Dear Parents and Carers

Literacy Activities this Week

This week has seen an additional number of literacy activities, in addition to normal classroom routines. Our Book Fair has begun and lasts for two weeks; parents and children have the opportunity to purchase books from the library, before and after school. Yesterday, we held the first of what I hope will become a fixture on the school calendar. A number of parents and staff took the opportunity to read a familiar story, to the different classes, in a different language: languages included Hindi, Spanish, Arabic and Afrikaans, to name a few. There were 9 different language groups represented on the whole, and the day was a wonderful celebration of the diversity amongst our school community. Today, like many school across Australia, we participated in the national Simultaneous Storytime, at 12pm. The story that was read was called 'The Truck Cat'. These activities all celebrate books and reading and speak to the love of books that is fostered in the school.

Treetops – Year 6 Leadership Day

Opportunities within our Years 3 – 6 Leadership Program continue this week, with Year 6 having the opportunity to participate in the ‘Treetops’ program. This is a program that is not entirely dissimilar to ‘BFirm’, in that the focus of the activities is really about developing initiative, group skills, grit and resilience. My thanks to Paul Jenkins, Katie McGregor and Luke Gubler, for making this happen.

Confirmation Presentation Masses

This weekend, our Confirmation Candidates are being presented at one of the weekend Parish Masses. Our students will take a public step in their faith and be acknowledged by the community in their commitment. Members of the school’s Leadership Team will also be present at the Masses, with the Year 6 teachers. I look forward to joining some of our students at the 6pm Mass on Saturday night. My thanks to our Year 6 teachers, Katie McGregor and Paul Jenkins, and our REC, Andrea McQuirk.

Parent Teacher Interviews

In the near future, the school will send available times for the parent/teacher inrerviews, scheduled to take place in Week 9 of this term. Although still some weeks away, the time will no doubt be upon us quickly. The interviews afford invaluable opportunities for home and school to colloborate for the wellbeing of all students. 

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron johns

Principal

Confirmation  

This weekend the students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are attending a Parish Mass to introduce themselves to the Parish community. Please keep our candidates in your prayers over the coming weeks. 

TIMETABLE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2025 

Sixth Sunday of Easter John 14:23-29

This Sunday we hear how carefully Jesus prepared his disciples for their life and work once he was no longer with them in the flesh. Ahead of their experience of what would happen in his death, resurrection and return to his Father, Jesus assured them of his continuing, loving presence. This presence would be enriched by the Father and the Spirit being present among them in a new way. With the Father, Jesus promised to make his home with his disciples. Through the Spirit, teacher and reminder of all they had heard from Jesus, Jesus’ understanding and passion for God would endure, alive within them. 

The first Council of Jerusalem sent its decision out to the new Gentile believers not only in a written letter but also through Judas and Silas, attendees at the Council who could explain its spirit personally. A key principle of responsible decision making is spelled out in the letter: ‘It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…’. The Council members prayed for guidance, but they also used their own abilities to think and discern in reading their decision. As we explore the synodal way we can learn from the Council’s approach. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Yours in Christ, 

Andrea McQuirk 

Religious Education Coordinator 

LOST RING

A member of staff has lost a gold wedding ring somewhere in school.

If anyone finds it, please take to the front office.

Thank you

Welcome to SPP Staff Spotlight!

Each fortnight, we will share fun facts about one of our wonderful staff members to help you get to know the people behind the whiteboard.

From hidden talents to favourite snacks, it’s our way of celebrating the unique personalities that make our school community so special.

This week, meet Miss Walsh — and find out what unexpected skill they have up their sleeve!

Now that we are in Term 2, students are required to wear their WINTER uniform.

Please help us ensure that the correct uniform is worn.

If there is a valid reason why your child is not in the correct clothing, please email the classroom teacher.

Don't forget that our Uniform Shop also stocks second hand uniforms if needed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Wesley B

Jabez M

Whitney L

Lorenzo L

Selene A

Sofia STM

Isobel S

Jayanth A

Tournament of Minds

If any student in Years 3,4,5 and 6 are interested in participating in Tournament of Minds this year, please express your interest to me via email by 26 May.

Please email katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

Thank you

Mrs Birch

Hello our names are Eline and Ella and let’s dive into the world of Rostrum. Rostrum was tough and difficult but was fun in a good way. There were a few bumps in the road but we made our way past it. Even though Rostrum was full of emotions, we supported each other in various ways: cheering each other on, supporting each other’s ideas and encouraging each other to face their fears of public speaking. 

Let's hop into actually writing the speech. Fun fact, Ella & I forgot about Rostrum and only started in the second week and we only had three more weeks to finish it and let’s just say, we didn’t sleep for weeks. Every time that we had an opportunity to work on the speech we did.   

Our topics that we chose from a list were ‘An Adventure and ‘Imagine That. Let’s just say it wasn’t easy to write our speeches but we worked and we were proud of ourselves and the whole Year 6 community. 

To conclude this article we would like to say that anyone can do extraordinary things if you put your mind to it. 

By Eline and Ella

Interschools Snowsports

Is your child interested in snowsports? The Interschools Snowsport Championships provides an opportunity for Australian school students of all ages to experience competitive snowsports and to participate at either a recreational or competitive level. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 who are able to execute link turns and ride a chairlift/T-bar confidently, are invited to participate. 

The ACT Regional Championships are held on 22-25 July in Perisher. The actual days of competition will depend on the division and discipline in which the child is competing. 

For further information, or to register interest, please contact Sonya Thompson (sonyawalter@gmail.com) by 15 June. 

Great fun to be had as usual in both the kitchen and garden.

The garden is growing well and the children had a great time getting the beds ready to plant this week. The photos tell all.

Kinder and Year 1 continue to have a blast in the kitchen learning about healthy eating and what goes into their food.

For any information email katherine.birch@ch.catholic.edu.au

 The Garden Club

Mrs Birch & Mrs Moore

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 a 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.

WEEK 5 TERM 2,  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?

 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.

OUTSTANDING CANTEEN INVOICES

There are many outstanding canteen invoices for Term 1. 

If you have received a canteen invoice, would you be so kind as to finalise your account. 

If you have any issues with payment, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thank you 

 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.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au