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- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS
- UNIFORM SHOP
- UNIFORM SHOP - EXTENDED HOURS
- SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PICNIC
- COUNCIL CLIPPINGS
- VOLUNTEERS' THANK YOU AFTERNOON TEA
- MR MARSHAM'S GARDEN
- NETBALL
- GUITAR TUITION
- OSHCLUB SUMMER VACATION CARE
- WODEN VALLEY YOUTH CHOIR
- STELLAR SWIM HOLIDAY PROGRAM
- SUMMER TENNIS HOLIDAY CAMPS
Dear Parents and Carers,
Yesterday we were treated to a fabulous Kinder Nativity in the hall, which was full of music, singing, actions, acting and sensational costumes! I was incredibly proud of the efforts of every single student in this performance. A big thank you goes to Mrs Mortimer and Mrs Portolesi who put in many hours of work to ensure it was a success. Well done, Kinder!
Staffing
We announced to staff on Friday that Mrs Tegan Mortimer has been seconded to the Catholic Education Office for the 2020 school year as a Teaching and Learning Officer. Tegan has a great passion for Literacy, having worked incredibly hard to raise the profile of Literacy in our school this year. Congratulations Tegan on your appointment!
Mrs Marie-Ann Barrett will make a move from Year One to Kindergarten next year. Our 2020 Kinder team will be Marie-Ann Barrett/ Stephanie Burns and Bronte Dunn.
I am also pleased to announce that Ms Sarah Walsh will be joining our teaching team next year.
All the best Kerry!
Our groundsman Kerry Marsham is today undergoing knee replacement surgery. We keep him in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers from this significant surgery. Kerry aims to be back on deck over the holidays doing some light maintenance work. What an incredible man!
Christmas Carols picnic
Unfortunately due to advice from ACT Health, we have had to postpone our Christmas Carol Picnic. The new Date will be Tuesday 17th December. Our students have not been outside this week due to the air quality advice from ACT Health. This arrangement will continue again today and will last until this advice is changed.
Graduation Mass
All parents are warmly invited to Friday’s Graduation Mass during which our Year Six students will be farewelled and will hand over the student leadership to our Year Five students. Mass will be celebrated by our Parish Priest, Father John Woods and will commence at 12 noon.
#Bustthedust
On Friday our students will participate in Bust the Dust, a simultaneous dance in classrooms in the act of solidarity with other schools and communities who are in desperate need of rain in drought-affected areas. Year 5/6 students at St John's Parish School in Trangie came up with the idea of a simultaneous rain dance at 1 pm on Friday, December 13. The idea came to them when they were learning about the drought during poetry classes. From reading My Country by Dorothea Mackellar and Drought by Jackie French, the students then listened to Raindance by Sara Storer. What a fabulous initiative, one we are very happy to be apart of.
Meet the Teacher
The staff have been working on class lists for many weeks. This is not an easy job and takes a considerable amount of time. A range of factors are considered including gender balance, learning styles, learning difficulties, enrichment needs, work habits, social needs, health considerations, emotional needs, behaviour considerations and other relevant issues.
Teachers aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics. Every care is also taken to ensure that your child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development. In some cases, advice is also sought from our Specialist Teachers, our Classroom Support Teacher, School Counsellor, etc during this process.
As parents, you cannot always shelter and protect your child or choose their teachers or friends for them. Your child may not get into the class they want or be with the friends they want to be with. Sure some students may not like a particular teacher, but how do they really know if they have never actually been taught by them. I do not know how many times a student (or parent) has been apprehensive about a teacher, only to find that they have had a great year. Life is full of disappointments, challenges and upsets. A big part of life is learning to deal with a range of people, whether it be other children or adults. It is about building skills and resilience that can be used in later life.
How your child responds to the news of their class teacher for 2020 will largely depend on your own response. Whether you are satisfied or not, it is important to be positive and encouraging. If your child sees that you are upbeat, then they will be confident and optimistic about the future.
As in previous years, students will spend Monday morning in their new classrooms with their 2020 teacher. During this time they will complete a booklet with some information about their teacher and peers as well as some things they are excited about in their new class. These will come home with your child on Monday.
