Dear Parents/Carers,                                                                        

Today, Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop’s feast day was celebrated with a whole school Mass.

Mary Mackillop is the first Australian saint and the founder of the sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Like Mary’s dream for her sisters to immerse themselves in the midst of life to empower others and bring hope, we at St Paul’s also follow her charism in our relationships in our own  community.

On another note, next week's PB4L (Positive Behaviours for Learning) target is  “At St Paul’s I can speak respectfully about my peers”. It is a significant target to assist students with developing and nurturing respectful relationships with each other. 

Part of St Paul’s Vision and Mission promotes positive relationships based on Catholic values and understandings. Respectful communication helps build trust, strengthens relationships, and encourages open and constructive discussions. Treating others with respect shows empathy and consideration for the feelings and perspectives of others. Speaking respectfully is more than the choice of language, tone or volume of voice. One of the skills necessary to speak respectfully about one’s peers is the ability to avoid gossip and rumour spreading. A skill many of the students are still learning and developing. Avoiding gossiping and spreading rumours is something even some adults can struggle with at times.

While gossiping and rumour spreading are related concepts, they are not exactly the same. 

Technically, gossip is just conversation about someone who isn’t present. By that definition, we all do it constantly and it is almost impossible not to gossip. However, gossip can be broken down into three types; neutral, positive or negative. Research tells us that the vast majority of gossip is neutral. About 75% of gossip is neutral, it is exchanging information in order to connect with others. About 9% is positive, it celebrates other people’s successes and builds them up. Finally, there is negative gossip, the kind that damages relationships. Rumour spreading on the other hand, specifically refers to the spreading of unverified or unsubstantiated information about someone or something. Rumours can be true, false,  or partially true, BUT they lack credible evidence at the time of sharing. Rumours tend to spread quickly, especially in the age of social media, which can lead to widespread misinformation and misunderstandings. In essence, gossiping involves discussing personal information or stories, while rumour spreading focuses on sharing unconfirmed or uncertain information about a person.

Both gossiping and rumour spreading can have negative consequences, as they may lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and damaged relationships. Teaching children about the effects of both gossip and rumour spreading is essential to help them understand the importance of respectful relationships. It also helps them to develop healthier communication habits and become more mindful of the impact of their words. 

Knowing how to recognise and stop gossip is an invaluable skill and as educators and parents we need to work together to support our children in developing these skills. Teaching children about gossip and rumour spreading is the first step. There are a few comments that can be taught to your child for them to use when having conversations with or about peers:

• Why are you telling me that?
• I’m trying not to gossip so can we talk about something else
• I think we could talk about something nicer

Remember, teaching children about gossip and rumours is an ongoing process, and I encourage you as parents to be patient and supportive throughout. 

Have a blessed week,

Sheereen Brunetta
Assistant Principal

Principal Awards

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

Antonio Accoto, Eve Rota, Lucy Murphy, Eldan Varghese, Alessia Castellano, Emily Edgerton, Kian Gutierrez, Lucas Rota, Sage Trovato, Alice Farrugia, Isaac Muscat, Valentino Santucci, Felicity Oake, Jessica Mikhail, Christopher Attard, Jemma Bartolo, Gisele Gandola.

Mayor for a Day Competition

Congratulations to Anthony (Year 6), who last week was given the opportunity to present a speech in the Mayor for a Day Competition.

Today, the school celebrated the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop. We here at St Paul’s have a special link with Mary MacKillop as in 1883, two St Joseph Sisters arrived in Camden and began teaching classes in our school.  Mary MacKillop herself is also said to have visited the school. In her earliest years, Mary MacKillop was impelled by the love of God and her belief in the dignity of all people.

Her belief that “there where you are you will find God” led her to respond in diverse ways to the needs of those who were poor or pushed to the margins of society. She found happiness in making others happy. Through educating the poor, caring for the sick and providing shelter for women and children, Mary created opportunities for individuals to grow towards the fullness of life.

Today, her Congregation, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, continue to be motivated by these same convictions. The Sisters and affiliates serve in a variety of ministries of educating and caring, suffering and healing, being and presence in cities and rural areas, in local parishes and the wider Church, among First Nations people, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, in prisons and hospitals, aged care facilities, retreat and family care centres, as pastoral workers and advocates wherever there is a need. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart continue Mary’s legacy bringing fresh courage and offering hope to all.

Inspired by Mary MacKillop and in the tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, St Paul’s school Camden strives to offer service in an environment of peace, hope and love of God. We do this through living our Vision and Mission.

With Jesus as our model; and in the tradition of St Paul and St Mary MacKillop, we strive to provide an education that challenges and encourages all to reach their full potential. We do this in partnership with our families, the parish and the wider community. We are committed to our school motto of
‘Truth, Love, Faith.’

This morning, Fr Victor led us in a celebration of Mass. All of our students also received a momento of St Mary MacKillop.

Next week, on Tuesday, 15 August 2023 at 11am, we will again celebrate Mass for the Feast of the Assumption. All parents and friends are welcome to join us at Mass. The Assumption of Mary is the teaching that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. The Feast of the Assumption enlivens our hope that we shall be with Christ as Mary now is. It promises that after the struggles and losses of this life that we shall find happiness and companionship with God.

Maria Debrincat
Religious Education Coordinator

Book Week Character Parade Afternoon 

The school book character parade will be held on Wednesday, 23 August 2023.

Students can come to school dressed as a favourite book character. Be creative and use items you already have at home. No need to go shopping for an outfit!

The book character parade will begin at 2:30pm. Families are invited to come along and watch the parade. Parents will enter through Larkin Place and Mitchell Street gates and the parade will be held on the playground. 

The book character parade will conclude at the end of the school day with normal afternoon dismissal.

Canteen Caper Day

Congratulations - MS Read-a-thon

Congratulations to Archie (Year 2) who has shown a true love for reading this year and because of this and all the reading he is doing, he would do it for a good cause all at the same time. For the month of August, Archie  is participating in the MS Read-a-Thon to  raise money and help support children with MS.

MS Read-a-thon