Dear Parents and Carers

Gratitude and Thanks

Last week, we celebrated Book Week at school. The students came to school dressed as their favourite book character and enjoyed a day of literature based activities. The day of course included our annual Book Week parade, always a staple on the school’s calendar. My thanks to all staff, for their great support on the day. Last week also saw the celebration of Fathers’ Day, with a morning breakfast, a gift stall, wonderful artwork and an equally wonderful Fathers’ Day assembly. Again, this day only came about because of the very hard work of a great many people. My thanks to the Community Council for organising the breakfast and the Fathers’ Day present stall, to the teachers for coordinating the children’s excellent art work, and our wonderful Year 3 teachers and students for the assembly which celebrated the many gifts that fathers bring to our community.

Student Achievement

Last Thursday, I had the good fortune to attend the presentation night for the A.C.T. Young Australian of the Year awards. Indie G in Year 6 was nominated for an award and received a Certifcate of Commendation from Council, for her extraordinary work in making jewelry with her friend Lara, and then selling the jewelry and raising over $16,000, all of which went to fund brain cancer research at the John Curtin School of Medical Research. Well done Indie on an extraordinary achievement – we are all very proud of you at school. Your work has gone a long way to make the lives of others better and your work will have many positive outcomes for many years to come.

Tournament of Minds

This weekend, the hard work of two school teams will pay off, when they participate in the Tournament of Minds competition, held annually each year at the ANU. Students in Grades 4 – 6 participate in teams of 7 and are required to solve a problem and present the solution in dramatic form, complete with props and costumes. Teachers and parents are not allowed to assist or come up with the answers. The exercise is very student driven and allows for reasoning and creativity. It would not happen without both parent support and teacher support. My thanks to our parents and to Katie Birch, who has given up many hours and lunchtimes to make this possible. Thank you, Katie.

Student Events

This Friday, two significant student events are taking place. Our Year 3 students are having a ‘day camp’ on Friday, meaning they are having a longer excursion day than normal, at Warrambui, which was the camp site used for our Year 4s this year. My thanks to Paul Jenkins, Sarah Walsh and Katie Birch, for coordinating and organising the camp; and to Paul and Katie for attending. Also taking place on Friday is the First Eucharist Retreat Day, for all of our Year 4 students. This day is taking place in partnership with Holy Trinity, Curtin, and sees the students spend the day at Curtin, participating in activities that deepen their understanding of the Eucharist. My thanks to our wonderful Year 4 teachers and to Sarah Walsh, our Religious Education Coordinator, for all of her hard work.

APPA Conference

I am taking leave in Weeks 9 and 10 of this term, and in Week 9, I am attending the annual Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) conference, this year held in Christchurch, New Zealand, in partnership with New Zealand Association of Principals. https://www.transtasmanconference.com/

I am also taking leave in Week 10. In my absence, Samantha Mance will very capably lead the school as the Acting Principal, Sarah Kennelly will be the Acting Assistant Principal, Sarah Walsh will continue as the Acting REC and Natasha Kapantais will be the Acting Coordinator. They will do a wonderful job.

Trivia Night

Finally, a reminder that our 2024 Trivia Night is being held at the end of Week 8, on Friday September 13, at 6.30pm in the school hall. Parents are invited to make up tables of up to 10 adults. The teachers have already made three tables. My thanks again to the Community Council, who have made this evening possible.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sacramental News: First Eucharist

As a community, we continue to pray for the students and families as they begin their preparation to receive the Body and Blood of Christ at the table of the Lord. 

First Eucharist Retreat Day

All Year 4 students and any student enrolled in the First Eucharist Parish Sacramental Program will be attending a First Eucharist Retreat Day at Holy Trinity Primary School on Friday, 6 September from 9:00am to 2:15pm. A permission information note has been sent out via Compass. 

Students will need to be dropped off at Holy Trinity Primary School, 18 Theodore St, Curtin between 8:30am and 9:00am at the front office and walk to the school hall. At the conclusion of the day, students and staff will walk back to school, ready for afternoon pickup. We are looking forward to joining with the parish for a day of prayer, reflection and fun during the First Eucharist Retreat.

Where: Holy Trinity Primary School, Curtin

When: Friday, 6 September, 9:00am to 2:00pm

Who: All Year 4 students and any student enrolled in the First Eucharist Parish Home Sacramental Program

What to bring: Lunch and recess, water bottle, sunhat

Wear: Comfortable casual clothes

Gospel - Mark 7:31-37

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Jesus heals the deaf man.

