In Parishes throughout the Diocese of Wollongong last Sunday we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord Year C. The reflection by Loyola Press explains that in last Sunday's Gospel reading Jesus assigns his disciples the task of proclaiming the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus directs the disciples to return to Jerusalem to await the fulfilment of his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. 

Those who believe in Jesus will be empowered to do what Jesus himself has done. Already in Mark's Gospel, during his ministry, Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, to heal, and to drive out unclean spirits. Now, they are sent again to do these things and more. From his place with God in heaven, Jesus helped his disciples, and he continues to help us as we try to live as his followers.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As a nation we celebrate National Reconciliation Week, and it is also the fifth anniversary of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation given to all Australians from five First Nations peoples, to walk together in order to build a better future as one nation, to heal and to reconcile, to establish a First Nation's voice in parliament and the Makarrata Commission for Treaty Making and Truth Telling. Reconciliation with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters is a key justice priority of the St Paul’s school community as we take part of the national movement towards reconciliation.

I had the wonderful opportunity to join a number of our students and Aunty Jo Ball at a Reconciliation School Flag walk organised by Shellharbour City Council. The Reconciliation School Flag Walk, involved all schools across the Shellharbour City and the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and included a flag walk, a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Dance, as well as an official exchange of flags with Elders, Civic Leaders, Community and school flag bearers. I was incredibly proud of how our students represented St Paul’s, their reverent and respectful participation in this significant community event.

All Principals and Assistant Principals in the Diocese of Wollongong came together with Peter Hill the Director of the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong to attend a School Improvement Colloquium. We had the opportunity to engage with Dr Liam Smith a Regional Director of the Department of Education Queensland to learn and reflect upon the main characteristics of successful continuous school improvement.

Throughout the day Liam identified initiatives that are most likely to yield sustainable improvements in student performance including effective collaboration, engaging and sharing in professional learning, setting whole-school goals and strategies for change, using explicit and effective teaching strategies, creating an environment that promotes learning and high levels of student engagement and setting high expectations for achievement.

The St Paul’s school improvement plan makes explicit the changes in practice that we intend to make throughout the year. Our school improvement plan also identifies what will be required to implement the strategy and how improvements in outcomes will be measured and confirmed. In Term 4 the school community will  reflect on, and learning from, our school improvement effort.

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure to interview parents and carers and their child for Kindergarten 2023. I ask existing families who have another child coming to St Paul’s to provide me feedback on their experience as parents at St Paul’s. I also ask new parents why they have chosen St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School for their family.

Feedback I hear constantly from parents and carers is the welcoming and caring St Paul's school community spirit that makes this school a place of inclusivity, support and acceptance.  It is quite obvious that our school is held in high regard across the wider community. This is a result of the relationship between home and school and the support we have for each other, and I thank the school community for your care and support.

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.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies released information in August 2021 regarding the recommended length of recreational screen time for different ages. The article lists the effects of excessive screen time on children and young people.

The Institute drew on information from recommendations set out in the '24 Movement Guidelines' developed by the Department of Health.

To quote the article linked below, "For children and young people aged 5–17 years, screen time may have negative effects on:

• weight and diet (especially from TV viewing)
• behavioural problems, anxiety, hyperactivity, attention, self-esteem and psychosocial health

For this age group, some research links screen time with depressive symptoms. However, other research suggests there is limited evidence linking screen time to mental health problems.

For tips and tricks to help manage screen time for your children you may consider attending the Parent Workshop on Tuesday 14 June. The information for the workshop is listed below.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend a parent workshop on the use of Information Technology for children. 

Date: Tuesday 14 June

Times: 9:30 am & 4:00 pm

Visiting Speaker: Snr Constable Matt Gooden (Youth Liaison Officer) - to attend 9:30 am workshop

Purpose: The workshop will have a presentation by Snr Constable Matt Gooden at the 9:30 am workshop around cyber safety and the use of social media by young users. 

There will be tech tips on how to set various security settings for an iPad.

The workshop will also explain in detail the school management system used for iPads. The school would like to consult with Year 3 parents about the extension of the iPad program to allow Year 4 students of 2023 to have their own devices. We would encourage parents and carers of Year 3 students to attend.

