Dear Parents and Carers

“In fact, there are many forms of poverty: the poverty of those who lack material means of subsistence, the poverty of those who are socially marginalized and lack the means to give voice to their dignity and abilities, moral and spiritual poverty, cultural poverty, the poverty of those who find themselves in a condition of personal or social weakness or fragility, the poverty of those who have no rights, no space, no freedom.”

• ‘Dilexi Te’, Pope Leo XIV

The new Pope has very recently published his first apostolic exhortation, ‘Dilexi Te’, Latin for ‘On Love for the Poor.’ The quote above reminds us that poverty can and does take on many forms. Material poverty is the most obvious, but there are also those who experience the poverty of being routinely overlooked or denied a voice at the table. All of us can occupy both spaces: that is, we have all experienced some form of poverty at some point in our lives, and we can also be a party to structures that entrench the experience of poverty, for others. In his first published document, he reminds us, as a Catholic school, to be alert to signs of poverty within our school community, and to do what we can to lighten the load – even bearing the load – of the poor, in our midst.

Boorowa Touch Football and Netball

This Friday, we have over 90 students attending the annual Touch Football and Netball Carnival, in Boorowa. We have teams from almost every grade, from Years 2 – 6. My thanks to Luke Gubler for coordinating the day and making our involvement possible. My thanks as well to the many parents who have volunteered to help, in many and varied ways, and to all staff, for their support as well. It promises to be a great day, for all involved.

Class Lists – 2026

Although still very early in the term, Sts Peter and Paul have been preparing for some time for next year. Among the needs that need to be met are class arrangements for 2026. Children will be asked, in the near future, to name three friends they would like to be with, in 2026. The school can guarantee at least one of those friends. In addition, if any parents have concerns over peer relationships, involving their child or children, please email me directly with your requests. In order to adequately prepare the class lists, I ask that all parents email me by Friday Week 5, which is Friday, November 14^th. Thank you for your support.

Catholic Education System Day and Principals’ Meetings

I am away this Thursday and Friday, at an annual CE system day, involving all principals and senior office personnel, on Thursday; followed by an A.C.T. Principals’ meeting on Friday. We will hear addresses from the Archbishop, the Director of Catholic Education, David de Carvalho; system priorities updates; and the development of a Catholic perspective on the Australian Curriculum. Thursday night will see the opportunity to farewell and celebrate the work of a number of principals, in the Archdiocese, who are retiring at the end of the year. During my two-day absence, Sam Mance will very capably lead the school.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

This week we had a beautiful class Mass with Grade 4 in the 5/6 courtyard. It was a beautiful celebration of our faith and a special way to connect with God in creation. 

Next week we will celebrate a Liturgy with Year 2. 

Class Masses and Liturgies schedule Term 4: 

Kindergarten will be participating in a retreat run by our Year 6 Youth Ministry team in place of a liturgy this term.  It is a great opportunity to connect with the faith through peer ministry in a less formal setting.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luke 18: 9-14 

Who are we as we come before God today? Poor, humble, weak, broken-hearted, ill, exhausted, in need of God’s mercy? God’s face is always turned towards such people. In the Mass today, the penitential rite is a great opportunity to stand in that place of humility with the tax collector. Presiders sometimes use their own words to introduce the prayers of mercy. I have heard one ask us to come to our God of love and compassion ‘for forgiveness of our sins, for peace in our hearts and for healing in our lives’.  Another calls us to ‘reflect on our need for healing in our relationships with God, others, ourselves and our environment’. The penitential rite is a great equaliser and reality-check; we can all recognise aspects of ourselves that are rough or broken. We come to receive Jesus’ gift of himself in communion not because we are perfect, but because we are in need of him. He wants to feed and nourish us because we are hungry and thirsty. If we come to him full of ourselves, we may not appreciate this gift and we may leave unchanged. So let us be open to God’s mercy and healing today. 

From God’s Word, Daily Reflections, 2025

Yours in Christ, 

Andrea McQuirk 

Religious Education Coordinator

Week 1 and 2 Setting Goals and Staying Motivated

Stay on Track: Focus on what you need to do and finish your tasks.

Microskill- Set a simple goal for what you need to accomplish. For example, “Your goal is to finish your reading for today.

Day for Daniel – Friday 31st October-  (Friday Week 3) 

This Friday, 31st October, our school community will be taking part in Day for Daniel, Australia’s largest child safety awareness and education day. This important event encourages all of us to reflect on the importance of keeping children safe, helping them to recognise, react, and report unsafe situations.

