Dear Parents and Carers

Socktober

This Thursday, we are holding an important fundraising event for Catholic Mission. Socktober is held annually in October each year, by most Catholic schools. All funds raised go to Catholic mission and are used by to help those in dire need. This year our fundraising will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Timor-Leste, where a medical clinic and a children's home are providing hope for generations of young people. My thanks to Veronica Hall, our excellent REC, for her very good work.

Boorowa Netball and Touch football Carnival

On Friday, 87 students are travelling to Boorowa for the annual Touch and Netball Carnival. Students from Years 4 – 6 will be participating in the two sporting codes, and it promises to be a great day, with the weather forecast looking ideal. My thanks to our two Sports Coordinators, Luke Gubler and Sarah Walsh, for all of their work in coordinating our involvement in the day. Joining Luke and Sarah on the day are Bridget Pigram, Veronica Hall. and Cathy Shepherd. My thanks to all teachers for their support and commitment to the students.

Mini Maths Mornings

Our Mini Maths Mornings continue for Grades K – 2, with Sarah Kennelly and Sarah Walsh demonstrating sound teaching methods to break open Maths concepts. My thanks to the many parents who are attending, and to Sarah and Sarah for their great support and work.

Disco

Next Friday night, October 27^th, sees our final school disco for 2023. It begins at 6pm and runs until 7:45pm. K – 2 students are from 6pm - 6:45; Grades 3 – 6 are from 7 – 7:45pm. My thanks to Jerry, father of Kenzo in Year 6, for his generous donation of time and equipment for the benefit of our students. It is greatly appreciated. My thanks too to the Community Council, for all of their work and organization. Tickets are available via Qkr!

Andrew Fuller

The Community Council have organised Andrew Fuller, renowned child psychologist, to speak at an event for our parents, on Tuesday, 14 November, in Week 6. This is an invaluable opportunity and not be missed. I strongly urge all parents to try to make the time to attend. Tickets are $7.50 and can be purchased via  https://www.stickytickets.com.au/94dhz/building_resilience_in_our_children.aspx.

My thanks to the Community Council for organising the presentation.

2024 Kindergarten Information Night

On Monday October 30, at 6pm in the hall, we are hosting our Kindergarten Information night, for all parents of 2024 Kinder students. Members of the Leadership Team will present on the evening, as well as the 2024 Kindergarten teachers. All parents of our incoming 2024 Kindergarten students ae warmly invited to attend. A reminder that earlier that day, an Orientation Morning for the students is being held from 9.30am – 12pm.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Social Justice - Zoe & Olive's Catholic Mission Bake Stall   

Last Friday, Olive and Zoe from Year 2, with their families, hosted a Bake Stall. The school was a buzz of excitement; colourful jelly cups and beautifully decorated cupcakes lined the tables. To our very generous families and staff community, thank you, for your donations. Zoe and Olive’s Bake Stall raised $460.05 for Catholic Mission. Congratulations Zoe and Olive!

Social Justice - Crazy Sock Day Socktober Catholic Mission - Thursday 19 October

This year, we are supporting Catholic Mission by participating in Socktober. Socktober 2023 will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Timor-Leste, where a medical clinic and a children's home are providing hope for generations of young people.

On Thursday 19 October, students are able to participate in Socktober in two ways:

1. Wear ‘crazy socks’ and ‘sock it’ to poverty. Students are invited to wear crazy socks and make a gold coin donation.
2. Kick goals for poverty (lunch time event). Could you score a goal against a teacher? Students are invited to donate gold coin/s and try to score a goal. 

As a community, let’s join together to help Catholic Mission bring hope and dignity to people in need. Thank you.

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

The gospel writer presents this episode as a deliberate attempt by the Pharisees to trap Jesus and turn the people against him. Their plan was a good one, with no apparent ‘safe’ answer: is it permissible (within Jewish tradition) to pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus were to answer that it is not permissible to pay taxes then he would be identified as a rebel and a threat to Roman authority – leaving himself open to severe punishment. If he were to answer that it was permissible to pay the taxes he would have alienated a lot of his audience who resented the taxes imposed by Rome.

Instead of falling into the trap set by the Pharisees, Jesus approaches the question in a completely different way. He asks them to show him the money with which they pay the tax. Immediately, he has turned the tables on them. He doesn’t appear to carry any of the coin in question and yet the Pharisees’ disciples carry them as a matter of habit. They are asking if it is permissible to pay the tax and yet freely carry the coin with which the tax is paid. Jesus shows up the hypocrisy of their question by forcing them to reveal their own position in the simple action of producing one of the Roman coins. Jesus then closes the dispute by instructing them to render (give) to Caesar what belongs to Caesar but, more importantly, render to God what belongs to God. In a very simple way Jesus has shown up the Pharisees’ disciples as being collaborators with the Roman authority and placing that authority above the authority of God. He reminds the listeners that regardless of earthly authority, the first duty is owed to God.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Lakshya A

Reuben R

Zoe S

Chiara C

Angelo S

Evelyn L

Portia R

Alexis V

Lucia M

Year 6 Leadership Day

For the Year 6 Leadership Day for Term 4, we were excited to find out that we were going to the AIS and Sculpture Garden.

