Dear families,

Tomorrow, June 29, our school community has the joy of celebrating the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. All are warmly invited to share in our Feast Day Mass, celebrated by Fr John at 9:15am in our school hall. 

Saints Peter and Paul are often referred to as two of the great “Pillars of the Church.” Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labours, their sufferings, and their preaching.

Saint Peter, you were uniquely chosen to be a rock foundation of faith 

upon which the Church was established. 

Saint Paul, you went forth to preach this faith far and wide, 

establishing many new communities of faith.

Dear Lord,

We come together as one family.

May we follow in the footsteps of Sts Peter and Paul, seeking each day 

to build community and to share in the message of Jesus.

May we be lovers of learning who treat each other with care and respect.

Sts Peter and Paul, pray for us.

Amen

Parent Conferences and Semester 1 Reports

Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend conferences this week. It has been a busy but rewarding week for the teachers as they shared the enormous amount of learning that occurred throughout the semester. I thank our amazing teachers for their expertise and enthusiasm.

Families will receive Semester 1 Report via Compass this afternoon. All reports, except for Kindergarten, use an A-E reporting scale. Please view the short presentation explaining this scale. A-E Reporting Presentation

If your child is leaving our school in the coming years, I suggest you download and save your child’s report. Most schools require a recent student report for enrolment. Having one handy will reduce your admin time.

Student Enrolment

The official Catholic Schools enrolment period is over; however, it is not too late to apply and secure a place. Please encourage friends and families to complete the enrolment form on our website.

Are you leaving Sts Peter and Paul School? If you are aware of a possible move, please advise Mrs Collis as soon as possible to help with our planning.

Winter Uniform

I look forward to seeing all students looking dapper in the correct school uniform next term. I have noticed children wearing weekend wear like mis-matched hats, colourful socks, and various accessories to school. Some older children need regular reminders that shoulder-length hair must be tied back, and that make-up and nail polish are not permitted at Sts Peter and Paul School. Please ensure your child is abiding by our uniform policy.

Rostrum Final

Congratulations to Anna Scanlan from 6 Maroon on competing in the Rostrum Quarter Final held at Curtin last week. We are so proud of the way she represented Sts Peter and Paul School. Well done, Anna!

School hours Communication

We have an increasing number of students communicating with their families during school hours on devices. This is not permitted. Please remind your children of this rule. All school hours communication must be via the front office. 

Happy Holidays

Term 3 resumes for all students on Tuesday July 18. Monday July 17 is a Pupil Free Day during which staff will be undertaking professional learning in Mathematics content and pedagogy. 

Literacy Visit

Last Wednesday our teachers undertook professional learning with Jessica Colleu Terradas, a literacy expert currently employed at Catholic Education. Supported by Miss Garrett, Jess led the staff’s exploration of student assessment data and highlighted ways our Catalyst approach to reading instruction has furthered student learning. I invite you to read the article below, from Monday's Canberra Times, about Jessica’s expertise and her goals for the readers in our Archdiocese.

Jessica Colleu Terradas says Australian schools should do more to prevent reading failure

By Sarah Lansdown

Jessica Colleu Terradas with Saints Peter and Paul Primary School students Lauren Miller, 11, Tom Hutchins, 10 and Roxie Moore, 10. Picture by Keegan Carroll

Schools should not wait for students to fail to learn to read and should proactively ensure no child leaves primary school without proficient reading skills.

That was the key message Canberra-based researcher Jessica Colleu Terradas took away from travels to the United Kingdom, France and United States as part of her Churchill Fellowship study.

While working as a special education teacher in a Western Australian high school, she was concerned about the numbers of students who had become "instructional casualties" because they hadn't been taught to read in primary school.

"I was witnessing kids coming into high school severely at risk, unable to read. Some of them were three to six years behind in their reading levels and functioning at a year 1 reading level," Miss Colleu Terradas said.

"It's a moral obligation that we hold to do something about those kids that should be leaving primary school able to read, let alone leaving high school able to read, so they can have a successful life."

