Dear Parents and Carers

“When we demand—or “hope for”—satisfaction from one another, when we demand any completion to history on our terms, when we demand that our anxiety or dissatisfaction be taken away, saying as it were, “Why weren’t you this for me? Why didn’t life do that for me?” we are refusing to say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” We are refusing to hold out for the full picture that is always still being given by God.”

Richard Rohr, ‘The Theological Virtue of Hope’

Advent is a season of waiting for Christmas. It is the season where we say more consciously, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. It is the season where we give voice to our hope, in a more explicit and articulate manner. Advent is a season that speaks to our whole lives, and if it is true to say that Advent is the waiting period for Christmas, it is also true to say that Advent is the training ground for the whole of life, in that it teaches us to live in a genuinely hopeful way. As Rohr writes above, we close out the possibility of God moving in our lives, and in some way bringing to fulfilment the strands of our lives, if we transfer our hope onto anyone or anything other than God. Hope requires a certain vulnerability, in the face of all available data, that God is the potter, we are the clay, and that God will draw life out of all possible deathly situations.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week saw the parent teacher interviews take place. These interviews have provided an excellent chance for teachers to discuss students’ learning for 2021 and possible goals and targets for 2022. They have been particularly important as there will be no comments on the school reports for this semester. They also provide an opportunity for teachers to affirm each child’s progress and learning. If you have not yet made a time to meet with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to do so. My thanks to Sean Rutledge for coordinating the interviews and to all teachers for their tireless commitment and hard work.

Reports

Reports will be made available to all parents on Friday, via Compass. Religious Education, Maths, English, Spanish, Music and one other subject (grade year dependent) will receive a grade. There will be no comments on the reports.

Year 6 Graduation

Sts Peter and Paul are preparing to farewell our beautiful Year 6 students for 2021. This Friday, at 12pm, we celebrate with a Graduation Mass in our school Church. On Monday night, our Year 6 students will have their Graduation Dinner, from 6pm. It is good that we have this opportunity to do something relatively straightforward, as a school community, and that we can celebrate with our Year 6s in this way.

Staffing – 2022

The end of the year always sees the staff changes, with some leaving and new staff arriving, and some staff changing roles or grades. We farewell of course Sean Rutledge, our wonderful AP, who is moving to the position of Principal at St Francis of Assisi at Calwell in 2022. We also farewell Anna Kain, who has accepted a temporary transfer to St John Vianney’s at Waramanga, after nearly 10 years of wonderful service to Sts Peter and Paul. We will miss Anna and her compassion and creatively  very much. Marie-Ann Barrett is stepping down, also after many years of excellent service to the school, to 1 day a week and taking on a vital role of Kindergarten Mentor and Support. Gayle Hunt, one of our wonderful Year 5 teachers, is moving to two-days a week, while still staying on class. We farewell Cailin Stanford, who after an excellent year as our School Welfare Officer, is has accepted a position in Child and Youth Family Services. Maryanne Armstrong, our excellent School Coordinator, will no longer fill that executive position, but thankfully will continue 4 days a week as our Learning Support Teacher and Coordinator of our services for students in need. Fron Garrett-Rumba is taking over the School Coordinator position and we will be welcoming Stephanie Burns back as our Religious Education Coordinator. All of our staff, whether they are leaving, altering their roles slightly or changing roles within the school, have done an excellent job and I thank them for their excellent service.

New to our school in 2022 is Anna Williams, our new Assistant Principal; Jessica Gowing, taking on Kindergarten for 2022; Katie McGregor, who will be teaching Year 5 with Gayle Hunt; and Rachel McKerrow, who will be teaching 3/4 with Sarah Walsh and Paul Jenkins. I welcome all of our new staff and I look forward to their contributions to our beautiful school. I would also like to congratulate Sarah Walsh, Melissa Neit and Luke Gubler, all of whom gained permanent positions for 2022 and beyond. Congratulations to Luke, Mel and Sarah. 

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank some key relief staff who have worked with us tirelessly this year: Michael Washington, Alison Hackwill, Anna Cooper and Bernice Stallard, all of whom have worked almost nearly every day this term and been a great support to the school. Thank you all.

