St Paul's Bulletin Term 2 Week 5 2025

Principal's Message

"With the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit, let us build a Church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made “restless” by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity.

Together, as one people, as brothers and sisters, let us walk towards God and love one another."

Leo XIV's Inaugural Sermon

18th May 2025

Dear Parents and Carers, 

In his inaugural homily last week, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the importance of love, kindness, and unity in the world. He encouraged people of all ages to follow the teachings of Jesus by showing compassion, helping those in need, and being peacemakers in their communities. He reminded everyone that each person is made in the image of God and has a special purpose in life. This message is important for us as it reminds us all to live out the values of the Gospel each day. It encourages children to be kind to one another, to include others, and to grow in their faith. How fitting that the pope concluded his homily with our school motto, love one another, from John 13:34. 

Last Monday we celebrated the beginning National Reconciliation Week with a special liturgy including dance from our Undi Booran Dance Group. National Reconciliation Week is a special time for our Catholic school community to reflect on the importance of healing, understanding, and unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians. As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk together in love and justice, recognising the dignity of every person. This week reminds us of the need to listen to the stories of First Nations peoples, acknowledge the truths of our shared history, and work together towards a future built on respect, fairness, and reconciliation. Through learning and prayer, we commit to being peacemakers in our school and beyond. 

The Catholic Schools Office has recently published a new Student Use of Mobile Phones and Wearable Technologies Guideline for the diocese. The guideline says that all mobile phones and wearable technologies (smart watches) will be ‘off and away’  and stored  safely in their bag during school hours.   

1. Students will be responsible for switching off their mobile phones and wearable technologies upon entering school grounds and storing it safely in their bag or locker during school hours.  
2. Students are not permitted to remove their mobile phones and wearable technologies from storage to use during school hours including designated school breaks.  
3. Students may remove their mobile phones and wearable technologies from storage and switch on upon the conclusion of school hours when leaving school grounds.   

St Paul's will adopt these guidelines as of next Monday. If your child wears a smart watch to school, it must be removed and placed in their bag during school hours. Thank you for your cooperation in this regard. 

The weather continues to impact playground spaces at school. We are lucky to have the hard surfaces that we do have, but this is a fraction of our normal play spaces. We know the importance of the children running around for their physical and mental health. The lack of playground space also means the children are in closer proximity to one another and conflict is more likely. Let’s hope and pray that the fine weather comes back soon! 

We seem to have a spate of children swearing at school. At St Paul's, we believe that our words should reflect kindness, respect, and love for one another, just as Jesus taught us. Swearing or using unkind language goes against these values and can hurt others, even if we don’t mean to. We want our school to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, where we treat each other with care and dignity. By choosing kind and respectful words, we help create a positive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and feel valued. If your child uses swear words outside school, please speak to them about why we don’t use these words at school. 

Last night we held our first FACE Forum. Snr Constable Elke Watts, Youth Officer for Lake Macquarie Area Command spoke about cyber-bullying and keeping your children safe on the internet. Thank you to those who could attend. Our next FACE forum will be held on Wednesday, August 6, at 6pm in the school library. 

Teachers have begun writing your children’s Mid-Year Reports. The reports will be released on Compass on Friday June 27. Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held in Week 2 of next term and will focus on setting learning goals for the rest of the year. Of course, if you have any concerns about your child’s learning at any time, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. 

We officially changed to winter uniform at the beginning of this term. But while the weather stays warm, children may stay in their summer uniform for a short while. Please choose one uniform or the other; do not mix and match summer and winter uniforms. Children K-6 should continue to wear their sports uniform on Thursday and Friday in Term 2. The children look so smart in their correct uniforms, especially in their ties, showing pride in themselves, their families and their school. Thank you for your support in this regard.  ALL children must be in winter uniform by Tuesday, June 10.

Please be reminded that we have a number of students who have life threatening allergies (anaphylaxis) to peanuts, peanut butter and peanut products like Nutella. Please do not send these products to school, save them for afternoon tea. If your child accidentally brings them, they will be asked to eat them in the office area away from the children. 

Please note that next Friday, June 6 is a pupil free day. The staff will be off site for their annual spiritual renewal day. Spaces are still available at OOSH. 

Please note that if you bring your child to school late, after 8.45am, you cannot walk your child to their classroom. Learning has started for the day and having parents at the door is disruptive and distracting. Please farewell your child at the school foyer as you sign them in.

With every blessing, 

Greg Cumming 

Principal 

Important Dates

2025 School Dates 

Assistant Principal's Message

Helping Your Child Stay Safe Online

As digital technology becomes more embedded in our daily lives, it’s important for families to help children build healthy habits and stay safe online. At St Paul’s Primary School, we are committed to supporting students to become responsible digital citizens. As part of this partnership, we encourage parents and carers to be proactive in managing screen time and using parental controls at home.

Why Screen Time Matters
While technology can offer valuable learning and entertainment, too much screen time can impact children’s sleep, physical activity, and social development. Setting healthy boundaries helps your child balance their online and offline life.

Helpful Tips for Managing Screen Time:

• Create a family technology plan: Set daily or weekly limits for recreational screen use and involve your child in creating these boundaries.

• Prioritise screen-free times and zones: Make bedrooms, mealtimes, and family gatherings screen-free.

• Model healthy habits: Children often mirror adult behaviour, so try to model a balanced use of screens yourself.

• Encourage other activities: Support your child to play outdoors, read, or enjoy creative play away from screens.

• Check in regularly: Talk with your child about what they’re doing online. Show interest in their games, videos, or apps.

Using Parental Controls to Keep Your Child Cyber Safe:
Parental controls are valuable tools to help protect children from inappropriate content and manage their online activity. These settings can be customised on most devices, internet browsers, and apps.

Some key tools include:

• Device-based controls: Built-in settings on iPads, smartphones, and computers allow you to restrict content, set screen time limits, and monitor usage.

• Wi-Fi and router settings: Many home internet providers offer parental control settings through your modem or a dedicated app.

• Safe search settings: Enable safe search on Google and YouTube to help filter explicit content.

• Dedicated parental control apps: Programs like Family Link (Google), Screen Time, or Apple’s Screen Time feature give parents real-time control over devices.

Keep the Conversation Going
The most important strategy in keeping your child safe online is an open, ongoing conversation. Ask them to show you the apps they’re using, the games they’re playing, and how they interact with others online. Help them know what to do if they ever feel unsafe or unsure online.

Together, we can create a community where children feel confident and supported as they grow into responsible and respectful users of technology.

If you have questions or require further support, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or a member of our leadership team.

Jessica Moulder

Assistant Principal 

Catholic Culture at St Paul's

Catholic Schools Week: Pilgrims of Hope

From 2 to 6 June, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week—a time to honour the vibrant communities within our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This week highlights the dedication of staff, the growth of students, and the shared mission to nurture each child spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. Catholic education is about helping every student flourish and become the person God calls them to be, through learning that inspires both the heart and mind. 

 We have much to be proud of in our endeavours to provide our young people with a well-rounded education that meets their needs today and for their future. We are deeply grateful for our thriving community, where teachers, parents and parish come together in unparalleled levels of care providing safe, supportive and inclusive surroundings which nurture students’ wellbeing, confidence and hope for themselves. 

In this Jubilee Year, we are blessed with opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ and remind ourselves that growing in faith builds firm trust in God’s promises. It is our trust in God’s promises that fills us with hope—even in our darkest moments, God's faithfulness never fades. May this week inspire us to live each day with joyful hearts and steadfast hope in the Lord. 

 We pray together: 

 Loving God, 

 May the God of hope fill us with joy and peace 

as together we guide and nurture the minds and hearts of the young. 

 May the God of hope grant us wisdom to live with truth, patience to lead with compassion, and faith to inspire with love. 

 May we always find strength in the mission to reflect Christ’s light in our days, and may our work bear lasting fruit in the lives of those we love and serve. 

 Amen. 

St Paul's Family Mass

We warmly invite all families, carers, and members of the parish to join us for a special Family Mass in honour of the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul – the patron saint of our school.

Date: Sunday 29 June 2025
Time: 9:30am
Location: St Paul’s Church, Gateshead

This Mass is a meaningful opportunity for our school to gather as one in prayer and thanksgiving, reflecting on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul – two courageous apostles who laid the foundations of our faith through their witness, leadership, and deep love for Christ.

