April 3rd 2025

From the Principals Desk - Mrs Stacey Mullin

GRATITUDE AT THE END OF TERM

This has been the quickest term to pass and as we make our way to our holidays and Easter, I am grateful for our staff who have worked with renewed energy this year to make gains in updating our PB4L, looking at new curriculum and celebrating our student leaders.

I have been highly impressed with our Year 6 students who have made a significant contribution to Monday assembly, PB4L videos and hosted the activities for Harmony Day. As the weeks have gone on, I still have enthusiastic students coming with new ideas, even though we are nearly at the end of term and getting tired.

Congratulations to our sporting legends who have participated in many trials, galas days at regional, Diocesan and Polding events, the students involved in ASPIRE, year 5 completing their first term of library and computer monitors, and the work students have completed in virtual academy.

Deep gratitude to our Parents and Friends group who have created many opportunities for fund raising for our school and are currently putting the Easter Raffle together.

Easter Raffle Wednesday 9th April.

This year, our Easter Raffle for infants will be held under the COLA in the morning after their Easter Hat parade 9am

The primary raffle will take place under the COLA after lunch 1:30pm.

INFANTS PLAYGROUND - Nearly there!

We are waiting with bated breath for the infant's playground to be complete. The grass is down, and we have to wait for dry conditions for the soft fall to be completed.

Wishing all our families a restful break and a holy Easter.

May we all return rested and re-energised for term 2.
Stacey Mullin

Calendar Dates - Week 11 & Week 1

Student Awards Term 1 - Week 8 & 9

Assistant Principal - Mrs Sharna Taranto

PB4L (Positive Behaviours for Learning)

As shared with families last week, below is Our revised PB4L Behaviour expectations matrix. The purpose of this matrix is to articulate our behaviour expectations using positive language that is aligned with our Catholic values of Learn, Love and Serve.  I encourage all families to take the time to discuss these behaviour expectations with their child/ren asking ‘What does is look, sound and feel like when you Learn, Love & Serve at school?’

Pupil Free Day

Tomorrow Friday 4^th April we have our planned Pupil Free Day where our teaching staff will be engaging in a rich professional learning experience with our neighboring schools; St Joseph’s, East Maitland and St John the Baptist, Maitland. The day’s learning is centered on four new curriculums: PD/H/PE, Science and Technology, Creative Arts and HSIE (Human Society and it’s Environment). A reminder that the school will be closed to all students tomorrow Friday 4th April. We thank families for their support and understanding.

Cross Country

Congratulations to all of the students who participated today in our primary and infants' cross country.  We especially thank Mrs Stefanish-Smith and Mrs Walls for their organization of such a wonderful experience. Students who’s times qualify for Diocesan Carnival (Term 2) will receive notification from the school in the coming week.    

Religious Coordinator - Mr Robert Temesvary

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day is part of Harmony Week which is usually celebrated around the end of March. It is a special time where we come together to recognise and celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. At St Paul’s, it is in our vision that we are a community of learners that respect the dignity of all. This means embracing the richness that different cultures and backgrounds bring to our community.

Through various activities and reflections, our students learnt the importance of acceptance and compassion, inspired by the Gospel values of love and unity – something we do every day!

Thank you to Mrs Warby and Year 6 who ran activities for the day! Unfortunately, we only got to participate in activities at recess as the rain descended upon us just before lunch.

HOLY WEEK LITURGY

Next week on Thursday the 10th of April, our school will come together to commemorate Holy Week which falls in the Holidays this year. Each class will be participating in re-enacting the stations of the cross and we welcome any family members that would like to come along to be with us in community for this most significant time in our liturgical year.

Holy Week is the most sacred time of the year for Catholics, marking the final week of Lent and leading up to Easter. It begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Throughout the week, Catholics reflect on the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, including the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and His sacrifice on Good Friday. Holy Week concludes with the joy of Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of new life. It’s a time of prayer, reflection, and coming together as a community of faith.

PROJECT COMPASSION

Each year we raise money for Project Compassion through the donation boxes that were sent home with everyone. Below is the update for the Fourth Week of Lent.

Fourth Week of Lent

(Week beginning Monday 31 March)

Irene lives in a remote village in the Kongolo Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Life hasn’t been easy for Irene. After losing her father in a war, Irene and her family were forced to flee their home. Life became even more challenging when her husband left, leaving Irene to raise her 2 children alone. Without finishing her education and with few job opportunities in her village, she struggled to provide even the basics for her family.

Things began to change when Irene joined the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program (YCSP), run by Caritas Kongolo with the support of Caritas Australia. Through the program, Irene learned sewing skills and was provided with a sewing machine and fabric. Irene also gained farming skills. Now, she grows enough food to feed her family and even shares her sewing knowledge by mentoring other women in her community.

“Before, women depended on men's income, but now, with our sewing skills, we can take care of ourselves,” Irene said.

