Dear Parents and Carers

“Be willing to carry more and more of life’s complexities with empathy.”

Ronald Rolheiser, Sacred Fire

Continuing the theme of Ronald Rolheiser’s 10 commandments for mature living, his second commandment is quoted above – the need for empathy. He writes, “Few things in life are black or white, either/or, simply good or simply bad.” Perhaps the greatest teacher of this disposition is parenthood. I am sure you would agree with me that being a parent, more than anything else in life, teachers you that few things are black and white. Our children come with no guarantees and rearing children to adulthood and maturity is surely the great challenge in life for all parents. In these times of complexity, when we all seek easy and quick solutions, it is particularly hard to hold in tension the opposites we can encounter in our lives, especially within ourselves. And yet I think it is the only path to mature living and relationships.

School Photos

This year, our school photos are taking place on Wednesday 14 October. A reminder note and accompanying information will be sent home in time for the photos. Children are asked to wear their full school uniform on the day.

Sport

In these difficult times, it is pleasing to see some aspects of normal life return. Among these aspects is sport and recently we have seen our netball and soccer teams commence training for weekend sport. My thanks to the parents involved, at all levels, for their support of the children and for making it possible for them to train and participate. In particular, I would like to thank our netball coordinator, Zoe Abrahams, for all of her hard work.

Transfiguration Feast Day

On Thursday, we celebrate our Transfiguration Feast Day. It is the feast day of the parish, and as such includes both Sts Peter and Paul and Holy Trinity, Curtin. Classes are celebrating with their grade/stage groups with a prayer liturgy and a colouring in competition. My thanks to Steph Burns for coordinating the day and to all teachers for their support.

Update for Families on COVID-19
Sts Peter and Paul and Catholic Education continue to take advice from health authorities in relation to COVID-19. The Catholic Education Office has a team that is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops, paying particular attention to local hotspots and organising support for schools where required. Sts Peter and Paul is practicing all safe hygiene practices in line with government advice. We understand that the situation is fairly fluid and we will communicate directly with you should there be any important changes in relation to our school operations in the coming weeks. We remind all families: 

• If your child is unwell, they should not attend school.
• Please ensure that anyone who presents with COVID-19 symptoms in your family is tested.
• Parents should avoid routinely entering the school where possible but can attend scheduled school events and meetings with teachers where required (physical distancing and hygiene measures still apply).

Should you have any questions in relation to our school and COVID-19, please feel free to contact me directly.

Maths Olympiad

This week, our Year 5/6 students, and some students in Year 4, are undertaking the Maths Olympiad, a Maths competition that offers the children 5 challenging Maths problems to solve. They have 25 minutes to complete the tests. It provides the students with a chance to be extended and to solve Maths problems within the context of a ‘problem solving’ mindset.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 14:22-33

Peter is representative of many of us. He is someone who has a great faith, who loves Jesus, and wants to follow him, but he is also someone who has, on more than one occasion, questioned his faith. In today’s Gospel, Peter takes a big risk; trusting Jesus, he steps out into the water during a storm. He is fine until the storm frightens him, then he doubts what he is attempting to undertake, and he suddenly begins to sink. Jesus feels disappointed that Peter did not trust, after all, Jesus trusted in Peter’s ability to walk on water; otherwise he would not have asked him to do so. Our lives are often like this. It is not until life is hard and we are facing challenges that we call out to Jesus to “save us”. The real challenge, especially for us as leaders, is to remain steadfast in our faith, and in our confidence and belief of our own abilities, and remember, we cannot do this all alone, and it is ok to rely on the one who saves!

Sacrament of Confirmation

Many of our Year 6 students and their families have begun the journey towards Confirmation. We all join in praying for them as they prepare for the Sacrament to be held at the end of this term.

Youth Group

Last Sunday was the first Transfiguration Parish Youth Group. Our Parish Youth Ministers Maddie and Grace did a wonderful job sharing faith, fun, and food with the Year 5 and 6 students from our parish. This will be a monthly event, held in our Parish Centre at Curtin. More details can be found in the Youth Ministry section of the Newsletter.