Reports home Friday, 13 December
Reports will be distributed on Friday. I am currently reading all reports and they are a real celebration of the children’s learning. I hope that you find your child’s Semester Two Report beneficial in providing information related to their learning and progress at school. Thank you for working in partnership to support your child’s education. This partnership between home and school will be healthy and enhance our children's learning if it is fostered in a positive way.
You are most welcome to make a time to meet with your child’s teacher if you have any queries following the report. Please contact your child’s teacher next week if you would like to make an appointment. Thank you also to the staff who have literally spent many hours over the past few weeks writing reports.
Blessings and Best Wishes
Sean Rutledge
Sunday Gospel: Third Sunday of Advent, Year A. Matthew 11:2-11
Half way through Advent we pause for a moment to celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday for rejoicing. It is this week that we light the pink candle, a beautiful way to symbolise the joy of the season!
This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ words to John’s disciples are really intended for John himself. John had heard of the works of ‘the Christ’, but the fact that he sent disciples to find out whether or not Jesus was indeed this person, suggests that Jesus did not exhibit all the eschatological signs that John had expected.
Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.
Year 6 Graduation Mass
On Friday, 13th December at 12:00pm, all students will be attending the Graduation Mass for our Sts Peter and Paul Year 6 students. All are warmly invited to join us and celebrate the graduation of these very special students.
Kinder Nativity
On Tuesday 10th December, Kindergarten White shared with us all a very special Nativity that was enjoyed by many in our school community. A big thank you to Mrs Mortimer, Mrs Portolesi and KW for all of the hard work they put into preparing and practicing for this prayerful and moving retelling of the birth of Jesus.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Thank you to all families who have contributed to this year’s St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. There are many families in our local Woden area who will benefit greatly from our community’s generosity. We have collected an amazing amount of canned goods, Festive food and household necessities that will help in adding Christmas cheer to families less fortunate than our own. Tony from the local St Vincent de Paul Conference will attend morning assembly to collect our contributions, and thank the children on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s liturgy is now happening at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church’s 9:30 Sunday Mass once a month. All children who are Primary school aged (and smaller if they bring a parent/carer) are welcome to attend. The last Children’s liturgy of the year will be held on December 22nd at 9:30 am, I hope so see many of our children there.
Invitation from Fr John - Advent Meetings for Plenary Council
Last Friday our Parish held the first of two Advent meetings (the next being 10am and 7.30pm this Friday, 13 Dec, and four in Lent), to prayerfully discern a national and a local response to the first of six themes arising from the 220, 000 responses to the initial phase of the Plenary Council. All interested parties are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion. Meetings are held in the Parish Centre at Curtin.
Dates for your Diary:
Friday 13th December – Year 6 Graduation Mass, 12:00pm
Sunday 22nd December – Children’s Liturgy will run during regular Sunday Mass 9:30am at Garran
Blessings for the week ahead in this Advent season,
Stephanie Burns
Religious Education Coordinator
Week 10, Term 4
Time | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
9-11.30 |
Eleen B Soomi V |
CANTEEN CLOSED FOR CLEANING |
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS |
Thank you to the helpers that helped out this year in the Canteen; your assistance is very much appreciated!
LAST Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for the year is Emily S, 3/4Y.
Congratulations Emily, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen. Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.
DID YOU MISS OUT ON WINNING A $2 voucher to spend at the canteen? Simply purchase fresh fruit or veg from the canteen next year and be in the draw to WIN!!!
As the year draws to a close, we will be reducing our stock in the canteen to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break.
Lunch orders will be available until Wednesday18 December. If your child orders a product that becomes unavailable we will substitute the item with something to the same value or like.
Canteen is closed Thursday last day of term for cleaning and first Wednesday of Term 1 for set up. It will reopen again on Thursday 6 February 2020.
If you would like to help out in the canteen in 2020 please email me your details.
Thank you, Lauretta Raccosta, Canteen Manager
Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au or 6281 1932
Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens
Are you able to help out in the canteen in 2020?