Your support of Project Compassion helps women like Irene to create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Watch Irene’s story here. (For secondary students and parents)

Will you stand in solidarity with people like Irene this Lent?

Photo credit: Arlette Bashizi/Caritas Australia

Please donate today.

You can support Project Compassion 2025 through the donation boxes
Or online at: caritas.org.au/project-compassion
Or by calling: 1800 024 413

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Sacraments of Initiation 2025

Below are the events to mark on the calendar for those completing their Sacraments of Initiation this year. For any information, please contact me through the school office.

Next up: 2nd rite of reconciliation – see the image below for dates and centres.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR C

Luke 15:1-3. 11-32

Parable of the prodigal son.

Library News - Katrina Howard

Borrowing Days 2025 

Tuesday Odd Weeks - Kinder, Year 1 

Tuesday Even Weeks – Kinder, Year 2  

Wednesday Odd Weeks - Year 3M, Year 5 

Wednesday Even Weeks – Year 3W, Year 6 

Thursday Even Weeks – Year 4 

Library Borrowing Cup

Congratulations to 3W, 6M and 5M on winning the Library Cup the past couple of weeks. The cup is presented to the class who has the highest percentage of borrowers for the week.

Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC)

Don’t forget to keep reading and recording books during the school holidays.

Congratulations to the following students who have completed the challenge this fortnight! Well done … Mason (KW), Hunter (KW), Finn (1W), Asher (3M, Mackinley (3M), Joshua (3M).

Overdue Notices

Overdue notices were sent out last week. Please return overdue books. Students do not need to wait till their borrowing day to return the books. Unfortunately, in the past few years we have had an excessive number of books not being returned to the library. This year a $15 fee will be charged payable via Qkr! for unreturned books after 2 overdue notice slips. Please contact the library if you believe the book has been returned and we can double check our shelves.

Digital Citizenship

Years 3-6 have been exploring what it means to be a safe digital citizen during library lessons this term. Stage 3 has read some chapters from the text (Be Smart About) Screen Time!: Stay Grounded, Set Boundaries, and Keep Safe Online By Rachel Brian. Students were encouraged to discuss the topic with parents and carers at home. See the following images of some pages from the book that you may wish to discuss with your children.

Screen Time

Book Club  

All orders for Book Club Issue 2 were submitted to Scholastic last week and we hope to have them all delivered this week. Once they have arrived at school they will be handed out to students. Thanks for your orders! 

Please don’t hesitate to contact the library staff for any issues or enquiries via email at Katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au Penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au 

School Holiday Activities 

Maitland Libraries 

https://www.maitlandlibrary.com.au/whats-on/upcoming-events 

Newcastle Writers Festival – Family Day 

https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/family-fun/#ct  

Tocal Homestead Open Days 

Tocal Homestead Open Days - My Maitland 

Maitland Art Gallery 

Art Sunday - My Maitland 

April School Holiday Drop In Workshops - My Maitland 

Art Camp 

School Holiday Workshops – Nature and Nurture NSW 

Inflatable World/Indoor Sports  

April School Holidays Clinics Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite  

Primary Coordinator & Gifted Educator Mentor - Mrs Amanda King

10 Tips for Continuing Your Child's Learning Over the Holidays

As the school holidays approach, it's a great opportunity for children to take a break and recharge, but it’s also a chance to continue their learning in fun and engaging ways. Learning doesn’t have to stop when school is out, and there are many activities you can do with your child to help them retain and build on what they’ve learned. Here are some ideas to keep the learning going during the holidays:

1. Encourage Reading

Reading is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to continue learning over the holidays. Encourage your child to read books that interest them—whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or even comics! Take regular trips to the local library or explore new e-books together. You can also read aloud together, discuss the story, and even act out scenes for added fun!

2. Explore the Outdoors

The holidays are a great time to explore the natural world. Go on nature walks, visit local parks, or even have a backyard scavenger hunt. Encourage your child to observe the world around them, ask questions, and research animals, plants, or geography topics that spark their curiosity. Learning about the environment is a wonderful way to build science knowledge and critical thinking skills.

3. Educational Games and Puzzles

Turn learning into a game! Many board games, card games, and puzzles offer great opportunities for children to practise skills like maths, strategy, and problem-solving. Games like Scrabble, Monopoly, or a simple jigsaw puzzle can provide both entertainment and learning in one fun package.

4. Cooking and Baking

Get your child involved in cooking or baking together. This activity can incorporate maths skills (measuring ingredients), science (understanding reactions during cooking), and even reading (following recipes). Plus, it’s a great way to bond while creating something delicious!

5. Creative Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts activities not only allow children to express their creativity but also build fine motor skills and help with problem-solving. From drawing, painting, and sculpting to making collages or creating DIY projects, these activities can tie into subjects like history (drawing ancient civilisations), geography (crafting cultural artefacts), or science (exploring natural materials).

