12th September 2025

Assistant Principal - Ms Sharna Taranto

In our Prayers 

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Mrs Mullin’s father. During this deeply challenging time, we ask that you keep Mrs Mullin and her family in your thoughts and prayers. 

We know that many of you will want to extend your support and condolences. Please feel free to do so in a way that respects their privacy and allows space for reflection and healing. 

Let us pray...

We hold in our hearts Mrs Mullin and her family as they grieve the loss of a beloved father, grandfather and husband.

May they find comfort in cherished memories, strength in the support of loved ones, and peace in the quiet moments of reflection.

As a school community, we offer our thoughts and prayers, standing together in compassion and care.

May love and light surround them and may healing come gently with time.

 Amen.

Lockdown

As families are aware, this week, the school entered into a brief, precautionary lockdown during lunchtime. Despite there being no threat identified, it is important that we take all reports seriously and follow our emergency response procedure. The lockdown was in response to a report of a person attempting to access the premises. Shortly after the lockdown was called, police attended promptly, conducted a thorough scan of the area, and reviewed video footage. No threat was identified.

I extend my sincere thanks to our staff for their immediate response in ensuring calm and safety. Mr Temesvary conducted a calm and thoughtful debrief with students at the conclusion of lunch in addition to many classroom teachers who also took time to speak with their classes and reassure students, post lockdown.

A Compass push notification was sent to families informing all of the precautionary drill.

I recognise that some students may feel unsettled following these events. If you feel that your child would benefit from additional support or debriefing, please reach out to the school if with any questions or concerns.

I thank families for your understanding and support in this extra-ordinary event.

R U OK? Day

A CONVERSATION CAN CHANGE A LIFE

R U OK? Day inspires and empowers everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling.

 You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

• Ask R U OK?
• Listen
• Encourage action
• Check in
  

REMINDER

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

It is important to note the school is CLOSED.

On Friday 19th September 2025

Assessments & Curriculum

School resumes Monday 22nd September 2025

BYOD Program 

Student BYOD Devices important message: Windows 10 is reaching end of life  

Action is required for students with BYOD Windows 10 devices as Windows 10 will soon no longer be supported by Microsoft. 

To ensure your student device security you should upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. 

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on 14 October 2025, meaning it will no longer receive critical security updates. 

To stay protected and ensure optimal performance, it is strongly recommended that all students with BYOD Windows 10 devices follow Microsoft’s instructions and upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. There is no charge for this upgrade. 

Why this matters: 

• Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 from 15 October 2025. 

• Upgrading to Windows 11 helps reduce security risks. 

• Student Work Protection: Staying current helps safeguard assignments, projects, and personal data. 

Ways to install Windows 11 - Microsoft Support 

Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ - Microsoft Support 

Read our FAQs for more support: 

How do I check what version of Windows am I running? 

Select Start > Settings > System, then select About. You then see Edition, Version, and OS Build information. 

We encourage all families with Student Windows 10 computers to begin the upgrade process now to avoid last-minute disruptions. If you need assistance or have questions about upgrading, please reach out to the IT support team in our school. 

What if my device can’t upgrade? 

If a Student’s BYOD laptop is running Windows 10 and can’t be upgraded to Windows 11 (usually due to older hardware), Microsoft is offering a free security update program to help keep the device safe for one more year. 

The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is designed to keep your current Windows 10 PC protected after support ends, helping you stay secure during the transition. 

How to Join Microsoft’s ESU Program 

Microsoft has made it easy to enrol directly from the laptop: 

On eligible computers, a setup wizard will appear in Settings > Windows Update. 

There are three ways to enrol: 

1. Free – Sync your settings to the cloud using Windows Backup. You must be logged in as administrator and with a Microsoft account. 

1. Free – Use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. 

1. Paid – Buy a one-year license for $30 USD (families cover this cost). 

Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn 

 Staffing 

I would like to share news that Mr Ebert will be taking personal leave for the remainder of the year, commencing this Monday 15th September 2025.  

