3 November 2023
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From the Principals Desk
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Assistant Principal
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Student Awards Weeks
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Religious Education Update
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Sacraments of initiation 2024
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Primary Coordinator/Gifted Education Mentor
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Library News
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Year 6 Canberra Excursion 2023
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Year 1 Tocal Excursion
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Netball – Stage two Gala Day
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Guitar, Bass & Ukelele Lessons available at school
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Term 4 2023
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Term 1 2024
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School Student Travel Passes 2024
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Uniform Shop News - September
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Canteen
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St Nicholas OOSH
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Good for Kids
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Healthy Lunchbox
From the Principals Desk
Sending thoughts and prays to the Farrelly family
The St Paul’s family would like to send our sincere thoughts and prays to the Farrelly family following the death of Mr Darren Farrelly. (Paige Farrelly’s dad).
May eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Stage 3 Camps
It has been an amazing experience to spend three days with Year 6 in Canberra and for Year 5 to have their three days at Aussie Bush camp. These experiences push our children out of their comfort zone to challenge them to show the resilience, perseverance and creativity they really have.
I was extremely proud of the way our students represented our school, and then selves at both camps. They took on responsibility not only for themselves but for their campmates and their environment.
A huge thank you to the staff that organised and ran the camps for us, We would not be able to do this without their commitment and service to our students.
A massive thank you and appreciation to the staff left at school who kept our home fires burning and students learning. We have a wonderful supportive community at St Paul’s.
Kindergarten 2024 Information Session and Orientation
Our new Kinder will be here today and next Friday for a full day experience of big school. It was lovely to share our information session with both new and existing families for next year. Year 5 have been excited all week for their first meeting of their buddy. There were some beaming and nervous faces.
Our kindergarten teachers for 2024 are:
Mrs Campbell and Ms McNamee.
As we continue our staffing review, more announcements of grade teachers will be made.
Student Leadership 2024
As we near the end of 2023, it is time for our Year 5 students to think seriously about the type of leader they aspire to be in Year 6.
Regardless of wearing a badge, our junior students always look to the older ones as role models and supports at school. Year 5 have already demonstrated their ability to be great role models for our 2024 Kindergarten students throughout orientation days. In the coming weeks Yr 5 will participate in a leadership day with Mr Temesvary and their teachers to talk through leadership as modelled by Christ and how we can emulate that at St Paul’s. We look forward to hearing their speeches before voting in week 8.
School Organisation & Classes for 2024
Our school is beginning the complex process of organising class structures for 2024. Our staff spend many hours looking at structures and student needs when creating classes. They use their professional judgement and personal knowledge of your children based on academics, social and emotional wellbeing, classroom engagement and dynamics to create the classes. In order to ensure that the needs
of students are met, parents are also invited to forward information that you believe should be
considered in regard to the formation of classes for next year. Parents are asked to forward considerations to the class teacher and myself, via email or in writing by Friday 12th November to ensure your child’s needs have been accounted for. Please note that consideration for placement with specific teachers and or students are unable to be considered due to the size and complexity of our school.
Are you moving????????
We have had word from a few families that they are in the process of moving. If you are planning for your child not to be at St Paul’s in 2024, please contact the office.
Step Up Day.
Friday Week 9, all students will move into their new class allocations for 2024 to meet their teachers for an hour or so. This is a great time to start to get to know the teacher and other students in the classes. Any new
students to the school will be invited to this session to help with their transition for starting at St Paul’s in 2024.
Presentation Day December 12, 2023
To allow full parent and family invitation and participation in the presentation day, we are holding our
ceremony staggered across stages as we did during Co-vid restrictions. There will be 3 ceremonies in the
morning December 12:
ES1-S1 9:30am
S2 10:00am
S3 10:30am
Parents of award winners will be notified closer to the date.
Year 6 Liturgy and Graduation Celebration – Wednesday 14th December.
Reporting
As our staff prepare reports for students over the coming weeks, please remember that Yr 6 student files on Compass will not be able to be accessed after the last day of school. Please take the time to download all school reports for your child before the end of the term.
Assistant Principal
PBL
This fortnight (Week 4 and Week 5) our Positive behaviours for Learning focus is: Include Others, Cooperate and Take Turns This focus aligns with our school rule of Being Responsible and our school value of Respectful. In classes, teachers will be discussing with their students: At St Paul’s, we all have the right to feel and be respected and included. We all have the responsibility to show respect to others by being inclusive.
