Dear Parents and Carers

“There are no perfect structures or perfect people. There is only the struggle to get there. Redemptive suffering instead of redemptive violence is the Jesus way. Patience comes from our attempts to hold together an always-mixed reality, not from expecting or demanding a perfect reality. That only makes us resentful and judgmental, which is what has characterized much of Christian history. Grateful people emerge in a world rightly defined, where even shadows are no surprise, but, in fact, opportunity for compassion and forgiveness.”

Richard Rohr

The American Franciscan priest Richard Rohr offers us great wisdom. One of the by-products of living in a world, which increasingly bends to our demands – in that we can control so much of our immediate world – is that our own demands for perfection can creep into our expectations for the world-at-large. Inevitably, this will bring us into conflict with reality, and most tellingly, with the people with whom we are closest. The late Australian priest Peter Steele SJ wrote once to the effect that, ‘the mark of growth in maturity is how well we respond to having the rug pulled out from beneath us in life’, as inevitably will happen. ‘Patience comes from holding together an always-mixed reality.’ I would also say that growth in spirituality, in wisdom and in our relationship with God, also comes from the same act of patience.

https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

NAIDOC Week Mass

Last Friday, Fron Garrett-Rumba and I accompanied five of our Indigenous Students (Charlotte M, Jack M, Samson T, Evie M and Ava G) to St Christopher’s Cathedral at Manuka, to celebrate NAIDOC week. In attendance were other Indigenous students and school staff from our A.C.T. Catholic primary and secondary schools. Archbishop Christopher Prowse celebrated the Mass and spoke beautifully about the need to listen and be attentive to the voices of our Indigenous students and staff in schools. My thanks to Anna Kain and Fron Garrett-Rumba for organising our attendance at the Mass.

Rostrum Public Speaking Competition

Last night, school staff attended Ainslie Primary School for the regional Quarter Finals of the Rostrum Public Speaking competition. Representing Sts Peter and Paul Primary School was Josie M, in 6W. Josie was excellent and her speech was called ‘A Better Way’. Josie spoke about climate change and the need to make changes and to find, in effect, a better way to live in the world. Congratulations Josie on a wonderful speech.

Year 6 Leadership Day

This Friday, our Year 6 students were going to have their third Leadership Day of the year, at BFirm. Due to the weather forecast, the day will be postponed to later in the term.

Maths Olympiad Competition

This week, our students in Year 6, as well as a number of students in Grades 3 – 5, will undergo the third Maths Olympiad competition. Each Maths Olympiad consists of five challenging questions that ask the student to apply their problem solving skills in order to answer the questions. My thanks to Sean Rutledge for coordinating the competition.

Vinnies Night Patrol Van and First Eucharist Information Night

Tomorrow at morning assembly, a representative from the St Vincent de Paul Society will join us to receive our donations from the Winter Appeal (which took place last term). Our community raised and donated a large number of items and my thanks to all families and staff for their generosity. The items we raised are sorely needed in these very cold days and weeks. The St Vincent de Paul Society are also bringing their Night Patrol van to the school, and students will have the opportunity to visit and view the van. My thanks to Fron Garrett-Rumba, our acting Religious Education Coordinator, for organising the visit. A reminder as well that next Tuesday evening, at 6pm via Zoom, we are hosting from school an Information Night for parents of students who are making their First Eucharist this year. Fr John Woods will be joining us as well as staff from Holy Trinity, Curtin. Information has been sent home concerning the Information Night. Please contact your child’s teacher if you do not have the Zoom login details.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Gospel Reflection      

Jn 6:1-15

Plenty for all

The feeding of the multitude is a profoundly political statement. Quite simply, there is sufficient food in our world to ensure that no one should ever be hungry. Sadly, the distribution of that food is such that there are some in our world whose bellies are expanding from an excess of food while others’ are distended from the lack of it. We can easily feed the entire world. It is the responsibility of those of us in the developed world with more than we need to bring about a more equitable distribution with those who don’t even have enough to live

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Families of Year 4 students who have made their First Reconciliation are invited to enrol their child for the Sacrament of First Eucharist. There is a parent information night commencing at 5:30pm via Zoom on Tuesday July 27^th. Please enrol your child via QKr by Friday July 23rd.

Below are the key details relating to the Sacrament and instructions for enrolling via Qkr.  If you have any questions, please feel very welcome to contact me via email: fran.garrett@cg.catholic.edu.au

Return of enrolment form, 
fees and host nominations.