Semester 1 Reports

Parents of students in Year One to Year Six will be provided with a Semester One report via the Compass Portal on:

Thursday 23 June

At this time of year, Kindergarten parents have the opportunity to meet their child's teacher to discuss their progress so far this year. They do not receive a written report.

Please see the attached video to listen to Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, who is one of Australia's leading parenting educators discussing important advice for parents when receiving a child's report. 

Watch this before looking at your child's report

Semester 1 Reports will be available for students in Years 1 – 6. 

Kindergarten only receives an end-of-year report (Semester 2).

Student Reports (Years 1 – 6) are standards-referenced, which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A–E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA). Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular KLA and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale, a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is if awarded a C in a particular KLA the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills, and understanding expected of them at that point in time.

Grade	Description
A	The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
B	The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
C	The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
D	The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
E	The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

Learning Conversations

Teachers will be available to discuss student academic progress at Learning Conversations for all students Kinder- Year Six. These conversations will be held from 27 June- 1 July. Please see the following information on how to book a phone or face-to-face meeting with your child's teacher.

These bookings will open Tuesday 7 June and close on Friday 24 June.

Learning Conversations are open for parents and carers of all students from Kindergarten to Year Six.

There is a feature to indicate if you would like your conversation to be face to face or by phone. When confirming the booking select 'Interpreter' and choose from the drop-down options of face to face or phone.

Compass_Post_Book_release_for_Learning_Conversations.pdf

Compass_Post_Book_release_for_Learning_Conversations _pdf 488.66 KB

Workbook

At the end of Week 7 (6010 June), we will be sending student workbooks home for you to view and talk with your child about their work and learning. 

The two Key Learning Areas for Term 2 Week 7 are Science and Technology and Human Society and Its Environment (History and Geography). 

Pasted inside will be a confirmation slip that you will be required to sign.

Teachers use many different approaches to marking books. Some items will not be marked as they were consolidation tasks. This does not mean the teacher has not seen this work. Other items will be marked only for a set focus eg: using capital letters when writing. Some work samples will have notes directed to the child to remind them of what to do and some items will be marked for the teacher’s reference to remind them of teaching focuses for a particular child. Occasionally, there will be marking rubrics that give feedback to the student, teacher or parent about a child’s progress against the standard for that grade. Teacher’s give feedback to children through verbal means as well as what is seen in the workbook.

Your child would love you to look through their book and use this as a starting point to discuss what they have been learning. If you would like to give your child some feedback you might like to try the following format. 

Acknowledge a success	✓ Identify what is done accurately ✓ Describe something that is quality work ✓ Point out if they have used a good strategy eg: evidence of editing
Guide a future action	✓ Ask a question about something  ✓ Offer a suggestion to improve one aspect of learning- try to reinforce any comments from the teacher

Please note that Stage 3 also complete work electronically. You are encouraged to ask your child about their Google Classroom work.

Rebecca Nunes

Assistant Principal

Mini-Vinnies continues to be well attended by students from Years 3 to 6. So we have decided to split into two groups as we prepare for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal at the end of this term. 

Year 6 and Year 4 will meet together each Friday, even weeks at recess time in the St Joseph’s Room. The dates will be 3rd June and 17th June.

Year 5 and Year 3 will meet together each Friday, odd weeks at recess time in the St Joseph’s Room. The dates will be 10th June.

The first event the Mini Vinnies team is preparing for is the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. On Friday 1st July, students are invited to dress in their pyjamas. A warm chocolate drink and cinnamon donut will be able to be pre-ordered on the day for $5. Please look out for the order form which will be sent out next week.

This term, some grades will attend Mass with the Parish members at 9.30am (weather permitting). Parents are welcome to join us.

Wk 6	Friday 3rd June 9.30am	Year 6
Wk 7	Friday 10th June 9.30am	Year 5
Wk 8	Friday 17th June 9.30am	Year 4

Parish News

 2022 SACRAMENT DATES

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

CONFIRMATION

Preparation is complete for Confirmation.

