Dear Parents/Carers,                                                                 

Last Friday, we celebrated one of the most cherished traditions at St Paul’s – Grandparents and Special People Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the love, wisdom, and support that these special people bring to the lives of our students and families.

First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable – from our staff and students to the many families who joined us and to the P&F who organised a morning tea to remember . Your efforts created a beautiful celebration that reminded us all of the strength and love found in our wider school community.

This day is more than just an event – it is a living expression of our Christian faith. The Christian message is one of hope, renewal, and new beginnings, and that spirit was alive and well last Friday. In every smile, every shared memory, and every moment of connection, we saw the essence of what it means to belong to a caring, faith-filled community.

From our youngest learners to the wisest elders, the day was filled with dreams and joy. Each child carries with them hopes for the future – about who they are becoming and the stories they’ll one day tell about growing up and going to a Catholic school. Last Friday, part of that story was written, one filled with kindness, faith, and connection.

As I walked through the school and spoke with families, I was reminded of a beautiful piece of advice once shared with me by a Josephite Sister:

“When you walk about me, walk gently, lest you tread on my dreams.”

It’s a powerful reminder for us all – especially as parents and carers in such a fast-paced world. Are we making time to listen carefully, to encourage gently, and to support the dreams our children are forming each day?

Last Friday made me stop and reflect – and I hope it did the same for many of you.

Go Gently,

Michael Reardon

Staff Development Days (Pupil Free Days)

Staff Development days will be held on the following days during Term 3. These days are pupil free days and there will be no supervision.

• Monday, 18 August 2025
• Monday, 22 September 2025

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

Mini Vinnies, in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul, will be conducting the annual Winter Appeal in Week 2. This appeal aims to support individuals experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, as well as those struggling with poverty and cost-of-living pressures.

On Friday, 1 August 2025, students are encouraged to donate an item of food for the Winter Appeal. Please ensure all food items are within their use-by dates, as expired items cannot be utilised and will need to be discarded. In addition to the assigned items, we welcome any additional donations of blankets, gloves, socks, and beanies.

**Please ensure items are within ‘use by’ dates**

Thank You Letter from Caritas

Dear St Paul's School Community,

Thank you for being part of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion in 2025. St Paul's Catholic Primary School - Camden has made an extraordinary impact. This Lent, together with hundreds of Catholic schools across the country, Project Compassion raised an incredible $10 million to support vulnerable communities around the world.

As a token of our deep appreciation, please find attached a Certificate of Appreciation for St Paul's Catholic Primary School - Camden’s amazing contributions. We hope it serves as a reminder of the impact your school community made through Project Compassion. 

Thank you for being part of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2025.

With heartfelt thanks,  

Caritas Australia

Mental Health Referral Pathways for Students

We are excited to welcome all students and families back for what promises to be a vibrant and productive Term 3. After the school holidays, it’s wonderful to see students returning with energy and enthusiasm, ready to reconnect with friends and engage in new learning experiences.

As we begin the term, our focus is on re-establishing routines, building strong learning habits, and fostering a positive classroom environment where every student feels supported, valued, and ready to learn.

FORTNIGHTLY TARGET FOR PB4L

At St Paul's I will follow teacher directions.

Following directions is a key part of showing respect—for teachers, classmates, and the learning environment. When students respond promptly and respectfully to instructions, it helps keep the classroom calm, organised, and focused. This allows teachers to teach and students to learn without unnecessary interruptions.

We are encouraging students to understand that following directions the first time isn’t just about compliance—it’s about contributing to a safe, cooperative, and successful learning environment for everyone. It also shows responsibility and maturity, as students learn to manage themselves and make thoughtful choices.

Sometimes, students may not understand an instruction straight away—and that’s okay. Part of this target also encourages them to ask politely when they’re unsure, using kind and respectful words to clarify what’s expected of them. Learning how to communicate positively when confused is just as important as following the original direction.

To support this target, students are being reminded of the Stop, Think, Choose strategy. This simple approach helps students pause and consider their actions before responding.

• Stop: Pause and recognise the situation.
• Think: What is my teacher asking me to do? What is the expected behaviour?
• Choose: Make a positive choice that shows respect and helps learning continue.

By using this strategy, students learn to manage their responses more independently and become more aware of how their choices affect themselves and others. It empowers them to take responsibility for their behaviour and develop emotional regulation skills.

Book Week 2025 - "Book an Adventure"

This year marks a very special milestone—Book Week is turning 80! Across Australia, schools and libraries will be celebrating the joy of reading under the theme “Book an Adventure.”

At St Paul’s, we are excited to join the festivities with a range of activities designed to inspire a love of books and storytelling:

Library Lessons:
During their scheduled library times in Term 3, students will participate in special Book Week activities that connect to this year’s adventurous theme.

Book Parade:
Our annual Book Character Parade will take place on Friday, 22 August 2025 (time TBA). We encourage students to come dressed as their favourite book character. More details will be sent home closer to the date.

Book Fair:
The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the library from Wednesday, 13 August through to Wednesday, 20 August 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to explore and purchase new books and support our school library. 

We look forward to celebrating 80 years of Book Week with our school community and can’t wait to see the creative costumes and enthusiastic readers this year brings!

Tell Them From Me – Survey Results Are In!

A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete the survey.

Over the next few newsletters, we’ll be sharing key findings from the results to help us continue building a safe, supportive, and positive school community for everyone.

FROM OUR PARENTS

The data indicates that our students feel safe at school, and this sense of safety is also being recognised by parents at home. Our school received a score of 8.2 in this area, above the average of 7.6. We’re proud to know that parents trust us to provide a secure and supportive environment where their children feel safe each day.

FROM OUR STUDENTS:

Student responses were above the norm across the board when it came to feeling that their teachers are responsive to their needs and encourage independence. This highlights the strong relationships our staff are building with students and our commitment to fostering confident, capable learners. 

P&F Meeting

The next P&F Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 August at 7pm in the school hall. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend.

It’s a great way to catch up, hear what’s happening around the school, and share your thoughts and ideas. Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time, we’d love to see you there!

Donuts with Dad - Save the Date