Dear Parents and Carers

“In Mark 13:33–35, Jesus tells his disciples, “Be awake. Be alert.… You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cock crow, or in the morning.”

Most of us just repeat the same routines every day, and we’re upset if there are any interruptions to our patterns. Yet God is invariably and ironically found in the interruptions, the discontinuities, the exceptions, the surprises—and seldom in the patterns. God has to catch us literally “off guard”!

Richard Rohr OFM, ‘Be Awake’

In a recent article, Franciscan priest Richard Rohr writes about the fact that, as he says above, God is found in the interruptions in our lives. Our own parish priest Monsignor John Woods often says that God comes to us disguised as our life. Often that disguise comes away in the breaks in our routines and expectations. If the practice of our faith is done well – and this includes our work at Sts Peter and Paul – then we gift our students with the eyes and ears needed to recognize God in the interruptions in our lives.

First Eucharist Presentation Mass

On the weekend, over two Masses, students in Year Four who are making their First Eucharist were presented to the parish at Mass. With their families, they made a public commitment to the step in faith they are soon to take. My thanks to our families, and their children, for bravely taking this step, and to our wonderful staff supporting them: our REC Veronica Hall; our Year 4 teachers Nic Marsham, Bridget Pigram, Michele Pratt and Katie Birch; and our parish team Fr John Woods and Catherine Grinsell-Jones. I am very proud of all of our children.

Tournament of Minds

The weekend also saw 3 teams participate in the Tournament of Minds competition, held annually at the ANU. The children, in teams of 7 students, have to solve a problem and present their winning solution, in the form of a dramatic narrative, complete with props and scripts. It is always difficult and multi-layered and calls on all students involved to have wells of patience and persistence. My deep admiration to all students involved: I am very proud of you all. Well done! My thanks to Katie Birch for mentoring and guiding our students so well.

Student Achievement

Still on last weekend, two of our Year 6 students participated in the ACT Cross Country Championships: Hamish and Kuna. Congratulations to both Hamish and Kuna for their wonderful efforts and very fine achievements in representing south Canberra at the championships. An excellent effort from both students.

Registration Panel

Next week, a panel comprised of CE personnel visit our beautiful school over two days, and visit classrooms, talk to members of the community and examine all aspects of the life of the school. This is a normal part of the learning cycle of all schools. Registration panels visit schools once every 5 years. We look forward to welcoming our panel next Wednesday and Thursday, and showcasing the school, the students, the staff and parent and parish community. We have much to be proud of and celebrate.

Fathers’ Day Breakfast

A reminder that this Friday, we are holding a Fathers’ Day breakfast and liturgy at school. Dads will be able to arrive from 7.45 and have a coffee and pastry for breakfast. The breakfast, like the Mothers’ Day breakfast, will be held on the blacktop at the back of the school. Our Year 3 classes are presenting a Fathers’ Day assembly after 9am, to which all parents are invited. My thanks to Paul Jenkins and Sarah Walsh for their work in preparing the assembly. There is also a Fathers’ Day gift stall, which will provide students with the opportunity to buy a present for dad. Gifts are $7 each and are able to be purchased through Qkr!. My thanks to our wonderful mums and dads for their great help in making the morning happen.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

First Eucharist Retreat

All Year 4 students and any student enrolled in the First Eucharist Parish Sacramental Program will be attending a First Eucharist Retreat Day at Holy Trinity Primary School on Friday, 8 September from 9:00am to 2:15pm. A permission and information note has been sent out via Compass. 

Students will need to be dropped off at Holy Trinity Primary School, 18 Theodore St, Curtin between 8:30am and 9am and walk to the school hall. At the conclusion of the day, students and staff will walk back to school, ready for afternoon pickup.

Please complete the online consent form by Friday 1 September. Thank you for your assistance. 

Sacrament of First Eucharist - 16 & 17 September, Holy Trinity Church, Curtin

First Eucharist Presentation Mass

It was lovely seeing many of our families at the First Eucharist Presentation Mass over the weekend. The parish community continues to ‘Walk Together’ with you and your family on your faith journey.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself

Gospel Reflection by Diane Burgant

The gospel does not say that Jesus will gallantly step forward, take suffering upon himself, and thus demonstrate his power. Instead, his fate will be a demonstration of his vulnerability. He will be taken forcibly and will suffer at the hands of others. He will do this willingly, but not as a volunteer. Jesus will be a victim. This picture of Jesus carries implications for discipleship. Whoever follows him must follow him to the cross. If we participate in his success, we must also share in his shame. Disciples have a choice to follow or not to follow, but if they choose in his favour they must be ready for suffering and humiliation.

