Dear Parents and Carers

“Gratitude is one of the most difficult virtues. Generosity’s actually easier…gratitude’s well, a debt, imposed by a kindness emanating from outside ourselves: someone pitching in with the dishes when we’re all alone at the sink, someone showing up at the hospital bedside when we thought suffering alone was more noble, someone bestowing existence on us when we didn’t exist and could do nothing to have deserved such an invitation.”

William O’Malley, S.J.

We have come to the end of a school term and I’m sure it will be unsurprising to parents to read that for the school community, it has not been the easiest of school terms, or even of semesters. This statement includes, as well, the parent body. I know that for many parents the extra stresses that COVID-19 has put on family life have been draining and difficult. Therefore I would like to record my thanks and deep gratitude to the many people who have made the term such a good term: the staff who have worked tirelessly; the parent body for their unwavering support; and the students for their good humour, grace and diligence in their work. Thank you all for your hard work and support. Every person’s contribution has mattered a great deal.

Sts Peter and Paul Feast Day

On Monday we celebrated our feast day. It is always a good day to stop and reflect upon the leadership of two men whose lives took them in directions they would not have dreamed of, as a result of their encounter with Jesus. So it is with us, whenever we experience a great love. Our lives are usually transformed by such an encounter, always in such a way that we see things anew and nothing quite looks the same again. The greater the love, the greater the transformation. Peter and Paul were two people who would have faded into history were it not for their encounter with Jesus. On Monday, the children had a grade or stage prayer liturgy in the morning and then after recess, they were divided across the school in mixed vertical age groupings, almost always with a teacher different from their normal class teacher. The children also received a small present. The staff enjoyed a special lunch and also each received a small gift. My thanks to all staff for their great support of the day, and especially to our excellent REC, Stephanie Burns, for organising and coordinating such a good day.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Last week we held our Parent/Teacher interviews. It was encouraging to see so many parents book a time. A survey will come home early next term seeking your thoughts about the way we held the interviews (using zoom), and whether this might be a regular way of conducting the interviews. The staff will also be surveyed. The general feedback I have had has been very positive but I will be seeking a more detailed response, so I welcome your thoughts.

Reports

Your child’s report will be coming home today. A reminder that only 4 subjects have received an A – E mark: Maths, English, Religious Education and one other subject. This reflects the learning interruptions brought on by COVID-19. There are also no comments. The ‘Work Habits’ has been broadened to include learning habits. These changes are common to all A.C.T. Catholic primary schools and reflect a system-wide change. Semester Two’s report will see all grades receive an A – E result.

Term 3

A reminder that Term 3 begins on Monday July 20 and in that week we are having soccer clinics for the children, which they will no doubt enjoy.

I hope the holiday period offers all parents and families a chance to have a break and rejuvenate, and spend some time together doing things you enjoy. Thank you all again for your great support and I look forward to seeing all families again next term.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 11:25-30

In the second part of this week’s Gospel, Jesus issues an invitation: ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.’ The invitation takes us to Matthew’s characteristic presentation of Jesus as the One who bears and lifts humanity’s burdens. The view of humanity depicted in the Gospel is that of being weighed down and burdened by a multitude of afflictions (4:23-25; 8:16-17; 9:35-36; 14:13-14). In the guise of the ‘Servant’ figure of Isaiah (12:15-21; see Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12) Jesus comes to lift that burden, which includes, but is by no means exhausted by, the burden of sin. He rails at the scribes and Pharisees because, in their interpretation of the Torah (the Jewish law), they make human life more rather than less burdensome: ‘They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them’ (23:4). For Jesus, on the other hand, the cardinal rule for interpreting the law is the divine intent made clear in Hosea 6:6: ‘What I (God) want is mercy not sacrifice’ (see Matt 9:13; 12:7). For Jesus, God did not give the law to Israel to impose or add to the burdens of the human race but rather to regulate a way of life worthy of a people chosen by God. It is in the context of being an interpreter of the Torah in this sense that Jesus claims that his yoke is easy and his burden light.

