St Paul's Bulletin Term 4 Week 10 2024
Principal's Message
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2: 3-7
Dear Parents and Carers,
This coming weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. As the shops and TV ads have flooded us with the commercial side of Christmas, it is timely to stop and think about the real reason for Christmas. Just as Mary and Joseph tried to find a place in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, so we too must find some place in our hearts to reflect on the Jesus’ birth and the message he brought. I hope you will find time to attend Christmas Mass during this time. Mass times in our parish are later in the bulletin.
Last week we announced the 2025 Student Councillors. Congratulations to:
Maeva Clifford, Daisy Lofberg, Lylah Nash, Alfie Robertson, Lincoln Olsoen and Charlie Tye.
I am pleased also to announce the Sports Captains for 2025:
Green Sports Captains (Shortland): Roman Duenzl & Tyson Palmer
Red Sports Captains (Hunter): Minnie Cooper-Stone & Emmie Gibson
Blue Sports Captains (Macquarie): Jacob Fitzgerald & Kelela Stanton
Congratulations to them all and the other students who nominated, but narrowly missed out. All Year 6 students are called to be leaders, whether they have an official title or not. The official blessing ceremony and presentation of badges will be at our Welcoming Mass early next year.
Last Friday, parents received their children’s Reports through Compass. I hope you have had time to sit with your child and talk about their achievements for this half of the year, especially their effort in learning. We are very proud of the effort and dedication to learning of so many of our children.
On Monday children met their 2025 teachers as we had ‘Meet Your Teacher’ Morning. The teachers spent many hours organising the 2025 classes. They know how your child learns best and have placed your child in a group where we believe that your child’s learning will be optimised. Please check with your child to find out who their new teachers is, as we will not send another notification of teachers, other than Kinder 2025.
Last night we celebrated the graduation of our Year 6 class of 2024! We congratulate the children of Year 6 as they complete their seven years of primary schooling and move to high school. Hon Jodie Harrison, Member for Charlestown, and Minister for Women, representing our local federal member, Hon Pat Conroy, Member for Shortland, presented special citizenship awards to two of our students. Congratulations to Georgia Berryman for being awarded the Pat Conroy Citizenship Award and congratulations to Kianna Wood for being awarded the Jodie Harrison Community Award.
The first day of school for Years 1-6 next year will be Tuesday, 4th February 2025. The first day for Kindergarten will be Thursday, 6th February. The school office will be open from Friday, 31st January 2025.
If you are buying school shoes in the holidays, please ensure they are ‘black and polishable leather shoes’ as our uniform policy stipulates. See the shoe guide below.
Mrs Mel Rabbitt has decided to extend her leave for Term 1, 2025. Her replacement on Year 4B will be announced at the beginning of next year.
As this is our last bulletin for the year, I would like to say a big thank you to all who have supported St Paul’s in 2024 to make it the special place that it is. I would like to thank the amazing teachers and support staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of your children. Everyone deserves a well-earned break over the holidays.
May God bless you all over the Christmas season!
Greg Cumming
Principal
Important Dates
Dec 18: Last day for students
Feb 4: Students 1-6 Return to School for 2025
Feb 6: Kinder First Day of School 2025
For more details and dates, check the Compass Calendar
2025 School Dates
Term | Start Date | End Date |
Term 1 | 31/01/2025 | 11/04/2025 |
Term 2 | 28/04/2025 | 4/07/2025 |
Term 3 | 21/07/2025 | 26/09/2025 |
Term 4 | 13/10/2025 | 19/12/2025 |
Commencement Calendar
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
27 January | 28 January | 29 January | 30 January | 31 January | |
Week 1 | Public Holiday | Staff Return - Pupil Free Day | |||
3 February | 4 February | 5 February | 6 February | 7 February | |
Week 2 | Staff Day - Pupil Free Day | Students Year 1-6 Return | Kindergarten Students Commence |
Catholic Culture at St Paul's
Creative Arts News
Office Messages
Complaints, Resolution and Feedback
St Paul’s Primary School, The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) and Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are committed to providing a positive, safe environment for all staff and students. There are occasions, however, when members of our schools and wider community are concerned about something happening at a school that appears to be unsatisfactory or unreasonable.
If you have a complaint, please follow this procedure.
Volunteering
Throughout the year, we invite parents/carers to volunteer at the school. To volunteer, you must complete the volunteer's induction.
IMPORTANT - School Fees
Anyone wishing to continue with a special Fee Agreement in 2025, please contact the office 4943 6369 to make an appointment with the Principal to discuss. It is necessary to reapply for an extension of the agreements into 2025
Car Park Rules
All parents are required to follow the car park rules:
- No Parking in the Kiss’n’drop zone
- “Kiss‘n’drop” only operates in the morning, NOT in the afternoon
- Children should get out on the left side of the car. Parents should stay in the car.
- In the afternoon parents must park and walk to the gate to collect their children
- No parking in the OOSH Staff parking area
- No parking adjacent to the church, which is a walkway
- Avoid reversing when possible
- Drive at a walking pace only
- Do not enter the staff parking section unless you have a ‘disabled’ sticker
- School zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days, Which are all days the school is open, even pupil-free days.
- Give way to all traffic as you exit the car park.
Please keep our car park safe for the sake of all our children.
Parish News
Children’s Liturgy is held every Sunday at 9:30am during Holy Mass. WE ARE NOW BACK IN ST PAUL'S CHURCH! We have a beautiful, dedicated room at St Paul’s Gateshead where we hear and discuss the Gospel each week, working our way through the Liturgical Calendar.
There’s always lots of friendship and fun activities.
Safeguarding is our highest priority. Children’s Liturgy will only go ahead if there are two volunteers with current Working With Children Checks.
All are welcome! We look forward to meeting some new friends!
Jacqui Wilson (school mum at St Paul’s Primary) and the Children’s Liturgy Team.
Community News
