28 July 2023

From the Principals Desk

Welcome Back to Term 3.

I hope everyone had a very restful holiday. The children have returned with focus on being ready to learn. Please ensure your child has the correct uniform. All ties for both girls and boys are to be worn on formal uniform days.

100 Days of Kindergarten and Grandparents Day

This year Kindergarten celebrated 100 days of Kindergarten along side our celebration and recgnition of our grandparents. They showed their wonderful costumes to the rest of the school and came to the liturgy with the grandparents. It was an exciting day of hundreds and thousands, a picnic and plenty of SCANs (Senior Citizens Afternoon Naps) with a great story or two thrown in.

We are grateful for our grandparents and the traditions and family life they share with us.

Safeguarding and Mandatory Reporting

Safeguarding is a very important part of our responsibility as educators and adults in our school community. Although it is a very difficult topic, it is our responsibility to report any matters concerning the safety of children immediately. Please remember that if you are a volunteer within our school, you also have this obligation.

Reports and Student Led Conferences

Thank you for your engagement with the learning agenda of your child and their classroom teacher through student goal setting for Semester 2.

Please take the time to provide feedback on your experience with goal setting in learning and the new style of reports. COMPLETE THE FORM

Netball Gala Day NSW Schools Netball

This year we again sent teams to play in the NSW schools netball Gala Day. We had to travel to Singleton this year due to a clash of dates with Raymond Terrace and ASPIRE. It was wonderful to be part of the St Paul’s community, giving their best to play and some children continuing to learn to play the game of netball. I was extremely proud of the way the boys participated and the sportsmanship of all the teams.

Thank you to Mrs. Stefanish-Smith and Mrs. Howard who have been training the teams over the last week of Term 2 and these beginning weeks to get the students comfortable in playing together in their positions.

Regional Athletics

Ms Taranto and Mr Toomey had the pleasure of managing the athletics students who were successful at making regional athletics level last week. Again, the students were great representatives of our school.

Congratulations to all the students.

A huge congratulations to Lachlyn who has put in an enormous effort and made it to the next level in Athletics 1500m.

Winter Appeal/Pyjama day

This is always my favourite day of the year. It is amazing how going to work in your pyjamas makes you feel happier. The generosity of our community for those in need this winter was outstanding. Thank you for your kind donations. St Vincent De Paul are eternally grateful.

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ASPIRE

Yr 5 and 6 shared the experience of attending Aspire – Pirate Code this week. The performance was highly entertaining for the staff that attended and students. We are very proud of our past student, Heather Peters being involved in the music ensemble.

Happy Healthy Harold

Life Education Van has arrived for the next 5 days of interactive fun with the students to focus on health and wellbeing.

Timetable

LOST PROPERTY

Once again lost property is overflowing. The responsibility is on our children to look after their belongings. Please remember to label everything and check the lost property if things go missing.

NAPLAN RESULTS

Naplan results have been sent home this week with students in Yr 3 and 5.
LINK to PDF information sheet.

Assistant Principal

PBL

This fortnight our PBL focus is Safe and Caring hands, feet and words. This focus aligns with our school rule of “Responsible” and our school value of ”Love”. As our students are learning how to negotiate new or challenging social situations it is important that they are provided with strategies to help them to make good choices that keep themselves and others safe. Useful strategies that children can use on the playground are: ignore the other person's words or walk away, tell them in an assertive voice “Stop, I don’t like it when you do that.” or to tell the teacher on duty and ask for their help. When we think about Social and Emotional Learning Skills we are teaching student how to manage their reactions and how to make responsible decisions to keep themselves and others safe.

Life Education

This week we welcome the Life Education van back to St Paul’s. We are fortunate to provide this learning experience to all of our students from Kindergarten to Year 6 each year. The Life Education Program has been running for many years and, many of our parents I am sure, would have fond memories of Happy Harold school visits from when they were in Primary school. The aim of the program is to promote student’s physical, social and emotional health and wellbeing through interactive, targeted learning experiences. Each class is scheduled to visit the van over Week 2 and Week 3 this term.

Regional Athletics

Last week, Mr Toomey and Mrs King attended the Regional Athletics Carnival at Maitland. They could not have been prouder of the way in which our students conducted themselves at this event. Their display of sportsmanship and team spirit was beyond impressive with many of our students volunteering to participate in the relay event, to replace students who were unwell on the day. I would also like to make special mention to a number of our senior students who volunteered part of their day to assist Mr Toomey in the running of the Long Jump event. These students set the example for who we are at St Paul’s, living out our school values of learn, love and serve.

