Dear Parents and Carers

 Years 3 – 6 Leadership Opportunities Night

On Monday night, Luke Gubler presented to interested parents the many rich and varfied opportunities available for students as they enter the middle and senior years of primary school. Luke showcased the wonderful educational initiaives – some of which have been in place for some time, some of which are new this year – and following the presentation, a rich conversation took place. My thanks to Luke for his time and leadership. Attached to this newsletter is a copy of the presentation that was used on the night, for any parents unable to attend.

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6 students are on camp this week, Wednesday to Friday, at Borambola, outside Wagga Wagga. It is an excellent camp and used by Sts Peter and Paul for a number of years. My thanks to Katie McGregor for organising the camp, and to Bridget Pigram who will also be joining our Year 6 students. I am attending the camp as well. Samantha Mance will very capably lead the school in my absence.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parents are invited to book a Parent Teacher Interview with their child's classroom teacher on Monday 4^th March, Tuesday 5^th of March or Wednesday 6^th of March to discuss Interim reports. Bookings will close on Friday 1^st of March. An email has been sent out which has given instructions on how to book an interview. Interim reports will be given out at these meetings. My thanks to Sam Mance for organising the interviews, and to all teachers for their support of students and parents. Please check your Compass portal for the link to book the interviews.

Principals’ Retreat

Next week, I am away from Wednesday – Friday, attending the annual Principals’ Retreat. Wednesday is devoted to talks from Catholic Education personnel, with Thursday and Friday given over to the retreat itself, this year run by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP. The Archdiocese is very lucky to have secured Fr Radcliffe as a retreat presenter. In January, we facilitated a retreat for Synod participants at the Vatican, which included the Pope. In my absence, Sam Mance will do a wonderful job leading the school.

Presentation Mass – First Reconciliation

A reminder that this weekend, parents of children in Year 3 who are making their First Reconciliation this year, are invited to attend one of the Parish Presentation Masses at Curtin. This provides the parish and schools to celebrate and affirm the steps taken in faith by our students.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Please give generously to Project Compassion this Lent.

We have raised over $112 already but would love to have more donations in each class's Project Compassion box. Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.

TAPITAS - This year our school will be focusing on raising money for drinking water. We have a whole school display, where each class will receive a ‘water drop’ for every $5 raised. The children will be learning more about Project Compassion in class during Friday Prayer and at morning assemblies. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Home Groups will be starting soon (if they haven’t already). Please remember a Parent/Carer must attend these sessions with your child. A huge thank you to the families who have offered to host a group, we are very grateful for your time. We look forward to seeing families of Reconciliation Candidates at one of the Masses this weekend. Samantha Mance and Cameron Johns will attend the Sunday morning Mass and Sarah Kennelly and myself will attend the Saturday evening Mass. 

Any further enquiries relating to the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be directed to the Parish Office ( 6281 3999/  wodennorth@cg.org.au )

Upcoming dates to remember: 

• PRESENTATION MASSES: Each family to attend one of the following: Holy Trinity Church Curtin 6.00pm Saturday 2nd March 2024  OR oly Trinity Church, Curtin 9.30am Sunday 3rd March 2024

• RETREAT AND PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN: Holy Trinity School Hall 9.15am–2.15pm Friday 22nd March, 18 Theodore Street, Curtin

• SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION: Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Tuesday, 7th May

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

Gospel- John 2:13-25

Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.

Israel believed that the temple was built over the navel of the universe, the axis mundi, that spot where the world above and the world below met the world of history, thus enabling the three worlds to communicate. When Jesus called himself the new temple, he was claiming to be the centre of the universe, the spot where three-way cosmic communication occurs, the presence of God in the midst of the community. When we accept him in faith, we are accepting these claims. We may profess this belief, but do our lives reflect it?

Although some consider the law a rigid set of precepts, it is really more a collection of directives that have grown out of the experience of life. To say that Jesus is the wisdom of God means that God’s wisdom is made known in him and that he is the way that points to God. While laws often embody distinctive cultural values or customs, as wisdom of God, Jesus crosses cultural boundaries and breaks down cultural distinctions. As the wisdom of God, Jesus fulfils the expectations of any and all codes of law.

Both the law and the temple witness to the power of God in the lives of believers. However, both institutions pale in the light of Jesus who is identified as the power of God. This divine power is not revealed in lofty precepts or in magnificent stones, but rather in the broken and pierced body of Jesus Christ. How willing are we to accept him?

Adapted from Dianne Bergant CSA

Blessings for the week ahead,

Amanda Basedow

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between 13 and 25 March 2024 for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development.

All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information.

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

Principal's Awards: Chimi P, 6W;  Palden W, 6W

Learning Support Awards: Madison H, 1M; Willem F, 2M

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Poppy M

Alexandra W

Mateo M

Lilah J

Liam T

Tobias T

Sophia B

Luke B

Alexa Y

Do you have any unwanted flattened cereal, biscuit, cookie etc boxes?

Please send them in to Mrs de Jongh.

The cardboard is great for craft activities.

Following on from the Futsal item in last week's newsletter, we have another family interested in fielding a Year 3/4 (under 8s) team.

Last week was Canberra Show time in the kitchen as well as learning about the Dairy Group.

