Dear Parents and Carers

“Seek joy in God and peace within; seek to rest in the good, the true, and the beautiful. It’s the only resting place that also allows us to hear and bear the darkness...We can bear the hardness of life and see through failure when our soul is resting in a wonderful and comforting sweetness and softness. Religious people would call this living in God. That’s why people in love—and often people at the end of life—have such an excess of energy for others.”

• Fr Richard Rohr, OFM

Welcome to Term 4. I hope all families have enjoyed the break in routine and enjoyed a good holiday. The children have all returned very calm and happy, and settled easily into school routines. It has been excellent seeing all the children this week. It promises to be another term with many excellent learning opportunities and events, and of course culminates at the end of term with reports, class lists for 2025 and all the planning that goes into ensuring there is a smooth transition into the holidays, and beyond, into another excellent school year. In the meantime, all of grades have many things to look forward to: aside from the usual excellent classroom learning opportunities, there are such things as the Swimming Program for Grades 1 – 3, Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival, Kindergarten Nativity play and end of year celebrations. In all of this, we particularly wish our wonderful Year 6 students an excellent last term of primary school.

The reflection above, from one of regular contributors Fr Richard Rohr, speaks to what we draw on, in our lives, to keep ourselves centered and focused on what matters. If what we draw on is the good, the true and the beautiful, then it will sustain us in the periods when we feel under duress and strain. This surely speaks to what is essential in education: giving our children a foundation from which they can continue to grow, learn and change, all the while contributing positively to the world around them.

Performing Bagpipes

Our term got underway before it even officially began. Last Saturday, students who are learning the Bagpipes participated in the Canberra Highland Gathering. Members of the SPP Pipers Zoe (6W); Hugo, Chen An, Parker (4W); Mia, Vanessa and Evelyn (4M) represented St Peter & Paul performing on the chanters and goose bags outside the Canberra College of Pipes and Drumming tent and  took the time to show members of the community the basics on the chanter and drums.  They did a wonderful job, receiving some high praise from the piping community who were not only impressed with what the students had achieved in such a short time but their confidence and enthusiasm as they performed and shared their music. Special thanks to our excellent Performing Arts teacher, Lisa Gill, whose work has made this possible. A big thank you to our tutors from the Canberra College of Pipes and Drumming; Kerrie Flynn who took time out of her own band duties to lead the students in their performances and Athol Chalmers, who organises and teaches our unique program.

School Uniforms

I have become aware that a number of parents have been seeking the counsel of school staff around what children are allowed to wear at school. These conversations have come about because some parents are finding it difficult to ensure that their children are wearing the correct uniform, as parents are told conflicting things by their children. Simultaneously, I have noticed a need to perhaps remind students of what the correct uniform is. Because of these conversations and observations, the staff are talking and reminding students more about the need for correct uniform, as a matter of pride and consistency. The school will soon send home what will be the definitive uniform checklist, to help clarify matters for parents and ensure transparency and good communication. A reminder that in Term 4, the children are to wear their summer uniforms, obviously bearing in mind the fact that the spring days can still be occasionally chilly (such as yesterday). The revamped uniform checklist will be sent home within the next few days. Please contact me, or Sam Mance, if you have any questions. Thank you all for your support.

Swimming Lessons

Next week, students from Years 1 – 3 are taking part in our annual swimming lessons. This year, our Year 3 students are also participating, as they could not do so last year. My thanks to Sarah Kennelly, our Acting Coordinator, and our Years 1, 2 and 3 teachers, for all of their support.

Boorowa

A reminder that Friday week sees the ever-popular Boorowa Netball and Touch Football Carnival take place. Students are participating from a number of grades, ably assisted by many parents, who are either coaching or managing the teams. My thanks to Luke Gubler, who has coordinated our involvement in the event.

Archdiocesan Assembly

This weekend, the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn is holding an Archdioscean Assembly, as part of the Synodal journey that the Catholic Church is undertaking. All Catholic school principals have been invited to attend, and I will be participating in the assembly. A link to the Assembly webpage can be found here, which includes information about the nature and purpose of the Assembly. https://www.cgevangelisation.org.au/assembly/

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Social Justice - Crazy Sock Day Socktober Catholic Mission - Friday 1st November

Social Justice is defined by the Catholic Church as, “the respect for the human person and the rights which flow from human dignity.’ Catholic Social Justice teaches that all people are made in the image of God and possess an equal worth, and that each person has a right to all that is needed to allow him or her to live their full potential as intended by God.

This year, we are supporting Catholic Mission by participating in Socktober. Socktober 2024 will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Mongolia, where the Don Bosco Caring Center is providing hope, education, protection and guidance for young children.

On Friday 1st November, students are able to participate in Socktober in two ways:

• Wear ‘crazy socks’ and ‘sock it’ to poverty. Students are invited to wear crazy socks and make a gold coin donation.
• Kick goals for poverty. Could you score a goal against a teacher? Students are invited to donate gold coin/s and try to score a goal. 

As a community, let’s join together to help Catholic Mission bring hope and dignity to people in need. Thank you.

