Filter Content
- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
- DATES TO REMEMBER
- TERM 4 SCHOOL FEES OVERDUE
- CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND PICNIC
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE
- YEAR 6 GRADUATION
- LIBRARY NEWS
- LEADERS ARE LEARNERS
- LOST PROPERTY
- RECIPES FROM OUR KITCHEN
- THE KITCHEN GARDEN PROGRAM
- CANTEEN NEWS
- UNIFORM SHOP
- GUITAR TUITION
- OSHCLUB WEBINAR
- NETBALL UNIFORMS
Dear Parents and Carers
“Surely we are all forerunners? As parents we are the forerunners of our children. As old people, the forerunners of the young. As the scientists and scholars of today, the forerunners of those tomorrow. As the politicians of today, the forerunners of those to come, who will scatter and suppress those of today.”
Karl Rahner SJ, ‘Making ready the way’
Last Sunday we began the Season of Advent, that season we celebrate each year, which leads us into the high feast of Christmas. The late Karl Rahner, Jesuit priest and theologian, has written a reflection for Advent, called ‘Making the ready the way’. I have quoted a small part above. Rahner’s point is that just as John the Baptist made ready the way for Jesus, just as Advent makes ready the way for Christmas, so all of our actions and efforts at love ‘make ready the way’. They are never ends in themselves but, at their best, our efforts at decency and compassion, forgiveness and love, point to a reality greater than our own. May Christmas be born into our lives this season, and every season.
Staffing – 2024
The staffing for next year is just about completed and I am proud to list our staff for 2024 as follows:
Principal – Cameron Johns
Acting Assistant Principal – Samantha Mance
Acting Religious Education Coordinator (Terms 1 and 2) – Amanda Basedow
Religious Education Coordinator Terms 3 and 4 – Veronica Hall
Acting Coordinator – Sarah Kennelly
Classroom Support Teacher – Maryanne Armstrong
Front Office Receptionist – Trish Collis
KM: Mary de Smet/Melissa Neit
KW: Sarah Kennelly/Laura Williamson
1W: Natasha Kapantais
1M: Maddie Mertz
2M: Term 1 - Rebecca Van der Sanden/Anne Hitchings; Terms 2-4 – Sue Wales/Anne Hitchings
2W: Holly Audsley
3W: Sarah Walsh
3M: Paul Jenkins/Gayle Hunt
4W: Bridget Pigram
4M: Michele Hallis-Pratt/Samantha Mance
5M: Luke Gubler/Gayle Hunt
5W: Samantha Stinziani
6W: Katie McGregor
Librarian: Amanda Basedow/Katie Birch
Performing Arts: Lisa Gill
Japanese: Amanda de Jongh
STEM: Nic Marsham
Cooking: Robyn Moore
Coordinator of Junior and Senior Student Leadership – Luke Gubler
Early Career Teaching Support: Katie Birch
InitialiLit Coordinator: Marie-Ann Barrett
Maths Extension (Years 5 & 6): Anne Hitchings
ICT Support: Paul Jenkins
Robotics Teacher: Paul Jenkins
Aboriginal Education Contact Officer: Katie McGregor
Sports Coordinator: Luke Gubler
Garden Club: Katie Birch
Advertising and Promotions Officer: Anne Perkovic
Classroom Support Assistants: Talia Wagner, Tyra Peterson, Jade Arranz, Cathy Shepherd, Deki Wangmo, Liz Spiteri, Mel Harding, Molly Marsham, Sarah Adams, Melissa Saggers, Tricia Drabsch, Anne Perkovic
Youth Ministry Officer: TBA
School Welfare Officer: TBA
Uniform Shop and Canteen Manager: Lauretta Raccosta
Groundsman: Greg Egan
The end of the year is also often a time when we farewell staff, some of whom are taking leave and others who are moving on. I would like to thank the following staff who are leaving Sts Peter and Paul, and thank them for their time at our school:
- Maria Anthony, for her great work with our children as a CSA, particularly in the younger grades.
- Oriella de Johnson, for her excellent Spanish teaching;
- Josh Gereis, for his wonderful work in Year 5 and within the arts;
- Olivia O’Donnell, for her wonderful work as a CSA;
- Maddy Winter, for her great work as our School Welfare Officer and CSA;
- Maddie Greenwood, as our Youth Ministry Officer.
I wish all of our departing staff the very best and I thank them deeply for their service to the school.
The following staff are taking some leave, for part or all of 2024:
- Veronica Hall;
- Sue Wales;
- Fron Garrett-Rumba;
- Anna Williams continues her secondment for 2024, working for ACARA.
