“There is an ancient belief, repeated in many religions and folklores, that to learn someone’s name is a way of getting power over them, or of gaining access to their power. We are familiar with a contemporary, internet equivalent: identity theft. In today’s extraordinary encounter with Moses in the Book of Exodus, God refuses to be tied down: ‘I am who I am.’”

Mark McKenna, Bishop of Bathurst

In the reflection above, which is based on last weekend’s Mass readings, Mark McKenna offers a reflection concerned with Moses’ encounter with God in the form of a burning bush. Moses experienced this encounter as a complete disruption to his daily expectations and his daily life. He experienced it as a call to be in a relationship with God and a call to serve. Our own encounters with God are similar: we experience them often in a way that is unexpected. They disrupt the status quo. Often they cannot be fully named: ‘I am who I am’. We know these moments are authentic when they lead to a larger vision of life and a more expansive and generous way of living and of seeing the world around us. In this season of Lent, let us take the time to live the unnameable.

First Reconciliation Presentation Mass

Last weekend, students in Year 3 who are making their First Reconciliation attended one of the Presentation Masses at the Parish of the Transfiguration, Curtin. The masses were a celebration of the step of faith that all sacraments entail. They were also celebrations of the fact that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, namely, our Parish, and through it, the wider Church. My thanks to our 3/4 teachers and our Religious Education Coordinator, Steph Burns, for coordinating our involvement in the Masses. This Friday, all of our Year 3 students will take part in the Reconciliation Retreat Day, which will be run by Steph, our teachers – Paul Jenkins, Sarah Walsh and Josh Gereis - and Maddie Greenwood, our Youth Ministry Coordinator.

NAPLAN Practice Day

On Thursday of next week, March 31^st, we are holding a NAPLAN practice day for all students in Years 3 and 5. This year, NAPLAN will be largely held online (with writing being the exception). NAPLAN itself will be in early Term 2.

School Photos

On Monday of Week 10, we are having our annual school photos. I am aware that we have had significant numbers of students away lately, due to health reasons and family needs around isolation. Given that there is a good chance that the photo day may well see similar numbers of students away, the school is currently investigating the possibility of having a second, make-up day for any students who may not be present on the Monday of the school photos. Parents will be kept updated on any further dates.

COVID Procedures Update

For the remainder of the term, the procedures we have in the school (for example, the wearing of masks, the grade cohorting of the students, etc.) will continue. I am hopeful that these restrictions may ease next term, as they have in other areas of life in Canberra. On the other hand, we are all aware too of the daily infection count across Canberra, and the impact the virus is having on many schools. It is difficult to say, at this stage, what Term 2 might look like. All principals have a weekly meeting with CE around COVID and its attendant issues and I will communicate with the parent body as soon as possible any changes that may be in place for next term.

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”

Harmony Week 2022

As you would be aware, this week is Harmony Week. To celebrate we invite all children to wear free choice clothing this Friday, 25th March. If possible, students are encouraged to find something orange to wear, to highlight the message of Harmony Day. On the day, we also encourage the children to bring in a gold coin donation for their classroom’s Project Compassion box or donate on Qkr! - under the School Payments section.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 2022 & Presentation Masses

This Saturday marks the beginning of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our Candidates. Congratulations to the students and their families at this special time.

Thank you to all the families who attended the Parish Mass last weekend, it was lovely to see our Reconciliation candidates and their parents, I know the parishioners were very happy to see so many happy, smiling faces.

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

You can also double-check your child’s name on the online booking sheet to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation here.

REMINDER: Parents of candidates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation must forward a copy of their child’s Baptism certificate to the Parish Office if their child was Baptised outside of Transfiguration Parish.

Reconciliation Retreat Day

On Friday 25th March 2022, Year 3 students and all candidates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be participating in a Retreat Day as the final step in their journey of preparation for this important Sacrament. On the day, students will then engage in different activities that touch on aspects of the Sacrament and the themes of prayer, faith and forgiveness. Students will be in the school hall from 9:00am-12:00pm, with the same breaks as usual.
Students will be wearing free dress in honour of Harmony Day, and are to bring their hat, drink bottle and lunch as they normally would.
I have heard from a number of parents who are concerned that due to COVID restrictions, their child will be isolating and unable to participate in the Retreat Day. Please do not worry.  I will be creating a series of Google Slides that I will share with families closer to the day, that will run through the content covered on the retreat day should you need to access that for your child. Please, rest assured that all children will be able to receive the Sacrament, even if they are unable to attend the Retreat Day.