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Ebert for his dedication and care to our students. His positive impact within the PB4L space this year, has been particularly appreciated. We wish Mr Ebert all the very best as he embarks on his next chapter. 

 Mr Ben Power will be teaching the 4M class for the remainder of the term. We are appreciative to Mr Power for stepping into this temporary position until the recruitment process has been finalized. Mr Power is well known to our students, being a regular casual teacher at St Paul’s and previously teaching Music RFF classes. 

Once recruitment is complete, we will be in touch to share further details. 

Calendar Dates - Week 9 & 10

Student Awards - Week 6 & 7

Religious Coordinator- Mr Robert Temesvary

Formation – Year 4

Next week, Thursday September 18th, Year 4 students, accompanied by their teachers, will participate in a Formation Day focused on our value of Service. 

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 what service means in our community and church.
• Explore examples of service in the context of Jesus time and scripture.
• Reflect on actions we take to share our gifts and talents in service to others.

Sacraments of Initiation 2025

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible Sacramental team of the Chisholm region for their dedication and care throughout this year. Your work has once again made the Sacramental journey a meaningful and joyful experience for our students and families—what a wonderful success!

If your child is ready to begin their Sacramental journey, or if you’d simply like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m proud to be part of the team and happy to support you. Planning for next year will begin in mid to late Term 4, so now’s a great time to express your interest.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

John 3:13-17

The Son of Man must be lifted up to gain eternal life.

Library - Katrina Howard

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

Overdue Notices

Final overdue notices have been sent out this week for overdue books. Please pay the overdue fee on Qkr! if books are not found and returned. Please contact the library if you feel this book has been returned already.

Library Borrowing Cup

Congratulations to 3M and 6W 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-

Oliver 1M, Franceska 2M, Seth 2M, Luca 3M, Angus 3M, Eliana 3M, Sophia 3M, Connor 4M and Emerson 4W.

3M continue to be in the lead to win the class party! Only 1 week left to log your books online! All log-in details with passwords were sent home again last fortnight. Please reach out if having problems logging in. Remember to use the new website link Home Page: NSW Premier's Reading Challenge

Book Club

Book Club orders for issue 6 have been submitted to Scholastic and should arrive at school next week. Once received orders will be handed out to students. If any of the orders are gifts for your child feel free to contact me (penny.sneddon@mn.catholic.edu.au) and I will ensure the purchased items are wrapped up.

Write a Book in a Day

10 students from Stage 3 were selected to participate in Write a Book in a Day project this year taking place Friday 12th September.

Write a Book in a Day competition stretches creativity by challenging teams to write and illustrate a book in just 12 hours. Teamwork, resilience and creativity are the names of the game.

Teams are encouraged to fundraise during the competition, with entry fees and all money raised going directly to The Kids’ Cancer Project to support vital childhood cancer research. Every book submitted will also be made available for free to kids in hospitals around Australia.

Write a Book in a Day has been successfully running annually since 2002, during which time it has continued to grow and break fundraising records year to year. St Paul’s are excited to be part of this project for 2025. If you would like to donate and sponsor our school team, please click on the link! Teams | Write a Book in a Day If you would like to know more about the project, check out the website Write a Book in a Day

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

Primary Coordinator & Gifted Educator Mentor - Mrs Amanda King

Tournament of Minds

On Sunday, 31st August, two teams proudly represented our school at the Tournament of Minds regional event. One team competed in the STEM category, showcasing their problem-solving and innovation skills, while the other took part in the Arts category, demonstrating creativity and collaboration.

Both teams worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the event, and their performances reflected the dedication, teamwork, and talent of our students. We are so proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school with enthusiasm and integrity.

A special thank you to the teachers who led the teams and supported them on the day.

Child Protection Week

  7-13 September

This week, our school recognised National Child Protection Week. The theme for 2025 is “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action,” reminding us that even small chats can make a big difference in helping children feel safe and supported.