Students from St Paul’s will play a special role in leading the celebration through readings, prayers, and song. Together, we will give thanks for our school community and ask for the continued guidance of our patron saints in our journey of faith.

Following Mass, all families are warmly invited to join us for light refreshments and fellowship.

Let us come together in faith, joy, and unity as we celebrate the legacy of Saints Peter and Paul – pillars of the early Church and enduring examples of courage, mission, and love.

Vinnies Winter Appeal – Milo Mornings at St Paul's!

Warm up your heart and your hands this winter with our Milo Mornings, running every Friday during Term 2 and 3 at St Paul’s. For just $2 per cup, you can enjoy a delicious hot milo served in your own travel mug, while supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal.
All funds raised will go directly to helping those in need stay warm and cared for this winter. Let’s come together as a community to make a difference—one cup at a time!

Milo Mornings start Friday 20 June!! The same day as our Winter Woolies Day... warm up inside and out!

❄️ Winter Woolies Day – Friday 20 June ❄️

Supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal

St Paul’s Primary School will be holding Winter Woolies Day on Friday 20 June to raise funds for the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Students are invited to come to school wearing their winter warmers – think trackies, beanies, scarves, cosy socks and  maybe even an oodie?

To support the Vinnies Winter Appeal, helping people experiencing homelessness and hardship during the colder months.
Bring a gold coin donation (or more if you can!) to support this important cause.

Every dollar raised will go directly towards providing warm clothing, blankets, and vital support to families and individuals in our community in need. Together, we can help bring comfort and dignity to those doing it tough this winter.

Let’s keep warm and make a difference – one woolly layer and one kind donation at a time!

Snapshot of Learning in Religious Education - Kindergarten

This term in Religion, our Kindergarten students are beginning a beautiful journey of faith as they encounter God through the person of Jesus Christ. Through engaging stories from the Gospels, the children are learning that Jesus is the Son of God who leads us to the Father. They are discovering that Jesus is someone who loves deeply, seeks out the lost, and serves others with humility. As they listen and respond to scripture, our youngest learners are developing an awareness of God’s plan of love and care for all people. It’s a joy to watch their wonder grow as they come to know Jesus as their friend, teacher, and guide.

Kindergarten have been exploring stories of Jesus from the Bible. They are thoroughly enjoying listening to, watching and discussing all the amazing stories of Jesus. The children have been particularly mesmerised by the Miracle stories. They have had some interesting and thoughtful discussions about them and enjoyed choosing one to recall and draw. We were able to discover that we see these stories in lots of different versions of the Bible but the message is the same. Jesus is the son of God and his miracles were incredible! 

Aboriginal Education

National Sorry Day / Reconciliation Week

On Monday, our school community gathered for a National Sorry Day liturgy, marking the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. Together, we reflected on the stories and strength of the Stolen Generations acknowledging the past with truth and compassion. A highlight of our gathering  was a traditional Clearing Dance performed by our Undi Booran dancers. This powerful cultural expression invited us all into a sacred space of reflection and renewal, as we walk together in truth and understanding.

This year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” invites us to stand strong in our commitment to reconciliation... not just in words, but in meaningful action. During the liturgy, students and staff were led in prayer, reflection, and storytelling that reminded us of our shared responsibility to create a more just and respectful future.

At St Paul’s, we are committed to walking the journey of reconciliation every day, learning from the past as we build bridges toward the future. Now more than ever, we walk together - with hope, healing, and heart.

To commemorate the day, schools across our Powaikaliko Malang (Grow Together) Catholic Community of Schools collectively displayed purple paper flowers across their gardens. The Sturt’s Desert Rose, or Native Hibiscus, was chosen to symbolise the scattering of the Stolen Generations by Government policy. It honours their strength and resilience due to its ability to survive in harsh conditions. The colour denotes compassion and spiritual healing.  On Thursday 22^nd May, our St Paul’s Junior AECG Representatives attended their second Powaikaliko Malang Junior AECG Meeting at SFX Belmont. It was such an amazing opportunity to share ideas and talk about our preparations for National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week as well as our upcoming NAIDOC celebrations. Each school also received purple tibouchina flowers as a gift from Minimbah AECG to be placed near their respective story poles. This idea came from our last St Paul’s Junior AECG meeting. Otis from Kindergarten Gold suggested planting real purple flowers. The aunties at Minimbah AECG heard about Otis’ idea and funded all the Powaikaliko Malang Schools.