Canberra Show preparation saw two awesome fresh produce sculptures made by Year 3 and 4. Best of all, Charlotte the very busy spider won!! But then again – of course it did. We also placed in the jam tasting section. Way to go Sts Peter and Paul!!

Dairy was the food group under the spot light last week and the children made cheese and spinach pastries. They continued to learn why dairy is so important to our bodies especially our bones and teeth and harvested spinach from the garden to use. Children also discovered, in class, how milk is processed from farm to cup.

It was raining during garden club, but we still had a small group get together to make garden beds signs. I think you’ll agree they look fabulous.

During Religion last week a Year 4 class used the Indigenous part of the kitchen garden for reflection time to write their individual Acknowledgement to Country. It was a peaceful and restful time.

For more information email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

DIPS

TOMATO SALSA

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, quartered, seeded and finelyh chopped

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 tspn lime juice

2 tsp finely chopped coriander

Pinch salt & pepper

Method

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Store salsa, covered, in fridge until ready to serve.

SPINACH DIP

INGREDIENTS

250 gr frozen spinach

1 small onion, chopped

1 pkt spring vegetable soup

3 tbsp mayonnaise

4 tbsp sour cream

1 cob loaf of bread

Method

Mix the onion, vegetable soup packet, mayonnaise and sour cream together in a small bowl and refrigerate overnight.

Tear the bread out from the middle of the loaf to create a bowl and save the torn bread for dipping.

Cook frozen spinach in the microwave for 6 minutes, drain and mix in with the other ingredients.

Place dip into the centre of the loaf and serve with torn bread.

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.

Ice creams are the only counter sales at lunch time in Term 1.

Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to collect an ice cream at lunchtime.

CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

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

TERM 1 CANTEEN ROSTER

 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/Term1Roster

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.

Swimming Carnival MEAL DEAL Friday 8 March

Are you in Kinder or Year 1 and staying at school?

Well, don’t be sad because Mrs R has a special meal deal for you in the canteen that day!

Cost $7.00

 Menu: 3 nuggets or hot dog or pizza or pasta with a fruit popper, hello panda biscuits, frozen frugurt and a lolly bag. 

Orders can be made via Qkr! up to 8.45am morning of the swimming carnival (Friday 8 March)

Please note the above set menu is the only food available for students on that day and is ONLY AVAILABLE FOR KINDER AND YEAR 1 STUDENTS. 

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 opening hours and I will do my best to attend to needs.

NEW PRODUCTS! 

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Get into Rugby – Budding Brumbies presented by Allhomes!

Over the four weeks, players will learn the basics of rugby, improve hand-eye coordination and ball handling skills along with making new friends.

Each of the sessions will be delivered by accredited coaches with support from the ACT Brumbies Development Officers. The program also encourages and welcomes any new or old volunteers to the game.

Time: 5 – 6pm (60mins)

What: Skills and Modified Games

Where: RMC Kapyong

We are also calling for any Expression of interest for volunteers who would like to start their journey as well. There are a number of roles to assist with across the program whether that is coaching, managing or even the running of the BBQ.

START YOUR JOURNEY HERE!

NETBALL

Previous netball experience is not necessary, and all children are welcome to play!

Kindy and Year 1

NSG Net is a 12-week introductory skills program for all children aged between 5 – 7-years (Kindy and Year 1). Netball skills are taught through fun activities and modified netball games. Registration is directly via the SCNA PlayHQ: https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/ee8aea

Years 2, 3 and 4

NSG Set is a 12-week program for children aged 7 to 9 years (Years 2 and 3) with modified rules. Games are not scored and a ladder is not kept.

NSG GO is a 12-week program for children aged 9 and 10 (Year 4). This program plays full-rules netball and provides a transition year to the Junior competition. Games are scored, but a ladder is not kept.

Years 5 and 6

Juniors is a 10-week competition for children aged 11 and 12 years, plus 3 rounds of finals for teams that qualify. The competition is split into between 2 and 4 divisions depending on demand. Matches are played on Saturday mornings beginning on Sat 4 May 2024. There will be NO games on the following dates: 8 and 29 June, 6, 13 and 30 July.

Games are played at the SCNA courts, Makin Street, Deakin. Children wear a netball uniform loaned from school. Game times and fees (plus a small processing fee) are:

* Division will depend on number of rep players in each team.

** Fees for representative players are $195.01.

 Register your child’s interest in playing via the Google doc by Friday 15 March 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mqy0L_nao-AMDIKsK6Ftjekmq20tNPNt/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=114452892877626940704&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Registration will open once there are sufficient numbers to enter a team.

SCNA representative players

If your child is playing representative netball for SCNA, please get in touch as soon as possible to arrange their SPP registration. Players must be registered with a club to represent SCNA.

Coaches and managers needed!

Coaches and managers are needed for teams for all year groups.

Previous coaching experience is not necessary. All coaches are required to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP)  card.

Lucy Webb, Netball Coordinator (stpandpnetball@gmail.com)

Catholic school families are invited to enter a treasure hunt competition being run by Catholic Schools Guide. The winner will receive $2000 worth of school fees, and runners up will receive Roblox vouchers.

Details: catholicschoolsguide.com.au/competition