Dear Parents and Carers

'Every year, we waited for his Christmas letter. He never wrote much about himself, which told you more about him than if he had. The letter was full of the names and groups of people he mixed with and whose company nurtured his faith in Christ, whom he believed was to be encountered at the margins of society. From the residents of the Narrabundah Longstay Caravan Park to refugees who’d recently arrived in Canberra to those whose children died as victims of drug culture. He sat with them all.'

• Michael McGirr, ‘The Power of Pat’

The reflection above is concerned with Bishop Pat Power, who passed away last week. Consecrated as Bishop in 1986, he was the Auxiliary Bishop for Canberra/Goulburn for 39 years. He was, to my mind, a great example of faith, spirituality and authority used well: which is to say, in the service of others, and ultimately in an effort to make the full humanity of each person seen and heard. His actions speak to a deep and profound conviction that we are made in the image of God, which is another way of saying that every human being is unconditionally precious. The great German theologian Karl Rahner SJ expressed it another way, when he wrote once that each person was an ‘unrepeatable event.’ I believe Biship Pat met people where he found them and laboured to bring about an awareness within them of God’s love and presence in their lives. All of this was done without judgement of the person, in the way that judgement can be used to describe someone as ‘judgemental.’ Bishop Pat reminds me of the way that the Australian philosopher Raimond Gaita wrote about his father, in his book, Romulus, my Father, when Gaita wrote that ‘no one was spurned from my father’s presence.’ Surely in that, we have a great example of compassion enacted. Bishop Pat spurned no one from his presence. He is being buried today, September 24^th. I ask all families to keep him, and his extended family, in their prayers.

The Power of Pat

Gratitude for the Community Council

Last Friday night, we held our second Trivia Night. Like last year’s, it was a great success, and this due to a number of factors: the support of both parents and staff, and the very hard work of a number of Council members. Much work was done for the night, including collecting tables from Holy Trinity, setting up raffle prizes on the morning of the Trivia Night, a lot of work in the months and weeks leading up to the night in organising donations, buying the snacks and food for the tables, setting up on the night, and much more besides. My thanks to the Community Council, and to the parent body for their great support. The money raised will contribute towards the improvement of the senior playground equipment. The sense of community spirit is invaluable.

I would also like to thank the Council, and through the Council, the whole parent body, for the lovely gift of biscuits for all staff in the school. The occasion was the recent World Teachers’ Day, and to both mark and thank the teaching staff for the day, the Community Council organised a delivery of biscuits, in the shape of a ‘teacher’s apple’, with the words ‘thank you’ printed on each biscuit. My thanks to the Council and to all parents for their support of the staff.

First Eucharist

Last weekend, we celebrated students in Year 4 receiving the Eucharist for the first time. The Eucharist is one of the sacraments of initiation and marks a significant step in faith for our students. This step in faith could never take place in isolation, and it rightly takes pace within the wider parish community. My thanks to our wonderful school staff, including Andrea McQuirk, our REC, and our Year 4 teachers: Michele Halis, Nic Marsham, Katie Birch and Rebeca Wright. I would also like to thank Fr James and the parish team for their great support. My thanks as well to all parents for their support, particularly those families that hosted home groups.

Week 10 Events

Despite being the last week of the term, we have a number of events that have taken place or will take place. Last Monday, students who make up our school’s choir performed at Floriade, on Stage 88. This was a wonderful achievement and a reflection of many hours of work and preparation. My thanks to our wonderful Performing Arts teacher, Lisa Gill, for her hard work and dedication. Yesterday we celebrated Science Day, again to great success and considerable excitement amongst the children. Well done to all of our Year 6 children, for their great work in demonstrating some great experiments to different classes. My thanks as well to Paul Jenkins and Bridget Pigram, and to Sarah Walsh and Nic Marsham, for their excellent work in organising and supporting the day. Tomorrow, we celebrate Grandfriends’ Day, an occasion which honours the role and impact that grandparents and similar elders can have in the lives of children and young people. We look forward to our Grandfriends joining us at 12.15, to visit classrooms, before joining the children outside for an early lunch at 1pm. At assembly time, at 1.50pm, students in Years 5 and 6 will perform a song for our visitors, from next term’s musical.

