Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am mindful that this Thursday we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.  I am very conscious of our mums, who, like Mary, often support, encourage and hold the family together.  Our traditional images sometimes leave us with the ideal person removed from the realities of the human struggle.  I find comfort in the woman who, as the Gospel says, ‘pondered all things in her heart’, and then strong in faith and love tried to live her life in fidelity and darkness as well as in joy and peace.

As a mum, you may also be this person this day or this week!  As the mums and grandmothers drop off and pick up your children and grandchildren each day at St Paul’s, I watch with awe and wonder as you create and form children to be the face of Christ to others.

In light of the wonderful contributions of mums and how they ‘mother’ their children I leave you with this  Chinese saying that has sat deeply with me today:

If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain.

If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees.

If you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

UNIFORM SHOP

A reminder that the second hand uniform shop is open Monday mornings 9am-10am and Tuesday afternoons 3pm-4pm.  The Clothing Pool is situated directly opposite the Library.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking occurs every Thursday. Developing regular saving habits with your children is a good behaviour for life and this worthwhile service is very helpful with this.

From the Parent Handbook 

SCHOOL UNIFORM
At St Paul’s Primary School, students wear full school uniform at all times unless designated by the Principal.

The St Paul’s School Uniform for boys and girls is available at Lowes Narellan situated in the Narellan Town Centre and Yeronga Uniforms situated in the Capital Arcade, Argyle Street Camden.

School hats, ties, bags and Library bags are sold at the school by the St Paul’s Clothing Pool.

AT ALL TIMES STUDENTS MUST WEAR THE APPROVED SCHOOL HAT IN THE PLAYGROUND

Classroom teachers will monitor the wearing of uniform on a day-to-day basis and inappropriate dress will be brought to the attention of the student and parents. When necessary the Principal will speak to both the student and parents. If the uniform is not worn, a note from parents is required.

 HAIR

Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner.  Haircuts should be of an even grade. Hair should be well brushed and combed and it is assumed that hair will not be in such a condition as to invite comment. Ribbons must be school colours. No oversized bows and hair embellishments.

BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Extreme styles, bleaching, colouring or dyeing of hair are not permitted.
• Gel, mousse and hair spray or other substances should not be used.
• There will be no undercuts, steps or shaved lines within the hair.
• Nothing shorter than a Number 3 comb is acceptable.
• Hair should not extend to cover the eyes or touch the shirt collar (boys).
• Boys hair should be of a length not to attract attention. ‘Man buns’ are not permitted at St Paul’s.
• Students who do not abide by the haircut requirements will be asked to fix the identified problem.
• Long hair is to be tied back or plaited. Ribbons and bands of school colour are to be worn.

JEWELLERY

Jewellery should be kept to a minimum – watches, chains with religious symbols are to be worn under the uniform, for girls one pair small earrings (studs or sleepers) in the ear lobe – no multiple earrings to be worn.

SHOES AND SOCKS

• Students are required to wear black leather school shoes.
• Shoes should be cleaned and polished.
• Sports shoes should be supportive, predominately white sport shoes. Canvas ‘Raben’ type shoes are not appropriate for school wear.
• Sports socks must be white socks i.e. covering the ankle. ‘Sockettes’ are not appropriate for school wear.

ALL UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME

SCHOOL FEES
Week 8 this Term, Monday, 9 September 2019 to Wednesday, 11 September 2019 Year 6 will attend their 3 day 2 night excursion/camp to Canberra and Cooba Sports & Education Centre, Snowy Mountains. If you have been sent home a reminder letter in regards to this levy please ensure payment is made by Friday, 30 August 2019 to avoid disapointment.

Week 10 this Term, Thursday 26 & Friday 27 September Year 5 will attend their overnight excursion/camp to Teen Ranch, Cobbitty. This week Year 5 Exucrsion/Camp Levy Fee reminder statements will be sent home to those with outstanding levies for the 2019 Year 5 Camp.

If you are experiencing financial hardship please make contact with the school via info@spcdow.catholic.edu.au your request will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. 

ILLNESS
Recently, the school has had a large number of children come through sick bay who have needed to go home. It is the schools duty of care to all students to send unfit students home. It is important that parents keep sick children at home until they fully recover. This will prevent the continued spread of  illness throughout the school.