I wish too all of our staff taking leave the very best as they recharge and enjoy a sustained break, and in the case of Ms. Garrett, we look forward to hearing some wonderful news in late January or early February.
I am incredibly proud of all of our staff – those returning and those who are not – and I experience considerable awe each day, at their abilities and with what they achieve. I know that our 2024 staff will leave no stone unturned in doing everything they can for your child or children.
2024 – New Role
One of the roles listed above is new to Sts Peter and Paul. Luke Gubler is taking on the role of ‘Coordinator of Junior and Senior School Leadership’. Luke’s role next year will be to coordinate opportunities and programs in the school, for boys and girls in Years 3 – 6, that extend them and provide opportunities for leadership. Students will have the opportunity to take on new homework and sporting challenges, as well leadership opportunities, in a variety of ways. Early next year, Sts Peter and Paul will hold an information evening for all parents, where details around what Sts Peter and Paul are offering will be explained and shared. Parents of Grades 1 & 2 students will be invited to attend, as well as parents of students in Grades 3 – 6. Stay tuned for further details.
End-of-Year Events
A reminder that as the year draws to an end, we have a number of events still to take place at the end of the year:
- The Kindergarten Nativity play is taking place this Thursday at 12 in the hall.
- The Year 6 Graduation Mass – which includes the whole school – is taking place this Monday at 12pm, at the Church of the Transfiguration at Curtin;
- The Year 6 Graduation Dinner takes place that night;
- Reports are published Monday afternoon on Compass;
- Class lists are sent home on Monday;
- The Year 6 Fun Day takes place on Wednesday;
- The Family Christmas Carols night is on Wednesday evening at 5:30pm;
- The last day for children is December 14th.
The first day of 2024 is Wednesday, January 31st, for all students.
As this is the last formal newsletter of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for their dedication, generosity of spirit, tireless work ethic and most importantly, their love for the children. It has been a pleasure working alongside such dedicated individuals. My thanks as well to our beautiful children, who after all are the reason we come to school each day. Again, I am frequently amazed at their skills and capacity to learn and grow. And I would like to thank the parent community for their great support of the school, without whom we would not be as effective. I would particularly like to thank the Community Council, and the leadership of Tegan Ingold, for all of the Council’s great work this year. I very much appreciate it.
I wish all of our families a very happy and wonderful Christmas, and a great holiday.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal
Graduation and End of Year Mass - Holy Trinity Church, 12 noon
As a school community, we will gather in prayer to farewell the graduating class of 2023 and celebrate the end of the school year. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Woods in the Holy Trinity Church. Students will be travelling by bus and students and Years 4 to 6 will walk back to school. A Compass consent note has been sent to all families. We ask that the consent to travel is submitted by Thursday 7 December.
Social Justice - St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal - Final week to donate
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 this Friday. Thank you for your generous support.
Sunday Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, 2nd Sunday of Advent Year B
Gospel Reflection by Diane Bergant
In the wilderness God's salvation comes to a broken people. In the midst of what is seemingly an impossible situation, hope emerges with vigour. In this context, hope is an openness to surprise, the surprise that God is in no way limited to the imaginings of human minds and the consequences of human history. This is the kind of hope that is proclaimed in the wilderness by John; it is the kind of hope that trusts that from the impossible, God can work a new creation.
There is something of a time warp in Christianity. What is future is made present. The prophetic oracle announces the future as if it is already happening. This sense of the future-present prompts new ways of living. As the future takes root in human lives, the present is transformed into a new creation and the Day of the Lord appears.
God's future comes through the wilderness into the broken city and inspires a broken-hearted people. The contrite heart is a broken heart, an emptied-out heart, a hope-filled heart. It is a heart that is unencumbered by the past and that lives currently in the passing of time and the fragility of being alive. The contrite, broken heart can be filled only by what is promised in the future. This is the paradox of Advent. In the middle of the wilderness, God works the impossible in those whose hearts are ready for the surprise of hope.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Veronica Hall
Religious Education Coordinator
| Week 9 | ||
| Nativity - Kinder | Thursday 7 Dec, 12pm | School Hall |
| Week 10 | ||
| Year 6 Graduation Mass | Monday 11 Dec, 12pm | Holy Trinity Church, Curtin |
| Year 6 Graduation Dinner | Monday 11 Dec, 6pm | |
| Reports Published on Compass | Monday 11 Dec, 3:30pm | |
| Year 6 Fun Day | Wednesday 13 Dec | |
| Family Christmas Night hosted by the Community Council | Wednesday 13 Dec, 6pm | School grounds |
| Last day of Term 4 (students) | Thursday 14 Dec | |
| Last day of Term 4 (staff) | Friday 15 Dec | |
| 2024 | ||
| First day of Term 1 | Wednesday 31 January |
Term 4 School Fees Overdue
School fees for Term 4 were due on the 11th November. If you haven't already attended to your fees could you please do so as a matter of urgency as the school year is quickly coming to a close. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to those students who are celebrating their birthday in Weeks 9 & 10 and the rest of December
Emily G
Poppy deS
Ana Q
Cameron B
Ollie S
Archie S
Charlotte R
Maxim L
Leo H
Yuki S
Neriah V
Elena M
Ritishma S
Felix G
Joshua R
Hugo VderG
Joseph N
Daemie P
Reuvena N
Eleanor M
Thomas O
Mya W
Thankyou to our fabulous sponsors, Canberra Fetal Assessment Centre and Gumnut Labradoodles, their generous contribution to the event will make the Yr 6 Graduation an extra special celebration for the students.
