Dear Parents and Carers

Confirmation

Last night, we held an Information Meeting for all parents of students in Year 6 who are making their Confirmation this year. The meeting was streamed via Teams and run from Holy Trinity at Curtin, which is part of our parish. Students from both schools will be making their Confirmation this year. My thanks to the RECs from Sts Peter and Paul and Holy Trinity – Stephanie Burns and Emily Capper, respectively – and to the Parish Secretary, Ms Catherine Grinsell-Jones and of course Monsignor John Woods, for their great support of the children, as they undertake this very important step in faith.

NAPLAN

Next week, students in Years 3 & 5 will undertake the annual NAPLAN tests, apart from those who have an exemption. The students will sit the tests over a number of days, with Week 4 being an opportunity for catching up if a student is away on the day of the test. All tests, except for the writing component, are completed via an online platform. My thanks to the Years 3 & 5 teachers for their support, and particularly Paul Jenkins, our IT Coordinator, for his excellent help in ensuring the assessments run smoothly.

Enrolment Period

All Catholic schools are currently in an enrolment period. Yesterday we held an Open Day for prospective parents, and next week are holding a further Open Day on Monday 9 May, with a final Open Day the following week on Wednesday 18 May. All times for the open days are 9.30 – 11.00. We also have an Information Night next Monday at 6pm in the school hall.

Mothers’ Day

With some COVID restrictions still in place for schools, this year we are again celebrating Mothers’ Day with a Donut drive through in car line on Friday morning from 8.30 am. It is a ‘thank you’ for the wonderful presence and unique gifts that mothers bring into the lives of their children. I would like to wish all our mums a wonderful Mothers’ Day. I hope Sunday is a very blessed and affirming day for you.

ThinkUKnow

A reminder that next Wednesday, the school is hosting a ‘ThinkUKnow’ session for any interested parents. ‘ThinkUKnow’ is run by the AFP and is designed to raise awareness, amongst parents, of the online safety issues. They frequently visit schools and present what is a very important and informative evening. I encourage all parents to attend, particularly, but not only, parents of our older students. The evening begins at 6pm.

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”

Confirmation – Year 6

Thank you to all parents who attended the Parent Information Night last night. Please read below for more information on the Sacrament.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in our Parish this Term. Children who have already celebrated their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist and are in Year 6 or above may be enrolled.

To enrol your child, please

1. Download the Qkr! App
2. Search for ‘Woden North Transfiguration Parish’
3. Click on ‘Parish Payments and Sacraments’
4. At the top, Click on ‘Sacrament’
5. Then select ‘Confirmation’
6. Fill out the Enrolment form and pay the $40 (This helps to defray the cost of a workbook, commemorative certificate, medal and administrative costs. If you have difficulty meeting the offering, please contact the parish office for a confidential discussion.)

The Enrolment Form asks for your child’s confirmation name and sponsor.  If your child has not yet decided on a confirmation name or sponsor, you should still return the form ASAP and provide this information when it becomes available.  (A confirmation name is the name of a saint who inspires the candidate to follow Jesus.)  The sponsor assists the candidate to grow in their Catholic faith.  The sponsor must be a confirmed Catholic normally not less than 16 years of age, living a life of faith consistent with that role, having a good relationship with the candidate and being neither parent nor sibling of the candidate as they are sponsoring on behalf of the wider family of faith. 

Preparation for this Sacrament will be done through a Family-Based Program

The Parish Family-Based program affirms the direct participation of parents in their child’s faith journey with the prayerful support of the Parish community.  The program compliments but does not replace the religious instruction given at Catholic schools or through a School of Religion. Parents have found the program to be a graced time with their child and that in turn has made the celebration of the sacrament all the more meaningful.

Home Groups and Host Nominations:

All hosts must have, or have applied for, a Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card.  There is no cost involved in applying for a WWVP card for volunteers.

You can nominate yourself as a host at the following link, and you can also use this link to place your child into a Home Group.

Please note, homegroups will only go ahead if they have a  hosts, so ensure your group has a nominated host. Thank you.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i8-3PGSXoMyacLuK5KGt9ITdj015z-g9WhX5eY4xV_g/edit?usp=sharing

The Sacrament of Confirmation:

The Sacrament will be celebrated in the Parish of the Transfiguration, North Woden, on Tuesday 21 June 2022 at 6pm and Wednesday 22 June at 6pm. 

What does the program involve?

The program includes:

• Four Family Group Meetings for parents and children.
• Presentation Mass. Each family must attend either of the Saturday 4 June 6pm, Sunday 5 June 9.30am or 5:30pm Mass, at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin.
• Parent and Child Stole Night, June 9th in the Holy Trinity School Hall, 18-20 Theodore Street, Curtin.
• Pending COVID-19 restrictions, a children’s Retreat Day and practice, Friday 17 June, 9.15am-2.15pm, in the Holy Trinity School Hall.

