24 May 2024

From the Principals Desk

Catholic Schools Week

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools week and how we Follow Jesus at St Paul’s.
From Kindergarten
Layla - When we follow Jesus at school, he shows us how to be good.

From Year 6

Chelsea – When we follow Jesus at school, we care for others.

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Student Absences

COMPASS will not allow you to enter your child’s reason for absence after 7 days if they are away. Your notification for an absence comes in a direct text at 9:30am on the day of your child’s absence. Our office provides notifications to parents with dates that are unaccounted for on the roll. If there is an error, please let us know.

If your child is unwell for longer than 3 days, please provide a medical certificate to the school.  These can be attached through COMPASS.

GRIP LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Our student leaders attended a conference in Newcastle on Tuesday. They travelled by train to learn about STEPS they can take as leaders in our school. I’m loking forward to them sharing their ideas and coming up with plans with our school community.

Feedback from our leaders.....

Tilly - I enjoyed the day and it helped me understand how I can Step Up and not give up on the things we start at our school.

Indi – When we talked together, we came up with an idea to make our recycling of cans better through our colour houses.

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Assistant Principal  

Positive Behaviours For Learning (PBL)

This fortnight’s PBL focus is Listen to Others. This is a key positive behaviour that we encourage for all students at school. By listening to others we are being both Respectful of and demonstrating behaviours that we are ready to Learn. This positive behaviour focus aligns with all three of our school values of Learn, Love and Serve. Our teachers regularly discuss with their classes what listening; looks, sounds and feels like, and how listening can help them with their friendships and learning.

I encourage families to discuss with their children this week, a time when you have been a good listener and how this was helpful in a particular situation.

Catholic Schools Week Mass

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Catholic Schools Week Mass with our Year 6 leaders at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newcastle. I was a joyous celebration and launch of education in Catholic schools. During his homily Bishop Michael spoke in his homily about dignity. I wanted to share with you some of his thoughts to ponder.

We all have dignity, we are born with this gift from God. Bishop Michael challenged all in the congregation to consider those whom may appear to us as being without dignity or to have lost their dignity. Bishop reminded us that this gift is not something that anyone can take away from us. Although there may be times when people say or do things that look like they have no dignity, it is always within us.

We were asked to ponder- how do we treat others with dignity in our daily lives?

At the conclusion of the mass, all participants were called to action. Bishop asked us to make a pledge of how each of us would use our heart, hands or feet to follow God. I wonder- how might we all respond to this call to action?

Tell Them From Me (TTFM)

In the coming weeks, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey (TTFM). The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Paul’s Rutherford.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

Religious Education Update 

Mother’s Day

Last week on Friday the 9^th of May, we celebrated Mother’s Day with the school community. It was a wonderful occasion, and it was so pleasing to see so many mothers, grandmothers, aunties and any significant person that plays the role of a mother at school. Please head over to the school Facebook page for images of the day. As always, thank you to everyone who pitched in to help – especially Year 2 and Miss Beletich for the liturgy and anyone the helped with the early morning breakfast! A mammoth effort by all!

Catholic Schools Week Mass

This week on Friday the 24^th May, (today!) we will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week where we recognise and celebrate Catholic Schools across Australia. Mass starts at 11:30, followed by open classrooms and a shared lunch. We are once again opening the gates for all families to come and attend. Keep an eye out on our Facebook for images of the day!

Mini Vinnies – Pyjama Day and Winter Appeal

Heads up for Friday week 7 – Mini Vinnies will be hosting Pyjama Day along with the annual Winter Appeal. Our team is already getting their ideas on paper to make this another successful initiative for those in our community that need it most.

Sacraments of Initiation 2024

Below are 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.

This weekend is the presentation of the oils at all regional mass centres. See you there!

GOSPEL REFLECTION

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY YEAR B

Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus sends forth the Apostles with the promise to be with them always.

Gifted Education Mentor/Primary Coordinator

Spelling and Maths Bee

In recent weeks, each class has held a Maths and Spelling Bee. There was a winner from each class who went on to compete in the stage finals. Congratulations to the following students who represented their classes.

Congratulations to the following students who will represent St Paul’s at the All-Saints Regional Spelling & Mathematics Bee. This year the Regional Bee is being held at Our Lady of Lourdes, Tarro Chapel on the 13th of June.

Spelling and Maths Bee Stage Winners

Stage 1
Maths Bee - Esai Goonawardena 
Spelling Bee - Joshua Toms

Stage 2
Maths Bee- Brydie Jones 
Spelling Bee- Connor Stanshall 

Stage 3
Spelling - Anna Malkani
Maths - Logan Stewart 

Library News

Library

Borrowing Days

Monday
Year 2

Tuesday
Kinder, Year 4, Year 5

Wednesday
Year 1, Year 3, Year 6 

We are starting to see many students with overdue library books unable to borrow new books on their library days. If your child has misplaced a book then written communication via letter or email from a parent or carer to the library staff is needed for borrowing to continue. There is no cost required we just request parent acknowledgment that the book has been looked for at home before marking the book on the system as missing.

Congratulations to 4W for winning the Library Cup for having the highest percentage of borrowers for the fortnight!

Author Visit 2024 – Zanni Louise

Zanni Lousie will be visiting St Paul’s Monday 27^th and Tuesday 28^th May. Sorry no borrowing will take place on these days due to the library being used for the presentations and writing workshops.

Last chance to purchase a signed copy of one of her books!

Click on the link on the attached PDF form to order. The school will earn 10% commission on sales to be used on products for our library.

National Simultaneous Storytime

BOOK CLUB

Issue 3 of Book Club has been ordered. Ordered books expected to arrive next week. Thank you for all the orders this issue we were able to select quite a few new books for our library.

Lunchtimes in the Library

Chess Club is underway with Term 2 tournament commencing. It has been wonderful seeing so many students participate and compete in the fun.

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

Kind Regards,
Katrina Howard and Penny Sneddon

Dance for Sick Kids

Thank you to everyone who participated in Dance for Sick Kids last week! We raised $1,007.76 for Ronald McDonald House and had an amazing time doing it!

Miss Tuersley

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

Term 2

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.

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