Dear Parents and Carers

“Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter.”

• Dignitas Infinita: On Human Dignity

In early April this year, the Vatican released its document, ‘On Human Dignity’. The quote above comes from the document, and serves as the opening sentence of the introduction. The sentence boldly proclaims the intention and underlying principle of the document. This document makes clear the unconditional worth and dignity of all human beings. This is grounded, it says, in the fact that all people are made in the image of God, a statement that is fundamental to our Catholic faith. There can never be too much defence of the dignity of all people. The history of the world shows that the dignity of the vulnerable will forever need upholding and protecting. The Archbishop has asked all school leaders and their leadership teams to look at and discuss the document. I attach a link to the article here, and also include a link to a Eureka Street article on the Vatican document. Vatican invites global discussion on human dignity.

Currents of Grace

A two-day conference was held this week at ACU. The University hosted national and international attendees, as well of course local archdiocesan participants. The focus was the Catholic school as an agent of evangelisation. Amanda Basedow, our acting REC, attended the conference and I was able to be part of some of the program on Monday. The conference was rich with ideas and people’s experiences of staff and student formation, family outreach, and being a point of contact for people searching for a connection to the Church. It was a very worthwhile conference.

Online Safety

Sts Peter and Paul is mindful of the ongoing needs around the safety and wellbeing of students, in their use of IT, at school and at home. Recently, the school sent home a sheet detailing safety tips in keeping your children safe online. Over the next few weeks, I will reproduce the tips in the newsletter. Below I have listed the first three pieces of advice:

1. Engage in Open Dialogue

Initiate regular and open conversations with your child about their online activities. Discuss the sites they visit, the apps they use, and their interactions with others. Understanding and agreeing on what is appropriate for your family is crucial. 

2. Monitor Online Presence with Visibility

Keep screens and devices in common family areas to monitor your child’s online time, especially for younger children. For mobile devices, consider settings that require your permission for internet access. Regularly check browser histories to understand their online habits.

3. Utilise Parental Controls Effectively

Learn to use parental controls and search restrictions effectively. Tools like Google’s SafeSearch Filters can help block inappropriate content. While not foolproof, these controls are valuable for limiting exposure to harmful material.

Educate your children about their digital footprint. Stress the permanence of online sharing and the importance of being selective with the information they post.

The Love of Books and Reading

Today at 12pm, we held the ‘National Simultaneous Storytime’ event in the school hall, for all students from K – 6. This event aims to unite all schools simultaneously, around the country, at 12pm, to hear a story. Our love of books and reading continues next week, with our Book Fair taking place from Tuesday to Thursday. The fair provides families with the opportunity to purchase some books and help to foster your child’s love of reading. My thanks to Amanda Basedow for coordinating and organising both events.

Rostrum Public Speaking Competition

On Thursday, the school finals will take place, for our Year 6 students, for the annual Rostrum Public Speaking competition. The winner will represent the school later this term at the regional competition. I would like to wish all of our Year 6 students the very best, for doing their very best. My thanks too to Katie McGregor, for coordinating and organising the opportunity for our students.

Athletics Carnival

Thursday next week sees all students have an opportunity to compete and to contribute in a different way. We are holding our 2024 Athletics Carnival at Woden Athletics Park. The children will walk down to the park and back again to school. If you are able to volunteer on the day, please email luke.gubler@cg.catholic.edu.au

My thanks to Luke for his excellent organisation and work.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

A Current of Grace International Catholic Schools Conference

On Monday and Tuesday, I attended this conference at ACU Canberra. It was affirming to see leaders from all over Oceania gather together to discuss renewing Catholic Schools as centres of Evangelisation. The conference featured keynotes and workshops by Catholic education system and school leaders throughout Europe, Africa and Oceania.

There is something distinctive about Catholic Schools- we breathe life into communities and hope to spark and ignite a passion for students to grow and deepen their faith. We are places of inclusivity and diversity and we welcome all, with Jesus at the heart of all we do; having over 2,000 years of experience to learn from based on the Gospel values. Our idea of teaching and learning covers all aspects of human formation, from the spiritual to the academic; we want our students to flourish and this is our aim and intention.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thank you to the Year 6 Parents who attended last night's Teams meeting for the Parent Sacramental Learning Opportunity. 

DATES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2024

PRESENTATION MASSES: Each family to attend one of the following:

During the program of preparation please take your child to Mass for Presentation

6.00pm Saturday 1 June 2024 OR 9.30am Sunday 2 June 2024

RECONCILIATION:

As part of the program of preparation please take your child to Reconciliation, any Saturday 5-5.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin

PARENT AND CHILD STOLE NIGHT:

Holy Trinity School Hall 5.30pm Thursday 6 June 2024, 18-20 Theodore Street, Curtin

RETREAT AND PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN:

Holy Trinity School Hall 9am-2.30pm Friday 14 June 2024, 18-20 Theodore Street, Curtin

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION: Families to attend one of the following nights:

Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Tuesday 18 June 2024

Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Wednesday 19 June 2024

Enquiries to: Parish of Transfiguration, North Woden,

3 Strangways Street, Curtin ACT 2605 or wodennorth@cg.org.au Ph.: 6201 3999

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY YEAR B

Gospel Matthew 28:16-20- Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The feast of the Holy Trinity brings us face to face with the foundation of our faith. The readings for today provide answers to the question: Who is God? They can really only suggest something about the mystery of God, and they can do this only indirectly. They call to mind some of the wonders that God has accomplished for us and in us. It is through reflection on these gracious divine acts that we can get glimpses of God.

