Dear Parents and Carers

“As human beings we need to locate ourselves in stories. We need to have a sense of: “Once upon a time.” We need to have a sense of “And they lived…” if not “and they lived happily ever after.” Young people without this context of story have little reason for hope.”

Christopher Gleeson SJ, Releasing the Angel

Much of the conversation in society around health and wellbeing takes place within the context of the health and wellbeing of the economy. It is as if we could be reduced to economics units and our utility and worth is measured by our economic productivity. The difficulty with this approach is that as the quote above points out, we need to see ourselves as part of something bigger than ourselves, and the ‘something bigger’ needs to be a bigger story than our own individual lives, in order for our individual loves to have meaning. The Australian Jesuit Christopher Gleeson is a renowned educator and was principal at Riverview, Sydney, for many years. His quote above attends to the need we all have to see our lives as contributing to a bigger picture, a bigger story. Ultimately, our faith tells us that this story is God’s story for others and us in our lives. At Sts Peter and Paul, our vocation is to be part of the children’s growing awareness that they themselves are part of something much bigger than themselves and that in turn, and over time, their lives are much bigger than they could imagine.

Parent Teacher Interviews and Reports

The teachers are busy preparing reports and they are finalising the semester’s assessment and having many grade conversations around moderation and assessment. Reports will be sent home at the end of Week 9. All subject areas will be fully assessed, as we have been fortunate in having two full terms of learning and teaching. Like Semester 1, for this Semester there will be no major comment at the end of the report. In place of comments, we are having 15-minute parent teacher interviews over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 8.

Bookings for Semester 2 2020 Parent Teacher interviews will go live this afternoon. They will be held in Week 8. Please book a session with your child's teacher via the tile in SZapp or here https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/Semester2PTInterview. You will need to book using the email address that you have recorded with SZapp. PT Interviews will be conducted in person. I will be in contact next week with a letter regarding COVID protocols for interviews. Please ignore the Zoom location that is listed when booking the interview timeslot. Interviews will be conducted in your child's classroom. If you have any questions please email sean.rutledge@cg.catholic.edu.au  

My thanks to Sean Rutledge for all of his work in organising the meetings.

Gastric Illness

The school has seen a recent spate of ill children who have been suffering a vomiting bug. It appears to be widely contagious and has moved through a number of grades. I would ask parents please to keep their children at home for 48 hours after symptoms have subsided, to ensure the virus has worked its way through the system. This advice is from the ACT Health Directorate.

Kindergarten Information Evening and Orientation Day

Last Wednesday night, and then last Friday, we held our Kindergarten Information Evening and Orientation Day, respectively. It was a great success and on Friday, it was particularly nice to see almost all of our 2021 Kindergarten students in the school. My thanks to our 2021 Kindergarten teachers, Marie-Ann Barrett and Melissa Neit, for excellent work and preparation, and to the Leadership Team for their support and commitment – Sean Rutledge, Maryanne Armstrong and Stephanie Burns.

Canteen Week

This week we celebrate Canteen Week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lauretta Raccosta for the amazing work she does in coordinating and running our canteen. Thank you Lauretta! I would also like to thank all the many parents who have volunteered in the canteen over the year – you have made a very big difference and contributed a great deal to the school. A reminder that a thank you dinner for volunteers is being held next Friday, November 27^th, at Snappers on the lake.

Athletics Carnival

This Friday, we are holding a combined Cross Country carnival and Athletics carnival. The Cross Country carnival will be held in the morning, with the Athletics carnival being held over the next two sessions. It will be an all-day event and held entirely on the school grounds. My thanks to Mary de Smet for all of her work and efforts and to all staff for their support. It will be a great day for the children and provide them with an opportunity to experience one of the more regular ‘normal’ fixtures on every school’s annual calendar.

First Eucharist

Many of our children in Year 4 are receiving the Eucharist for the first time this Term. Last week the following children made their First Communion: Lucas V, Nathan B & Cameron de J. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these children and their families for their step in faith.

Kinder Nativity

Our much anticipated Kinder Nativity will be held on Thursday 10 December at 2pm. We are pleased, due to a change in current Covid-19 restrictions, that Kinder parents will now be able to attend. 

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Ordinary time, Year A

This week’s gospel is the final passage in Matthew’s gospel before the passion narrative – the death and resurrection of Jesus. As such, it provides a powerful end point to the teaching ministry section of the gospel. In many ways this passage can be seen as a summary of Jesus’ vision for the Kingdom – a world in which the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and the imprisoned are treated with respect and dignity as a child of God. This is exactly what Jesus himself did throughout His ministry and it is what all Christian people are called to do.

