Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we conclude Term 3, it's a wonderful time to reflect on the exciting and fruitful months we've shared at Sts Peter and Paul. This term has been filled with memorable experiences, including the First Eucharist celebration, the 100 Days of Kinder milestone, the Feast of the Transfiguration events with Holy Trinity, and Book Week activities.

Tournament of Minds
We are incredibly proud of our Tournament of Minds team, who competed in the ACT Finals at ANU last weekend. Their participation is the result of many months of hard work and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to the students for representing Sts Peter and Paul so well, and to Mrs. Birch for her unwavering support. Our students achieved an impressive 3rd place overall in the language literature category—what a fantastic accomplishment!

During Term 4, Michele Halis-Pratt, Gayle Hunt, and Mary de Smet will be on leave. We will greatly miss their expertise, generosity, and sense of humour! We are pleased to welcome Sarah Cunneen to our school community next term; she will be teaching in both Kindergarten Maroon and Four Maroon. Our staff is excited to work with Sarah.

This morning, we shared the official announcement congratulating Andrea McQuirk on her appointment as our new Religious Education Coordinator. Andrea currently serves as the Acting Religious Education Coordinator at St Thomas More's Primary School in Campbell and will join us at the start of the 2025 school year. We look forward to welcoming Andrea to our community!

Term 4 Summer Uniform
Students will transition to summer uniforms at the beginning of Term 4. During the break, please ensure that your child has all the necessary uniform items, including a school hat.

Lost Property
As we approach the term break, I encourage families to check our ever-growing lost property collection. We currently have two full racks of clothing waiting to be claimed! Lost property is located in the canteen area.

A Final Note..
Earlier this year, I learned about the significance of 'Shabbat' or a day of peace in the Jewish tradition. Shabbat provides an opportunity for tranquillity with nature, society, and within ourselves. I hope that during the holidays, you can find moments of quiet and serenity that foster internal peace.

Wishing all our students and their families a wonderful school break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 4.

Yours in Christ,
Samantha Mance
Acting Principal

Sacramental News: First Eucharist

Last weekend, our school and parish celebrated the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Children from across the parish came together to receive the Body of Christ. The children were both nervous and excited. A big thank you to the parents/carers and teachers for walking alongside the children on their faith journey.

We are looking forward to welcoming Grandfriends to Sts Peter and Paul at the end of this term! On Friday September 27th, all Grandfriends (grandparents and/or special friends) are invited to join their grandchildren to see the wonderful learning happening at SPP. 

Timetable of the Day:

9:00-11:10 - Regular classroom activities

11:10-11:50 - Regular lunchtime (please provide lunch for your child)

11:50-12:30 - Regular classroom activities

12:30pm - Grandfriends classroom visits - Welcome!

1:10-1:50pm - Grandfriends picnic meal (grandfriends byo food to share with your child)

1:50pm - Grandfriends depart - Thank you!

Who were Jesus’ Grandparents?

Jesus' grandparents are Joachim and Anne. They are the parents of his mother, Mary. They loved Jesus more than anything and raised Mary well. There is a church  built over the ruins of their home where Mary was born.

Gospel - Mark 9:38-43. 45. 47-48

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

If they are not against us, they are for us.

The first part of today’s gospel deals with the disciples’ jealousy at someone else ‘cashing in’ on Jesus’ name and authority. It is a continuation of their limited understanding about the message and ministry of Jesus. They still cling to an idea that Jesus is going to rise up in power against the forces of Rome and, in the aftermath, they are going to be sitting pretty as associates of this powerful figure. The disciples have been blinded by their dreams of glory and forgotten that the real story is that people are being cured and having demons cast out. Rather than celebrating the healing that is occurring in Jesus’ name, the disciples are jealous that it’s someone else who is getting the credit. Jesus assures them, and us, that any good work being undertaken genuinely in his name is to be welcomed. It is a reminder to us that sometimes we look down on the work of others because ‘they’re not one of us’, or ‘they’re not doing it our way’.

The second portion of the gospel is one of the really challenging teachings of Jesus. Drawing on the image of the community as being a whole body, the teaching suggests that it is better to remove the part of the body/community that is causing sinfulness than have the whole body/community perish. It is a concept we are familiar with in modern medicine: sometimes it is necessary to remove diseased tissue to prevent the spread of disease. We are reminded that if we surround ourselves with negative people and negative influences, we too will become negative. If we separate ourselves from negative influences and surround ourselves with positive ones then the positive aspects of our lives will flourish.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Blessings for the week ahead,

Sarah Walsh

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to the student who is celebrating a birthday this week

Isaac G

And to those celebrating birthdays during the holidays

Jai B

Miller L

Billiessa C

David CL

Neerav B

Ebony S

Sophia M

Candace N

Ava G

Dev R

Angad S

Sebastian B

Mariya A

Ridwan H

Congratulations to Alasdair D, 3M! On Sunday, he competed in a tennis competition in Penrith. He won the tournament, his first tournament win. He is really proud of his win and that the trophy is so big!! We are so proud of him too!

This week has been busy in the kitchen and garden.

The children continue to learn about healthy eating in the classroom and using produce from our garden whenever possible.

The garden received a much needed water and weed so we will be ready to plant next term.

Also, just a few reminders - we are still on the look out for second hand watering cans.

The gnomes are doing well at Floriade. If you visit our gnome-ville please send us a photo.

If you would like to be a parent or special friend and volunteer at our garden club on a Friday at lunch time in Term 4, please email kagtherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

TOMATO SALSA

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, quartered, seeded & finely chopped

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 tsp lime juice

2 tsp coriander, finely chopped

Pinch salt & pepper

Method

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

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

PITA CHIPS

Ingredients

4 pita bread rounds, cut into small chips

2 tbs olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Pinch salt and pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees and line two baking trays with paper.

Mix the olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper together in a small bowl.

Scatter pita bread pieces over the trays and brush with garlic oil.

Shake the trays to ensure the oil reaches all pieces and season with extra salt and pepper if desired.

Bake for 6-10 minutes, or until crispy and golden.

Serving suggestion: combine salsa, chips and cheese and bake in oven untill the cheese melts to make nachos.

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 1, TERM 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 4 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.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/RosterTerm4

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 limited with space, so if you wish to donate pre-loved items, PLEASE ONLY DONATE CLOTHES

that are washed and in perfect resalable order.

 Please visit the schools website for the Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au