Project Compassion 2022

Now that Lent has begun for this year, we are turning our focus to the Caritas Project Compassion fundraiser for 2022. The Theme this year is “For all Future Generations”. Our support of Caritas Australia this Lenten season will help support vulnerable people around the world, now and For All Future Generations. Each class has been given a Project Compassion box that will allow students to donate money to Caritas over the Season of Lent. We encourage you to discuss this with your child and consider allowing your child to make a donation to the box that is on their classroom prayer table or through the Qkr! App.

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C . Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Today’s Gospel is perhaps the most famous of the parables that are unique to the Gospel of Luke. Sadly, what is often overlooked is the accusation aimed at Jesus that leads into the telling of this and two other shorter parables (the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin – Lk 15:4-10). The Pharisees and scribes accuse Jesus of what they regard to be abhorrent behaviour in relation to the purity code that dominated 1st Century life: not only does Jesus welcome sinners, he actually shares meals with them. This would be absolutely scandalous behaviour. Who you ate with was a reflection of who you were. To eat with sinners and the unclean effectively made you a sinner and unclean.

The three parables Jesus tells in response to this accusation are all about the lost being found and great rejoicing over the finding of the lost sheep, lost coin, or lost son. The Gospel of Luke – more so than any of the others – has a very strong focus on the message of Jesus being addressed to and welcomed by the outcasts and marginalised; in other words, the ‘lost’ of His society. Rather than being embarrassed by the accusation that He ate with sinners, Jesus would have worn those words like a badge of honour. It was exactly what His mission and ministry was all about – being one with the poor; the outcast; the sinful; the lost. The three parables, and particularly the parable of the lost son, demonstrate the joy of a loving God when one who was lost returns. The extravagant welcome the prodigal son receives from his father is symbolic of the extravagance of God’s love that will be poured out for any ‘sinner’ who returns to God.

 (Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Joel J

Jessica G

Amelia M

Isabella M

Ryan ND

Abigail H

Charlotte R

Harry R

Oliver B

Devanshi S

Sherif I

This week is Harmony Week. Below is some activities aound that theme.

We love celebrating the wonderful work of our students. Year 5 have produced some amazing Illusional Art.

All orders are placed online via the LOOP app- please note we do not accept cash or orders at school as all orders are placed online. Click here to access an online version: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/     

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, then check out this event being hosted at the bookshop- The Book Cow. RSVP either on their website or via their Facebook page! 

Happy reading!

Mrs Basedow amanda.basedow@catholic.edu.au

Kinder and Year 2 hit the kitchen last week and cooked up a storm.

Kinder are spending a few weeks learning about the kitchen and how to behave. They also made a sandwich last week. They followed directions, used a knife to spread butter and learnt about the Grains Group.

Year 2 are continuing their journey, practicing their cooking skills and learning about healthy eating. They made pastry sticks using our prize winning jam from the Canberra Show. For more photos of the Kinder and Year 2’s cooking – go to our Facebook page.

This week in garden club we watered our newly planted carrots and admired our new pet birds devouring the seeds from the trees.

If you would like any information about The Kitchen Garden Program please email Mrs Katie Birch at Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.

The Garden Club

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.

Lent Special - Fish n Chips

Available very Wednesday and Friday during Lent

 Qkr! lunch orders are now available for advance ordering, however, if a lunch order has been placed in advance 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 schools website for the Winter Uniform price list.

Winter is almost here! Get in early and beat the rush. 

Winter School Uniform now available on Qkr!

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

MUESLI SLICE

Ingredients

2 cups natural untoasted muesli

1 cup self raising flour

1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped

1/2 cup sultanas

3/4 cup brown sugar

180 gr butter

1/4 cup honey

2 eggs , lightly beaten

100 gr milk chocolate (optional)

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease and line a 3cm deep lamington pan.

Combine muesli, flour, dried fruit and sugar in a bowl.

Melt butter and honey in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted.

Cool for 5 minutes then add butter and eggs to the mixture. Stir until combined.

Spread mixture into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan.

Meanwhile place chocolate if using, into a small heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stir with a wooden spoon until melted.

Spoon chocolate into a small snap lock bag, snip corner off the bag and drizzle chocolate over slice. Allow to set before cutting into squares.

Not long left to see the immersive Van Gogh exhibition. It's at the Parkes Place Lawns in the Parliamentry Triangle and must close on April 10.

Surround yourself with amazing art.

https://vangoghalive.com.au/