If you would like your child to celebrate Confirmation this year, you must complete enrolment and payment to the Parish Office ASAP. Enquiries can be made to the Parish Office (9am – 3.30pm Mon, Wed and Fri, 6281 3999, or email to wodennorth@cg.org.au)

MacKillop House & CatholicCare Call for Assistance

CatholicCare are seeking financial assistance with their Canberra based ministry, MacKillop House. Mackillop House in Lyneham nightly accommodates some 20-22 women of all ages, as well as many mothers and their children in need. The ACT government has agreed to provide some funding towards the upgrading of the bedrooms and common lounge areas at MacKillop house, however more funding is needed to complete the project.

To read more about the lifechanging work that CatholicCare do through MacKillop House, click here

If you are in a position to make a small donation to CatholicCare and MacKillop House, please go to Qkr! - school payments section and follow the links to ‘MacKillop House & CatholicCare’

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C

Shepherds in the first century did not have a particularly good reputation. Whilst the task itself was a responsible one, it was usually undertaken by hired help – usually young men or even boys. Being hired help, they had little allegiance to the flock and were generally regarded as basically untrustworthy and often accused of illicitly selling off the sheep’s milk and even the occasional lamb. They lived for months at a time out in the hills with the sheep; often risking their lives in defence of their flock, yet still regarded with suspicion. Shepherds were held in such low regard that they could not appear in court as a witness. Yet, despite this grim picture of shepherds, Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. With that one word, he acknowledged the reputation of shepherds but utterly dismissed it by describing himself as a shepherd – but a good shepherd. He chose to describe himself as the worst of all occupations but raised the status to unimpeachable heights.

In describing himself as the good shepherd, Jesus joined a distinguished list of biblical shepherds: Abraham, his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob were all shepherds; Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when God appeared to him in the burning bush and revealed God’s name; and the great King, David, began life as a humble shepherd-boy. So, despite the poor reputation of shepherds in Jewish society, some of the greatest leaders of the Jews began life as shepherds.

Today’s gospel passage follows the famous ‘good shepherd’ passage in the gospel of John and continues on the image. The passage portrays Jesus as ‘claiming’ his flock; guaranteeing them not only safety but also eternal life. This oath of loyalty and commitment is all the stronger and more remarkable in light of Jesus’ rehabilitation of the status of shepherds.

(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

Charlie W

Kenzo J J

Ivy K

Leah P

Annika T

William R

Abigail J

Amelia Q

2 WEEKS UNTIL OUR SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR BEGINS!

• Our book fair is on before (8:15am-9:00am) and after school (3:15-5:00pm) Tuesday 17th May, Wednesday 18th May and Thursday 19th May (Week 4).
• Eftpos and cash facilities will be available. Students will be viewing the books and items available in Week 3 and will bring home a ‘wish list’ (please note- you do not have to purchase all or any of the items on the list). 
• This is our major fundraiser for our school Library and we would love as many children as possible to participate!

Library Lessons

Mondays-  Year 3/4B, 3/4M and 3/4W (Year 3 & 4 students need a Library bag to borrow). On weeks with public holidays students are welcome to come and borrow books on Tuesdays.

Tuesdays- Year 2W, Year 2M, KM & KW (remember your Library bag)

Wednesdays- Year 5M, Year 6M, Year 1W  (remember your Library bag) and Year 6W

Thursdays- Year 5W & Year 1M (remember your Library bag)

National Simultaneous Storytime is happening on Wednesday 25th May at 11am and all students will participate in the Hall. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

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

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 VOLUNTEER ROSTER

Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated

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

 Are you able to help out in the canteen in TERM2?

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 2 canteen roster available now

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

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/canteenrosterterm2.

All volunteers must have a WWVP card and show proof of vaccination.

 Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.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 Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

There are a lot of jumpers and other items in lost property.

 If you have lost something, please come by and have a look.  

This is your last opportunity as any items still left there by the end of the week will be donated to the uniform shop.

Remember to STOP for our supervisor

A school crossing supervisor is supporting our school each morning and afternoon to increase safety for children. Please support this initiative by driving safely near the school and encouraging children to use the supervised crossing.

Our crossing supervisor is responsible for controlling a busy environment, which includes managing the flow of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists during peak times. It is important for motorists to drive at a speed which allows them to safely stop when the supervisor enters the road. Please be patient and allow the crossing supervisor and other pedestrians to safely clear the road prior to proceeding.

The school community is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the basic crossing supervisor procedures:  

• The supervisor will ask pedestrians to wait in a safe location by the side of the road
• When it is safe, the supervisor will stop traffic
• The supervisor will blow their whistle twice to indicate it is safe to cross.

The School Crossing Supervisor program is delivered by Transport Canberra and City Services’ (TCCS) School Safety Program. If you have any feedback about the program, please contact TCCS.  

Please be patient, polite and respectful to our supervisor, they are committed to keeping our students safe.