At St Paul’s, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of inclusion in which all students feel valued and have a sense of belonging. This week, I encourage parents and carers to have a conversation with your child/children about how they can be inclusive in their daily interactions.
Year 5 Camp
Last week I had the pleasure of accompanying our Year 5 students and teachers on the Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens. The aim of the annual Year 5 camp is to provide the opportunity for students to learn new leadership skills in a fun and active environment. The 3-day camp provided our students with a variety of experiences that encouraged teamwork, cooperation and encouraged them to accept new challenges. Some highlights of the camp were: The Giant Swing, The Mud Run (Lost Island) and the Tamdem Flying Fox. A huge thank you to our teachers who attended; Mr Temesvary, Mr Power, Mrs Boland and Mrs Lawler for giving up time with your own families to support the learning experiences of our students.
Here are some student reflections:
The best thing in Great Aussie Bush Camp was the mud run! I got mud all over my face! Anna
The giant swing was definitely my favorite activity. It was fun and out of my comfort zone. I also liked the mud run they tricked us by making us meditate then they threw mud all over us! I also enjoy the supper at night. Ally-Lou
The giant swing was so fun, but it rained .I loved the breakfast -we made damper and it was pretty good. The flying fox was amazing while we went over a river. Tilly
The best thing about camp was archery and everybody got a go and some people got the target! Cooper
Student Awards Weeks
Weeks | Student of the Week | Merit Award | Merit Award |
K Maroon | Ivin Mathew Serah Elizabeth | Carter Khomkham Aneya Boby | Preston Cox Jasmine Nowland |
K White | Jaxon Giles Amarni Milne | Remi Scott Aiden Nash | Karley Mason Phoebe Stanshall |
1 Maroon | Tyler Hickey Harry Freeman | Maycie Miller Parker Ayshford | Nate Langley Ainsley Brewer |
1 White | Matilda Preston Rejoice Khalifa | Penny Sturmer Asher Hicks | Sarah Jinns Leoni Tonkin |
2 Maroon | Jonath Sujith Bodhi Duggan | Lexi Haynes Gemma Connell | Willow Pearson Jaxon Lewin |
2 White | Angel Jaison Phoebe Sotiropolilos | Jasmine Zoukir Onan Goonawadena | Connor Stanshall Sophie Fairbairn |
3 Maroon | Brydie Jones | Nixon Miller | Lillee-May Bleasdale |
3 White | Harlan Enright No Awards | Evie Perrett | Colton Ashyford |
4 Maroon | Logan Gruber | Nate Bridgwater | Caitlin William |
4 White | No Awards | ||
5 Maroon | No Awards | ||
5 White | No Awards | ||
6 Maroon | No Awards | ||
6 White | Dari Anderson No Awards | Indi Macpherson | Alexander Clarke |
Religious Education Update
All Saints, All Souls
November 1st and 2nd mark All Saints and All Souls day. This is a significant time in our Liturgical calendar as we remember all the Saints and people that have passed away and gone to heaven.
The following exert is a homily summary from Fr Richard Leonard:
All Souls Day has its roots in the sixth century Benedictine tradition of praying to the dead. It was a way of recognising the human bonds which go beyond death. By the tenth century this feast was about praying for the dead, that they might know the merciful love of God.
It is appropriate today for us to think about what a soul is. In an increasingly secular society it's interesting to note that the word ‘soul’ persists in ordinary conversation. Many non-religious people use this most religious of terms to describe another person. We often hear how others are lonely, distressed, or lost souls. It can be said that someone has a ‘beautiful soul’ or that a piece of music, a painting or other work of art ‘stirred my soul’. We describe mellow jazz as ‘soulful’ and still alert others to distress by an SOS, ‘save our souls’. These uses of the word reinforce St Thomas Aquinas' teaching that the soul makes us human, and sets us apart from other animals.
Let's remember all those ‘departed souls’ we have known and loved over the years, that they might pray for us that we never forget God's saving love and live lives worthy of it.
Halloween
Halloween! This American holiday is becoming more and more popular here in Australia- mainly thanks to commercialism, but what is it all about? Here is a small exert that may surprise you - it comes from Christian traditions! It is linked to our celebrations of All Saints Day, (1st of November,) and All Souls Day. (2nd November.) See below for more information.
FORTNIGHTLY CATHOLIC LESSON: HOW IS HOLY MASS CELEBRATED?
The topic for this fortnight’s edition – How is Holy Mass celebrated will cover the next part of the Mass – The liturgy of the Word
Once the introductory Rites have finished, it is time to sit down and perk up your ears! Something is being read to us which can sometimes be a bit confusing (and even make us feel like we need to sleep) – but the readings from the Bible are not supposed to do that. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). God wants to tell us something, perhaps encourage us, or challenge us.