Wow what a HUGE year we have had in the Library! Thank you to everyone for your support during our various events - Australian Reading Hour, the Book Fair, Book Week, National Simultaneous Storytime, The ACT Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge, Library Lunchtime Club and to the Parent Workshop with special guest Paul Macdonald. Reading for pleasure is one of the most important things you can pass onto your children so please keep up reading over the holidays. Visit your local Library, one of the many fabulous bookshops and even street libraries around your area - https://streetlibrary.org.au/ .
There are some great author websites you might like to explore:
https://www.tristanbancks.com/
https://www.mattcosgrovebooks.com/
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/
Julia Donaldson: A whole stack of activities linked to The Gruffalo, Charlie Cook, Ladybird and more...
Oliver Jeffers: is reading and discussing his picture books each day as he is stuck inside during lock down in Ireland. So far he has posted himself reading 8 books.
Neil Gaiman: has posted some videos on his official website of him reading some of his works including Coraline and The Graveyard. Good for older readers.
Peter Reynolds: Author of 'The Dot' is reading aloud at 2pm EST every day on his Instagram page.
Marc Barnett: author of Extra Yarn, Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, will be reading one of his books live on Instagram, every weekday at 3pm EST until he runs out of books to read. That's not Australian time, but the recordings are in his Instagram feed.
Debbi Ridpath Ohi is posting readalouds, creative challenges and advice for young writers/ illustrators on her Youtube Channel.
Harper Kids: Harper Collins Children's Publishers share read-alouds of their books on their YouTube channel. Includes subtitles.
Storytime From Space: For something a little different, storytime brings you astronauts reading space themed books read by astronauts while on space missions.
For the older students we also have access to SORA app which Catholic Education has a subscription (students need their school CE username and password). Please note you do not search for Sts Peter and Paul - we are part of the ACEN network
We need our Library books returned!!!
Congratulations to 4 Maroon who are the only class to have returned all their books! They will be getting a yummy treat to celebrate!
We still have a number of classes with books that need to be returned. If they are lost or damaged (it happens!) please visit Mrs Collis at the Office to make the $10 payment for each book.
Please contact amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the Library or borrowing. I wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas and an enjoyable break.
Keep reading!
Mrs Basedow and Miss Mertz
There’s no arguing that Saints Peter and Paul is the most welcoming school in Canberra.
I got here in Year 3, and since the day I set foot in this school, I knew that this was the beginning of a really good experience. I know for a fact that every teacher here has welcomed me with open arms. I can’t think of a better school than this one.
There have been sooooo many fun activities over the past 4 years that I have to name.
B-firm: B-firm is a ninja warrior course, filled with mud runs, climbing activities, and team building/strength courses.
Boorowa- Boorowa is an event which is held every year, which consists of two sports, touch rugby, and netball. At Boorowa, schools from across the region battle it out, with each touch and netball teams getting 6 games. There are 2 ways for transport, school bus or car. There are various canteens across the grounds. It is advised to wear sunscreen at all times as temperatures can rise up to 30 degrees, but apart from that, it is a very nice way to skip school.
Badge ceremony/leadership shirts- badge ceremonies and leadership shirts are the 2 things that only Year 6s get to wear. The badge ceremony is held in term one, and once you receive your badge, you are officially a Year 6 student ?. The leadership shirts are really cool. On the back of the shirts, there is a list of all the names of the Year 6s, and a little slogan on the very top of the shirt.
Year 5 and six camps- when you get to Years 5 and 6, you have the privilege of going on camp for 3 exciting days. In Year 5, I remember the activities were fabulous. There was this huge swing where they’d strap you in and pull a rope which made you go higher. Then when you were high enough, you’d pull a little red ball and you’d start swinging.
