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Dear Parents/Carers,
I welcome everyone back to term 2 and the many joys it will bring to our community as we journey together in support of each other for the sake of the children. I am still reflecting deeply about the outcomes arising from our Listening Assembly held last Wednesday evening. The presence of so many parents and staff is an indication of how important this event was to our school community in planning our future goals.
I found the evening fun, thoughtful and engaging. I sensed a great spirituality present in the room. I was reminded of a sufi story (ancient wisdom tales that tease us into more sensible thinking) I once read about enlightenment:
A disciple asked the master what he had received from his experience of enlightenment.
“Did you become a saint?” inquired the disciple.
“No,” said the master.
“Did you discover the eternal truth?” inquired the disciple.
“No,” responded the master.
“Did you gain new insights into the sacred writings?”
“No,” the master replied.
“Then tell me master, what happened to you?” begged the disciple.
The master answered him: “I became awake.”
Spirituality is becoming awake to our true being. It is a way of living which comes to see and understand things as they really are. Spirituality challenges us to move beyond our self - absorption to be embraced by those around us and by God.
Whilst the evening gave us a new challenging list of initiatives to work towards as a community, the evening also reflected the meaning of christian community as we together promote our dreams about teaching, learning, witness, service and genuine respect for the other.
I will included a short summary of the outcomes from our Listening Assembly in the next newsletter.
Go gently,
Michael Reardon
Principal
Principal Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have recently received a Principal Award.
Thomas Foernges, Tobias Lloyd, Elliot Grech, Maya Gerloff, Edwin Costelloe, Massimo Raco, Madeline Saliba, Trae Perkins, Harper Portelli, Andrew Kontista, Giovanni Novella, Angelo Mercieca.
ANZAC Day March
A special thank you to the students, parents and staff who represented St Paul’s School at the ANZAC Day march. See the photos that reflect our community involvement and desire to acknowledge those who have fought for our country as well as those who have given their lives to keep us free as a nation.
Congratulations - Easter Bonnet Creations
Congratulation to Bianca (Year 6) who in the holidays attended a craft workshop at Bunnings where she made an Easter bonnet. The bonnets were displayed in store and customers voted for their favourite entry.
Bianca's Easter bonnet was voted the favourite in store and she received a $100 voucher for herself and a $200 voucher for the school.
Congratulations Bianca!
Upcoming Professional Learning for Staff
|
Date |
Professional learning |
Staff |
|
Monday 1 May |
Pedagogy and Practice |
Miss Amy Huska |
|
Wednesday 3 May |
Supporting Student Wellbeing & Mental Health |
Mrs Deb Huxley |
|
Friday 5 May |
Lamplighters |
Mrs Catherine Hatter Miss Kylie Xerri |
|
Friday 5 May |
Diverse Learning Symposium |
Mrs Mel Waters Mrs Deb Huxley |
|
Monday 8 May |
Religious Education Planning |
Mr Matthew Messina Miss Jackie Bazzi Miss Megan Price Mrs Lauren Cracknell Miss Amy Huska Mrs Grace Barillaro |
|
Tuesday 16 May |
K - 2 Mathematics Syllabus |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae Mrs Catherine Hatter Miss Ana Kristo Miss Megan Price |
|
Wednesday 17 May |
K - 2 Mathematics Syllabus |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae Mrs Amy Vella Miss Jackie Bazzi Mrs Grace Barillaro Mrs Lauren Cracknell Miss Lisa Young |
|
Thursday 18 May |
Teaching reading strategies at St Paul’s |
Mrs Angela Mourinho Mrs Grace Barillaro Mr Matthew Messina Miss Jackie Bazzi |
|
Friday 19 May |
Teacher Librarian Network Day |
Mrs Belinda Williams |
|
Tuesday 23 May |
WEN Teacher Contact Day |
Mrs Kristen King |
|
Wednesday 24 May |
System Professional learning Day 3 |
Mr Michael Reardon Mrs Maria Debrincat |
|
Thursday 25 May |
System Professional learning Day 4 |
Mr Michael Reardon Mrs Sheereen Brunetta |
|
Friday 26 May |
K - 2 English Advisor Day |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae |
|
Tuesday 6 June |
Alight for the World |
Miss Amy Huska |
|
Wednesday 7 June |
Teaching Reading Strategies at St Paul’s |
Mrs Angela Mourinho Mrs Amy Vella Miss Amy Huska Miss Rachel Daffara |
|
Friday 9 June |
K - 2 Mathematics Advisor Day |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae |
|
Tuesday 13 June |
K - 2 English Syllabus Professional Learning |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae Mrs Catherine Hatter Miss Megan Price Miss Ana Kristo |
|
Wednesday 14 June |
K - 2 English Syllabus Professional Learning |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta Mrs Donna Rae Mrs Amy Vella Mrs Grace Barillaro Miss Jackie Bazzi Mrs Lauren Cracknell Mrs Deb Clancy Miss Lisa Young |
|
Friday 23 June |
Lifecycle of Employment Relationship |
Mrs Sheereen Brunetta |
|
Tuesday 27 June |
Religious Educator Coordinator Network Day |
Mrs Maria Debrincat |
School Photos
School photos will take place Friday, 2 June 2023. All orders can be placed online (including sibling photos). Full Winter uniform must be worn.
- Go to www.advancedlife.com.au
- Enter in our school code: EPN 197 PN1
Winter Uniform
From the beginning of Term 2, if the weather turns cold, students may begin transitioning into their Winter uniform. During this transition period students must wear either all winter or all summer uniform. They cannot be mixed.