Student Achievement

At the time of writing, Alexander in Year 4 is competing in the (boys) National Gymnastics Competition, in Melbourne. Alexander is representing the ACT. I would like to wish Alex the very best and congratulate him on this wonderful achievement.

Last Day Term 3, First Day Term 4

A reminder that the last day for Term 3, for students, is tomorrow, Thursday September 25^th. The first day of Term 4 for students is Tuesday, October 14^th.

Have a wonderful two-week break with your families. I look forward to seeing all of our students and families at the beginning of next term.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

First Eucharist 

Congratulations to our First Eucharist candidates who celebrated the Sacrament last weekend within the Parish of the Transfiguration. 

It was inspiring to watch you step so wholeheartedly into your faith with this significant step, connection in body with Jesus. 

Thank you to the families of the candidates for all the work you did to prepare them for this day, and to our wonderful Year 4 teachers, and Julia our Youth Minister for standing by them on this journey. 

Grandparents Day 

We’re excited to welcome our wonderful grandparents and grandfriends to school this Thursday!

• Class visits: 12:15 pm
• BYO picnic at recess to follow 

A quick reminder:

Please pack a normal first-break lunch for your child (11:10 am).

Families are welcome to bring a BYO afternoon tea for the picnic.

No food will be provided on the day, so please make sure everyone has what they need.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time -  The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man is a sobering tale of the eternal consequences of the eternal consequences of the way in which we live our life. The rich man, who, in life, would not even give Lazarus the scraps from his table, finds himself in Hades, while Lazarus is embraced in the bosom of Abraham. Is this a story about the evil of being rich? No, but Jesus tells this story as a warning to us of the importance of compassion. All through the Bible we see God’s special compassion for the poor, the neglected, the marginalised. In today’s Gospel reading we hear the rich man beg not only for relief for himself in his afterlife of suffering, but also that a warning be sent to his five brothers. Abraham, however, points to all the unheeded warnings sent through history, from the prophets to Jesus himself. The time for living with compassion towards those in need is now. We cannot wait. We don’t know when our time on earth will be over and we do not want to end up like the rich man, regretting our choices and paying an eternal price. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Yours in Christ, 

Andrea McQuirk 

Religious Education Coordinator

Hello from the School Counsellor ……and important information about how to access School Counselling.

My name is Kim Ovari and I am the school counsellor. I have a background as a teacher in Early Education and Care, Vocational education and business. I have worked alongside families and children in my roles over the last 30 years and look forward to supporting the children at Sts Peter & Pauls. 

In my school counselling role, I provide brief interventions to support students’ wellbeing that are client centered and draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Strengths based, Mindfulness and Trauma informed approaches in a developmental context.

As the school counsellor feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at your school. I started in Term 3 at the school and I am available on Thursdays and Fridays between 8am-4pm.

Parent consent for counselling continues to be required for all primary school students and will be sought and provided via email after putting through a referral (please check your junk folder as it may not make it to your inbox). Where parents are separated, we require the written consent of both parents. Once the referral has been received, I will contact parents as soon as possible to further discuss the referral.

If you feel your child would benefit from counselling, please fill out a referral form via the below link.

https://mccg.my.site.com/housing/s/school-referral-form

I look forward to working with you and the school community!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Daniel PW

Isaac G

and to those students celebrating their birthdays in the holidays

Jai B

Miller L

Zeina A

Billiessa C

David CL

Ebony S

Neerav B

Sophia M

Nixson W

Sebastian B

Mariya A

Derin DJ

Ridwan H

SWPB Focus

 This fortnight we are reminding classes of our Succeeding, Together, Safely hand signals. 

At Sts Peter and Paul three expectations underpin our School- Wide Positive Behaviour Framework. Succeeding, Together, Safely

At Sts Peter and Paul, we are all SainTS - Succeeding Together Safely.

 

Succeeding 

 Succeeding means trying your best, having courage, and embracing challenges. 

Together

Together means welcoming, supporting, and valuing everyone.

 Safely

Safely means responding with respect.

Congratulations to the Floriade Performers!

