Dear Parents and Carers

“So the palms stand for nourishment, and they also stand for quest, They also stand for victory.”

Peter Steel SJ

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and on the Australian Calendar, it marks the beginning of Holy Week. Peter Steel’s quote above is part of a longer meditation on the meaning of palms within the context of the day we celebrate this Sunday. He suggests that the symbolism of palms, as sponsors of life and nourishment, in a harsh geographical environment, are a way to think about Jesus being that for us. Jesus is  a source of nourishment in our lives when circumstances might drain us of our vitality and energies. I wish all of families well as we begin Holy Week this Sunday.

Registration Panel

For two days this week, I am on the Registration Panel for St Thomas More’s, Campbell. All schools are registered every 5 years. The registration process involves a panel of 5 persons, made up of Catholic Education personnel and principals, reviewing the operating procedures of the school, its teaching and learning programs, its pastoral care practices, and the like. Sts Peter and Paul is also due to be registered this year, with a review panel visiting late in Term 3. The experience of being on the panel for Campbell will also serve as excellent preparation for our own panel visit.

Term 3 Start Date

Catholic Education has designated a pupil-free day for all staff on Monday April 24^th (staff will still be attending school and working). On Tuesday, April 25^th, we celebrate ANZAC Day with a public holiday. School resumes for all students in Catholic schools on Wednesday, April 26^th.

Cross Country Carnival

On Friday, we will hold our annual Cross Country Carnival at Eddison Park. It is both a good and a convenient location, and the children always have a great day. Parents are of course very welcome to attend, and we always welcome volunteers to assist for some or all of the carnival. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Luke Gubler or Sarah Walsh, on luke.gubler@cg.catholic.edu.au, or sarah.walsh@cg.catholic.edu.au I would like to thank Luke and Sarah for their excellent work and preparation of the carnival.

Flamenco Workshop

Next week, as part of their Spanish lessons, Grade 5 will take part in a Spanish Flamenco workshop. This promises to be a great deal of fun as well as giving the children a taste of Spanish culture, and of course promoting good physical exercise in the process. My thanks to our wonderful Spanish teacher, Senora de Johnson, for organising the workshop.

Holy Week Liturgies

Next week is Holy Week, culminating in Easter Sunday, on Sunday week. Grades are leading the school in the retelling of the events of Holy Week and deepening our understanding of the events of the week leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection. On Tuesday at 12pm Kindergarten is leading us in the events of Palm Sunday; on Wednesday at 12pm Year 5 are retelling the Last Supper; and on Thursday at 10am Year 6 are retelling the events of Good Friday. Next term, Year 2 will retell the story of the Resurrection, at 12pm on Wednesday, April 26^th. My thanks to all staff and students, and to our REC Veronica Hall, for her coordination of the liturgies. Parents are most welcome to join us.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sacrament of First Reconciliation Retreat 

The Year 3 students and enrolled students from other grades had a wonderful time at their Reconciliation Retreat Day. The day was filled with many God moments. moments of peace, reflection, prayer and joy. A big thank you to parents and the Year 3 teachers for supporting the students on their special day.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation commences this Saturday. We pray for all the students and their families as they embark on this significant moment in their lives.

Project Compassion Fundraiser Non Uniform Day - Monday 3rd April

On Monday 3rd April (Week 10 students are invited to wear non uniform and donate a gold coin. All monies raised will be donated to Project Compassion. Monday will be the final day for donations. A big thank you for supporting Caritas.

Easter Hat Parade - Thursday 6th April

Students are invited to create an Easter Hat and participate in our Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 6th April (Week 10). The parade will take place at the morning assembly. At this assembly, we will also hand out merit awards.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54, PALM SUNDAY -  Year A

The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

As we prepare to enter the sacred time of Holy Week, we look again at the significance of Christ in our lives. Though he was really in the form of God, Jesus came in the form of a slave. We have a saviour who was crushed for our iniquities, nailed to a cross as a convicted felon, and there endured the sense of abandonment. We have a saviour who was finally lifted up and exalted precisely because he emptied himself of his divine privileges. Unlike conquerors who triumph by putting down their opponents, Jesus was raised up because he himself was first willing to be put down. We have a saviour who first offered himself for us and then continues to offer himself to us as an example to follow. As he was willing to empty himself for our sake, so we must to be willing to empty ourselves for the sake of others.