Throughout the day, students will take part in a range of educational activities provided by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, designed to teach them practical strategies to stay safe in both online and offline environments. These age-appropriate lessons empower children with the knowledge and confidence to make safe choices.

On this day students are invited to wear something red—an accessory or item of clothing—to show their support and help raise awareness for this important cause.

We are also fundraising online to support the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s vital work in child safety education. Any donation is appreciated and will make a difference! 

Donations can be made via our school fundraising page here:
https://d4d2025.danielmorcombe.com.au/sts-peter-and-paul-primary-school

Together, we can help make a real difference in promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children. 

Matinee show tickets: https://compasstix.com/e/e3kc5slkf4

Evening show tickets: https://compasstix.com/e/ttadoevxdq

Pre-purchase snacks for the evening shows on Qkr!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Evelyn L

Alexis V

Paedjung Y

Anastasia M

Sophia G

On Monday, Year 3 had a special visitor. Jane Hunt has been a parishioner at our parish since its early days, first as a child then as an adult. She attended Sts Peter & Paul Primary, as did her three children. She is still very involved in parish life.

Jane told the students stories of her time here at school and answered many questions. She was engaging and a wonderful source of information.

Thank you Mrs Hunt!

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 Ms Garrett — and find out what unexpected skill they have up their sleeve!

Welcome back to Term 4!

We hope you all had a restful break and are ready for an exciting final term of the year.

This term, we warmly welcome Mrs Kerr, who will be taking over from Mr Washington. We’re delighted to have her join our school community.

Please note there has been a slight change to library days for some classes. Check the schedule below carefully to make sure you know when to bring your library bag and return your books.

Library Days:

Wednesday
4W, 5W, KM, 6W

Thursday
5M, 2M, 4M, 6M, KW

Friday
3W, 3M, 1W, 1M, 2W

A huge congratulations to all students of Sts Peter and Paul Primary School for successfully completing the A.C.T. Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge! What a wonderful achievement and celebration of your love for reading.

It has been so refreshing to see so many students with books in their hands — exploring new worlds, meeting fascinating characters, and taking adventures through the pages of a book. Keep that reading spirit alive as we head into Term 4!

Let’s make it a fantastic term of learning, curiosity, and joy.

Orders close Monday 3rd November. It will then take up to two weeks for the books to arrive at school and be handed out. 

All orders are placed online via the LOOP app- please note we do not accept cash or orders at school as all orders are placed online. Click here to access an online version: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/ 

Happy Reading! Mrs Kerr and Mrs de Jongh

The Canberra Nara Candle Festival is coming up on Saturday, 25 October 2025, from 4–9 pm at Canberra Nara Peace Park, Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla.

This beautiful festival celebrates the sister-city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan, with hundreds of glowing candles, Japanese food, music, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities.

As we continue learning Japanese at school, this is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to experience Japanese culture right here in Canberra. Entry is free, and a free shuttle bus will be available — a perfect way to enjoy an evening of light, culture, and community!

More information can be found here: Canberra Nara Candle Festival

日本の文化をいっしょに楽しみましょう！

 Let’s enjoy Japanese culture together!

Our gnomes are back from Floriade too and have taken pride of position in our garden to scare the birds. They look great.

Garden Club won’t be on this week as Borrowa is on Friday. If you have any questions, please email kaherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Garden Club

Mrs Moore & Mrs Birch

CARAMEL POPCORN

Ingredients

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup popping corn

Caramel

125 grams butter, chopped

3/4 cup white sugar

2 tbspn honey

1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (nuts optiional)

Method

Line a tray with baking paper. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 pieces of popping corn. If corn slowly turns around in a circle then oil is hot enough.

Add remaining popping corn. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. When corn starts popping, shake saucepan gently. Remove from heat when corn stops popping. Transfer to a large bowl, discarding any unpopped corn.

Make caramel: Combine butter, sugar and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 to 7 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Bring mixture to the boil. Boil, uncovered, without stirring, for 5 to 8 minutes or until light golden.

Remove from heat. Stir in pecans. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and stir until popcorn is coated. Spread over prepared tray. Set aside to cool. Break into pieces. Serve.

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 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.

Are you able to help! 

 Whether you’re a mum, dad, grandma or grandpa 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

A delicious cuppa will be provided!

All volunteers must have a WWVP card. 

A WWVP card is available from Access Canberra and is free for volunteers.

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.

HATS

Mrs R is missing so many HATS and does not have spare ones to hand out.

 If any child has a “Mrs R school hat”, can you kindly bring it back to the canteen – please DO NOT leave them in lost property or around the school.  

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