St Paul's Bulletin Term 3 Week 3 2025

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Tomorrow, we celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. Mary Mackillop is not only Australia’s first and only saint, she holds a special place in the history of St Paul’s: Mary Mackillop is our parish patron and St Paul's was established in 1964 by the Sisters of St Joseph, Mary Mackillop's order of nuns. Mary achieved much in her life, and her faith and trust in God gave her the courage to face almost anything. She lived through adversity, always with a sense of hope. Let us look to St Mary Mackillop as a great role model, trusting in God and looking for the positive in every situation.  The whole school will be attending mass at 9am tomorrow morning in our church for this special feast day. Everyone is welcome. Please join us!

The MacKillop Parish will come together on Saturday, 9 August, to farewell, thank and commemorate 98 years of service of the Sisters of St Joseph, especially Sr Brigid, as they leave the parish and the convent is closed. Both St Paul's Gateshead and St Joseph's Charlestown were established and run by the Sisters for many years. Event Details are as follows: 10:30am: Closure of the convent- 11:00am: Mass- 12:15pm: Lunch- 1:45pm: Formal farewell to the Sisters. Everyone is welcome! 

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I will be retiring at the end of the 2025 school year. I have enjoyed a fulfilling vocation in Catholic education for over 40 years across five dioceses, thirty of those in leadership positions. I am proud that I have made a small difference in the lives of the many children I have taught. I feel honoured and privileged to have enjoyed my time leading the St Paul's Gateshead community over the past nine years and believe my stewardship has left it in a good position, ready for the next leader to take it into a new chapter. The process for my replacement will begin in the coming weeks. I will miss St Paul’s dearly, as it holds a very special place in my heart. I look forward to working hard over the next term and a half for the children and families of St Paul’s! 

Recently there has been much public discussion around the Australian Government's model of funding schools. Catholic Schools NSW have put together some data to explain how government funding for non-government schools—such as Catholic and Independent schools— supports your right to choose the best educational environment for your child while also reducing costs for Australian taxpayers. Using the most recent data, the report outlines how funding these schools through a mixed education model reduces pressure on public education resources, with savings of up to $6.88 billion annually. The report highlights how school choice benefits families and the broader community alike. To read more, find the report here: Money invested, Money Saved - July 2025 - Adobe cloud storage. 

Parent Student Teacher Interviews and goal setting were held last week. It was so lovely to see parents in the school discussing academic progress with teachers. Of course, this is the perfect opportunity to build the partnership between school and home. Children have had input into their learning goals and so should feel ownership of the process. At the end of this year, teachers will report, in the End of Year Report, on how the children achieved these goals. If you have missed your PST interview this week, please contact your teacher as soon as possible. Teachers want to meet with every family! 

Congratulations to the all the class finalists who participated in the St Paul’s Public Speaking Competition last Monday. This year’s standard was very high! Many thanks to Mrs Sue Coull for returning from leave to help adjudicate and thanks to Mrs Lisa Badior for coordinating this year’s competition. Special congratulations to the winners: 

• Stage 1: 1st Haze Hungerford, 2nd Luella Stone, 3rd Maisie Ward  
• Stage 2:  1st Lily Shaw, 2nd Liam Hosey, 3rd Eve Carter   
• Stage 3: 1st Lyla Nash, 2nd Cherish Asumoa, 3rd Chloe Hall 

First place getters will compete at the Regional Public Speaking Competition next Friday, August 15 at St Joseph’s, Kilaben Bay.  Good luck! 

Last week Years 3-6 attended the live Aspire production, ‘The Rise of Bozz.’ ASPIRE is an audition-based drama, dance, music and creative and performing arts program that provides benchmark quality training for students from Years 5 to 11. An initiative of the Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, ASPIRE provides opportunity for students with a passion for the performing arts to grow, perform and shine. We were especially proud to see Lyla, Georgia, Harper, and Tash from St Paul’s on stage as part of the talented cast! The production was very polished and professional. Everyone in attendance was most impressed! 

Please note that if taking your child out of school for more than ten days, you require an exemption from the school. This is a legal requirement. The exemption form is in Compass. 

Many children and families continue to be suffering from the range of illnesses going around at the moment. We are hearing about Covid, influenza A, influenza B and RSV. If your child has any symptoms, please keep them at home.  