Strangely, this week’s gospel about the healing of a man who was deaf and dumb is less about healing than it is about Jesus being the Messiah. The theme is set up in the first reading when the prophet, Isaiah, describes the signs by which the coming of the Messiah will be recognised: the blind will see; the deaf will hear; the lame will leap; and the dumb will speak. When Jesus healed the man in the gospel story the crowd were admiring of what he had done. They even exclaimed, ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’ These words are a direct echo of the Isaiah text – they were recognising Jesus as fulfilling the prophecies of the promised Messiah.

However, the passage also demonstrates to us that Jesus was trying to show the people that he was not exactly the Messiah that many of them were anticipating. This healing story takes place in the region of The Decapolis – south-east of the Galilee region and populated mostly by Gentiles. By travelling in this area and working miraculous healings, Jesus is making the point that his mission is to all people, not just ‘the Chosen People’ of Israel. He commands the crowd who witnessed the healing to tell no one about it but, filled with the idea that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for, they broadcast the news. Jesus wanted their silence because he knew that they did not fully understand the sort of Messiah that he was. Only when they understood that this Messiah must suffer and die would he have allowed them to speak of his deeds.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Blessings for the week ahead,

Sarah Walsh

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday 12 Sept at 2.15 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Sadie W, 2M

Learning Support Awards: Felix B, 6W; Lexie W, 5W

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

Canteen Awards: Parker B 4W; Eline T 5W; Isla B 5W

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Michael W

Winter B

Maite GV

Cormac B

Grace B

Tyler H

Jack M

TRIVIA NIGHT - 13th SEPTEMBER

We are very excited to be hosting a night full of FUN, TRIVIA  & PRIZES at our Trivia Night on the 13th of September. 

Parents, teachers and friends are all invited so feel free to get some of your favourite people together and book a table!!   

Tickets are available on QKR.

We have hired the most amazing trivia company to make our night extra fun!! Come on out and meet other parents and friends in our school community. You also have the chance to win amazing prizes ($250 visa gift card for the winning team and $100 visa gift card for the runner up), raffle prizes as well as bid on some incredible silent auction items on the night.  

This adults only night is open to teachers, parents, family and friends in our school community.  Your $15 ticket price includes a share light platter of nibbles and you are invited to bring your own food and alcohol.

You are welcome to organise your own team up to 10 people per team. If you have arranged a team, can we please ask that one member of your team email the School Community Council at parentcouncilstpandp@gmail.com; with the names of those people on your team.  If you don’t have a team and would like to be allocated one, please select the option to be allocated to a team and select which grade level your child is in so that we can put you with others looking to form a team.

Here are some of the raffle items, luck door prizes and silent auction items up for grabs on the night;

• 6 month membership donated by Fitstop
• $200 vouchers donated by Southern Cross Club Canberra
• $200 voucher donated by Woden Valley Gymnastics
• $200 Dining Voucher donated by Fika Deli & Café, Phillip
• 10 class pass donated by Dance Sculpt
• Family pass to Questacon
• Family pass to Cockington Green
• Hair cut and hair care pack donated by Matriarch Hair Studio Garran
• 10 class pass donated by Canberra Yoga Space
• $100 dining voucher donated by Fenway Public House
• $150 dining voucher at Natural Nine, Canberra Casino
• 3 Gift Hampers worth $900 in total donated by Priceline Woden
• Lunch for two and tour of ACT Assembly donated by Jeremy Hanson
• Treatment Voucher donated by Elevation Holistic Therapies
• 2 Escape Room voucher donated by Escape Rooms Canberra
• Sound Bath Vouchers x 4 donated by Luna Wellness Elements
• 3 month family training pass donated by Canberra Martial Arts
• 2 x $50 escape room vouchers donated by Metaphysica
• $40 voucher from Capital Chemist Curtin
• Meat tray donated by Hoof & Hook Garran
• $100 voucher from Capital Chemist Garran
• Voucher for 2 cheesecakes donated by The Cheesecake Shop
• $50 Gift Certificate donated by Define Hair Design, Hughes
• 4 x 1 month pass donated by GKR Karate Woden
• $75 Voucher at Essence Beauty Woden
• Hampers donated by Chemist Warehouse Woden, Hip Hair Woden, Chemist Warehouse Fyshwick, Jasper & Myrtle Chocolate, Niugini Arabica Curtin, Harry Hartog, Virtue Hair Mawson & cream Residential

A huge thank you to all of those beautiful local businesses who are supporting this event including our major sponsors, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Hayman Partners Real Estate Agency.

