Dear parents and Carers

“I will help those who feel unsafe and make those who feel insecure feel secure. I will help out in any way I can to make better the injured and reassure the worried.”

Finley, Year 6 leader, Leadership Letter

“I understand that younger students look up to us and it is our responsibility to be role models and show them the right way to behave around the school and community. I am a hardworking, honest person and always try to show empathy to others.”

Claire, Year 6 leader, Leadership Letter

Finley’s and Claire’s recent leadership letters are emblematic of the quality of writing and thought that I encountered when I recently read the Year 6 Leadership Letters. I was, and remain, very impressed with the maturity of our Year 6 students and their own understandings of what leadership entails. Their letters reflect very well their own family upbringing as well as their experiences at Sts Peter and Paul. I look forward to working with the Year 6 students this year and watching them continue to flourish and grow as leaders.

Swimming Carnival

Last week on Thursday we held our annual Swimming Carnival. My thanks to Mary de Smet for organising a wonderful carnival and to all staff for their support and help. My thanks too to the many parents who supported and encouraged the students, and who volunteered their time on the day. Your presence was invaluable – thank you. My thanks too to Marie-Anne Barrett for being in charge of the school and looking after Kinder and Year 1 students very well while the Leadership Team were at the pool.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

This week we have held our parent/teacher interviews. Again, my thanks to the parent body for attending the interviews and supporting the teachers and most importantly, the students. The interviews are an invaluable opportunity to hear how your son or daughter has settled into their class and grade. If you haven’t yet booked a time to meet with your child’s teacher, please book a time by making contact directly with your child’s teacher. My thanks to Paul Jenkins for organising the booking sheets.

Principal Retreat

I am away this week in Bowral at the annual Principals’ Retreat. It is an invaluable opportunity to explore the mission of leadership within our shared Catholic faith. Part of the retreat is also given over to a discussion around initiatives of the Catholic Education Office. In my absence, Sean Rutledge will very capably lead the school.

Working in 3/4B

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is the opportunity to work alongside teachers in the classroom. Next week I start working in 3/4B, for an hour a day, for the rest of the term. I will be working alongside Sarah Kennelly as we attempt to implement an inquiry approach to the teaching of Mathematics. I am very much looking forward to working with Sarah and 3/4B.

Online Survey Newsletter Article / Website

Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (Catholic Education), will shortly release an online survey to better understand your opinion of the value Catholic schools like ours provide and what that means for you and your children. The findings of this research will be used by Catholic Education to improve the offering of Catholic schools.

The survey will be sent out to parents via email in the coming week and should take less than 15 minutes to complete. 

Privacy and confidentiality

Please note that Catholic Education has engaged JWS Research to host the survey, collect the data and analyse the results. JWS Research is an independent, fully accredited, Australian research agency (see www.jwsresearch.com for further information). Survey results will be reported in the aggregate with individual responses remaining completely confidential and treated in accordance with the relevant privacy laws, including the Market and Social Research Privacy Principles and the industry’s code of professional behaviour.

I encourage all parents to respond to the survey.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation.

Have a wonderful long weekend with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Second Sunday of Lent – Year A

This Sunday, we begin the second week of Lent, and it is not by accident that we hear the story of the Transfiguration. This is a story of God revealing the true identity of His Son; Jesus transfigured, appearing to his chosen disciples enrobed in dazzling light. This momentary unveiling of Jesus in his true splendour was a very important moment for those present. They were filled with awe and wonder, reinvigorated on their journey, and growing stronger in their mission.

Sunday Mass is our own mountaintop experience. We hear God's word, then through the sacrifice at the altar, we experience His unfailing, life-giving love for us, and we delve deeper into a relationship with Him as we receive the Eucharist. We leave Mass with clarity on what is important, feeling re-energised and invigorated in our faith, and ready to continue in our mission.

Journey with Jesus Retreat Day

On Friday of this week (March 6^th) Stage Three have the opportunity to engage in a Journey with Jesus Retreat Day run by CSYMI and our Youth Minister, Maddie. The day will be filled with faith, fun and fellowship; a time to bond as a group, get to know our new Youth Minister and to share our Faith together. Those who had the opportunity to participate last year had a wonderful time, so we are all really looking forward to the day.

Parish/School Mass, Presentation of Reconciliation Candidates

On Sunday, 15^th March we will be having our first Parish/School Mass for 2020. During the Mass, the candidates for Reconciliation will be presented to the community. I invite all members of the community to join us at this Mass as we acknowledge these candidates and the progression they’ve made on their faith journey.

Project Compassion 2020

As you would be aware, the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal has begun. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Each Classroom at Sts Peter and Paul will receive a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the website at lent.caritas.org.au.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 2020

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in the Parish of the Transfiguration, North Woden on Thursday, 2nd April at 6:00 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Curtin 

I encourage the community to pray for these children as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation.

Many thanks to all of the wonderful parents who volunteered to lead a home group, we couldn’t do it without you!

Sts Peter and Paul Playgroup

A reminder that the Sts Peter and Paul Playgroup will be running again this year. We held our first session last week, and it was a wonderful morning. This year we will be holding the playgroup in our Japanese classroom, and the adjoining courtyard. All parents and carers from the community are invited to come along with their children aged 0-5. The playgroup runs every second week during school terms from 9:30-11am (even weeks).  Please bring morning tea and a water bottle for your child. Contact me for any further information.

Dates for your Diary:

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

Our school directory, which is kindly produced each year by Sally Blacker, is in the final stages before printing.

We are asking for a parent from each class to be the class contact to be listed in this document. A class contact is a person who may be a welcoming face who reaches out to new families in the class, might organise a catch up with parents or an out of school play session.

