Dear Parents and Carers

“Seek joy in God and peace within; seek to rest in the good, the true, and the beautiful. It’s the only resting place that also allows us to hear and bear the darkness...We can bear the hardness of life and see through failure when our soul is resting in a wonderful and comforting sweetness and softness. Religious people would call this living in God. That’s why people in love—and often people at the end of life—have such an excess of energy for others.”

• Fr Richard Rohr, OFM

Welcome to Term 4. I hope all families have enjoyed the break in routine and enjoyed a good holiday. The children have all returned very calm and happy, and settled easily into school routines. It has been excellent seeing all the children this week. It promises to be another term with many excellent learning opportunities and events, and of course culminates at the end of term with reports, class lists for 2025 and all the planning that goes into ensuring there is a smooth transition into the holidays, and beyond, into another excellent school year. In the meantime, all of grades have many things to look forward to: aside from the usual excellent classroom learning opportunities, there are such things as the Swimming Program for Grades 1 – 3, Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival, Kindergarten Nativity play and end of year celebrations. In all of this, we particularly wish our wonderful Year 6 students an excellent last term of primary school.

The reflection above, from one of regular contributors Fr Richard Rohr, speaks to what we draw on, in our lives, to keep ourselves centered and focused on what matters. If what we draw on is the good, the true and the beautiful, then it will sustain us in the periods when we feel under duress and strain. This surely speaks to what is essential in education: giving our children a foundation from which they can continue to grow, learn and change, all the while contributing positively to the world around them.

Performing Bagpipes

Our term got underway before it even officially began. Last Saturday, students who are learning the Bagpipes participated in the Canberra Highland Gathering. Members of the SPP Pipers Zoe (6W); Hugo, Chen An, Parker (4W); Mia, Vanessa and Evelyn (4M) represented St Peter & Paul performing on the chanters and goose bags outside the Canberra College of Pipes and Drumming tent and  took the time to show members of the community the basics on the chanter and drums.  They did a wonderful job, receiving some high praise from the piping community who were not only impressed with what the students had achieved in such a short time but their confidence and enthusiasm as they performed and shared their music. Special thanks to our excellent Performing Arts teacher, Lisa Gill, whose work has made this possible. A big thank you to our tutors from the Canberra College of Pipes and Drumming; Kerrie Flynn who took time out of her own band duties to lead the students in their performances and Athol Chalmers, who organises and teaches our unique program.

School Uniforms

I have become aware that a number of parents have been seeking the counsel of school staff around what children are allowed to wear at school. These conversations have come about because some parents are finding it difficult to ensure that their children are wearing the correct uniform, as parents are told conflicting things by their children. Simultaneously, I have noticed a need to perhaps remind students of what the correct uniform is. Because of these conversations and observations, the staff are talking and reminding students more about the need for correct uniform, as a matter of pride and consistency. The school will soon send home what will be the definitive uniform checklist, to help clarify matters for parents and ensure transparency and good communication. A reminder that in Term 4, the children are to wear their summer uniforms, obviously bearing in mind the fact that the spring days can still be occasionally chilly (such as yesterday). The revamped uniform checklist will be sent home within the next few days. Please contact me, or Sam Mance, if you have any questions. Thank you all for your support.

Swimming Lessons

Next week, students from Years 1 – 3 are taking part in our annual swimming lessons. This year, our Year 3 students are also participating, as they could not do so last year. My thanks to Sarah Kennelly, our Acting Coordinator, and our Years 1, 2 and 3 teachers, for all of their support.

Boorowa

A reminder that Friday week sees the ever-popular Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival take place. Students are participating from a number of grades, ably assisted by many parents, who are either coaching or managing the teams. My thanks to Luke Gubler, who has coordinated our involvement in the event.

Archdiocesan Assembly

This weekend, the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn is holding an Archdioscean Assembly, as part of the Synodal journey that the Catholic Church is undertaking. All Catholic school principals have been invited to attend, and I will be participating in the assembly. A link to the Assembly webpage can be found here, which includes information about the nature and purpose of the Assembly. https://www.cgevangelisation.org.au/assembly/

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal