Dear Parents/Carers,

As we move towards fete day I am beginning to observe relationships being created based on getting things done, convincing others to be involved, excited about the potential fun that the day could bring, frustration when problems arise and how to work through them and one common thread, we want the kids to experience real community through the St Paul’s Fete.  In the leadership world that I navigate, it is called the social/emotional dimension of leadership.  As parents and adults we are constantly modelling this to the children in our care.  Obviously linked to this is that we, as adults, have “banked” considerable experience that helps us to navigate challenges in most cases, our children still need to be formed through our parenting, the teachers and their peers to develop this valuable skill.

Adults naturally tend to be more self aware and this is something that I try to teach the children on the playground, and Year 6 through my work with them, as frequently as possible. As we build our community, the one thing that is certain is that we cannot shrink away from people as the real work happens in the “experiencing” of others.  If the relationships are right, our ability to cope and look at things differently when confronted with challenges as we move towards fete day will happen naturally.  A famous researcher in the educational world, Thomas Sergiovanni, calls such sacred relationships “covenantal” in nature. A covenant is an unwritten contract built on the sacred relationships between individuals and groups that are founded on moral purpose, which is the glue that binds people together in community. Creating such relationships between members of our community is the heartbeat that keeps everything pumping as the ebb and flow of people coming together to create their fete stalls contribute to making the fete a great success, which includes the lead up to it. This builds positivity and excitement right through the whole school community.

Self awareness is so critical in building the covenantal relationships. There are aspects of our personalities that come naturally, whilst we need to learn other aspects. For example, I know my leadership is formed most naturally through the “head”, for others it may be the “heart”. Some individuals are great at creating “new ideas”, whilst others have the ability to map a way forward for the growth of the “new idea”. One is not better or worse than the other, all are needed. There are all types in our school and we have parents or staff, if given the opportunity, to be the right person to provide the appropriate action during the lead up to the fete, on fete day and after the fete. This is our school community and through the fete we are modelling this to our children. Please know that this has not gone unnoticed and is another indicator that makes me so proud of our school community.

All the above happened just before I started to draft this newsletter. It started at assembly when I gave a personal display of my “tattoo work” that will be provided on fete day from the tattoo stall.  Before I knew it, Mrs Fielding was there wanting to take some photos as I was proudly displaying my efforts, much to the joy of the children.  Goodness knows where the photos will end up! Then I let the children know that there is a “turf war” between our tattoo stall and the The Little Piglets Stall that has soft toys.  I stressed that I believe that the tattoo stall will still be the best on the day.  This little competition will continue right up to fete day to keep the children excited. I then went from the assembly into the staffroom where parents were working with Mrs Martin to pack into the cretes the fete stall holder supplies that were generously donated by our school community to be used on fete day. This was all happening with a minimum of fuss, lots of laughter with the head, heart, doers and planners all there using what comes naturally to them to get the job done.

Thank you to all involved,  expressed through action the giftedness of members of our community and the power of the Spirit working through group endeavours. Enhancing good relationships among members is the end product of a fantastic morning.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon

Principal

Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal Award. Edwin Costelloe, Oliver Ioannou, Amalia Accoto, Angelina Cilia, Dean Georgievski, Caleb McInnes.

School Fees

Summer Uniform Transition

When does my child start to wear Summer uniform?

Students may wear Summer uniform from Monday, 5 September 2022. If the weather remains cooler, students may continue to wear Winter uniform until the end of term - (this is parental discretion).

All students must wear full Summer uniform from the beginning of Term 4.

Yeronga School Uniforms

Student Birthday Celebration/Cakes

A reminder that if your child is celebrating a birthday and you wanted to send in a treat for their class, the school asks that only sealed lollypop's be sent in to share with your child's class. Allen's lollipops are ideal.

With student allergies and the need for parent permission, it is not possible to distribute any other items.

Sabbath Week 

Next week, St Pauls will be celebrating Sabbath Week. This will give everyone an opportunity to STOP. Both students and teachers will be practising this.

