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Dear Parents/Carers,
We have finally come to the end of a most eventful year. As I reflect on the year through my discussions with so many people, staff and other professional colleagues, parents and family; I am reminded that we are on a life journey and we need to celebrate the seasons and passages of the journey and through it being a companion to others along the way. I have seen this happen many times to me personally and to others whom I have journeyed with. The one thing I have learnt, and I like to think, also comes with a little wisdom achieved along the way, is to choose a path with heart and to live with our inner truth. I have learnt, especially this year, that unless we are watchful, our life journey becomes shaped by responses to the wrong questions which can arise from anxiety or fear. Hopefully we have all grown in this area this year where we have embraced and celebrated the God of mystery and surprises as a companion stranger.
With such reflection about our journey this year, there is also a point where for some, one journey concludes and another begins. I wish to acknowledge the dedicated service given to St Paul’s, Camden, by Chris Jaques (44 years) and Robyn Bielaczek (30 years) as they retire from their long and successful careers. When you do the figures, for Mrs Jaques, there were about 2000 students who would have passed directly through her influence over this time. For Mrs Bielaczek it would be about 1000 students. I am very aware of the influence teachers have on the lives of young people. On numerous occasions I have been stopped in the street personally to hear stories from people about the impact teachers have on young people's lives even as they journey through adult life, having their own families. To both Mrs Jaques and Mrs Bielazcek, thank you for your service to our community. I don’t have to say you will be missed as we will still see you in a casual role next year and beyond. I also would like to acknowledge those staff who are leaving our school as the year concludes; Miss Glover and Mrs Dryden, who have contributed significantly to the life of our school. Mrs Dryden will also still have a presence in a casual capacity.
I would also like to acknowledge the P & F as they have made genuine efforts to be invitational in creating community. Unfortunately, so many plans had to be cancelled, but we live with hopeful anticipation for next year.
With the many complexities the year has thrown at us, I have felt secure in making many challenging decisions simply because of the wonderful leadership team and administration staff that prop up my leadership and Fr Michael’s quiet and generous wisdom that continues to help create a wonderful school culture.
To our student leaders for 2021, thank you for assisting our school as we navigated another messy COVID year. We wish our Year 6 students well as they prepare for the next installment of their educational journey.
Finally, I have included with the last newsletter for 2021 a summary of the staffing for 2022.
May the birth of the Christmas Child bring great joy and happiness to all this festive season.
Go gently,
Michael Reardon
Principal
2022 Staffing
School Fees
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT – NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statements are emailed to you and they will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2022 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
Canteen Closed - Wednesday, 15 December 2021
The school canteen will be closed for the last day of school, Wednesday, 15 December 2021. Please ensure your child has sufficient food for the day.
Year 6 Parents - Compass Access
A reminder that as of this Friday, 17 December 2021 access to the St Paul's Compass Parent Portal for your Year 6 child will close. If you need to access or print any documentations or reports you will need to do so before it closes.
New Medication Procedure
Following a review of the school sick bay and the dispensing of long term daily medications the school has been advised to update our medication procedure.
Commencing term 1, 2022 all long term medication must be provided to the school in a WEBSTER PACK containing one months supply per pack, clearly labelled with your child’s prescription, name, quantity and time medication is to be taken. The school advises that you consult with your GP or pharmacist to discuss the different styles of packs that will work best with your child’s medication.
Should your child require short term medication, no longer then one to two weeks, the webster pack is not required. Parents are to provide the medication in the bottle or packet that it is provided by the pharmacist with the prescription clearly labelled. All liquid medication requires a syringe or medicine cup to be provided for dispensing the medicine.
An ‘Authority to Dispense Medication’ form must be provided to the school for all prescribed and over the counter medications before any medication can be dispensed to your child. Parents can access this form via the school website and the school office.
Should you need to discuss this change in procedure in more detail please contact the school office (46548900) before the end of 2021 school year to ensure that your child’s medication is compliant for the commencement of the 2022 school year.
SPLICED
This year, two Year 6 students have participated in the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong SPLICED Program. At the heart of this program is the mission to Stretch Potential through Learning in Interactive Environments.
Congratulations to Luca Saprun and Connor Spiers for their hardwork and dedication to their SPLICED projects this year.
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Connor Spiers SPLICED 2021, age 12 The evolving aircraft: Aviation keeps climbing altitude
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Luca Saprun SPLICED 2021, age 12 The greatest minds in WW2 ans the machines which would show superiority: The exploration and development of inventions and the minds behind these ever changing contraptions.  |
View all students works on the SPLICED website: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/spliced-2021/home?authuser=0
Year 6 2021, along with Curves & Edges are proud to donate a birdbath to St Paul’s. The birdbath will feature in the Prayer Garden next to Area 3. Thank you to former St Paul’s parents, Sharon & John Romeo from Curves and Edges, who designed and created the birdbath. The birdbath design is based on The Giving Artwork.
The Giving Artwork Meaning
The Giving is an uplifting artwork that represents the cycle and beauty of giving to others.
The leaves grow upwards to a peak - the time we give the most.
Gently, they begin to rest and regrow - a time of rejuvenation of the mind and spirit.
This healthy cycle forms a beautiful composition,
a reminder that looking after ourselves allows us to maximise the way we give to others.
The St Paul’s community has cared for the Year 6 students over the past 7 years, and in turn, they have cared for us. This birdbath will be a constant reminder of the 2021 Year 6 student cohort.
| Wednesday, 15 December 2021 | Last Day of Term 4 for Students | |
| Friday, 17 December 2021 | Last Day of Term 4 for Staff | |
| Friday, 28 January 2022 | Term 1 Commences for Staff | |
| Tuesday, 1 February 2022 | Term 1 Commences for students (Years 1-6) |