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Dear Parents & Guardians,
This newsletter is very important to me because I get to share a story with you that I have never experienced before and it has made me stop and think about how privileged I am to be a part of our very special community.
Last Tuesday, whilst on duty in the morning a very interesting dynamic was happening which had “You need to check out what’s going on”, all over it. There was a group of four boys who were totally focused at the Lego table, completely engaged, working closely together as a team and supporting each other. In the past the same dynamic has been engaged in poor choices about how they treat each other, so what was going on?
My natural inquisitive sixth sense kicked in so I went over to see what was totally occupying them and to establish what was so engaging for them. The photo below outlines clearly what they were up to.
“TEACHERS R SPECIAL”
I must admit, I was so surprised by their message, I had to take this photo which will be printed off, framed and placed in our staffroom. Every time I’m having a hard day I will now go to this photo and thank God for bringing me to this place and the children who constantly remind me of this message.
This group of four eleven year olds, has contributed to a climate of affirmation which gives a strong sense of encouragement to all our staff. Their message has invested themselves (the boys) in our staff and recognised that each staff member has personal qualities and talents for this school. This sense of being appreciated, allows our staff to be recognised for the people they are and encourages personal investment by the teachers in our school.
Eleven year olds have named our staff as a group NOT centred on itself. They see the staff for the students of St Paul’s.
I don’t weep for our future like the media, I grow with excitement and anticipation for who our children will become.
Go Gently,
Michael Reardon
Principal
Letter from Director of Schools
Please see attached letter from the Director of schools, Mr Peter Hill.
From our local school context. Listed below are some additional measures that have been put in place.
- We ask parents to drop off their children, say goodbye and leave the school grounds immediately to minimise close contact.
- Afternoon dismissal will be classroom pick up from 3:00pm. Please refrain from prolonging your stay, as wise practice will be to minimise the broader contact within the school community.
- No assemblies will be conducted until further notice.
- Due to no assemblies, as directed by the Catholic Education Office, Principal’s awards will be presented to Infants and Primary students after their first lunch breaks on Friday. Whilst parents can’t attend, we feel holding off the distribution of Principal’s awards is even more disappointing.
Hygiene and Preventative Measures
- Students or staff showing signs of being unwell must be sent home ASAP and if unwell with respiratory illness, they must stay home until symptoms resolve and seek advice from a medical practitioner.
- Students/staff/parents who return from overseas from Monday, 16 March 2020 are not to attend school until their 14 day self isolation period is complete.
- Good hygiene practice to be enforced throughout the school - including use of hand sanitiser when entering classrooms, before eating and after sneezing.
- The bubblers will still be available but children will be encouraged to use their drink bottles. Drink bottles can be refilled at taps.
Although bubblers are disinfected, this does not remain effective for long due to frequent use, therefore we are encouraging your children to use their drink bottle first.
School Fete - Postponed
The school fete has been postponed until after the 30th June 2020. It will be reassessed leading up to this date. When details become clearer we will inform the community. This decision has been made based on the directive from the Prime Minister that any gatherings of over 500 is illegal.
Student Leaders
Congratulations to the following students who were elected by their classes into the Student Leadership Team for 2020.
- Lilia Caridi - 6 Hope
- Amelia Friscic - 6 Faith
- Lara Linden - 6 Truth
Class Parent Representatives
Thank you and congratulations to the Parents who have nominated to be Class Parent Reps. As you can see below there are still several classes who do not have a representative. Unfortunately, if these positions are not filled we will not be able to communicate with these classes.
I am open to hearing from parents who are interested in filling these roles. Please email info@spcdow.catholic.edu.au
Class Parent Representatives
| Grade | Hope | Faith | Truth | Library |
| Kindergarten | Mrs Maydew | Mrs Costin | Mrs Garbutt | Mrs Capple |
| Year 1 | Mrs Macri | Mrs Rasmussen | ||
| Year 2 | Mrs Melisi | Mrs Russell | Mrs Musico | |
| Year 3 | Mrs Puckrin | |||
| Year 4 | Mrs Mikhail | |||
| Year 5 | Mrs Taylor | Mrs Cocco | ||
| Year 6 | Mrs Caridi | Mr Murray | Mrs Phillips |
Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal's Award.