Next, the Gospel is proclaimed: Jesus himself speaks to us. Alleliua! That is why everyone stands up. After the Gospel, a priest or a deacon says a homily, which explains to us the words of God.
We then pray the Creed – the profession of faith. We stand with others and say “this is true. We believe it.”
Finally, we can do something for others: pray along with the intercessions (or prayers of the faithful) from the bottom of your heart. You can also quietly tell God your own prayer intentions for your family and friends.
That is all for this fortnight – next time we will look at the 3rd part of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Matthew 23:1-12
Those who humble themselves shall be exalted.
Sacraments of initiation 2024
Primary Coordinator/Gifted Education Mentor
World Kindness Day
Have you considered volunteering?
Monday 13th November is World Kindness Day. Kindness has the power to change the world. We all have the power to make people happy. We do this in our actions and our words. Examples include giving someone a compliment, saying hello and genuinely asking people how they are going.
Volunteering our time is another way of being kind, and having our parents volunteer at our school is one way to make your children (our students) very happy. You could volunteer in our canteen, our uniform shop, be part of our reading groups or an excursion.
If you have ever considered volunteering at our school, please let us know so we can direct you to the volunteering registration form. Or you can access this yourselves by going to the link below.
Library News
Even | Mondays |
Year 1 | |
Thursday | |
Year 3 | |
Odd | Monday |
Kindergarten | |
Thursday | |
Year 5 |
Overdue books
We currently have a lot of students with hundreds of overdue library books. Overdue slips were sent home in Week 10 of last term. Please have a look for these at home and return when found. Books don’t need to be returned on borrowing days. Students are able to return these during lunch times into the returns tub situated at the circulation desk inside the library.
If books are unable to be found then please make written contact to the library.
This can be done in an email (katrina.howard@mn.catholic.edu.au) or in handwritten letter form. Occasionally books are returned back onto shelves without being scanned back in and we are able to locate these and return them to the system. If missing then we mark the book as missing. Currently, we do not expect unreturned books to be paid for though we would appreciate parent written communication about the missing books. Thank you in advance for your co-operation in this and respecting the operations of our school library.
New Signage
New Book Box and Author Labels have been created in the Library. They look fantastic and make books easier to locate. Premier Reading Challenge colours were also used.
Author Visit
This term we are excited to welcome author Tim Harris in Week 5 on Thursday 9th November. His book series Ratbags and Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables have been thoroughly enjoyed during lessons. We look forward to learning from him about some ways we can all improve our own writing.
There will not be an opportunity to purchase books through the school, though there will be opportunity for students to have their own copies signed on the day. Books can be purchased from Big W and Harry Hartog Greenhills.
BOOK CLUB
Book Club orders where all process last week for issue 7. We expect that books will be delivered this week or early next week. We will then package them up and get them out to students as soon as possible. Thanks again for ordering your books through our school. Every order placed helps our school build our reward points to buy new books and resources for students to enjoy.
Library Lunchtime
Bracelet making has been extremely popular this fortnight!
Year 6 Canberra Excursion 2023
Year 6 Canberra Trip
At 6 o’clock in the morning we headed off to Canberra. It was a 6-hour long drive which felt like it took forever! When we finally made it to the ACT, we were all relieved. Then our next stop was AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) It was a lot of fun doing all the interactive activities that they had, and the gift shop had a lot of cool things as well. After we finished our visit to AIS, we went straight to the Governor Generals house where we had an exclusive tour of the area. We learnt about all the Honor medals, the Governor general's full name (His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley ACDSC Retired Governor General in the Commonwealth of Australia) and we even got to see the cars in the garage.
After we went to Governor general's house we went to check in to the motel where we learnt who was in our room and what room we had. After we checked out our room, we went to dinner to eat the best chicken schnitzel with gravy and chips followed with mud cake and ice cream for dessert that was all catered to us by the motel. After dinner we went straight to our room to get ready for Questacon which had lots of interesting and fun things like, Giant drop slide, Fossils, and an Earthquake experience chamber. After we went to Questacon we went straight to the motel and stayed up until the teachers knocked on our doors and told us it was lights out which is when we fell asleep.