This term St Paul’s is hosting a playgroup session each Friday afternoon from 2-2.45pm. We are calling this playgroup opportunity, Yaama Play, and it is open to any family looking for a Friday afternoon playgroup, not just St Paul’s families. This is a great way to meet other families, play in a kinder classroom, explore the library, listen to a story, enjoy the school playground, and say hello to our friendly chickens. Families just need to register once and then can come every week, or as often as they can. 

With every blessing, 

Greg Cumming 

Principal 

Important Dates

2025 School Dates 

Assistant Principal's Message

Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) 

In the coming weeks, our PBL focus is “We are Learners – Follow Instructions.” At school, we are encouraging students to actively listen, respond respectfully, and follow directions the first time they are given. These skills help create a safe and productive learning environment, supporting students in becoming confident and independent learners.

How can families support this focus at home?

Here are some simple strategies to reinforce this important behaviour:

Model Active Listening
Show your child what good listening looks like—maintaining eye contact, keeping a quiet body, and responding appropriately. Children learn best by watching the adults around them.

Use Clear and Positive Language
Give instructions in a calm, clear voice. Break tasks into small steps if needed, and use encouraging language to motivate your child.

Give Time to Process
After giving an instruction, allow a few seconds for your child to respond. Avoid repeating yourself too quickly—this helps build independence and accountability.

Set Routines and Expectations
Consistent routines help children know what to expect and what is expected of them. Reinforce instructions with visual cues or checklists if helpful.

Praise Effort and Success
Celebrate when your child follows instructions well. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages them to keep trying.

Together, we can help our learners grow into respectful, responsible individuals—both at school and at home!

Father's Day Stall Volunteers

We are seeking Parent Volunteers for our Father's Day Stall on Thursday, 5th September. If you can help to support the running of the Stall on either Tuesday, 2nd September, 2 pm-3 pm or Thursday, 4th September, 8:30-11 am, please call the front office to put your name down. 

Father's Day Breakfast Volunteers

We are seeking some volunteers who can help man the BBQ and serve our Bacon and Egg rolls for our Father's Day breakfast on September 5th. If you are able to give a hand between 7 am-8:30 am, please call the front office to put your name down.

Jessica Moulder

Assistant Principal 

Catholic Culture at St Paul's

Vinnies Winter Appeal LAST WEEKS! 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!

Year 5 Pilot - New Religious Education Curriculum

We’re thrilled to announce that Year 5 at St Paul’s will be piloting the new Religious Education curriculum starting in Week 6. This innovative program invites students to explore their faith through rich inquiry and reflection, guided by key questions that connect their understanding of God with everyday life.

The curriculum encourages deep thinking and meaningful engagement with questions such as:

• What do God’s people believe?
• How are God’s people called to care for creation?
• What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
• What does it mean to be the People of God?

These questions form the foundation for developing students’ religious knowledge, understanding, and capabilities. Through essential questions, inquiry skills, and opportunities to grow in thinking and faith, our Year 5 students will embark on a journey of discovery and connection.

We look forward to sharing their insights and experiences as the term progresses!

Stage 3 Religious Literacy

This term, our Year 6 students will be participating in the Religious Literacy Assessment on Tuesday 2 September - a key part of our commitment to nurturing faith, knowledge, and understanding in every learner.

This assessment is not about comparing schools, but about recognising where each student is on their learning journey. Religious literacy is more than knowledge, it's about understanding and living out the Catholic faith. A religiously literate person can: articulate key Catholic beliefs and practices, apply critical thinking in religious contexts, demonstrate faith through everyday actions and appreciate and engage with the richness of the Catholic tradition.

Even students who do not identify with a particular faith can grow in religious literacy by exploring the beliefs, practices, and cultural expressions of various religious traditions.

We are proud of our Year 6 students as they take this important step in their faith and learning journey.

MacKillop Feast Day - Friday 8 August

This week, St Paul’s joyfully celebrates MacKillop Feast Day, our school was founded by the Sisters of St Joseph. This special occasion is a time to reflect on the enduring legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint, whose life of faith, courage, and compassion continues to inspire and guide our school community.

Mary MacKillop’s commitment to education, especially for the poor and vulnerable, laid the foundation for Catholic schools across Australia, including our own. Her motto, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” remains central to our mission at St Paul’s, guiding us to live with purpose, kindness, and a deep sense of service. Her legacy lives on in our classrooms, our community, and our hearts. Mary's commitment to serving those in need and her belief in the power of education reflect the very essence of our school motto: “Love One Another.” It’s a call to action that reminds us to live with kindness, respect, and generosity—just as Mary did.

