7 September 2023

From the Principals Desk

Father's Day Community CELEBRATION

Thank you to all who attended our celebration of dads, grandfathers, pops, great grandfathers and even mums who fulfill the role of dad in their household. It was a beautiful community gathering of our St Paul’s family and such a lovely day to be outside.

We are highly appreciative of the staff who set up the breakfast and cooked for us from early in the morning – especially Paula Threlfo who set up early, cooked and cleaned up for us as well.

Thank you to the P&F who created a wonderful Father’s Day stall with highly sought after gifts for dads. It takes time to order, organise and sort for all grades to be able to shop from the stall. We are blessed to have such an involved group do these things for our school.

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Parents and Friends to Family and Community Engagement.

Last week, we shared information of the changes to parent engagement across all Diocesan schools from the traditional P and F model. This was an endorsement from the trustees of the Diocese. At the next meeting we can discuss this further and the implications for St Paul’s. There will be time for questions to be collated and sent to Lizzy Watkins – Our Parent Engagement Officer.

Social Justice and Responsibility

As a Catholic school, we are aware and engaged with many social justice issues facing our world and community. Our school community regularly donates to Caritas and Vinnies and helps take on responsibilities to create a better future for all. Over the last couple of years, our students have given their time promoting Waste Free Wednesday – encouraging a reduction in waste and plastic at school – taking responsibility closer to home and starting small.

This term we are asking for War on Waste volunteers to support the recycling of materials in our school and continue the promotion of Waste Free Wednesday.

For several years, Yr. 5 students volunteered to be responsible for putting the otto bins out the gate and ensuring they are in the right place around the school. Other responsibilities for other grades include – collecting fruit bins for the chicken coop, the worm farm and the compost, gardening club for weeding, growing, and mulching the vege patch and generally contributing to the care of our common home – our school.

Children take on other responsibilities such as library monitors, peer support leaders, computer monitors, buddies, Mini Vinnies, handy helpers for the note bag and running the school assembly.

All these responsibilities are part of our school day and routines as 400 students, teachers and staff working together as a community. Students volunteer to be part of these areas or have put forward the idea themselves and asked for an adult to support and supervise them.

Read more on social justice

School Representation

It has been an overwhelming term of gala day sports, Tournament of Minds, public speaking, ASPIRE, book fair and book week, intensive swimming for Yr. 2, Holy Communion, Grandparent's Day, 100 Days Kindergarten, Happy Healthy Harold, goal setting meetings, Father’s Day, ICAS and excursions for K, 2 and 3. Thank you to all the staff who have accommodated these activities for our students outside of daily face to face teaching.

The students have been wonderful representatives of St Paul’s on these various activities.

Book Week

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Holy Communion

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Staffing Shortages

We are again facing a shortage of casual teachers and LSA’s. When casuals are sick on the day they are booked Ms. Taranto spends long hours organising staff cover. If we can get no one, this involves organising class work, splitting classes into other grades and arranging extra duties. Her role includes 3 days of teaching and mentoring on top of this organisation. We thank you, Miss Taranto.

CHURCH PICK UP

Please remember the road rules before and after the crossing on Young St when waiting for church pick up. You cannot collect your child in a no stopping zone. You cannot park, or stop across the crossing while waiting for the Kiss and Ride line to move. If the line is full, please drive around the block to give time and space for students to get into cars safely and move through when the lights change. Steve, our crossing guard has witnessed multiple occasions where parents have not followed the road rules. This puts students, parents, drivers, and staff in dangerous situations.

Kindergarten 2024

We had a very excited group of preschoolers and parents share their first and second play experience in this last fortnight. The teachers had set up play areas for the groups and parents got to know our classroom spaces and our infants' playground.

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Assistant Principal

PBL

This fortnight’s PBL focus is Moving Sensibly to lines and wait patiently. This focus aligns with two of our school rules: Responsible and Learn. Teachers have discussed with their classes positive behaviours that we want to see on the playground this fortnight such as:

• Ending our game at the first ‘wash’ bell
• Walking sensibly to lines by holding our soccer or basketball in our hands rather than bouncing it
• Going to the bathroom & washing our hands before the second bell
• Moving promptly from the bottom and middle fields to our class lines

Uniform Reminders

Hats

As the weather warms up it is important that all students bring their hat to school each day. Any student without a hat must play under the cola. Please check that your child’s hat is clearly labelled with their name.

♦ All children are required to wear a school hat in line with the school's SunSmart Policy.

Hair and head lice:

Did you know that head lice love two things: clean hair and warm weather! There are lice in every school; however, there is a “high season” and that is summer! This is why our uniform standards state that:

♦ All children are to have their hair neat and tidy - students with long hair touching shoulders are required to wear their hair tied back for hygiene and safety reasons.

♦ Haircuts are not to be extreme. For example, no rat's tails, shaved designs or Mohawks.

♦ Ribbons, bands and combs worn in the hair should be maroon, white or school dress material and kept to a minimum.

See link below for information about the treatment of head lice: 

Gala Days

Last Monday and Tuesday some of our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students had the opportunity to participate in the ASC Regional Soccer Gala Day at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. The teams had a fun filled day of back-to-back soccer games. Thank you to Mr Temesvary and Mr Diamond for supporting the running of this event through lunchtime training and supervision on the day.

Peer Support

This week in Peer Support our focus was Make the change. Our session encouraged students to identify any behaviours or actions that they feel are unhealthy in themselves or others. Groups practiced skill building in identifying behaviours, inclusive practices and developing empathy to assist students to transition into making positive decisions to change. This fortnight, I encourage parents and carers to take the opportunity to remind your child about a situation in the past where they have handled change well and how these skills could be used in future situations when facing change.

