Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to another term. I hope all families have had a good break and have enjoyed the mostly beautiful spring weather that we had over the holiday. The children have returned very calm and full of energy and it has been a very good start to the term.

Mission Fete

In week 10 of last term, we held our own very successful Mission Fete. The whole fete was organised and run by our Year 6 leaders. They did a magnificent job and I am very grateful to our excellent students for their leadership. They are a credit to themselves, their families and the school. My thanks, too, to Paul Jenkins, Mel Neit, Emma D’Ambrosio and Katie Birch for their great work and support of the children. We raised $1,357.00 and the money will be divided evenly between the St Vincent de Paul Society and Caritas.

Book Week

Next week we celebrate Book Week. Book Week is an annual staple on every school’s calendar and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading and the gifts that books bring into our lives. On Thursday next week, children are invited to come dressed in their favourite costume and we will have a parade following morning line-up. Other activities are planned as well and can be found in this newsletter. My thanks to Amanda de Jongh and Maryanne Armstrong for coordinating the week.

First Eucharist Information Night

Last term we celebrated our students in Year 6 receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. This term, our boys and girls in Year 4 are making their First Eucharist. For parents of students who are making their First Eucharist, there is an Information Night next Tuesday at 6pm. The meeting will be streamed via zoom from the Board Room at Holy Trinity School in Curtin. Present at the meeting will be Fr John Woods, the parish’s two RECs, Stephanie Burns and Emily Capper, and the two Principals, Philippa Brierley and me. As is the case with all the Sacraments, Holy Trinity and Sts Peter and Paul are joining together, as both schools come under the banner of the Parish of Transfiguration. My thanks to Steph Burns and all of our 3/4 teachers for their work and preparation.

Staffing

In 2021, Stephanie Burns is taking maternity leave as Stephanie and her husband Tim are expecting their third child. I congratulate Steph and Tim on behalf of the whole community and I wish them the very best. I am pleased to announce that Francoise Garrett-Rumba will be the acting REC for 2021. I look forward to welcoming Fron to our community for 2021 and I am sure she will make excellent contributions to our school.

In further staffing news, late last term we held interviews for a permanent teaching position and I am pleased to announce that Sarah Kennelly was successful in winning the position. Congratulations Sarah! I wish you the very best for your teaching career.

Have a wonderful week with you families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 22:15-21

The Gospel writer presents this episode as a deliberate attempt by the Pharisees to trap Jesus and turn the people against him. Their plan was a good one, with no apparent ‘safe’ answer: is it permissible (within Jewish tradition) to pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus were to answer that it is not permissible to pay taxes then he would be identified as a rebel and a threat to Roman authority – leaving himself open to severe punishment. If He were to answer that it was permissible to pay the taxes He would have alienated a lot of His audience who resented the taxes imposed by Rome.

Instead of falling into the trap set by the Pharisees, Jesus approaches the question in a completely different way. He asks them to show Him the money with which they pay the tax. Immediately, He has turned the tables on them. He doesn’t appear to carry any of the coin in question and yet the Pharisees’ disciples carry them as a matter of habit. They are asking if it is permissible to pay the tax and yet freely carry the coin with which the tax is paid. Jesus shows up the hypocrisy of their question by forcing them to reveal their own position in the simple action of producing one of the Roman coins. Jesus then closes the dispute by instructing them to render (give) to Caesar what belongs to Caesar but, more importantly, render to God what belongs to God. In a very simple way Jesus has shown up the Pharisees’ disciples as being collaborators with the Roman authority and placing that authority above the authority of God. He reminds the listeners that regardless of earthly authority, the first duty is owed to God.

(Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Grandparent’s Day

This year, due to the continuing restrictions in place we will be unable to celebrate Grandparent’s Day in the usual way. Instead, next week, the children will work to create gifts or artworks that can be given to their Grandparents or special friends, as a memento to mark the role that these people play in their lives. Students may also complete an interview (which can be done over the phone or FaceTime) that will allow the children to spend some time with their Grandparent during a time when for some, this has been difficult.

I am also working to create a photo slideshow of the children with their grandparents to share within the community. If you are happy for a photo of your child and their Grandparent/s to be included, please email me a copy of the photo by next Tuesday, 20th October so it can be included. Stephanie.burns@cg.catholic.edu.au

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Please find below information regarding First Eucharist from Fr John and the Parish Office.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin, commencing in November 2020.

Who is eligible?

Children in Year 4 or above who celebrated their First Reconciliation may be enrolled in the Parish’s Family-Based Sacramental Program for First Eucharist. 

Enrolment

Enrolment can be done online (using Qkr! App, preferred method) or by return of the enrolment form to the Parish Office, 3 Strangways Street, Curtin.

To enrol online:

Access or download the Qkr! app. 

Tap on ‘North Woden Transfiguration Parish’

Tap Sacrament of First Eucharist (second option)

Complete the form and make your online payment.

The requested offering per family is $40. This helps to defray the cost of a workbook, commemorative certificate, memorial gift and administrative costs.  If you have difficulty meeting the offering, please contact me for a confidential discussion.

Why a Family-Based Program?

The Parish Family-Based program affirms the participation of parents in their child’s faith journey with the prayerful support of the Parish community.  The program compliments but does not replace the religious instruction given at Catholic schools or through a School of Religion.  Parents have found the program to be a graced time with their child and that has made the celebration of the sacrament all the more meaningful.