Student Awards Weeks

Religious Education Update

WELCOME BACK FOR TERM 3

Welcome back everyone for another Term! We have started with a bang as the calendar us already full, but it is vitally important to take the time to slow down every now and then to reflect and pray. This has huge benefits for our mental wellbeing, it brings us closer to God, and helps to clear our heads to make better decisions. I look forward to the term ahead along with its challenges and blessings.  

Lord Jesus, 

Thank you for the gift of life. Each season is special and beautiful in your timing and I praise you, Jesus, for teaching me to embrace each one. During this current season of busyness, I desperately need the wisdom that can only come from you. I need you to calm my hurried heart. The hustle and bustle can cause my spirit to sink… When I know your plan is to soar. As the God of the universe living inside of me, the Author of peace that can’t be comprehended, please give me your heavenly tranquility to experience fully    and I’ll praise Your holy name. 

Amen

ST PAUL’S FEAST DAY

What a wonderful celebration for the end of term 2! A huge thank you to everyone that helped with the running of the day. Another big thank you to Fr George who came along to celebrate this wonderful day with us. Thank you to those family members that came along to brave the cold.

SACRAMENTAL CALENDAR 2023

If you have any questions regarding the Sacraments of Initiation, please contact the parish office on (02) 4933 8918. Below are the significant dates for 2023:

SUNDAY'S GOSPEL

Matthew 13:44-46
jesus describes the kingdom through images.

Library News

PRC

Only 4 weeks left to complete the challenge. All books must be recorded online by Friday 18 August 2023.  The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. If you have any trouble with log on details please email katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au or penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations to Franceska (KW), Siya (1M), Evee (2W), Jasmine (2W), Sara (4M) and Xavier (5M) for completing the PRC this fortnight.

Story Box Library

We are delighted to let you know about an education resource that is available to your child at home as part of our school subscription – Story Box Library.

Your child can watch favourite stories, read aloud by fabulous storytellers, at home as well as in the classroom. Reading aloud to children, in particular by diverse and engaging storytellers, greatly improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development. Story Box Library is committed to supporting and engaging the practice of storytelling. It is intended for use as a complementary form of delivering the precious experience of being read aloud to, in order to improve children’s lives. Connecting children with literature through the complementary medium of film, providing a vibrant, interactive experience via a diverse range of storytellers sharing the best of our local children’s picture books.

To access Story Box Library at home:

1) Visit www.storyboxlibrary.com.au
2) Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen
3) Log in using the username and password provided below
4) Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection

USERNAME: Story Box Rutherford
PASSWORD: Rutherford

Book Fair and Book Week

Book Fair 14^th -17^th August (Week 5).

This year we will be using Larrikin House for our Book Fair offering a variety of books for all ages. Book Fairs are a great way to earn new resources for our library and classrooms. Our school receives a generous commission on all sales from the fair. Our fundraising target this year is to reach $10,000 in sales. All classes will have a chance to purchase during their library lesson during Week 5. Parents and carers are welcome to attend before and after school. Please note due to the fair no library borrowing will take place in Week 5. All classes will have the opportunity to borrow in Week 6.  

This year the CBCA 2023 Book Week theme is 'READ GROW INSPIRE'. 

Book Week 19^th- 25^th August (Week 6).

Our Book Week dress-up parade will be held on Wednesday 23^rd August at 10:00 am. Students can dress up according to the Book Week theme dressing as a book character they have read about, grown up with, been inspired by. Many of this year's shortlisted CBCA award books offer great ideas including penguins, a giraffe, a frog, and various sea creatures.

To celebrate Book Week, we will again be running our annual colouring-in and story-writing competitions. Each stage has a different colouring-in page. These can be collected from the library, classroom teachers or printed off at home using the attached PDFs in the compass notification last week. All entries for the colouring-in need to be handed into the library by the end of Week 4. Book Fair voucher prizes will be awarded to use at the Book Fair.

The writing competition is open to all students and is due by the end of Week 5. Stockland Voucher prizes donated by First National Maitland will be awarded at the Book Week Assembly. Entries will be judged against other entries in the same stage, competition details are attached.

Happy reading, writing, colouring-in, and costume creating!

