St Paul's Bulletin Term 1 Week 9 2024
Principal's Message
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Mark 14: 22-24
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowd waved palms. The people were not to know God’s plan for Jesus the following week. Today is Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Easter Triduum, the three special days from the evening of Holy Thursday through Good Friday to the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Our Easter story of Resurrection is the culmination of our faith, which brings to life the message of hope. Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny are all signs of new life and hope. In this challenging time of economic struggle, war, climate disasters, and feelings of ‘hopelessness’, our faith encourages us to be people of HOPE. Today the school celebrated Easter with Stations of the Cross in the Josephite Centre. Stations of the Cross re-enact the events of Easter up to the laying of Jesus in the tomb on Good Friday.
I encourage you to attend one of our parish Easter celebrations listed below in this bulletin. You might also sit together as a family and watch the Easter story as a movie, such as the Beginners Bible Easter Story.
Last Friday we held a Paupers’ Banquet, where our children enjoyed a humble 'white bread’ meal while watching a small percentage of their peers (drawn out of a hat) enjoyed a feast provided by the teachers. This represents the unequal distribution of wealth in the world. The day showcases the work done by Caritas and the money raised will go to Project Compassion. Many thanks to Mary Davison for coordinating this event. Please ask your children about the experience and how it made them feel.
Harmony Day was celebrated last Friday also. Harmony Day recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Isn't it great that we are all different! Thank you for sending your childto school in orange or traditional dress.
I have noticed many children coming to school chewing gum. Parents are asked not to send children with gum as it ends up on the ground, squashed into the concrete or carpet. Once there, it turns black and cannot be removed. The final result is very unsightly. Please keep the chewing gum for home.
I would like to leave you with one of my favourite Easter stories, The Tale of Three Trees. Please enjoy this with your family. It has a beautiful message for us all. May God touch each of you and your families this Easter season. May his love, peace and message of hope be present in your homes.
Greg Cumming
Principal
AP's Message
Interrelate Parent and Child Evening
Bookings are still open for Interrelate's Tricky Talks.
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.
An Event on Compass has been set up for you to register and pay for the evening. The price is per family. If you have more than one child in Years 3-6 you only need to pay and register for one child.
NAPLAN
A huge congratulations to our Year 3 & 5 students for all their hard work in completing their NAPLAN assessments over the past 2 weeks. A special thanks to the teachers of these grades for their work preparing them.
Results should be available to parents early in Term 3.
Unwell Children
With the changing season, we have had many children in sickbay with coughs, colds and vomiting in the past 2 weeks. We ask that you keep your child at home when they are symptomatic of cold and flu symptoms including coughing and fevers.
Children can return to school when symptoms have passed.
Happy Easter!
I know as I have travelled through this Lenten season it has been hard not to reflect on my time in the Holy Lands last year. Walking in the actual footsteps of Jesus brings new meaning to this year's Easter preparations. The photo to the right is part of the Chuch of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This is Jesus' Tomb.
So over this weekend may all your eggs, bunnies and baskets be small reminders of the love that God has for each of us. Wishing you and your families all a very blessed and holy Easter.
RE News
Caritas Australia Project Compassion Banquet
On Friday of Week 8, St Paul's gathered as a sea of orange. The orange and traditional dress was to celebrate International Harmony Day (the 21st of March) and the banquet was to raise funds and awareness for the work of Caritas International through Caritas Australia.
20 lucky students had their names drawn out to feast at the banquet while the rest of the students were offered a slice of bread. This was an exercise to demonstrate the percentage of the global population currently experiencing food insecurity.
Our choir, led by Mrs Tantos and accompanied by Mrs Sawyer, sang 'Little Light of Mine' beautifully. As a school community, we raised almost $500 to support Caritas. Thank you!
Project Compassion Banquet
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Students in year 4, 5 and 6 commenced their Sacramental Journey last Thursday by participating in their First Reconciliation. Priests were present at St Mary Immaculate Church, Charlestown to hear the students first confession.
They will now prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, where they will be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Congratulations on this very special journey.
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Amen
Spotlight on Learning in RE - Year 1/2
Students in Year 1/2 this week were learning all about Lent. Not only did they look at the Catholic traditions surrounding Lent, but learned about Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement. A holiday where Jewish people reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness from God and those they have wronged.
Stations of the Cross
Today we gathered as a school community to commemorate the journey of Jesus to Easter. Thank you to Year 6 and all students for their reverence and participation.
Mary Davison
Religious Education Coordinator
Sports News
Diocesan Trials- Rugby League and Soccer
Congratulations to Asher Dries, Lucas Keating and Alfie Robertson for representing our school at the Diocesan Rugby League Trials earlier this week, and to Maeva Clifford for representing us at the Diocesan Football (Soccer) Trials today.
A special congratulations to Asher, who has now been selected to represent St Paul's in the Polding Under 11s Rugby League team, and Maeva who has been selected into the Polding Football team - a wonderful achievement for you both!
School Cross Country- REMINDER
The school Cross Country will be held on the school grounds on Friday 5th April from 9:30am. All students will be given the opportunity to run the course for fun, and some students have opted to run the course competitively in order to be considered for Diocesan representation. A reminder that the distances and qualifying times for Diocesan are as follows:
(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)
The order of events for the day will be:
Start time from 9:30am- Competitive 11 yr girls, 11yr boys, 12/13 yr girls, 12/13 yr boys; 8/9yr girls, 8/9yr boys, 10yr girls, 10yr boys
Following the competitive races, all grades will then complete the course for fun. Parents are welcome to come and watch. Please ensure your child has informed Mrs Edwards or Mrs Jacobson if they intend to run in the competitive race.
Gala Days- Rugby League and Soccer
A large number of students in Years 3-6 will be involved in a variety of upcoming Gala Days this term and early next term.
- Newcastle Permanent Soccer Gala Day- Thursday 11th April (Week 11)
- Under 12s Rugby League Gala Day- Thursday 11th April (Week 11)
- Under 10s Rugby League Gala Day- Thursday 2nd May (Term 2 Week 1)
Please check Compass Events to provide consent for your children to attend these events ASAP- thank you to those parents who have done so. Some great sport day to look forward to!
School Athletics Carnival- Term 2 REMINDER
Our school Athletics Carnival will be held next term on Wednesday the 8th May (Term 2 Week 2) . We have sent out a Compass Event for this day, which requires those students who wish to run in the 200m and 800m events to indicate via the questions attached to the event. Entries for these events strictly close on Friday 5th April, to enable enough time to organise the events for the day. Thank you for your prompt action and understanding of this.
All students K-6 will be involved in the running of the 100m and novelty events throughout the day at the Athletics Carnival. Parents are welcome to join us for a great day.
Thank you to those parents who have kindly volunteered their time to help out at gala days and the Athletics Carnival. Your support is greatly appreciated. We will be in touch with you soon to confirm your support.
Abbey Edwards and Tess Jacobson
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
P & F News
Please join us for our next P & F Meeting on Wednesday 3rd April, 6-7 pm at Club Charlestown.
Come and meet other parents, and learn more about how you can get involved in the life of St Paul's.
CALENDAR
No Upcoming Events