Mass Has Returned, and Children’s Liturgy is on this Weekend!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John is now 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 (Trybooking.com, search Transfiguration Parish), or click here or via a phone call to the office. This Sunday at the 9:30 am Mass there will also be children’s liturgy (run by myself!) in the parish centre. All children are welcome to attend.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Special Lunch Day!

This Thursday is the Feast Day of our Parish, the Transfiguration of the Lord. We would normally gather with our friends at Holy Trinity Curtin to celebrate the richness of our shared Parish, however due to current restrictions this will not be possible. Alternatively, we will celebrate on Thursday at school, and will look to find a time later in the year to come together. On the day, we will gather in small groups to pray, and we will create an artwork as a gift for our Holy Trinity friends. Mrs R has also organised a special lunch day in lieu of the sausage sizzle we would normally have on Feast Day. Details below:

Cost $6.50

Menu: sausage roll or party pies (2) or hotdog or chicken schnitzel or salad box (v, gf) with a fruit popper, popcorn and a treat.  Orders can be made via Qkr! up to 8.45am morning of feast day (Thursday 6 August).

Please note the above set menu is the only food available for students tomorrow.  

 Canteen will be open for counter sales at lunchtime using vouchers only – can be purchase via Qkr!

God bless,

 Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

Principal's Award: Alex Holl 3/4B

Last Friday KM and KW celebrated their 100 days of Kinder!! Quite an achievment in current times!

The students in 1M love to read with their friends. They enjoy sharing books together and taking turns to read their favourite stories.

This week we are reaching the end of our Seasons for Growth Journey, with our final sessions, followed by a celebration next week.

Our final Season has been Summer, it is often a carefree time when many take advantage of the freedom of holidays and the opportunity to relax. We have focussed on finding a connection with what has been lost or changed, while moving forward and embarking on a new adventure.

Our groups have been looking at the way that every choice that we make has a consequence and that consequences can be positive as well as negative. We explored the way that our choices are influenced by our feelings at the time and the people we are with. Students are encouraged to think about a decision before making it and take into consideration the different scenarios which may occur as a consequence.

In our final session, we have reviewed the key concepts that have been learnt over the past 8 weeks, explored who and what gives them support in challenging times and started planning for our Celebration next week.

Why Celebrate?  We are celebrating the time we’ve spent together and bringing it to a close. Sharing some of the things we have learnt together, showing students that who they are and their contributions to our journey has been valued.

I am hoping that there will be another opportunity in Term 4 for the groups to be able to have a reconnector session, to touch base with each other and reflect on the journey that we have spent together and how they have gone in the weeks following.

It has been an absolute joy to guide our students on this journey. A big thank you to everyone who has kept our groups in your thoughts and prayers.

Cool Kids Anxiety Program

In the coming weeks I am hoping to begin delivering ‘The Cool Kids Anxiety Program’. It is a structured 10 session program run over 8 - 10 weeks that teaches children (ages 7-17 years) and their parents how to better manage a child’s anxiety.

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with a focus on teaching practical skills. The program has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment. Current results indicate that most young people who complete our programs show significant improvement. Following treatment, there are marked increases in school attendance, academic achievement, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities and decreases in worry, shyness, fear and family distress.

Topics covered within the Cool Kids Anxiety Program include:

• Learning about feelings and anxiety
• Learning to think more realistically
• Parenting an anxious child
• Fighting fear by facing fear (stepladders)
• Learning other coping skills such as building social confidence or learning to solve problems

If you believe that your child would benefit from participating in this program, please do not hesitate to contact me on Melissa.neit@cg.catholic.edu.au

Melissa Neit

School Chaplain

Hi All, 

It's Maddie here, your Youth Minister. We have some very exciting things planned for our school community. Starting up this term will be a Youth Ministry Weekly Series. This is a series of google slides which will be sent out each week via the link. The series will include, scripture, activities for families, prayers, songs and much more!

This is the link for Week 3. 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VxmDk5E6ektm18MOox8_yq25UuNxsgzeaHGdjA7y4Is/edit#slide=id.p

We also started a Youth Group at the North Woden Parish of Transfiguration last week, Sunday the 2nd of August. Parents and Carers are more than welcome to come along to the Youth Group and then join us for the 5:30pm Sunday Mass. The Youth Group will meet on the first Sunday of every month. Watch this space for the invitation for the next meeting.