If you are interested in becoming the class contact for your child’s class, we would love to hear from you. Please email Office.stpandp@cg.catholic.edu.au by Friday with your name and the class you could be a contact for.

So far, we have class contacts for only four classes:

Kinder Maroon:  Ian Keogh

Kinder White:  Ellen Hulber

1 Maroon:  Erin Frost

5/6 Maroon – Angela Harvey

Printing of the School directory will take place on Friday for distribution early next week.

Thank you

Sean Rutledge

Our first Values Assembly, led by 3/4Y, will be held on Friday 13 March at 2.15 in the hall.  

AWARDS

Principal's  Award: Grace B KM

This year, we are looking at expanding the Seasons for Growth Program in our school. It is an education program that builds the resilience and wellbeing of children who have recently experienced some BIG Life Changes. 

Many factors can cause change such as:

• Friends moving away

• Loss of someone or something you love

• Parents and families separating

• Moving to a new place

• Impact of illness

• Family work-life changes. 

Change affects everyone differently, as does grief. It’s the impact of the change, not the event itself that Seasons for Growth focuses on.

Seasons for Growth aims to support young people to understand their feelings, help them develop skills for coping with change and restore self-confidence. It is designed to assist children in meeting others who may feel the same way about change and reassures them that their feelings are normal. The program is underpinned by evidence about resilience, emotional competence and identity.

If you feel your child may benefit from being part of this program or would like more information, please contact Melissa Neit, our School Chaplain, at Melissa.neit@cg.catholic.edu.au or your child’s Classroom Teacher.

Saints Peter and Paul Swimming Carnival
Thank you so much to all of the helpers who came last Thursday to assist at the carnival. We couldn’t have done it without you! Please note that swimming ribbons will be handed out at the assembly next Friday 13^th March.

South Weston Region Swimming Carnival Thursday 2^nd April
If your child has been selected to represent our school at this carnival, they should have received a note about this today. If you would like them to participate, please send the permission and medical information back to school no later than Wednesday 18^th March. The $10 participation fee is to be made via Qkr.
If you are able to assist on the day as an official, and you have a current Working with Vulnerable People number, please indicate this on the permission form.
Please note that if I do not receive your child’s permission by the cut-off date they will be unable to compete on the day. Thank you so much for your understanding with this.

School Sport ACT www.schoolsportact.org.au
If you are trying to register your child for a trial, please see the instructions below about how to first register yourself. If you have any questions when it comes to School Sport ACT, please don’t hesitate to get in touch mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au

SSACT Registration Process

School Sport ACT now collects all registration information online – this is to prevent the movement to and fro of a paper note and have all information readily available to officials prior to the trial. As this process incurs a fee for data storage, system maintenance and admin, a small fee payment via credit card will be required.

How to register a Student?

• 1- Go to Register and create an account. After completion, check your registered email to verify your account. (Always check your spam folder in case you didn't receive immediately the verification email).
• 2- After verifying your account, Log In using your registered email and password. You’ll be presented with your Parent Dashboard. From there you can start the process of registering a Student into a Trial.

Look for the Add Student button.

• 3- Complete all of the information required for your Student (e.g: Medical Details, Playing History, Preferred Position, School, etc.).
• 4- Make the small credit card payment. After payment your Principal/School Approver will receive an email for their approval to trial.

You will be able to see the process has been complete back in My Profile – once your Principal/School Approver has completed the approval process your child’s information will be collated onto a list for the Team Manager and Coach prior to trial.

Week 6, Term 1

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 Isabella T, 2W. 

Congratulations Isabella, 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 to all the students who participated in today’s Special Lunch Day! 

Mrs R was so happy celebrating her birthday with the whole school!

It was so nice to see the children enjoying themselves sharing the same meal with their friends.

I was also overwhelmed with all the help I got today from the Year 1 parents! A very special THANK YOU goes to Richard, Justine, Megan, Lulu, Tegan, Andrea, Erin and Katherine 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

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

Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens

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.

You can place an order via Qkr! Order on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and the item/s will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45am.

Please see the SZapp for the Summer Uniform price list.

School Hats can be purchase at the canteen Wednesdays, Thursday & Fridays

(CASH ONLY PLEASE)

 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 its’ hours and I will do my best to attend your needs.

 The uniform shop is limited with space, so as a guide, clothes should only be donated if washed and in perfect resalable order. The uniform shop is asking for no more second hand donations of white sports tops please.

 Please give any second hand uniform to Mrs R in the canteen, Thank you.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop Manager

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Once again we have done very well at the Canberra Show!!

Congratulations to all the students and families involved, extra congratulations and thanks to our Mrs Moore.

DO YOU LIKE A BARGAIN?

Sts Peter and Paul is selling the 2020/21 Entertainment Book (although it's now electronic only so it's really an Entertainment Membership) full of discounts and fun.

• Instantly locate offers nearby. No more flicking through pages.
• New offers automatically added weekly. 
• Load onto more than one device per household.
• Always get a full 12 months from day of activation.

Don't forget 20% from every purchase goes to our fundraising.

Click on link to order. Thank you for your support!

 https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2j4040

Last week Mr Rutledge had the privilege to represent the school at the celebrations of the 59th Independence Day and the 29th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait. The Kuwait National Day is celebrated on 25 February each year and marks two significant events in the country's life. We are fortunate to have many Kuwaiti families in the Sts Peter and Paul community, and it was an honour to celebrate this occasion with them. Pictured below with Mr Rutledge is the Aloraifan family who were dressed in their national dress for the event.