Dear Parents and Carers,

I was away last week for two days at a Principal’s meeting and Directors day. The days provided some food for thought on several topics. The first day centred around how we analyse and respond to our My School Survey data (The survey Staff, Parents and Students complete in September each year), how we build community and also several legal issues that are currently impacting education. The second day saw a great presentation from Dr Neil McGoran Director, Catholic Education South Australia, about their mission, vision and what kind of skills will be most important for our students to have to be prepared for the future. He had some great insights into the future of education and skills. The two most important sets of skills, as outlined by an OECD report on the future of Education and Skills in 2030, that students will need to possess to succeed in the future are:

• Personal and Social Skills- Self-regulation, metacognition, ability to connect and build relations ships a well as empathise.
• STEM Skills- Scientific thinking, critical and creative thinking, system analysis and complex problem-solving.

Both of these sets of skills resonated with me as they are something that we prioritise in our learning at STPP. If you have a spare minute, the future perspective from the OECD report on the future of Education and Skills in 2030 is a worthwhile read.

On Friday the director, Mr Ross Fox, is due to visit our school. He will be at school from 9-11:30 and during this time, he will meet with members of the leadership team, have a tour of the school and pop into classrooms to observe learning. He will then have morning tea with staff. We welcome Ross to the school on Friday morning.

School Production

Our Bi-annual Stage 3 production had its final screening on Thursday night to a packed house of friends and family. The students did an amazing job, and I was incredibly proud of every one of their achievements. The group displayed such maturity in learning lines, auditioning for parts and rehearsing this very polished production. We thanked the three directors of the production, Mrs Kain, Mrs Neit and Mrs Hitchings who were instrumental in delivering this opportunity for our students. I have also included a list of others who had a significant part in helping to organise the production.

We look forward to our next production in 2021! 

THANK YOU

There are many people we would like to thank for all their generous help in the lead up to our performances

Staffing News

Congratulations to Mr Jake Kucher who has recently obtained a permanent teaching position at St. Joseph’s in O’Connor from the beginning of the 2020 school year. We thank Mr Kucher for his years of service to the STPP community. In the same breath, I am pleased to announce two new staff members who will be joining our teaching staff in 2020. Ms Bronte Dunn will be filling the extra position that was created when we had a 12^th class approved for 2020 and Mr Luke Gubler who will take Jake’s teaching position from the beginning of next year. I am sure you will join me in welcoming them to our school community in 2020.

80th Birthday

Our beloved groundsman Mr Kerry Marsham will turn 80 in early November. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are inviting all members of our school community to get involved in a dress like Mr Marsham day to celebrate this big birthday on Wednesday 13th November. We will celebrate with a whole school song and the naming of our school garden the Mr Marsham Garden. Attached are some photos of Kerry in his usual attire boots jeans and a fluro shirt or top. Thank you for helping us celebrate this massive occasion.

Disco

We are very excited for our resident DJ Jungle Jerry to drop some beats for us at our disco on Friday. A reminder the session times are as follows:

6.15pm – 7.00pm   Kinder, 1, 2

7.15 pm – 8.15 pm Years 3-6

Tickets are still available on Qkr! and close at 3.30 today. A ticket will entitle the user to a sausage sandwich and drink as well as prizes awarded throughout the session for outstanding dancing. A special thanks to OSHClub who have sponsored nibbles for parents to be served in the courtyard while the disco is on. We will have some food platters and soft drinks for parents to enjoy so please come and mingle and enjoy the tunes.

OSHClub Contract

Late last term we sought community feedback about our before and after school care service. I am pleased to say that after receiving positive feedback from parents that we are in the process of renewing their contract to continue to be our service provider into the future. Thank you to those parents who took the time to provide valuable feedback.

School Working Bee

We are seeking helpers from our school community to get involved with our Spring Working Bee on Sunday the 24^th of November from 10 am-12 pm. Some landscaping, timber maintenance and more are on our list of things to do. The more, the merrier (and the quicker we get done!) A pizza lunch will be a reward for any brave volunteers.

Classes for 2020

Thank you to the parents that have written to me regarding class placements for 2020. A reminder that these need to be finalised by the end of this week. 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 a 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.

Sean Rutledge

Principal (Acting)

Sunday Gospel: Luke 20:27-38, Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching in the Temple when the Sadducees describe to him a scenario, asking him what to do, so that they may poke holes in his teaching. They draw on the Jewish law that if a man dies without offspring, his widow must marry the man’s brother in order to preserve the lifeblood of his family. With no belief in resurrection, a person could only hope to live on through their children, hence the importance of continuing the family line. Jesus’ answer points out that those participating in the resurrection of the dead will not die so there is no need to maintain their lifeblood through begetting children. He then challenges them to really listen to their Law and be open to the truth it teaches about God.

Illuminate – Youth Ministry Day

On Friday 8^th November, Saints Peter and Paul’s Year 5 students will be participating in the ‘Illuminate’ Youth Ministry Day at St Vincent’s, Aranda. The Illuminate gathering is a great opportunity for students in their final years of primary school to celebrate their faith together, as many schools from across the Diocese will be in attendance.

Through a variety of talks, drama, testimony and other faith based activity stations and experiences, students are presented with the gift of faith and have the opportunity to ask questions and engage more with what it means to be involved in Youth Ministry.

Dates for your Diary:

Friday 8th November – Illuminate Gathering Day for Year 5 at St Vincent’s, Aranda

Sunday 17^th November  - Term 4 Parish School Mass/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

Literacy Update

Students of all ages and abilities are invited to our lunchtime Reading Club on Tuesdays this term.

Independent reading is followed by an opportunity to share storylines and give recommendations.

Here are some photos of students enjoying this glorious weather with fantastic books in hand! 

On Fridays this term, Mrs Mortimer will be leading several writing groups to engage students of various ages with exciting opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences. Please stay tuned for updates from the Pen Pal Club and Storyathon writers.

Calling all book contacting enthusiasts!

We are seeking volunteers to assist with the contact covering of new sets of home and school readers. If you are able to help, please speak with Tegan Mortimer (tegan.butler@cg.catholic.edu.au) or Anne Perkovic (anne.perkovic@cg.catholic.edu.au). Any necessary resources will be supplied. Thank you! 

The music assembly will be on THURSDAY 7/11/19 in the hall.

We are holding it immediately after the 2019 Music Count Us In event, our start time will be approximately 12.20pm.

The performing groups are:

Kindergarten - singing a song

Stage 1 - singing a song

1W - ukulele

2W - ukulele

3/4M  - ukulele

3/4B - ukulele

5/6 M - ukulele

School Choir

It's always a joyful assemby, families welcome to come along.

Thank you to all the students who participated in today’s Special Lunch!

It’s so nice to see the children enjoying themselves sharing the 

same meal with their friends.

A very special THANK YOU goes to Megan W, Ange M and 

Maggie G for helping out this morning! The day would have not been successful without your help. 

It was very much appreciated!!!

Kindest Regards, Lauretta Raccosta “Mrs R”

Canteen Manager

Week 5, 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.  

Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for last week was Lilah J, KW. 

Congratulations Lilah, 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 fresh fruit from the canteen and be in the weekly draw to WIN!!!

Thank you, Lauretta Raccosta, Canteen Manager

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au or 6281 1932

Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens

Parent and carers Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) checks.

Any adults working with students at an ACT school require a current WWVP. The WWVP Act requires those who work or volunteer with vulnerable people to have a background check and be registered. It aims to reduce the risk of harm or neglect to vulnerable people in the ACT. There are many volunteers in our school community who currently have WWVPs that expire within the next 80 days. The WWVP for volunteers is free of charge and current applications take around 14 days to complete. If you have an existing WWVP, you can renew it online.

Follow this link for more information  bit.ly/WWVPstspandp

Garreth Wigg

Assistant Principal

Sts Peter and Paul Primary School

Garran, ACT

Actsmart Mobile Round Up for National Recycling Week

 Do you have any of these things lying around gathering dust at your house?

 Mobile phones (including personal digital assistants that are mobiles);

Mobile phone accessories (including ear pieces, car kits, cases etc.);

Mobile batteries of all kinds; 

Mobile phone chargers; 

Wireless USB mobile devices; 

 If you’d like to get them out of there, please drop them off in the box located outside the Two White classroom, no later than Thursday 14^th November.

We will be taking them to the Actsmart tent, (near the Canberra Times Fountain, located outside the Canberra Centre on City Walk between 8am-8pm on this day) to be part of a Guinness world record attempt for the largest amount of mobile phones collected for recycling in 24 hours.

Thank you very much for your support!

Coming up in Week 6, we are very excited to be hosting a Scholastic Christmas Book Fair. This year we have teamed up with St. Vincent de Paul so that we can share the gift of reading. As a part of the fair, we are encouraging you to purchase a book from the fair to donate to a child in need.

There will be a huge selection of quality books available to purchase. The fair starts on Monday 18th of November, from 3.15pm and continues until 4pm Thursday 21st of November. The fair will be open before and after school, 8.30am until 4pm each day of the fair.

Book Fair - Monday 18th of November through until Thursday 21st of November. 

Eco-watch: We are looking for clean office paper that would otherwise go in the recycling bin.

Pages that are blank on one-sided, that can be used for photocopying. A4 size only please.