The heart of that ‘ease’ and ‘lightness’, however, is the ‘knowledge’ of which He spoke earlier. To those who do not really know God or who worship God as a distant and threatening potentate, religious and ethical norms promulgated in God’s name will indeed appear burdensome. To those who have allowed Jesus to draw them into his intimacy and knowledge of God they will not appear this way. The values they enshrine and seek to foster will already be encased in the heart. (Gospel Reflection by Brendan Byrne SJ)

Sts Peter and Paul Feast Day 2020

On Monday 29^th June, we celebrated the Feast Day of our patron Saints, Saints Peter and Paul. Sadly, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to gather as one group, or celebrate with Mass as a community as we usually would. As an alternative, the children attended a liturgy in the School Hall with their Grade/Stage. A big thank you to our Youth Minister Maddie Greenwood, and our Youth Ministry Team for assisting in running this Liturgy. Following the liturgy, the students received a small treat (lolly bag with pre-packaged treats) to celebrate the feast day.

After recess, all children participated in various activities across the school run by the teachers.

We had a wonderful day celebrating our school, and all of the wonderful things about being a part of the Sts Peter and Paul Community.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Many children from our school community celebrated their First Reconciliation over the last 2 weekends. The remaining children will receive the sacrament over the coming weeks. Please continue to keep these children in your prayers.

Mass Has Returned!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John has now begin celebrating Sunday Masses once again. All Mass times will remain the same, but due to social distancing measures, all Masses will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin for the time being. There is a limit of 100 people that can attend each Mass, and the Parish will accept booking online, or via a phone call to the office.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

This year, St Vincent de Paul are once again holding their Winter Appeal.

Families from our school community are invited to donate and assist Sts Vincent de Paul with their mission if they are able.

I have been in contact with the Youth Liaison Officer of St Vincent de Paul regarding how Sts Peter and Paul Primary School can assist with this year’s drive.

He informed me that this year, they are requesting specific items from us. These are:

•  Blankets/sleeping bags
• Adult Jackets/Coats
• Socks (New)
• Warm winter wear (NO beanies please)*

*note: St Vincent de Paul currently have an abundance of beanies  

If your family is able to assist with any of the above, please bring them to the school foyer on or before Friday. We will have a member of the local St Vincent de Paul chapter collect the items on Friday morning.  

To mark the occasion, children will be invited to wear a bright, fluffy, fun, or woolly jacket, scarf, beanie, and/or socks with their usual school uniform on Friday 3^rd July.

God bless,

 Stephanie Burns

Edie in 3/4B has been doing some great writing.

There is a LOT of clothing, containers, hats etc in our lost property cupboard at the moment. Please send your children down to have a look. 

Anything left at the end of the term will either be donated or thrown away.

Please label all your child's belongings.

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.

Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for last week was Ben S, 5/6M.  Congratulations Ben, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen. Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.

 

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. The uniform shop is asking for no more 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

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

LEMONADE

Ingredients

1 1/2 c lemon juice, strained

2c sugar

1 1/2 litres soda water or water

2 extra lemons, to garnish

3 trays ice

Method

Place lemon juice and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved.

Simmer for three minutes then remove from heat and leave to cool.

Prepare garnish by placing a thin slice of lemon on the lip of each glass.

Pour the cooled syrup into a large jug, add soda water (or water) and ice, then stir and serve in the prepared glasses.

We are very lucky in Canberra. There are so many things to do during the school holidays, both inside and outside. Here are just a few. Most of the recent rescrictions have eased but it may be advisable to check with each venue before your visit. Remember to keep maintaining physical distances, wash your hands often and stay safe.

The pictured venues are: The Arboretum, Cockington Green, Dinosaur Museum, National Museum and National Zoo & Aquarium

• more services to meet high demand
• adjusted timetables to match bell times
• faster school specials
• changes to bus stops to make it easier to catch a bus from school

World Environment Day Online Auction

On June 5th the Conservation Council ACT Region celebrated World Environment Day by
launching an online fundraising auction, which will continue until 9:30 pm on Sunday the
26th of July.

The World Environment Day Online Auction features more than 90 donated
items including art pieces by local school-striker Alice Harcourt, a Red Earth home battery
system and an iStore energy efficient hot water system.

Great value educational items include online or in-person seminars from world leading
scientists and academics, Professor Will Steffen and Dr Alison Green, and an amazing
singing workshop from the incredible Mal Webb.

The majority of these eco-friendly auctioned items can be delivered around Australia, New
Zealand and the world which means you don't need to be Canberra-based to receive them. If
you buy an item that has been donated by our diverse range of environmentally-minded
sponsors, you will be doing the planet a favour.

With the heartwarming support from national
and local businesses and individuals, the Conservation Council is able to raise important
funds to continue their work to shape a sustainable future for the ACT and region.

More information is available on the Conservation Council website or by going straight to the
World Environment Day Online Auction Allbids web pag