St Paul's Bulletin Term 3 Week 7 2024

Principal's Message

Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you so much for all the precious children in this world. We know they mean so much to you. We pray you would help us do all we can to protect and give them the start in life they deserve. Lord we bring to you all of the wonderful work being done to release children from poverty, and we pray that you would bless every pair of hands that works for you. Increase and bless their efforts in Jesus name, Amen. 

https://www.compassionuk.org/prayers/prayers-for-children 

Dear Parents and Carers,  

This week we mark National Child Protection Week.  This year, the theme is ‘Every conversation matters’. It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, we should include their voices in decision-making and be advocates for their best interests. By speaking regularly with children about their personal safety and how they can protect themselves, as well as “tuning in” to their worries, children are more likely to trust us and feel comfortable talking with us when something big is going on. At St Paul’s we work hard to listen to our children and give them a voice, striving to make every week Child Protection Week.  

As you know St Paul’s does not have traditional homework, other than projects in Years 5 & 6. Our school policy is that we encourage Home Activities, which include home reading, sporting and cultural activities, helping in the home and playing. We see home reading as being imperative to a child being a successful reader and learner. We send home readers, or similar, in the early years. In the older grades, we expect children to be reading novels or other books that interest them. As a guide, children should be reading for at least 15-20 minutes every day. If your child is not reading at home every day, we encourage you to start supporting this important skill immediately. If they are a reluctant reader, then parents should read to their children every day. There is no age limit on reading to your child. Do it as long as your child enjoys it. If you have any questions regarding reading, please contact your child's teacher. 

Many thanks to the P&F for the amazing Father's Day gift stall and breakfast last week. Many hours of preparation go into these events. Thanks to all the volunteer parents who cooked served and cleaned up last Friday! What a lucky community we are to have so many willing parents who support the school and one another! 

The P&F are currently preparing for the Colour Run on Friday, September 20. All children have now received booklets about how to register and get sponsorship. All money raised goes to support the school. The recent Thompson Pie drive raised money to purchase a podcasting kit for the library. Funds from the Colour Run are going towards building an outdoor learning area/yarning circle on the school field.  

The Catholic Schools Office has recently developed a program called Period Positivity. Sanitary products will be available to girls for free, via a dispenser in the girl's toilets. The dispenser will be installed over the next school holidays. If students find themselves needing pads or tampons, they will be available from the dispensers. Students will still be able to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided for those who need them. The installation will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be taught to all children, age-appropriate, K-6. If you have any questions, just ask. 

Our first Kinder Yaama Day is next week! On this day the children will have activities in the Kinder classrooms while the parents will spend time with Mrs Jackie Parsons, a speech therapist from the CSO, and our own Pedagogical Mentor, Mrs Lauren Ross, who will talk about how to support your child's literacy development. Even if you don’t have a child coming in Kinder next year, you are most welcome to come to learn more about literacy development in children.  If you know of a family looking to enrol in Kinder next year, please let them know that enrolments are still open. Can’t wait to have our newest enrolments at school! 

As the weather has now warmed up children may now wear Summer uniform. Please choose Summer uniform or Winter uniform, not a mix of both. A small number of students have begun to wear the incorrect school shoes. According to our policy, shoes should be black, leather, and polishable. 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. Earrings must be silver or gold studs or sleepers.” 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 or incorrect uniforms.

With every blessing,  

Greg Cumming  

Principal 

Important Dates

2025 School Dates 

Assistant Principal's Message

R U OK? Day

This year R U OK?Day falls on Thursday 12 September, an annual National Day of Action and a reminder that every day is the day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues.

Parents, caregivers and schools all play a vital role in shaping young lives and participating in R U OK?Day goes beyond classrooms, showcasing a commitment to holistic student development. Schools create safe spaces by initiating conversations about mental health, where children feel valued, understood, and supported. Parents can help by fostering an open dialogue, normalising emotions, identifying support systems, teaching active listening and addressing any stigmas relating to mental health.

For further resources check out the below link and don't forget to ask R U OK?

SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK?Day | St Paul's Primary School - Gateshead (schooltv.me)

Jessica Moulder

Assistant Principal 

Catholic Culture at St Paul's

Thank you for the incredible support for our Winter Appeal! During the winter months we raised over $550 to support our local Vinnies Chapter. 

