29th August 2025

Assistant Principal - Ms Sharna Taranto

PB4L 

Our fortnightly PB4L Focus is Be a Role Model. This focus aligns with our school value of Serve. The aim of this focus is for our students to embrace the gospel and school value of service by walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  This fortnight I encourage families to talk with their children about how they be a role model in their daily lives.  

 Family discussion prompt: 

"Jesus served others with love, humility, and compassion—often putting their needs before his own.  

Can you think of a time when someone served you in a way that made you feel seen or cared for? 

 Public Speaking 

Last month, our entire school embraced the challenge of public speaking. The purpose of participating in public speaking is to empower students to express themselves clearly, think critically, and engage with their audience—skills that are invaluable both in and beyond the classroom!  

The standard of speeches was exceptionally high, and we congratulate all students for their outstanding efforts and enthusiasm. Special recognition must go to our finalists:  

Congratulations to the following students who will go on to represent our school at the next stage of the competition: 

Early Stage 1: Ben Lawrence 

Stage 1: Zachary Welbourne 

Stage 2: Angel Jaison 

Stage 3: Rayyan Kadri 

A special thank you to Mr Ebert, Mr Temesavery, Mrs King, Mrs Warby and Mrs Colett for their support in the running of our school finals. 

Book Week 

A huge thank you to all our families for your support during Book Week—especially for braving the weather! Despite the rain, our parade was a joyful celebration of imagination, with everything from inflatable dinosaurs to Minecraft characters and even some tacos and making an appearance! 

Special thanks to Mrs Howard and Penny Sneddon for their organisation of the Book Week drama performance. It was a fabulous way to enrich our celebration and encourage a deeper love of reading for our students. The 2025 Book Week reminded us that stories have the power to bring us together—rain or shine!

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Kindergarten 2026 Transition Begins!  

We were thrilled to welcome our 2026 Kindergarten students and their families to the first of three transition mornings on Friday. It was a wonderful opportunity for children to meet new friends, explore their future classroom, and become familiar with the playground space that will soon become part of their daily learning adventures! 

Thank you to our families for your support and enthusiasm. We look forward to sharing more special moments as we continue this journey together. 

Pupil Free Day 

Reminder: Friday 19th September is a Pupil Free Day.

Father's Day Breakfast Orders QKR

Father's Day is just around the corner, and we're excited to celebrate with a special breakfast!

Free for Fathers and Grandfathers!

Enjoy a delicious Egg and Bacon Roll, Juice, Tea or Coffee – all on us!

Please remember to place your order via the Qkr App to help us with catering.

For Students and Other Family Members – $10

Includes:

• Egg and Bacon Roll
• Juice or Tea and Coffee

Order now on the Qkr App to secure your spot and help us plan a great morning.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

In our prayers  

We ask that you please keep Mrs Mullin and her family in your thoughts and prayers, as both her father and brother are currently unwell. Mrs Mullin will be spending time supporting her family at this time.  

In the interim, I will be stepping into the role of Acting Principal and Mr Temesvary taking on the responsibilities of Acting Assistant Principal. 

Calendar Dates - Week 7 & 8

Student Awards - Week 4 & 5

Religious Coordinator - Mr Robert Temesvary

Formation – Year 3

What a wonderful success our first Formation Day with Year 3 was! A huge thank you to everyone involved in the planning, preparation and running of the day – especially the wonderful Formation Team! We also celebrated those students that completed their First Holy Communion and therefore their Sacraments of Initiation – well done!

What is Formation?

Formation is a deepening of our relationship with God. Catholic Schools nurture the spiritual development of students in many different ways – Religious Education as an academic subject, celebrations as a faith community and opportunities for social justice initiatives and actions. Formation is an invitational experience to encounter Jesus within our Catholic Faith. This day planned with Year 3, is an invitation for our students and parents to reflect on what it means to be part of our St Paul’s community, explore how we can connect with one another in meaningful ways, and learn how Jesus modelled communion as the heart of love and relationship.