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Sports News

Regional Athletics Carnival

The Lakes Region Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday 24th June at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale. Those students who have been selected to attend after our school carnival received a note today about their events. A Compass Event will be released next week. Please note that your child receiving a ribbon at the school athletics carnival does not mean automatic entry into the Regional Carnival, as there are qualifying times that must be met.

Important Athletics Information- Discus and High Jump

If you wish for your child to be considered for selection for Discus and/or High Jump at Regional/Diocesan/Polding level, you will need to submit a verified, certified and validated application for these events. If you intend on submitting an application, please email the school or Abbey Edwards abbey-jane.edwards@mn.catholic.edu.au so that relevant paperwork can be completed ASAP.

School Athletics Champions

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded our age Athletics Champions for 2025:

Junior Girls- Eve Carter

Junior Boys- Myles Willis

Senior Girls- Maeva Clifford

Senior Boys- Jacob Fitzgerald

AFL and Under 10s Rugby League Gala- New Dates

Please note the new date for the Stage 3 Gala day is 17th June at Feighan Oval Warners Bay and the Under 10s Rugby League is Thursday 14th August (3rd time lucky) at John Balcomb Field, Dudley. Please see Compass for more information.

Library News

Book Club

The Book Club magazines have been delivered to the classrooms and will be coming home in bags this week. 

Please see the link to view the online Book Club catalogue:

https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/issue-preview/ 

You can also order through the book club as a 'gift'. This means when it arrives at school we are notified it is a gift and we will not give it to your child. We will give you a call to let you know that book club is in. Great for birthdays and Christmas presents. 

Each order that you place earns the school money with Scholastic, which means more books for our library.  

Belinda Mayall 

Teacher Librarian 

Parent News

Year 6 Graduation and End of Year Events 

St Paul's School based Year 6 Graduation will take place on Tuesday, 16th December, 6 pm-7:30 pm.

Year 6 Beach Day is Thursday, 11th December. 

Year 6 Clap Out Tuesday 16th December, 2:15 pm.

 More details to come closer to the date. 

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 and High Potential Education News

Unleash your Creativity! Design the “Energy of the Future”

Hunter iF is inviting students to design the Hunter Innovation Festival t-shirt. There are loads of cash prizes and art supplies to win!🌞🌏💡

The design theme is 'Energy of the Future'. Students might consider including sustainable energy sources, innovative technologies and a greener future for our planet. This might include solar power, wind energy, hydrogen, energy efficiency and what role they might play for our region. 🏆

Entries close Monday, 30^th June 2025. Please email art@hunterIF.com.au to register your intent and to get more information.

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”.

WriteOn Competition

The annual WriteOn Competition is an exciting opportunity for schools, teachers and students to focus on writing. Through the competition, students develop skills in writing to express their ideas and may become published authors.

The competition is for students in Years 1 to 6 who are accessing NSW syllabuses, including students registered for home schooling. Students create an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using a provided stimulus.

Each year, winners are celebrated at an award ceremony and their entries are published in ‘The Best of WriteOn' anthology.

WriteOn 2025 opens Monday 24 March 2025. This year the competition is held in association with the State Library of NSW. For WriteOn 2025, students use a stimulus quote to explore their voices as authors when creating an imaginative text.

The new stimulus for WriteOn 2025 is the quote:

“Could they be changing?”

Entries close on Friday 20 June 2025.

For further information about the WriteOn Competiiton please see the following

website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/awards-and-events/writeon-competition

Any interested students are encouraged to have a conversation with Mr Yarnold (Gifted Education Mentor).

Wes Yarnold

Gifted Education Mentor

Creative Arts News

Calling all Rock n’ Rollers!! Learn Guitar at school with Ricky’s Music Tuition

Open to Years K to 6, students will learn everything from Billy Eilish to Post Malone, to Imagine Dragons, to AC/DC. Students will learn in small groups at school, and have the opportunity to perform as part of an ensemble, enjoying the excitement and experience of being a real musician with skills that will last a lifetime. If you are interested in your child being involved, please email enrol@rickysmusictuition.com.au

Office Messages

IMPORTANT - School Fees

We would like to kindly remind all families that fee payments should have started now, 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.