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/ren 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 just pop into the canteen and say hi!
A delicious cuppa will be provided!
The Canteen can provide a spot where the little tots can play and be safe!
Do you want to help out in the Canteen and have a little one with you? Well, bring your child along! We have the ability to set up a small playpen in front of the canteen where your child/ren can still see you and be safe. The play area is not a permanent fixture but can be set up at a moments notice. If you are interested in using this facility or wish to discuss further, please feel free to call or email me.
Kindest Regards, Lauretta Raccosta “Mrs R”, Canteen Manager
Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens
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CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS
I........................................................................... would like to volunteer for the roster. Day(s) ☐ Wednesday ☐ Thursday ☐ Friday
☐ Weekly ☐ Fortnightly ☐ Monthly ☐ Twice a term ☐ Other……..……….…..…
Child’s name ………………………………………………..…. Class…………….……….
Contact Phone Number and/or E-Mail………………………...................................…
UNIFORM SHOP EXTENDED OPENING HOURS FOR 2020
TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2019 – 8.30AM – 9.30AM
All second hand clothing HALF PRICE!!!
THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2020 – 9AM – 10AM & 2PM – 3PM (please note change of time)
School holiday opening hours
TUESDAY 4 FEBURARY 2020 – 8.30AM – 9.30AM
Usual uniform shop hours
However, beat the crazy rush next year and get in before this year is through to purchase any school uniform needed!
Uniform can also be purchased via Qkr! and delivered to your child (Tue- Fri).
SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PICNIC
PICNIC POSTPONED
Due to the advice provided to us by ACT Health, the Carols Picnic has been postponed until next Tuesday evening (17 December).
Garreth Wigg
Sts Peter & Paul families are invited to come and enjoy a relaxing evening together, outside on the school grounds in each other's company while Christmas hymns and songs aplenty fill the air.
WEDNESDAY. 11 DECEMBER
6-7.30PM
Ice blocks will be provided for all students in attendance.
This is an alcohol-free event.
The School Community Council met for the last time in 2019 on 3 December with the discussion mainly around the budget for 2020 and how to alleviate start of year hassles with carline.
We also took the time to thank Mr Rutledge and Mr Wigg for their wonderful stewardship of the school during 2019.
Lastly, we talked about next year’s Council. We anticipate some members not continuing and would therefore welcome any people interested in joining to let the office know. Council convenes twice each term for around an hour on a weekday evening, and is a great way to participate in school life particularly if you are unable to attend things during business hours. There are no prerequisites to join and we value having a diverse set of parents so that our discussions include many different viewpoints and informed decisions can be made.
We hope to see many of you at the Carols night on Tuesday 17 December and wish all students, parents and staff a Merry Christmas and a safe and restful break.
VOLUNTEERS' THANK YOU AFTERNOON TEA
We'd just like to say
Thank you
We'd love you to join us for our
VOLUNTEERS'
THANK YOU
AFTERNOON TEA
Thursday 12th December
1.30pm
in the STEM Room
We look forward to seeing you there
Christmas break volunteers for Mr Marsham’s garden
WE HAVE ONLY A FEW VOLUNTEERS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SPARE TIME (IT WON'T TAKE LONG) PLEASE CONTACT ROBYN MOORE
We are organising a roster for the care and maintenance of our vegetable garden over the Christmas break
If your family could spare a week or weekend,
watering and picking and storing our produce, we would love to hear from you
Please email your name, contact details and availability to
robyn.moore@cg.catholic.edu.au
Thank you from the Gardening Club
Sts Peter and Paul Netball 2019
Well done to all those students who have played netball and represented our school this year. We had 82 players register with South Canberra in 2019 and won the U10 Catholic Schools and Junior Division 1 SCNA Competitions!
Summer Twilight Netball has now finished, so can all students who still have netball uniforms please return them to the Front Office at school as soon as possible.
I just wanted to thank all the family members who have given up their time this year to help run Netball. Without you, our teams would not be possible so THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED THIS YEAR!
Winter season registration will open up in February 2020, look out in the newsletter for details!
Zoe Abrahams, Netball Coordinator