5.30pm: A Zoom Information Night 
for Family Group Hosts
6:00pm A Zoom Introductory Night
for all parents of students
making their First Eucharist
https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/
j/68713903668?pwd=MVNjRHNzY0h
CUk40UEpGYWxaaWtLQT09
 Password: 885638

Four family group meetings to be held
before the children’s retreat

Candidate Presentation Mass at 
Holy Trinity

Children’s Retreat Day @ 
Holy Trinity 9:00 am-2:15pm

Sacrament of First Eucharist at
6:00pm Sat, 
9:30am Sunday and 5:30pm Sunday Mass. 

How to enrol for Confirmation via Qkr

• Download or open the Qkr app on your phone or device
• Sign up or Login
• Tap the search icon and type in ‘Transfiguration’
• SelectNorth Woden Transfiguration Parish (you may need to follow the prompts to add a profile)
• Selectparish payments and sacraments
• Select sacraments
• SelectFirst Eucharist
• Complete the enrolment

25/07/2021 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/m4b31d4y.html

 Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

No Payments on Compass Please

It is fantastic to see families quickly making the change to the new Catholic Education app, Compass.  This platform allows parents and carers to access up-to-date and meaningful information about their child and their child’s progress.

A gentle reminder that at this point in time we ask that no family fees or other payments be processed through Compass as it is not set up to talk to our Financial software. This means that we are unable to easily identify who is making payments.  Please continue to make your payments through BPAY or the Qkr! App.

At present Sts Peter and Paul, Garran is utilising the following features:

• Submit absence notes
• Book parent-teacher conferences
• View your child’s academic reporting
• View your child’s attendance records
• Update basic contact information knowing your personal data is secure

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Office or Mr Rutledge if you have any queries relating to Compass.

It has been two years since we last reviewed our Home Learning policy, which can be found on our school website. The policy prioritises Reading every night, and Numeracy consolidation (connected to concepts being taught in class) and project-based work for the upper grades (3-6). The policy was based on data collected that showed 80% of our families were experiencing stress/angst related to traditional homework tasks and relevant research available at the time. 
 
Given that two years have elapsed since we last reviewed the research and surveyed parents regarding the Home Learning approach, we believe it is time to review the most current research and re-survey parents regarding our policy. This will occur this term, with a survey to parents being published at the end of the term.
 
One of the sources that will be used to inform the review will be meta-analysis of research completed by the Evidence for Learning website related to Primary School Homework. It can be found here if you would like to have a read. The broader evidence base suggests that short, focused tasks or activities that relate directly to what is being taught and built upon in school are likely to be more effective than regular daily homework. Consistent with our current approach, evidence suggests the quality of the task set appears to be more important than the quantity of work required from the student.
 
A key theme coming out of the most current research is the ability to consolidate learning that is occurring in class. As such, teachers may trial sending home activities that consolidate key learning from lessons deemed appropriate by classroom teachers to address needs identified in the class, such as, spelling activities. These activities will be short in nature and should be relevant and targeted towards an identified need.

We strongly advocate a nightly reading routine should be an essential practice for all students in K-6. We recognise that the busy nature of many households many get in the way of all Home Learning activities. If this is the case, please prioritise reading.

Sean Rutledge

Assistant Principal

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students celebrating their birthday this week.

Amelia J

Tahlia N

Riyan G

James I

In Term Three, the students of Stage Three (Years 5 & 6) will be performing our biannual school production. This year our school play is called “Star Warts”. Auditions have been held and the students with speaking roles now know which parts they have. 

To aid in keeping costs down, we are seeking your assistance to source props for the play. If you are able to donate any of the following, it would be very much appreciated: Fluffy Dice, Fairy Wings x2, Large Torches x2, Giant Tennis Ball, Small Tennis Balls, Rackets x7, Hand Mirror, Wig (with buns on the side), and Toy Light Sabres.  

If you require your props to be returned at the end of the school production, please label them. If you do not wish for your props to be returned, they will be stored for future productions. Please send in your props as soon as possible, so that we can work out what we will need to purchase or construct. 

If you would like to offer your assistance in creating props and costumes for the play, please let us know. Your assistance is also very much appreciated. Thank you. 

Years 5 and 6 Teachers 

REMINDER!! Book Club- Issue 5 was handed out yesterday. Please note *no cash orders accepted*.

Orders are due by 30/7/21. Remember 20% of sales are given to the school to purchase books for the Library and your support is greatly appreciated. 

Library Lunchtime Club- In Term 3 the Library will be open at Lunchtime (after eating time) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is a quiet space where students can come to read, play lego, do puzzles, draw or quietly chat with friends.

Library Lessons for Term 3 have changed for some classes

Mondays- Lesson and borrowing- Year 5M & 5W. 

Lesson only for 3/4 W.

Tuesdays- Lesson and Borrowing- Year 6M, 6W, 3/4M and 3/4B (Year 3 & 4 students need a Library bag to borrow).