A full list of the staff for 2022 is below:

Leadership Team

Principal: Cameron Johns

Assistant Principal: Anna Williams

Religious Education Coordinator: Stephanie Burns

Coordinator: Fron Garrett-Rumba

Classroom and Curriculum Teachers

Kindergarten: Melissa Neit, Jessica Gowing/Stephanie Burns

Kindergarten Mentor and Support: Marie-Ann Barrett

Year 1: Amanda de Jongh/Nic Marsham, Michele Hallis-Pratt/Katie Birch

Year 2: Mary de Smet/Anne Hitchings, Sue Wales/Anne Hitchings

Years 3/4: Paul Jenkins/Michael Washington, Rachel McKerrow, Sarah Walsh

Years 3/4 Robotics Program: Paul Jenkins

Year 5: Fron Garett-Rumba/Michael Washington, Katie McGregor/Gayle Hunt

Year 5 Maths Extensions and Enrichment: Stephanie Burns

Year 6: Sarah Kennelly, Luke Gubler

Year 6 Maths Extension and Enrichment: Stephanie Burns

Learning Support Teacher: Maryanne Armstrong

Performing Arts Teacher: Alissa Pearson

Spanish Teacher: Oriella de Johnson

Teacher Librarian: Amanda Basedow

STEM Teacher: Anna Williams

Kitchen Garden Teacher: Robyn Moore

ICT Coordinator: Paul Jenkins

Sports Coordinator: Mary de Smet

Support Staff

Front Office Manager: Trish Collis

Newsletter/School Promotion Officer: Anne Perkovic

Learning Support Assistants: Anne Perkovic, Tricia Drabsch, Jade Arranz, Maria McMillen, Cathy Shepherd, Mel Harding, Madison Winter

School Welfare Officer: TBA

School Counsellor: Nadia Ho

Youth Minister: Maddie Greenwood

Groundsman: Kerry Marsham

I am very proud of all of our staff. They will all do a wonderful job in providing the best possible environment to enable all of our children to flourish.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Gospel Reflection

Lk 3:10-18

John’s words to the crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers are about adopting a spirit of generosity and a generosity of spirit. A generosity of spirit can be expressed simply in the attitude with which we approach other people: a positive, hope-filled and generous attitude will often turn around a potentially negative situation. As we approach the Christmas season, there is a need for practical actions of generosity as well. Those in need can approach Christmas with dread rather than joyful expectation. It can be the hardest time of year for struggling families. Acts of generosity can make all the difference.

Praying With Children

Sunday 28th November

3rd Sunday in Advent  Year B

http://www.prayingwithchildren.org/9ip0dh478.html

Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students celebrating their birthday this week.

Cameron DeJ

Ana Q

Ollie S

Archie S

Maxim L

Jordan G

Ben S

LOST PROPERTY

There are a lot of items at lost property at the moment!

Please send your child down to have a look.

Anything left at the end of the year will be donated.

 Lost Property clothing rack is situated in front of the canteen. Please ensure all uniforms are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Lunch boxes/containers – We ask that all families check their child’s lunch boxes/containers to ensure they have their first and last name and it is easily identifiable. This allows any lost containers to be returned if they are forgotten at lunch time. Unnamed containers are disposed of.

Christmas cheer and smiles in cooking!

Years 5 and 6 spent Thursday and Friday cooking up a storm in the kitchen and having Christmas fun.

They made cookies in a jar and got to taste test what they made by doing a practice run!

What an awesome gift "Cookies in a Jar" would make!

As always - any questions about connecting our kitchen and garden with the curriculum please email Mrs Katie Birch Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

If anyone has spare empty 4 litre icecream containers can you please send them into Mrs de Smet in Year 2. They will be used as compost bins.

Thank you

Netball

Sts P & P had 5 teams participating in the Winter Netball Competition. The Year 6 All Stars and the Year 5 Pop Stars competed in the Division 2 competition and finished 2^nd and 7^th respectively. Congratulations to both teams. The Year 4 Pop Stars, Year 3 Bright Stars and Year 2 Twinkle Stars participated in the Net Set GO program. The Year 2 Twinkle Stars also participated in the Twilight Competition with continued enthusiasm. The players are to be congratulated for their attitude and resilience during a challenging year.