MacKillop Feast Day is not only a celebration of our history, but a reminder of the values we strive to uphold: faith in action, love for all, and a dedication to learning and justice. We give thanks for the vision of the Sisters of St Joseph and the vibrant community they helped build here at St Paul’s.

K-6 will celebrate Mass, together with parishioners, at St Paul's Church at 9am. All are most welcome to attend.

Feast of the Assumption - Friday 15 August

Next week, students in Years 4 to 6 will come together to celebrate Mass for the Feast of the Assumption. This sacred day honours the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven, a sign of hope and promise for all people of faith.

The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most important days in the Catholic calendar. It reminds us of Mary’s deep trust in God and her role as a model of love, faith, and obedience. Her life inspires us to live with courage and compassion, just as she did. For our St Paul’s community, this celebration is especially meaningful. It’s a time to gather in prayer, reflect on Mary’s example, and strengthen our connection to God and one another. As we live out our school motto, “Love One Another,” we honour Mary’s legacy and the values she represents.

We look forward to sharing this beautiful celebration of faith with our parish and school community. All families are most welcome to attend Mass at 9am on Friday 15 August in St Paul's Church.

Aboriginal Education

We are excited to share that the mural, "Next Generation" at St Paul's has been completed and is now ready for the students to add their personal touches. We're currently awaiting a stretch of favourable weather to proceed with the next phase. 

This project celebrates children not only as the artists of today, but as guides of their own culture’s tomorrow—carrying forward stories, traditions, and the spiritual connections that shape community identity. Their involvement ensures that culture continues to live and evolve through their generation.

Equally integral to the mural’s meaning are the Aboriginal Elders. As custodians of knowledge, they are guardians of ceremony, storytelling, and tradition ensuring cultural continuity across generations. Elders bring wisdom, language, and ceremony to life—mentoring young people and grounding the mural in shared heritage and respect for Country. 

Lastly, the footprints incorporated into the design bridge our religious connections to the pilgrims’ footsteps—symbolising that our journey of faith follows a path walked by those before us. In spiritual tradition, footprints often represent guidance, presence, and connection to a lineage of beliefs. 

Yesterday, I was privileged to support St Mary’s Catholic College during their NAIDOC Week celebrations by delivering Aboriginal art workshops to the Year 7 cohort. It was truly inspiring to witness how deeply engaged the students were—from the meaningful stories they chose to express through their art, to the bold creativity in each design.

I was extremely impressed by the extraordinary talent reflected in their artworks. This program not only encouraged creative expression, but also provided students with a hands-on connection to First Nations culture—helping them explore their identity and appreciate the stories behind traditional art forms.

These workshops align beautifully with the national NAIDOC theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”—amplifying the voices and talents of young artists as they embrace cultural leadership and legacy-making in their own right.

Thank you to Mr Paul McKay, Mr Richard (Roo) Faulkner and Mr Levi Briggs from the Aboriginal Education team at St Mary's for making this initiative possible and for your support.

Dannielle Peachey 

St Paul's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher 

Junior AECG News 

In 2023, with the support from Local Minimbah AECG and the work of Aunty Laurel Williams,  we established a Catholic Community of Schools known as Powaikaliko Malang which means - Grow Together in Awabakal language. Our Powaikaliko Malang Community of Schools is made up of 6 local schools located from Swansea to Charlestown. These schools include:

• St Patrick’s Primary School- Swansea
• St Francis Xavier's Primary School- Belmont
• St Pius X Primary School- Windale 
• St Mary’s Catholic College- Gateshead
• St Joseph's Primary School- Charlestown
• And Us- St Paul’s Primary School- Gateshead

Ayla (President) and Zac (Secretary), our St Paul’s Junior AECG representatives, will be attending the next Powaikaliko Malang Junior AECG meeting at St Patrick’s Primary School, Swansea next Wednesday. During this gathering, each school will have the opportunity to share highlights from their NAIDOC Week celebrations, showcasing how they marked the occasion and engaged their communities.

Our next St Paul's Junior AECG meeting will be on Monday 18th August at 2:00pm, all Koori Kids are invited to attend.

Minimbah Local AECG News

We warmly invite all members of our school community to attend the upcoming Minimbah Local AECG General Meeting which our school is hosting. This gathering offers a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about Aboriginal education and to contribute to shaping positive outcomes for our students. 

