Dear Parents and Carers

“Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost. Compassion draws together those who have been estranged or never even dreamed they were connected. Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence. Compassion springs out of vulnerability and triumphs in unity.”

Julie Cannato, as quoted by Richard Rohr

It is difficult to add anything else to the reflection quoted above: if anything were to ‘say it all’, as we approach the season of Advent, this would be it. Rohr quotes Cannato elsewhere as saying that she believed that compassion was Jesus’ fundamental point or mission – to teach people of compassion. Perhaps the phrase that strikes me most tellingly is the beginning of the final sentence: “Compassion springs out of vulnerability…”, as Cannato appears to be saying that there can be no compassion until we too learn that we are as capable of blunders and mistakes, as much as anyone else. Perhaps only then, can compassion be seeded and grown.

School Fees – 2024

CE are very conscious of the current cost of living pressures and have worked hard to keep fees to a minimum.  However, schools are not immune from rising costs and unfortunately CE need to pass on some of these costs in the form of increases in school fees.

School fees for 2024 are shown in the table attached.  The school fee in 2024 will include the tuition fee and all school-based levies. We have also reviewed and updated the arrangements for family discounts, which are included in the school fee for 2024.

Your school fees are used to support the delivery of high-quality education and maintain and improve facilities, including the funding of all staff and the maintenance and improvement of facilities at the school.  Voluntary contributions to the Canberra Catholic Schools Build Fund (CCSBF) will be $210 per term for those families that opt-in to make a contribution to the CCSBF.

Our students continue to benefit from a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of learning and co-curricular opportunities. We continue to see improvement in academic achievement of students, particularly in literacy and numeracy. This commitment to learning combined with knowing each child continues to nurture the growth and development of every child.

CE are very mindful of the impact that any fee increase can have on families. CE have carefully considered these impacts in setting 2024 school fees and have attempted to keep the increases to a minimum. If you have any concern that fees in 2024 may cause hardship for you and your family, I encourage you to contact me for a confidential discussion on the assistance available to support your child.

We value your partnership, and we sincerely thank you for your continued support of our school. If you have any questions about school fees or require assistance on any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Kinder Nativity

A reminder that on Thursday December 7^th, at 12:00, our beautiful Kindergarten children will be presenting the story of the Nativity – the birth of Jesus. Our students and teachers have been working very hard, with many practices, to prepare and present this play. All parents in the school are invited to the performance.

Save the Date: Christmas Function

A reminder that in Week 10, on Wednesday December 13^th, we are hosting a Christmas Carols family night, at 6pm on the school blue top. Families are invited to have dinner and celebrate Christmas. Grades will perform carols throughout the evening, and if true to form, Santa will also pay the school an early visit. I look forward to seeing you then.

End of Year Reminders

A reminder please for any outstanding library books to be returned to school, so we can ensure to finish the year with a balanced stock take. A reminder too please, to let the school know if you are not returning to Sts Peter and Paul in 2024 and have not yet told us. As we are receiving enrolment enquiries for a number of grades, it helps the school in its planning and finalizing class numbers, if we have an accurate assessment of student movement. The final day of Term 4 is Thursday, December 14^th, and the first day of Term 1, 2024 is Wednesday, January 31^st. Kindergarten students attend school on that day. In next week’s newsletter, we will be publishing the staff list for 2024, including the grades to which teachers are assigned.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Social Justice - St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Students and families are invited to donate non-perishable Christmas goodies to help families. Each grade level has been provided with a food donation/gift suggestion:

Grade	Item
Kindergarten	custard powder and jelly
Year 1	bon bons
Year 2	packets of chips
Year 3	packets of lollies
Year 4	mince pies and Christmas puddings
Year 5	soft drink and cordial
Year 6	chocolates
Students and families may also like to donate a wrapped Christmas gift with a gender and age clearly labelled.  The Woden Vinnies Conference has provided the following details: Sts Peter and Paul, our local families are in need of gifts for 3 year old gifts for boys and girls 4 year old gifts for boys and girls 5 year old gifts for boys and girls 6 year old gifts for girls 7 year old gifts for girls and boys 8 year old gifts for girls and boys 9 year old gifts for girls 10 year old gifts for boys and girls 11 year old gifts for boys and girls 12 year old gifts for boys and girls Donations of movie vouchers would be gratefully appreciated for 13 years and above. Thank you SVDP

All donations will be collected by St Vincent de Paul on Friday 1 December. Thank you for your generous support.

Illuminate: Youth Ministry Leaders

On Friday 24 November, our Youth Ministry leaders travelled to St Vincent’s Aranda for Illuminate. It was a fabulous day that commenced in song and prayer with other Youth Ministers from our archdiocese. After, students were organised into groups. Some students created rosary beads, played games, prayed with art, participated in Christian Meditation, went to the church for Adoration or listened to a social justice presentation from St Vincent de Paul to name a few. During the day, Catholic Education Director, Ross Fox spoke to the students about his hopes for them. He invited them to take their experiences from Catholic education with them as they move forward and be leaders of hope and creativity. We thank the Youth Ministry Team from CE for all their work and preparation. 

