St Paul's Bulletin Term 3 Week 3 2024

Principal's Message

“Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering Whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you all your life. God will reward you as only He can.”  

                                                              St Mary of the Cross Mackillop 

Dear Parents and Carers,  

Today 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. Yesterday all our children attended the play, Young Mary, which told the story of mary Mackillop’s life. Please ask your children about the play. 

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 a 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 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 Myles Willis, 2nd Amara Fernandez, 3rd Ahki Abell 

Stage 2 - 1st Everly Shepherd, 2nd Lucah Diaz, 3rd Lily Shaw 

Stage 3 - 1st Lara Milevski, 2nd Lylah Nash, 3rd Maeva Clifford 

First-place getters will compete at the Regional Public Speaking Competition next Friday, August 16 at St Joseph’s, Kilaben Bay.  Good luck! 

Parents have now been sent an alert through Compass regarding our upcoming school photos. Photos will be taken on Monday, 26th August. Children should be dressed in their full winter uniform. I would especially ask that school shoes are polished. If you didn’t receive the Compass link to order the photos, please contact MSP on 49668292. 

Last week Years 3-6 attended the live Aspire production, ‘Disconnected.’ 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 an opportunity for students with a passion for the performing arts to grow, perform and shine. Big congratulations to Ivy Mansfield in Year 6 who was part of the dance ensemble. 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. Please contact the school office for the relevant form. 

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, RSV, whooping cough and impetigo. If your child has any symptoms, please keep them at home.  

With every blessing,  

Greg Cumming  

Principal 

Important Dates

Assistant Principal's Message

Notifications for Student Absences 

It is important to prioritise advising the school of an absence for your child. There are two categories outlined below, the most common being the first. The information below applies to general routines for absence.

Full-Day Absences—Less than 10 days
How to inform the school:  Please advise your child’s absence before 8:45 am.

• Use the COMPASS app under your child’s own profile to complete an absence notification. This is the preferred method as your information updates the student management system automatically and the teacher is informed through that same system.
  
• If the school does not receive a notification of absence, it will be marked as unexplained after the day has passed.
• If no explanation of your child’s absence is received after 7 days, it is archived as an Unexplained Absence.  

Longer Absences (over 10 days)

The basic premise regarding school attendance is that “It’s not ok to be away.”  However, if you intend to take leave from school for more than 10 days, parents must complete an Application for Extended Leave.  These days of leave will still appear as absences in school documentation and reports. They will be recorded per your explanation, for example, family holiday, business, or bereavement but they will still count as absences. Any extended absence requires a commitment from parents to support the student’s education while absent from school, particularly in English and Maths.

Partial Absences (Arrive Late or Leave Early)

If you arrive after 8:45 am or leave before 2:45 pm you must attend the school office to electronically sign your child in or out. This is a requirement by law. It is important to stress that only an adult can complete this process as it is a legal document. We understand that if you are running late, it is tempting to drop children at the gate BUT we are required to have an adult sign them in. 

Similarly, if you are signing your child out early for the day, please go to the office and we will contact the classroom and your child will come to you.

Jessica Moulder

Assistant Principal 

Catholic Culture at St Paul's

Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop

Today we are excited to celebrate the feast day of St. Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint!

Mary MacKillop was renowned for her dedication to education and helping those who are less fortunate. To explore her story, students will engage in special activities and learn about her inspiring life and commitment to faith and service.

Yesterday, students attended a performance by Starrs Productions entitled 'Young Mary'. 

St Mary MacKillop was determined, compassionate and steadfast even as a child. The play introduced us to Young Mary and we participated in her many fun filled and spirited childhood adventures. We had lots of fun playing games with Mary, and hearing about her pet cow Blorac and her dad Alexander. Then, as she grew, we bore witness to the determination of a hard-working young woman who sets out to eliminate poverty and provide a fair education for all.
It was funny and entertaining and involved the audience in lots of acting and moral decision making. Young Mary’s humour and compassion helped us enjoy and understand St Mary MacKillop, whilst appreciating her famous quote;
“Never see a need without doing something about it”.