Wednesdays- Borrowing only- Kinder W and Year 3/4W (remember your Library bag)

Lesson and borrowing Kinder M and Year 1M (remember your Library bag)

Thursdays- Lesson andorrowing Year 1W, Year 2M and Year 2W (remember your Library bag)

Dates for your diary! This year our Book Week Celebrations are taking place in Week 8 this term: 

Wednesday 1st September- 

*Book Week Dress Up Parade: Come dressed as your favourite BOOK Character    

*Whole School Shortlisted Book Activities 

*Whole School Prize for reaching our book goal target with the Book Fair in Term 2

Thursday 2nd September-           

*K-2 Performance by Meerkat Productions based on the shortlisted book our Birthday was the BEST! by Maggie Hutchings  

*3-6 Performance by Meerkat Productions based on the shortlisted book Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon

Please contact amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the Library or borrowing.

Keep reading! Mrs Basedow

South/Weston Region Athletics Carnival

A special congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent our school at this carnival: Kiera S, Alice A, Maja G, Zara S, Laura V, Anna S, Lucy D, Ava T, Zoe T, Josie A, Tahlia N, Kira M, Lucy B, Patrice C, Ciara G, Blake G, Milly G, Charlotte M, Imogen C, Abigail H, Charlie G, Louie E, Dushan D, Oliver W, Eli L, Ethan N, Arne C, James B, Noah G, Michael P, Ben S, Marly C, Lucas S, Hamish S, Cameron de J, William A, James O, Reeves M and Ewan D. We wish you all the best if you have chosen to compete in your races in a few weeks.

I would like to take this opportunity to make special mention of the outstanding sportsmanship and selflessness of Abigail H and Kira M. These girls tied for 2^nd place in two separate events with other students at our athletics carnival. Unfortunately we are only able to send two students to represent our school in each event at the regional carnival. Abigail and Kira have kindly offered to not attend the carnival so that the other students can compete. We are so thankful for their generous and kind hearted response to such a difficult situation.

Thank you to all of the families who have already sent their child’s permission note back into school and paid the entry fee of $10 via Qkr. If you would like your child to participate in this carnival and haven’t had an opportunity to complete this information yet, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your assistance with this.

Information in relation to parents/spectators attending the regional carnival will be shared with you when it becomes available to us.

Boorowa Touch/Netball Carnival save the date

The Boorowa Touch/Netball Carnival is being held this year on Friday 15^th October. If you have a child/ren in Years 2-6 who would like to participate in this carnival, please watch out for a note about this coming to you via Compass by the end of the week. Student nominations will need to be back in to school no later than Wednesday 11^th August.

School Sport ACT Calendar

If you ever have any questions about anything related to Sport, please don’t hesitate to get in touch mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au hopefully I’ll be able to help you out!

CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

Families can make contactless payments via Qkr!

Purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child/children in a lunch order via Qkr!

  or 

you can purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child/children to go to the canteen to collect something at lunchtime.

Canteen Roster Week 3, Term 3

Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

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

Thank you.

Are you able to help out in the canteen in TERM 3?

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

Term 3 canteen roster available now

Click on the link below to add your selected time to the roster.

Please ensure you have your WWVP card.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/canteenrosterterm3

THE CANTEEN HAS CHANGED TO WOODEN CUTLERY

Children are encouraged to bring their own cutlery from home.

 Please select on Qkr! If you would like the canteen to provide cutlery in your child/ren’s lunch order.

If not, we will be assuming that they are bringing cutlery from home.

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.au

Special Lunch Day

Wednesday 28 July

WEDNESDAY 28 July the school will be holding its next special lunch day! 

Children will be able to order sushi roll, drink and a treat for $7.00.

Orders available on Qkr! Now

 Download the app on your mobile phone to place your order.

ORDERS CLOSE 9AM THIS FRIDAY 23 JULY!

PLEASE NOTE:

DUE TO NUMBERS THAT NEED TO BE GIVEN TO MR SUSHI, NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Gulten Free & Vegetarian options are available.

No counter sales or other lunch orders will be available on that day.

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.

 You can place an order via Qkr! Order on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and the item/s will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Orders need to be placed before 8.45am.

Please see SZapp for the Winter Uniform price list.

It is usual practice for most schools to offer second-hand clothing at the uniform shop to families at a discounted price. Quality second-hand clothing can only be purchased during uniform hours.  We do understand that this may not be convenient for some families so please feel free to send me an email if you are unable to get to the uniform shop during its hours and I will do my best to attend your needs.

The uniform shop is limited with space, so as a guide, clothes should only be donated if washed and in perfect resalable order.

