November 22nd, 2024

From the Principals Desk - Mrs Stacey Mullin

Canberra Y6 and Aussie Bush Camp Y5

A huge thank you to the staff who supported the camps for our senior classes and those staff left at school to keep the home fires burning.

Our Y6 students were great ambassadors for our school and I know that many of our Year 5 students swung or climbed out of their comfort zone. We are all extremely proud of the growth and maturity of all of our students as the year quickly comes to an end.

Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER)

During the year 6 education tour of the national capital, students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.  The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.

To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding to our school in the amount of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Year 4 Excursion

Thank you to the Year 4 teachers who organised a great excursion to the Newcastle Museum, foreshore and Stockton beach.

Yr4 Excursion Newcastle 2024

Virtual Academy

Congratulations to Maya Holloway for her presentation at the Virtual Academy Showcase yesterday at the University of Newcastle, her topic was student mental health. Next week, Hunter and Anna will present their inquiry projects. We will be very excited to see them.

Virtual Academy

School Works Happening

Every family contributes to the building levy of our Diocese. These funds are used to upgrade and build new schools. At St Paul’s in 2024 we have recieved a number of upgrades. New carpet in Years 1, 3,4,5 and 6; repainting those rooms and adding pin board to the walls in the coming weeks and holidays. We have had the new playground equipment added to primary and the infant's playground is receiving an upgrade to support play based learning in Years K, 1 and 2.  Our basketball court has also been resurfaced.

NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT

We were finally able to access our new play equipment with Dwyer as our PB4L winners of Term 3 being first to play. Each day all grades have had a chance to explore the challenge of the new slide and climbing apparatus.

STAFFING 2025

Class teacher allocations for next year are as follows:

We have advertisements out for classes without an allocated teacher and those staff in jobshare arrangements. We will announce these when the merit selection process is completed.

Assistant Principal - Ms Sharna Taranto

PB4L 

This week’s focus of Make Good Choices. This focus aligns with our school rule of Responsible and school value of Serve. A key Social and Emotional (SEL) skill that supports students in making good choices in their daily lives is the ability to use Self-Management. This skill involves developing their metacognitive (awareness of understanding one’s own through processes) skill of learning when and how to use particular strategies to manage themselves in a range of situations. 

Some examples of using Self Management are: 

• express emotions appropriately 

• develop self-discipline and set goals 

• work independently and show initiative 

• become confident, resilient and adaptable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVqnM8eZz2g 

Cricket Clinics 

This term we have been fortunate to receive a Sporting Schools grant. This has funded our Cricket Clinics that commenced last week and will continue for 4 weeks, concluding in Week 9. Our students are really enjoying their time with the Fit4Kids coaches as they learn new skills and exercise in a fun and interactive environment. Thank you to Mrs Stefanish-Smith for her coordination of this opportunity for our students. 

Semester Two Reports 

Currently, our teachers are busy finalising class assessments and writing the Semester Two school reports. These will be shared with families via Compass on Thursday 12th December (Week 9). If you would like to discuss your child’s progress before the end of the year, please contact their class teacher/s directly to organise an appointment.  

 Step up Sessions 

Each year, the school hosts a step-up session to support all students in their transition to the next year’s class. On Friday 13th December (Week 9). All students will participate in a transition session. During this session, students spend time with their 2025 teacher and peers. Here students will participate in a ‘get to know you’ activity, before returning to their current classroom and teacher.  

Religious News - Mr Robert Temesvary

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Monday the 11th of November was Remembrance Day worldwide. Thank you to Mrs Tobin and 6M who ran a liturgy for the whole school. It was a wonderful tribute to such a significant even. Thank you also to those that were able to come along and join in this important day on the calendar.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

FEAST OF CATHERINE MCAULEY

Monday the 11th November was also the Feast of Catherine McAuley. Catherine McAuley was the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin.

She was an extraordinary woman, who had a deep faith in God. She was a servant who stepped out of a comfortable lifestyle into a world of poverty and despair. Her vision was to help the poor and, in this endeavour, schools, hospitals and caring for the poor in homes became her life’s work.

The Sisters established primary and secondary schools in our Diocese. These schools were established before public education in a number of towns and, whilst they were founded mainly for Catholic students, right from the very beginning they educated any child who could not get schooling, regardless of their religious faith.

The Sisters’ vision and commitment saw our Mercy schools grow and develop into what our school is today, and we know that a quality education will continue for students in our region.

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION 2025

Please see below for information on Sacraments of Initiation for 2025. This is a Parish-run / School-supported program so if you have any questions, please contact the parish office from the details provided below.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE YEAR B

John 18:33-37

Pilate questions Jesus about his identity.

SHHHHHH….

Here is a sneak peek for something VERY exciting that is coming out in a couple of weeks. We are very excited and proud. We will make a big song and dance when it happens!

Library News - Katrina Howard

Newsletter Term 4 Week 6 2024

Library

TERM 4 BORROWING DAYS

Monday: Year 4 Tuesday: Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 Wednesday: Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6 Kinder and Year 1 borrow weekly. Years 2 - 6 borrow each fortnight. Odd weeks M classes.

Even weeks W classes.

The last borrowing days for the year will be in Week 7. We ask that all books be returned Monday Week 8 ready for the annual stocktake. If a borrowed book has been misplaced, please sign and return the overdue notice slips.

PRC

Congratulations to all the students who completed the Premiers Reading Challenge for 2024. Certificates will be sent home in the coming weeks.

BOOK CLUB

All orders for Book Club have been placed for issue 7 and will be sent home with students when they arrive this week. They have been delayed this issue due to a warehouse backlog. Thanks for your patience.

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

Katrina Howard and Penny Sneddon

School Fees

Dear Families,

Thank you to our families that have paid their school fees in full. School fees play a crucial role in ensuring local schools remain viable and can provide quality education and resources for students.

Remaining fees are due in 2 weeks by 30 November 2024, unless you have made an alternative arrangement with our school. Please make contact with the school as soon as possible if your fees will not be paid by this due date.

Many thanks

Uniform Shop - Crista Molan

Uniform Shop Hours 2024 

 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 - Mrs Christa Molan



PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILDS CLASS IS UPDATED 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 and 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