All parents, carers, Elders, and community members, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, are encouraged to attend and participate. Your insights and voices are vital in fostering a culturally inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Sports News

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to Harper Degan, Eve Carter, Olive Clifford, Maeva Clifford, Abi Rice, Emmett Hitchman, Luella Stone, Ella Sims, Marli McDonnel, and Logan Svensk who attended the Diocesan Athletics Carnival yesterday in the glorious weather! The students were fantastic ambassadors for our school and all competed amazingly. Maeva also broke a record in the 12years 1500m- congratulations Maeva!

An extra congratulations to Logan and Maeva who have been selected to attend the Polding Athletics Carnival on the 12th September. We look forward to cheering you on again!

Touch Football Gala Day

Unfortunately, due to the wet weather, the Stage 2 Touch Football Gala was postponed from last Thursday. We are yet to receive a new date, but as soon as we do, parents will be informed.  

At this stage, the Stage 3 Touch Football Gala Day is still scheduled for next Thursday 14th August. We are hoping the rain stays away so Stage 3 students can enjoy the day!

Netball Gala Day

The Lakes Region Gala Day will occur again this year for students in Years 4-6. The event will take place on Thursday 11th September. The focus of the day is on participation and fun. Students have been asked if they would like to attend. In the past we have had great interest from students and will be asking for any parent helpers to volunteer to assist with a team on the day- we are always very grateful for parent volunteers. Once names are finalised, a Compass event will be released in the coming week. 

Event Reminders

Under 10s Rugby League Gala- Thursday 14th August at John Balcomb Field, Dudley.

Stage 3 Touch Football Gala Day- 14th August- Broadmeadow

Lakes Region Netball Carnival- Years 4-6 11th September

Polding Athletics 12th September

AFL After-school Clinics

The AFL are offering students at our school the opportunity to be involved in after-school AusKick and SuperKick programs. Please see the flyer below if your child is interested in participating, or contact matt.haines@afl.com.au. The AFL will conduct some in class clinics next Friday for students to try. 

Library News

We’ve hit the ground running this term, with plenty of excitement building in the Library as we prepare for the fun and festivities of Book Week.

Important library dates for your diaries: 

Thursday 31st July- Sales for the books to be signed at school by Sue Whiting close. 

Monday 11^th August- Book Club orders close.

Thursday 14^th August - Sue Whiting -Author Visit

Monday 18^th August (Week 5)- Book Parade, Book Fair and Grandparents/Grandfriends Day

Author Visit and Book Purchase Information 

We are thrilled to announce that Sue Whiting, esteemed Australian author, will be visiting St Paul’s as part of our Book Week celebrations! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet a real-life author and be inspired by her love of storytelling.

To make the most of this visit, families can purchase Sue Whiting’s books, which she will personally sign during her time at school. Book sales close on Thursday 31st July, so don’t miss out!

To order, simply follow this link: https://www.lamontauthors.com.au/buy-authors-book/

Book Week and Grandparents’ Day – Monday 18th August at 9am

Join us at St Paul’s on Monday 18th August at 9am as we launch Book Week and celebrate our cherished Grandparents and Grand Friends.

The morning will feature a colourful parade and a Book Fair in the library. All students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of reading and honour the important people in our lives.

We warmly welcome all families, especially our Grandparents and Grandfriends, to be part of this memorable event. Everyone is welcome – we hope to see you there!

Book Raffle

As part of our Book Week celebrations, we’re holding a Book Raffle with 20 fantastic books up for grabs! Tickets will be sold outside the library in the mornings from Week 2 until the end of Week 4 at 50c each or 3 for $1.

Books in the raffle include titles by Sue Whiting, The Bad Guys, Truck Cat, Roblox, Minecraft adventures, and a selection of bedtime and nursery rhymes. There is something for every reader!

All money raised will go towards purchasing new books for our school library.

The raffle will be drawn during Week 5’s morning assemblies!

Book Fair

The Book Fair will be held in the library after the Book Parade on Monday 18th August. It will also be open Tuesday to Friday mornings from 8:20–8:45, and Monday to Thursday afternoons from 2:45–3:00.

On Friday 15th August, children will have the opportunity to browse the Book Fair and create wish lists to take home. Families can then purchase books through the online platform.

Books start at just $2, and card payment is preferred. Come support our school and celebrate the joy of reading!

Belinda Mayall 

Teacher Librarian 

St Paul's Gateshead 

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/ 

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.

Volunteering
Throughout the year, we invite parents/carers to volunteer at the school. To volunteer, you must complete the volunteer's induction. 

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. 

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.