LATE ARRIVALS
Please be aware, if your child arrives to school late, they need to be signed in at the school office by a parent and then proceed to their classrooms on their own. Unfortunately, once the bell has gone, parents are unable to accompany their child to the classroom as lessons have begun and this will lead to disruption of student learning. If students are not accompanied into the school office and signed in by a parent the late arrival will be marked as an unexplained partial absence.

ST PAUL'S FACEBOOK PAGE
The school now has a St Paul's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/camden.stpauls/ This Facebook page is administered by the school. Anyone wishing to comment on a post will need to follow the link below to the Diocesan Social Media Policy. It is essential you have a thorough understanding of the social media expectations outlined in this policy before you post any comments. This will be your responsibilty.  A social media parent information evening outlining this policy was held for all to attend.

We are looking forward to sharing the St Paul's story with you all. If you have any photos you would like to share please send them via email to info@spcdow.catholic.edu.au

Diocesan Social Media Policy Link: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/

COMPASS UPDATE
Parents can consent to excursions through the parent portal.

Parents are now able to provide online consent to events (School excursions) via the parent portal. This means excursion notes will no longer be sent home in a hardcopy parents will recieve an email altert directing them to log into their Compass site to view the excursion note and provide consent.

Please ensure your email address is up to date this can be done via the Compass portal.  If you require assistance please make contact with the school office.

Activate Fire Excursion

On Tuesday, 2 July 2019, Year 6 students from different schools visited St Clare’s for the day. We all got split up into small groups with different students, which were run by high school students from St Benedicts and Magdalene Catholic College. First, we heard the band play followed by games. Then at lunch time we all had a sausage sizzle with a popper. We got to hang out with friends from our school and from other schools. After that, we all sang songs about God, Jesus and the Sacrament of Confirmation. We then had reflection time where we got to write on a card about when we would pray to God. Overall the Year 6 students had a great time! I really enjoyed the part when I got to play with my St Clare’s friends and make new ones.

Isabel - 6 Truth

Book Week

The Book Week theme this year is “Reading Is My Secret Power”. Book Week will run during week  5,  17 – 23 August 2019.

Author/ Illustrator visit

Michael Salmon will visit our school on Thursday, 22 August 2019. He will have 4 sessions in the school hall with our school during the day.  

Michael will be available from 3.15pm in the Library for book purchasing and for author signings. There is a range of books suitable for all primary age groups.

Book Parade

Our Book Parade will be held on Friday, 23 August 2019  From 9:30am – 10:30am

Students may come to school dressed up as favourite book character or something fitting in with the Book Week theme of “Reading Is My Secret Power”. The parade will commence after a short assembly on area 1 & 2. After the parade, school will resume as usual.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This coming Thursday 15 August is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  As this is a holy day of obligation, parishioners are encouraged to celebrate Mass as a parish for this important feast at one of the following Masses: Camden: 9.15am Thursday morning,  7.00pm Thursday evening, or at Narellan Vale: St Clare’s school at 11.30am Thursday morning.  All Masses will be celebrated by Father Joe.

Helpers needed for 10.00am Mass
If you’re a regular at 10.00am Mass, or are planning on becoming one, why not consider joining one of our parish ministries to help out. From Acolytes, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers and even the running of the PC, all these areas are in need of extra volunteers for all weekend Masses but particularly for the 10.00am Mass.  Your help would be requested on a rostered basis, and according to your own availability.  With the exception of Lectors (who are rostered 6 monthly), all rosters are created on a monthly basis.  Please see Father after Mass or contact Elizabeth in our parish office during the regular opening hours.  We’re happy to give more information and have a chat about these important ministries.  Many thanks to the current committed volunteers who regularly help in multiple ministries and on multiple weekends in these roles.  The parish runs on dedicated volunteers many of whom you may never see.

Catechist Needed
Our dedicated catechists have a great need for two more teachers to share their faith with the children at Spring Farm Public school on a Monday for 30 minutes from 2.10pm. This is a wonderful ministry that has over the years resulted in many children experiencing enormous assistance in being introduced to the catholic faith. For those interested, on-line training is available, and lessons & support are freely given. If able to assist please contact Elizabeth in the office during the usual hours.