St Paul's Primary School Rutherford - 8th March 2024

From the Principals Desk

Opening School Mass.

What a wonderful opening Mass and badging ceremony for our school. I was extremely proud of our Yr 6 students who sat with their buddies to help them with the cues throughout the celebration. Congratulations to our school captains, I look forward to meeting with all our captains on a regular basis to discuss their insights and understanding of what our students need.  

Mini Vinnie's and Staff Commissioning Mass

This Sunday our Mini Vinnies students and our staff will be commissioned for their roles in 2024 by the parish community. The community bless staff as we recite our pledge and promise for the work that we do for the greater good of students and our community. Our school community is also welcome at this mass 8am Rutherford Parish Church.

Easter raffle

The P & F have begun the collection of eggs for the Easter raffle. This will be held on Wednesday of Week 9 March 27^th. This is a fantastic celebration of Easter in our community. While the meaning of Easter lives with Christ and his sacrifice, the celebration of his resurrection is represented in the eggs that we hide and give to our families as a sign of new life.

Please send your donations to the office (we promise they are well guarded!)

We begin at 1:20pm seated around the outside of the COLA for an Easter Hat parade by our infants’ students. 
At 1:40pm all classrooms are open for parents to visit classrooms to see the work that our students are so proud of. 
At 2:10pm we will ring the bell for students to go to their areas for the drawing of the raffle prizes. 

ES1 and S1 – INFANTS COLA 
S2 – Library 
S3 – Playground COLA 

CODE OF CONDUCT 2024

In 2018, the CSO implemented a Community Code of Conduct to be signed by all new enrolments as part of the enrolment application process. This Code of Conduct continues to be part of all enrolment agreements within the school. It is an important and consistent agreement between the school and the home across the diocese.

Congratulations to all those students who have attended trials and competed in the next level of swimming over the last 2 weeks.

Polding Basketball – Xavier Threadgate

Regional Swimming Carnival – Gemma Connell, Tilly Enright, Claire Freeman, Harry Freeman, Archie Hawkins, William Huber, Amarlie Kress, Malieka Kress, Mitchell Meskauskas, Taj Morrison, Charlie Newton, Declan Stark, Xavier Threadgate, Cooper Westwood.

Dio Swimming Carnival – Archie Hawkins

NSW Netball All School Boys 12 Year Trials – Xavier Threadgate

Lower Hunter Cluster Regional Boys Touch – Nate Braun, Cameron Norton

Regional Soccer Trails – Ryan Forty, Charlie Newton, Zachary Nowland, Curtis Rollason, Whitney Rowles, Ruby Taylor

Lower Hunter Regional Netball Trial – Ivy McMahon, Lilah Teasdale.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Ruby Taylor, Whitney Rowles & Curtis Rollason made it through to Regionals for soccer.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Assistant Principal

PBL (Positive Behaviours for Learning)

This fortnight our focus is: Learn and Let others Learn. To support our students’ development of these behaviours, each class participates in a PBL lesson about that specific behaviour focus with their class teacher. With the guidance of their teacher, students create a class goal and a personal PBL goal to work towards achieving for that given fortnight. All classroom rules are based on our school rules of being; Respectful, Responsible Learners.

Arrival Time/Departure Time

Parents are reminded that the playground is unsupervised before 8.20am and that any child arriving at school before this time is to sit on the basketball court until the teacher comes on duty at 8.20am.

If arrival before 8.20am is necessary parents must contact the principal.
OOSH is also available via St Nocholas in the parish hall. For further information please see details below.
Ph: (02) 4979 1110
Email: rutherford@stnicholasoosh.org.au 

 Students are expected to depart from the school grounds promptly after the 2:55pm bell, via bus or other exit points, unless under adult supervision.

Pupils must not leave the school grounds without permission or knowledge of the school during school hours.

