“To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control.”

Martha Nussbaum

Dear Parents and Carers

Martha Nussbaum is an American political philosopher. In her adulthood, she converted to Judaism. In recent years, she has written some of the most astute and penetrating reflections on the human condition and the ethical life. The quote above illustrates the need which is inherent in living a morally good life, and which is so hard to do: trusting in things in which we have no control. Agency is an important part of our lives, but it only carries us so far: there are some things we have no control over. The events of the last two years remind us of that. Goodness is an openness to the world and events that we cannot always control. Our own faith tradition teaches us this, in the person of Jesus, and his commitment to love, mercy and compassion.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

In Week 6, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sts Peter and Paul will be holding parent/teacher interviews. These offer an invaluable opportunity for parents and teachers to meet and discuss successes, challenges, work habits and the social behaviours of the children. Tuesday will be our late evening, until 7pm. This term, a variety of interview modes will be used: some teachers will be meeting face-to-face with parents; others will be holding the interviews on Teams. My thanks to all teachers for their support and to our Assistant Principal Anna Williams for coordinating the interviews.

Carpark Procedures and Safety

I am very conscious that as the school grows, we will inevitably have more cars at carline in the afternoon. I am particularly conscious of the traffic being held up on Wisdom Street. To try to alleviate some of the pressure, we are now asking parents who only have children in K – 2 to drive in the right-hand lane, as they approach the school, down the slip road past the Church. Parents who also or only have children in 3 – 6 are asked to continue to stay in the left-hand lane. A teacher (typically, either Fron Garrett–Rumba or myself) will regulate the T-junction, and ensure there is a smooth run of cars and an even use of the lanes. It is already showing signs of alleviating some of the congestion in Wisdom Street. I would like to thank all parents for their patience and support.

Still on the subject on car line, I would ask parents to be mindful of students using the crossing when they are on the school grounds. I am referring to the small crossing that exists at the entrance of the car par that is outside the main entrance of the school. There have been a couple of near misses, when some parents who have turned left into the carpark, to park their cars, have almost collided with students. Please be mindful of their presence. Again, I thank all parents for their support.

First Eucharist Mass

This Sunday at 11.30am a Mass is being held at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin, for Year 5 children who were unable to make their First Eucharist last year. Students from Holy Trinity will also join us for this Mass. It is a fitting celebration of the children’s step in faith and I congratulate them and their families on this occasion. My thanks to Fr John for his support and to Stephanie Burns, for all of her work in coordinating the Mass, in partnership with staff from Holy Trinity. My thanks as well to Fron Garrett-Rumba, acting REC in 2021, and the 3/4 teachers who taught and led the children: Anna Kain, Luke Gubler and Amanda de Jongh.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

This year at Sts Peter and Paul, we are all called to ‘Let Your Light Shine”

Reconciliation 2022

The preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is underway. A very big thank you to the parents who have very generously offered to host a home group. There are still a small number of groups that are without a nominated host. Groups can only proceed if they have a host, so if you are in a group without a host, please consider offering to host the group (this does not have to be in your home, it can even be online!)

For those parents who would like to see the home groups sheet, please click here.

You can also place your child’s name on the online booking sheet to receive the Sacrament here.

First Eucharist (from 2021)

Many children from our Parish are continuing to celebrate their First Eucharist during 9:30 Parish Masses each weekend at Holy Trinity. We would like to congratulate all these children and their families on this important step in their faith journeys.

This weekend, on Sunday the 27^th February there will also be an additional Mass at 11:30am at Holy Trinity to celebrate the First Eucharist of a number of these children. It is wonderful that we are finally able to celebrate this special step of these young people. Please keep these children in your prayers.

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C  Luke 6:39-45

With the Gospel of today we come to the third major section from Jesus’ instruction to his disciples known as the Sermon on the Plain. Where the section set for last week dealt with action towards others, now we seem to have something that is trying to reach deeper: to the wellspring of action found in the human heart. Get the heart – the fundamental attitude – right, Jesus seems to be saying, and all else will follow.