The students will:

• Explore the meaning of community through interactive interactions that highlight the importance of belonging and connection within our St Paul’s family

• Reflect on Jesus’ example of communion and how His life teaches us to love, serve, and build relationships with others

• Participate in group discussions and creative expressions that encourage students to think about how they can live out communion in their everyday interactions

FATHER’S DAY

On Friday the 5^th of September we are holding our Father’s Day celebrations. Please see compass for all information surrounding the day.

DADS HELP THEIR CHILDREN THRIVE

Children do better academically, emotionally, and socially when their father has greater involvement in their lives. They tend to take more risks, while also developing greater self-discipline. Involved fathers are also more likely to have a stronger influence on their children’s moral development and religious belief and practice. The kind of involvement is important too.

The most effective forms involve:

• Listening, encouraging, and conveying warmth
• Providing everyday assistance
• Providing reasonable and consistent behaviour correction, and
• Facilitating children’s increased independence over time

For more information see ‘The Father Factor’ by Peter O’Shea and Robert Falzon © 2017 CathFamily

Sacraments of Initiation 2025

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.

Next up: Mass of Thanksgiving! Sunday 7^th September @ 6pm – St Joseph’s East Maitland.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Luke 14:1. 7-14

Humble yourself and be exalted

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Borrowing Days for Term 3

Odd Weeks 

Monday Year 6 & 3W 

Tuesday Kinder & Year 1 

Even Weeks 

Monday Year 4 

Tuesday Kinder & Year 2 

Wednesday Year 5 & 3M 

Library Borrowing Cup 

Congratulations to KM and 3W on winning the Library Cup this fortnight. The cup is presented to the class who has the highest percentage of borrowers for the week. 

 Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) 

Congratulations to the following students who have completed the challenge this fortnight- Elliott KM, Elsey 1M, Aaron 2W, Esai 3M, Adina 3M, Mahla 3W.

3M continue to be in the lead to win the class party! Challenge closes at the end of the term week 9! All log in details with passwords were sent home again last week. Please reach out if having problems logging in. Remember to use the new website link  Home Page: NSW Premier's Reading Challenge

BOOK WEEK

Perform! Education

Was lovely to see students participating during the drama show last Tuesday. The performance was offered to all classes this year and a lovely addition to our book week celebrations.

Assembly and Parade

Wow! What an exceptional effort made on costumes this year from numerous blow ups, to matching costumes, many props and lots of face paint! Was wonderful to see all the students enjoying the fun of book week. Thank you to all the parents who braved the weather to join us at the parade undercover!

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Book Club  

Issue 6 of Book Club was sent home last week with orders due back in by the 10^th of September. Orders can be placed via the Loop parent portal (link below) on the Scholastic website, or the correct money and order form can be sent to the school office.  Thank you for supporting our school by buying through Book Club!

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

Please don’t hesitate to contact the library staff for any issues or enquiries via email at Katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au   penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au

Sport Coordinators - Jess Stefanish-Smith & Melinda Walls

Stage 2 Soccer Gala Day 

Years 3 and 4 students attended the gala day at Speers Point on Thursday 28th. A report will be shared in the next newsletter.  

Stage 3 Netball Gala Day 

Students from Years 5 and 6 attend Raymond Terrace Netball courts on Thursday 28th. A report will be shared in the next newsletter. 

Stage 3 Soccer Gala Day 

Students have received their information and will be attending Speers Point on Thursday 4 September Speers Point. We wish the students and staff attending a wonderful day ahead.  

Sporting Schools Term 3 

Our Term 3 Sporting Schools program commenced this week with all students undertaking Gymnastics each Thursday. Cessnock PCYC will be running the program weekly for each class for the remainder of the term. Therefore, ALL students will be required to be in their sports uniforms on this day. 

NSW Touch Clinics – All students 

On Thursday 11 September or Monday 15 September all classes will be attending a skills and drills session hosted by NSW Touch Development Officers within the school grounds. Students and families will be advised which day their classes will be attending a session, and they can wear their sports uniform on this day. NO football boots are required, JOGGERS only please.  

Thank you to NSW Touch Association for providing this opportunity for our students.  