Students from Kinder to YR6 involved in the lunchtime PA clubs took over Floriade on Monday and entertained visitors with an hour of interactive pieces and performances. Showing what true professionals they are, our groups pulled in the audience while battling sound equipment problems and rain.  The Drama Llamas had everyone involved in an interactive performance of the Three Little Pigs. The SPP Pipers, under the direction of Athol and Kerrie from the College of Pipes and Drumming, performed on chanters and goose bags, giving the audience a sneak peak of what it takes to learn the bagpipes. The SPP Dancers, with the help of the audience, answered the question - can we line dance to any kind of music? After teaching the basic steps, it was proven that yes ... country, hip hop, disco ... we can dance it!  The Malleteers dazzled with their ensemble pieces, the sound of the xylophones a perfect match for the setting. The SPP Singers had the audience singing up a storm and although cut short by the rain, they led the audience in warmups and rounds before ending with some inspiring performance pieces.

A big thank you to everyone involved. We have more performances planned for Term 4. The SPP Pipers will be performing at the Canberra Highland Gathering, look out for the Drama Llamas who will be presenting their own play - The Emotion Squad at Hogwarts and don't forget to mark the Christmas Evening on your calendars!

Highland Gathering ... All things Scottish!

The SPP Pipers will be performing at the Highland Gathering on 11^th October - last Saturday of the holidays. We are the only primary school to be invited to perform as part of the band performances. It is a great opportunity for the students, a chance to watch and chat to the wonderful musicians performing on the day. If you are in Canberra it is worth coming down to experience the day for yourself. Starting at 9.00 at the Kambah Oval opposite the Burns Club, there is so much to do and see, from marching bands to dancers to Scottish games. Google Canberra Highland Games for the program ... the SPP Pipers are performing outside the Canberra College tent at 12.30 and then would be happy to show you the instruments and what is involved in learning to play. They will do a repeat performance before heading out to watch the College Bands perform.

Miss Gill

PA Specialist

They had a great time making apple pastries with our award winning jam. We kept the skin on the apples when they were chopped, as the skin has lots of nutrients in it to keep us healthy. It also adds a little crunch!!

Our last gardening club for the term was last Friday. In the garden, we planted the seedlings that we have been growing in 4W. They went in beautifully with the help of caring hands. Fingers crossed we have leeks and beans in several weeks time.

Gardening Club is on every Friday at lunch time. Anyone is welcome. Please email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or would like to be involved.

The Garden Club

Mrs Birch & Mrs Moore

THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS FOR ALL LUNCH ORDERS

 Families are required to place ALL lunch orders via Qkr! before 8.45am

Please purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child in a lunch order.

Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to collect items at lunchtime. 

WEEK 1 TERM 4, CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

Thank you, helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

Please contact me if you are unable to assist on your day. 

 

Are you able to help in the canteen?

Parent/carer helpers are most welcome in the Canteen.

A lending hand is always required and very much appreciated.

Helping in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet new people and make a valuable contribution to the school.

No doubt your child will get a buzz from seeing you at the school. 

So, if you have any spare time and would like to help out in the canteen, PLEASE feel free to contact me through email at lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au or click on the link below to add your selected time to the roster.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenRoster2025

 All volunteers must have a WWVP card.

 Qkr! TIPS

Is your child sick and not going to school, and you have placed a lunch order on Qkr!?

You have till 8.45am that morning to cancel the lunch order - instructions on how to cancel lunch orders are below.

OPEN TUESDAY MORNINGS

8.30 – 9.30AM

The Uniform Shop is a service for the parents and children. 

We sell New & Quality Second-hand school clothing, and all money raised goes back to the school to provide resources for the children.

The School Uniform is available via Qkr!
Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Orders need to be placed before 8.45 am. 

Spring is here! 

Students will be wearing summer uniform on their return to school in Term 4.

The Uniform shop is stocked up with second hand uniform, please visit on a Tuesday morning to purchase second hand uniform. 

 The uniform shop is limited with space, so if you wish to donate pre-loved items, PLEASE ONLY DONATE CLOTHES

that are washed and in perfect resalable order.

 Please visit the schools website for the Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au