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: Wednesday 18th May

Four weekly lessons begin the week ending 4th of June on both Saturdays and Mondays, except for the long weekend in June where the lesson will be on Tuesday.

First Reconciliation will occur early in Term 3.

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

After finishing  Term 1 on a high with the opportunity to present an assembly alongside our friends from ASPECT, we started Term 2 with the same level of enthusiasm and have continued learning and showing our leadership skills each and every day.

It was so great to welcome the Mothers, Grandmothers and special visitors to our classrooms. We created some special artworks to brighten up our room ready for the open classrooms.

We survived a whole 4 days of NAPLAN testing and we enjoyed the opportunity to use our Ipads to complete these tests. We felt very well prepared and we tried our very best.

Last week we were very  lucky to have a visit from Uncle Kev and Auntie Joe. We learnt so much about the Stolen Generation and the importance of Reconciliation Week. This week we are using some information from this presentation as well as some of our own research to write a biography about Uncle Kevin Butler.

We are hoping to continue to have opportunities to help our friends in Year 1. Last term we assisted  them  to make some craft for Kindness Day as well as their easter baskets. We really enjoyed spending time with them and can’t wait to do it again soon.

During PE classes with Mrs Lyons we were developing our gymnastic skills and using the mini-tramps to fly through the air.

We are looking forward to learning all about the Australian Goldrush and how this significant event helped shape our Australian Identity.

Suzanne Hayes and Brian McCann

Year 5 Teachers

The St Paul's community places a high priority on 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 practice these skills in everyday classroom and playground situations and continually reflect on their use of specific SEL skills.

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.

St Paul’s has been selected by CEDoW to engage in a trial of the Pivot Wellbeing Survey.  This survey is conducted with students in Years 3-6 each Wednesday, taking about 1 minute to complete.  Information from the survey provides teachers with insight into the specific areas of Wellbeing in which students in each class require support.  Once this is established, teachers are able to provide targeted Social and Emotional Learning to assist our students in developing the skills and strategies required to improve their overall wellbeing.  The Pivot platform offers teachers a variety of research-based, targeted lessons aimed at improving the overall well-being of students in individual classes - either as a 1:1 support, a small group targetted lesson, or a whole class focus.

As the Pivot Survey begins to be accessed across all classes, we look forward to this vital insight into our students’ wellbeing so that, as a community, we can support the wellbeing of all students at St Paul’s.  

Bree-Anna Fogliada

Diverse Learning Support Instructional Leader

Concrete materials such as blocks and beads are vital in the development of student’s numeracy understanding. When beginning to learn about numbers, students need to make a connection with real and concrete objects to connect the abstract concept of a numeral and name with the amount. This is illustrated in the diagram below.

St Paul’s have had an increased focus this year on ensuring that students are bringing their learning to mastery using concrete materials in the mathematics classroom. Recently we have upgraded our resources in the Kindergarten and Year 4 classrooms.

Kindergarten have been working on developing their understanding of teen numbers using bundling sticks and bead strings. This allows students to see teen numbers as 1 group of ten and some more which is vital for their understanding of future numeracy concepts.

Olivia Roberts

Middle Leader

Each Wednesday, our Enrichment Mathematics Group meets to continue to develop mathematical skills in the lead-up to participation in various Maths Olympiad contests across the year.  During Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2, we focussed on developing a wide range of strategies for solving complex mathematical problems.  We are now focusing on our speed - selecting a quick strategy to solve a problem and solving problems efficiently.  The Maths Olympiad contest contains 5 complex questions which must be solved within 30 minutes, so our students are required to have excellent problem-solving skills but also speed and efficiency.

Our next contest will be held on Wednesday 15th June.

Bree-Anna Fogliada

Diverse Learning Support Instructional Leader

1. Establish a home reading routine.
2. The reader holds the book!
3. During home reading time, turn off electronic devices and give each child ten minutes of your undivided attention.
4. Before you read a book, set your child up for success.

Some of our students have been learning about how to navigate Apps, using the MBots so they can block code a sequence of instructions and prefer simple tasks. Others have begun building their robots called “Rise” and “Flex” so they can stack towers to score points in VEX game. Watch this space!!

