Dear Parents and Carers

‘Until someone has had some level of inner religious experience, there is no point in asking them to follow the ethical ideals of Jesus or to really understand Christian doctrines beyond the formulaic level. We quite simply don’t have the power to follow any gospel ideal—such as loving others, forgiving enemies, living simply and non-violently, or humble use of power—except in and through union with God.’

Richard Rohr

Last week we started our newsletter with a quote from the Franciscan priest Richard Rohr, and we do so again this week. In his characteristically direct manner, Rohr is writing about the experience of mysticism, which he names as a direct experience of the mystery of God’s love. In our faith tradition, we call that an experience of grace. Rohr’s point, stated above, is that it is only those experiences that bring alive  Christian doctrines and belief systems. It is my firm conviction that we all have experiences of grace, whether we know it or not. Good religious education helps children and young adults to make sense of those experinces, within their lives.

Meet and Greet

Last Monday night, we held our annual ‘Meet and Greet’ night, which started in the school hall with an address from me and members of staff, and then proceeded to the classrooms, where parents had an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher or teachers. My deep thanks to all members of staff for their presence on the night, and for their commitment to the children and their educational flourishing. My thanks to the parent body for their great support. If you were unable to attend on the night, please contact your child’s teacher for the Term Letter and Overview.

Last night, we held an Information Night, for parents of Year 3 children (and some other grades), who are interested in making their First Reconciliation this year. As is our common practice, our children will receive the sacrament with the Year 3 students from Holy Trinity. My thanks to our new Parish Priest, Fr James Antony, to our wonderful REC Andrea McQuirk, and our excellent Year 3 teachers: Bridget Pigram, Fron Garrett-Rumba, and Andrea McQuirk. My thanks to Catherine Grinsell-Jones from the parish office, as well as the staff from Holy Trinity Primary.

Colour Run

Save the date! On Friday, March 21^st, all students at Sts Peter and Paul will partake in a colour run! The children will have an opportunity to raise funds which will assist in the installation of some new playground equipment. My thanks to Karina Jones, one of our wonderful mums, and the Community Council, for their excellent support of this initiative.

School Mass

A reminder that our Opening School Mass for the Year will be held this Thursday at 12pm, in the school hall. The Mass affords us an opportunity to welcome Fr James Antony, our new parish priest. All parents are warmly invited to come to Mass.

Years 3 – 6 Leadership Information Night

On Monday February 24^th, we are holding an information night about our Leadership Program for students in Years 3 – 6. All parents are invited to attend to learn about the many exciting possibilities on offer for all students in the middle and senior grades.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

First Reconciliation 

Thank you to our families who attended the First Reconciliation Parent Information Night last night. It was a great information session and we look forward to the Home Groups starting soon. Any further enquiries can be directed to the Parish Office ( 6281 3999 /  wodennorth@cg.org.au ).

TIMETABLE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION PROGRAM 2025

Opening School Mass and Year 6 Leadership Ceremony

We warmly invite you to our Opening School Mass and Year 6 Leadership Badge Ceremony for 2025. Mass will take place on Thursday, 13th February at 12pm in the Sts Peter and Paul School Hall. 

ALL families are welcome.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C  Luke 6: 17, 20-26- Blessings and Woes

There is something about the place in which today’s Gospel reading is set. Jesus had just prayed all night long in the hills before appointing the twelve who were to be his apostles. He then brought them down to level ground where a crowd of his disciples and a larger crowd of people full of self-interest awaited him. By creating a scene where all those gathered were rubbing shoulders with one another Luke was pointing out that this was Jesus really saying to the assembly: ‘Pay close attention, for we are all in this together.’

By listing blessings and woes in four pairs, Jesus was very likely reminding his audience that they had probably found themselves in tension of experiencing the blessings and woes one on top of the other, hoping for the blessing of comfort in the midst hardship and struggle of all kinds followed almost immediately by the realisation that they were doing it tough. Haven’t we ourselves, from time to time, as a mixture of saint and sinner? 

If we step back for a moment from the text we might be able to see that the greatest beatitude for us is Jesus himself. He continues to be God’s blessing to the weak (all of us) in a world that reserves its admiration for the wealthy, the powerful and the famous. That’s a world he invites us to change. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Yours in Christ, 

Andrea McQuirk 

Religious Education Coordinator

The Seasons program is for students who have experienced grief, loss or change in thier living arrangements such as in a separated family or divorce or a blended family. The death of a family member is also applicable, after a 12 month period of bereavement. The program is a quiet space for the children to experience the depth of their feelings about the changes in their lives in a supportive and encouraging way. 

The program in Term 1 is for the children of Grades 1 and 2.

https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/companion-portal/L1-3-Sample%20message%20for%20newsletter.pdf

THE KINDNESS TREE

Our wonderful School Welfare Officer has created a Kindness Tree in the corridor near the exec offices. The idea is for staff and students to use the supplied post-it pads to write a message of kindness and attach it to the tree and build community kindness. Such a lovely idea.

Get ready for Sts Peter & Paul first ever Colour Fun Run, coming to you on Friday 21 March 2025!

Raise $10 to receive your first incentive prize. We are fundraising for playground equipment.

Pamphlets will be sent in your child's bag soon, don't miss out!

This week awards will be presented at our Friday morning assembly. There is no Thursday afternoon assembly this week because of our Opening Mass.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Xander M

Charlotte M

Dominic M

Over the school holidays Levi G and Alex W from Year 3 represented the ACT in the National Clubs Futsal Championships held in Sydney.

Their ACT team finished their group stage in 2nd Place after some strong wins over the QLD and VIC teams.
They made it to the quarter finals where they had a tough game against NSW to unfortunately end their tournament.

Both Levi & Alex had put in considerable time and effort in to their training during term 4 and leading up to the Championship.
Both of them demonstrated personal growth, team work and great sportsmanship throughout.

Mrs Birch & Mrs Moore

AWARD WINNING STRAWBERRY JAM

This jam has consistently won prizes for our school at the Canberra Show and will be entered again this year.

Ingredients

3 kg strawberries, hulled and halved

3 kg white sugar

1/2 lemon, juiced

Method

Wash and sterilze 6 x 330g jam jars and lids.

Place strawberries in a large saucepan and stir in the sugar.

Leave for 1-2 hours off heat while the sugar softens the fruit.

Add the lemon juice and place saucepan on the stove top over a medium heat. Stir constantly until the fruit is soft.

Remove 1/3 of the fruit and set aside, then cook the remaining fruit until fruit is mostly dissolved and jam coats the back of a spoon.

Divide the reserved fruit between jars then fill each with the jam mixture from your saucepan.

Allow to cool to room temperature then seal with lids.

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 3 TERM 1,  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 OUT IN THE CANTEEN?

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 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/CanteenRoster2025

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.

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.

 Please note, the uniform shop is unable to accept donations during Term 1.

The uniform shop is limited with space.  Donations will be accepted again in Term 2.

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 February 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 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc__;!!Ax-PnKpllFIIgPxB!lN_ex8IY9cyvi7lPhkmOFi6hSsw4E7ikAIOdZDx7mifNbUyum5bzw5cyq8e63L85XEcplSHiko-aR1v-r2aUx_wSeqvJR1E7cA$>

We'd love to welcome new starters - in both our juniors (kids) and seniors (adults) classes. No charge for trying us out, and if you like our style it's $100 per term for adults and $50 per term for kids, with discounts for siblings.

There's more information on our website and Facebook page.