Creation Sings

The Diocesan Liturgy Council will be hosting Creation Sings. The afternoon will be an opportunity to come together for the whole of the Newcastle, Hunter and Manning community to sing in support of creation. Let us then come together and sing for creation and stir in our hearts, through song and one voice, a reconnection and love of the gift that has been given to us from God.

Saturday 21 September | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Sacred Heart Cathedral
Bring a plant cutting for someone to propagate in their garden
The day will be in 3-parts: learn a song, time of prayer, afternoon tea. 

Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/xKCr907ew6

Season of Creation photography

Do you love taking photos of nature and sharing these experiences of wonder and awe with others? If so, send you image(s) to rose.mcallister@mn.catholic.org.au by 16 September.

These images will be shown on 21 September at the Sacred Heart Beat - Creation Sings event at the Cathedral.

Green Guardians & Tiny Forest

We have over 40 students from year 1 to 6 who are keen to don their hats, roll up the sleeves and start caring for our green spaces at St Paul's.

The Tiny Forest will be our first project. We have a few other green space rejuvenations on our mind - so stay tuned as these plans are unveiled. 

Our Tiny Forest breaking ground ceremony is on Monday 9 September straight after the morning bell. Parents, families and friends are welcome to stay for the cleansing and smoking ceremony and to hear about the plans for the Tiny Forest.

Mary Davison

Religious Education Coordinator

Sports News

Under 10s Knights 9s

Congratulations to all boys involved in the Under 10s Knights 9s yesterday. Mr Yarnold was very proud of all the boys and their participation in the day- for many it was their first Rugby League experience. Well done!

Lakes Region Netball Gala Day

Today 17 teams from St Paul's were involved in a Lakes Region Netball Gala day! Congratulations to all the students involved for a wonderful day of fun. We certainly know how to play fairly at St Paul's, and how to encourage each other and show fantastic sportsmanship.

A very big thank you to the many parents who volunteered to manage a team on the day, and to the ex-students, current students, parents and teachers who umpired on the day. Without this wonderful community support, we wouldn't be able to have such great sporting opportunities at our school. A big thank you to Mrs Lonsdale also for her assistance with organising the day. A great team effort by our community!

Rescheduled Stage 2 (year 3/4) Touch Football Gala Day

The Year 3/4 Touch Football Gala Day cancelled earlier this term has been rescheduled to next Thursday 12th September. Details can be found in Compass events. A reminder email will be sent out early next week. Thank you to those parents who have been very generous with offering their assistance on the day.

NSW Schools Funduro Championship

Congratulations to Noah Booth, Jonah Gregory, Darcy Maloney and Logan Trevor on their participation in a NSW Schools Funduro Mountain Biking event recently at Dungog. St Paul's was placed 7th on the day as a team, and Jonah received a bronze medal. Well done, boys!

Polding Rugby Union

Congratulations again to Lachlan Roberts on his achievements with the Polding Rugby Union team. They were placed second in their tournament at Wagga. What a wonderful experience- congratulations Lachie!

Summer Sports Trials

Summer sports trials will be held next term for the following sports: cricket, tennis and basketball.

Please note that these trials are not gala day events- they are for students with exceptional talent in these sports to apply to trial to progress through representation at a variety of levels (Representation at Diocesan, Polding level etc). These trials are for students in Years 4 and 5 this year (2025 Year 5 /6).

If you consider your child to have exceptional talent in any of the above sports, you may nominate your child for the trials by requesting a form to apply from Abbey Edwards. (Please note, a school trial may also need to occur as we are limited in the number of participants) 

These forms must be handed back to Mrs Edwards by Friday 20th September. Please get in touch if you require an application form or if you have any further questions. 

Good luck to Abby, Chase, Katia, Maeva and Marli at next Friday's Polding Athletics Carnival!

Abbey Edwards

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

Canteen News

P & F News

Colour Run Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering for the Colour Run, please contact the school office.

There are several roles across several shifts on the day. All volunteers need to complete the Volunteer Registration process at

https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/ 

Creative Arts News

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.