St Paul's Bulletin Term 1 Week 8 2025

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. We may never know all the good that Joseph did, but he demonstrated amazing faith and love of God, taking a pregnant Mary as his wife, and bringing up Jesus as his own son. We too, at times, need to have faith when we may not really understand where God is working in our life. As a school established in 1964 by the Sisters of St Joseph, this feast has even greater significance for us. St Joseph, pray for us! 

NAPLAN continued across Australia this week. NAPLAN tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. NAPLAN is just one aspect of our assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by our teachers about student performance, but it can provide us with additional information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy. We understand NAPLAN can be quite stressful for children. Please do not make a big fuss about NAPLAN, as each test is just one test on one day. The testing period finishes on March 24. If you want information about your child’s progress, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher. 

Thank you to all the parents who send their children in correct uniform every day! The children look so smart when in the correct uniform, showing pride in themselves, their family and their school.  I would also ask parents to be aware that our uniform policy says that “Hair must be the child’s natural colour and extreme styles must be avoided. Hair ribbons are to be gold or navy in colour. Hair below the shoulder must be tied back (both boys and girls).” At St Paul’s we want children to stand out for being great caring people, demonstrating amazing thinking, showing great sportsmanship, or being creative, not for extreme haircuts.   

All parents are invited to a Special General Meeting of the P&F. As mentioned in the newsletter recently, St Paul's P&F is transitioning to a FACE (Family and Community Engagement forum). The meeting will take place at Club Charlestown on April 2 at 6pm. The Special General Meeting is the formal process to dissolve the P&F to create a FACE. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful work of the P&F over the past 60 years! We will conclude with a drink to the P&F and all the amazing people who have given tirelessly for the children and families of St Paul's! I hope you can make it!

We continue to hear of poor online behaviour that is not in keeping with St Paul’s motto of Love One Another. Sadly, the incidents are transferring into school as children talk about their online behaviour. If you have allowed your children on these platforms, please check what they are doing and viewing! For more information, please go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/   

Next Friday, March 28, the school will have its first pupil-free day when the staff will be working in the area of assessment with training provided by Essential Assessment. Essential Assessment is a powerful online platform of assessment tool that using AI to track students' academic growth, inform instruction, and empower children to take greater responsibility for their own learning. OOSH will be avaible on this day for those who need it. 

Many of our older children bring mobile phones to school. While the school discourages primary school aged children from having mobile phones, we understand some children require them for messages and safety after school. If your child does have a mobile phone, it must stay in your child’s bag throughout the day and can only be taken out to check messages at the end of the day. We encourage children of primary school age to have phones that can only make phone calls or text, not have access to the internet unfiltered. If your child has a smart watch, it should not be used to communicate with your child, or for children to communicate with parents, during the school day. If you have an urgent message for your child, we ask you to ring the school office, and the message will be passed on. 

We are holding our annual Easter raffle in the next few weeks. Tickets are available via the Spriggy Schools App: $2 each or 3 for $5. Each family is asked to send in an egg or Easter treat for the raffle. Volunteer parents will package up the prizes to be drawn in the week before Easter. Usually, we have over 100 prizes! Please send your donations into the office. 

We have started conducting tours and information evenings for prospective families looking at enrolling at St Paul’s for 2026. If you know of any families interested in enrolling next year, please let them know that enrolments are open. If you have a younger sibling coming next year, please enrol them now so we can start planning for 2026!   

With every blessing, 

Greg Cumming 

Principal 

Important Dates

2025 School Dates 

Assistant Principal's Message

NAPLAN

Most students have now completed NAPLAN. A few students will continue make-up assessments until Monday 24th March. A huge congratulations to the students for the way they approached their assessment and a big thank you to the teachers for preparing them and keeping it as calm as possible.

Post School Collapse

As the term draws to a close our children are getting tired and may be experiencing Post School Collapse. Yes, this is a real thing!  It happens when the children suppress their emotions throughout the day and then release them when they get home. Some children are more susceptible to after-school restraint collapse than others. “More sensitive and intense kids, and kids struggling with learning and social skills, will be more likely to be affected,” says Vanessa Lapointe, a parenting educator and registered psychologist in Surrey, BC. “More chill kids can have their days too if it was a particularly challenging day, or they are extra tired or getting sick.” It can last all school year but is more common in the first few months or the last few months, and Lapointe says it tends to subside as kids fully adjust to the change in environment and schedule and feel less physically and emotionally spent at the end of the day.

So what can we do to help?

1. Let them release their emotions. It is important to validate how your child is feeling however be careful not to make judgements.
2. Try and find a way for your child to decompress after school- riding a bike, having quiet time- whatever suits their needs.
3. Screen time is ok however ensure you make a human connection first.

How do we prevent after-school collapse?

