“Our challenge is to notice God’s presence and to attend to the beauty and pain of the people and places of our world..…To develop our relationship with God, with others and with the beautiful world in which we live is about noticing, paying attention and engaging with them in prayer and respect. The Eucharist is central in this because it gathers us together in a way in which we can attend to God’s presence and to one another. It is messy because it is a human event in which we and Christ are present in our bodiliness. Above all the Eucharist draws us into the lives of the people whom Jesus noticed – the blind, the lame, the poor and the imprisoned.”

Andrew Hamilton, S.J.

Last night, I joined our Religious Education Coordinator, Veronica Hall, at Holy Trinity Primary. We gathered there with Fr John Woods, Philippa Brierley (Principal of Holy Trinity) and Emily Capper (REC at Holy Trinity), to stream on Teams an information evening for parents of children in Year 4 who are making their First Eucharist this term. Michele Hallis-Pratt, Nic Marsham and Bridget Pigram, our wonderful Year 4 teachers, also joined us online. Fr John spoke about the centrality and importance of parents, as first teachers of the faith, and also spoke about God “coming into our lives disguised as our life.” Veronica and Emily spoke to the Eucharist program at both schools, and the supporting activities that will help all Year 4 students develop a greater appreciation of the Eucharist. My thanks to Veronica, Bridget, Nic, Michele and Fr John, for their excellent support of our students and families.

The quote above comes from the Melbourne Jesuit priest Andrew Hamilton. It was included in some readings Fr John Woods, our parish priest, emailed a few weeks ago, in a parish newsletter. Andrew Hamilton makes the point that Jesus’ presence, in something so simple and fundamental as bread, also speaks to the way that God is present to us in the messiness of our lives. The good, the beautiful and the true speak to God’s presence – but mysteriously, experiences of failure, doubt, bewilderment and other emotions or experiences we usually classify as negative, also speak to a presence of God, which can seem counterintuitive. The Eucharist is a summons to pay attention to all the parts of our lives.

ThinkUKnow

Also taking place last night, at 6pm in the school library, was a presentation by the federal police called ‘ThinkUKnow’. This is a program for parents, which addresses issues around online safety. My thanks to Anna Williams for coordinating the evening, and to Anna, Paul Jenkins and Katie McGregor, for attending and supporting the evening. This important Microsoft/AFP run session taught us ways we can prevent and manage the very real online safety challenges that our children may face. It was a powerful session. If you missed the session, you can learn more here: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/

NAIDOC Week Mass

Last Friday, Katie McGregor and I accompanied some of our Indigenous students, and their parents, to the annual Archdiocesan NAIDOC Mass. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Archdiocesan schools to celebrate the history, experience and achievements of our students and families. Sts Peter and Paul have particular reason to be proud, as two of our students received awards. Yvaine Moyle’s wonderful skills in art meant that one of her paintings featured on the cover of the Mass booklet – congratulations Evie, a fabulous effort. Ava Goolagong also received an award, for her sports achievement in and out of school. Congratulations, Ava, I am very proud of you. It was a happy moment for the school community. My thanks to Katie McGregor for her coordination and support of our involvement in the Mass.

Finance Training

Over the last two days, I have been attending professional learning run by the Catholic Education Office, concerning changes to way that finances are run in all schools across the Archdiocese. CE has initiated major structural changes to the way that schools now receive funds and manage all financial transactions. Parents received a letter last term detailing these changes, for example, the move away from Qkr! to pay school fees and other transactions. Further changes will be communicated via email and letters. I thank the parent community for their patience, as we learn the new methods and processes.

Working Bee

A reminder that on Sunday August 6^th, from 9am – 11am, we are holding a Working Bee at Sts Peter and Paul. This is a great opportunity for all parents to help build community and beautify the school. Pizzas will be available at the end of the Bee for hardworking mums and dads (and their children). My thanks to Anna Williams and our very hard working Groundsman, Greg Egan, for their coordination and support.