BOOK CLUB

The Issue 5 catalogue has been sent home last week with the due date for orders being the 2^nd of August. There is a promotion for FREE books with this months catalogue so check it out!

Orders can be placed online via the parent LOOP platform, or you can send in the correct money to the office with your order form.

Thanks again for supporting our school buy purchasing books through Book Club!

See below the online ordering instructions.

 How do I Order?

1. Simply grab your child's Book Club catalogue and either sign in or register your account.
2. Click on ORDER and then select your school and your child's class* .
3. Add your child's first name & last initial (so the school knows who the book is for) PLEASE NOTE: Your child's details will never be shared with 3rd parties OR used for marketing purposes - this is for distribution purposes only. 
4. Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue.
5. All orders are sent directly to the school for submission to Scholastic. Books will still be delivered to your child's classroom if you order by the close date.
6. Afterwards, there's no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details back to your school! 

Kind Regards,
Katrina Howard and Penny Sneddon

LUNCH ACTIVITIES

Knights Blues 9s

St Paul's Senior Boys played in the Knights Blues 9s at Cessnock on Thursday 29^th June. We had a very successful day with 3 out of 3 wins against Dungog PS, Biraban PS and St James Kotara South. There was a wonderful show of talent from our boys scoring 16 tries to 8. Well done to all and great sportsmanship within the team.

Mackenzie rising money for kids with cancer

Hi my name is Makenzie I am 9 years old and in 4W at St Pauls Primary School

I am cutting my hair to fundraise to help sick kids throughout Australia.  Not only will my lovely locks be used to make a wig, your donations to the cause that means so much to me, will allow Kids with Cancer Foundation to continue with their financial support of families that have a child suffering cancer.

Please donate to my fundraiser, and share with your family and friends.

Together we can all make a difference.

Singleton Netball

At 8am on Thursday 27 July 2023, four netball teams; two containing years 5 and 6 and the other two containing years 3 and 4 got on the bus to head to Singleton Netball Courts for the School Cup Netball Gala Day. Once the bus arrived, all teachers and students walked safely to a grassy area near the courts where our school would stay for the remainder of the day when off the court. Soon after the Gala Day started, all students were excited and ready to play. All teams had breaks in between games where they could apply sunscreen and get ready for the next game. After all games were finished, the finals for our year 5-6 competitive commenced, our other three teams represented St Paul’s by watching and showing amazing sportsmanship towards our school. The 5-6 competitive team won, beating the opposing team, winning the School Cup. It was an amazing day!

Thank you to our teachers Mrs Howard, Mrs Stefanish-Smith, Mrs King, Mr Toomey and parent helper, Jess for training and coaching our teams.

Written by Indi M

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School Fees 2023

Thank you to the families that have settled their fees in full for 2023. We truly thank you for your ongoing support.

If you indicated that you were paying your school fees in full this was to be completed by the 30^th of June and now considered overdue.

If you are making regular payments towards your fees, these regular payments should have commenced by the 31^st of March with all fees to be completed by the end of November.

A special reminder to our Year 6 families, that a Fee Clearance is required for your child to attend a Maitland-Newcastle Diocese High School.  All fees should be paid in full by the end of November 2023 for this to be obtained.

If your family is experiencing financial difficulties, please get in touch with the school for a confidential meeting.

Many thanks
Melissa & Sharon

Guitar, Bass & Ukelele Lessons available at school

Term Dates 2023

Term 1 Friday, 27^th January – Thursday, 6^th April
Term 2 Monday, 24^th April – Friday, 30^th June
Term 3 Monday, 17^th July – Friday, 22 September
Term 4 Monday, 9^th October – Tuesday, 19^th December

Term 3 2023

Week 5 14^th Aug – 18^th Aug

BOOK Fair – Mon 14^th – Thu 17^th August
Tue 15^th Aug – Stage 2 Rotations
Tue 15^th Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Tue 15^th Aug – P&F Meeting
Wed 16^th Aug – Stage 1 Rotations
Thu 17^th Aug – ICAS English Exam
Thu 17^th Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Fri 18^th Aug – 2W Assembly 2pm