The best way to enter Holy Week with Jesus is in the company of those with whom he has identified himself: the poor and the broken; the humiliated and the marginalised; those who suffer the abuse of others; those who never use rank to force their will. If we are to be saved, we must go where salvation takes place: in our streets and in our homes where violence rages; in the dark corners of life where despair holds sway; wherever the innocent are abused or the needy are neglected; wherever there is misunderstanding or fear or jealousy. We must go wherever Christ empties himself for our sake. 

Dianne Bergant CSA

Awards will be presented on Thursday at morning assembly after the Easter hat parade. There will be no assembly in the afternoon.

Principal's Award: Hamish S, 6W

Canteen Awards: Caomh R, KW; Madison H, KW

Learning Support Awards:

(please note that LS awards are given to any child in the school that the Classroom Support Assistants have noticed doing something wonderful): 

Kade C, 3W; Charlie S, 1M; Leo A, 1M

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Sherif I

Teddy N

Leopold G

Hanshika M

Caitlin M

Zaher H

Kolbe T

Abhi W

A strong contingent of 7 Year six students participated last Friday in the 2023 Canberra Schools Mountain Bike Competition at Stromlo Mountain Bike Park. The children raced in time trials of three riding tracks with the times combined to rank competitors. All did really well and had a great day, with Arne C and Abbie W taking out first place in the boys and girls primary divisions respectively.  Mountain biking is a fun, inclusive sport which encourages children to challenge themselves, support their friends and see scars as badges of honour rather than mistakes to be hidden. Congratulations to all!

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

CONGRATULATIONS to Avanthika J in Year 6 for being the first student to complete the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge! A fantastic effort to not only read 30 books… but also to keep updating her CMCR sheet as she finished reading each book! Well done Avanthika!  

Remember to return your overdue Library books!  

Please have a look around at home to find any overdue Library books so that they can be returned to the Library. We have A LOT of outstanding books!

Students will be able to keep books borrowed in Week 10 over the holidays. Remember students Kinder- Year 4 need a Library Bag to borrow books. 

Happy reading!

Mrs Basedow amanda.basedow@catholic.edu.au

Swimming Carnival Ribbons

A huge congratulations to all the students who received ribbons at our morning assemblies for their superb swimming efforts at our School Swimming Carnival. We are so proud of you all! 

Well done to the following students who were our Age Champions:

Junior: Kiera S and William S

11 Years: Ava G and Kai R

Senior: Stella H and Lucas S

Saints Peter and Paul Cross Country Carnival Friday March 31st at Eddison Park, Woden (Week 9)

We are crossing our fingers that the weather holds out and grounds will be dry enough for us to have our Cross Country Carnival this Friday. If the weather doesn’t agree with us, we will make an announcement on Facebook and Compass to let you know that we will have a regular school day and reschedule our Carnival. Thank you for your understanding.

If all goes according to plan and our Carnival goes ahead, students in Years 2-6 will be leaving school at 9:15am and travelling by foot to Eddison Park. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 will be leaving school at 9.50am. All students will return to school at 11am. (Please note that these are approximate times.) As this is considered a local area excursion, permission notes are not required for children to participate.

Please find information below in relation to the time and approximate distance your child/ren will be running on the day.

All students will need to wear their sports uniform and runners. On the day, children may wear a house colour t-shirt instead of their school sport shirt if they would like. (If you’re not sure what your child’s house colour is, please ask their teacher. The houses and colours they represent are; Red – Cooyal, Yellow – Bangalong, Green – Iraga and Blue – Talara)

Children will need to apply sunscreen before coming to school and bring their hat and drink bottle with them to Eddison Park. If your child/ren would like to make posters and bring mascots to support their house, they are most welcome to. However, we kindly ask that no crepe paper, streamers or glitter be used when creating these.

