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Dear Parents
“Everywhere there are people who, despite finding themselves mired in periods of national [disruption] or personal marginalization refuse to give up the thought of a better future or give in to the allurements of a deteriorating present. They never lose hope that the values they learned in the best of times or the courage it takes to reclaim their world from the worst of times are worth the commitment of their lives. These people, the best of ourselves, are legion and they are everywhere…
Our task is to be obedient all our lives to the Will of God [which is Love] for the world. And therein lies the difference between being good for nothing and good for something. Between religion for show and religion for real. Between personal spirituality that dedicates itself to achieving private sanctification and prophetic spirituality, the other half of the Christian dispensation.”
Fr Richard Rohr
In one of Richard Rohr’s most challenging pieces of writing, he lays down for us all a challenge, to not give into whatever reasons we may have to despair and give-up on ourselves, others or the world. Rohr’s simple (but at times so hard to live) directive is to love, and live inside God’s love. To see in all people the innate human dignity that is theirs; to see ourselves as custodians of all living things, not their masters; and to see ourselves as having a brief period of time (our lifespans) in which it is our duty to hand on to the next generation a better world. Sts Peter and Paul, as a school community comprising of staff, parents and most importantly, students, is charged with its own role in living this vocation and one we cannot live without you, our parent community. Thank you for your support.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
In week 8 of this term, we are holding 15-minute parent/teacher interviews. A note will be sent home next week (week 5) explaining the process and how to book a time with your child’s teacher. In the meantime, I encourage all parents to note the fact that interviews will take place over 2 or 3 days in week 8, prior to the reports going home in week 9. Parent/teacher interviews are invaluable opportunities to hear about your child’s progress over the semester and to hear recommendations for future growth. All teachers will be using a similar template for the interviews and an example copy will be sent home to parents next week, so that all parents have an understanding of the ground that will be covered in the interviews.
School Sport
This week, students from 3 – 6 have begun golf lessons with a golfing instructor. This complements the K – 2 gymnastics program that is currently running in the school. The students are enjoying the golf lessons and it is certainly improving hand-eye coordination skills. Still on the theme of sport, this Thursday we are hoping to hold our Cross Country Carnival. We have noted with growing apprehension that rain is forecast for Thursday, with the heaviest periods of rain taking place in the morning. We will wait until later today before making any decisions around calling it off. In the meantime, my thanks to Mary de Smet for organising both the carnival and the sports clinics.
Kindergarten Information Evening and Orientation Day
A reminder that next Wednesday evening, at 6pm, we are holding our Kindergarten 2021 Information Night. All Leadership Team members will be in attendance as well as the 2021 Kindergarten teachers. Normally we would hold the evening in one of the Kindergarten rooms, however with COVID-19 restrictions needing to be in place, we are holding the evening in the school hall. We will zoom the evening for parents who are moving to Canberra from interstate or overseas. On Friday next week, we are holding an orientation morning for the 2021 Kindergarten students. Students will spend the morning with one of the teachers and some of the Kindergarten students for 2021. It is important to note that the class and teacher configuration for the orientation morning does not necessarily imply the same configuration for 2021. Class lists, including teachers, will be announced later in the term, for all grades from Kindergarten – Grade 6.
Community Council Barefoot Bowls Night
Finally, a reminder that the Community Council is organising a Barefoot Bowls night for all parents at the RUC Club in Turner, on Friday, 20 November. It promises to be a good night and a good chance to gather as a community after a year made difficult by COVID-19. Further details can be found in this newsletter.
Finally, to close the newsletter this week, I would like to leave you with a reflection from Andrew Hamilton SJ, writing in the Australian publication Eureka Street, and his thoughts on the interconnectedness of us all, our mutual responsibility for each other, and the American election. An uplifting and inspiring piece of writing.
Have a wonderful week with your families.
Best wishes
Cameron Johns
Principal
Sunday Gospel: Thirty-Second Sunday, Ordinary time, Year A
The three gospel accounts from the final three weeks leading up to the season of Advent all come from Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. They can be seen together as an extended treatise on living life in response to Jesus’ message and preparing for the end of time. This week’s gospel starts out as a Kingdom parable and becomes a bit more of a metaphor for living a Christian life.
The gospel parable relates to ten bridesmaids – five foolish and five wise – who are participating in a wedding ritual that involves meeting the bridegroom and escorting him the last part of his way to the wedding reception. The foolish bridesmaids have not brought sufficient reserves of oil for their lamps and have to leave at the critical time to try to obtain more. When they eventually arrive at the reception hall they are turned away because they have shamed themselves as well as the bride and groom by not fulfilling their duty.
Some of the original audience of Matthew’s Gospel, along with many of the early Christian followers, had an expectation that Jesus was going to return and usher in the end of the world in their lifetime. The message of this Gospel is captured in Jesus’ final words, ‘So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’ The timing of Jesus’ coming cannot be predicted and so all Christian believers, like the bridesmaids, need to continue to act with hope and expectation; being prepared for the fact that it may be further off than anticipated. Many early Christians were living their lives as though the world would end at any time. The gospel warns them, and us, to continue to follow the example of Jesus and not to become complacent – expecting that everything is about to come to an end.
(Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Thank you to all of the parents who have enrolled their child in the First Eucharist Sacramental Program, and a special thanks to any parents who have volunteered to be home group leaders/hosts. Without you, this program wouldn’t be possible!
Home groups have been established. You can use the link below to view the homegroups and locate contact details for your homegroup leader.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x-B_Dgkud5IlolbLpeGkLKIf7vdBNhXGp-DejSBA8Bw/edit?usp=sharing
Mass Dates and Times can now be selected using the link below. Due to restrictions, only 4 children will be able to register for each Mass. Please remember to also list the number of family members/guests that will be attending (Maximum of 10).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146FLEi9zYXFb7-ORSpIEnyadSPXt4E8kAxxmC_2ORTM/edit?usp=sharing
Children’s Liturgy – On this weekend!
Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2nd and 4th 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. This Sunday, we will be listening to this week’s Gospel, before completing a craft activity together, and then returning to the church.
Sunday 8th November
Sunday 22nd November
Sunday 13th December
Youth Group
This Sunday at Youth Group we reflected on the qualities God has given each of us, and how He molds each of us. We then created our own clay sculpture, and discussed how God is continually shaping us into the person we are meant to be.
We then listened to the Bible story 'Jars of Clay' and reflected on the meaning behind the story.
See you all at the next Youth Group, Maddie and Grace.
Eucharist 2020
On Wednesday 11th November at 12pm, Fr John will celebrate Mass with Stage 2 and their teachers as a way of recognising and celebrating the students in Year 4 who are preparing to receive their First Eucharist over the next couple of months. Our prayers are with all of these students and their families at this very special time.
God bless,
Stephanie Burns
Religious Education Coordinator
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PwRrviI1RoA4en0Kqx60F2AgIP4Lu-Uahwggwmdv8lE/edit?usp=sharing
What is Youth Ministry? Youth Ministry is an engaging way for young people to come together and share the word of the Lord with other young people.
God bless
DATE |
EVENT |
| Week 9 | |
| Thursday 10 Dec | Kinder Nativity (Kinder parents only) |
| Friday 11 Dec | Year 6 Graduation Mass and Candle Ceremony (Years 5 & 6 parents only) |
| Friday 11 Dec | Christmas picnic - 5.30 - 7pm |
| Week 10 | |
| Monday 14 Dec | Year 6 Graduation Dinner (Year 6 parents and staff only) |
| 2021 | |
| Feb 1, 2021 | First day of Term 1 |
2M have been busy writing diamanté poems. Thanks for sharing your wonderful writing with us.
Cross country
Fingers and toes are crossed that our cross country can still go ahead tomorrow, hopefully the forcasted rain will hold off until the afternoon.
If we have to postpone an email will be sent out, so keep an eye out.
Last week, Mr Jenkins and Mr Marsham, assisted by their enthusiastic band of junior gardeners, started planting out our new Indigenous garden. We are looking forward to watching things grow!
There are still overdue books that need to be returned to the library.
As an incentive, Mrs Marsham is offering house points to students who return their overdue books.
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.
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!!!
Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for last week was Claudia K, 3/4W. Congratulations Claudia, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen. Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.
WEEK 5 CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER
| Time | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 9-11am | Katherine J | Llewella J | Dimity H |
Lauretta Raccosta,
Canteen
Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au
Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens
CHOC OR APRICOT COCONUT BALLS
Ingredients
2 cups desiccated coconut
1 pkt arrowroot biscuits, crushed
395 g tin condensed milk
Plus
2 Tbs cocoa
or
1 cup chopped dried apricots
Method
Line a large tray with baking paper and set aside.
Pour the coconut onto a large plate and set aside.
Place the remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix together well.
Roll mixture into bite-sized balls, then roll each ball in the coconut.
Place ball on the prepared try and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
This very easy recipe is on page 15 of our 50th Anniversary Cookbook.
It was donated by our own wonderful canteen manager, Mrs R .
The cookbook, full of recipes from either Mrs Robyn Moore (fab cooking teacher) or donated by our school community, can be purchased for only $20 via Qkr! or eftpos (No cash please). Books can be collected from the front office.
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 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
Now that the weather is getting warmer, why not venture out to Tidbinbilla. So much to do out there! Please remember to respect our native wildlife, especially the slithery kind.
Click on the link to find information about Tidbinbilla.
https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/
A chance to get together for a night to remember…in a year we would rather forget!!
Our annual SPP Parent’s Social Function looks a little different this year…
Barefoot Bowling @ The RUC!
Friday 20th November
6pm for 6:30 start- onwards into the night
54 McCaughey St, TURNER, ACT
Tickets $25! Includes canapes
If you haven't already purchased your tickets, please pay on the night.