Like the virtuous people of the passage, there are many times when we do not know the good work that we do. There are many times when our positive interaction with another person can be the difference between hope and despair for that person – and we may never know the difference we have made in their life. The challenge presented by Jesus is that whenever we see a person in need our response to them should be as if we were responding to Jesus himself.

But what of the times we fail to respond to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and the imprisoned? Who are they for us? … That irritating person who we’ve never been able to get along with? … That person who’s just arrived in the country and can’t speak the language properly? … That kid who always looks dirty and nobody talks to? … That girl who’s no good at relating to other people and everyone avoids her? … The homeless man in the street who asks for money? … The asylum seeker fleeing their country who didn’t go through all the right channels to immigrate? … Lord, when did we see you, and not come to your help?   (Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Congratulations to the children who received their First Eucharist over the weekend. Both Fr John and Fr James commented that the Masses were very special occasions for our parish and the families of these children. Congratulations on this every special occasion, we are so proud of you.

Eucharist Mass Booking Link

A reminder that all parents can now select a time and day for their child to receive their First Eucharist, please use the link below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146FLEi9zYXFb7-ORSpIEnyadSPXt4E8kAxxmC_2ORTM/edit?usp=sharing

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).

Children’s Liturgy

A reminder that Children’s Liturgy is on this weekend! Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month during term time at 9:30 Mass at Curtin.

Below is a timetable with the remaining dates for Term 4.

Sunday 22^nd  November

Sunday 13^th  December

God bless,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator

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 

Saints Peter and Paul Cross Country Carnival and Athletics Carnival this Friday 20^th November!!!

The sun is going to be shining… maybe a little too much .… but we are very excited to be having our Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals on Friday.

We’ll have our Cross Country Carnival in the morning and then participate in some Athletics activities for the rest of the day.

In relation to Cross Country, as previously mentioned, we are encouraging all students to wear their house colour shirt with their sport uniform. As the weather is going to be so spectacular, we’re asking that you pop some sunscreen on your child/ren in the morning. We will also have sunscreen at school for them to put on after Lunch. Please also ensure that your child brings their drink bottle with them. I’ve spoken to Mrs Raccosta and she is going to have a cold treat for all the children which we will share at the beginning of Recess.

I will be meeting any interested students up on the oval tomorrow (Thursday 19^th November) at 8.40am for a bit of a practise run. 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 big laps)

After Lunch, the students will rotate through a variety of athletics activities with their class including: a 70m race, field events, relays, tug of war, parachute, ball games and some other novelty events.

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

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about any of this information. mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au

K-2 Gymnastics Clinics Wednesdays

These clinics will continue to run each Wednesday until December 9^th (Week 9.)

Netball Coordinator 2021

Unfortunately, Zoe Abrahams is unable to continue as the Netball Coordinator next year. We thank Zoe for all of the work she has put into this role within the school community. It is greatly appreciated.

If there are any parents that would be interested in coordinating teams to participate in the Winter Saturday Netball competition in 2021, please send me an email to let me know at your earliest convenience. Thank you so much.

The students in 3/4 White enjoy Mrs Hunt reading their class novel.

3/4B had a busy morning playing grammar snakes and ladders. What a fun way to learn about nouns, adjectives, adverbs and verbs.

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.

A reminder to the parents of Kindergarten students that Canberra Health Services is offering a targeted kindergarten health check concentrating on vision and hearing. Uptake of the appointments is now slowing down. These health checks are performed  in clinics at the City Health Centre Mondays and Fridays until Monday the 14^th of December.  An appointment can be made by phoning the Central Intake Line on 51249977.

Kind Regards,

Judy Wilson

Kindergarten Health Check Co Ordinator

Phone 51241678

School Health Team

School Immunisation|Kindergarten Health Check

Division of Women, Youth & Children Community Health Programs|ACT Health

1 Moore St Canberra ACT | GP Box 825 Canberra ACT 2601 |www.health.act.gov.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.

Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for last week was Mia T, 3/4M.  Congratulations Mia, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen.

Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.

Canteen Roster - week 7, Term 4 

Qkr TIP

 Is your child sick and not going to school, and you have placed a lunch order on Qkr!? 