Gospel - Mark 10:35-45

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Whoever aspires to greatness must serve the rest.

James and John are effectively calling ‘shotgun’ on the best seats at the table! When they ask to sit at the left and right hand of Jesus, they are asking Jesus to name them as his deputies. They’re looking to secure for themselves positions of power and authority. The only problem is that they have a completely messed up idea of what it means for Jesus to enter into his glory. For several weeks now, we have been exploring a theme from the Gospel of Mark that follows a physical journey towards Jerusalem as well as a symbolic and theological journey towards what is going to occur in Jerusalem – Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and resurrection.

Throughout this journey, Jesus has been trying to prepare the disciples for what is to come and educate them about what it really means to be a disciple of his. Three times Jesus tells the disciples explicitly what lies ahead. Each time the disciples fail to grasp what Jesus tells them. Despite occasional glimpses of insight, the disciples still believe that Jesus is going to rise up as a political or military figure. In a complete dismissal of this sort of thinking, Jesus declares quite forcefully that leadership of this sort is not what he intends for himself, nor for those who follow him.

Leadership in the Jesus model is about being of service to others; it is not about prestige and acclamation. Many of the best leaders are those who do not have any title of leadership or authority. Their leadership and authority come from what they do and how they do it. They inspire others to follow their example. They don’t demand it; they don’t bully; they don’t play power games. People simply want to follow their example.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Blessings for the week ahead,

Sarah Walsh

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday, 24 Oct at 2.30 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Malachi M, KW; Summer M, 1M, Ayverie C, 1W; Sofia ST, 5W

LS Awards: Ari A, 3W; Siraj A, 4W;

(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

Benjamin GV

Sebastian H

Lakshya A

Zoe S

Chiara C

Ayverie C, 1W is on a mission! She wants to raise funds to adopt and raise money for the koala hospital in Port Macquarie after stopping in for a visit and adopting a koala named Bob. 

Ayverie has just raised enough money from her apartment building by placing a jar in the lobby to adopt a second Koala and her father will be placing a jar for collection at his work too.

She is concerned about their endangerment and wants to do her bit. She is hoping to ask the kids in the school if they may want to donate even a small amount of 20 or 50 cents. 

Please see the link below. 

https://koalahospital.org.au/

Below is the koala, Bobby she has adopted. You can see all koalas that can be adopted on the website link below.

Murwillumbah Bobby – Koala Hospital

Book Club Orders are due back by the 1/11/24.

Keep Reading

Your Library Team

Mrs de Jongh & Mr Washington

Welcome back to school for our final term! We have some exciting sports happening for our students this term. 

Boorowa Touch Football/Netball Carnival Friday 25th October - NEXT WEEK!

Sts Peter and Paul has entered 6 teams into the competition, a fantastic participation amongst our Years 2-6 students with just over 60 students attending! An email will be sent out in the coming days with some final pieces of information regarding next week. 

If you ever have any questions about anything related to Sport, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Luke Gubler (luke.gubler@cg.catholic.edu.au) and hopefully we will be able to help you out!

Welcome to Term 4!

Our garden was very well prepared at the end of last term for the holidays and has grown beautifully. We have snow peas, beans, Yam Daisy (which garden club has worked tirelessly to weed each week). I think you would all agree - their hard work has paid off. Some of this produce will be available for sale next week before and after assembly at our pop up garden stall outside the hall.

In Food Science and cooking this term, we have Years 5 and 6 cooking up a storm and learning about healthy eating in both the classroom and kitchen garden. They will revise and learn more about the Five Food Groups and paddock to plate cooking, health messaging and reading nutrition labels, in the classroom.

Garden Club starts again this Friday and is on every Friday at lunch – anyone is welcome. Also, if anyone would like to volunteer at a garden club, please feel free to email me and let me know. Children always love having family and special people helping them at school.

If you have any questions or would like to know about the Kitchen Garden Program, please email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

Happy Gardening!

The Garden Club

RICE PAPER ROLLS

Ingredients

150g vermicelli noodles

Bunch coriander, soaked & chopped

Bunch mint leaves, rinsed & chopped

2 carrots, peeled & grated

200g cabbage, shredded

5 spring onions, topped, tailed & cut lengthways

1 pkt rice paper roll wrappers

Method

Place noodles in a bowl. Cover with warm water, soak for 10 minutes, drain.

Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the soaked noodles and cook for 2 minutes, drain and rinse well with cold water. Tip noodles onto clean tea towel, pat dry and place in a bowl.

Prepare all other ingredients then add to noodles, mix to combine.

Lay a clean, damp tea towel on the bench.

Fill a large bowl with warm water and place a wrapper in the water for 30 seconds.

Lift out of water and onto the prepared tea towel. Spoon a tablespoon of mixture onto the middle of the wrap, roll twice then fold ends in and continue rolling to form a roll.

Place on serving tray with damp tea towel over roll.

Repeat with remaining wrappers, serve rolls with soy sauce or peanut sauce.

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 2, 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! TIPS 

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

Australian Girls Choir Open Day

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. School aged girls are invited to come along to our November Open Day to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc