St Paul's Bulletin Term 1 Week 7 2024
Principal's Message
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
St. Patrick’s Breastplate
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Sunday, we celebrate St Patrick's Day. St Patrick is possibly the most well-known of our Catholic saints. He took the faith to Ireland, used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and according to legend, rid Ireland of all their snakes. Happy St Patrick’s Day! Sásta Lá Fhéile Pádraig!
Next Tuesday, we celebrate 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. 60 years ago this year, our school was established by the Sisters of St Joseph, so this feast has even greater significance for us. St Joseph, pray for us!
NAPLAN started across Australia today. 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 25. If you want information about your child’s progress, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
On Tuesday, Snr Constable Elke Watt from the Lake Macquarie Area Command visited our Years 5-6 children to talk about social media. She talked about undertaking unchristian and bullying interactions on platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram and SnapChat. These activities often take place outside school hours and on private devices and networks. While the school educates our children about online behaviour and bullying, it is up to parents to monitor their children on social media. The police reminded the children that anything they post, even if the child has deleted it, remains online forever and can be retrieved by the police if needed. They also reminded the children that most of these platforms are not recommended for children under the age of 13 as they do not have the intellectual capacity to understand the implications of inappropriate postings. If you have allowed your children on these platforms, please check what they are doing and viewing! For more information about keeping your child safe online go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/
The P&F are holding their annual Easter raffle in the next few weeks. Each family is asked to send in an egg or Easter treat for the raffle. The P&F 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.
This week we welcomed our new Pastoral Care Worker (PCW), Mary Price. Mary’s now grown-up children came to St Paul’s so she may be known to some families. Mary will be in the school each Tuesday and Wednesday. Her role is to work with children and families who may be going through a challenging time or may need some extra support. She is not a trained counsellor, just a friendly listening ear. Mary will also operate the Uniform Pool too, so if you need secondhand uniforms, please come and see Mary.
Following a period of consultation with the P&F Association and the St Paul's teachers, there will be a change in the process for electing Year 6 Student Councillors and Sports Captains. Starting this year these positions will be based on merit, rather than gender. In the past we have had six student councillors with equal numbers of boys and girls, and sports captains have been one boy and one girl for each colour house. Commencing this year the school will vote for six student councillors, and two house captains per colour house, regardless of whether they are boys or girls. As always, we will be looking for good role models to hold these positions, represent the school at important events and lead the younger children in sporting events and carnivals. As this affects the current Year 5 cohort, I will be informing them this week.
We have recently conducted tours for prospective families looking at enrolling at St Paul’s for 2024. Tonight is our second Kinder 2025 Information Evening at 5.30pm in the library. If you know of any families interested in enrolling next year, please let them know about this evening!
You will notice we have a new platform for our bulletin. We hope you like it!
With every blessing,
Greg Cumming
Principal
Our sympathy and prayers go to the whole Keating Family (Lucas and Eden) on the recent loss of their grandma, Anne Keating, wife of Larry Keating, recent principal of St Mary's Catholic College.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed – rest in peace.
AP's Message
This year St Paul's has invited Interrelate to conduct a Parent & Child Evening focusing on Puberty and Human Development. This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to have these "Tricky Talks" with your child while being supported by a knowledgeable educator.
Interrelate talks will be held in the Hall on Tuesday 30th April with two sessions; 6 pm & 7:15 pm. As a family, you can decide to attend either session or both. The price is per family.
This week you have been sent an Event on Compass to be able to register and pay for the evening. An outline of each of the sessions are below.
6 pm Session 1: Where did I come from? (Years 3-6)
Objectives
- To help children aged 8-10 years gain an understanding of the structure and functions of the reproductive system in males and females.
- To provide information on conception (describing sexual intercourse, associated with love in the context of a caring relationship), foetal development and birth of a baby.
- To provide opportunities for parents and children to discuss various aspects of reproduction in an informal way.
- To reinforce the role of parents as a source of information on matters pertaining to sexuality and reproduction.
Content
- Introduction
- Sexual intercourse & conception including assisted
- Family structure and family relationships
- Foetal development
- Male/female babies – which is which?
- Twin explanation
- Protective behaviours / Consent
- Birth
- Male/female reproductive systems
- Conclusion
7:15pm Session 2: Preparing for Puberty (Years 5 & 6) (Years 3 & 4 at parent’s/guardian’s discretion)
Objectives
- To provide information on puberty for 10-13 year olds, in relation to the physical changes and emotional changes (in particular, helping them feel comfortable about their bodies and its functions; preparing them for the changes during puberty and dispelling the myths and providing accurate, understandable information).
- To help young people feel okay about being different. Everyone develops at a different rate, especially during puberty.
- To confirm their individuality and promote self-esteem.
- To facilitate communication between parents and their children and encourage young people to take their questions, problems and concerns to their parents.
Content
- Introduction
- Changes to boys only
- Revision of Session 1 / Consent
- Changes to girls only
- How, why and when of puberty
- Why are these changes happening?
- Physical and emotional changes to both boys and girls
- Conclusion
Interrelate also produce some wonderful books about these topics that can be purchased on the link below.
Jessica Moulder
REC's Message
Bishop Kennedy visits St Paul's
Friday of Week 6, staff and students were treated to a visit from Bishop Michael Kennedy. We shared a morning tea for International Womens Day before Bishop spoke to the students about all the jobs he has to do and all the schools that he needs to visit. We heard about what life was like for young Bishop Kennedy, growing up in a big family in the country, riding bikes and horses and occasionally fighting with his brothers. The students guessed that his favourite subject at school was Religion, or Maths... when infact, it was lunchtime! Bishop reminded us that, just like his brothers and sisters, and our brothers and sisters, it doesn't matter if we make mistakes, God will always love us.
