Dear Parents/Carers,

I must admit, last Sunday I was somewhat a physical wreck after the huge day that the fete encompasses each year. Why does it work so well? Why is it so successful? How come we are faced with new challenges each year to deliver it to the community and always overcome them? How come so many are up for the challenge?

In light of our recent fete experience my thoughts have reflected on the special us that has gone to make this event such a life giving one to our school.  I propose that the following authentic features have characterised our community as we have journeyed together:

• A St Paul’s story is shared and articulated by current and past families that come together on fete day.
• Through the fete, people experience caring relationships.
• Our fete is a celebration of rituals and passages.
• The St Paul’s fete is an example of active participation by the whole community.
• A culture of mutual gain flourishes.
• There is a huge sense of spirituality in the community.
• People have invested huge energy in building community.
• The growth of agency (the ability to act when challenged with problems) is evident.
• Pastoral care of members is constantly in action behind the scenes.
• Conflict and disagreement is present but is managed by being solution focused.
• The community is proactive in their planning.
• Decision making has been enacted in a discernment style.

I would like to acknowledge the huge commitment made by the fete committee to bring the fete to reality. The work of many hands makes the fete story such a successful experience. The huge commitment displayed by the parents in delivering on fete day is deeply appreciated.

I suppose this is really our community map that we aspire to in so many of our initiatives that makes the story for our school such a good one in Camden.  It is an overview of what a good christian community looks like. We are very good at affirming the elements that are healthy as well as naming and focusing on those areas which need improvement. 

The above is also an excellent illustration of how we model respectful relationships to young people, especially the students at St Paul’s. This is an area of focus for us as a school community this year. Our PB4L focus with the students has been the explicit teaching about disagreement and how it fits within a cycle of respect. Our students learn this from you and we are heightening the importance of this through the weekly goals we set in PB4L.

Our “high end” challenging behaviours have declined significantly from 2018 - 2023 and our school student accident data also mirrors the same decline.  This is a product of PB4L and our focus on creating respectful relationships. 

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal

Principal Awards

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

Emaleigh Kelly, Emily McEwen, Tiago Gomez, Emily McKone, Jye Richardson, Clayton David, Lorenzo Fuentes, Riley Cook, Hannah Gray, Noah McAllister, Harper Cox, Lincoln Gauci, Matilda Melisi, Mark Starr, Ethan Lynch, Giovanni Anastasio, Oscar Colliss, James Campbell, Milla White, Giarncarlo Sanzoni, Matthew Bui, Joshua Bui, Michael Macri, Franco Raco.

From the Parish Bulletin

Sacrament of Penance Back-Up Programme 2022/2023

Families are asked to collect the final workshop assistance sheet. As every week, each question in the chapter must be answered – pages 24-30. In accordance with the time line, a coloured sheet for the ceremony times will be distributed for when the children will celebrate their First Confessions. Please fill in and return, do not take home. Pens will be available.

Confirmation Programme

Very Important Notice

There’s been a change to the times of the Saturday afternoon Confirmation ceremonies.

Saturday Vigil Confirmation Mass at 5:00 PM is still 5:00 PM

Sunday Confirmation Masses at 10:00 AM and 12:30 remain unchanged.

However the Saturday afternoon ceremonies – originally scheduled for 12 Noon and 2:00 PM - are now at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

Apologies for any inconvenience. Because of the ceremony changes, we are distributing a tentative sheet of the allocations made to date. Families wishing to move between the 1.00pm and 3.00pm ceremonies will only need to contact the parish office on 4655 8797 during office hours.

Families yet to make their selection can still pick up a sheet, fill it in and return. Pens are available. Sheets should not be taken home. Saturday 1.00pm and 3.00pm are the only times still available. Please note all allocations are dependent on the satisfactory completion of the workbooks.

For this week, notes will be distributed for the final chapter in the workbooks. As every week, each question in the chapter must be answered – pages 35-42. Confirmation bookmarks will also be distributed.

Parents/carers: please complete the reading in the workbooks that has been provided for the adults. This little exercise will only take a few moments and won’t cause any suffering.

Gardening Group

 

P&F Meeting Meeting

The next P&F Meeting will be held Wednesday, 7 June 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

School Canteen Closed

The school canteen will be closed on the following days and times;

• Wednesday, 31 May 2023 - Closed all day (Athletics Carnival)
• Friday, 30 June 2023 - Closed All Day (Grandparents Day)

Go4Fun

Go4Fun is a free program for NSW children aged 7 to 13 who are above a healthy weight, and their families. Run by trained health and community professionals, it’s a fun way to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life. Go4Fun is running at 5 locations across south western Sydney in Term 3 from Monday 17 July 2023. People can register by calling 1800 780 900 or visiting go4fun.com.au