Dear Parents and Carers

Registration

Today and tomorrow, Sts Peter and Paul is undergoing its 5-year registration exercise. This involves a number of system personnel (including a visiting principal and CE office staff) visiting our school for two days and providing feedback in all areas of school life. Teaching and Learning, as well as the Catholicity of the school are the main priorities; but all other factors are taken into account, as well as classroom pedagogies and class programs. Members of the panel will seek to engage in conversation with parents in the Community Council Wednesday afternoon. Panel members also speak with staff, students and the Leadership Team. The registration visit is a valuable opportunity to celebrate the successes of Sts Peter and Paul, and to collaborate with us in tackling our new challenges.

NAPLAN Results

All A.C.T. parents of students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 should have received their child’s NAPLAN results. Sts Peter and Paul Grades 3 & 5 cohorts did very well, with Grade 3 exceeding national, state and Canberra Catholic school averages in all 5 domains (Reading, Writing, Grammar and Punctuation, Spelling and Maths), and Year 5 exceeding all national, state and Canberra Catholic school averages in 3 domains (Reading, Writing and Spelling), and reaching state and national averages in Grammar and Punctuation. In Year 5 Maths, we were slightly below. A screen shot of the data below is an example of Year 5 achievement in reading:

Parents will notice that our students were 40 points above the National average, and 28 points above the A.C.T. average.

Our Year 3 students scored similar results in reading:

Again, parents will note that our students scored 37 points above the national average, and 19.5 above the A.C.T. average.

NAPLAN is one test on one day and it is important to see it in context of other assessments that the school undertakes. Schools are much richer educationally, socially, emotionally and spiritually than a NAPLAN test can measure, and such tests must be seen in that context. It is also important to recognize and celebrate student achievement and validate such efforts. Please see your child’s teacher, or me, if you have any questions.

Netball Success

Last weekend, a team of Year 6 students from our school who play in a team called ‘The Gang-Gang Gang’ achieved great success and are in the semi-finals for the South Canberra Netball Association. Well done to the girls – great teamwork and a wonderful effort. We wish you the best for the finals!

Father’s Day Breakfast

Last Friday, we held a Father’s Day breakfast for all of our fathers. Dads were treated to an array of pastries and other special treats, a coffee van, the school choir and a wonderful assembly from Year 3. Children were also given an opportunity to buy a present for their father at a stall, again organised by our wonderful parent organisers. My thanks to Tara Kuleas, Jordan De Smet, Erin and Will Frost, Tegan and Nick Ingold, Lisa Dogan, Dimity Walsh, Natasha Fenton, Claire Briant, Mary Roumanos and Katherine and Alistair Jones; and to Lisa Gill, Paul Jenkins and Sarah Walsh, for their great work with the choir and the Year 3 assembly.

Silver Jubilee – St. Mary Mackillop College

This Friday, I am attending the St. Mary MacKillop College Mass. It will be an important occasion that honours the work of the College and the work of the woman in whose name the College stands. Two Year 6 students, Stella and Charlie, will attend the Mass with me.

Farewell Mrs. Williams

Also, on Friday we farewell Mrs. Williams, our very talented and clever Assistant Principal, as she takes up her new secondment for ACARA. Anna will be writing assessment pieces, in the curriculum area of Mathematics, for students in K – 6. This is a task to which Anna will apply her considerable skills, with great aplomb. We will miss Anna and I wish all the best in her new adventures.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

The Australian Maths Competition

Yesterday 86 certificates were proudly distributed to our Yr 3-6 students who competed in The Australian Maths Competition earlier this term. 

I must confess, these are not the official AMT certificates (due to arrive in the coming weeks). I was just so excited to celebrate these mathematicians’ efforts and results before I left Sts Peter & Paul School, I printed them an early version! 

We congratulate all of our students we joined in this Maths adventure. I'd like to give a special shout out to Abbie Wawn, who was awarded 'Best in School'. Congratulations Abbie!

Would you like to try some AMC Mathematics at home? Past test papers and details regarding the competitions and programs offered by the Australian Maths Trust, can be found here https://www.amt.edu.au/

Maths Mornings

Our final Maths Morning for parents of students in Years 3-6 was held in the library yesterday. There was some impressive problem grappling and solving taking place, with big people and little people working together to talk out their strategies and solutions. Miss Kennelly, Miss Walsh and I have been energised by our enthusiastic participants who braved some cold and early mornings to Maths-about with us. Thank you!

In the coming days, on Compass, we will offer strictly limited places for P-2 families to sign up for next term's Mini Maths Mornings, led by the amazing and inspirational Miss Kennelly and Miss Walsh. 

Thank you!

I would like to thank the beautiful Sts Peter and Paul community for working with me and taking care of me these past 7 terms. I will always cherish the warm way the parent community welcomed me and supported me. I have dearly loved working with your dedicated teachers and staff members, and especially, your children. Teaching the students in STEM classes, and then in Mathematics has been a rewarding and uplifting experience. They are terrific learners and such fun to teach! I look forward to seeing you all again soon (Mr Gereis has promised me ticket #1 to the Matilda musical). Many sincere thanks for your support, carline waves and kind words. 