Kind regards, 

Maddie Greenwood

Youth Minister | Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

Soccer Clinics  

Soccer clinics will continue for all students in Kinder and Years 3 to 6 for the next two Mondays. 

NRL Touch Football ACT Years 3/4 Gala Day

On Wednesday the 26^th August, NRL Touch Football ACT are hosting a Years 3/4 Gala Day at the Deakin Playing Fields, Makin Place. Due to COVID19 restrictions we are only able to send 1 team consisting of no more than 14 players. If your child would like to participate,  please fill in the note that will be making its way home today and send it back to school as soon as possible, as the team will be formed on a first come first served basis. Information about this will be sent to you after the team members have been confirmed. We’re very excited about being able to offer this sporting opportunity to our students and I know that Mr Gubler is looking forward to spending an amazing day with the team.

Saints Peter and Paul Cross Country Carnival save the date

Even though our original Cross Country Carnival had to be cancelled we are hoping to be able to run this event for our students on Friday 18^th September. Please watch this space for more information about this day in the coming weeks. Unfortunately at this stage we are unable to predict whether or not we will be able to have volunteers at this event, or even if we will all be able to head over to Eddison Park as a whole school. But we are going to cross all our fingers and toes and whatever happens we’ll do our best to make the day an enjoyable one for our school community.

It was exciting to see the latest Book Club catalogues in circulation a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully you received your copy. If you haven't received a copy, or would like to order from the catalogue, please use the following link to access the Parent's page of Scholastic Book Club: 

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

The School Council would like to say a big thank you to the sports coordinators for ensuring netball and soccer were able to get back up and running. The Council was hoping to be able to hold some social activities in Term 3,, however given the current COVID-19 situation, has deferred any decision on social activities until the next School Council meeting in Week 8 of Term 3.

Regards,

Thomas Mulligan

CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

Families can make contactless payment via Qkr!

Purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child/children in a lunch order via Qkr!

or

you can purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” 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!!!

Week 4 Canteen volunteer roster

Qkr! TIP - Are you having trouble ordering lunch orders Friday mornings? 

Why not place your order the night before.  It will save you time and make your Friday mornings run a little smoothly. 

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens

Thursday 6 August

Tomorrow is the Feast Day of our Parish, the Transfiguration of the Lord. We would normally gather with our friends at Holy Trinity Curtin to celebrate and share a sausage sizzle together, however due to current restrictions this will not be possible. We have desisgned a set menu in the canteen for that day only!

Cost $6.50

Menu: sausage roll or party pies (2) or hotdog or chicken schnitzel or salad box (v, gf) with a fruit popper, popcorn and a treat.

  Orders can be made via Qkr! up to 8.45am morning of feast day (Thursday 6 August).

Please note the above set menu is the only food available for students on that day. 

Canteen will be open for counter sales at lunchtime using vouchers only – can be purchase via Qkr!

Special Lunch Day

Wednesday 12 August

WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST the school will be holding our next special lunch day for the term. 

Children will be able to order a couple of party pies, drink and a treat for $6.00.

 Orders available on Qkr! Now

 Download the app on your mobile phone to place your order.

 ORDERS CLOSE 9AM THIS FRIDAY 7 AUGUST!

Gulten Free & Vegetarian options are available.

No counter sales or other lunch orders will be available on that day.

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

CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS (vegetarian)

Ingredients

1 lge cauliflower

1c frozen peas

1 & 1/3c plain flour

1 & 1/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp ground tumeric

3 eggs

Pinch salt & pepper

4 tbs vegetable oil

Method

Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Add the cauliflower and cook for 4 minutes, then add peas and cook for 3 more minutes.

Drain and place vegetables in a large bowl and mash together.

Add the flour, garam masala, tumeric, eggs, salt and pepper and mix to combine.

Heat oil in a frypan over medium heat, cook tablespoons of mixture for 2 minutes on each side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Year One are learning all about dinosaurs this term, so a visit to Canberra's fabulous Dinosaur Museum is a great idea. If all the wonderful displays and information are not enough, there is also a playground (frolic amoung some very big dinosaurs) and a shop (great for gifts for dino lovers of all ages). You can even have a birthday party there! Located on Gold Creek Road, Nicholls, it is an informative and fun place to visit for all ages.