Week 6 21^st Aug – 25^th Aug

BOOK WEEK Mon 21^st – Fri 25^th Aug
Tue 22^nd Aug – Regional Public Speaking Competition
Tue 22^nd Aug – Kinder Parish mass -9.30am
Tue 22^nd Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Wed 23^rd Aug – Opal Residents visiting
Wed 23^rd Aug – Book Weed Assembly Dress up - 10.00am
Thu 24^th Aug – ICAS Spelling Bee Exam
Thu 24^th Aug – ICAS Science exam
Thu 24^th Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Fri 25^th Aug – Regional Debating Day – St Peter’s Maitland
Fri 25^th Aug – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 9.30am – 10.30am
Fri 25^th Aug – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 10.45am – 11.45am
Fri 25^th Aug – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 12pm – 1pm

Week 7 28^th Aug – 1^st Sep

Mon 28^th Aug – Stage 2 - Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point
Tue 29^th Aug – Stage 3 - Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point
Tue 29^th Aug – Diocesan Public Speaking Competition
Tue 29^th Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Wed 30^th Aug – Father’s Day Stall
Wed 30^th Aug – Stage 1 Rotations
Thu 31^st Aug – ICAS Mathematics Exam
Thu 31^st Aug – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Fri 1^st Sep – Father’s Day Breakfast 7.30am
Fri 1^st Sep – Father’s Day Liturgy 9am
Fri 1^st Sep – 5W Assembly 2pm

Week 8 4^th Sep – 8^th Sep

Tue 5^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Mon 4^th Sep – Fri 8^th Sep – Year 2 Intensive Swimming Program
Tue 5^th Sep – Stage 3 Rotations
Wed 6^th Sep – Opal Visit
Thu 7^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Fri 8^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 9.30am – 10.30am
Fri 8^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 10.45am – 11.45am
Fri 8^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 12pm – 1pm

Week 9 11^th Sep – 15^th Sep

Tue 12^th Sep – Stage 2 Rotations
Tue 12^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Wed 13^th Sep – Newcastle Science & Engineering Challenge – Tomaree High School Yr 5 & Yr6
Wed 13^th Sep – Stage 1 Rotations
Thu 14^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Fri 15^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 9.30am – 10.30am
Fri 15^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 10.45am – 11.45am
Fri 15^th Sep – Kindergarten 2024 Transition Day 12pm – 1pm
Fri 15^th Sep – 3W Assembly 2pm

Week 10 18^th Sep – 22^nd Sep

Tue 19^th Sep – Stage 3 Rotations
Tue 19^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Wed 20^th Sep – Opal Visit
Thu 21^st Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Thu 21^st Sep – Yr 2 Taronga Zoo Excursion – 7.30am
Fri 22^nd Sep – LAST DAY OF TERM 3

P&F News

July Monthly Meeting

Our first meeting of Term 3 saw some forward planning for the coming months.

First up will be our fundraising chocolate and natural confectionary boxes. A note will be sent home for your preferred selection of boxes. To make this a successful fundraising effort we propose that each family will select one box to sell on behalf of the P & F – Funds raised will be needed items in the canteen including plumbing and equipment.

Father’s day will be celebrated on the first Sunday of September. We will be holding our stall on Wednesday 30 August and a small stall on Thursday 31 August. Pricing for this year will be a selection of gifts for $5 and $8. If you are able to volunteer to man the stall or bag pack, please contact via the Facebook page or email address below.

The P & F will also hold a Sock Drive for all the parents that would like to purchase fun funky socks ready for Socktober. This fundraiser is a joint effort and will see 25% of our profit donated to the mission effort in which Socktober supports.

If there is a fundraising idea that you would like to see at the school please send the committee an email and we will surely discuss it at the next meeting.  We have a few more fundraising opportunities that we are looking into for the rest of the year.

We will be looking for volunteers at all our events, so if you can assist we would love to hear from you. You will need to go online and fill in the documentation to volunteer at the school.

How to Contact Us
Send us an email – stpaulspandfrutherford@gmail.com
Asked a committee member to invite you to the closed facebook group
Join us at the next meeting either via zoom or in person  

Next Meeting
Tuesday 15 August 2023
6.30pm
School Library

Uniform Shop News

Just a reminder that if you need to exchange or refund any items the tag needs to be attached and the original package kept with the item too, please. 

Uniform Shop Hours 2023

Monday 2.15pm – 3pm
Wednesday 8.30am - 9.30am
Friday 8.30am - 9.30am

Elissa Purdon
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Canteen

Opening days will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, CLOSED MONDAY.  Please order via the Qkr.

Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms as normal.

Please ensure your child has their current class.

Good for kids