 You have till 8.45am that morning to cancel the lunch order - instructions on how to cancel lunch orders are below.

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Healthy Kids, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Canteens

This week, we are celebrating CANTEEN WEEK. 

This is an annual event, created to promote, recognise and celebrate all the great benefits of having a school canteen. 

We will be promoting this vital school service.

To help celebrate CANTEEN WEEK, any child who orders a lunch order next Wednesday or Thursday (18 & 19 November) will receive a surprise in their lunch order.  The Canteen will also have CCW specials on Qkr! and will be selling Fairy Bread (50c) Cocktail Frankfurts ($1.50) Hash browns ($1.50) and Party pies ($3) 

The week will be filled with fun competitions and prizes so make your way down to the canteen!

For the younger students – (Kindy, Years 1 & 2) there is a colouring-in competition.

Printouts can be found at the Canteen.  Return your colouring-in to Mrs R at the canteen for the winner to be selected.

For all students - there is a creative fruit/vegetable competition. Draw, make or take a photo of your most creative way to eat a fruit or vegetable. Check out some ideas below.  Bring or email your creation to Mrs R at the canteen for the winner to be selected.

 

All Competitions close on the 27 November. Canteen volunteers will select the student winners. 

The winning students will receive a free junior meal deal of their choice.     

Mrs R would like to take this opportunity to thank
 all the canteen volunteers that have
 helped her out this year.   

It’s been a strange year and not being able to have
 the usual volunteer help in the canteen this year
 has made for some interesting days for me
 and those that have been able to lend a hand when possible.

 Mrs R knows that your time is very precious,
 and your help is always appreciated!

 Thank you

We love our volunteers

Friday 20 November 

Are you having a lunch order on Friday?  Well, a set menu has been designed for that day only!  

Order “Athletics Carnival Set Menu” on Qkr! NOW for a Friday lunch order.

Cost $6.50

Menu: party pies (2) or hot dog or pizza or 2 mini quiche (GF)  or salad box (v)

with a bottle of water, a pkt of chips and a bag of lollies. 

Orders can be made via Qkr!  FOR CATERING PURPOSES, place an order now!  Orders close 10am tomorrow (Thursday 19 November).

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

Thank you, Lauretta Raccosta, Canteen 

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au or 6281 1932

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.

NEW TO THE SCHOOL? PURCHASE A STARTER PACK ON QKR!

Step 1: Download the app Qkr!

Step 2: Register - follow the steps

Step 3: Find our school - Sts Peter & Paul Primary School

Step 4: Register your child/ren - select “new enrolments”

Step 5: Purchase a starter pack for pick up at the front office between school hours.

Orders can be placed via Qkr! Order on a 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

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

PUMPKIN GNOCCHI

Ingredients

250 g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

300 g pumpkin, peeled and cut into chunks

200 g flour

Pinch salt

Dash olive oil

50 g parmasan cheese, grated

Method

Boil potatoes in a saucepan for 15 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon and then use the boiling water to steam the pumpkin for 10 minutes.

Drain water from the saucepan and place the potato and pumpkin back in and mash together.

Place another large saucepan of water on to boil while making the gnocchi.

Add flour and salt to the mashed vegetables, until a thick dough forms.

Place the dough on a floured bench and divide dough into 4. Roll each into sausages then cut each sausage in 2 cm lengths.

Preheat oven to 100 degrees and line a baking tray with paper.

Add salt and dash of olive oil to the boiling water. Add about 10 gnocchi to the water and when they rise to the top (in about 3 minutes) remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared tray and put in the oven to keep warm.

Pepeat with remaining gnocchi and serve with parmasan cheese.

Practise random acts of kindness, it's already been a very long year.

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 20^th 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.

Navigating the Aged Care System                                                      

Do you, or a loved one need help navigating the aged care system? We can help!!

The ACT Disability Aged Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) is working with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) to see how people are navigating aged care home services and support through My Aged Care (MAC).

Eligibility to access MAC is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older, all non-Indigenous people aged 65 years or older and Prematurely Aged individuals (50 years or older for non-indigenous people and 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples).

ADACAS Aged Care Navigators provides a free My Aged Care information service to eligible individuals, their families and carer’s, in person, by phone or by video-link. We can also coordinate the help of the Translating Information Services for people from linguistically diverse backgrounds or with auditory impairments.

To start making enquiries about your aged care plans please contact Ken at ADACAS on 6242 5060 or AgedCareNavigator@adacas.org.au