Absences

NSW Government Regulations require notification of absence of students. This must be informed by parent or caregiver by way of phone, text, email or via COMPASS on the morning of the absence or immediately after any absence from school. Valid reasons must be given. 

The diocese requires explanation of a student absence within 7 days.

A note of explanation is also required if:

1. a) A dentist or doctor’s appointment is to be kept.
2. b) Your child is unable to play sport.
3. c) Your child cannot wear correct school uniform.

The Attendance Policy is available in the Foyer of the school or on the Catholic Schools Website for your perusal.

Student Awards Weeks 

Religious Education Update 

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Our Opening School Mass was on Tuesday this week. At the Mass we also had our badging ceremony for our 2024 School and House Captains. Thank you so much to all the families that came along to celebrate with us. A huge thank you to Fr Priyantha who presided for us, and to my amazing liturgy team for the smooth running of the day. See below for some wonderful photos of the celebration. Shoutout to Mrs West for the Photos!

Family/Commissioning Mass

This Sunday the 10^th of March we are scheduled to have our annual commissioning mass with Staff and the Mini Vinnies team. This will be at regular Sunday mass at 8am and we warmly welcome anyone from our school community that would like to come along and attend with us. This year, we are continuing the ‘Family Mass’ once a term where students and staff of St Paul’s will do all the ‘Ministry’ jobs of the Mass. We hope to see you there!

Sacraments of Initiation 2024

Below is the events to mark on the calendar for those completing their Sacraments of Initiation this year. For any information, please contact me through the school office.

GOSPEL REFLECTION
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

John 3:14-21
Jesus converses with Nicodemus.

Library News

Library

Hello Families,

I hope you have enjoyed some home reading with your children this fortnight. It has been great to see some home reading bookmarks returned to display and start our count for the term. Week 5 saw our total start at 40hours! Keep up the great work.

Photo 1

Borrowing this year is back to weekly. Please encourage your child to regularly return borrowed books and to bring along their own library bag.

2024 Borrowing Days

Monday - Year 2
Tuesday - Kinder, Year 4, Year 5
Wednesday - Year 1, Year 3, Year 6 

Congratulations to 6M who had the highest borrowing at 96% for the fortnight. 6M will hold the library cup for the fortnight.

Library Monitors Badge Presentation

Congratulations to the following students who will be our 2024 Library Monitors. Sara Stefanish-Smith, Alexandra Cox, Sienna Lambert, Jaye Rowles, Hunter Bale, Claire Freeman & Lucy Davis. Badge presentation will be at our next whole school assembly Friday 15^th March.

Street Library

You may have noticed our new Street Library located on the left-hand side of St Paul’s Church. All community members welcome to take books and donate books. Both children and adult books can be shared. Thank you to the Men’s Shed for building such an amazing Street Library! New books can be found every week.

Lunchtimes in the Library

Mondays Chess Tournament is well underway. Congratulations to the students who have qualified to the second and third rounds.

Drawing Club enjoyed creating Captain Underpants. It amazes me the talent of some of our students’ drawing ability.

If you have any questions or concerns about the library please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Penny in the Library.
katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au

Primary Coordinator/Gifted Education Mentor

NAPLAN 2024

In preparation for NAPLAN in Week 7, could all Year 3 and 5 students please bring a pair of plug-in headphones clearly labelled with their full name by the end of week 6. This enables teachers to confirm that headphones are working with school / BYOD laptops prior to assessments commencing on Wednesday 13th March. 

 Year 5: 
It is an expectation that Year 5 students bring their BYOD device with them to school every day, particularly next week as these will be used for completion of the assessment. Please ensure that BYOD devices are fully charged during NAPLAN for use during the assessments.  

Please ensure that students arrive at school on time as assessments will take place shortly after the morning bell each day. 

Please see the NAPLAN timetable and the attached information sheet for parents and carers for further information. Alternate timetable arrangements have been made for any students with prearranged adjustments. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher. 