1. Greet your child with a smile and a hug instead of questions about their day or homework.
2. Give your child some time and space after pick up. If you’re driving, put on the radio and stay quiet. If you are walking, say a little or just comment on the nice little things you notice. This isn’t the time for big conversations.
3. Children can be far more irritable when they are hungry. Yes, being hangry is real. Set out some healthy snacks and water to refuel them for the afternoon.

However, at times, despite all the preventative measures we put in place, post-school collapse can still occur. It really is quite like how we come home from work exhausted. Don’t dwell on the behaviour, let your child know they are loved and remember tomorrow is a new day.

More information on post-school collapse can be found at

https://teamkids.com.au/after-school-restraint-collapse-its-a-real-thing/

https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/primary-school/theres-a-reason-why-some-kids-have-epic-meltdowns-after-school/news-story/7d3374d6028d4feec48a1da837dce02a

Jessica Moulder

Assistant Principal 

Catholic Culture at St Paul's

Project Compassion - Caritas Lenten Appeal

Lent is a special time of year – a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and a time to live out the good news for those in need. Caritas Australia invites you to put your compassion into action this Lent.

As individuals, we can make a difference, but when we come together through Project Compassion, our efforts become even more impactful. Our collective kindness has the power to grow, and by uniting with each other and with those living in poverty, we can create BIG, lasting change.

Let’s all Unite Against Poverty! Together, we can make 2025 a year of hope and transformation.

It's not to late to donate via this link: St Paul's Primary School - Gateshead • Project Compassion 2025 

🌏 Harmony Day & Caritas Big Water Walk – Friday, 21 March! 💧

Join us as we celebrate Harmony Day, embracing the richness of our diverse community! Wear orange or your traditional cultural dress to show your support for inclusivity and belonging.

On this special day, we will also take part in the Caritas Big Water Walk, raising awareness of the challenges faced by communities without easy access to clean water. Students are encouraged to bring a recyclable container to transport water as we walk in solidarity.

Let’s come together to promote unity, compassion, and justice for all!

Green Guardians at it again!

Our Green Guardians have been busy scientists this week, working alongside Anna and Kate from the Groundswell Collective as part of an exciting Citizen Science Project! Armed with measuring tapes and calipers, we investigated just how much carbon our Tiny Forest trees have captured. We checked tree height, measured trunk diameter, and recorded temperature data to track our forest’s impact on the environment.

But that’s not all! We also explored the hidden world beneath our feet by turning over bio tiles—and were thrilled to discover a variety of minibeasts already calling our Tiny Forest home! This hands-on learning experience has helped our students see firsthand the vital role trees play in tackling climate change.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor and care for our growing green space!

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Curriculum Snapshot - Kinder

This term, our Kindergarten students embarked on a beautiful journey of wonder and discovery as they explored their first experiences of encountering God. Through stories, prayer, and reflection, they discovered that God created each of us in His image and loves us deeply. They were filled with awe as they noticed God’s presence in the world around them, sharing their thoughts and feelings in creative and heartfelt ways. As we journeyed through Lent and Easter, they grew in their understanding of God’s love and the importance of this special season in our faith. It has been a joy to witness their excitement and curiosity as they took their first steps in faith!

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Stations of the Cross – All Are Welcome

We warmly invite our school community to join us for the Stations of the Cross on Friday, 11 April, at 9am in the Josephite Centre. This prayerful reflection will guide us through Jesus’ journey to the cross, offering a moment of contemplation and faith as we prepare for Easter. Our students will lead us in this solemn and meaningful tradition, bringing the story of Christ’s sacrifice to life. We hope you can join us in prayer as we reflect on the love and hope of the Easter season.

Sacramental Program MacKillop Parish

Please find attached the Sacramental Program Letter from MacKillop Parish. 
Dates for Sacramental Program 2025

Reconciliation

• Session 1 – 17^th March @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 24^th March @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – FRI 28^th March @ 6.30pm

Confirmation

• Session 1 – 28^th April @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 5^th May @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – FRI 9^th May @ 6.00pm

First Communion

• Session 1 – 9^th June @ 6.30pm
• Session 2 – 16^th June @ 6.30pm
• Sacrament – 21/22 June @ Mass

Please use this link: Sacramental Preparation Form | Mackillop Charlestown to register your child to participate in the Sacramental Program. 
If you are not sure, or have any questions, you are warmly invited to attend the first session on March 17.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Fr Tony’s Visit to Year 5 & 6

Over the past weeks, our Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students have had the wonderful opportunity to welcome Fr Tony into their classrooms. He shared insights about his life and the vocation of priesthood, answering a wide range of thoughtful questions from our students.

Fr Tony spoke about his journey to becoming a priest, his daily life, and the importance of faith and service in his role. The students were engaged and inspired by his stories, gaining a deeper understanding of the commitment and joy that comes with serving others through faith.

We are grateful to Fr Tony for taking the time to visit and share his wisdom with us!

