Dear Parents and Carers

“No one learns to hope alone.”

• Pope Francis

This simple but profound quote from Pope Francis makes its point with direct simplicity: that community is essential for us all. In this particular example, the virtue of hope cannot thrive without community and without relationships. These are difficult and trying times, and in such times, hope can be among the first casualties. Our challenge as a community is to find hope and to share it with others. On the days where hope seems to be in a little shorter supply, let us have the courage and vulnerability to lean on each other. Hope is contagious and another person’s hope can sustain us during a period of trial. Community is essential for us all.

Assemblies

Whole school assemblies are ways of building and sustaining community. In this period of lockdown, we are trying to find new ways of connecting and having events, in an online forum. Last Monday we held our first morning assembly, which appeared to work well. This will be repeated again this Monday. This Thursday, and the Thursday after, we are holding an Awards Assembly, and we are working with our Year 6 leaders to lead us in our assembly online. It will be another excellent opportunity for the whole school to connect. I will email a link to the parent body, in the same way that a link to last Friday’s whole school parent meeting was emailed to all parents.

Archbishop’s Message and Catholic Social Justice Statement

The Archbishop has recently written a message about Euthanasia and the attempted passing of a bill through the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Archbishop is presenting a perspective that draws from an understanding that all life is gifted to us from God and that all persons are made in God’s image. The Archbishop’s message is attached to this newsletter. Again, drawing on the understanding that all life is infinitely precious, the Australian Bishops have released their Social Justice Statement. In a paragraph from the online homepage from the statement, it says, “The Social Justice Statement 2021-22 provides theological foundations to ground and inspire efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded. The Statement reflects on creation in and through the Trinity; the sacramentality of all created things; the wonder and beauty available to the contemplative eye; and the need for conversion and change of life.” This pandemic affects the vulnerable in our community the most; in such a time as this, the Statement speaks to our condition in a way that is striking. A link to the document can be found here https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2021/06/24/social-justice-statement-2021-22/

Remote Learning

We are now halfway through the first week of what we are calling our ‘long lockdown’, that is, two weeks or more, of a lockdown. The teachers are working tirelessly to make learning as effective and accessible as possible. I would like to publically acknowledge and thank them for their great labours for the children. Similarly, I know that for parents this new way of learning adds (for many) a layer of stress to what is already a stressful situation. Please be assured that we are readily and easily contactable. If something is not working the way it is intended, please contact me, or your child’s teachers, for assistance. We are also learning as we go and making adjustments accordingly. I am very proud of the whole school community – the school staff, the parents and of course, the children – for the way they have embraced remote learning, and the way they are making it work.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Gospel Reflection 

Mk 7:1-8. 14-15. 21-23

No matter how good the intention, sometimes misguided principles can lead to false action. This is what Jesus chastised the Pharisees about. The traditions that had been established through the Pharisees and the Lawyers were certainly based on the Law as stated in the Torah. However, the practices that had been established to try to help people honour the Torah had effectively replaced the Law. In order to maintain spiritual cleanliness, a tradition of physical cleanliness had emerged – particularly around interaction with Gentiles and around eating. However, the purpose of the tradition had become lost. The need for physical cleanliness had replaced the maintenance of spiritual cleanliness.

In our current climate, where physical cleanliness is very important for our own health, this Gospel provides a timely reminder to remember the importance of our spiritual cleanliness. To be people of integrity, to act in kindness and love for one another and to reach out to the vulnerable in whatever way we can.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

 Sacrament of First Eucharist

Due to the lockdown all Sacrament of First Eucharist dates have been postponed. We will be in touch with families once new dates have been scheduled. Thank you for your patience.

Praying during lockdown

Lockdown provides an excellent opportunity to focus on our prayer lives. The following resources may support you to do so during this time. If you would like any further prayer resources for this time, I would be very happy to help, please email me on fran.garrett@cg.catholic.edu.au

Daily online Mass

https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/

3 minute retreats
A 3 minute scripture reflection with accompanying music and reflection images

https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer/3-minute-retreats-archives/

World Christian Community of Meditation Website

This website provides great videos about the History of Christian Meditation and how to pray in this way.

https://wccm.org/meditate/how-to-meditate/

s a weekly online child-friendly reflection of the coming Sunday’s Gospel.
https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/J3pl3h3m3.html

Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students celebrating their birthday this week.

Ari B

Claire H

Imogen K

Vijai V

Tom H

Principal's Award: Reeves Moore 5W; Ciara Grove 6W

Canteen Awards: Jayden G, 2M; Elijah C, 1W

Learning Support Awards (please note that LS awards are given to any child in the school that the Classroom Support Assistants have noticed doing something wonderful):

Mr Jenkins

Sts Peter and Paul Science Week 2021 

Our Annual Science Day was to be held tomorrow. Unfortunately, due to our current circumstances, we will be postponing our activities to another day for when we come out of Lockdown.  

Despite not having our Science Day, you can still do some Science at home (with Mum and Dad’s permission and supervision).  

The National Science Week Website has some Science activities that you can do at home. They’ve got more do it yourself science to try for National Science Week 2021, including some delicious ones based on our schools theme Food: Different by design. 

• Lava Lamps (effervescence in oil and water) 
• The Stroop Effect (Red, Blue, Green) 
• Popping Candy Cupcakes (for a sciencey morning tea) 
• Marshmallow Constructions (triangles are strong) 
• Rolling Camera Shutter (why spinning things look weird on a phone camera) 
• Periodic Table Biscuits (munch your way through the elements) 
• Bouncy Eggs (what happens when you dissolve an egg's shell?) 
• Chocolate Rocks (Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) 

Other National Science Week contributors have DIY activities to try too - check out these ones from: 

• Street Science 
• Questacon 
• Scitech 
• Scienceworks 

If you get the chance to do some Science activities at home, please send us some photos for the Newsletter. 

Remember, “Not everything that’s cool is Science, but everything in Science is cool.” Phil Plait 

Mr Jenkins
Science Day Coordinator 

South/Weston Region Athletics Carnival New Date

At this stage the new date for the South/Weston Region Athletics Carnival is Wednesday 13^th October (Week 2, Term Four) at Woden Park. We will let you know as soon as we do if this changes.

Boorowa Touch/Netball Carnival Cancelled

Just in case you haven’t already heard the sad news, The Boorowa Touch/Netball Carnival has been cancelled for 2021. Fingers crossed that we can all participate in this carnival next year.

School Sport ACT Calendar

Please find a statement from SSACT below. They will continue to release updated statements to us as soon as any new information is provided to them from the ACT Government.

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!

Calling for pictures of gardens and healthy meals

 from your home…

Welcome to Garden Club with a bit of difference…

This week we are taking garden club into our very own Sts Peter and Paul homes, starting with the Garden Club teachers…

In the teachers’ gardens we have lots of things growing and doing really well - even though we are not at school.

There are new buds forming, leaves starting to grow and fruit getting bigger. I wonder which garden belongs to which teacher…

In our kitchens we have been using our produce from our gardens to create yummy meals such as lemon chicken and pancakes with lemon. Lemons contain Vitamin C, which helps keep our bodies healthy. Chicken is full of protein that helps us build muscle.

Next week the garden club newsletter wants to feature other gardens and kitchen creations, using all the food groups we have been learning about at school, during remote learning.

If you would like to share a picture of what you are caring for in your garden or a healthy meal your family have cooked, send a picture to me at Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Looking forward to seeing your photos…

The Garden Club

ZUCCHINI SOUP (WITH CROUTONS)

Ingredients

2 onions, peeled & sliced

2 celery sticks, washed & chopped

750 gr zucchini, washed and chopped

60 gr butter

1 carrot, peeled & chopped

1 potato, peeled & chopped

3 1/2 cups stock

1/2 cup parsley

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed

Pinch sea salt & pepper

1 loaf thick sliced bread

Method

Heat butter in a large saucepan over moderate heat, add vegetables and stir to coat then cover for 5 minutes.

Add the stock, stir and bring to boil then turn down to simmer for 20 minutes (until vegetables are tender).

Meanwhile preheat oven to 160 degrees and line 2 trays with baking paper.

Combine oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Cut crusts off the bread and cut slices into crouton cubes. Coat the bread in the oil mix and place on the prepared tray in a single layer. Cook for 6-10 minutes, remove from oven and leave to cool.

Remove soup from heat and blend with a stick blender, serve with chopped parsley and croutons.

LET'S GO TO THE ZOO.......... VIRTUALLY!

Follow the link to several virtual zoo experiences

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEJ_enAU899AU899&lei=oNUkYcKyIL3C3LUPuYKX6A0&q=virtual%20zoo%20tour%20australia&ved=2ahUKEwjCgsPlxMnyAhU9IbcAHTnBBd0QsKwBKAB6BAhGEAE&biw=1368&bih=769