Holding this carnival enables us to select students to represent our school at the South/Weston Region Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 6th June. Students who are turning 8 and over this year may be considered for representative selection. 

Thank you to the parents who have offered to volunteer on Friday. Our Carnivals wouldn’t be possible without you! You will receive an email from us on Thursday with more information about this day.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic day of running together!

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

South/Weston Region Cross Country Carnival Tuesday 6th June at Stromlo Forest Park, Opperman Avenue, Stromlo.

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.

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!

ANZAC BISCUITS

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup coconut

125 gr butter

2 Tbs golden syrup

2 Tbs water

1 tsp bicarb soda

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees, line two trays with baking paper.

Mix oats, flour, brown sugar and coconut.

Add the bicarb soda and remove from the heat.

Mix the dry ingredients together, then shape the mixture into small balls, place on the prepared tray and press down lightly.

Bike biscuits for 10 minutes or until golden.

Another busy garden club week.

This week we actually saw our plants grow while we were there on Friday. They are doing that well.

We also had a visit from our worm keeper and he tells us that our worm “wee” is ready to use and that our plants will love it. He even gave our garden club crew a demonstration on how to use it on the garden.

The plants were watered, tomatoes harvested and tasted!... a very productive time was had by all.

If you would like to asked a question please do by emailing Mrs Katie Birch katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

 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.

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 2?

New Roster out now!

 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 2 canteen roster

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

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenTerm2

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.

Friday 31 March

 Are you having a lunch order on cross country day?  Well, a set menu has been designed just for you for THAT DAY ONLY!

 Cost $7.50 

Menu comes with a hot food option, a fruit popper, a pkt of chips and a treat.

Orders can be made via Qkr! up to 8.45am morning of the cross country (Friday 31 March)

Please note the above set menu is the only food available for students on that day. 

Canteen will be open for counter sales at lunchtime for frozen items.  Please purchase a daily canteen sales vouchers via Qkr!

Next Wednesday Easter Special!

(5 April)

 Order our special Easter treat for $2.50 containing a fruitless hot cross bun and an Easter egg!

 Available next week on Qkr!

        DON’T MISS OUT!

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. 

Please visit the schools website for the Uniform price list.

Winter School Uniform available on Qkr!

Purchase winter uniform before this term ends. 

The UNIFORM SHOP is not open during the school holidays.

 Students will be wearing winter uniform on their return to school in Term 2.

HOUSE COLOUR T-SHIRTS. 

Cost $10.

Are you having trouble finding a plain t-shirt?

 We sell plain house colour t-shirts ready for the cross country carnival.

 With 100% breathable soft cotton and UPF rated sun protection for year round.

Sizes range from 4-16.  Available on Qkr!

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!

Cool Writings - Student Writing Competition | Write4Fun

The 2023 Schools Poetry & Short Story Competition, 'Cool Writings', is NOW OPEN!! Enter your best 16 line poem OR 500 word (or less) short story to be in the running to WIN th...

www.write4fun.net

Entry IS NOW OPEN for the 2023 Schools Poetry & Short Story 'Cool Writings' Writing Competition! Students all over Australia are invited to enter their 16 line poems OR 500 word short stories, and battle it out for the great cash & prizes on offer.

There is no theme!! Entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and write on ANY TOPIC and in ANY STYLE. Students from ALL GRADES are welcome to enter - Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Entry is FREE and all entries must be in by the EXTENDED closing date of 23 April 2023!
*Please note, entry forms still have original closing date of 26 March 2023 on them. The competition HAS BEEN EXTENDED to 23 APRIL and all entries will be accepted up to this date.

THE BOOK

Poems and short stories entered into the competition may be considered for inclusion in our 2023 Write4fun anthology!* Those selected will have the opportunity to purchase the edition at a discounted rate. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizewinners and Finalists will be featured in the publication and receive a complimentary copy of the book.
*Anthology publication is dependent on interest from competition participants.