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“And Christ the Way can, and does, make each of us someone else’s way to flourish, not only here and now, but through the long Spring of eternity. There is a Spanish proverb that says, ‘God writes straight with crooked lines’. All of us, to some degree, are crooked: but he can make us the straightest way to him for someone else.”
Peter Steele SJ, Bread for the Journey
The late Jesuit priest Peter Steele had a way with words and it will come as no surprise to anyone to learn that he was for many years a Professor of English at Melbourne University, as well as a published poet. The words quoted above come from a homily he gave at a Mass, post-Easter, some years ago. Their beauty lies partly in their simple summation of the Christian vocation: to be someone else’s way to human flourishing and someone else’s way to relationship with Christ. There could be no better summary of what it means to have a vocation as a teacher and educator and at Sts Peter and Paul, our vocation, to put it very simply, is to be the way – the path – to human flourishing for our students.
Return to School
It appears that on balance, things are trending in the right direction, in terms of the infection rate of the COVID-19 virus. Certainly in the A.C.T., the situation is looking very positive. I am sure you are aware that the students at Marist College and other independent schools are returning to school next week. The Director of Catholic Education, Ross Fox, has been in regular contact the Catholic systemic schools and at some point in the near future, I should be in a position where I can write to you regarding students returning to Sts Peter and Paul. I understand that this period has been stressful for many parents and families and Remote Learning has added a layer of complication to an already difficult situation. I would like to thank the parent body for their support of their children’s learning and for their support of the teachers and all of their efforts. I am very grateful, as all the staff are, for the good will of the parent body and their able assistance and encouragement. As soon as I am in a position to inform you of the next steps, I shall do so. My hope is that information will be forthcoming within the next few days.
Apple iPads
A known issue we are currently having with remote learning iPads provided by the school is around the family sharing settings. Over the Term 1 school holidays, we were scheduled to collect all iPads and install a new management system that eliminates the need for having a generic apple ID. Unfortunately, this process did not happen and is flagged for the upcoming Term 2 holidays.
This means the school iPads that are being used for remote learning can have the family sharing option turned on, which uploads the camera roll to iCloud and is viewable across devices. Our advice is not to change the family sharing settings as it takes one user to turn this on for all iPads. We have made the necessary changes to turn this off and are asking your assistance to ensure it stays off.
We would advise students to use the camera to record their work and upload onto their class’ chosen platform before deleting the photo or video from the camera roll to ensure it doesn’t upload to iCloud. Thanks in advance for your understanding and help managing our remote Learning devices. It might be a timely reminder for parents to discuss and reinforce with their children appropriate behaviours when online. Some resources that may support you doing this can be found on the e-safety website https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents.
Have a wonderful week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal
Sunday Gospel: Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A John 14:1-12
We read this week’s gospel in the midst of distressing times. In this gospel, the disciples too are scared and distressed, they are worried for what is coming for themselves and for Jesus. Yet the first words Jesus offers them is ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There is something here in this scripture for all of us, not just the Disciples. The Gospel John 14:1-12 comes from The Last Supper meal where Jesus discusses with his Disciples his imminent departure, and offers his friends comfort. He tells them that in the absence of the Jesus they have come to know, they will discover Gods’ presence still with them.
Jesus wants to strengthen his followers, who of course are upset at the thought of him dying, but Jesus interprets it in a very positive way. He does not focus on the end of his life, but on the joyful events that will follow it.
This entire chapter is about God coming to dwell within the Christian community.
You and I now make up the community that is the household of God, where Jesus, the Father and the Spirit dwell. We don’t have to wait until death to dwell in God’s household, we are that household now.
MOTHER’S DAY 2020
This Sunday, we celebrate Mother’s Day, and while it will be a very different Mother’s Day to those that we may be used to, I hope all of our families will enjoy spending the day together, celebrating the very special relationship we all share with our Mothers and Grandmothers, and all they have done and continue to do for us. On the ‘Week 2” tab of the RE Support website (mentioned below), there are a number of resources that families may like to utilise.
Religious Education Support Website – Remote Learning
On the school’s Remote Learning website, we now have a tab that will lead to a site called “Parish of Transfiguration”. This site will serve to connect the Transfiguration Parish School Communities of Holy Trinity and Saints Peter and Paul.
On this site you will find a variety of links relating to the Religious Life of our Parish Schools. Each week, we will share with you prayers and resources that we hope will be engaging and enriching for the families in our community.
This week, we have included some Mother’s Day resources and prayers, as well as a guide for families who may like to pray the Rosary together this May.
Fr John has uploaded a video for our families also, so I encourage you to take a look.
Below is a link to the site.
http://parishoftransfiguration.weebly.com/
Parish Contacts – email addresses for Weekly Bulletin
Another reminder that Fr John would like to encourage any members of the community to reach out to his office via email (included below) if they would like to be included in the list of parishioners that receive an email of the Sunday bulletin every week. This is a great way to stay in touch with the parish community, especially in a time of disconnection.
I have included this bulletin and Fr John’s reflection for the week on the Parish Website.
Stay safe, and take care of each other,
Stephanie Burns
Religious Education Coordinator
Our Assembly will be recorded and online on Friday afternoon. Awards recipients will be announced. The awards will be mailed out to the students.
NO CASH COUNTER SALES AT LUNCHTIME
Canteen will not be accepting cash during these current times.
Families can make contactless payment via Qkr!
Purchase counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child/children in a lunch order which will be delivered to them
OR
you can purchase a “counter sales voucher” on Qkr! for your child/children to go to the canteen to collect something at lunchtime.
Lauretta Raccosta,
Canteen
Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au
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 our website for the Winter Uniform price list.
https://stpandp.act.edu.au/uniform-shop
It is usual practice for most schools to offer second-hand clothing at the uniform shop to families at a discounted price. Qualitysecond-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.
DUE TO COVID19, the Uniform Shop is asking for NO more second-hand donations during this time. Thank you.
NEED WINTER UNIFORM, BUT CURRENTLY NOT AT SCHOOL?
YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE WINTER UNIFORM VIA QKR! AND YOUR ORDER WILL BE LEFT AT THE FRONT OFFICE FOR COLLECTION.
OUR UNIFORM SHOP WILL BE OPEN FOR EXTENDED HOURS NEXT WEEK BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
A LINK WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS VIA SZapp FOR APPOINTMENT BOOKINGS.
Lauretta Raccosta
Uniform Shop
BUTTERMILK PANCAKES WITH BERRY BUTTER
Ingredients
2c self raising flour, sifted
2 eggs
50g butter, melted
600ml buttermilk
1/2c castor sugar
125g butter, softened
1/4c berry jam
Method
Place flour in a bowl and make a well in the centre.
Whisk eggs, butter, buttermilk and sugar in a separate bowl then gradually add to the flour and mix until smooth. Referegerate for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile mix softened butter and jam with an electric mixer until creamy, then place in fridge until the pancakes have been cooked.
Heat a large frypan, lightly spray with cooking oil then pour 1/4 mixture into the pan.
Cook until bubbles appear then flip and cook until light brown. Place on a plate and cover with foil. Repeat with remaining mixture.
Place a teaspoon of the berry butter on hot pancakes and serve.