Sunday Gospel: Mark 13:32-37,1st Sunday of Advent Year B

Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter

Stay awake! With these words, Jesus cautions his disciples to be constantly vigilant and to be alert to the return of the Lord. It is a very fitting way to begin the season of Advent. Advent has traditionally been observed as a time of preparation and waiting. It culminates in the Christmas season and so the waiting and preparation is related to the celebration of the coming of Christ into the world.

Perhaps the time of preparation this Advent is also a call to stay awake and stay alert in faith. One of the great challenges to faith today is the complacency that has taken hold of many in our society. When life is comfortable, the perceived need for faith appears to diminish. Many young people in our society cannot see the value of religious belief or religious practice. In a world of instant communication and instant ‘satisfaction’, the reflective and slow work of faith can seem too much effort for some people. The gospel call to stay awake in preparation for the coming of the Lord is a call to continue the work of bringing about the Kingdom of God.

Week 1: Advent

The season of Advent begins this week and continues through the four Sundays of Advent and ends at Christmas Eve. The first week of Advent focuses on the return of the Lord and the following weeks focus more specifically on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Rather than simply commemorating an historical event, Advent is a time of preparing our hearts to ‘receive’ Jesus into the world each year. Advent is traditionally marked by the colour of violet – the same colour as used in Lent. In recent years, some parishes have moved to a more blue/mauve colour for Advent to try to distinguish it from the season of Lent.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Veronica Hall

Religious Education Coordinator

The Year 6 graduation dinner will be held on 11 December 2023.

The committee is calling for any families who may be able to donate some decorations (balloons, streamers, chair sashes, centrepieces) or Photo Booth options for the event.

We would also love to hear from any local businesses who may like to sponsor these items for the Year 6 graduation dinner.

 Please contact Lyn (0451 119 256) or Ange (0438 529 626) if you can assist. 

Thank you!

A big congratulations to Luka Goreski, 6W, for representing ACT in the U12’s School Sport Softball Championships in Adelaide last week. It was his first time representing the ACT and we are very proud of his efforts! His highlights of the tournament were taking a phenomenal catch at 2^nd base in the opening game, scoring the only run in that same game against QLD and playing a full game as catcher in the pouring rain! Luka was acknowledged at the end of the tournament for his positive attitude and contagious smile. We can testify to his contagious smile as he also constantly shares it at school.

Well done Luka. We are very proud of your achievements!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Christian S

Oscar S

Isabella C

Olive I

Asmin G

Phoebe E

Avanthika J

Hugo B

Maxwell M

William B

Odin V

Olivia P

It was a fabulous week in the kitchen and garden. Christmas cooking with Year 4 with the beginnings of a Mr Sticks Scarecrow makeover and lots of trimming. The garden is looking delicious. 

Great job garden crew and Year 4.  

The garden club

CHERRY CRUMBLE SHORTCAKE

Ingredients

150 gr butter, softened

2/3 cup pure icing sugar

1 & 3/4 cups plain flour

1 tsp cinnamon

Pinch salt

1/2 cup ground walnuts

300 gr frozen cherries

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line a slice tin with baking paper overhanging the rim of the tin.

Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Combine flour, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl and add the butter mixture.

Add walnuts and stir gently until mixture is crumbly.

Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture and press remaining mixture into the base of the prepared pan. Top with cherries and scatter remaining crumble over.

Bake for 35 minutes until golden and cut into squares to serve.

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.

Sour Snap Stix and Zooper Doopers are available via canteen vouchers!

As the end of year draws closer, we will be reducing our stock in the canteen to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break.  Lunch orders will be available until Thursday 14 December. 

 We provide a Gluten Free Menu on Qkr! for the children with gluten allergies.  Gluten items are hard to come by,  please do not order these items unless you have a gluten allergy.   Thank you

CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

Thank you, helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

Please contact me if you are unable to assist on your day.

 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.

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

Mrs R was so happy seeing all the children and staff enjoying Sushi for our special lunch day. 

Thank you Jel & Katherine for your help today. You made the day run a lot smoother and what a fun day we had. Your help was very much appreciated!

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. 

STARTING SCHOOL IN 2024?

PURCHASE A STARTER PACK ON QKR! NOW

 Step 1: Download the app Qkr!

Step 2: Register - follow the steps

Step 3: Find our school - Sts Peter & Paul Primary School

Step 4: Register your child - select “new enrolments”

Step 5: Purchase a starter pack for pick up at the front office between school hours.

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 school’s website for the Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Christmas/Festive season is fast approaching, and along with it is the additional Christmas/Festive preparation expenses, not to mention the bills that will start rolling in come the New Year!

Care continues to facilitate the ACT Government’s Rent Relief program for those who rent privately in the ACT. Eligible renters can apply for the one off grant of 4 weeks rent up to a maximum of $2,500.

Please note: The current turn around for applications is 2-3 weeks, but could increase depending on the volume of applications received.

For more information, eligibility criteria and application form head to our website – www.carefcs.org/rent-relief-scheme

Care will be closed for Christmas from Friday 22nd December 2023 reopening Tuesday 2nd January 2024