The next morning, at 7 O’clock, the teachers went around to all the rooms and told us that we had half an hour until breakfast. For breakfast we had an option of Potato gems, Sausages, Toast, and cereal and for a drink we had a choice of apple or orange juice. After breakfast we went back to our rooms to prepare for the big day ahead of us. First, we went to Geoscience that had an interactive area that had fossils, rocks and crystals and it also told us how much we are worth in gold. In another area it told us about all the earthquakes Australia has detected all around the world. After we went to Geoscience, we went to the New Parliament House where we went on a great tour and learnt about all the positions of Parliament and the meanings of them. Before we left, they also offered us frozen yogurt-flavors of watermelon and mango.
After that we went to the National Museum of Australia but before we went in, we went to a park are next to it where we had lunch. After lunch we went in, and we split the classes into two groups. There were heaps of interesting things that had stories behind them like the 2000 Sydney Olympics torch signed by Muhumed Ali and the real corpse of a Tasmanian Tiger. After the museum we went on a drive tour to see all the embassies and then after that we finally made it back to the motel, were We went back to our rooms to get ready for dinner, which was Burgers and chips, and for dessert we had cupcakes because it was Jett Martin’s birthday. After dinner we went to our rooms to get ready for Iplay. Once we arrived, we went inside to get our cards and played for an hour and a half. Iplay had a lot of fun games like laser tag, dodgem cars, Arcade games and pool. Once everything that day was done, we went back to the motel and most people went to bed straight away.
The next morning most people woke up early so that they could pack their bags and clean up their rooms before room inspections which were after breakfast. On offer for breakfast was toast, spaghetti, sausages, and cereal. After breakfast we went to Mount Ainslee to look at all of Canberra and how the buildings and bridges made the Parliamentary Triangle. After the magnificent view we went to the ANZAC parade and went on a walking tour of 3 statues that represented different wars and various parts of the Australian defence force and the real meaning of the art and the way they designed the statues. After that, we went to the last stop in Canberra, Old Parliament House. At the Old Parliament house we had another exclusive tour of the inside – 6W went to the Museum of Australian Democracy where we had to wear gloves because the oil on our hands could destroy the old furniture. We even got to sit where parliament members sat 20-30 years ago! There were also interactive activities that were fun but also told us facts about some prime ministers. 6M went to the National Electoral Education Centre and got to look up their parents on the roll.
After all the fun in Canberra we sadly had to leave for home. Around halfway through the drive we went to Maccas where we ate and talked to our friends. We finally arrived home in to our parents’ arms.
By Logan Jones, 6W
Year 1 Tocal Excursion
Netball – Stage two Gala Day
Last Friday three teams of Stage Two students went to Maitland Netball courts for a gala day. We played against other local catholic schools. The all girls team played six games and the mix teams played five games each. We played all our games in the rain. Some students play netball outside of school and some have never played netball before! The All Girls team won five games, Miss Mac’s team won four games and Mrs S’s team won three games. By the end of the day we were cold, drenched and had wet, soggy socks and shoes. We scored a lot of goals and had lots of fun. Thank you to our parent helpers, Gemma (Lilah’s mum), Jade (Ivy’s mum) and our teachers Miss McNamee and Mrs Stefanish-Smith for umpiring and coaching on the day!
By Ivy, Nate, Sara & Adelaide
Guitar, Bass & Ukelele Lessons available at school
Term Dates 2023
Term 1 Friday, 27th January – Thursday, 6th April
Term 2 Monday, 24th April – Friday, 30th June
Term 3 Monday, 17th July – Friday, 22 September
Term 4 Monday, 9th October – Tuesday, 19th December
Term 4 2023
Week 5 6th Nov – 10th Nov
WELLBEING WEEK
Mon 6th Nov – All Saints Cluster Regional Basketball – Maitland Basketball Stadium 9am – 12.30pm
Tues 7th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 7th Nov – Stage 2 Rotations
Wed 8th Nov – Stage 1 Rotations
Thu 9th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Thu 9th Nov – Tim Harris Author Visit Year 2 – Year 6
Fri 10th Nov – Lochinvar Year 7 Orientation
Fri 10th Nov – Yr1W Assembly 2pm
Week 6 13th Nov – 17th Nov
Fri 10th Nov – Remembrance Day Year 6
Tues 14th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 14th Nov – Stage 3 Rotations
Wed 15th Nov – Opal Visit Mini Vinnies 10.30am
Thu 16th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Thu 16th Nov – P&F Colour Run
Fri 17th Nov – Kindergarten 2024 Orientation Day 2 - 9.30am – 1pm
Fri 17th Nov – Yr5 Buddies
Sun 18th Nov – International Men’s Day
Week 7 20th Nov – 24th Nov
Tues 21st Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 21st Nov – Stage 2 Rotations
Tues 21st Nov – P&F AGM
Wed 22nd Nov – Stage 1 Rotations
Wed 22nd Nov – Kinder Rotations
Wed 22nd Nov – Leadership Day Yr5
Thu 23rd Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 24th Nov - Rugby 7’s Gala Day 12yr Boys and Girls
Fri 24th Nov – 6M Assembly 2pm
Week 8 27th Nov – 1st Dec
Sun 26th Nov – Family Sunday Mass
Mon 27th Nov – Yr7 2024 Information Night St Peters?