Miss Colleu Terradas was employed as a literacy coach in South Australia to promote evidence-based reading instruction and support the implementation of the phonics check in 2018.

She has since moved to the ACT where she is now the senior officer of teaching and learning literacy and instructional coach with the Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese.

As part of the Churchill Fellowship, she first visited France where every school has universal screening check that is administered three times between year one and year two and again in year six. The data available for parents within 48 hours and the education department can use it to make strategic decisions.

She then went to United Kingdom where they have seen progress in reading comprehension levels since the introduction of a phonics check in 2012. The UK education department has also provided a list of endorsed, evidence-based phonics programs so educators can be sure they are using quality materials grounded in research.

Miss Colleu Terradas went to schools in Blackpool, a disadvantaged town in Northern England where a group of high schools are participating in an initiative to lift literacy levels.

Her time in the US included visiting the state of Ohio state which passed the right to read law in 2021, also known as the Ohio Dyslexia law.

She also went to schools in Portland, Oregon and North Carolina that have achieved outstanding results through direct instruction, scripted literacy programs

Her final report recommends all Australian states and territories use universal screening as soon as students start school to catch reading difficulties earlier.

It also recommends schools adopt a multi-tiered system of support including small-group and one-on-one tutoring to ensure students catch up before reading gaps become worse. Lastly, it calls for current and preservice teachers to get training in effective reading instruction methods.

"We want to shift from that reactive, wait-to-fail, a deficit model to a more preventive approach where we're more proactive," she said.

Our Mr Johns will be back at the helm next term after a well-deserved break. We are very much looking forward to Cameron’s return from overseas. We have stockpiled our Irish jokes and are excited to hear of his travel adventures. He has been dearly missed.

Thank you for your support of our school community this term. I know you will join me in wishing our dedicated and industrious staff a peaceful and productive stand down period. 

I hope you and your families have a safe and revitalising break too. May the next two weeks be filled with all the good things our crisp Canberra has to offer. 

Best wishes,

Anna Williams

Acting Principal

Sts Peter and Paul Feast Day 2023

Tomorrow, Thursday 29th June, we will be celebrating the Feast Day of Sts Peter and Paul. At 9:15am we will celebrate Mass as a whole school, which you are warmly invited to attend.

Mrs Raccosta is organising a special lunch (at no cost to families), which includes a hot dog, drink and treat. If your child/ren will not have a hot dog, please ensure they have lunch with them.

In the afternoon, the students will be participating in a range of fun, whole school activities.

 Sunday Gospel:  Mt 10:26-33 Sunday in Year A

Do not fear those who can kill the body.

Adapted from reflection by Greg Sunter

‘Do not be afraid’ is one of the most commonly repeated sentences in the Bible. In one form or another, the command to ‘be not afraid’ or ‘fear not’ appears several hundred times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Today’s gospel passage is part of the sending out of the Twelve that occupies all of Chapter 10 in the gospel. It follows a little later in the chapter from last week’s reading in which Jesus called the Twelve and sent them out as Apostles. The remainder of the chapter provides an extended teaching on what it means and what it costs to take the message of Jesus out into the world. Jesus teaches the Twelve that the message they bear will not always be well received and there will be those who will seek to silence the Apostles through violent means. But then the teaching comes to the section of today’s passage and Jesus commands the Twelve, ‘Do not be afraid’.

The message to not be afraid is as much for the original intended audience of the gospel as it was for the apostles. The community for whom this gospel was written were on the verge of being ‘squeezed out’ and forced into secret. The passage reminds them to have courage and to have the courage of their convictions; to shout from the house-tops their message, not whisper it in darkness. It is a reminder of the abundant love of God who cares for them and sees all their efforts to continue to live out the message and ministry of Jesus.

It is equally a message for us, today. We are called to continue the spread of the gospel message; continuing the work of those early Christian communities, the Twelve and Jesus himself.

Blessings for the week ahead, and may you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday break.

