Dear Parents and Carers

A PRAYER AT A TIME OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (COVID 19) ARCHBISHOP CHRISTOPHER PROWSE

CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF CANBERRA GOULBURN

Heavenly Father, We praise and thank you for your loving presence, especially in the Lent/Easter season. We offer heartfelt thanks, dear Lord, particularly for our recent rains. Once again, we come to you in our need.

As your children we are in need of your healing and protection. Just as we have been recovering from our dangerous bushfire summer, we have now been thrown into a fearful coronavirus (COVID-19) autumn. We are tired and frightened. We feel a sense of panic and future uncertainty on a global scale.

Be with us now, Loving Master. Without you all is nothing – only empty hearts and a total reliance on our own feeble resources. But with you “there is mercy and fullness of Redemption” (Psalm 130/7). With you there is “the loving mercy of the heart of our God (who) will give light to those who sit in darkness, those who dwell in the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1/79).

It seems that so many public gatherings are now postponed or cancelled. There is virus death, the sick, and the anxious. We are spending more time on our own, or with family or friends. We pray for the sick and those looking after them. Help us to offer practical help to those who struggle.

Let us use these times, O Lord, for your greater glory, especially during Lent and Easter. Let us pray more, and truly listen to you more in loving silence, stillness and simplicity. Almighty Father, you always journey with us in life’s challenges. Help us to meet you often in the scriptures and our sacraments. Increase in us faith, hope and trust. Protect us from this coronavirus.

Remove it from our common home. Heal those who are sick and dying. Mary, Help of Christians, as always we fly to you in our need. Be close to us and point out your Son, Jesus, to us in this pandemic. St Therese of Lisieux and her parents, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, pray for us.

We make this and all our prayers through Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, AMEN

I would like to begin by thanking the parent community for their patience and forbearance during this period of confusion. I appreciate the many supportive emails and messages that the school has received. The students’ wellbeing and flourishing remains, as always, the school’s absolute focus. I offer this prayer from the Archbishop in the hope that it is a source of solace and hope for the entire school community.

Coronavirus

The last few days has seen both Sts Peter and Paul and the Catholic Education Office communicate with parents regarding the coronavirus. The school will email a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ sheet to all families tomorrow. I encourage all parents to take the time to read this, and all other recent communication. I acknowledge that the frequency of emails and letters can seem both overwhelming and bewildering. Nonetheless, I encourage all parents to strive to take the time to read the information we send, in order to stay abreast of the issues. Thank you all for your support.

Parent Thanks

In amongst all the attention that Coronavirus has received, life still goes on. I would like to take this opportunity to publically acknowledge and thank Sally Blacker, mother of Archie in Year 6 and Audrey in Year 4, for her great work in compiling the parent directory. This was by no means a small job and required of Sally many hours of her own time, which she donated generously. Thank you Sally. I would also like to thank Trish Collis who copied and assembled all the booklets. Many thanks Trish. We are indebted to you both.

St Clare’s Visit – Year 6 Girls 

Although almost all excursions have been cancelled, we are still welcoming two St Clare’s College girls and their teacher to our school this Thursday, to talk to our Year 6 girls about life at St Clare’s. High School visits (which take place under normal conditions) are an important part of life in Year 6, and they assist students in preparing for their lives in Years 7 – 12.

Enrolment Period

The enrolment period for Catholic Education begins in the second week of next term. We are hoping that conditions return to normal and that we can have groups of parents visit the school as well as run an Information Night. The dates for our Term 2 Open Days are May 5, 9-11am; May 13, 12-1.15pm; May 21, 3-6pm. Our Information Night is May 12 at 6.30pm.

Community Council Meeting

A reminder for our parents on the Community Council that we are meeting next Tuesday evening at 6.30pm. An account of each Council meeting is included in the following day’s Newsletter.

In conclusion, as many of our community would know, we have a high proportion of our parent community who work in the health or medical professions in one form or another. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their work, now and in the future, as the Canberra community deals with the circumstances that the Coronavirus has brought about in our homes and work places.

Have a good week with your children.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: John 9:1-41 Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year A

This week’s Gospel is another leading us towards the Easter story. This Gospel tells of Jesus restoring the sight of a man born blind. The man, who is gradually brought from physical blindness to sight, also progressively moves from spiritual blindness to deep insight.  The Pharisees were blind to the truth that the newly cured man could see so clearly. The one who was blind sees, and those who can see are blind.

The story of the man born blind is a perfect choice for the Lenten season. During this season we are invited once again to open our eyes to Jesus; to step out of darkness and into the light; to look towards the future with hope and not despair. When we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at the Easter vigil, we celebrate the coming of the Light of the World into our lives. This annual call to turn away from darkness and walk in the light is a powerful call to focus our lives on the way of Jesus.

Values Assembly – 3/4Yellow

Our first Values Assembly for 2020 was held on Friday, 13th March, led by 3/4 Yellow and Mr Gubler. The value for the remainder of the term is ‘Forgiveness’. 3/4 Yellow did a wonderful job of unpacking the value for the school through a role play of The Prodigal Son, a very clever acrostic poem, and a challenging pledge. Many thanks for the hard work you put into your assembly 3/4 Yellow and Mr Gubler – well done!

Parish/School Mass, Presentation of Reconciliation Candidates

On Sunday, 15^th March, the first Parish/School Mass for 2020 was celebrated at Sts Peter and Paul, Garran. During the Mass, the candidates for Reconciliation were presented to the community. It was a beautiful Mass, where members of the community were able to acknowledge these candidates and the progression they’ve made on their faith journey. A special thanks to Mrs Collis and Mrs Hackwill for their beautiful enhancement of the liturgy through music at the Mass.