Spotlight on Religious Education in Kinder Gold!

This term, our kindergarten students are excited to learn about God the Holy Spirit, exploring this important aspect of the Trinity alongside God the Father and the Son. They will discover how the Holy Spirit was revealed to the Apostles during Pentecost and how the Spirit continues to be God's presence in the world today. Through engaging activities, they’ll explore symbols and signs associated with the Holy Spirit and learn about the special gifts that help deepen their relationship with God. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our young learners to connect with their faith in meaningful ways.

This week Kinder Gold have been capturing what they think the Holy Spirit might look like, their drawings are an insight into their understanding. 

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Season of Creation

“To hope and act with Creation”

Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home.

It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth. We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it.

This year, the theme for the season is “To hope and act with Creation”. 

Throughout the Season of Creation, St Paul's students and families will be prompted and encouraged to make small changes to their everyday choices which could lead to lasting change. 

St Paul's Launches Laudato Si Action Plan with the help of Groundswell Collective

Anna Noon, Director of Groundswell Collective was successful in securing a grant to create a tiny forest, in the grounds of St Pauls' with strategically sourced and selected native plants. This tiny forest will protect biodiversity for plant and animal life in our school. Students are invited to join our Environmental Team who will care for our forest.

The Tiny Forest will start taking shape during the Season of Creation with planting during the last week of term. 

Mary Davison

Religious Education Coordinator

Sports News

Diocesan Athletics Carnivals

Congratulations to Abby Rice, Maeva Clifford, Katia Duenzl, Marli McDonell, Jacob Fitzgerald, Emmett Hitchman, George Goodwin, Ethan Burrows, Chase Carter and Lincoln Olsoen who represented our school and region at the Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Athletics Carnival this week. I am still waiting to be given official results, but I hear we may have some future Olympians among us who will be proceeding to the Polding Carnival. Congratulations to all students!

Touch Football Gala Day

Year 5 and 6 students attended the Touch Football Gala Day last week and had a wonderful day. All students participated with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. A very big thank you to those parents who attended and assisted with managing some teams. 

The Year 3/4 Gala Day is next Thursday 15th August. We look forward to another fun day! Please keep an eye out on Compass for updates about this event, including playing times once the draw has been released. 

Netball Gala Day

I am organising a netball Gala Day involving the Catholic schools in our Lakes Region. The event will be held on Thursday 5th September (Week 7). All students, girls and boys, in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are invited to participate. No netball experience is necessary, as the focus of the day is on fun and participation. I will take names early next week of those students who would like to attend. Any parents who are available to attend on the day to assist with managing a team would be greatly appreciated. It was a highly successful and fun day last year!

Abbey Edwards 

abbey-jane.edwards@mn.catholic.edu.au

Student News

Public Speaking

Congratulations to all the students who competed in our in-school Public Speaking Competition on Monday, 5^th August.

The topics were: Stage 1- Friendship, Stage 2 – Childhood and Stage 3 – The Olympic Games.

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing St Paul’s at the Lakes Region Competition next Friday: Stage 1 – Myles Willis, Stage 2 – Everly Sheppard and Stage 3 – Lara Milevski.

Lisa Badior

Creative Arts News

P & F News

P & F Meeting

Please join us at Club Charlestown next Wednesday 14th August 6 pm for our monthly P & F Meeting.

We will be planning for Father's Day and the Colour Run. All Welcome. 

Parish News

Children’s Liturgy is held every Sunday at 9:30am during Holy Mass. 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. 

Please note, while St Paul’s Gateshead Catholic Church is undergoing renovations Children’s Liturgy is at St Mary Immaculate Charlestown 9:30am.

Office Messages

IMPORTANT - School Fees

Just a reminder that parents who pay annually need to finalise payments by 30th June, 2024

Thank you to the families who have commenced their regular payments. A reminder if you are paying by installments these payments need to have commenced to be paid in full by 30th November, 2024.

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

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.