Dear Parents and Carers

“By contrast, we are told…what God yearns to give us…is unstinted life. We cannot have this unless we concede, and confess, that there are places in our hearts that actively resist life, places where we cling to our greed, our anger, our self-preening, our self-hating…Lent is a time when we pray to be honest…and be made sound again.”

Peter Steele SJ, ‘Perishing?’

In the excellent reflection above, Jesuit priest Peter Steele offers a reflection on the season of Lent, and the way that it intersects with our lives. His suggests that it is a time that affords us the opportunity – indeed, asks it of us – to spend a little time asking where it is in our lives that we resist the presence of God. Easter is a celebration of life, bursting forth in the most unexpected of ways, of life being reborn. Steele asks us to consider where it is in our lives that is most need of life.

Cross Country Carnival

Yesterday, we held our annual Cross Country Carnival. It was an excellent day, and I am very grateful to the large number of parent volunteers and supporters that joined us for the morning. My thanks to Luke Gubler for doing such a good job coordinating the carnival and to all staff for their support. I was very proud of all of our students and their participation and engagement with the carnival and their support of the friends and classmates.

South Western Swimming

Still on the theme of sport, this Friday sees our some of our students participate in the regional swimming championships, with children from other schools from the Woden and south Canberra area. Students who do well enough then go on to participate in the ACT championships, and from there, the National competition. I wish all of our students the very best. My thanks to Luke Gubler for coordinating our involvement and for joining our swimmers on the day.

First Reconciliation

Next week, on Tuesday night at 6.30pm, our sacramental students in Year 3 and other grades will make their First Reconciliation. This sacrament of healing speaks to the need we all have in our lives, from time-to-time, to be reconciled with God and within ourselves, for the ways in which we have not responded to the grace of God. I will be joining the children and their families on the night, in support of their step in faith. My thanks to our excellent Religious Education Coordinator, Andrea McQuirk, for all of her work; to Fr James for his great support; and to the Year 3 teachers, and the students’ families, for their help and encouragement of our students.

Week 10 Easter Liturgies

Next week, we are retelling the story of Easter, in the lead up to Easter (which takes place in the middle weekend of the school holidays). All liturgies take place in the school hall and at 12pm.

Easter Egg Colouring Competition

All children are invited to participate in the Easter Egg Colouring Competition. All students have received colouring in pictures, with winners judged and announced on the last day of the school term. There will be a winner from the K – 2 cohort and the 3 – 6 cohort. My thanks to the Community Council for coordinating the competition and providing the prizes.

Last Day of Term 1

A reminder that the last day for students who attend a Catholic systemic school is Thursday, April 10^th.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

First Reconciliation

The students are looking forward to celebrating the Sacrament of First Reconciliation nest Tuesday 8th of April at 6:30pm. 

If your family has more than 8 people attending the Sacrament please let Miss McQuirk know so that she can make sure there is enough space in the seating chart to accommodate. 

A message from our Youth Minister Julia about the Retreat Day last week 

Last Friday, the Year 3 students had the opportunity to join students from Holy Trinity Primary for their First Reconciliation Retreat Day, a special time to prepare those receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to teach all students about the importance of forgiveness in their spiritual journeys.

The day began with Mass, followed by a session with Fr. James, who answered students' questions about the sacrament, church life, and his experiences as a priest. Students then participated in two activities that explored different aspects of forgiveness and its significance.

The first session featured a guided meditation, where students listened to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, a story that teaches that every person is important to God. Just as a shepherd searches for a lost sheep, God never gives up on us, always calling us back when we stray. This activity helped students understand that no sin is too great for God's love and that His forgiveness is always available.

The second session combined drama and art to deepen students' understanding of forgiveness. In small groups, students performed role-plays based on real-life scenarios, exploring the challenges of apologising and making amends. After each skit, they reflected on how seeking forgiveness changes relationships and strengthens friendships.

As part of an art-based reflection, students created a Forgiveness Tree, a visual representation of God's mercy. Each student wrote something they wished to seek forgiveness for on one side of a paper leaf and, on the other side, a word or symbol representing God's love. These leaves were then placed on the tree, which is now displayed in Holy Trinity Church as a reminder of the healing power of Reconciliation.

At the end of the day, the students preparing for their First Reconciliation had the opportunity to visit the church and familiarise themselves with the process, including where to sit and what to expect during the sacrament, which will take place next Tuesday. Meanwhile, the students who were not making their First Reconciliation spent the afternoon playing games and building connections with students from Holy Trinity.

The retreat was a meaningful experience for all, reinforcing the values of forgiveness, empathy, and renewal in their faith journey.

Project Compassion 

Project Compassion gives us all the opportunity to stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities around the world, and create lasting change – together. By putting our faith and compassion into action this Lent, and fundraising for Project Compassion, we can help people in those communities lift themselves out of poverty, and change their lives forever.

To support our 2025 Project Compassion fundraising efforts, we are holding a uniform-free day on Thursday of Week 10. Students are encouraged to come in free dress and make a donation to this important cause. Donations can be made in cash on the day or via the school's QKR app under the fundraising section. Every contribution helps make a difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for your support!

Easter Prayer Celebrations

All families are welcomed to join us in our Easter Prayer Celebrations. 