After assembly, Bishop joined Kinder for some gross motor movement where they were expertly crossing their midline and dancing. He called past Year 4 to have a quick catch up and talk about the Sacrament of Confirmation, of which many students will complete this year. The students expertly answered all his questions about the Holy Spirit, and Bishop confided that even he doesn't truly understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity... although he has been trying hard for nearly 50 years!
Spotlight on Learning in RE: Kinder Gold
This week Kinder were exploring the Journey that Jesus took in the lead up to Easter. Noah used a model to represent his thinking and exclaimed "This is the path that Jesus took in the Easter Story".
The New RE Syllabus allows time and space for the student to make connections to their views, the views of others and the teaching of the Catholic Church. Play and retelling the story help students to make sense of the stories and their world.
Spotlight on Learning in Kinder Blue
Spotlight on Learning in RE: Kinder Blue
Kinder Blue have been busy in RE. They have spent the week learning about Lent, as a time of preparation and waiting. They made connections to other aspects in in their lives when they need to wait, like waiting for a new baby, or waiting for a pet, or waiting for a celebration or party. They pondered about what love looks like and spent time wondering how can we talk to God?
There were some wonderful examples drawn and spoken about, including praying, singing and also depicted some beautiful ways they can show love.
Spotlight on Learning in Kinder Blue
Caritas Australia Lenten Project Compassion
Our school is raising funds to help support Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising campaign. Project Compassion brings together supporters from across Australia to address the challenges of poverty today, and drive lasting change for a better tomorrow.
Help us to help support remote and vulnerable communities across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and in Australia. Your generosity today can help communities access clean water, food security, skills training, health and sanitation and disaster risk reduction training. Together with your support, we can create lasting change today, and For All Future Generations.
On Friday the 22nd of March, St Paul's will host a dual celebration for Harmony Day and Caritas. Our main fundraiser for Caritas will again be a banquet. Raffle tickets are available to purchase every morning before school, 2 tickets for $1, with all funds raised going to support the work of Caritas Australia during their Lentern Appeal.
https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/st-pauls-primary-school-gateshead
An opportunity to share feedback about Religious Education & Spirituality
In October 2022, the Diocesan Trustees authorised a review of the Religious Education & Spirituality Team supporting schools, and the Diocesan Pastoral Ministries team.
We want to hear directly from our schools and families as well as our clergy, our parishes and our people on this matter.
You’re welcome to share your feedback, vision and voice.
Please click below to answer a few questions.
Mary Davison
Sports News
AFL - Congratulations to Sophie Fox for making the Mid North Coast and Inland All schools AFL team. This is a great achievement- well done, Sophie.
Lakes Regional Winter Trials - Soccer and Netball
Last Wednesday, the Lakes Regional Winter Trials for soccer and netball were held.
Congratulations and well done to the following students who competed at the trials. Both the netball and soccer trials were a very high standard, and all of these girls should be very proud of themselves!
Netball - Marli McDonell, Daisy Lofberg and Elsie Davison
Soccer - Minnie Cooper-Stone and Maeva Clifford
Congratulations to Maeva Clifford, who has made it through to the Diocesan Soccer Trials, which will be held in Week 9. Well done, Maeva!
Diocesan Cricket Trials
Congratulations to Amos Hunt, who competed at the Maitland/Newcastle Diocesan Cricket Trials last Friday. Amos has been selected into the Maitland/Newcastle Diocesan Cricket Team, and this team will now go on to the Polding selections, which will be held later in the year. What an amazing achievement! Well done, Amos!
Cross Country
The St. Paul's School Cross Country will be held on Friday 5th April (Week 10) on the school grounds.
All students are encouraged to participate with their class for fun, however we are asking any students who are wanting to trial to represent St. Paul's at the Diocesan level to register their interest with Mrs Jacobson or Mrs Edwards prior to the day.
The Diocesan Cross Country will be held on Wednesday 15th May at Maitland Park.
For those registered, 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 8/9 under 13mins (2km)
Boys 8/9 under 11 mins (2km)
Girls 10 under 13mins (2km)
Boys 10 under 11 mins (2km)
Girls 11 under 18mins (3km)
Boys 11 under 16 mins (3km)
Girls 12/13 under 18 mins (3km)
Boys 12/13 under 16 mins (3km)
Athletics Carnival Nominations
Please check Compass for the St. Paul's School Athletics Carnival event.
Students in Year 2-6 are to pre-select the events they will compete in via the Compass event questions. Please discuss with your child which other events they are capable of entering. Nominations and permission must be entered no later than FRIDAY 5th of APRIL (Week 10). This will allow time for entering the whole school data in order to run a successful event.
Rugby League Gala Day- Knights 9s
Those students in Year 5 and 6 who have expressed interest in playing in the rugby league Gala Day at the end of the term will now have an 'Event' on Compass with all the details. Please give permission ASAP for this event so that teams can be finalised. The focus of this gala day is on participation and fun. More information is in the Compass Event.
Diocesan Rugby Union Trials
Diocesan Rugby Union trials will be held next term. Any student interested in attending these trials, please see Mrs Jaconbson or Mrs Edwards ASAP. Please note that these trials are for 11 & 12 yr old experienced, highly talented players currently involved with rugby union. DOB must be between 1/1/2012 - 31/12/2013. There are no exceptions to the age eligibility.
Mrs Jacobson and Mrs Edwards
Library News
Office Messages
IMPORTANT - School Fees
Anyone wishing to continue with a special Fee Agreement in 2024, 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 2024
CAR PARK RULES
- All parents are required to follow the carpark rules:
- No Parking in the 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 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 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 carpark.
Please keep our carpark safe for the sake of all our children.
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.
HOLY WEEK MASS TIMES