Phizzics Giant Science Show

This Friday, the school is hosting an ‘incursion’ for all grades, with the Giants running their annual science show at Sts Peter and Paul. Similar to Questacon, the show will feature engaging and fun science activities that help explain scientific phenomena, in a way that captures children’s imaginations. My thanks to Anna Williams for organising and coordinating this event.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sts Peter and Paul Primary School

Mini Maths Mornings

Sts Peter & Paul School has been awarded a grant to support our parent engagement program, 'Mini Maths Mornings'. This program aims to promote a shared love of mathematics in our school community. This semester, we will open our doors in support of our families to provide parents with a clearer understanding of and greater appreciation of their child’s mathematics learning. This term we invite our Years 3-6 families to participate. Next term, we will run our sessions for our P-2 families. 

Year 3-6 families, please refer to Compass or this flyer for session dates, times and booking details. https://www.canva.com/design/DAD_e3rbQiM/0DboTy-QyEJXtvRQhoWk_A/view?utm_content=DAD_e3rbQiM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink Be quick: places are limited.

Working Bee August 6

Do you have a couple of hours to spare for our beautiful school community? Please come along to our Spring Working Bee on Sunday August 6, 9:00am - 11:00am, to meet other families and freshen up our school grounds.

Our dedicated Community Council members, Will and Lisa, have volunteered to work alongside our groundskeeper, Mr Greg Egan, to manage the event. So far, Working Bee jobs include pruning, weeding, painting and shovelling mulch in our gorgeous gardens. BYO shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows appreciated.

Please RSVP to anna.williams@cg.catholic.edu.au by Thursday August 3rd for catering purposes. 

Australian Mathematics Competition

72 of our Year 3- 6 students are registered to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) on next Wednesday August 2nd, 2023. There is still time for you to register your Year 3-6 student via the 'Event' in the Compass app. Be quick! Entries close tomorrow, Thursday 27^th July. No late entries can be accepted. 

Anna Williams

Assistant Principal

First Eucharist Parent Information Night

Thank you to the parents and Year 4 teachers for joining the Parent Information Night last night. Your child should bring home their First Eucharist book over the next 2 weeks. Please email me, if you do not receive your book.

First Eucharist Steps:

1. Enrol online via Qkr App! North Woden
2. Select a family group/group session
3. Select a mass to receive the Sacrament
4. Attend the group sessions
5. Attend one of the Presentation Masses
6. Attend Reconciliation at Holy Trinity on a Saturday night.

Feast of the Transfiguration - Friday 4 August 

A gentle reminder to please read and complete the online consent form on Compass for the Feast of the Transfiguration. If you have any questions, please email veronica.hall@cg.catholic.edu.au. Please inform your child’s class teacher if there are any dietary needs by tomorrow (Thursday 27 July).

 Sunday Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

He sells everything he owns and buys the field.

The twin parables of today’s gospel – the treasure in the field and the pearl of great value – reveal a paradoxical truth about the kingdom of Heaven. Throughout the gospels, Jesus presents the kingdom as ‘now but not yet’; as ‘present but future’. This paradox is captured in these twin parables. In both cases, the kingdom is likened to something of great value that is discovered but cannot be immediately grasped. In both parables, the finder must go away and sell everything so that they can eventually come to possess the treasure they have discovered.

By comparing this experience with the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus suggests that most of us can only ever catch glimpses of what it means to live in the kingdom. For most of us, only in the future reality of heaven will we ever fully come to understand the kingdom. However, those glimpses that we catch – those moments of inspiration and connection with God and with one another – are like the treasures of the parables. They are enough to inspire us to do what it takes to make sure that we will one day enter into that kingdom reality.

The third parable of this gospel passage reveals yet another truth about the kingdom. The dragnet thrown into the sea is like the message of Jesus – it is flung far and wide and does not discriminate about where it falls or on whom it falls. This parable rounds out the chapter that began with the parable of the sower and the image of casting the net is a neat parallel to the indiscriminate casting of seed. It is not up to the one who casts the net, the seed or the Word. Rather it is up to each individual to determine how they will respond to receiving the Word. (Greg Sunter).