We will remove meetings, homework for staff and students. We want to focus on the well being of ALL. This is an opportunity to STOP and just BE.

This will give the teachers and students to spend more time with God. 

Ideas for parents 

• Find the time once this week to sit down as a family to have dinner.
• Talk about one thing you are grateful for as a family.
• Play a game together.
• Share a prayer before meal time.

This term stage three students will begin preparation for the Catholic Development Fund Diocesan Public Speaking Competition at a school level. 

The competition covers stage three speaking and listening outcomes of communicating effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes using increasingly challenging topics, ideas, issues, language forms and features. 

This week, students in years 5 and 6 were provided with a selection of speech topics to choose from and had guidance from their classroom teacher about the expectations of Public Speaking. Individual class finals will be held in Week 9, grade finals will be held in week 10 and stage finals will go ahead in week 1 of Term 4. 

One student from each grade will then be selected to compete against children from other local Catholic Schools at the Northern Regional Competition, which will be held at St Paul's Camden on Thursday, 20 October 2022 (Term 4 Week 2). Following that, the top three students from Year 5 and Year 6 will compete at the Grand Final.

Stage three parents may wish to spend some time at home practising with their child using palm cards and discussing the guide sheets provided about effective speech delivery. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

Attention: Year 4 Parents/Carers - School Managed iPad Program 

As you were informed earlier this year, next year, your children will be part of the School Managed iPad Program. We have been advised to wait until Apple's new product release (which is usually late Sept/ early October) before we confirm which iPad model the school will be purchasing for the 2023 Year 5 cohort. As soon as we are provided the iPad model information and final costs we will update you via COMPASS. 

Book Club Issue 6 

Please note, I will not be sending home Book Club Issue 6 catalogues this term. With the annual School Fete approaching I encourage you to visit the White Elephant and Book stall to pick up a book bargain. Thank you to the families who have donated quality children's literature for the book stall. However, if you wish to view and order from Book Club Issue 6 you can do this via the Book Club LOOP app. Issue 6 orders must be submitted before Thursday, 8 September 3:00pm.

Mrs Martin

Fete Volunteers

We are in desperate need of volunteers to help run the Fete on the day. All of our stall coordinators are back again to coordinate their stalls, but they need volunteers on the Fete Day. We also need some help the morning before  Fete Day on Friday, 2 September for set up and after the Fete Day on Sunday, 4 September to pack up.  

All that is needed is 1 HOUR OF YOUR TIME to help make a successful Fete. 

Please email any availability to Fete Volunteers

Gift Boxes

Thank you to all families who have returned their gift baskets. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of our families. Many families have returned their gift box already which has assisted us (behind the scenes). At the moment, we don't have any spare gift boxes. However, if you are unable to fill the gift box, please return it to your class teacher as we have other families who would like to fill another box or two. 

The White Elephant & Book Stall

It's time to organise an early spring clean. Donations are needed for the White Elephant and Book stall. Over the next couple of weeks, clean out your cupboards and drop off pre-loved goods to the fete shed. Crockery, appliances, homewares, knick-knacks, sporting goods, toys, games. If you no longer need them, the White Elephant stall wants them! Please ensure that goods are clean and in working order. Note: No CRT televisions or monitors are accepted.

If the fete shed (located on Area 1) isn't open, please ask the teacher on playground duty to unlock the shed for you. The shed can be opened prior to school 8:30- 8:55am or after school 3:00-3:45pm.

Ride ticket Link

Attention: Year 1 and Year 2 Parents/ Carers

Due to COVID and the cancellation of our 2020 and 2021 School Fete, we are aware your children haven't had the opportunity to create an individual artwork that would have been sold at the Kinder Art Stall. We have been informed that many families have their child's artwork framed and on display at home or have kept them as mementos. For these reasons, during Term 4 we will hold a special Art display for Year 1 and 2 parents to purchase their child's individual artwork. More details to come early in Term 4.