First Eucharist Retreat

We are looking forward to joining with the parish for a day of prayer, reflection and fun during the First Eucharist Retreat.

Where: Holy Trinity Primary School, Curtin

When: Friday, 8 September, 9:00am to 2:00pm

Who: all year 4 students and any student enrolled in the First Eucharist Parish Home Sacramental Program

What to bring:  lunch and recess, water bottle, sunhat

Wear: comfortable casual clothes

Just a reminder that students are to be dropped off at Holy Trinity Primary School, 18 Theodore St, Curtin between 8:30am and 9am and go to the school hall. At the conclusion of the day, students and staff will walk back to school, ready for the afternoon pickup. Please complete the online consent form asap. Thank you for your assistance.

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

The parish community continues to pray for all students and their families preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20, 23nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

If your brother or sister listens to you, you will have won that person back.

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

This week’s gospel provides us with a lesson that could be well heeded in our contemporary world. Matthew relates a discourse on dealing with a grievance or sin between two ‘brothers’ – community members; fellow disciples. Matthew advises his audience that the first step is to try to resolve the matter privately between the offender and the one offended. This is a practice that seems to have almost disappeared today. When one person feels offended or hurt by another, it seems the last thing they do is to go and speak to the person, confront them with the hurt and try to resolve it. Soap operas and TV sitcoms promote avoidance of issues. The sub-text of so many TV shows is about lying to cover up a mistake; seeking revenge for some perceived (usually incorrect) insult; or working through others to try to deal with some hurt. If characters on these TV shows were to confront one another with a perceived hurt and seek to resolve the difference between them, then there would be no ‘drama’ to play out in the show. Admittedly, it doesn’t make for great television, but it does make for much better relationships!

Matthew advises his community that only after a failed attempt to address an issue face to face should other members of the community become involved to further confront the offender through witnessing to their fault. The third step is to bring the person before the church community to be confronted with their actions and only after these three attempts to challenge the person fail should they be shunned. There is a very strong message of reconciliation that comes through this process. The person is given every chance to face their error and to seek amends with the one they have hurt. The whole process works towards bringing the community back together in harmony, not to seek revenge and punishment.

Social Justice - Mission Market Day - Week 9

On Friday 15 September, our Year 6 students will host a Catholic Mission Market Day. Students are invited to bring in gold coins to purchase vouchers to use on the day.

$1 for 2 vouchers or $2 for 5 vouchers.

All monies raised will be donated to Catholic Mission.

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?

Dear parents and carers,

We are delighted to share with you our School-wide Positive Behaviour work to date. 

Next term, the staff will begin using the language, we are SainTS (Succeeding Together Safely) to describe our expectations for behaviour at our beautiful school.

Succeeding is about LEARNING.

Encouraging and supportive environments in which everyone succeeds in collaboration with others.

Togetherness is about CONNECTING.

Togetherness means being united, caring for others, and working together as a team.

Safely is about RELATING.

Be safe means being calm and considerate. We can be responsive and measured in our words and actions.

Please take the time to view the slideshow that outlines our work.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQPwuGyTbrqh8hpXyYH2OTQEW88Mz8LP6ZpTZly88m74Q8SryNfKGhWlmMaGXsiayFVRgcbYPhjPCLq/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=10000

 It is hoped this will help our parent community to share in these expectations and appreciate our whole-school approach, language and teaching. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement,

Anna Williams

Congratulations to our Choir and Year 3 students who sang beautifully at our Fathers' Day liturgy last week. The sound of children singing is always uplifting. Thank you to Ms Gill, our wonderful Performing Arts Teacher for organising the performance.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Grace B (2M)

Cuyler B

Tyler H

Jack M

Xavier M

George F

Oscar P

Anaishe (AJ) J

Dipali S

Book Club 

Orders close this Friday, 8th 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 for Term 3 & 4 have changed! Please remember Library Bags!  

Thank you to everyone who has been looking for their Library books - we have lots come back which I am very grateful for! 

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

Keep reading! Mrs Basedow

ACT Athletics Carnival Tuesday 12^th September at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Leverrier St 

Next Tuesday, Hamish S, Kunaishe J and Isabel W will be representing our school and the South/Weston region at the ACT Athletics Champions. We wish you all the best in your selected events!

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!

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. 

PLEASE NOTE: Each team also must have a coach to manage the team on game day, and an umpire. This may be the same person who coaches. Please note that SCNA will not be providing umpires for Years 4, 5 and 6. Teams without a coach/umpire cannot be entered into the competition. 

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

Our students in 4 Maroon had soooooo much fun in cooking! They made ANZAC biscuits....... YUM

Our Gardening Club was very busy last week, the gardens are looking fab! Have a peek if you're in the area.

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

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.

Thank you to all the students who participated in today’s Special Lunch Day! 

Mrs R was so happy seeing all the children enjoying themselves chatting and sharing the same meal with their friends.

Thank you, Mr Rutledge, Chris, Nick, Miriam, Jel and Diane for your help today!

  You made the day run a lot smoother.  Your help was very much appreciated, and it was a fun day!

THANK YOU

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 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