Dear Parents & Guardians,

We have just had our first experience of Sabbath Week, where if possible, all meetings were cancelled, homework was cancelled and this time taken up by purely being present with each other and in the moment. The children seemed more settled on the playground than usual and in addition, the teachers were also calmer and more pensive about their work, simply because they had the time to be so.  The laughter heard in the staffroom from my office was just a little louder than usual and that was reassuring.  As I walked around the school everyone was still working hard but it just seemed to give the children a little time to breathe as we continue to meet the challenges of our world in 2020!  In addition, this Thursday we acknowledge “R U OK?” Day.  The children have the opportunity to wear a yellow shirt with their sports uniform and we have some activities for them to complete in class that are designed to support them with their own positivity and wellbeing.  Each class will also go on a walk either along the community farm track or down to Onslow as an additional time for them to share some casual conversation with each other.

Stress and wellbeing have really been highlighted during this time where our right to be social human beings has needed to be significantly curtailed.  With this challenge comes a build up of stress which is becoming a serious factor in the general deterioration of mental health. The above actions are our response as a Catholic School to this threat imposed on the integrity of people’s lives through stress and compulsive activity.  The Christian tradition of the desert place and the sought balance between reflection and activity is a powerful one for our community to take back, encourage and develop amongst the whole community.  Our focus last week and this week has been to create a sense of listening, pondering and communicating.

A Catholic school should be serious about contemplation and reflection on the Word which dwells amongst us in how we relate to each other and treat each other.  The sower will sow seeds in vain among the thorn bushes of a conveyor belt of noise, activity and fatigue!

In John’s Gospel it is stated that Jesus said:

“I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”

Having a full life is not one full of activity!

Go gently,     

Michael Reardon
Principal

Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal's Award.

Cooper Johnston, Ivy Burnett, William Zaborski, Sofia Sartor, Sebastian Bonvini,
Joshua Bui, Obinna Hampo, Roy Harb, Elise Murphy, Emily Caudle, Jonah Hatcher, Maddison Scott, Lily Vella, Mia Mikhail, Chloe Gray, Lara Linden, Kayley Parker

R U OK Day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support each other.
 
This year's message is 'There's more to say after R U OK?'
 
Throughout the day the children will be engaged in activities to help identify ways in which they can communicate, cooperate and show kindness to  others.

The students are asked to wear a yellow shirt on this day with their sports uniform.  All grades wear their sports uniform on Thursday. If students don't have a yellow t-shirt they are to wear their sport shirt. It is not a mufti day.

Asking, ‘Are you OK?’

R U OK? seeks to create a world where we’re all connected. We’re never too young to look out for one another and meaningfully connect.

R U OK? has 4 Conversation Steps to help navigate a conversation when someone says, “No, I’m not OK”.

1. Ask
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

English in Action

The English blocks at St Paul’s are full of rich learning experiences for the students’, covering Speaking and Listening, Writing and Representing, Handwriting and Digital Technologies, Reading and Viewing, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary. Here is a snapshot of a typical day in the life of English learning at St Paul’s.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

On Tuesday, 1 September 2020, we celebrated World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, an annual event that calls us all to engage in prayer and renew our commitment as custodians of our planet. 

Last week, all classes spent time in prayer with a liturgy held at our outdoor prayer space. Students participated in a nature walk to observe the beauty of creation within our school grounds.

Throughout the next month, we will be encouraging the students to be more aware of ways they can help the environment. Small actions can lead to big change. We encourage families to use this time to also consider ways they can renew their commitment to care for the environment. It has been wonderful to hear that some of our students are growing vegetables at home after attending our school environment group on Fridays. 

Thank you

Truth Love Faith Awards update

We are currently looking into an alternative arrangement for the Truth Love and Faith Awards that is compliant with NSW Health and CEO COVID-19 regulations. Once this has been discussed, we will inform you of how the awards will take place.

House Cup

Students at St Paul’s are rewarded on the playground with house coloured tokens. These are then tallied and a winning house will be rewarded with extra play. House cup will occur in Week 10.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, House Cup in Term 3 will continue however, in a different format. Infants and Primary will be split. Children in the winning house will have extended play at the end of their break time. Children in the winning house will be notified when this will occur. 

For Parish news and information, or to book Mass during COVID-19 please visit the Parish website.

https://www.stpaulscamden.org.au/

Canteen Caper Day - Wednesday, 16 September 2020