The Schedule is as follows: 

Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C  John 8:1-11 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives 

A woman, clothing in disarray, is dragged before Jesus to test his loyalty to the Law. She must be stoned to death. There is a total lack of interest in the woman, who must be caught in the act for the death penalty to apply. Confused and frightened, she is plaything for the scribes and the Pharisees to use against Jesus. Where is her male partner in the story? Jesus reverses that situation. 

Saint Augustine described this Gospel scene as an encounter between misera (a deprived and unhappy woman) and misericordia (the personification of mercy). Asking those of them without any failures to cast the first stone, he turns away and doodles on the ground. He is not interested in their deadly legal questions. 

As they all slink away, Jesus speaks to the woman. No one condemns her, least of all Jesus. She is no longer a ‘thing’ to be used and abused, but a person capable of relationship with God and with other people liberated by the love of God made visible by Jesus. He asks her to rejoin society: ‘go your way’, and to be attentive to God: ‘don’t sin anymore’. This is a Jesus that we must all come to love and imitate. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Yours in Christ, 

Andrea McQuirk 

Religious Education Coordinator

School Wide Positive Behaviours

We are very proud of all of our students at Sts Peter and Paul and how they have consistently demonstrated our Three School Expectations of

Succeeding, Together, Safely.

We spent the first few weeks of Term 1 settling into our classes and learning the routines we need to follow outside of the classroom such as walking through corridors quietly and listening respectfully at assembly. 

Our  two goals for Term 1 were…

Self-Control

Pause and Think: Stop before you act or speak to make a good choice.

Getting Along with Others

Talk and Listen: Speak kindly to others, and listen when they talk.

Next term we will continue with our fortnightly goals to ensure our students contribute to a respectful, supportive, and safe learning environment for all.

Principal's Award: Risav D, 6M

Learning Support Awards: Bentley B, 6M; Massimo M, 6M; Tenzing N, 6W; Darch D, 6W; Chiara C, 6W; Eleanor M, 6W

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

Colour Run - fundraising is ending

A massive thank you to Mr Johns and Mrs Mance for fully supporting and embracing Sts Peter and Paul's inaugural Colour Run. A big thank you to Mr Gubler who organised the majority of the equipment. Thank you again to all the incredible volunteers who lent the school their valuable time for the Colour Run - not only on the day but leading up to the event also. 

Fundraising: Online donations will close on Saturday 5 April 2025 at 11.59pm, so ensure you share your profile page around to receive last minute donations! Prizes: Once the donations close, prize ordering will open and close on Friday 11 April 2025. You are required to log back in during this time to the www.myprofilepage.com.au and order prizes to the value of the donations. All prizes will be delivered to the school and distributed to classrooms.

Sponsors: A big thank you to Planet6 Technologies Pty Ltd who generously donated equipment needed to make this year's Colour Run extra fun! www.planet6.com.au Thank you also to Rebel Sport Woden who generously donated four sets of hurdles to the school.

Once again, the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn is holding a competition for all students to design an artwork celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025. The winner will have their art made into an acrylic block and featured on the NAIDOC Mass booklets.

It was only two years ago that our very own Evie M proudly won this competition, (see photo below) so let’s get our kids involved and have a go!

Student artwork entries can be submitted to Lachie.Eveston@cg.catholic.edu.au (Teaching and Learning Officer - Aboriginal Education)

or libby.goodsell@cg.catholic.edu.au (Teaching and Learning Support Officer – Aboriginal Education).

Submissions close 5pm, 30^th May 2025.

This week in the kitchen the children made banana and zucchini muffins using our very own zucchini featured in last week's newsletter. The children practiced their measuring, mixing and team work skills as they collected all the ingredients to create these masterpieces. While the muffins were cooking they were looking at what other countries eat at meal times to see where the food belongs on the healthy guidelines.

In the garden we had our committed garden crew weed, water and harvest tomatoes, potatoes and more zucchinis. The garden is growing beautifully. This Friday we will be preparing the garden for the holidays by topping up the mulch on the garden beds and harvesting any new produce.

The last Friday of this term is a pupil free day so our last garden club will be this Friday at lunch after the eating bell. I will make an announcement at assembly. Everyone is welcome.

Please email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions or would like your child to join or you as a parent or carer would like to volunteer to help care for the garden over the holidays or during term. Thank you for your support.

The Garden Club

Mrs Birch & Mrs Moore

MINI PIZZA BASES

Ingredients

2 cups self raising flour

30 g butter

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

3/4 cup milk

Pinch salt

Method

Preheat oven to 220 degrees, line 3 baking trays with paper.

Sift flour and salt into a bowl, add butter and rub in flour with fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Stir in grated cheese, then make a well in centre of mixture. 

Add milk, mix through with a knife until dough comes together.

Place the dough on a floured surface and knead into a smooth ball.

Divide the dough into 6 small, even balls. Roll each into pizza rounds and place on prepared trays (2 per tray).

Spread bases with preferred pizza sauce (passata, tomato, bbq). Add pizza toppings of your choice and cheese.

Bake for approximately 10 minutes.

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.

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?

 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. 

 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. 

Winter School Uniform available on Qkr!

Purchase winter uniform before this term ends. 

 The UNIFORM SHOP is not open during the school holidays.

 Students will be wearing winter uniform on their return to school in Term 2.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au