The psalm declares that the harmony and interdependence that we see in creation point to a majestic creator responsible for it all. The account of the history of God’s people reveals a God who desires to establish an intimate relationship with them, enters their history as protector and guide, and forgives disloyalty. Finally, Jesus teaches that God sent him into the world to save it, has made us adopted children through the Holy Spirit, and will ultimately clothe us in divine glory. It is from his teaching that we hear that the Son was sent by the Father, the Spirit, which was also his Spirit, proceeded from the Father and from him.

From our own experience, we know that God creates, because we are immersed in creation. We know that God saves, because we have been freed from the bondage of our own demons. Our experience tells us that God is with us, and that God is for us. Everything that we know about God declares that God is passionately in love with us, boundlessly so!

Adapted from Dianne Bergant CSA

Blessings for the week ahead,

Amanda Basedow

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/s/66828/92213/e 

At Sts Peter and Paul, we are all SainTS - Succeeding Together Safely.

This term we are unpacking our behaviour expectation of Succeeding. 

Succeeding means trying your best, having courage, and embracing challenges.

SWPB Fortnight Focus Weeks 3-4

Sharing Rights and Responsibilities

Our focus for the next fortnight is - Sharing Rights and Responsibilities. We are talking within our school community about how we can demonstrate this value in class and on the playground. Our Year One students are remembering that if they choose a game to play today they will let someone else choose the game tomorrow. They are also concentrating on cleaning up after themselves without having to be reminded. While our Year Six students are stepping up and helping staff or other students with responsibilities around the school.

All our students are to be commended for demonstrating the value of Sharing Rights and Responsibilities!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Lorenzo L

Joseph S

Last Thursday and Friday I had the privilege to be part of the NSW/ACT TLPLC (Teacher Librarian Professional Learning Community) Committee running the 2024 Conference. The theme was ‘Capitalising on Libraries’ and it was an excellent two days, filled with keynote speakers, including Teacher Librarians, Authors and Professional Organisations. The conference highlighted the importance of Libraries and the difference they make to the lives of students. Reading for Pleasure, AI and Digital Technologies, The CBCA 2024 Shortlist and Book Week, Graphic Novels Discussion Panel and many more ideas were discussed. I am looking forward to implementing my key takeaways into future Library lessons! 

The National Simultaneous Storytime

Today our whole school came together in the Hall at 12pm (along with 2.1 million people around the world) to read Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker- an Australian Author and Illustrator. We loved creating our artworks for the story and of course…. being lucky enough to enjoy our BLUE themed special lunch, organised by the fabulous Mrs R!!!

The Book Fair is next week! 

Remember every sale provides resources for our Library and is our major Library fundraiser for the year. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Please take note of your child or children’s library days. Kinder- Year 4 must have a Library Bag to borrow books to take home. 

Mondays- 2M, KW & Library Admin 

Tuesdays- 3M, 3W, 1W, KM

Wednesdays- 4M, 4W, 5W, 2W

Thursdays- 5M, 6W, 1M & Library Admin 

The Library is open at Lunchtimes (after eating time) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for children to come and read, draw or play quietly.  

Happy reading!

Amanda Basedow 

Teacher Librarian

This week in the kitchen, the children continued to learn about fruit and they cooked with apples. Measuring and mixing were just some of the skills they practiced during their lesson. They had a lot of fun!

Our garden received some much needed watering and pruning.We planted some more lettuce and checked on our potatoes and tomatoes. We will harvest these in the next few weeks.

Garden club is a great way for children to learn new skills and spend some time caring for our environment. It is on each Friday at lunch time and an announcement is made at morning assembly to remind the children. All students are welcome each week.

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

The Garden Club

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

1/3 Banana

2 Strawberries

1/4 frozen berries

1/4 cup honey

1 cup yoghurt

2 cups milk

(These amounts are aproximate, adjust to suit)

Method

Cut up banana & strawberries.

Put all fruit into a blender.

Add honey, yoghurt and milk.

Blend and pour into cups.

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.

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

WEEK 4,  CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

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

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

Are you able to help in the canteen?

TERM 2 CANTEEN ROSTER OUT NOW

Parent/carer helpers are most welcome in the Canteen.

A lending hand is always required and very much appreciated.

Helping in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet new people and make a valuable contribution to the school. 

No doubt your child/ren will get a buzz from seeing you at the school.

  So if you have any spare time and would like to help out 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 add your selected time to the roster.

Please ensure you have your WWVP card.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/T2Roster

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 wasn’t expecting the BLUE BUN to be such a hit!

A very special THANK YOU goes to Eleen, Nick, Jel, Lucy, Katherine & Jemma for helping today! The day would have not been successful without your help. It 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. 

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 your needs.

Please note, the uniform shop is unable to accept donations now.  We will advise once we will accept donations again.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Netball news

After 2 weeks of grading, the first game of the Junior season saw the Year 5 King Parrots and the Year 6 Gang Gang Cockatoos go head-to-head. The Year 5s found themselves a couple of players down so Emily G stepped in to help with only two minutes before the game! Being another player short, the Year 6s generously agreed for their extra player to play with the Year 5 team. Special thanks to Claire, Isabel, and Amy for filling in.

The third quarter was especially exciting as Ava G and Emily G were opposite each other! All girls played with a beautiful attitude supporting each other sending the spirit of the game. While the teams were evenly matched, Year 6 won the day 10 – 9. The coaches and managers are very proud of all the girls representing sts Peter & Paul!