6. Limit Screen Time, but Make It Count

While limiting screen time during the holidays is always a good idea, when your child does use technology, opt for educational apps, videos, and games. There are many learning apps available that cover topics like maths, language, coding, and even art, all while keeping kids entertained.

7. Family Learning Projects

Take on a family project over the holidays that aligns with your child's interests. For example, if your child is fascinated by space, you could build a model of the solar system or create a timeline of space exploration. Working on a project together not only promotes learning but also fosters teamwork and creativity.

8. Visit Museums and Cultural Sites

If possible, take the time to visit local museums, galleries, or historical sites. These outings can be both educational and exciting for children, offering real-life connections to what they’ve learned in the classroom. Many museums also offer interactive exhibits that engage children and make learning fun.

9. Encourage Writing and Journaling

Writing can often be overlooked during the holidays, but it's a fantastic way to keep your child’s mind active. Encourage them to write in a journal about their holiday experiences or let them create short stories or poems. This activity helps build writing skills and creativity.

10. Have Regular Conversations

Simply talking to your child about what they’re learning and experiencing is a powerful way to keep the learning going. Ask them about their favourite part of their holiday reading or let them explain something new they learned during an outing. This fosters critical thinking and communication skills.

School Fee Statements

School fee statements were sent out on Wednesday, along with reminder letters for families who have not yet made their first payment for 2025 in the coming days. Payments were due to start by 31 March 2025, for those on the instalment plans. For those paying annually, your fees are due by 30 June 2025. If you have not received your statement, please contact the office.

If you haven't completed your healthcare card application yet, please take a moment to do so by clicking the link below

https://cefmsmn.t1cloud.com/T1Default/CiAnywhere/Web/CEFMSMN/Forms/FillOut?formDef=542f8b0a36f27c118b055b26d933c4fe&suite=CES

If your family is facing any difficulties in making payments, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. We’re here to help.

Sport News - Jessica Stefanish-Smith & Melinda Walls

Diocesan Rugby Trials

On Monday, 24 March, three of our talented students—Nixon Miller, Khye Browne, and Nate Braun—travelled to Salamander Rugby Fields to compete in the Diocesan Rugby Trials. The boys showcased their skills, determination, and sportsmanship against some of the best young rugby players in the region.

A huge congratulations to Nixon Miller, who has been selected for the Diocesan Rugby Team and will compete in the Polding team selections in May. This is an incredible achievement, and we are so proud of his hard work and dedication.

Well done to Khye and Nate for their outstanding efforts on the field. Their commitment and teamwork were a credit to our school, and we look forward to seeing them continue to excel in the sport.

Best of luck to Nixon as he prepares for the next challenge—our school community is cheering you on!

Under 10 Rugby League Girls & Boys Cessnock

Well done to the boys and girls who represented St Paul’s at the Under 10s Rugby League Gala Day today. There was a lot of great sportsmanship and big smiles throughout the day. A special thank you to Mr Ebert for organising the day.

Under 10 Rugby League Girls & Boys

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Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to our Swimming carnival Age Champions and Runners up! They were presented with their medals at the Week 6 assembly.

Congratulations to Archie Hawkins who competed at the Polding Swimming carnival on the 2^nd of April. This is a swimming carnival where student compete against other students from the northern half of New South Wales.

Swimming

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Lower Hunter Football, League, Netball and Touch Football Trials

We have had a number of students trial for Diocesan level sporting teams. Congratulations to all students who represented St Paul’s.

Cross Country

Mrs Walls has done an amazing job organising the Primary Cross country. This was meant to be a 2-6 event at Coronation Oval, Telarah however due to rain, the council closed the fields. Mrs Walls was quick to ‘Plan B’, taking our competitive students to the fields with other staff members. The rest of 2-6 remained at school and took part in a fun cross-country around the school.

Thank you to Mrs Walls and our St Paul’s staff who were very flexible with sudden changes.

Mrs Stefanish-Smith organised a mini-Cross Country for our Kindergarten and Year 1 students. The students enjoyed taking part in rotations; a mini-cross-country, kicking skills, shot put and throwing skills and ball skills. Kinder and Year 1 did a fabulous job practicing their fundamental movement skills.

Photos will be on display on the school’s Facebook page!

Cross Country

Athletics Carnival 

The Athletics Carnival will take place on the 28th April 2025. This is the first day of Term 2. This is a compulsory school day and all students, K-6 will attend. Mrs Walls and Mrs Stefanish-Smith will be sharing details about the carnival in the coming weeks.  

Year 6 2025 Assembly

Year 6 students had the pleasure of presenting our first class assembly last Friday. They shared their experiences as a leader of the school, their knowledge of the solar system and displayed some colourful artworks. The students then finished their showcase with a leadership rap song.

Well done, Year 6! 

Yr6 2025 Assembly