6M Assembly

Term 1 2024

Term Dates for 2024

Term 1 Tuesday, 30 January - Friday, 12 April
Term 2 Monday, 29 April - Friday, 05 July
Term 3 Monday, 22 July - Friday, 27 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 October - Friday, 20 December

Week 7 11^th – 15^th March

Mon 11^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 12^th - Yr’s 4, 5, & Kinder Library & Music
Tues12th – Dio AFL trials
Tues 12^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 13^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Wed 13^th - NAPLAN
Thu 14^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Thu 14^th - NAPLAN
Thu 14^th – School Disco
Fri 15^th - NAPLAN
Fri 15^th – 6W Assembly – Everyone is welcome to attend

Week 8 18^th – 22^nd March

Mon 18^th – Pupil Free Day – School is closed
Mon 18^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 18^th - NAPLAN
Tues 19^th – P&F Meeting 6.30 Library or Via Zoom
Tues 19^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 20^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Thu 21^st - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 22^{nd -}  Newcastle Knights NSLW Challenge U/12 girls 7’s
Fri 22^nd – Caritas and Harmony Day
Sun 24^th – Palm Sunday

Week 9 25^th – 29^th March

HOLY WEEK

Mon 25^th - Yr 2 Library & Music
Tues 26^th – Parish Mass 9am
Tues 26^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 26^th – P&F Wrapping of Easter Raffle Prizes
Wed 27^th - Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Wed 27^th – Open Classrooms
Wed 27^th – Easter Raffle
Thu 28^th – Holy Thursday Liturgy 2.15pm
Thu 28^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 29^th – Good Friday – Public Holiday School Closed
Sun 31^st – Easter Sunday

Week 10 1^st – 5^th April

Mon 1^st – East Monday – Public Holiday School Closed
Tues 2^{nd -} Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 2^nd – Free Dental Van
Wed 3^{rd -} Yr’s 3, 6, & 1 Library & Music
Wed 3^rd - Free Dental Van
Thu 4^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Wed 4^th - Free Dental Van
Thur 28^th - Free Dental Van
Fri 5^{th -} Free Dental Van

Week 11 8^th – 12^th April

Mon 8^{th -} Yr 2 Library & Music
Mon 8^th – Free Dental Van (last day)
Tues 9^{th -} Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 9^th – Combined School ANZAC commemoration Civic Theatre (Leaders only)
Wed 10^th – Boys Newcastle Knights U10’s & U12’s Thornton
Thu 11^th - Breakfast Club 8.20am
Thu 11^th – Last Day for students
Fri 12^th – Pupil Free Day
Fri 12^th – End of Term 1

Autum School Holidays – Sat 13^th April – Sun 28^th April.

Good for kids

School Student Travel Passes 2024

Uniform Shop Hours 2023

TUESDAY AFTERNOON                      2.30PM – 3PM
WEDNESDAY MORING                       8.30AM – 9AM
THURSDAY AFTERNOON                   2.30PM – 3PM

When ordering Uniforms via QKR, don’t change the order date.

Orders will be sent the classrooms the days the uniform shop is opened.

If for some reason you need to exchange sizes, please ensure that the tags are still on the garment and the garment is in the original packing.

Christa Moylan
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Canteen

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CHILDS CLASS ON QKR

Canteen Opening days.

MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY OPENED
WEDNESDAY OPENED
THURSDAY OPENED
FRIDAY OPENED

Order via the QKR App, by 8.55am ON THE DAY.
Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms in the class lunch tubs.

(IMPORTANT WHEN ORDERING LUNCHES – CHECK THE DATE OF ORDER)
In the past students haven’t received lunch due to the wrong order date entered.
Please discuss with your child if this happens, ask them to come to the office to see Mrs West or Mrs Mac, we will organise lunch for them through the canteen.  Only sandwiches will be on offer.

RECESS TIME:  10:30AM – 11:10AM
LUNCH TIME:  12:40PM – 1:20PM

St Nicholas OOSH

Guitar Lessons