25 August 2023

From the Principals Desk

Wellbeing Week

Week 5 is traditionally Wellbeing Week for St Paul’s. We were glad to see no homework, some special visitors, and the beginning of our peer support program. It was a lovely week for the groups to “check in” on Tuesday and have Fun Friday with a range of games together in the afternoon.

Breakfast Club – Thanks to Kellogg's and Bakers Delight (Pender Place)

Our volunteers are an amazing bunch of Women from the local St Vincent De Paul.

Thank you to Mrs Collett for this initiative and the staff who have given their time to assist Tuesdays and Thursdays

Public Speaking

Congratulations to all the students who moved outside of their comfort zone to present their speeches for our stages at the end of week 4. Our 8 finalists now move to the next phase of public speaking – Lower Hunter/All Saints cluster at Abermain.

Thank you to Mrs Campbell and her team of Ms McNamee and Ms Beletich for their organisation and support of the students. It was a very difficult task to adjudicate on the day.

Holy Communion Congratulations

We had our first group of children make their sacrament of Holy Communion over the weekend in our Rutherford parish. It was a lovely occasion for our community. We also had children receive Holy Communion at various other mass centres in our Chisolm region. This completes their initiation into our catholic faith, and they can fully participate in masses and communion whenever they attend church.

Thank you to those students who were part of the music ministry on Sunday morning. The church sounded beautiful.

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Book Fair AND Book Week

Mrs Howard and Mrs Sneddon worked very hard last week to set up and display our inspiring bookfair. This year we had a different supplier who brought a wonderful range of titles and authors for us. Thank you to the ladies in the library for the extra time they have put in to make it a very successful venture.

This week, they have not rested as we celebrate Book Week. Our parade was spectacular, as were our budding actors in their rendition of......

These events could not happen without the commitment and organisation of our library staff. Well Done!!!

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ATTENDANCE

Some parents will recall receiving a letter asking to update your child’s absences. Parents have legal responsibilities related to regular attendance for their children at school. It is also a Diocesan requirement that attendance patterns are monitored by each school and explanations sought in cases where absenteeism presents a potential concern.

Whilst we understand that there are many factors that govern attendance and illness often impacts rates, our school is required to undertake attendance reviews and seek explanations as part of our legal responsibility. Parents are to ensure that they supply a reason for absence within 7 days via the Compass Portal.

Assistant Principal

PBL

This fortnight’s PBL focus is Always try our best. This focus aligns with our school rule and school value of Learn. Trying our best helps to build a positive, growth-mindset and a person’s resilience. Resilience is a person’s ability to cope with tough times and change by applying your inner strength.

Here are some strategies for coping with tough times:

• taking some time out to relax
• exercise
• breaking a challenge down into small, achievable goals
• celebrating achieving your goals
• keeping a journal
• thinking about the big picture

Bullying No Way – National Day of Action against bullying and violence

Last Friday St Pauls participated in Bullying No Way- A National Day of Action against bullying and violence. The theme for 2023 was 'growing connections'. This theme supports research findings that strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviors in students.

At assembly we talked with students talked about what bullying behaviour is and is not. We also shared strategies for what to do if you or someone else is experiencing bullying.

Bullying behaviour is...

Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying behaviour is not...

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved.

Peer Support- Stronger Together

Last week we commenced our annual Peer Support Program with Session One: Feeling safe - Being me! For the next 8 weeks our students will be involved in groups of approximately 8-10 students working with a Year 6 student Peer Leader and supervising teacher on Stronger Together - a module that aims to support positive relationships amongst students. Throughout the program, groups will talk about their strengths and their resilience. A big thank you to our Year 6 teachers Miss Tuersley and Mr Toomey for the organization of this wonderful program.

Our Peer Leaders have been trained and have planned their session using the materials from Peer Support Australia. Last week’s session included activities for the students to get to know each other by using a range of social skill interactions that promote diversity and engagement in a sensitive yet productive manner. It also established a safe learning environment where the peer group feel able to join in, share and contribute to developing a sense of belonging, to better protect themselves from the effects of bullying behaviour.

This week’s session focus was - Strong me! Our session encouraged everyone to identify their personal strengths as a key protective factor to address bullying behaviour and looked at ways of utilizing these positive attributes to support themselves and others to build resilience. I encourage parents and carers to ask their children this week:

• What did you say or think that your strengths might be?
• Could you suggest some more strengths that you have?

ICAS Assessments

A huge thank you to Mrs. King for her organization of our recent ICAS Assessments. We are so fortunate to be able to provide the opportunity for our students to take part in such valuable experiences. Over the last three weeks, a variety of our students have participated in English, Writing, Spelling, Mathematics and Science assessments. The ICAS Assessment (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) are designed to recognize and reward academic excellence. All assessments are voluntary. Every year over a million students participate internationally.

Congratulations to all of our students who challenged themselves by participating in this year's ICAS!

Student Awards Weeks

Religious Education Update

ST PAUL’S FAMILY MASS

Last Sunday the 20^th at 8am, St Paul’s Primary hosted Sunday Mass here in the church at St Paul’s. It was a wonderful occasion made extra special by students from our school receiving their final Sacrament of Initiation – First Holy Communion. Thank you so much to everyone that could come along and help/participate. A huge shoutout to my wonderful choir kids that made the effort to come and sing – Anna Malkani, Saxon and Jayce Hayes and James Bolch. Your singing was wonderful and appreciated by the parish community!