The opening commands not to judge and not to condemn are already bound up with this. They raise the issue of just how difficult it is for people to have the kind of understanding that would really allow them to make judgments of others. The illustrations of one blind person leading another and of attempting to remove the speck in a neighbour’s eye when one has a log in one’s own are, again, as is so often the case with Jesus’ image and illustrations, exaggerated and humorous. It is so hard to know what is in one’s own heart – to recognise the ‘plank’ that may be there, inhibiting right vision and right judgment. Yet, even with such impediment, we are still so confident that we can see and set about rooting out the failings of others. If God, who really does see the heart, acts with such generosity, understanding and compassion, then that – not judgment and condemnation – should surely be the model for human interaction.

 (Reflection by Brendan Byrne)

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Rory M

Agnes R

Alexandra B

Jeremy D

Meshari A

Saleh A

Aaliyah B

Prabhjeet G

Poppy McG

Alexandra W

Lilah J

If anyone has spare empty 4 litre icecream containers can you please send them into 2 White.

They will be used as compost bins.

Thank you

We would like to thank the families that watered our garden over the Christmas break.

Thanks to you we have very happy plants!

Library lessons have changed this year and are once a week for 1 hour. Please take note of your child or children’s library days and send them in with a Library Bag and any books to return. Kinder- Year 4 must have a Library Bag to borrow books to take home. *As I have been away borrowing has not happened for all classes in the last two weeks- borrowing will resume as normal from Week 5. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, the Library will not be open during Lunchtimes. 

Scholastic Book Club

Thank you to everyone who ordered books! This issue has now closed and orders have been processed. Please allow up to 2 weeks for the delivery of books- they will be given to students to bring home. 

Keep reading!

Mrs Basedow

THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

 Families are required to make all canteen payments via Qkr!

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

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.

CANTEEN REMINDERS

Due to current situation, Qkr! orders are available a day at a time (no advance ordering). Orders must be placed by 8.45am each morning.

If a lunch order has been placed, and your child is not at school please cancel the lunch order in your Qkr! activities by 8.45am that day.

Thank you

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

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.

 The Uniform Shop is available via Qkr!

On Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45 am. 
Please visit the school’s website for the Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Last week was another lively one in our kitchen and garden.

Both Years 1 and 2 were able to pick loads of cherry tomatoes as well as help make strawberry jam for the Canberra Show. Fingers crossed that we place!

Last week we were learning about The Fruit Group and why the food from this group is so good for us. It has energy (carbohydrate – they are coming along well in their pronunciation) to make us Go and nutrients to make our bodies Glow with health. In the classroom the children looked at the different fruits in this group more closely and completed some activities.

The children also busied themselves by practicing their kitchen skills: washing hands, sharing, taking turns, chopping and cleaning. They happily chopped up pieces of fruit and then made patterns to design their very own fruit skewers. Just a little bit of maths thrown into our cooking lesson as well. The pictures are great!

In relation to the garden, last week our Year 6 Environment Leaders attended a meeting to find out how they are going to be involved in our schools Kitchen Garden Program. They will attend Garden Club every few weeks, make announcements in assemblies and assist The Garden Club teachers with anything else that needs a helping hand. They are going to be very appreciated.

As always if you have any questions please email Mrs Katie Birch kaherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

Happy Gardening

The Garden Club

 Katie Birch

Teacher

Sts Peter and Paul Primary School

Garran ACT

DATE SQUARES

Ingredients

125 gr butter or margarine, melted

1/4 cup self raising flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup dessicated coconut

1 cup dates, chopped

400 gr nuts, crushed

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease a slice tin.

Beat egg and add to melted butter.

Put all other ingredients in a bowl and pour the butter mixture over the top.

Mix well and press mixture in the prepared pan.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into squares.

Have you been to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands?

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve is one of the ACT's most significant wetland habitats. The reserve is an important sanctuary for local birds as well as bird species migrating from the northern hemisphere and from inland Australia.

It is a 174-hectare protected area, located on the Molonglo River floodplain only 4 km from Canberra's city centre.

Take a stroll to discover the ecology of this precious place and its unique array of wetland and woodland habitats. Discover the delights of watching wildlife from several different bird hides.

Follow the link for more information .....

https://www.jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au/