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator

Commencing on the first Monday of September and running through with some breaks until a little after Easter 2024, we will conduct an RCIA journey.  The RCIA is a journey for those seeking to come into the Church or for those looking to complete their sacramental initiation, having been baptised Catholic or in another Christian tradition.  There is an Inquiry phase when folk share what they value and what has drawn them to the RCIA.  This is followed by the Catechumenate where there is a consideration of life experience in the light of the Scriptures and Church teaching and practice. During Lent there is time of personal renewal in preparation for Reception into the Church at Easter.  This is followed by a time of consideration of how one might live out the faith received in this time and place.  Further, the RCIA journey requires a group of parishioners to journey with those inquiring about our Catholic faith. If you or someone you know is interested or would like to be a part of a diverse RCIA Parish Team of parishioners to accompany the candidates, please contact the Parish Office or Fr John. Please pray for this initiative and consider whether you might be more personally involved.  Perhaps this could be source of renewal for you?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Kade C

Eve R

Kirstyn L

Vanessa B

Massimo M

Tendwai M

Lucy A

Sts Peter & Paul School will be celebrating our ‘Annual Science Day’ on Friday 18th August, 2023.

In class groups, students will participate in a variety of engaging science activities. Keeping with tradition, the Year 6 students will lead the experiments with teacher support and supervision. Students from all grades are invited to dress up as their favourite Scientist for the day. 

The National Science Week theme for this year is ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries.’

Activities include: 

• Rocket Balloons, Twirly Birds, Air Cannons, and Plastic Bag Parachutes.

IMPORTANT: In preparation for Science Day, we need your help, please send in recycled materials for the activities we will be conducting. If you have any of these materials that you were going to throw out anyway, could you please send them to school with your child. 

The list of materials that we will need to make our annual Science Day a success: plastic shopping bags, cardboard cylinders/rolls. 

For ideas and activities to try at home, please see Questacon’s activity page https://www.questacon.edu.au/learn-and-play .

We look forward to an exciting day of Science! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and newsletter for photos and student reflections. 

Science Week Coordinator 

Paul Jenkins 

Library Lessons for Term 3 & 4 have changed! Please remember Library Bags!

Book Club 

Orders close Friday 4th August. It will then take up to two weeks for the books to arrive at school and be handed out. 

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/ 

Our school is St Peter and Pauls when you are in the LOOP app. 

Lunchtimes in the Library

This term the Library will be open during lunchtimes Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (after eating time). It’s great to read, draw, complete a puzzle or play a board game!

Get excited for Book Week in Week 6. Stay tuned for more details soon!

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge 

We have some wonderful readers at Sts Peter and Paul!! A huge congratulations to all students and a massive thank you to the teachers who have supported this initiative. Well done to the following students for completing their individual Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge Record this week! We only have av couple of weeks left.

Year 3- Alexis V

Year 4, Chiara C, David LV, Jay A, Massimo M, Meshari A, Poppy M

Year 5- Elodie TT, Lucia M, Ariella J, Roxie M, Grace R, Angad S

Year 6- Anna S, Edwin A

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

Keep reading!

Mrs Basedow

South/Weston Region Athletics Carnival Thursday 17th August at Woden Park Athletic, Ainsworth St, Phillip ACT 2606.

If your child has qualified for the South/Weston Region Athletics Carnival, they would have come home yesterday with an information note. This note says the 16th , which was a mistype. This event will be held on the 17th of August; my apologies for any confusion!  A permission note will came home via Compass yesterday, where you are also provided the opportunity to pay.

As I was arranging our athletic qualifiers, I discovered that students who are racing in the 8 and 9 year old category are only allowed to participate in the 70m and 100m races. So if your child was awarded any ribbons for a 10&Under event for our school’s Athletics Carnival and they are an 8 or 9 year old, unfortunately they are not eligible to progress further. Thank you so much for your understanding as the rules of sport are ever changing.

Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival Friday 20th October

Thank you to all the parents and carers for returning their child’s note to attend the Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival. 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! We still need quite a few volunteers (particularly referees), so if you are driving your child to this event please consider volunteering.

I am currently in the process of organising the teams for this event. Once this is arranged, a coach/manager will be assigned to each team alongside a team list. 

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 children from Years 3 and 4 had a great time in the kitchen learning about NAIDOC week and how Indigenous food can be used in food and recipes.

Wattle seed and rosemary were taste-tested and then used on damper once the ingredients had been combined, kneaded, and baked in the oven. All children took home a sample to share after they had learned about food safety and washing hands. We hope you enjoyed it. The teachers enjoyed it as well. If anyone is inspired to try it themselves and would like the recipe, please email me.

Our garden club crew did an awesome job, they weeded and watered the garden (at the same time!). The garden was thirsty and the students were amazing, not to mention multi skilled.

For more information or if you have a question, please email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

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?

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/CanteenTerm3

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

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