From the week beginning Monday, 15 May 2023, all students must wear full Winter uniform.
Congratulations
Congratulations to both Miss Lauren Allen (1T) and Miss Libby Enders who were both married during the holidays and will now be known as Mrs Lauren Cracknell and Mrs Libby Morgan.
.
Accept Being Told No
In Weeks 1 & 2, the students at St Paul’s have been learning, sometimes I will be told no by others and I need to accept this. Being told no is not being mean. Students in all grades have been discussing various scenarios, where we may be told no and we need to stop, think and choose, so we can accept being told no respectfully.
We encourage parents and caregivers to work alongside us with teaching to accept no respectfully. Let them know that it is normal that sometimes we will be told no, even though we may not like being told no, we still need to respond appropriately and politely.
Catholic Family Camping Weekends
Weekend 1: Friday, 19 - Sun 21 May 2023
Weekend 2: Friday, 27 - Sun 29 October 2023(save the date now - book later)
The weekend brings together families of all ages, including couples with or without children, single parents with their children, and grandparents, all to celebrate family life in a laid-back and fun environment.
While there will be some organised activities, this is going to hopefully be an affordable and relaxed opportunity for connection, sharing in meals, games, music, challenge activities and mass with Bishop Brian Mascord on Sunday.
There is a great camp kitchen with cooking facilities and fridges available for your use, with all families being required to self-cater. Adults can bring alcohol, noting that responsible consumption is expected due to the family friendly nature of this gathering.
If this sounds like something for you and your family, please register below for Weekend 1 in May. Your friends and family are welcome to register with the same link below and we encourage you to forward this email on to them, so that they can join us for this fun, family orientated weekend too.
Time: 4:30pm (Friday) - 3:00pm (Sunday)
Location: Guntawang - Wooglemai Catholic Camping Facility
Address: Sheehys Creek Rd, Oakdale NSW 2570
Cost: $30 per adult or $70 per family (Regardless of size)
RSVP Date: Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Enquiries: Jude Hennessy (02 4222 2407 / jude.hennessy@dow.org.au)
Camping & Bunk Room Options: You may like to pitch a tent, stay in a caravan, camper or swag (These are unpowered / un-watered sites. Drinking water is available onsite. There are also 40 bunk beds in dormitory rooms. These will be allocated during registration on a first-come-first-served basis and will require strict supervision of children by parents / guardians.
No Pets: No pets are allowed on this campsite.
Click here for photos and more information about the campsite and the weekend.
To register for the camping weekend click below:
Waste Free Wednesdays
St Paul’s is proud to accept the invitation given to the Catholic community by Pope Francis in his encyclical document Laudato Si.
In this document, Pope Francis writes to all Catholics and calls them to respond to his teachings on ways we can work together to care for our common home, the planet Earth and all people and creatures on it. Laudato Si reminds us that human life is grounded in 3 fundamental relationships:
- With God
- With our neighbour
- With our planet home
One action that St Paul’s takes to respond to our call is to encourage the students to participate in Waste Free Wednesdays. Each Wednesday, students are invited to bring a lunch to school that is free of single use plastics, in order to reduce waste and help the environment.
Below is a quote from the Laudato Si document, in the words of St Francis that parents may wish to reflect upon.
“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”.
In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
Laudato Si, Pope Francis, 2015
“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
Laudato Si, Pope Francis, 2015
Fete Poster Competition
Congratulations to the students who entered the fete poster competition. There was a very high standard and variety of entries.
The following students were short listed;
- Zoey Durrington
- Marco Giorgi
- Olivia Davies
- Heath Kemp
The winner of the Poster competition was;
- Kyah Graham
Congratulations Kyah and all students who entered!
Fete Raffle
The fete raffle is now live. Tickets can be purchased via the following link or QR Code;
Fete Raffle
Fete Meeting
The final Fete Meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, 2 May 2023. All welcome to attend.
P&F Meeting
The P&F Meeting this Wednesday, 3 May 2023 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 is below.
Mother's Day Stall - Friday, 12 May 2023
| Tuesday, 2 May 2023 | Year 1 Excursion - Belgenny Farm | |
| Tuesday, 2 May 2023 | 7pm | Fete Meeting |
| Wednesday, 3 May 2023 | 7:30pm | P&F Meeting |
| Friday, 12 May 2023 | Mother's Day Stall - $5 | |
| Friday, 12 May 2023 | 12:15pm | Easter Liturgy |
| Monday, 15 May 2023 | Fete Mufti Day | |
| Tuesday, 16 May 2023 | Students begin wearing winter uniform | |
| Wednesday, 17 May 2023 | Canteen Caper Day | |
| Saturday, 20 May 2023 | School Fete | |
| Tuesday, 23 May 2023 | Diocesan Cross Country - Nowra | |
| Friday, 26 May 2023 | Year 2 Excursion - Sydney Aquarium | |
| Wednesday, 31 May 2023 | School Athletics Carnival (K-6) - Narellan Sports Hub | |
| Friday, 2 June 2023 | School Photos | |
| Thursday, 22 June 2023 | Western Region Netball Gala Day | |
| Monday, 26 June - Friday, 30 June 2023 | Dental Health NSW Visits | |
| Friday, 30 June 2023 | Grandparents Day | |
| Friday, 30 June 2023 | Last Day of Term 2 | |
| Monday, 17 July 2023 | Term 3 Commences |