When we got to the AIS we got into groups and toured around the facilities, learning about different sports including gymnastics, swimming, weight training and volleyball. We also learnt about what it means to be a team player, how athletes show teamwork and leadership in sports. After the tour concluded we were allowed into the sport simulator where we got to play basketball, wheelchair racing, indoor cycling and soccer. These activities allowed us to show our skills and competitive edge. 

Next we visited the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Australia where we played team building games. These games were difficult and challenging, requiring us to not use verbal communication to get into groups based on coloured stickers. The catch was we could not see the stickers as they were on our backs, making it even more difficult. Other games we played included having to untangle ourselves in the fastest possible time. 

We were invited to then reflect on ourselves in our own personal letter, writing advice and goals to our future selves as well as what we were proud of throughout the year. We are excited to open these letters at the end of the year, showing us how far we have come as leaders. 

The day as expected came out as an overall success helping us grow as better leaders. 

By Claire & Kai

Welcome back to the Library for Term 4! 

This term we welcome Miss Maddison Mertz as the Library Teacher on Mondays and Wednesdays! 

Library Lessons for classes are as follows and please remember Library Bags! 

Lunchtimes in the Library

This term the Library will be open during lunchtimes Mondays and Tuesdays (after eating time).

It’s great to read, draw, complete a puzzle or play a board game! 

Overdue Library Books

Do you have Library books at home?

We have over 300 overdue Library books!

We would be very grateful if you could have a check at home to see if you have any Library books that need to be returned. 

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Last term SPP students successfully completed the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. Yesterday I attended the awards ceremony for the CMRC at the Australian National Library, as our wonderful school achieved awards in the K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 categories. Abigail B in 2M, Chiara C in 4M and Avanthinka J in 6W were excellent representatives of SPP and did a fantastic job of accepting our school certificates and meeting ACT Chief Minister Mr Andrew Barr and Director of CG Catholic Education Mr Ross Fox.  

Book Club 

Orders close Friday 26th October. 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.

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

Keep reading!

Mrs Basedow and Miss Mertz

Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival Friday 20th October - THIS FRIDAY!

Our students are eagerly preparing for the Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival this Friday! Sts Peter and Paul has entered 9 teams into the competition, a fantastic participation amongst our Years 2-6 students with just under 90 students attending! Each coach has been provided with their teams’ draw for the day, with all teams participating in 4-5 games against various schools across the ACT and NSW. Parents are reminded to please check their emails for further information regarding specific details for the day. 

If you child is catching the school organised bus, please ensure that they are at Sts Peter and Paul no later than 6:15am. Students on the bus will be accompanied by Mr Luke Gubler and Mrs Veronica Hall. If you are driving your child, please arrive at the Boorowa Showground no later than 8:30am. We are looking forward to an exceptional day of sport!

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!

POTATO AND PUMPKIN CRISPS

INGREDIENTS

4 large potatoes, washed and peeled

250 gr pumpkin, washed and peeled

2-3 tbs olive oil

Pinch sea salt

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line trays with baking paper.

Use a potato peeler to shave thin layers of potato and pumpkin and place them in a bowl.

Toss shavings in olive oil, making sure all surfaces are covered. Place shavings on prepared trays in a single layer.

Bake veggie shavings for about 10 minutes, check and turn if needed.

When light brown and crispy, take out of the oven and blot with paper towel.

Season with salt before serving.

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.

 TERM 4 CANTEEN 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.

 https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/term4canteen

 All volunteers must have a WWVP card.

 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. 

It is usual practice for most schools to offer second-hand clothing at the uniform shop to families at a discounted price. Quality second-hand clothing can only be purchased during uniform hours.  We do understand that this may not be convenient for some families so please feel free to send me an email if you are unable to get to the uniform shop during its’ hours and I will do my best to attend your needs.

 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.

Please visit the schools website for the Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

The next PERKS Parenting Seminar covers disordered eating and body image concerns. Learn about the warning signs, practical strategies to best support your teen or pre-teen with recovery and when you need to seek professional help. Details are:

Date: Tuesday, 7 November

Time: 4-6 pm

Venue: Woden Community Hub, Westfield Woden, above Commonwealth Bank

Cost: Free

Register below:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/perks-parenting-seminar-focus-on-disordered-eating-tickets-721676181887?aff=oddtdtcreator

Parish Office Manager – Inner North Parishes

People are invited to apply for the position Parish Office Manager, Inner North Parishes (encompassing Campbell, Canberra Central, O’Connor & Watson). This is a full-time position (subject to review in 12 months)

Essential Requirements:

• An understanding of and support for the Catholic Church and its teachings
• Excellent verbal and written, interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer literacy in MS Suite and database skills, (in particular PACS database)
• Act with tact & discretion, maintaining high levels of confidentiality, honesty, integrity, reliability and punctuality

Please email Deborah.foote@cg.org.au for a detailed copy of the duty statement and selection criteria.  Applications addressing the Selection Criteria with attached resume to Fr Anthony Riosa, SSS, anthony.riosa@cam.org.au  must be received by Friday 3 November 2023.