Tues 28th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 28th Nov – Parish Mass Yr2 9.30am
Tues 28th Nov – Stage 3 Rotations
Wed 29th Nov – Yr1 & Yr2 League Tag Aberglasslyn
Wed 29th Nov – Opal Visit 10.30am
Wed 29th Nov – Kinder Rotations
Wed 29th Nov – Let’s Love Water Show Kinder – Yr2 12.20pm – 1.10pm
Thu 30th Nov – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 1st Dec – Bishop’s Visit 9.30am – 10.30am
Fri 1st Dec – Vinnies Voucher Day
Fri 1st Dec – 1M Assembly
Fri 1st Dec – P&F Disco
Week 9 4th Dec – 8th Dec
Mon 4th Dec – All Saints’ College Junior Campus (St Peters) - Yr7 2024 Orientation Day
Tues 5th Dec – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 5th Dec – Stage 2 Rotations
Wed 6th Dec – Stage 1 Rotations
Thu 7th Dec – Dio Debating
Thu 7th Dec – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Thu 7th Dec – Carols Evening 5.30pm – Bottom Playground
Fri 8th Dec – Report sent out via COMPASS
Fri 8th Dec – 4W Assembly 2pm
Week 10 11th Dec – 15th Dec
Tues 12th Dec – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Tues 12th Dec – Stage 3 Rotations
Tues 12th Dec – End of Year 2023 Student Award Assembly ES1 9.30am, S2 10am, S3 10.30am
Wed 13th Dec – Yr6 Graduation Mass 12pm
Wed 13th Dec – Yr6 Farewell Dinner Telarah Bowling Club 5pm
Thu 14th Dec – Breakfast Club 8.20am
Fri 15th Dec – LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS TERM 4 2023
Fri 15th Dec – Yr6 Clap out 2.15pm
Week 11 18th Dec – 19th Dec
Mon 18th Dec – Professional Learning Day – Pupil Free Day
Tues 19th Dec – Professional Learning Day – Pupil Free Day
Summer Holidays 20th Dec – 26th January 2024
Term 1 2024
Week 1 29th Jan – 2nd Feb 2024
Mon 29th Jan – Pupil Free Day – Staff Development Day
Tue 30th Jan – Pupil Free Day – Staff Development Day
Wed 31st Jan – Students Return – Yr1 – Yr6
Fri 2nd Feb – St Paul’s Swimming Carnival 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
School Student Travel Passes 2024
Uniform Shop News - September
Uniform Shop Hours 2023
Monday 2.15pm – 3pm
Wednesday 8.30am - 9.30am
Friday 8.30am - 9.30am
Elissa Purdon
Uniform Shop Coordinator
Canteen
Opening days will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, CLOSED MONDAY. Please order via the Qkr App.
Lunch orders will be sent to the classrooms as normal.
Please ensure your child has their current class.
St Nicholas OOSH
Good for Kids
Healthy Lunchbox
Kindergarten Orientation Video
Our 'How to pack a healthy lunch box video' is perfect for kindergarten orientation programs. This fun, 3 minute video will inspire parents and carers and teach them how to easily pack healthy lunch box. Here are some ways you can share the video:
- Show the video at a parent information night
- Email the video weblink to parents
- Include the video weblink in electronic kindergarten orientation packs
- Share it on your social media channels
New recipes
New blogs
Have you seen our Nutrition Snippets?
Nutrition Snippets are bite-sized nutrition tips, facts and recipes designed to be used within newsletters.
If you have not already signed up, you can sign up to receive our FREE Nutrition Snippets (5 snippets every 5 weeks of the school term) here.
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an abiding commitment to promote the safety,
Welfare and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. Safguarding is everyone’s responsibility if in you have any concerns for a child or vulnerable adult, please contact the Office of Safeguarding:
- Phone 4979 1390 or
- Email childprotection@mn.catholic.org.au or
- Visit their website for further information from the link below