Hosting a Family Group

The program is dependent on the generosity of some parents to host or to co-host a family group. I am enclosing a ‘Host Nomination’ form for your consideration. The role of a host is not difficult, with session notes provided.  N.B. Hosts will be required to attend an Information Session via Zoom 5.30pm, Tuesday, 20 October followed by the Parent Information Night via Zoom at 6.00pm.

All hosts must have, or have applied for, a Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card.  There is no cost involved in applying for a WWVP card for volunteers.

What does the program involve?

The program includes:

• An Information Night for hosts of a family group via Zoom at 5.30pm, Tuesday, 20 October.
• An Introductory Night for parents to receive an overview of the family sessions via Zoom at 6.00pm, Tuesday, 20 October.
• Four family group meetings for parents and children following the Introduction Night.

At the Introductory Night, you will receive notification of meeting options for home groups and will be asked to nominate your preference. 

Celebration of First Eucharist

You will have multiple opportunities to celebrate your child’s First Eucharist.  As COVID-19 restrictions have limited congregations to 200, you will need to nominate a weekend Mass (Sat. 6pm, Sun. 9.30am or Sun. 5.30pm) for the celebration.  There will be a limit of four candidates, their families and guests up to a total of ten (10), mindful of the need to accommodate other parishioners within the ceiling of 200.  This will be further explained at the Parent Introductory Night.

What next?

If you would like your child to celebrate First Eucharist this year, you must return the enrolment form and payment to the Parish Office by Friday 16 October. This will allow sufficient time to confirm family groups prior to their first meeting.  Meanwhile, enquiries can be directed to the Parish Office (6281 3999 / wodennorth@cg.org.au ).

Yours sincerely,

Fr John Woods

Parish Priest

Children’s Liturgy timetable for the Term

Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month during term time. Below is a timetable with the dates for Term 4. Children’s liturgy occurs during the 9:30am Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity, Curtin.

God bless,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

FOUND

A significant, special looking ring has been found at the school.

If you have lost one, and can describe it, please see Mrs Collis in the front office.

Saints Peter and Paul Cross Country Carnival new date
Friday 6^th November (Week 4)

Let’s cross our fingers that the weather is fine for our rescheduled day! If not we can still be very thankful for the rain we’re getting and we’ll try again if we have to. As previously mentioned, we are encouraging all students to wear their house colour shirt with their sport uniform on the day. We will give the students some opportunities in the next few weeks to have some practises of the course. The rough distances for each age group are included below.

5, 6 and 7 years (1 shorter lap)

8 years 1000m (1 big lap)

9 and 10 years 1500m/200m (2 big laps)

11 and 12 years 3000m (3 laps)

Unfortunately due to current restrictions in place we will be unable to have any parents in attendance.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about our cross country carnival. mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au

Athletics Carnival save the date Friday 20^th November (Week 6)

We are going to have a day of athletics fun at school on this day. Please watch this space in the coming weeks for more information about this event.

Gymnastics Clinics next term

All students in Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two will be participating in some gymnastics sessions run by the Woden Valley Gymnastics Club this term. The clinics will begin next Wednesday 21^st October (Week 2) and will occur each Wednesday until 9^th December (Week 9). We are able to provide these sessions to the students as a result of Sporting Schools Plus funding that we received earlier in the year.

There are still many items in our lost property cupboard. Please send your child down to have a look for any lost items. Anything left in a couple of weeks, especially those with no names, will be donated.

Principal's Award: Sienna G, 3/4Y

Learning Support Awards:  Nicholas V, 1W; Marcus H, KW

Hooray! Hooray! It is almost Book Week day!

Book Week 2020 will be celebrated on Thursday the 22nd of October.

Here at Sts Peter and Paul we will be celebrating in style! To begin the day we will have a fabulous costume parade.

The theme this year is , ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’.

Children are encouraged to create their own costume with this theme in mind or they can dress-up as their favourite book character. 

The second part of our celebration will see a whole-school production. Each class will contribute to the school performance by reciting a poem or performing in a fractured fairy-tale. It will be very exciting to see how the whole show comes together.

Due to COVID restrictions the performances will be ‘live-streamed’ throughout the school so that everyone can enjoy the show in their classrooms.

Book Club - Issue 7

Hopefully the latest copy of Book Club has arrived home.

Unfortunately, we are unable to host a Book Fair this year due to restrictions, so please make sure you look through the catalogue and hopefully find some exciting new books to read.

Orders are due via LOOP on Friday the 30th of October.

Overdue library books

Finally, please continue to return any overdue library books. Reminder notices will be sent out later this week, to help you locate any books due back.

If you think items have already been returned, simply send an email to let me know and I will update the borrower’s library card. This way, you’ll stop receiving unwanted reminders.

Thank you for your support.

Amanda de Jongh

Librarian

 amanda.dejongh@cg.catholic.edu.au

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” via Qkr! for your child/children to go to the canteen to collect something at lunchtime.

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 Summer 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 to 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

TABOULEH

Ingredients

1 bunch parsley, finely chopped

1/2 bunch mint, finely chopped

2 medium tomatoes, finely diced

2 spring onions, finely chopped

40 g burghul (fine cracked wheat)

Pinch salt, to taste

Dash lemon juice, to taste

Dash extra virgin olive oil, to taste

Method

Toss burghul in cold water, squeeze the water out and place in a medium bowl.

Add tomato, spring onion, parsley and mint.

Add salt, lemon juice and olive oil to taste and mix again before serving.

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