Polding Representatives – GOOD LUCK 

Following an extremely successful DIO Athletics Carnival, 2 of our students will be progressing to the POLDING Athletics Championships as a team member of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese team on Friday 12th September 2025.  

Congratulations to: 

Maycie Miller Year 3 – 8 Years 100m 

Ivy McMahon Year 6 – Senior Girls Shot Put and Senior Girls Discus 

We wish both students the best of luck in their events.  

Jump Rope for Heart 

Jump Rope for Heart is back at St Paul's this term! 

Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s skipping challenge for primary schools, designed to help kids stay active, have fun, and support life-saving heart research and programs. 

This year, we have a little healthy competition between classes on who can skip the most minutes!  The winning class will have a fruit smoothie party! A Berry exciting reward that will keep everyone moving and motivated! 

To get the most out of the program, we encourage you to register your child online. Registration allows them to track their skipping, participate in online fundraising, and celebrate their achievements. Simply visit www.jumprope.org.au/parents to sign up. 

Students will be skipping during PE lessons and during this time you can share their fundraising page with family and friends to support this important cause. 

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program and helping us make a difference! 

Netball

Stage 3 had a fun time playing at the Netball gala yesterday. The rain stayed away though the wind turned it on. All teams put in an amazing effort showing teamwork and resilience. A huge shout out to Zoe Munro for helping coach and other family members helping with the scoring. Thank you also to our 5 high school students umpiring making it possible for us to play!  Congratulations to St Paul’s competitive pink team making it through to the next level at Maitland Courts Friday 12th September!

Soccer

Swap It 

With so many active and athletic children in our school, we have decided to sign up to the SWAP IT program to strengthen our commitment to promoting healthy eating and overall wellbeing. This program co-developed by NSW Health and the University of Newcastle, in partnership with key stakeholders including representatives from Health and Education, school leaders and teachers, multicultural and Aboriginal Health teams, industry partner Audiri, and parents, aims to support families to make small, practical changes to lunchboxes, and foster lifelong healthy habits in students. SWAP IT provides evidence-based strategies, easy-to-use resources, and curriculum-aligned materials that will benefit both parents and teachers. Most importantly, it empowers students to make healthier food choices, which contributes to improved concentration, learning outcomes, and long-term health. 

Look out for fortnightly Swap It messages in our newsletters. For more information about the program, follow this link to the website https://www.swapit.net.au/resources/parent-resources/tips 

2026 Swimming Carnival – Early Notice  

We will be holding our 2026 Swimming Carnival on Thursday 4 December. SAVE THE DATE! All students will be attending activities for our infants and Year 6 students included in the day. We will be seeking parental/guardian assistance for the day with timing and other roles with the infant's activities for smooth running. If this is something you will be able to assist with, please make sure you have registered your Working with Children Check details with the school through the office. 

Nominations for events will be opening early Term 4! 

Primary Coordinator & Gifted Educator Mentor - Mrs Amanda King

Dear Parents and Carers,

Parenting is a journey filled with joy, questions, and challenges. Whether you're caring for a newborn, guiding a curious toddler, or supporting a growing teen, having access to reliable information can make all the difference.  We would like to introduce you to a valuable resource: the Raising Children Network, Australia’s official parenting website.

What Is It?

The Raising Children Network is a free, government-funded website offering expert-backed parenting advice. All content is created by Australian professionals and is regularly updated to reflect the latest research and best practices.

Visit: https://raisingchildren.net.au/

Support for Every Age and Stage

From the early days of baby care to the teenage years, the site provides tailored resources to help you understand and support your child’s development. You can search by age group or topic, making it easy to find what’s relevant to your family.Topics Include:

• Behaviour and emotional development
• Play and learning
• Sleep and safety
• Nutrition and communication
• Physical and mental health
• School and education
• Entertainment and technology
• Family life and relationships
• NDIS and disability support

 Support for You, Too

Parenting isn’t just about children; it’s also about looking after yourself. The website includes resources to support your mental health, wellbeing, and family relationships, helping you feel confident and supported in your role.