National Child Protection Week

This week is National Child Protection Week (3^rd-9^th September). To promote awareness, our school along with others in the Diocese are participating in the Decorate Your Gate Competition. This year's theme is Where We Start Matters. Each grade at St Paul’s have contributed to our artwork by completing a small activity that has been added to our school fencing/gate for display. A huge thank you to Mrs King and the Child Protection team for their organisation of this initiative!

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I found an interesting article published by Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People. In 2021 her office asked children and young people to share their views on the topic: What can adults learn from children? Below is an overview of the insights she received from approximately 1300 young people. I wonder what our children would say that adults could learn from them?

8-10year-olds...

Many 8 to 10 year-old children said that adults could learn a lot of new skills and knowledge from them, whether it be educational, extra-curricular or general life skills. Children enjoy teaching their parents new educational skills but were also keen to teach them fun things like skating, painting or surfing

11year-olds...

A consistent theme among 11 year-old children was they want adults to listen to what they have to say and suggested it would be beneficial for the wider community to consider their thoughts, opinions and feelings when making decisions.

12year-olds..

A number of 12 year-olds expressed their frustration with adults when trying to teach them how to use technology. They would also like adults to stop blaming technology for all of young people’s problems.

13-14year-olds

Many 13 to 14 year-old young people revealed their frustrations with adults and children having difficulty in understanding each other due to their differences in age and upbringing. Young people felt that adults need to know that we live in a more fast-paced world that revolves around technology.

Student Awards Weeks

Religious Education Update

FATHER’S DAY

Last Friday our school recognised our fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, and any significant father figure in our lives. We had a beautiful, shared breakfast followed by a liturgy run by year 2. Thank you so much everyone that got there early and contributed to the smooth running of the morning. It was a mammoth effort by all.

DADS HELP THEIR CHILDREN THRIVE

Children do better academically, emotionally, and socially when their father has greater involvement in their lives. They tend to take more risks, while also developing greater self-discipline. Involved fathers are also more likely to have a stronger influence on their children’s moral development, religious belief and practice. The kind of involvement is important too.

The most effective forms involve:

• Listening, encouraging, and conveying warmth
• Providing everyday assistance
• Providing reasonable and consistent behaviour correction, and
• Facilitating children’s increased independence over time

For more information see ‘The Father Factor’ by Peter O’Shea and Robert Falzon © 2017 CathFamily

A prayer for fathers

Heavenly Father,
we praise you for the gift of our fathers
and those who have been father-figures
to us.
We thank you for the life and love they
have brought to our world.
May they be strengthened in virtue and
faith so that
they might give glory to you through
their lives of service.
Amen.

NEW RE CURRICULUM – PEDAGOGY OF ENCOUNTER

Last year, a new version of the RE curriculum has been slowly rolled out in our Diocese. Currently, Kindergarten and Year 1 are learning in a new style of Pedagogy: The Pedagogy of Encounter.

(Quick side-bar, Pedagogy means the practice of teaching)

This new method of teaching allows students to encounter the Catholic faith in a way that suits them, regardless of their situation or belief. There are no right or wrong answers when encountering our beautiful faith, and this new style embraces that concept. It goes through a 5-stage cycle for each new content area in Religion:

What do I think and sense?
What do others think and why?
What does the Catholic Church believe and why?
How am I called into a deeper relationship with others and God?
What do I now think and why?

Next term, Year 3 are lucky enough to be piloting the new program. We will keep you posted on how this rollout continues!

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Lots of people have been asking about the next round of the Sacraments of Initiation program (for 2024). As soon as I have any information, I will pass it on. Generally, the initial information sessions for next year start mid/late Term 4 so please keep an eye out!

On that note, a HUGE congratulations to the following students who have completed their Sacraments of Initiation this year:

Lockie and Evie Brooker, Arie and Sienna Lambert, Malia and Ebony Marchant, Mia Caveny, Alexandra Cox, Sophie Fairbairn, Josie Gavigan, Logan Gruber, Asher Jedovnicky, Zayn Kaslik, Archie Letham, Jace McInnes, Jackson Mitchell, Oliver Preston, Mia Prioste, Curtis Rollason, Sara Stefanish-Smith, Airlie Thompson and Jayden Wiggins.

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 
23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Matthew 18:15-20
Find ways to win others over; prayer shall be answered.

Library News

Library Premier's Reading Challenge Pizza Party

Congratulations to the students from 5W who completed the PRC 2023!

LUNCH ACTIVITIES

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 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 – Hunter NRL 9’s - Under 10 Gala Day
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

Uniform Shop News - September

Thank you to all the families that purchased our Father’s Day stall. The fundraising was a great success with proceeds going to fund upgrades and equipment to the canteen.

Cadbury fundraising boxes are being sent home from today. Money is due back on Monday 9^th of October, If you missed placing your order, we have ordered a few additional boxes. Please send the committee an email and we can reserve a box or two for your family.

Sock Drive is happening this month. This fundraising is a joint effort with a portion of our profit being donated to the mission. The school will be hosting Socktober in Term 4. Purchase your socks to be ready for this wonderful school event. Place your orders through QKR!

What’s New

Join us at our next meeting to finalize our Term 4 plans…. Lots of fun and exciting times for families and students.

Fundraising Plans for the rest of 2023

• Wine Drive – Tamburlaine Wines - Get ready for the festive season and order wine delivered to your door!!
• Colour Run – final details to be announced at the start of term
• Summer disco – date TBA in the Cola

We would love to hear what you would like to see in the 2024 fundraising calendar!! Join us for our next meeting or send through a quick email, all ideas welcomed to be discussed!

How to Contact Us

Send us an email – stpaulspandfrutherford@gmail.com 

Ask 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 at 6.30pm

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

• Chicken pasta bake
• Vegie and pepita muffins

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