Dear Parents and Carers

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern.”
― Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Last Sunday we celebrated the Second Sunday of Advent. Our reflection above from Mother Teresa points directly to the importance of our own response to God. If Jesus is to be born into our hearts, if our hearts are to be a manger for him, it requires a certain vulnerability and openness from us, and a faith that Jesus can be present in the most unlikely and unexpected places.

Staffing

I would like to announce the following staff for 2021 and their grades and positions:

Principal: Cameron Johns

Assistant Principal: Sean Rutledge

Acting Religious Education Coordinator: Froncoise Garrett-Rumba

Coordinator: Maryanne Armstrong

Front Office Staff: Trish Collis

Kindergarten: Marie-Ann Barrett and Mary Portolesi; Melissa Neit and Laura Williamson

Year 1: Sue Wales and Anne Hitchings; Michelle Halis-Pratt and Katie Birch

Year 2: Mary de Smet; Sarah Walsh

Year 3/4: Luke Gubler; Anna Kain; Amanda de Jongh and Katie Birch

Year 5: Gayle Hunt and Mary Portolesi; Froncoise Garrett-Rumba and Nic Marsham

Year 6: Paul Jenkins; Sarah Kennelly

Teacher-librarian: Amanda Basedow

STEM teacher: Sean Rutledge

Music Teacher: Alissa Pearson

Spanish Teacher: Oriella de Johnson

Learning Support Coordinator: Maryanne Armstrong

Learning Support Assistants: Anne Perkovic, Tricia Drabsch, Robyn Moore, Maria MacMillan, Jade Arranz, Cathy Shepherd

Kitchen Cooking Teacher: Robyn Moore

Canteen Manager: Lauretta Raccosta

Groundsman: Kerry Marsham

At the end of the year, we are farewelling Bronte Dunn, who finds new pastures at Holy Family Gowrie, and Stephanie Burns, who is taking maternity leave for the year. I wish both Bronte and Steph all the best for 2021. They will both be missed greatly.

We also farewell Alison Hackwill who leaves us after providing so many wonderful years as our music teacher. Thank you Alison for all that you have done and what you have contributed to the life of the school. 

I would also like to thank Anne Hitchings who has done a magnificent job in taking over the reins of 3/4M half-way through Term 2. Anne has done an excellent job - thank you, Anne, it is greatly appreciated. Anne returns to Sts Peter & Paul next year on 1W, 1 day a week.

We also farewell Emma D’Ambrosio and Orla Rutledge, who have provided excellent service to the school over the last two terms. Orla and Emma have taught music over the last semester and have done an excellent job. I thank Orla and Emma for all of their work. I would also like to thank Tegan Mortimer for her years of service to Sts Peter and Paul. Tegan has been seconded to the Catholic Education Office throughout 2020 and has been successful in gaining a permanent position in the office. Tegan has been a highly respected member of Sts Peter and Paul for 7 years and has done an excellent job. I thank Tegan for all of her work and wish her the very best for the future.

Finally, my thanks to Amanda De Jongh for doing a wonderful job with the teaching of Japanese and Library. Amanda moves to 3/4 in 2021. Her work in Japanese and Library had been of great value and I am very grateful.

Community Council

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Community Council for all of their work this year and their tremendous support of the school, its staff and its students. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the work Alana Scheiffers, Lorraine Newnham and Phil Kimpton, who after many years of service, are stepping down at the end of 2020. Alanna, Phil and Lorraine have worked tirelessly for the school and given many years of service to the school, and I thank them for their efforts.

Parent Sports Coordinators and Coaches

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Zoe Abrahams and Sam Scanlan for their excellent work in coordinating, promoting and coaching sports amongst the student body, notably netball and soccer respectively. Zoe and Sam have provided many, many hours of work for the school in their advocacy for their sport and for the students in their care. They have contributed a great deal to the school and again, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

Christmas Picnic

A reminder that this Friday, we are having a family picnic on the school oval, with a Christmas theme. Parents and families are invited to join other families for a picnic dinner on the school oval. It will be a good way to bring the year to an end. It begins at 5.30 and finishes at 7pm.