Paul exhorts us to reject the standards of the world. This is a very difficult path to follow, especially when it seems that those who conform to this age prosper. Following Christ can place barriers between ourselves and others. If we no longer share their values and their interests, we may feel alienated. Suffering is bound to invade our ministerial lives as well. We must remember that Jesus’ message antagonised many people in his day. Those who proclaim the same message in their own contexts must be prepared for a similar reaction.

After witnessing the marvellous feats that Jesus accomplished, we discover that he is going to suffer and be put to death. How can this be? With Peter we protest. With Jeremiah we wonder: Have we been duped? The realisation that we too will have to suffer becomes a crucial test of our faith.

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?

Fathers' Day Breakfast

All fathers, grandfathers and other special carers are invited to attend a breakfast with their children on

 FRIDAY 1^st SEPTEMBER

7:45am - 9am

in the school grounds

 A light breakfast will be provided and a coffee cart will be serving hot beverages

We look forward to seeing you there!

Fathers' Day Stall

Students will be given the opportunity to purchase a special gift for their dads, grandads or other special male carer in their lives!

• The stall will be held on FRIDAY 1^st SEPTEMBER during school hours.

All gifts are $7.00; limit 1-2 gifts/child

 Vouchers will be used to 'buy' a gift on the day- there will be no cash sales on the day

PURCHASE NOW VIA Qkr!

Orders close at 12 noon, Thursday 31 August.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Ralph T

Indie s

Vijai V

Tom H

Sienna G

James K

Michael W

Winter B

Cormac B

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday 7 September at 2.15 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Samara M, 2W; Declan H, 6W

Learning Support Awards:  Cooper L, 6M; Irin R, KM; Sebastian B, KM; Sienna G, 6W; Lucas S, 6W

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

Book Club 

Orders close Friday 9th September. 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. 

Library Lessons

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

Lost and Missing Library Books

Lost and missing Library books are costing our school A LOT of money to replace. Please have a good look around the house (bookshelves, under beds, even in the car) in case you come across some Library books! Better late than never is the best way!! 

On the flip side…could parents and carers please check that ONLY Library books are being returned to the Library- I am getting an increasing number of home books, classroom readers and other items appearing in the returns box… including paper, CDs, band aids and even a toothbrush! 

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 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 assist 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.

SPECIAL LUNCH NEWS

YEAR GROUPS ARE HOSTING SPECIAL LUNCH DAYS AGAIN!

 Mrs R is so excited to be having volunteers back into the canteen that we are having Year Groups host the special lunch days!

 Kindergarten will be hosting our next special lunch day.

If you are a Kinder parent/carer and can help on the day (even for a short while), we would love your assistance!

 No training required.

  Helping in the Canteen that day is a great opportunity to meet parents in your child’s class. No doubt your child will get a buzz from seeing you at the school too! 

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. 

                All winter second hand clothing $2!!!

The Uniform Shop is stocked up with second hand uniforms, 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

NETBALL COORDINATOR NEEDED!

SPP is looking for a new netball coordinator. This is a parent volunteer position that:

- seeks volunteer coaches and managers for each team (years 2 - 6)

- coordinates the nomination and registration of teams for the winter and summer seasons

- distributes and collects netball uniforms and kits

- liaises with SCNA, particularly in the lead up to the winter competition

Preparation for the summer season is a good time for a handover, before the winter 2024 season. Please call me on 0407 614 474 if you would like more information about what's involved.

SUMMER TWILIGHT NETBALL

The SCNA Summer Twilight Competition will run for 9 weeks beginning the week of Monday 16 October (Term 4, Week 2) and end on the week of Monday 11 December (Week 10). All children are welcome and encouraged to play!

Days and times for each year group are: 

Registration for a team will open when the team has at least 7 players, as required by SCNA.

Cost is $90 for those who registered and played in the winter and $164.49 for new registrations. 

Each team also needs a coach to manage the team on game day, and an umpire. Please note that SCNA will not be providing umpires for Years 4, 5 and 6.

Indicate your child's interest and your ability to coach in the Google doc here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mqy0L_nao-AMDIKsK6Ftjekmq20tNPNt/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108623873506021899237&rtpof=true&sd=true. 

Lucy Webb

Netball Coordinator

0407 614 474