Date: Friday, 13th September
Venue: The School Hall, Sts Peter & Paul, 59 Wisdom St, Garran
Time: 6:30pm start
Cost: $15 per person, 
BYO Drinks and Food

Ticket sales close 12pm, Wednesday 11^th September.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to showcase your trivia skills and have some fun!

We look forward to seeing you there!

School Community Council

The Year 4 netball team played their final game of the season with a nice win of 6-5.
Their coach is Hannah’s big sister Lucy. They had a great season, improving their skills and showing great teamwork.
They’re a great bunch of students.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I would like to start this week's message with a huge thank you for the beautiful array of costumes on display at our wonderful Book Week parade last Thursday. It was a sensational day and everyone had a wonderful time!!

Just a reminder that Book Club orders are due in on Monday, 9^th of September.

Please continue to return library books. As the holidays are approaching, please have a good look around for any library books that might be hiding under beds and in strange places.

Otherwise, we hope you find a great book to read and enjoy sitting in the sunshine  absorbed in a fantastic adventure.

Keep reading.

Your library team

Amanda de Jongh and Michael Washington

This week we are in a Gnome Vill flurry…

Sts Peter and Paul will be presenting a Flower Power Gnome-Vill themed display. How cute I hear you say… 

The Garden Club with the rest of the school are busy painting our Gnomes to have them ready for public ooing and aghing this coming school holidays at Floriade. Make sure you spare some time to visit and see your child’s gnome. Meanwhile watch this space for updates on their creation.

In the classroom, the Year 1 students continue to learn about the Five Food Groups and work through their booklets.

Please email katherine.birch@cg.catholoic.edu.au with any questions.

The Garden Club

TOMATO PASTA SAUCE

Ingredients

500g tomatoes

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed

1/2 cup olive oil

Pinch salt & pepper

1/2 cup basil leaves, rinsed & chopped

Method

Prepare two bowls, fill one with boiling water, the other with chilled water.

Skin tomatoes by cutting a slit on the bottom of each, place in boiling water for 1 minute then remove with slotted spoon and put in cold water for 1 minute.

Drain and peel off skin. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. 

Place tomatoes, onion, garlic and oil in saucepan and cook over moderate heat for 15 minutes.

When tomatoes are soft, blend with blender.

Add chopped basil to the sauce, seasion with salt & pepper and keep warm.

Serve with cooked pasta or home made gnocchi.

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 8, TERM 3,  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 3 Canteen Roster  

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.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/Term3Roster

Please ensure you have your 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.

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.

The Uniform shop is stocked up with second hand uniform, please visit on a Tuesday morning to purchase second hand uniform.

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.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

We would like to invite your school community to attend Woden Waves Water Polo Club’s Come and Try Day at Stromlo Leisure Centre Saturday 14th September 2024.

Woden Waves Water Polo Club calls Stromlo Leisure Centre home and runs programs year-round for children 7 years and older and social adult teams. Our coaches have extensive experience, having played and coached at state, national, and international levels.

Woden Waves is committed to developing a strong club culture and welcomes new members.

Please find attached flyer for distribution and below information regarding our event to share with your school community.

Thank you for your support of Woden Waves Water Polo Club.

Come and Try Water Polo

Dive into the excitement with Woden Waves Water Polo Club’s Come and Try Day!

What: Woden Waves Water Polo Come and Try day

When: 14th September 2024

Time: 12&U Session 11am-12pm / 13+ session 12pm-1pm

Where: Stromlo Leisure Centre

Cost: Free - BBQ lunch included

Link to register - www.wodenwaves.com/events/250826 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.wodenwaves.com/events/250826__;!!Ax-PnKpllFIIgPxB!gEioZ-J5wasQJIik4FHIdbkSg4FQHX-dW9nxd3iyMIDmjR4Qll4mnXbA3qfA7E0g_Oi6GexfGiuTiKPFu-JM8BsJ_yy5wv7CwmrR$>

Questions? Contact info@wodenwaves.com <mailto:info@wodenwaves.com>

Don’t miss out on the chance to test your skills, make new friends, and enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch on us.

Kym McNamara

President

Woden Waves Water Polo Club