Kinder Nativity and Year 6 Graduation

Within all of the busyness of the end of the school year, and within the restrictions brought on by COVID-19, we are managing to hold the Kinder Nativity play (for the school and Kindergarten parents, with students from Malkara school also visiting) on Thursday. My thanks to Marie-Ann Barrett and Bronte Dunn for their excellent work. We are also going ahead with our Year 6 Graduation Mass on Friday at 12pm, complete with the Candle Ceremony with our Year 5 students. We are then having our dinner on Monday night. My thanks to the Years 5 and 6 teachers, Steph Burns, our REC, and the many parents who are contributing to the Year 6 graduation.

Next week’s newsletter is a much shorter and so I would like to conclude this week by thanking the parent body for their great support of the school this year, in very trying circumstances. The staff very much appreciate your support and encouragement and it has made the year much more manageable. We look forward to continuing to work with you in 2021 and beyond. I would also like to thank the staff for their great work this year, their good will and good spirits, and the way that they have kept the children at the focus of all that they do. In addition, my thanks to our beautiful children for rising to all challenges and staying focused on their learning – congratulations to you all on an excellent year.

I wish all families a very happy Christmas and a wonderful holiday break.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Sunday Gospel: Third Sunday of Advent, Year B

This week’s gospel should sound very familiar. It is the gospel of John version of the passage used in last week’s liturgy, which came from the gospel of Mark. Again it recalls the ministry of John the Baptist but it is given the particular slant of the gospel of John. Aside from the greater focus on the conversational interaction, it presents John as a ‘witness’. This is perhaps more typical of the John gospel emphasis on personal encounter with Jesus. Rather than acting as something of a herald, as in last week’s account, here John the Baptist is witnessing ‘to speak for the light’. He makes a very clear distinction between himself and the Christ, his mission is simply to point towards the light; the Christ.

Our common understanding of the word ‘witness’ tends to be related to legal situations: providing a witness statement or acting as a witness to a fact in court. The use of witness in this gospel carries a different connotation: to provide witness through action and lifestyle that draws others to wonder about and perhaps come to accept the motivating belief. It is this understanding of witness that all Christians are called to provide. We are called to witness to our beliefs in the way that we live our lives, engage with others and hold to certain truths. Of course, there are some Christians who believe that their witness needs to be more obvious and more clearly stated. They feel that providing witness, or testimony, to their faith through spoken proclamation has a greater potential to change lives. Whether we choose to witness through our words or through our actions it is essential that both words and actions have integrity; that there is no clash between what we proclaim and the way we live.

(Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Congratulations to the Sts Peter and Paul children who received their First Eucharist over the weekend, the parish and school community are very proud of you as you take this important step in your faith journey!

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

As mentioned last week, and in the attached note, students and staff at Sts Peter and Paul are asked to donate at least one item each towards the 2020 St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.  These items will be combined to fill hampers for families in the Canberra region.  

Each class has been allocated a food type to put in a collection area in each classroom.

These donations will be presented to a St Vincent de Paul representative at Friday morning assembly in Week 10 (18th December).

Thank you so much for your support of this important fundraiser for the local community.

Students are invited to dress in ‘Christmas’ themed clothes on Wednesday 16^th December.

Children’s Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month during term time at 9:30 Mass at Curtin.

This weekend is the final date for Term 4. We will begin a new roster for Children’s Liturgy when the school term resumes in 2021.

Sunday 13^th  December, 9:30 am at Holy Trinity Parish Centre 

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 Champions!!!

Congratulations to the following students who came 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd in their age group for our Cross Country Carnival. We are so proud of you.

A special congratulations goes to Ava T, Noah G, Josie A, Marly C, Emily B and Archie B who are our Junior, 11 Years and Senior age champions for 2020 respectively.

A final congratulations to TALARA, who were the winning house on the day.

K-2 Gymnastics Clinics

Today was our last gymnastics session for the year. The kids have had a great time participating in these clinics and have enjoyed the opportunity to refine many different fundamental movement skills.

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 (mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au). Thank you so much.

Need any Kick Boards?

We have about 30 kickboards that we no longer need at school. If you would like one or more, please let me know and I will send them home with your child/ren.