Amanda Basedow

Acting Religious Education Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Liam F

Edwin A

and to those students who are celebrating their birthday during the holidays

Ines STM

Chen-an L

Edie H

Czarmaine L

Savannah G

Dushan D

Lilia W

Zara S

Christopher K

Juan MT

Isabella T

Lachlan A

Penny A

Eva SG

Roxie M

Year 6 parents - Join Us for an Evening of Connection and Community!

Dear Year 6 Parents,

I hope this message finds you well and that your journey through the academic year has been fulfilling so far. As we approach the year’s midpoint, it's the perfect time to come together and strengthen the bonds that make our school community thrive.

We are delighted to invite you to a special Year 6 Parent Dinner, an evening dedicated to fostering connections and sharing our experiences as parents of the incredible students at Sts Peter and Paul. This event aims to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where we can get to know one another better, exchange stories, and support each other in this exciting journey of parenthood.

Details of the event are as follows:

Time: 6:30pm

Date: Saturday, 15 July 2023

Venue: Mustang Nepalese Restaurant, Farrer (themustangcanberra.com.au)

We firmly believe that a strong parent community is a cornerstone of a successful school. By fostering a network of support and camaraderie, we can work hand in hand to create a nurturing environment that benefits not only our children but every one of us.

Please mark your calendars and RSVP by 8 July to ensure we can accommodate everyone. Please indicate any dietary restrictions or preferences when confirming your attendance so we can make suitable arrangements for everyone.

To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please contact me at 0419 237 977 or denis_odea@yahoo.com.au. I appreciate your prompt response, as it will assist in finalising the arrangements for the event.

We sincerely hope you can join us for this special occasion and look forward to celebrating the spirit of our wonderful school community. Together, let's create connections that will support and inspire us all.

Regards

Denis and Kim O’Dea (Parents of Claire O’Dea)

0419 237 977

Wow What a huge term it has been! 

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge 

Congratulations to the following students in Years 3-6 who have completed their individual CMRC:

Year 3- Lachie R, Hanshika M, Abhi W

Year 4- Candace N, Laura V, Meshari A

Year 5-  Lucia M

Year 6- Cooper L, Lucy A

Looking for something fun to do in the holidays? The Book Cow in Kingston is starting a kids book club! 

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. 

Thank you for a wonderful Term in the Library!

Happy reading! Mrs Basedow amanda.basedow@catholic.edu.au

Sts Peter and Paul Athletics Ribbons Assembly

Congratulations to all students who received ribbons at our ceremony last Friday. A special congratulations to the following students who were announced as our Age Champions for 2023.

Junior: Audrey I and Matthew R

11 Years: Isabel W and Dushan D

Senior: Anna S and Arne C

Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival Friday 20th October

Thank you to all the parents and carers who have already returned their Boorowa notes. We are hoping to take as many Years 2-6 students as possible as this will be the first Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival in 2 years. If your child is attending and you will be driving them, please consider volunteering as our success at this carnival will depend on volunteers. Thank you to those who have already raised their hand! 

If your child is interested in attending, they can receive a note from 3W. All expression of interest notes will need to be returned by Friday July 21st (Term 3, Week 1) in order to secure a spot. PLEASE DO NOT PAY ON QKR! Payment options will be made available to you via Compass once numbers are finalised. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we transfer to Compass payments. 

Staying Fit and Healthy

Are you looking for ways to keep your children fit and healthy during the holidays? Feel free to use this choice board to assist you!

Have a lovely and active holiday! 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 Garden Club crew wishes everyone a happy and safe break. Stay tuned for more fun next term!

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,

or

Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to purchase (snacks & treats) 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 3?

Click on the link to add your name to the roster!

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.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/Canteen Roster Term 3

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.

 Canteen will not be open for lunch orders tomorrow, Thursday 29 June, due to St Peter & Paul’s Feast Day. 

We are sure the children will enjoy the celebrations of the day.

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 stocked up with second hand uniform, please visit on a Tuesday morning to purchase second hand uniform.

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