Parties for teachers- if throwing parties for teachers was a hobby, then all the teachers would leave school as happy as Larry. Throwing parties for teachers is a little tradition that’s been going on for quite a while. It’s when the students from a class throw a surprise birthday party for their teacher, and everyone brings food and snacks to share.
The musical- you may have heard or you may have not, but just a month ago Year 5 and 6 put on a musical performance. The musical was thought of after the movie ‘Matilda the Musical’ was released on Netflix. It was presented in 3 shows: 1 for the school, and 2 for the parents. It was considered an all time favourite.
Fun day- on the 2nd last day of school, the Year 6s of this proud school spend the day having lots of fun and doing activities. These activities include; going to watch a movie at the Hoyts cinemas, having a water fight etc. And then on the last day of school, every class lines up in the corridors and claps and cheers as the Year 6s of 2023 run through the corridors 6 times as a celebration of their time here.
Grad dinner- graduation dinner, it’s a time where we sit down and look back at the many memories that we’ve made. It’s considered a very special moment in your life. During this dinner there is the slideshow showing the memories that we’ve shared, glorious food and drinks, and most importantly, when the Year six’s receive their graduation certificate.
So that is some of the many things that I’ve experienced here at Saints Peter and Paul, and I know that this school has found its way into my heart.
Kind regards, Gabriel, 6M
LOST PROPERTY
There are a lot of items at lost property!
Please send your child down to have a look.
Anything left at the end of the year will be donated.
Lost Property clothing rack is situated in front of the canteen. Please ensure all uniform is clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Lunch boxes/containers – We ask that all families check their child’s lunch boxes/containers to ensure they have their first and last name easily identifiable. This allows any lost containers to be returned if they are forgotten at lunch time. Unnamed containers are disposed of.
LEMON SHORTBREAD
Ingredients
150 gr butter
80 gr castor sugar
3 tsp finely grated lemon rind
200 gr plain flour
Pinch table salt (fine)
1/4 cup icing sugar, to serve
Method
Place butter and sugar together in a bowl and beat until light and creamy. Mix in the lemon rind.
Add the flour and salt and mix until the mixture comes together to form a dough, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Continue to mix until you have a smooth dough.
Roll the dough into a log approximately 30cm long. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 170 degrees and line a tray with baking paper.
Cut the log into 1cm slices and arrange these on prepared tray. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden.
Transfer the biscuits to a cooling rack and dust with icing sugar before serving.
Handy tip: Turn the tray after 10 minutes to ensure the biscuits bake evenly.
Last week in the kitchen we had our annual Masterchef competition. The students chose their recipes which needed to use ingredients from all the Five Food Groups. It was a real competition with some very well known judges presiding over the proceedings.
Garden Club was rained out but we have some very snazzy new clothes for Mr Sticks this week. The garden loved the rain.
This week is our last Garden Club as Friday in Week 10 is a pupil free day. For all our regulars, we will have a little surprise.
Happy Holidays
The Garden Club
As the year draws to a close, stock is very low. We are reducing our stock in the canteen to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break. Thank you very much for your support.
If your child orders a product that becomes unavailable, we will substitute the item with something to the same value or like.
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.
If your child does not have any lunch, they will be provided with a vegemite sandwich.
If any child has a Mrs R school hat, can you kindly bring it back to the canteen – please DO NOT leave them in lost property.
Could all Canteen invoices please be paid before the end of the year. Payments are made via Qkr! “Canteen Invoices”.
Canteen will be closed on the first Wednesday of Term 1 for set up. It will reopen again on Thursday 1 February 2024.
Mrs R would like to thank ALL the volunteers that helped this year in the Canteen! Your assistance was very much appreciated. Looking forward to having volunteers back in the canteen in 2024!
If you would like to help out in the canteen in 2024, please email me your details
Thank you, Lauretta Raccosta, Canteen
Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au
UNIFORM SHOP EXTENDED OPENING HOURS
FOR 2024
THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024
9AM – 12PM
School holiday opening hours via appointment only – please use link below
https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/uniformshop2024
MONDAY 29 JANUARY 2024
9AM – 2.30PM
School holiday opening hours via appointment only – please use link below
https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/uniformshop2024
However, beat the crazy rush next year and get in before this year is through to purchase any school uniform needed!
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.
Uniform can be purchased via Qkr! and delivered to the Front Office till the end of the year!
Return of netball uniforms
As the school year draws to a close, and after a fantastic year of netball, it is time for uniforms to be returned. Please return uniforms to the red tub located in the school foyer by Friday 15 December.
With thanks, Lucy Webb
Netball coordinator