Dear Parents and Carers

“The first thing a disaster teaches us is that everything is connected. In fact, disasters…are crash courses in these connections.”

‘Hope’, The Guardian Weekly, 24 April, 2020

The above reflection comes from an extended article that reflects on the hope that might come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guardian Weekly is a very fine weekly newspaper but not known for its hopeful disposition towards world events. The author’s insight about the connectedness of the world, and the way the pandemic has brought this into sharp relief, is an affirmation of what our faith teaches us: that we are all connected to each other and in a sense, responsible to each other, in mutual responsibility for the world. The feast of Pentecost, which we have just celebrated, affirms this, with the imagery of the disciples leaving the room in which they huddled, and speaking in the languages of the world’s peoples. It is a metaphor for universal connection and universal relationship. At Sts Peter and Paul, we are conscious of, and responding to, the shifts that the pandemic has brought about, all the while looking for new ways to affirm the children’s connections to each other, the world, and God.

Teacher Quality Institute – Assessor Course

TQI is an A.C.T. government authority that has oversight of the teaching profession in Canberra – Catholic, independent and government teachers are all subject to TQI. All states and territories have a similar organisation. They all serve to assist with the professional organisation of the profession and serve a public good. As well as providing a regulatory role, TQI also strives to assist the growth and development of teachers, in terms of their professional expertise. Yesterday, our Assistant Principal, Sean Rutledge, attended a professional development day on becoming an assessor of those teachers who apply for the title of Highly Accomplished Teacher or Lead Teacher. Both titles acknowledge an expertise held by a teacher. This professional development in itself develops the teaching expertise of the people undergoing the course. The PD that Sean undertook was also the first PD, that any staff have had at the school, that has been off site, another indication that life is slowly returning to normal. https://www.tqi.act.edu.au/

Enrolment Interviews

Much of my time over the next two weeks is spent in enrolment interviews for Kindergarten 2021. It is always a privilege meeting parents and their child or children (we have twins starting next year). The hopes and dreams parents hold for their children is always just beneath the surface of every question and every answer. The interviews are opportunities for the cementing of relationships (or connections, if we continue the theme of the reflection above) that speak to the covenant that we as parents and educators hold in trust: to leave the world a better place for those who come after us, and to teach our children to be for the world, and that the world is for them.

Have a good week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: The Most Holy Trinity, Year A. John 3:16-18

Over recent weeks, we have celebrated the Ascension and Pentecost – both of which reveal something about the nature of God through Jesus and the Spirit. Trinity Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the unity of God whom we acknowledge as Father, Son and Spirit. Today’s gospel reminds us that there is a seamless continuity between the different experiences of God. Although we sometimes regard the God of the Old Testament as judging and vengeful, today reminds us that God is, was, and always will be a God of love. The gospel reminds us that ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.’ Love is the characteristic of God that is experienced as Father, Son and Spirit. God loved the world into being and loved the people so much that God made a covenant relationship with them and repeatedly drew them back into that relationship when they strayed. God loved the world and the people so much that God became physically present through Jesus as yet another attempt to draw all people into an awareness of the loving relationship God desired for them. When Jesus could no longer remain a physical presence in the world, God’s Spirit became more evident to continue the work of drawing people into that loving relationship with God.

Rather than focusing on the mystery of the Trinitarian God, today is an opportunity to marvel at the single-mindedness of God who is so determined to reveal the length and breadth of God’s love to us. That revelation has been made manifest in different ways throughout time but remains constant and unchanging.  (Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

At our values assembly on Friday, June 5, Year 1 will be sharing the value of compassion. The assembly will be livestreamed on our Facebook page at 2.15pm.

Reconciliation Week started on the 27^th of May and finishes today, the 3^rd of June. The theme of Reconciliation Week is “In This Together.”

“The National Reconciliation Week 2020 theme reinforces that we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures,” she said.

“When we come together to build mutual respect and understanding, we shape a better future for all Australians.” Karen Mundine

At Saints Peter and Paul, we are in the process of designing a Message Stick for NAIDOC Mass on 24^th of July. Our Indigenous students are contributing their own designs for our Message Stick that represent our school’s story. We will combine their designs onto the on Message Stick, which will decorate a special Cross for the Mass.

The Message Stick is one of the many ways Aboriginal people communicated and sometimes the stick was used as a teaching stick for drawing boundaries, sacred ceremonial places, totems and tracking animals throughout the land. When a Message Stick is handed to you from another person, you then become the Messenger.

Traditionally, Message Sticks were passed between different clans and language groups to establish information and transmit messages. They were often used to invite neighbouring groups to corroborees, initiation ceremonies, rite of entry to country and as an invitation to religious rituals.

Due to Covid 19, the NAIDOC Mass will be streamed this year, so that everyone can view the Mass.

This pictures below are examples of a Message Stick. Once finished, a picture of Sts Peter and Paul's Message Stick will be posted in the Newsletter.

We have a very talented artist in our school, Kaylee W, 5/6M, who has been drawing portraits for a few years. She drew the first picture last night while watching the news and reflecting on the tragic events that are unfolding in America at the moment. The second picture is inspired by a model that Kaylee saw online. 

Stunning work, Kaylee. 

We have had mushrooms growing in the school grounds recently. Teachers have stressed to students the importance of leaving these alone and not picking them or playing with them. Our groundsman is conducting regular sweeps of the school to remove any that he finds. Please ensure you echo our message to your children about not touching mushrooms and reporting them to a teacher so they can be safely removed.

From Monday 8th of June, you are invited to visit the Carnival Books web-page, www.carnivalfairs.com.au/virtual and browse the fantastic range of books on offer. Books are grouped into categories such as activity books, best sellers, picture books and age-appropriate books too. 

The process is very simple.

Books ordered can be delivered to the school, so that the children can still experience the excitement of bringing home their new books. 

Detailed instructions are attached below. The fair opens on Monday 8th of June and will run until the following Monday 15th of June. 

Hopefully, this virtual platform will be easy to use and you'll enjoy browsing the many and varied titles available.

Happy reading 

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 “daily counter sales voucher” on Qkr! for your child/children to go to the canteen to collect something at lunchtime.

  Do you want to win a $2 voucher to spend in the canteen? Simply purchase fresh or frozen fruit from the canteen and be in the weekly draw to WIN!!!

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 SZapp for the Winter Uniform price list.

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.

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

 Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

VEGETABLE SLICE

Ingredients

4 eggs

1c self raising flour (gluten free optional)

2 small zucchinis, grated

1 large onion, finely chopped

400g can corn kernals

1 1/4c grated chedder cheese

3 Tbs vegetable oil

Method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees and line a large baking dish and set aside.

Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add the flour and beat until smooth.

Add the zucchini, carrot, corn, cheese and oil and stir until all combined.

Pour mixture into the prepared dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from oven, cool for 10 minutes.

Lift out of the baking dish using the paper and cut into slices to serve. 

Board games are a wonderful way to spend time together.