Principal's Award: Jack M, 2M

Learning Support Awards: Kuna J, 3/4M; Matthew T, 5/6M; Mia M, 5/6W

Congratulations to Ewan D who is representing the ACT in the 2020 NSW Interschools Team Challenge in tennis, held at Pymble Ladies College in Sydney from the 8^th to the 11^th of December. Ewan has an intense schedule playing a mixture of 4 games per day in both singles and doubles formats. Ewan and his team have been seeded Number 1 and are currently undefeated! We wish Ewan and the rest of the team all the best as they continue their campaign this week.

It's that time of year! Borrowing in the library has now finished.

Please return all library books.  

Last week, the library received a donation of books from the Lions Club as part of their 123 Read free children's book project.

As the year draws to a close, we will be reducing our stock in the canteen to prepare for our fridges and freezers to defrost during the school break.

 Lunch orders will be available until Thursday 17 December. 

If your child orders a product that becomes unavailable we will substitute the item with something to the same value or like.

Canteen is closed Friday last day of term for cleaning and first Wednesday of Term 1 for set up.   

It will reopen again on Thursday 4 February 2021.

LAST Fruit incentive ticket WINNER for the year is Dominic M, KM. Congratulations Dominic, you have won a $2.00 voucher, to spend at the canteen. Please see Mrs R at the canteen to collect your voucher.

DID YOU MISS OUT ON WINNING A $2 VOUCHER to spend at the canteen? Simply purchase fresh fruit or veg from the canteen next year and be in the draw to WIN!!!

Canteen Roster - Week 10, Term 4

Thank you to the helpers that helped out this year in the Canteen; your assistance is very much appreciated!

If you would like to help out in the canteen in 2021

please email me your details

Thank you, 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.

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.

Get in early and beat the back to school rush. 

Order Summer School Uniform on Qkr! now

With the need for physical distancing amongst adults, the Uniform Shop will be appointment only for Uniform purchases.  To help with the start of the school rush, the Uniform Shop will be operating extended hours for the next two weeks and before school begins.  Please click on the link below to book your time slot. Timeslots are 10 mins in length but if you require a full fitting please book a double appointment.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/UniformShop

 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

UNIFORM SHOP EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

FOR 2021

 TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020 –

8.30AM – 10AM

Extended uniform shop hours

THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2021 –

9AM – 1PM   

School holiday opening hours

 TUESDAY 2 FEBURARY 2021 –

8.30AM – 10AM

Extended uniform shop hours

However, beat the crazy rush next year and get in before this year is through to purchase any school uniform needed! 

Uniform can also be purchased via Qkr! and delivered to your child (Tue- Fri).

CHOC CANDYCANE ICE CREAM CAKE

Ingredients

250 pkt choc ripple biscuits

75 gr butter, melted

6 litres vanilla icecream

2 tsp peppermint essence

1/4 tsp green food colouring gel

2 cups dark choc chips, roughly chopped

1/2 cup thickened cream

300 ml whipped cream, to serve

Decorations - candy canes, meringues, choc mint balls, M&Ms, sprinkles

Method

Grease a 22cm round springform pan and line base and sides with 4 layers of baking paper, extending 6cm above edge of pan.

Place choc biscuits in a food processor and process until fine. Add the butter and process until combined, press mixture into prepared pan and freeze.

Meanwhile place half the ice cream in a large bowl and let soften for 10 minutees.

Add essence, food colouring and 1/2 choc chips and fold to combine. Spoon mixture over the biscuit base, smooth and freeze for 3 hours or unitl firm.

Place remaining ice cream in a large bowl and again soften for 10 minutes.

Fold in another 1/2 choc chips and spoon mixture over the set peppermint layer, smooth the top and leave to freeze overnight.

Place the remaining 1 cup of choc chips in a microwave safe bowl, add the thickened cream and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Leave to cool.

Remove cake from tin and place on a serving plate. Spoon chocolate mixture over the top of the cake, allowing it it drip down the sides and finally top with the whipped cream and decorations. Serve immediately. 

The recipe is on page 81 of our 50th Anniversary Cookbook and was donated by Alannah Furner (former student).

'Get ready for this beautiful green cake that melts in your mouth. When you taste this recipe you will fall in love in a heartbeat.'

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. It would make a great Christmas present.

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