In class and in peer support, students took part in activities that encouraged them to think about safety, the trusted adults in their lives, and how they can help create a caring school community. If you have popped into our school office this week, you will have noticed the Child Protection Week display showcasing the students’ reflections and creative work.

By having these conversations at school and continuing them at home, we can work together to make sure every child feels safe, heard, and valued.

Sport Coordinators - Jess Stefanish-Smith & Melinda Walls

Hockey

In Term 4, Friday 14th November, there is a combined stage 2 and stage 3 Hockey Gala Day. This is an opportunity to promote the sport and allow children to have a go, therefore they do not have to be registered players. All gear (except mouthguard which are compulsory) is provided. 
Plan for the day:

 - Drills - 4 stations, dibbling, passing & receiving, tackling and shooting

 - Snack Break and time to organise teams

 - Games - 16 teams 8 aside (10 per team with 2 subs) playing ¼ field = 4 games at once 10-15min games no halftime 

Equipment: Mouthguards compulsory - shin guards and sticks provided. 
If your child would be interested in participating in the hockey gala day, please keep your eye out for the gala day form that will be sent out next week.

Stage 3 Soccer Gala Day

Last Thursday, our Stage 3 students took part in an exciting Soccer Gala Day held at Speers Point. The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, teamwork, and love for the game. Throughout the day, they demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, resilience, and school spirit. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school with enthusiasm and respect. Well done to all involved!

Netball NSW Schools Cup Competitive Team

Stay tuned for the date in the next newsletter as we are at the Maitland Netball courts competing today!

NSW Touch Football Clinics

On Thursday this week, Kindy Year 1, 2 and 3 were to receive their clinic. Unfortunately, this was postponed due to the weather. This has been rescheduled to Monday, 13 October. Students listed above are asked to wear their uniforms on this day. A reminder will be shared on Compass. 

On Monday 22 September year 4, 5 and 6 are asked to wear their sports uniform for the day as they will be receiving their clinic on this day.

Sporting Schools gymnastics

All classes have now completed 2 weeks of basic gymnastics skills. Students have been working on balance, rolling, positioning, and tucking. It has been wonderful to observe how much the students are enjoying their activities and approaching each week with enthusiasm.

Basketball NSW Schools Tournament

We are thrilled to announce that we have entered a boy and a girls basketball team in the Basketball NSW schools tournament. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, teamwork, and school spirit.

Students who are 8 years or older are now invited to nominate themselves to participate. Students who currently play basketball will be given first preference.

The tournament will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 2, Term 4 (21^st & 22^nd October) at Maitland Basketball Stadium.

Year 5 and 6 students need to be aware that they go away on camp on the second day of this tournament.

If your child is interested in playing in the team, please contact Mrs Stefanish-Smith at j.stefanish-smith@mn.catholic.edu.au

Swap It

Packing a healthy lunchbox doesn't have to be complicated! Find more easy ideas on healthy lunchboxes: www.swapit.net.au/packing-an-everyday-lunchbox

Jump Rope for Heart

Fundraising information for Jump Rope for Heart went home earlier this week. Fundraising is not compulsory but encouraged for those who can. Skipping is a wonderful way to assist our cardiovascular health and raise awareness for the Heart Foundation.

2M Assembly

2025 School Fees Reminder

A heartfelt thank you to all our families who continue to support Catholic Education by keeping up with their school fee payments. Your commitment is truly appreciated.

With just 11 payment weeks left, we kindly remind families to ensure all fees are paid in full by 30th November 2025. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly school office team.

Health Care Cards

If you haven’t yet submitted your Health Care Card, please use the link below to do so:

https://cefmsmn.t1cloud.com/T1Default/CiAnywhere/Web/CEFMSMN/Forms/FillOut?formDef=542f8b0a36f27c118b055b26d933c4fe&suite=CES

Financial Support

We understand that some families may be going through challenging times. If you're experiencing financial difficulties, we encourage you to reach out to the school to arrange a private and confidential conversation. We're here to support you.