Dear Parents/Carers,

I am very mindful that as we finish the term, Easter is almost upon us. As we move towards the Easter Triduum, (Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday) it is so important to prepare for the liturgies during Holy Week as this time is filled with much symbolism. It is a wonderful time to attend the events of Holy Week to expose your children to this very sacred time. During the Easter Vigil Ceremony, a fire is struck and the Easter Candle is lit from this fire. For a moment, the only source of light in the Church is that candle. It represents Christ, the light of the world. The members of the congregation light tapers from the Easter Candle. The symbolism is clear:Christ is the source of light; we walk in the light of Christ.

It is through Christ then that we realise our own value and that of each human person. Let us take the time to renew ourselves this Easter and sing once again our ‘Alleluia’ song. Perhaps it is a good time to remind ourselves also that true wealth means being generous in mind, heart and spirit in a thousand little ways. This is the type of action that brings us closer to God.

Have a happy and holy Easter as well as a good rest from a very busy term.

Listening Assembly

A short reminder to register for our listening assembly and cocktail party to be held in the school hall on the evening of the first day back at school, term 2 (Wed 26 April). This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to reflect on the many achievements created together as a learning community during the past five years (even with COVID) and to listen to new ideas that may be worthwhile pursuing in the future.

Please RSVP by 5 April 2023

I leave you with this famous saying by T.S. Eliot:

We must not cease from exploration,
And the end of exploring
Will be to arrive where we began
And to know the place for the first time.

St Paul’s Fete

A reminder that our second Stall Holders fete meeting is tonight at 7.30pm. Unfortunately I need to be at another meeting and won’t get back for the meeting until after it has commenced, but I will be there. As a school we have begun to heighten the awareness and build the excitement that goes with our St Paul’s fete. The children have begun to colour their fete posters to be put up around the town and used to decorate the school on fete day. The official poster competition will be judged on the first week back at school.

I encourage as many parents as possible to come along to the meeting tonight. By living and fostering a service attitude we can help others, especially our children, to see the relationships between members of our school as an act of cooperation. Participating in the journey towards fete day and the modelling of Christian action it represents, replaces the mundane of school life, political correctness and the potential for people to feel powerless. We become  the courageous artist, where just for one day we are all liberated from the images that can imprison us all in conformity.
When the school encourages community to re-imagine and dream, the “Kingdom” begins to be realised in the community. This is why our fete is so important to our school community.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Principal Awards

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

Valentino Costa, Harper Grimson, Lexi Nicholson, Mary-Lourdes Artin, Jonathan Sparkes-Howarth, Hugh Burke, Olivia Cleal, Daniel Vella, Tristan Lobo, Zoe Farrugia.

Bishop Brian Document

Bishop Brian Mascord has released a new document, Bearers of Christ’s Love — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, which describes the nature and purpose of Catholic schools in this diocese.

This is the first document of its type since the 1970s. I encourage you to take the time to read and reflect on what this important document means for us and our school community.

I Know when to ask for help  - How big is my Problem?

In Weeks 9/10 the students at St Paul’s have been learning when to ask for help. Students in all grades have been discussing when it is necessary to ask a teacher for help, and what problems they can solve by themselves. The ‘How Big is my Problem’ visual below has been used to assist students in understanding when they need assistance from an adult, and when they can problem solve alone.

Children have been practising how to ask for help appropriately by:

• Looking at the person
• Using a pleasant voice/tone
• Explaining their concern statement (Excuse me, can you help me solve this problem….)
• Stating their problem specifically (steps that have already been taken to solve this problem, how it makes you feel)
• Saying “Thank you”

How big is my problem?

This visual will help students know when they should be asking for help and when they should be trying to solve problems on their own.

What is SPLICED?

Wests Tigers League Gala Day

Last week ninety of our primary students participated in the Wests Tigers league tag gala day. It was great to be back enjoying our non-competitive gala days again. Thank you to all the students, staff, volunteers, parents & NRL organisers who helped make it a great day. 

Fete Meeting 

The fete meeting will be held tonight - Tuesday, 4 April 2023 beginning at 7:30pm in the school hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.