Please give any used second-hand uniform to Mrs R in the canteen, Thank you.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Food Science, Garden Club and the Curriculum

Our garden is growing well. Our first garden club is scheduled for this Friday (lunch time - weather permitting). The lemon tree is still looking fruitful and our seedlings are handling the winter beautifully. The pergola and new walkway are also coming along.

On the last Thursday of Term 2, we harvested loads of lemons, in preparation for Feast Day. Lemonade was on the menu! Yum…

Year 1 had the pleasure of preparing it. First, we had to zest the lemons, then juice them and finally, make lemon syrup. Once this was ready, sparling water and ice was added and we had lemonade for Feast Day (and of course, 1M taste tested it)!

In the classroom, Years 3 and 4 have started their journey in learning about health and the five food groups by creating wonder walls. We are using the Australian Guidelines to Healthy Eating to guide our journey. There is a poster in each classroom so students can see what foods will help them Go, Glow and Grow. The fruit group is the focus this week – stay tuned for an update next week.

If you would like any information about what we do please email Mrs Birch on Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.

The Garden Club

SUSHI ROLLS

Ingredients

5 Yaki nori sheets (seaweed sheets)

1 tbs rice vinegar (or lemon juice)

2 cups sushi rice or short grain rice

Plus ..... filling suggestion

200 gr can tuna

1/3 lebanese cucumber, cut into thin sticks

1/2 avacado, sliced thinly

Method

Cook rice according to packet instructions, then drain.

Mix vinegar (or lemon juice) through the rice and set aside to cool.

Spread rice over nori sheets leaving 2 centimetres at the end.

Place fillings (tsp tuna, 3-4 cucumber sticks, 2 avacado slices) over the rice.

Roll up sushi, wetting the end so the sheet sticks together.

Enjoy whole or cut into bite size peices and serve with soy sauce.

Other filling suggetions include:

Roast chicken and sun-dried tomatoes

Smoked salmon, cucumber sticks and cream cheese

Crab meat, mayonnaise and chopped herbs

The 2021 Olympics start, officially, on Friday. Although, because of Covid-19 restrictions, events will be run a little differently this time, there are still many events to watch on TV. There are also, of course, many althetes, from many countries, worth watching and supporting.

Talkiing Series

STEVE BIDDULPH, Australia author, activist and psychologist, has written a number of bestselling books on parenting, and boys’ education. 

(1) Raising Boys, Tues. 27 July, 8-9.30pm, https://www.trybooking.com/BRXBS

(2) Raising Girls, Tues. 3 August, 8-9.30pm, https://www.trybooking.com/BRXBW .

On line event. Cost $16 per household.

Did you know Canberran households waste thousands of dollars every year by throwing away food that could have been eaten?

Sign up to the three-week Food Waste Challenge for a step-by-step recipe to reduce food waste in your household.

Plus, the first 1500 ACT residents that complete the challenge, including the final survey, will be eligible for a $30 IKEA voucher.

act.gov.au/foodwaste

School Sport ACT (SSACT)

Please follow this link www.schoolsportact.org.au to access all information related to School Sport ACT. The current primary school sporting calendar can be found on this page. Please ensure that you visit this page regularly as dates sometimes change due to unforeseen circumstances.

SSACT Trials

The process for registering your child for an ACT sport trial can be found below. If you need any assistance registering your child, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will hopefully be able to help you out. If you find that there are any steps missing within this process, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

SSACT Registration Process

School Sport ACT now collects all registration information online – this is to prevent the movement to and fro of a paper note and have all information readily available to officials prior to the trial. As this process incurs a fee for data storage, system maintenance and admin, a small fee payment via credit card will be required.

How to register a Student with School Sport ACT.

1. Go to the School Sport ACT website schoolsportact.org.au
2. Go to Register (top right corner of the homepage) and create an account.
3. After completion, check your registered email to verify your account. (Always check your spam folder in case you didn't immediately receive the verification email).
4. After verifying your account, Log In (top right hand corner of the homepage) using your registered email and password.
5. You’ll be presented with your Parent Dashboard. From there you can start the process of registering a Student into a Trial.
6. Click the green Add Student
7. Complete all of the information required for your Student (e.g. Medical Details, Sport, Playing History, Preferred Position, School etc.) and save the information. (If your child is already in the system, please ensure that your child’s school is up to date in your profile.)
8. Click on the trial information box and then click on the register to trial link.
9. Make the small credit card payment. After payment your Principal/School Approver will receive an email for their approval to trial.

You will be able to see the process has been complete back in My Profile – once your Principal/School Approver has completed the approval process your child’s information will be collated onto a list for the Team Manager and Coach prior to trial.