Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you have all had a restful and relaxing break. We have certainly had a very busy period over the holidays with our renovations ramping up. The areas were handed back to the school on Friday last week and are fully serviceable. There are still some cosmetic items to rectify, furniture and other items to be finalised. The renovation will be officially blessed and opened on Wednesday 30^th of October with a matinée of the schools Stage 3 production to follow. Please see some photos of our hall office and canteen areas.

Congratulations Mrs Mortimer!

Miss Butler surprised us all by returning to school as Mrs Mortimer!  A big congratuations from the Saints Peter and Paul Community - we wish you and Conrad both a lifetime of love and happiness.

Grandparents Day

I apologise for the error in dates that were communicated regarding the Grandparents day. The correct date is Monday 28^th of October. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this change. Please see the REC news for further details regarding the day

Classes for 2020

Shortly we will begin the process of examining class lists for 2020. As you can imagine this is quite a complex process and I have included some of the considerations teachers as professionals take into consideration when looking at placements. When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration:

• Gender;
• Special Needs;
• Work Habits;
• Cognitive ability;
• Friendships;
• Behaviour;
• Health considerations;
• Religion (to assist in achieving balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and
• Common names.

Ideally we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics. Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns will be considered. Parents who wish to discuss particular concerns regarding the placement of their children in particular classes should put their concern in writing and address it to the Principal by Friday of Week 4 (Term 4). All Parent concerns will be seriously considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental requests.

School Disco

We are keenly anticipating our Term Four disco that will be held on Friday, November 8. Our DJ, Jungle Jerry, is returning again this year to drop some inspiring sets to get us all moving. With talent like this in store, our disco promises to be a memorable night. Tickets will be available on Qkr! early next week. Session times will follow in the newsletter next week.

Blessings and best wishes

Sean Rutledge

Principal (Acting)

Religious Education News

Sunday Gospel: Luke 16:19-31, Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about the need for persistence in prayer. The woman in this story is a widow, a member of one of the most oppressed classes in Israelite society. Though vulnerable, she is bold. As indifferent as the judge seems to be toward her case, so is she persistent in her demands of him. He will not give in; she will not give up. The persistence of the woman becomes the model of resoluteness for God’s chosen ones. Like the woman in the parable, they cannot be certain regarding when God will respond, and so they must persist. The passage ends with Jesus posing a sobering question: ‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’

Grandparents Day

As you would be aware, there has been a miscommunication regarding the dates for Grandparents Day.  We will now be celebrating Grandparents Day on Monday 28^th October (Week 3). Mass will be celebrated at 12:00pm, and following Mass, Grandparents and Special Friends will be welcomed into classrooms to visit with the children, sharing a book and some quiet activities. At 1:10pm, all Grandparents and Special Friends are invited to have afternoon tea in the hall, sharing a cuppa and a scone while admiring the beautiful portraits the children have created. It promises to be a lovely celebration of the beautiful bond between children and their grandparents.

Dates for your Diary:

Thursday 24^th October - Values assembly led by 2W.

Monday 28^st October (week 3, Term 4) – Grandparents Day Mass at 12pm, Garran.

Sunday 17^th November  - Presentation Mass for candidates receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Tuesday 26^th November – Retreat Day for Reconciliation candidates.

Thursday 28^th November – Sacrament of Reconciliation, 7:00pm at Holy Trinity Church.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

Awards

Catholic Schools Netball Carnival

The Catholic Schools Netball Carnival is on this Saturday. We have 4 teams going to represent our school. Notes were sent home yesterday with the draws and a map. If you didn't receive one, please let me know as soon as possible. So far, we don't have a volunteer to take a shade structure to the carnival. If you are able to help with this, please let me know today. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help coach a team. It is very much appreciated. A special thank you to Zoe Abrahams for organising the dresses for the teams to wear at the carnival. It will be a great day for all involved.

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival

The Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival is on next Friday. Early next week I will send home a note with information and the draws for the Carnival. If you are catching the bus to Boorowa, you will need to be at school by 6.15am. The bus will leave at 6.30am sharp. If you are travelling by car, please aim to be at Boorowa by 8.30am. Zoe Abrahams has organised the dresses for the Netball. I will send home School T-Shirts for the Touch Football teams next week. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Thank you.

Catholic Schools Soccer and Netball Carnivals

Unfortunately, due to increasing costs and volunteer shortages, this is the last Catholic Schools Netball Carnival that will be held in Canberra. There will be no Soccer or Netball Carnivals for Catholic Schools in Canberra next year. The Boorowa Touch Football and Netball Carnival will be the only large scale event for schools to enter teams in 2020.

Paul Jenkins
Sports Coordinator

2020 SCHOOL TRAVEL APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN – TRANSPORTS NSW

Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019.

Students progressing to Year 3 and Year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:

• are continuing at the same school
• are residing at the same address
• have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Week 2, Term 4

Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated.

 Please contact me if you are unable to make your shift or able to help, Thank you.  

The Fruit Incentive ticket winner for last week was Sophie G, 3/4B.  Congratulations Sophie, you have won a $2.00 voucher to spend at the canteen.  Please see Mrs R at the Canteen to collect your voucher.

Do you want to win a $2 voucher to spend at the Canteen?  Simply purchase fresh or frozen fruit from the Canteen and be in the weekly draw to WIN!!

The uniform shop has some discontinued items, so we are selling them at a discounted price!

• Navy Bucket Hats – were $10 NOW $5
• Maroon Slouch Hats – were $10 NOW $5
• Girls Maroon Bootleg Tracksuit Pants – were $20 NOW $15 – limited sizes available
• Short/Long Sleeve White Sport Polo Tops – were $20 NOW $15

The uniform shop is asking for no more second hand donations of white sports tops please.

Woden Valley Girl Guides are now recruiting for Girl Guides to join our fabulous units. Calling all young girls aged 5 to 17 who are interested in having new adventures, making friends and lots of fun. Join us for an obligation free COME AND TRY NIGHT. Contact Michelle Kothe on 0422513001 or visit www.girlguides-nswact.or.au for more information.