Calling all Fathers, Grandfathers,
Uncles and any significant male…

Next Friday the 1^st of September we will be holding our Father’s Day celebrations here at St Paul’s. We will be commencing the serving of breakfast at 7:30am which will be followed by a liturgy hosted by Year 2. We look forward to seeing you there – just remember to submit your order for breakfast by mid next week.

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
15^th AUGUST

Daniel went to his mother demanding a new bicycle for Christmas. ‘Danny, we can’t afford it,’ she said, ‘so write a letter to Jesus and pray for one instead.’

‘Dear Jesus, I've been a good boy this year and would appreciate a new bicycle. Your friend, Daniel.’ Now Danny guessed that Jesus really knew he was a brat. So he gave the letter another try. ‘Dear Jesus, I've been an OK boy this year and I want a new bicycle. Yours truly, Daniel.’ Danny knew this wasn't true either so he tore it up and tried again. ‘Dear Jesus, I've thought about being a good boy so may I have a new bicycle? Daniel.’ Finally, Danny thought better of making these false claims and so ran to the Church. He went inside and stole a small statue of Mary and ran out the door. He went home, hid it under his bed and wrote this letter. ‘Jesus, let’s face it, I've broken most of the Commandments; tore up my sister's doll and lots more, I'm desperate. I've got your mother Mary, if you ever want to see her again, give me a bike for Christmas. You know who.’

This humorous story has a serious lesson for us on the feast of the Assumption. Throughout history there are those who have ransomed the memory of Mary to fit in with how they understand women should behave in society. As a result, sometimes, Mary is presented as meek and mild, passive and subservient. The problem with this view is that it is impossible to reconcile it with the ten stories we have of Mary in the New Testament: the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation, flight into Egypt, losing Jesus in the Temple, going to bring Jesus home from his public ministry, the wedding feast at Cana, being at the foot of the Cross, and Pentecost.

The strength and power of Mary’s witness is most especially captured in the Magnificat from which we just heard. Here Mary extols how God is saving us by turning the world on its head, doing the very opposite of what was expected. The New Testament does not demonstrate a meek woman, devoid of creativity and initiative. It shows a strong, noble woman who put her free will at the disposal of God’s will. That is what the feast of the Assumption celebrates: that because God will never be outdone in fidelity and generosity, he remained utterly faithful to Mary through death, as she was utterly faithful to him in life.

SACRAMENTAL CALENDAR 2023

SUNDAY'S GOSPEL

Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus asks, "Who do people say I am?"

Library News

Book Fair

Thank you to all the families who purchased during our Larrikin Book Fair last week. Although we didn’t make our target, we still earned over $2000 in commission to go towards new books for our school library.

Congratulations to the Colouring-In Competition Winners
Kinder- Eli Schultz
Stage 1 - Siya Krishna
Stage 2 – Serah Alex
Stage 3 Indianna Murdoch

These students enjoyed a first-pick free choice book from our book fair.

Book Week

What a fabulous Book Week Assembly and Book Parade. Thank you for putting in the effort to create fun costumes.
Congratulations to the Writing Competition Winners

Infants Winners

Spencer Weatherburn – Superheroes
Esai Goonawardena - Fu lost his books

Primary Winners

Maya Holloway - The Day Lillie Came to Life
Alexis Hague - Read Grow Inspire

Primary Runners up

Mia Bridgewater
Scarlett Melling
Tilly Enright

These students enjoyed Stockland vouchers donated by First National Real Estate Maitland.

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Kind Regards,
Katrina Howard and Penny Sneddon

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 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 Week 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 – Stage 2 Rotations
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

Mon 4^th Sep – Fri 8^th Sep – Year 2 Intensive Swimming Program
Tue 5^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Tue 5^th Sep – Stage 3 Rotations
Wed 6^th Sep – Opal Visit
Wed 6^th Sep – Kindergarten Reptile Park Excursion 8.45am
Thu 7^th Sep – Breakfast Club 8.20am – 8.45am
Thu 7^th Sep –  Year 3 Treetops Excursions 9am
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

Mon 11^th Sep – PUPIL FREE DAY – Staff Formation Day
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

August News

August Monthly Meeting

Our chocolate box notes went home to families to select the choc boxes. Funds raised will be contributed to much needed items in the canteen including plumbing and equipment.

Orders will be placed on Monday 28 August and boxes will be sent home with the children; we will have an additional 10 boxes if you are able to assist with selling extra.

Fathers Day

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 can volunteer to man, the stall or bag pack please contact via the facebook page or email address below.

Year 6 Farewell Update

The P&F will purchase the graduation teddies for all year 6 students. The class teachers will set a date for the farewell, ot will be the responsibility of the year 6 parents to form a committee to plan and book the event.

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 19 September 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 App.

Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms as normal.

Please ensure your child has their current class.

Healthy Lunchbox

New recipes and blogs

• Easy blueberry pikelets
• 8 tips to reduce food waste

Kindergarten Orientation Resources

• ‘How to pack a healthy lunch box’ video - A fun and informative 3-minute video to show parents at kindy orientation nights or included within kindy orientation packs.
• Healthy Lunch Box website information resource (with QR code) – This flyer can be either inserted into an e-newsletter (the pdf contains hyperlinks for easy access to the website) or printed out to go into kindy orientation packs.  It provides information on what you will find on the website.

Healthy Lunch Box ‘Pack your lunch box’ resource (with QR code)  - This flyer can be either inserted into an e-newsletter or printed out to go into kindy orientation packs.  It provides information on foods from the 5 food groups and what to pack in a lunch box.

Good for kids