Sports News

School Cross Country

A reminder that our School Cross Country event will be held on Thursday 27th March (Week 9) here at school. All students are encouraged to participate with their class for fun, and those students wishing to trial for the Diocesan Cross Country event to be held in Maitland on the 14th May, will run separately. Parents are able to come to watch if they would like. The first race will be 12/13yrs (around 9:15am), with the other age groups following working down in age. 

A reminder for those choosing to run competitively, the first 3 students in each of the age groups listed below will progress through to the Diocesan Cross Country, however, they must complete the course in the qualifying times listed below. Please note, the 8 and 9 year old ages are combined, as are the 12/13 year olds.  

Girls 8/9yrs- 2km under 13mins; Boys 8/9yrs- 2km under 11 mins; Girls 10yrs- 2km under 13mins; Boys 10yrs- 2km under 11 mins; Girls 11yrs- 3km under 18mins (3km); Boys 11yrs- under 16 mins (3km); Girls 12/13yrs- 3km under 18 mins; Boys 12/13yrs- 3km under 16 mins.

Infants (those younger than 8yrs) will participate in a 'fun run' on the day.

School Athletics Carnival- Parent volunteers

We are looking for parent volunteers to assist us at our school athletics carnival next term Tuesday 29th April (Term 2 Week 1). If you are available to assist on the day, we would greatly appreciate if you could fill in the following form to register your interest. Please note that only students 8yr and older will be attending the Athletics carnival- the infants will hold a separate school carnival at a later to be confirmed. 

https://forms.office.com/r/mEHpJrJwMz

Upcoming Gala Days

Soccer Gala Day (selected Stage 2/3 students) 2nd April

Miss S has organised students for the Newcastle Permanent Soccer Gala Day on. Unfortunately, due to popularity of the event, we are unable to take all interested students due to being restricted with the amount of teams we can enter. Those students selected to go have a Compass event to provide consent on. Please do so ASAP. 

Rugby League Gala Day- Under 10s 1st April- Under 12s 8th April

Mr Yarnold has registered for 2 rugby league gala days for interested boys and girls. Please see Compass events to provide consent for your child if they registered their interest to participate. 

Abbey Edwards 

Parent News

Special General Meeting of the P&F

All parents are invited to a Special General Meeting of the P&F. As mentioned in the newsletter recently, St Paul's P&F is transitioning to a FACE (Family and Community Engagement Forum).

The meeting will occur at Club Charlestown on April 2 at 6 pm.The Special General Meeting is the formal process to dissolve the P&F to create a FACE. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful work of the P&F over the past 60 years! We will conclude with a drink to the P&F and all the amazing people who have given tirelessly for the children and families of St Paul's!

Calling 4 Volunteers

We will be seeking Parent Volunteers on Tuesday, April 8th, at 1:45 p.m. to sort, wrap, and organise the gifts for the raffle on Wednesday, April 9th. If you would like to lend a hand for an hour, don't hesitate to get in touch with the office to put your name down. 

Volunteering at St Paul's

Please see the below link if you would like to register to volunteer at St Paul’s. Our school is always in need of volunteers for many school activities. We will let you know once we receive your clearance from your registration; this must be received before you volunteer. 

Upcoming information sessions and webinars for parents and carers

Parents and carers are the most important educators in their child’s life. As well as partnering directly with our school to support your child’s learning and wellbeing, there are a range of webinars and information sessions provided each month by reputable providers specifically for parents and carers- free of charge. To view a list of upcoming webinars and information sessions that may be of interest to you, click the link below at any time. The list will be updated weekly throughout the school term, so be sure to check the page regularly.

www.mn.catholic.edu.au/our-community/supporting-parents-and-carers/upcoming-parent-and-carer-information-sessions/

Another useful resource for parents and carers to access timely information on a range of topics including cyber safety, mental health, positive parenting, school survival, diversity and inclusion and healthy bodies is via School TV. Our school invested in this online platform so that our parents and carers can conveniently access reliable information from credible sources all in one place - when you need it most - not just at a specified webinar time.  It includes videos, fact sheets and podcasts all delivered by leading psychologists and experts.

To access our school’s SchoolTV site visit https://gatesheadsp.catholic.schooltv.me/ 

Gifted Education News

2025 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards

Key dates
• Entries opened on Saturday 1 March 2025.
• Submissions close Monday 30 June 2025.
• Winners announced at 10 am on Friday 5 September 2025.

For more information on the competition and how to enter CLICK HERE.

The optional theme for 2025 is “All the Beautiful Things”.

Wes Yarnold

Gifted Education Mentor

Creative Arts News

Office Messages

IMPORTANT - School Fees

As we are fast approaching the end of Term 1, we would like to kindly remind all families that fee payments should now have started, as per the school’s payment schedule. For families who have already started making payments, we sincerely thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Your continued support is deeply appreciated.

For those who have not yet started payments, we kindly ask that you start making regular payments moving forward. The Catholic Schools Office requires a steady payment schedule, and timely payments are essential for maintaining the smooth running of the school.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the payment process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you once again for your support.

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. 

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