Project Compassion 2020

A reminder that the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal is now on. 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 has a Project Compassion box for their donations or you prefer, you can donate online via the website at https://lent.caritas.org.au/sts-peter-paul-garran.

Harmony Day

A reminder that we have moved our Harmony Day celebration to next week, and we will now celebrate on Monday 23^rd March.

On this day, children are invited to wear orange or cultural dress instead of their uniform to mark this special day. Each class will participate in various activities to celebrate the significance of this day. This will be done in regular class groups, and therefore is not effected by the changes we have implemented as a reaction to  COVID-19.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 2020

Due to the recent announcements regarding COVID-19, we will be postponing the Reconciliation Retreat Day until a more appropriate time. I will endeavour to keep you updated as soon as I receive any information about the Sacrament itself.

Dates for your Diary:

Blessings for the week ahead,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

• How to support your child during NAPLAN
• Watch a video that explains NAPLAN Online
• Subscribe to ACARA's monthly parent newsletter, Parent Update

Saints Peter and Paul Swimming Carnival Age Champions
Congratulations to the following students who are the age champions from our swimming carnival.

Junior
Zoe Tran and George Salter

Intermediate
Eloise Hardy, Josie Abrahams and Luqman Ogunbanwo

Senior
Imogen Herden and Stefan Dragojlovic

Congratulations also goes to TALARA for being the winning house on the day.

All students who came first, second or third in the 25m events will receive their ribbons in their classrooms shortly. We will endeavour to post photos of these students on Facebook sometime in the near future.

Regional and ACT Sport
Please see this email below sent to us from Liz Yuen, who is the School Sport ACT Executive Officer.

Hello All,

As you are all aware the Federal Government declared that all non-essential organised gatherings of 500+ people should be cancelled/postponed and social distancing measures should be implemented in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID 19.

Some of you might have seen our FB post on Saturday anticipating the Education Directorate response. This came yesterday with the information that all school excursions, camps, sport, band etc. are to be cancelled from today. This means that no School Sport ACT Calendar events will be taking place until the restrictive measures are lifted, at this stage no one is certain of that date.

The Calendar is a very busy place and there will be no opportunity to postpone SSACT Term 1 events into Term 2 or 3. State Sporting/Community Organisations might try to postpone their events to a later date, (and we will) need to confirm with them directly (at the appropriate time.)

Regarding trials for state representative teams, we have been advised this morning that these, even though out of school time, are to be cancelled/postponed to keep in alignment with social distancing measures and not encouraging students from different schools to be in contact with each other.

On a national scale, the School Sport Australia Board are meeting today and should be able to advise shortly of the future of the National Championships as they are based on state selections that are currently not taking place. I will keep our community informed as information comes to hand.

If the circumstances change to where we can hold selection events we will keep you all fully informed e.g. Perhaps a one day swim time trial to select a state swimming team if the Champs goes ahead in August.

From us at school
Please know that we will keep you updated as soon as new information comes to us in relation to Sport. We thank you very much for your patience and understanding at this time.

Although we are not gathering as a whole school in the hall for assemblies at the moment, the awards will still be presented. They will be announced over the PA system and recipients will be asked to come down to the Principal's office to receive their awards. 

The next awards will be presented on Friday, March 27.

Principal's Awards: Cameron deJ 3/4B; Cooper L 3/4B; Zoe T 3/4B; Alex H 3/4B

Learning Hub Award: Abby E, 3/4B

Gardening Awards: These special awards are for the families that helped look after Mr Marsham's garden during the hot and smokey summer: Kanushka Dewage and family; Lewellyn Jago and family; Maggie Lau and family; Oneeka Robb and family; Cate Marshall and family

The students in 3/4 B, Miss Kennelly and Mrs Armstrong are excited to be part of the Australia Post Pen Pal Club. The program is coordinated by Australia Post and aims to promote literacy and communication by connecting students from across Australia through letter writing. The club provides the opportunity for students to experience writing as a fun, creative and rewarding way to connect with other students. This week 3/4B students have been busy working on; how to format an informal letter, plan their writing and draft and edit their letters. They are eagerly awaiting their letters from the students at Portland South Primary School (South-West Victoria). We look forward to sharing with you some of our letters in the coming weeks.

Maryanne Armstrong

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.

Due to advice from the Department of Health, Friday morning Playgroup has been cancelled for the rest of the term.

Swimming lessons for Years 1 and 2 have been postponed. Information regarding new dates for the continuation of program will be forthcoming.

Our lost property is overflowing at the moment. If your child is missing any items of clothing, lunch boxes, drink bottles, shoes etc please either send them down to have a look or pop in yourselves. Many of the jumpers have students' names of them.

Any items that are not claimed by the end of term will be donated to the Uniform Shop.

Thank you

Week 8, 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 Ollie L, 2M.  Congratulations Ollie, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen.

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

The ingredient drive mentioned in last week's newsletter has been postponed until further notice. Robyn and Lauretta have decided that our community does not need any more shopping stress at the moment.

OPEN TUESDAY MORNINGS

8.30 – 9.30AM

 The Uniform Shop is a service for the parents and children.  We sells 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 app for the Summer / Winter Uniform price list.

Winter is almost here!  Get in early and beat the rush. 

Winter School Uniform now available on Qkr!

School Hat’s & Beanies 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 used second hand uniform to Mrs R in the canteen, Thank you.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop Manager

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

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