Last week, St Paul’s recognised a special week in our calendar, Laudato Si’ Week. Laudato Si Week is a weeklong event marking the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on creation care. Each day, the students engaged in prayer at our morning assembly that was linked to one of the seven goals of the Laudato Si’. Congratulations to Year 1 who won the Laudato Si’ award for the week for keeping their designated clean and tidy. The students enjoyed a delicious zooper dooper to celebrate their efforts.

Following hot on the heels of the celebrations for Laudato Si' Week is World Environment Day which is celebrated annually on 5th June. This year World Environment Day falls on a Sunday. The theme this year is ONLY ONE EARTH. “Only One Earth” was the motto for the 1972 Stockholm Conference. 50 years on, the motto is as pertinent as ever – this planet is our only home, and humanity must safeguard its finite resources. This theme calls for transformative changes to policies and choices to enable cleaner, greener, and sustainable living in harmony with nature.  Its focus is on the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature, and our possibilities for shifting to a greener lifestyle through national policies and individual choices.

St Paul’s will be recognising this day on Friday, June 3rd. Students are invited to wear a touch of green to commemorate this day. This could include a green hat, ribbon, shirt or accessory. Students will be doing inside and outside activities focused on our environment. The Laudato Si’ award will be passed on to the grade who can maintain their designated area; keeping our playgrounds and gardens beautiful.

Katie De Sousa

Year 6 Blue Teacher

On Tuesday 24 May our St Paul's Cross Country Squad travelled to Narellan Sports Hub to participate in the Diocesan Cross Country Trials. Due to the wet weather we have experienced all term, the carnival was moved from its usual location of Nowra up to Narellan. The students were happy to finally have the opportunity to represent the school and compete against the best runners in the diocese. Every student gave it their best and were great ambassadors for our school, displaying sportsmanship and cheering each other on.
Congratulations to Sienna for first place in the 9 Year Girls event and also to Madelynne for second place in the 10 Year Girls event. We wish both girls the best of luck as they head to Eastern Creek for the Mackillop trials next month.

I am happy to announce that St Paul's Primary will be holding a 'Small Steps' Anxiety Information Seminar for Parents in Term 3. The Small Steps is a program aimed at raising awareness and improving the recognition of anxiety disorders in children.

Topics covered during a Small Steps session:

• Signs and symptoms of anxiety
• Different types of anxiety disorders and how they present
• Evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders
• Referral and treatment options
• Stressors including COVID-19 and natural disasters

The Small Steps session is run by an independent facilitator, and I will also be attending.  The session runs for one hour, with plenty of time afterwards for discussion and questions.  If you think your child might have anxiety, or if you are just interested in what to look out for, please come along.  

The date is August 8th at both 2pm and 5pm.

If you have any questions, please email me at doreenw@catholiccare.dow.org.au

Hope to see you there, Doreen

Doreen Waddington

CatholicCare School Counsellor

Just a reminder that there is still lots of time to sign up for The Premiere’s Reading Challenge which closes on the 19th August. 

Children are encouraged to read books from the book lists, further information can be found on the website. 

This is not a competition but a challenge aimed at encouraging children to read, to read more and to read more widely.

If your child would like to sign up and needs their login details and password please contact Mrs Carol Harb

harbc02@dow.catholic.edu.au

Carol Harb

School Support Officer

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. Please share this information with your friends and family. 

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

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

School staff will only administer prescription medication that: 

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

• Is in its original container 

• Has an attached pharmacy label to the container

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

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

• Is in its original container 

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

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

ASCIA ANAPHYLAXIS ACTION PLANS / ASHTMA MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS

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

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

Please ensure when your contact details change to email the info account, so we have a record of the new details. info@spapdow.catholic.edu.au

Please join the SPAP Parents and Friends Executive for the Term 2 SPAP Parents and Friends Meeting on Monday 6 June at 6:30pm via Zoom. A Zoom link will be shared with parents and carers via Compass on the morning of the 6 June. If you have any agenda items you would like to add to the agenda please email Kelly Rayner via fuller.kelly@abc.net.au

Amy De Santis

P&F President