Dear Parents/Carers,

As this term begins to feel like a runaway train and we head towards the end of the year with frenetic pace, one of the many responsibilities I have is the employment of staff for next year. This involved many interviews for full time and part time positions.  The process is always an interesting experience - trying to ascertain that a person will not only have the relevant qualifications but also be the right “fit”.

As I have methodically been working through this I thought about Jesus and his apostles.  If prior to appointing his apostles, Jesus had arranged with a recruitment agency to have them psychologically tested, he might have received a reply like this:

“Thankyou for submitting the resumes of the 12 men that you had picked for managerial positions in your new organisation.  Each of the 12 has been exhaustively tested. It has been generally agreed that most of your nominees lack the background, education and vocational aptitude for such an enterprise. They have no previous relevant experience for the job, and they have no concept of working together as a team.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable, and given to fits of temper.  The two brothers, James and John, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas shows a sceptical attitude that would surely undermine morale.

Matthew has been blacklisted by the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce for collecting taxes for foreigners, and Simon has radical leanings and registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

However, one of the candidates shows real potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, shrewd in dealing with people, and has contacts in high places. We therefore recommend that you appoint him as the leader of your enterprise. His name is Judas Iscariot.”

The apostles were very ordinary people. They were neither geniuses nor exceptionally gifted.  They were neither rich nor influential.  But herein lies a lesson for us all.  The Lord is not looking for extraordinary people but for ordinary people who can do ordinary things extraordinarily well.  Jesus sees in each person not only what that person is but also what that person can become. Jesus chooses us not only for who we are but for who, with His grace, we are capable of becoming.  I also think this is critical when I engage with potential staff as we enter a very important aspect of my work.  

Come to think of it, I suppose this is exactly what I’m looking for from my own kids!  What about you?

Go gently, as things start to speed up!

Michael Reardon
Principal

Principal Awards

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

Archer Linden, Andreas Gutierrez, Spencer Khan, Penelope Garbutt, Lucas Bladwell, Sophia Moraghan, Georgia Moraghan, Hayden Bright, Amelia Nelson, Antonio Fakher, Zac Gorman, Charkey Noonan, Leo Argenta, Isaac Bowen, Ruby Humphries, Audrey Shephard, Obinna Hampo, Oliver Dunbar, James Fitzpatrick, Eli Attard, Augustus Von Wartburg, Bejamin Moore, Ella Mulholland, Isla Wade, Aislinn Mulholland.

Year 5 Camp Credit

Truth Love and Faith Awards

This award reflects the vision towards which the school consistently strives, that is embodied in its motto of Truth, Love and Faith. It is through the motto that students are continually encouraged to strive to do their best, therefore deeply embedding the ongoing spiritual, academic and social interactions students have each day whilst at school.

The Truth Love Faith award is the formal recognition of students’ commitment to Catholic learning, belonging, celebration, hope, respect and justice. This includes achievements, appropriate behaviour and consistently doing their best.

The Truth Love Faith Awards will be presented to students in Terms 2 & 4 and will be followed by recipients attending a morning tea with Mr Reardon and Mrs Brunetta.

The Truth Love and Faith Awards in Term 4 will be Monday, 5 December 2022. 

Years 2-5 Competitive Swimming Carnival

The St Paul’s Annual Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday, 25 November 2022, at the Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre - Picton. Due to the Camden Memorial pool being unavailable due to flooding, the carnival will be a competitive carnival for Year 2 - 5 students swimmers who wish to gain selection to compete at the Western Region Swimming Carnival in 2023. Students who competently swim in competitive 50 metres events in any stroke are invited to attend the carnival. 

Please complete the ‘Opt in’ Event in Compass by Friday, 11 November 2022 so we are able to book sufficient buses and enter event nominations for the day.

Waste Free Wednesdays

A reminder to families that St Paul’s encourages students to pack a waste free lunch each Wednesday. Each Wednesday, participating students receive a token for their house. These tokens count towards the House Cup Reward. Last term, classes started a bit of a competition to see who had the most students participating. Well done to the following classes who have demonstrated a commitment to helping the environment by packing a waste free lunch each Wednesday:

• Kinder Truth
• Kinder Library
• 1 Faith
• 1 Hope
• 1 Truth
• 2 Faith
• 2 Hope
• 2 Truth
• 3 Faith

Infants classes are St Paul’s Eco Warriors! Come on primary classes, let’s see if you can beat infants!

November P&F Meeting

The P&F Meeting will be held tonight, Wednesday, 2 November 2022 at 7pm in the school hall.  All are welcome to attend. If you would like to raise anything, you can send an email to pandfstpaulscamden@gmail.com
 
The agenda for the meeting is attached below

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