Ruby Humphries, Georgie Haddad, Clare McLachlan, Alana Mifsud, Eliza Tannous, Cooper McInnes
Kindergarten 2021 Enrolments Now Open
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2021 are now open. Applications are available to collect from the school office.
Applications will close on Thursday, 9 April 2020.
School Fees
Compass Partial Absences
If your child is arriving to school late or leaving early, please do not enter this partial absence on Compass. Parents are only required to enter whole day absences via the Compass parent portal. All partial absences will be entered by office staff.
Afternoon Late Pick Up Procedures
A reminder to parents of the afternoon pick up procedure; If you are not here to collect your child by 4 pm the school will take your child to Sherpra for afterschool care and they will charge you accordingly.
Heating of Food
Due to Public Health Protocols the school is not permitted to heat food for students brought in from home.
Please do not send food to school for your children that requires heating in a microwave. If your child would like hot food you will need to place a lunch order from the canteen menu or pack heated food in a thermos.
Relationship Skills are…
Relationship skills are an important component of Social Emotional Learning. Relationship skills pertain to “the ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.” To demonstrate appropriate relationship skills, students must learn to:
- Listen well: Active listening depends on the ability to make an effort to hear and comprehend what another person is saying and respond appropriately. Some skills involved in active listening include appropriate eye contact, regulating thoughts to limit distractions, utilising facial expressions, and providing oral responses.
- Cooperate with others: When students cooperate, they each become active members working toward a common goal. Cooperation requires that students be flexible, have an awareness of self and others, take turns, respect each other’s thoughts and opinions, listen well, and practice effective problem-solving.
- Resist inappropriate social pressure: Strong self-management skills can help students to communicate and commit to their decision not to engage in unwanted and unsafe behavior.
- Negotiate conflict constructively: In order to resolve an issue in a relationship, students must know how to calmly discuss the problem, brainstorm solutions, and come to an appropriate decision.
- Seek and offer help when needed: Students should be encouraged to check their understanding in both academic and social situations. If students hit a roadblock while working to achieve a goal, they need to know how and when to ask for help.
For further information please visit https://www.allprodad.com/10-ways-to-teach-your-children-to-be-problem-solvers/
Sushi
Sushi is available on Thursdays & Fridays only.
Fridays During Lent
During Lent, fish fingers will be available every Friday.
80 cents each or 3 for $2.50
Sacrament of Penance Programme
The parents and carers who have decided to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance are to be affirmed. At this time for adults, especially, the most important qualities are to have a deep humility of heart and an attitude of gratitude. The humble words of St Peter come to mind “Leave me Lord for I am a sinful man”. Far from leaving Peter, Jesus assigned him with great responsibilities.
One great spiritual author has written “When we come before the altar of God, we come as beggars with nothing to offer except our human need”. This beautifully worded insight describes with deep penetration the relationship between the human and divine. Mementos of the First Confession will be distributed to the children at Masses next weekend.
Confirmation Programme 2020 Camden and The Oaks
Advance notice that the weekend for Confirmations in our two parishes will be 27/28 June. The first weekend for enrolment is 25/26 April. This is the final weekend of school holidays but, presumably, families will have returned no later than Sunday for the recommencement of school the following day. The 25th is, of course, ANZAC Day but there is no extra public holiday. More news after Easter.
| Friday, 27 March 2020 | Cancelled | Camden Show |
| Wednesday, 1 April 2020 | Cancelled | P&F Meeting - All Welcome |
| Tuesday, 7 April 2020 | Cancelled | Fete Meeting - All Welcome |
| Wednesday, 8 April 2020 | Cancelled | Holy Week Liturgy (K-6) |
| Thursday, 9 April 2020 | Kindergarten 2021 Applications Close | |
| Thursday, 9 April 2020 | Last Day of Term 1 | |
| Monday, 27 April 2020 | Term 2 Commences | |
| Saturday, 16 May 2020 | Cancelled | School Fete |
Clothing Pool Opening Hours
Monday: 9:00am - 10:00am
Tuesday: 3:00pm - 4:00PM
