“Advent is indeed a season of confrontation, a season to give us pause. It presses upon us the necessity to be genuine with God, and with each other, and with ourselves. It urges us to be less smoothly-flowing in our relationships, and in our prayers, and in our constant concessions to ourselves. Advent is a nuisance. Its use is to be nuisance.”

Peter Steele SJ, ‘Irony as Virtue, Cynicism as Vice’

The late Jesuit priest Peter Steele was a published poet, and his gift with language is on show here. The Season of Advent begins this weekend, and Advent is the preparation time for Christmas, which is another way of saying that it invites us to prepare the way for the birth of the Lord into our lives. Peter Steele, in this passage of writing, is suggesting that in order to make way for the birth of Jesus, perhaps some hard truths need to be confronted. What is stopping me from being my best? What am I hanging onto to? What am I making concessions to, or about, regarding my own behaviour? Our culture does not make the asking of such questions easy. One of the gifts of Advent is that it explicitly invites these questions and asks us to go against the grain, in the simple act of asking such questions about our lives. Sts Peter and Paul, in living its vocation to the best of its ability, is tasked with the role of assisting our students, in partnership with parents, to cultivate an inner life where the asking of such questions is not alien.

Christmas Carols – Save the Date

Save the date! Our Christmas Carols picnic night, which may well include a special visit from a special person, is taking place on Tuesday, December 10 (Week 9), at 6pm. All grades will have the opportunity to perform some carols for the parent community, so we encourage all families to attend this evening and enjoy the social atmosphere, the opportunity to mix with other families, and hear each grade perform some beautiful carols. My thanks to Lisa Gill, our excellent music teacher, and to Daniel Muller, one of our very generous dads, who is providing support for the evening via speakers and microphones.

Class Lists and Reports

Class lists are now in the final process of being organised. Friendship Four forms and other requests pertaining to class lists for next year are now closed. Class lists will be published to parents at the beginning of Week 9, and reports will also be published to parents early in Week 9.

Treetops – Year 6

This Friday, our excellent Year 6 students are enjoying their final leadership day at Treetops Adventure, which will test them with endurance and resilience exercises, as well as opportunities to further their teamwork skills. Days such as Treetops are invaluable, in that they provide students, within a safe and fun atmosphere, the opportunity to learn and cement some important life skills: the importance of interdependence, the necessity of communication and the value of succeeding together, safely. My thanks to Katie McGregor and Luke Gubler for organising this for the students.

Kinder Nativity

Another date to save in the calendar is our annual Kindergarten Nativity play, which sees our beautiful Kinder students retell the story of the birth of Jesus. It is taking place on Thursday December 12^th (Week 9), at 12pm.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Students and families are invited to donate non-perishable Christmas goodies to help families. Each grade level has been provided with a food donation suggestion. Please bring all donations to your child’s classroom tub. 

Students and families may also like to donate a wrapped Christmas gift with a gender and age clearly labelled. 

Local families are in need of gifts for:

• 3 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 4 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 5 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 6 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 7 year old gifts for girls and boys
• 8 year old gifts for girls and boys
• 9 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 10 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 11 year old gifts for boys and girls
• 12 year old gifts for boys and girls

Donations of movie vouchers would be gratefully appreciated for 13 years and above.

Youth Ministry Illuminate Retreat Day

Last Friday, our mighty Youth Ministry team attended the primary school gathering for Youth Ministry called Illuminate at John Paul College II. It was a fantastic day that commenced in song and prayer with other Youth Ministers from our archdiocese. After, students were organised into groups. Students created rosary beads, played games, prayed with art, participated in Christian Meditation to name a few. During the day, the CSYMA Officer at Catholic Education, Luke Maher spoke to the students about his hopes for them. He invited them to take their experiences from Catholic Education with them as they move forward and be leaders of hope and creativity. We thank the Youth Ministry Team from CE for all their work and preparation. 

Gospel - John 18:33-37

First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Be ready for the second coming.

The readings of the First Sunday of Advent set the stages for our reflections on the entire season. They contain a number of promises, all pointing to peace and fulfilment. Each reading depicts a dimension of suffering that was often brought on by the people themselves. The promises are assurances that the end of their suffering was in sight. The promises reveal a loving and provident, a merciful and forgiving God. These are promises full of hope.

The coming of the Lord is clearly a time of expectation, not of fear and trembling. Although the earlier tradition about the Day of the Lord included punishment of the wicked, the focus here is on redemption. The time of expectation may be preceded by apocalyptic signs in the heavens and dismay on earth, but this cosmic shift will bring fulfilment, not destruction. The love and providence, the mercy and forgiveness of God will be made manifest.

