursday 31st March, please pack your child a container of vegetables for them to crunch on as part of their crunch and sip

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

Year 4 Blue Teacher

Last Friday St Paul’s took part in the annual national event, Clean Up Australia Day. We were blessed with clear skies as the students excitedly grabbed their gloves and got outdoors to help tidy and clean up our wonderful school grounds. Students enjoyed the fresh air and exercise as they acknowledged this special day as a wonderful opportunity to foster respect for creation and help us learn how to take responsibility for our own waste.

With the recent weather event, ongoing COVID concerns and the present international situation it is useful to be aware that the trauma of disasters can impact on all people ranging from those directly impacted by the disaster, to those who simply have contact through what they have seen in the media. 

The Australian Psychology Society (APS) reminds us that shock, distress and disbelief are normal reactions in the immediate aftermath and for days and up to weeks following a traumatic event. People may be stunned and dazed, particularly after a sudden, devastating disaster. In this state, people have a tendency to think very narrowly, and not effectively, about personal survival. This may result in unfair guilt or blame. Some people will experience grief, anger, anxiety and depression, and feelings may become intense and sometimes unpredictable. Acute traumatic stress with sleep and appetite disturbance may be a normal response to a life threat, and tends to subside once people feel safe again.

In the immediate hours to first weeks following a disaster, the current best practice mental health recommendation is Psychological First Aid (PFA) to restore a sense of safety and order. PFA is provided by disaster relief workers or mental health workers who provide early assistance to people affected by disasters or emergencies. 

The core components of Psychological First Aid are 

Promote safety

• Help people meet basic needs for food and shelter, and obtain emergency medical attention
• Provide repeated, simple and accurate information on how to get these basic needs

Promote calming

• Listen to people who wish to share their stories, and remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel
• Offer accurate information about the disaster and the relief efforts underway to aid understanding
• Promote self and community efficacy
• Engage people in meeting their own needs and foster adaptive coping

Promote connectedness

• Help people contact with friends and loved ones
• Keep families together
• Keep children with parents or other close relatives whenever possible

Promote hope

• Find ways to enhance people’s natural resilience

The Australian Psychology Society

Monica Ward-McCann

Chaplain

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.

Welcome Morning Tea for all new families and Kindergarten families

The P&F are hosting a Welcome Morning Tea for new families to the school after Mass on Sunday 27 March. We need helpers to set up the hall, food, tea, coffee and to greet at the door. Please email Amy DeSantis if you are able to help.

amydesantis@live.com.au

In order for the school to ensure that all staff and volunteers have the necessary WWCC, all parents who wish to volunteer are asked to ensure that they have the appropriate clearance in order to remain as a volunteer within the school. Once the WWCC is completed the school maintains a register of parents who are able to volunteer within the school. This includes classroom assistance, excursions, camps, canteen, Library assistance and general helping about the school.

Further information  about the Working With Children Check can be found on the CEDoW website. Follow this link to the website.