Dear Parents and Carers

“The Lenten journey of penance and the journey of the Synod alike have as their goal a transfiguration, both personal and ecclesial. A transformation that, in both cases, has its model in the Transfiguration of Jesus and is achieved by the grace of his paschal mystery.”

• Pope Francis’ Ash Wednesday message

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day which marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. The Pope has released a short but profound message to mark the beginning of this austere season of the Church. The quote above, which is taken from the Pope’s message, highlights the unique qualities of both Lent and the synodal journey that the Church is currently travelling. The Pope affirms that the journey of the synodal process, with all the challenges for the Church that it contains, nonetheless will ultimately lead to what the Pope calls ‘Easter glory’. In this, it travels the same path as Lent. Today, all children K – 6 particpated in an Ash Wednesday liturgy in the school hall. Each student received the symbol of the sign of the Cross, in ash, on his or her forehead. I would like to thank Veronica Hall, our REC, for coordinating our liturgy.

Year 5 Camp

Last week, our Year 6 students attended their camp at the NSW Sports and Recreation site at Borombola, just outside Wagga Wagga. It was an excellent camp and I would like to commend the Year 6 students on their behaviour and their participation in the camp. Next week, our Year 5 students will attend their camp, at Berry. Again, it is run by NSW Sports and Recreation. My thanks to Fron Garrett-Rumba and Josh Gereis for organising the camp. Joining Josh and Fron on the camp are Anna Williams and Sarah Walsh. I am certain our Year 5 students will have a very good time.

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Week 6

In Week 6, over Monday – Wednesday, our teachers from K – 6 will be holding parent/teacher interviews. This is an invaluable opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher for a longer conversation, and discuss their progress and the manner in which the students are settling in. At your child’s interview, you will also receive an Interim Report, which will indicate their work and behaviour habits. Please refer to the Compass message that explains how to book a time for a meeting. My thanks to Anna Williams for coordinatiing our interviews, and all teachers for their support and involvement.

Carpark Pick Up Changes

Commencing in Week 6, there will be some minor changes to the afternoon drive through pick up arrangements. These changes are to ensure the safety of our school community and to assist the flow of traffic.

These changes include:

• Once cars in the line have their child/children, the cars will be moved through in one group.
• The crossing will then open for pedestrians while new cars are being loaded.
• The right lane will only be used for cars that turn right onto Wisdom St (see blue arrow). Large cones will be placed down the centre to assist drivers using the right lane. This will be the biggest change.
• Cars in the car line will have right of way from cars turning left out of the school carpark.

These changes will be trialled until the end of term. If you have any feedback about the new arrangements please email the office. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of the season of Lent. Lent is a special time to prepare ourselves for Easter. During Lent, we take time to think about our lives and with God’s help we are encouraged to make positive changes in our lives, so that each of us can become better people.

Our school community held a prayerful liturgy today, where staff and students received a cross of ash on their foreheads. The ashes are a visible symbol of penance. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass.

The Season of Lent marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Each year we raise student awareness of people around the world who need support and encourage giving to this cause. Your child can take donations to school at any time throughout Lent and place it in the donation box in their class.  

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11, First Sunday of Lent  – Year A

Jesus fasted for forty days and nights

The readings for the First Sunday of Lent act as a kind of overture to the entire season. They enable us to engage in a double confession: a confession of sin and the repentance which follows; and a confession of praise for the mercy of God which is shown us in spite of our sin.

Despite our weaknesses, the situation within which we find ourselves is not hopeless. Somewhere deep within ourselves we know that we are not helpless prisoners of our limitations. God has not deserted us to our guilt. It is in the death and resurrection of Jesus that we see the extent of this divine compassion. God’s gracious gift far exceeds the effects of human transgression.

As we look to Jesus, we see humanity at its best, tempted but not overcome. There will certainly always be human limitations, human weaknesses that will open the door to temptation. But Jesus shows us that we are not thereby doomed. Jesus is a model for our own journey to new life. (Adapted from Diana Bergant CSA)

Sacrament of Reconciliation

A gentle reminder that First Reconciliation enrolments for baptised students in Year 3 (and above) are open via the QKR! App North Woden Transfiguration.

To those families who have enrolled and have selected a family group, your child should have brought home their activity book. Please email me if you have any concerns or if your child has not received their book.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Caomh R

Matthew R

Agnes R

Alexandra B

Jeremy D

Saleh A

Meshari A

Aaliyah B

Poppy M

Alexandra W

A Pandora jewellery item has been handed in at the front office.  If you think this may be yours, please contact the school.

NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between 15 and 27 March 2023.

Education ministers agreed that NAPLAN would move to Term One from 2023. This will mean results will be available to education authorities earlier in the year to inform school and system teaching and learning programs and will assist teachers to better determine support students need for the coming year.

NAPLAN Online is a more engaging assessment that adjusts questions to each student’s achievement level.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development.

All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information.

NAPLAN

Please take note of your child or children’s library days. Kinder- Year 4 must have a Library Bag to borrow books to take home. 

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Every year, tens of thousands of students across the ACT participate in the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge aspires to allow every young person in the ACT to discover the joy reading can bring. 

Sts Peter and Paul Primary is proud to have every child registered in the Challenge again this year! To complete the challenge, students need to read 30 books within the timeframe. The 30 books can be from class reading and individual reading. Fiction or non-fiction, poetry, EBooks (including on SORA), audio books, graphic books, home books and of course library books. As long as the books are age appropriate! Students can read the books themselves, listen to an adult or older sibling read to them, listen to an audio book or read a book online. 

The challenge runs from Tuesday 14th February to Friday 4th August. Winning schools will be invited to the National Library of Australia to receive their School Awards. Students who successfully complete the CMRC will receive an individual award as well. When the challenge has finished I will hand out raffle tickets to those that have participated and prizes are given to each grade level from our book club funds. There will also be class prizes for the classes who have everyone participate!  The Challenge is also grateful for the support of the event sponsor, Paperchain Bookstore-Manuka. 

https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/additional-programs/chief_ministers_reading_challenge

I am going to be in the Library Monday- Thursday. Should you have any questions please email me at amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au

Happy reading! Mrs Basedow

Saints Peter and Paul Swimming Carnival Wednesday 8th March at the Tuggeranong Pool, at the corner of Anketell Street and Athllon Drive in Greenway

We are very excited to have our Swimming Carnival this term for Years 2-6! Yesterday on Compass, parents with children in Years 2-6 received a link to a GoogleForm to nominate your child/children for races or to elect them as a non-swimmer. If your child is a non-swimmer, they will participate in Novelty Events. We ask that you please fill this form out at your earliest convenience.

Race Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/C1TJKVfSa2dTpRca6

Our carnivals would not be possible without our volunteers. We are still needing a few volunteers to help run our Swimming Carnival. If you are interested in volunteering on the day, please email Sarah Walsh (see email below) with an image of the front and back of your valid WWVP card. Thank you in advance! 

How the Day will Run

Please have a look at the information below to give you a general overview of our Swimming Carnival plans. Students who are racing in 100m races will need to make their own way to the pool. Please note, that there will be no 200m races, including the 200m Independent Medley. This is due to School Sports ACT not including 200m races at the South/Weston Regional Swimming Carnival. There will be 200m races, however, at the ACT Championships. If you wish for your child to be considered for the 200m races at ACT Champions, please have your child’s coach time and sign this time, and then bring it into school so that we can enter this for your child. Thank you for your understanding of this.

In the Big Pool:

Novelty Events

If you think your child may qualify for the South/Weston Region Swimming Carnival, please have a look at the information below.

South/Weston Region Swimming Carnival Wednesday 5th April at the Stromlo Leisure Centre, Corner of Uriarra Road and, Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo

All School Sport ACT regional swimming events are being held at the Stromlo Leisure Centre. If you have not been to this venue and would like to familiarise yourself with the space, please use the following link to do so https://www.stromloleisurecentre.com.au/. If your child is selected to represent our school at the regional carnival, they will receive information in relation to this soon after our school carnival. 

School Sport ACT

Please follow this link www.schoolsportact.org.au to access all information related to School Sport ACT. The current primary school sporting calendar can be found on this page. Please ensure that you visit this page regularly as dates sometimes change due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for your understanding of this. 

If you ever have any questions about anything related to Sport, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Luke Gubler (luke.gubler@cg.catholic.edu.au) and Sarah Walsh (sarah.walsh1@cg.catholic.edu.au) and hopefully we will be able to help you out!

THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS FOR ALL LUNCH ORDERS

 Families are required to place ALL lunch orders via Qkr! before 8.45am

 Please purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child in a lunch order.

 Ice creams are the only over-the-counter sales at lunch time in Term 1.

 Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to collect an ice cream at lunchtime.

 Lent Special

 Fish Fingers

Available very Wednesday and Friday during Lent

 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 TERM 1?

If you have any spare time and would like to help in the canteen, PLEASE feel free to contact me through email at lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

or click on the link below to slot a time in.

Term 1 canteen roster

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

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenRosterTerm1

All volunteers must have a WWVP card.

Qkr! TIP

 Is your child sick and not going to school, and you have placed a lunch order on Qkr!?

 You have till 8.45am that morning to cancel the lunch order - instructions on how to cancel lunch orders are below.

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 School Uniform is available via Qkr!
Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45 am. 

The uniform shop is limited with space, so if you wish to donate pre-loved items, PLEASE ONLY DONATE CLOTHES

that are washed and in perfect resalable order.

Thank you

 Please visit the schools website for the Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

LEMON BUTTER

(Another of our Canberra Show winning recipes)

Ingredients

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

100 gr butter

3 lemons

Method

Break eggs into saucepan.

Add sugar, beat with electric mixer until creamy.

Finely grate lemon skin, put aside.

Cut lemons and juice, strain juice into egg mix.

Add butter to egg mix, stir over low heat with whisk.

Stir until mix is thick like honey, add rind.

Pour into containers, seal and label. 

This week we had so much fun in the garden, kitchen and classroom.

We picked tomatoes, made entries for the Canberra Show and looked after our fast growing plants.

The Year 1 and 2’ students made jam and lemon butter as well as biscuits with icing and decorations. Their challenge was to make sheep and fruit biscuits for the Canberra Show. They looked awesome!

In the classroom the children were learning about the fruit group and why it’s important to include the food group in what you eat every day. The children brainstormed as many fruits as they could think of and then found out why it’s so important to have a rainbow of fruit in our diets. This is so we get as many vitamins and minerals as possible. Fun fact: a pomegranate can hold up to 100 seeds! Yum…

At garden club we still had a fabulous garden crew even though we missed our Year 6 leaders. Never-the-less we watered, weeded and harvested tomatoes and heirloom zucchini. They looked very cool and became another entry in the show. Cross fingers that we place.

If you have a question or want more information about garden club, email Mrs Katie Birch katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Until next week….....

The Garden Club