What is expected of those who receive the promise? An Advent way of life exhorts us to ‘wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ’. This way of life is both simple and profound. It does not necessarily require unusual behaviour on our part, but it calls us to live the usual unusually well. It affects the everyday events of life; it directs the way we interact with people; it informs the attitudes that colour our judgments and motivations. It is as ordinary as the birth of a child; it is as extraordinary as the revelation of God.

Adapted from Diane Bergant CSA

Week 1: Advent

The season of Advent begins this week and continues through the four Sundays of Advent and ends at Christmas Eve. The first week of Advent focuses on the return of the Lord and the following weeks focus more specifically on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Rather than simply commemorating an historical event, Advent is a time of preparing our hearts to ‘receive’ Jesus into the world each year. Advent is traditionally marked by the colour of violet – the same colour as used in Lent. In recent years, some parishes have moved to a more blue/mauve colour for Advent to try to distinguish it from the season of Lent.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Sarah Walsh

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Henry M

Ghensey Jazeel S

Christian S

Oscar S

Isabella C

Olive I

Asmin G

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday, 5 Dec at 2.30 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Henry D, 1M

Learning Support Awards: Hanshike M, 4M; Malachi M, KW; Rafael Y, 1M; Pushti R, KW; Phoebe E, 3M

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

Thank you for your wonderful support of the library throughout this year. The children have had many wonderful experiences and many adventures have been enjoyed. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and as such, this is the final week for borrowing.

Over the next two weeks can we please kindly ask that all books be returned. 

This may mean that children need to search for books at home, in classrooms, and even under the couch. 

Enjoy the summer break! Perhaps visit one of the local libraries and enjoy a good book or two, over the holidays.

Keep reading!

Last Friday we saw an even bigger turnout for the 2024 House Cup with Kinder to Year 2 throwing down the gauntlet to compete for house glory. Across the school we had participants from all grades compete in a true test of dexterity and focus – an egg and spoon race -  to prove which house should be showered in glory for the week.

In our egg and spoon competition we saw the terrific Talara come out on top and take the trophy for the first time in their long history.

This week sees the school getting their new chance at being known as champions. Will Talara retain their spot at the top? Or will another one of our houses take the crown as their own?

A sack race – a true showing of speed and explosive power -  will determine who reigns supreme! Good luck to all the houses this Friday!

Last week in cooking, quiche was on the menu. The children learnt and practiced their cooking skills to make delicious quiches using eggs from the Meat and Alternatives Group. Eggs are a great food and can be used for so many things.

In the garden we had a small but committed team of experts to water the garden which was so dry. We also relocated some tomato seedlings and checked on our growing produce. We then had fun harvesting and eating peas. As you can see from the photos – smiles all around!

For more information of garden club, email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

APPLE & CINNAMON MUFFINS

Ingredients

3 green apples, peeled & chopped

2 & 1/2 cups self raising flour

2 tsp cinnamon

2/3 cups brown sugar

1 &1/3 cups milk

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

150 g butter, melted

2 Tbs raw sugar

Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees, line two 12 hole muffin trays with cases and spray with oil.

Sift flour and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add sugar and make well in centre.

Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla and melted butter in a separate bowl then fold this mixture into the dry ingredients.

Fold in the chopped apple until just combined.

Fill each muffin pan with mixture and sprinkle with raw sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

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.

As the end of year draws closer, we will be reducing our stock in the canteen to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break. 

 Lunch orders will be available until Thursday 12 December. 

WEEK 8 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.

 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.

Mrs R would like to take this opportunity to thank all the canteen volunteers that have helped her out this year!

This week we will have an afternoon tea for our wonderful volunteers to show them how much we appreciate them. 

Mrs R knows your time is very precious, and your help is always appreciated!

Thank you

We love our volunteers

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. 

  STARTING SCHOOL IN 2025?

PURCHASE A STARTER PACK ON QKR! NOW

 Step 1: Download the app Qkr!

Step 2: Register - follow the steps

Step 3: Find our school - Sts Peter & Paul Primary School

Step 4: Register your child - select “new enrolments”

Step 5: Purchase a starter pack for pick up at the front office between school hours.

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. Thank you

Please visit the school’s website for the Summer Uniform price list.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

UNIFORM SHOP EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

FOR 2025

 FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2025

9AM – 1PM  

School holiday opening hours via appointment only

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop2025

 MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2025

10.30AM – 12.30PM  

School holiday opening hours via appointment only

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop2025

TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2025

8.30AM – 9.30AM

Usual uniform shop hours, no appointment necessary

 However, beat the crazy rush next year and get in before this year is through to purchase any school uniform needed!

Uniform can still be purchased via Qkr! and delivered to your child till the end of the year!