Thank you to all for supporting your children playing netball this year. A particular thank you to those who coached – Lisa van der Plaat, Andrew Griffin, Tessa Griffin, Ruby Scanlan, Katrina Baldock and Zoe Abrahams; and to the managers Mardi Scanlan, Laura Buitendam and Steph Wawn. We are only able to enter teams with the support and commitment of volunteer coaches and managers.

Although cut short, it was a great season and we look forward to a new season in 2022.

Netball uniforms

Please return clean netball uniforms with the name of your child attached. A tub for collection will be outside Mrs de Smet's Year 2 classroom. All uniforms must be returned before the end of the school year.

Gardening Club

If there are any families that would be available over the holidays to help us tend to our garden we’d love to hear from you. We usually set up a weekly roster that includes picking any ripe fruit and watering (although with the weather being what it is at the minute this may be minimal). Please contact Robyn Moore to let her know if you’re interested  - robyn.moore@cg.catholic.edu.au

THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

Families are required to make all canteen payments via Qkr!

Due to current restrictions and limitations, the Canteen Menu is reduced.

All over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) must be ordered in your child’s lunch order via Qkr! which will be delivered to them at lunch time.

There will be no over-the-counter sales at lunch time at this stage.

We provide a Gluten Free Menu on Qkr! for the children with gluten allergies. 

Gluten items are hard to come by, please do not order these items unless you have a gluten allergy.

If your child does not have any lunch, they will be provided with a vegemite sandwich.

Thank you

 With 4 canteen days left, we are reducing our stock to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break.

Lunch orders will be available until Thursday 16  December. 

If your child orders a product that becomes unavailable we will substitute the item with something to the same value or like.

Canteen is closed Friday last day of term for cleaning and the first Wednesday of Term 1 for set up.  

It will reopen on Thursday 3 February 2022.

 Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

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 Uniform Shop is ONLY available via Qkr!

Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45am. 

Due to current Covid restrictions, the Uniform Shop is not open for counter sales on Tuesday mornings. If you require a fitting, please email me at lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au directly to discuss sizing options.

STARTING SCHOOL IN 2022?

PURCHASE A STARTER PACK ON QKR! NOW

 Step 1: Download the Qkr! app

Step 2: Register - follow the steps

Step 3: Find our school - Sts Peter & Paul Primary School

Step 4: Register your child/ren - select “new enrolments”

Step 5: Purchase a starter pack for pick up at the front office between school hours.

Beat the crazy rush next year and get in now before this year is through to purchase any school uniform needed for 2022! 

UNIFORM SHOP EXTENDED OPENING HOURS FOR 2022

TUESDAY 25 JANUARY 2022

12.30PM – 3.30PM  

School holiday opening hours VIA appointment only

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop

FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 2022

9.00AM – 12PM  

School holiday opening hours VIA appointment only

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop

 TUESDAY 1 FEBURARY 2021 

8.30AM – 10AM

Extended uniform shop hours VIA appointment only

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop

Uniforms can still be purchased via Qkr! and delivered to your child till the end of the year!

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

PEPPERMINT CRISP SLICE

Ingredients

250 g plain sweet biscuits

100 g butter, chopped

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

3 x 35g crispy peppermint chocolate bars, chopped coarsely

200 g milk chocolate, chopped coarsely

2 tsp vegetable oil

Method

Grease and line a 19cm x 29cm slice pan with baking paper.

Process 200g of the biscuits until crushed finely. Chop remaining biscuits coarsely.

Stir butter and milk in a saucepan over low heat until smooth. Combine processed and chopped biscuits with the chopped chocolate bars in a separate medium bowl then stir this into the butter mixture.

Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate, covered for about 20 minutes or until set.

Meanwhile stir chocolate and oil in a medium heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth. Spread over the slice and return to the fridge until firm. Cut into squares to serve. 

The recipes in the newsletter this term are from the Sts P & P 50th Anniversary Cookbook. This recipe was donated by the Newnhams. All recipes are easy to make and are great for lunchboxes or treats at home. Books are $20, payable on Qkr!, and available for pickup at the front office.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas .......... 

The following link lists many houses that have decorated their houses with Christmas lights. 

https://www.mix106.com.au/newsroom/the-best-christmas-lights-in-canberra/