Dear Parents and Guardians,

As I begin to draft this newsletter I am one week away from taking leave till the end of term.  Thursday will be my last day and I will be returning at the beginning of term 4. In my absence Mrs Brunetta will be Acting Principal and Mrs Debrincat will continue in her role as REC and Well Being Coordinator as well as taking on the responsibilities of Acting Assistant Principal.  Our school is in very good hands as my absence will be handled internally and rightfully so, considering the level of expertise we have in our Leadership Team here at St Paul’s. There is an old saying ”People support what they create.” There is much wisdom in this saying when applying it to our current leadership team and the staff in general.  Our staff feel that they are an integral part of the St Paul’s community, having a say in the decisions we make as their capacity as leaders is also nurtured and developed. Due to this, I take this additional leave knowing the school will maintain our commitment to your children, the goals we are working through together and the sense of focused achievement always our priority.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Swimming Program 2019

As most would be aware, there has been a swimming program run at St Paul’s in late November/early December in the past.  This program has run over two weeks with considerable disruption to the whole school. Last year approximately half of Kinder to Year 2, one third of Year 3 and Year 4 and less than thirty students from Year 5 and Year 6 nominated to attend.  This meant that any form of quality learning was severely impacted upon as there was no full class left to teach back at school and therefore for two weeks in term 4 quality education at St Paul’s was challenging.

Due to this, the Parents and Friends have agreed that the swimming program should not run this year.  Learn to Swim is not a part of the NSW Curriculum and a motion to cancel the swimming program for 2019 was carried.

Therefore, the swimming program will not be running this year.

Parking

When dropping off children you must park in a designated spot and walk your child into school. It is not safe to park in driveways or double park. Last week double parking in the carpark behind our school resulted in an accident. Luckily, no one was injured this time but this dangerous behaviour could result in a child being injured. Please keep the safety of all of our families in mind.

SCHOOL FEES
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 and letters were sent home yesterday to those with outstanding levies for the 2019 Year 5 Camp. If you have been sent home a reminder letter in regards to this levy, please ensure payment is made immediately to avoid disapointment.

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. 

COMPASS
Parents consent to excursions through the parent portal.
Parents now provide online consent to events (School excursions & sporting events) via the parent portal. This means excursion notes will no longer be sent home in a hard copy. Parents will receive an email alert 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 have not logged into Compass or require another copy of your log in letter, please make contact with the school office.

It is imperative that all parents log into Compass as at the end of Term 3, Friday, 27 September 2019, the Skoolbag app will be turned off and all parent correspondence and alerts will be via the Compass parent portal only.

Holy Communion Programme

After all Masses this week, the FHC timeline will be distributed to those families with children in at least Year 3 at school, and who have been baptised and who have completed the Sacrament of Penance programme. Parents can be assured of a most fulfilling experience when they readily embrace the requirements of the programme especially in attending Sunday Mass with their children.

Sunday Mass should not be regarded as a burden or imposition. It is the high moment of the week when we can try to unite our lives to God who through the Father creates us, through the Son redeems us and through the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. Deep & enduring gratitude is the best & most appropriate response.

Chess          

Calling all chess players! Any student interested in representing St Paul’s at the Macarthur one day chess tournament (October, date to be advised), please come to the library at lunchtimes Wednesday and Thursdays and practice your skills. Knowledge of chess moves essential. We will be selecting teams soon.