Dear Parents and Carers

“In fact, there are many forms of poverty: the poverty of those who lack material means of subsistence, the poverty of those who are socially marginalized and lack the means to give voice to their dignity and abilities, moral and spiritual poverty, cultural poverty, the poverty of those who find themselves in a condition of personal or social weakness or fragility, the poverty of those who have no rights, no space, no freedom.”

• ‘Dilexi Te’, Pope Leo XIV

The new Pope has very recently published his first apostolic exhortation, ‘Dilexi Te’, Latin for ‘On Love for the Poor.’ The quote above reminds us that poverty can and does take on many forms. Material poverty is the most obvious, but there are also those who experience the poverty of being routinely overlooked or denied a voice at the table. All of us can occupy both spaces: that is, we have all experienced some form of poverty at some point in our lives, and we can also be a party to structures that entrench the experience of poverty, for others. In his first published document, he reminds us, as a Catholic school, to be alert to signs of poverty within our school community, and to do what we can to lighten the load – even bearing the load – of the poor, in our midst.

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball

This Friday, we have over 90 students attending the annual Touch Football and Netball Carnival, in Boorowa. We have teams from almost every grade, from Years 2 – 6. My thanks to Luke Gubler for coordinating the day and making our involvement possible. My thanks as well to the many parents who have volunteered to help, in many and varied ways, and to all staff, for their support as well. It promises to be a great day, for all involved.

Class Lists – 2026

Although still very early in the term, Sts Peter and Paul have been preparing for some time for next year. Among the needs that need to be met are class arrangements for 2026. Children will be asked, in the near future, to name three friends they would like to be with, in 2026. The school can guarantee at least one of those friends. In addition, if any parents have concerns over peer relationships, involving their child or children, please email me directly with your requests. In order to adequately prepare the class lists, I ask that all parents email me by Friday Week 5, which is Friday, November 14^th. Thank you for your support.

Catholic Education System Day and Principals’ Meetings

I am away this Thursday and Friday, at an annual CE system day, involving all principals and senior office personnel, on Thursday; followed by an A.C.T. Principals’ meeting on Friday. We will hear addresses from the Archbishop, the Director of Catholic Education, David de Carvalho; system priorities updates; and the development of a Catholic perspective on the Australian Curriculum. Thursday night will see the opportunity to farewell and celebrate the work of a number of principals, in the Archdiocese, who are retiring at the end of the year. During my two-day absence, Sam Mance will very capably lead the school.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal