Dear Parents and Carers

Last week our Year 6 students went on their Year Camp, at Borombola, outside Wagga. I am very proud of our students. By all reports, they engaged extremely well with the instructors and the activities and were excellent ambassadors for our school. They exhibited excellent leadership. Well done to all our Year 6 students, both individually and as a collective, and thank you to the staff and the two parents who were able to accompany the students, and the wider parent body for their great support.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

As I write, parent/teacher interviews are concluding. I hope that all parents have found their interview time informative, and a good source of information in terms of how children are settling in to a new school year. The teachers have spent much of the early part of this term establishing classroom routines, articulating expectations and assessing the children in terms of literacy and numeracy. If you did not make a time to meet with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to please  do so.

Journey with Jesus

On Friday, our Years 5 & 6 students are participating in a ‘Journey with Jesus’ retreat. Maddie, our Youth Worker, as well as Fron Garrett-Rumba, our acting REC, will run this. It is designed to be a faith formation experience and will also focus on ways that we can live our faith: through acts of mercy, forgiveness and love. It promises to be a very good day. My thanks to Maddie and Fron for coordinating the day.

Compass Parent Portal

Please find attached an information flyer regarding the upcoming launch of our Schools Compass Parent portal. This flyer is designed to give you an insight into some of the information you will be able to access through this Portal. One notable feature will be the ability to lodge absence notes via the parent portal and give you access to real-time absence data for your child or children.

The Portal, once fully implemented will be a one-stop-shop for the School and Parents and will eventually replace SZapp as our major method of communication. Catholic Education is rolling out this Portal in all Catholic Schools over the next 2 years.

NAPLAN Yrs. 3 & 5

ACT schools will participate in NAPLAN Online testing from 11-21 May 2021. ACT schools undertaking NAPLAN Online this year will participate in a practice/familiarisation test between 22nd March and 23rd April 2021. The practice test does not assess student performance and has been developed to replace one of the familiarisation activities that schools have traditionally undertaken.  We will complete this practice test on Thursday, 25th March. The key dates for NAPLAN 2021 at Sts Peter and Paul will be:  

• Tuesday 11^th May - Writing - Yr. 3 Paper & 5 Online
• Wednesday 12^th May - Reading Online
• Thursday 13^th May - Conventions of Language- Online
• Friday 14^th May - Numeracy-Online

As a parent, you can become familiar with NAPLAN Online tests by visiting the public demonstration site, http://bit.ly/naplanonline. The purpose of the site is to familiarise students with the type of items they will see on NAPLAN Online and related functionalities. This level of familiarisation is worthwhile to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the test.

NAPLAN Online allows for tailored testing. This means that students are presented with sets of questions based on their performance during the test. This model provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their range of literacy and numeracy skills more effectively, and it is more engaging for students. Further information explaining tailored testing can be found at https://bit.ly/2PgG7rL.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your son or daughter’s participation in this event, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance. Further information on NAPLAN Online, including the public demonstration site, is available at www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/naplan-online

Privacy

The Education Directorate collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information to carry out its functions. Personal information about students and parents/carers will be used as part of NAPLAN Online testing and readiness tests. This information is required for students to participate in NAPLAN testing, provide reports to parents and schools, and undertake research and compile statistics using anonymised data. More detail on how we handle your information is available in the Education Directorate Privacy Policy available at https://bit.ly/2ZYzdtn

As part of undertaking NAPLAN Online, the Education Directorate works closely with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and Education Services Australia (ESA). ESA operates the NAPLAN Online platform, which will contain personal information. ACARA will collect anonymised information about each student who takes the test online from the Education Directorate.

Further information on how ACARA and ESA protect privacy is available through the ACARA privacy infographic https://bit.ly/3uA6YiR and ESA Privacy Policy www.esa.edu.au/other/privacy.

Principals’ Retreat

A reminder that today, Thursday and Friday I am away, attending the annual Archdiocesan Principals’ Retreat. It is one of the few times that all the Principals of the Archdiocese gather, as well as key CE personnel, including the Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox. During my absence, Sean Rutledge will very capably lead the school.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Gospel Reflection

Jn 2:13-2

Scriptural context

This episode of outrage in the Temple is recorded in all four of the Gospels. Interestingly, the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke place the event in the final days leading to Passion events while the Gospel of John places the event in the very early days of Jesus’ public ministry. While the three synoptics are likely to be more chronologically correct, the Gospel of John uses the event very deliberately to make the point that Jesus is the new Temple – the new focus of God’s presence in the world; the Word made flesh.

Historical Context

In Jewish tradition, the Temple marked the point of physical connection between God and humankind and between the past and the present. It was where God’s story and humanity’s story met. However, in the year 70 C.E. – some 40 years after Jesus – the Temple was destroyed by the Romans. The Gospel of John is written another 20+ years later and so the reality of the Temple’s destruction is still trying to be absorbed by the people. It was a very powerful image for the Gospel writer to suggest that Jesus was the new Temple – the new point of connection.

Different View – Just like Jesus

This gospel passage must be one of the most commonly misused passages in the Bible. So often it is used as justification for someone losing their temper, or worse, an outrageous temper tantrum, or ‘dummy spit’. People will declare in their defence, ‘Well, Jesus lost his temper and got angry in the Temple!’ They fail to appreciate the difference between their own hot-headedness and the outrage against injustice that was being expressed by Jesus. They also seem to miss the significance of the fact that this was a ‘one off’ for Jesus!

From Greg Sunter

Project Compassion

The Season of Lent marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Each year we raise student awareness of people around the world who need support and encourage giving to this cause. Your child can take donations to school at any time throughout Lent and place it in the donation box in their class.  

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Please pray for our students who are preparing to make the Sacrament of First Reconciliation 

7^th March  – Third Sunday of Lent Year B

https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/c4ntst06.html

 Praying with Children is an online resource that is designed for families with children to use at home.

It includes an extract from the Sunday gospel, along with some reflection questions, family activities and a short video to watch.

 Students participating in Friday Prayer

Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Upcoming Events

Week 5:         Friday 5^th March- Journey With Jesus Year 5/6 Youth Ministry Retreat.

Week 6:         Sat 13^th/Sunday 14^th March- Reconciliation Presentation Mass

Week 7          Friday March 19^th Reconciliation Retreat Day at Holy Trinity Primary for all Year 3 Students

URGENT - PARENT CONTACTS

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to be Parent Contacts for their child’s class.  We are in need of contacts for the following classes:

Please contact the Office or email office.stpandp@cg.catholic.edu.au by 9.00 a.m. tomorrow if you are willing to be the Parent Contact for your child's class.  It would be great if we could finalise these so that they can be included in the Parent Directory.  Thank you.

Please see the attached PDFs for this week's Youth Ministry news and information about the 'Journey with Jesus' retreat for Years 5 & 6.

DATES TO REMEMBER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students celebrating their birthday this week.

Isabella T

Lachlan A

Emma I

Roxie M

Awards for Week 6, to be presented at our assembly on Thursday, 11 March.

Principal's Award: Samson T, 5W

Learning Support Awards: Charlie C, 3/4M; Alexandra B, 3/4M

Remember to STOP for our supervisor

A school crossing supervisor is supporting our school each morning and afternoon to increase safety for children.

Please support this initiative by driving safely near the school and encouraging children to use the supervised crossing.

 Our crossing supervisor is responsible for controlling a busy environment, which includes managing the flow of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists during peak times. It is important for motorists to drive at a speed which allows them to safely stop when the supervisor enters the road. Please be patient and allow the crossing supervisor and other pedestrians to safely clear the road prior to proceeding.

 The school community is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the basic crossing supervisor procedures:

 The supervisor will ask pedestrians to wait in a safe location by the side of the road

• When it is safe, the supervisor will stop traffic
• The supervisor will blow their whistle twice to indicate it is safe to cross.

 The School Crossing Supervisor program is delivered by Transport Canberra and City Services’ School Safety Program. If you have any feedback about the program, please contact TCCS.  

Please be patient, polite and respectful to our supervisor, they are committed to keeping our students safe.

If you have any wool, cotton thread or material scraps, please send them into Year 6.

They need it for their art unit.

Book Club - we are just waiting to receive the delivery from Book Club for books ordered from the last issue. As soon as they have been delivered they will be handed out to students. 

Last week we officially began the ACT Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. I am pleased to say that ALL children have already read at least one book (in class or at home) to add to their record! K-2 are keeping a whole class recording chart, Years 3-4 have a paper copy in the Library each and Year 5-6 have an online recording sheet via the Library Google Classroom and Google Docs.

For Students

For the traditional challenge you may read any book of your choice (in paper or electronic form). This can include any genre in picture books, novels, comic books, graphic novels, poetry, or non-fiction books. If you read a book that you really enjoyed, consider writing a book review and sharing it with your teacher and class. 

How to choose the best book:

• look for topics that you are interested in
• look at the front cover and illustrations in the book
• read the blurb and the first page
• look for other books written by a favourite author
• ask friends, family or teachers for recommendations
• check out all the e-readers now available through your school and public library.

For Parents and Carers

Tips for reading with all children:

• visit the local library and enjoy spending time choosing new books and reading together, including e-books and audio books
• give books or book vouchers as presents
• ensure that your children see you reading, such as the newspaper, a cookbook, novel, short stories, manuals, or magazines
• identify online reading, such as online news, reviews, communications and e-books
• go to libraries or bookshops when authors are visiting - children and teenagers love meeting their favourite writers
• make sure your home is a reading home - with books and quiet, comfortable spaces to read
• encourage your children to read in any of the languages your family uses
• identify or schedule time for reading, such as before bed or between getting ready for school and leaving
• read books together before watching the film and then share thoughts about the two portrayals of the story.

Tips for reading with older children:

• encourage children to keep a book with them so they can read on journeys or in spare moments – this could include e-books
• support your child to search for books and read book reviews in interest areas, such as hobbies, sports, genres, favourite authors and biographies
• encourage children to join you as you read a recipe for you as you cook, or share a movie summary or review
• read books you can talk about together - ensure the talk is light-hearted, not testing or over-questioning
• encourage your children to swap books with their friends.

Tips for reading with younger children:

• read the books together with funny voices, or take turns to read different characters
• talk about your favourite parts of the books and which authors you like the most
• try reading in different locations like the backyard, coffee shop, or lounge room floor
• allow your child to choose how to read the book. They may like to do echo reading with you (parent reads and the child echoes back), shared reading with you (taking turns to read) or independent reading (read to you or to themselves).

Please contact amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au for any further information.

Keep reading!

Mrs Basedow

Saints Peter and Paul Swimming Carnival Tuesday 9^th March
at the Tuggeranong Pool, at the corner of Anketell Street and Athllon Drive in Greenway

Thank you for completing all of the Consent, Medical, Event Nomination and Parent Assistance forms for our swimming carnival on SZapp in the ‘Feed’ section. We have now exported all of this information in preparation for our carnival next Tuesday.

We are excited to be welcoming parents as volunteers and spectators on the day. The Check in Canberra App QR code will be posted at the entry point to the pool and we kindly ask you to use this to check in. We will also have sign in and out sheets for you to use, so that we can have a school record of anyone in attendance on the day. The current restrictions in relation to numbers at the pool will be 500, so we will have to ensure that we adhere to this number.

Here are some last minute friendly reminders:

• Children who wish to compete in the 200m IM and 200m Freestyle events will need to make their own way to the pool by 9:15am.
• Please ensure that you are at school on time next Tuesday as the buses will begin leaving at 9:15am.
• Children may wear their house colours instead of sport clothes if they would like and will need to wear their swimmers underneath. (If you’re not sure what your child’s house colour is, please ask their teacher. The houses and colours they represent are; Red – Cooyal, Yellow – Bangalong, Green – Iraga and Blue – Talara.)
• Please note that no face paint/coloured zinc or hair dye is allowed.
• Children will need to bring hats, protective clothing and sunscreen for the novelty events. Please also pack a towel and a pair of underpants for your child to change into before heading back to school.
• If your child/ren would like to make posters and bring mascots to support their house, they are most welcome to. However, we kindly ask that no crepe paper, streamers or glitter be used when creating these.
• Children will need to bring their recess and lunch and plenty of water to drink. Please note that the canteen will not be available for children to access on the day.

If you are joining us on the day, please see the program of events and novelties below for a very rough guide about when your child may be getting in the pool.

Program of Events

Novelty Events

If you think your child may qualify for the South/Weston Region Swimming Carnival, please have a look at the information below.

South/Weston Region Swimming Carnival Thursday 25^th March
at the Stromlo Leisure Centre, Corner of Uriarra Road and, Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo.

All School Sport ACT regional swimming events are being held at the Stromlo Leisure Centre, as the AIS is currently unavailable for community meet bookings until the end of March. This is due to Tokyo Olympics preparations. If you have not been to this venue and would like to familiarise yourself with the space, please use the following link to do so https://www.stromloleisurecentre.com.au/

If your child is selected to represent our school at the regional carnival, they will receive information in relation to this soon after our school carnival. Please be aware that there will be a quick turnaround for bringing these notes back, (Wednesday 17^th March) as nominations need to be submitted to the convening school for organisational purposes.

Unfortunately, it was confirmed at the ACT sport meeting that there will be no 8 and 9 year old events at this carnival. However, they will now be allowing one parent/spectator per student.

Please note that any parent/spectator; will not be allowed on the official's side of the pool (glassed wall side), is not allowed to be accompanied by any other family members, must provide their contact information and intent to attend the carnival no later than Wednesday 17^th March (as I will have to submit this information to the organisers) and must line up and get their name checked off the list that I will be submitting to the organisers (if your name is not on the list you will not be allowed to enter the pool).

Cricket Clinics

All students at our school participated in cricket clinics on Monday. The students enjoyed practising their throwing skills.

These clinics are continuing each Monday for the rest of the term in Weeks 7, 8 and 9, so please send your child to school with their sports clothes on, on these days. Thank you so much for your assistance with this.

If you ever have any questions about anything related to Sport, please don’t hesitate to get in touch mary.desmet@cg.catholic.edu.au Hopefully I’ll be able to help you out!

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.

 CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER - WEEK 6

Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

Please contact me if you are unable to make your shift, Thank you.

Are you able to help out in the canteen?

Parent/carer helpers are most welcome in the Canteen. A lending hand is always required and very much appreciated. Helping in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet new people and make a valuable contribution to the school. No doubt your child/ren will get a buzz from seeing you at the school.

So if you have any spare time and would like to help out in the canteen, PLEASE feel free to contact me through email at lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Or click on the link below to add your selected time to the roster. 

Please ensure you have your WWVP card.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenRosterTerm12021

Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.au

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.

Please give any used second-hand uniform to Mrs R in the canteen, Thank you.

UNIFORM OUT OF STOCK ITEMS ARE ARRIVING SOON!

Apologises to all the families that have been awaiting on uniform items that they have purchased.  Unfortunately, our supplier LW Reid ran out of stock on their end which has left us waiting for new supplies.

BUT new stock is arriving soon!

Maroon Skorts, size 12 - delivery due 5 March

Navy Shorts, sizes 6, 12, 14 - delivery due 8 March

 Polar Fleece Jumpers arrived late last week, and all deliveries were made.

Thank you for your patience.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

BRIAN'S COCONUT SLICE

Ingredients

3/4 cup self raising flour

3/4 cup plain flour

1 cup sugar

125 g butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

4-5 tbs raspberry jam

3 cups coconut

3 eggs

Method

Preheat oven to 170 degrees, grease a lamington pan and line with baking paper.

Place flours, half the sugar, the butter and 1 egg in a medium bowl and mix well.

Spoon mixture into the prepared tin, press down and smooth.

Mix the coconut, 3 eggs and the remaining sugar in a separate bowl.

Spread base with the jam and pour over the coconut mixture.

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. 

This recipe is on page 12 of our 50th Anniversary Cookbook and was donated by former principal, Margaret Pollard.

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. 

The Canberra Enlighten Festival is on for 2021, from 26 September to 14 March. View the Enlighten Illuminations, see a movie made by some of Canberra's talented filmakers outside by the lake, enjoy the spectacular sight of hot air balloons floating over our wonderful city and many more activites. 

Click on the link for more information: https://enlightencanberra.com/ 

We would like to welcome all Principal’s and School Communities to our upcoming event.

On the evening of Wednesday 3 March, St Edmund’s College has the privilege of hosting a book launch for well-known and respected author Robert Falzon.

Robert is a husband, father, businessman, published author and co-founder of menALIVE. He has been awarded many business accolades. In 2007, Robert sold his primary manufacturing business to focus in a full-time volunteer capacity on working with men through menALIVE – a National Catholic Ministry to Men. Since the founding of menALIVE in 2003, this work has delivered 450 events across 26 dioceses and numerous schools in Australia and New Zealand, reaching more than 30,000 men.

Robert will be launching his new book, Raising Fathers. “In an age where there is a training manual to do almost everything, there is still no manual, map or compass to do one of the most important and impacting task on earth – Fathering!” This event is open to anyone (not just fathers) interested in families, raising children and establishing positive family relationships. Join us for this free evening event as Robert unpacks practical advice and stories that are powerfully important, impacting, informative and instructional for fathering in today’s world. I sincerely recommend Robert Falzon’s work to you and hope to see you at the book launch.

Please register for this event by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1088585198280632/

Warm regards,
Joe Zavone
Principal
(02) 6239 0621 | principal @stedmunds.act.edu.au

School Sport ACT (SSACT)

Please follow this link www.schoolsportact.org.au to access all information related to School Sport ACT. The current primary school sporting calendar can be found on this page. Please ensure that you visit this page regularly as dates sometimes change due to unforeseen circumstances.

SSACT Trials

The process for registering your child for an ACT sport trial can be found below. If you need any assistance registering your child, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will hopefully be able to help you out. If you find that there are any steps missing within this process, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

SSACT Registration Process

School Sport ACT now collects all registration information online – this is to prevent the movement to and fro of a paper note and have all information readily available to officials prior to the trial. As this process incurs a fee for data storage, system maintenance and admin, a small fee payment via credit card will be required.

How to register a Student with School Sport ACT.

1. Go to the School Sport ACT website schoolsportact.org.au
2. Go to Register (top right corner of the homepage) and create an account.
3. After completion, check your registered email to verify your account. (Always check your spam folder in case you didn't immediately receive the verification email).
4. After verifying your account, Log In (top right hand corner of the homepage) using your registered email and password.
5. You’ll be presented with your Parent Dashboard. From there you can start the process of registering a Student into a Trial.
6. Click the green Add Student
7. Complete all of the information required for your Student (e.g. Medical Details, Sport, Playing History, Preferred Position, School etc.) and save the information. (If your child is already in the system, please ensure that your child’s school is up to date in your profile.)
8. Click on the trial information box and then click on the register to trial link.
9. Make the small credit card payment. After payment your Principal/School Approver will receive an email for their approval to trial.

You will be able to see the process has been complete back in My Profile – once your Principal/School Approver has completed the approval process your child’s information will be collated onto a list for the Team Manager and Coach prior to trial.

The Weston Creek Molonglo Wildcats is an all inclusive club, with ages varying from Rookies 4 to 6 years olds to 16s Youth Girls and 15s Boys, founded in 1972, we are looking forward to the 2021 season, and having children enjoy the game of Australian Rules Football.

2021 Season Registration Links and Fees

Registration Process

Follow the registration links below that apply to your category. If you are unsure of your category or need more information along the way you can follow the prompts from the main site at www.aflauskick.com.au.

 AUSKICK ROOKIE (4 to 6)

Click this link to register your Auskick Rookie player/s: 

AUSKICK Rookies

 AUSKICK PRO (7 to 8)

Click this link to register your Auskick Pro player/s:

AUSKICK Pros

9 - 17 including Youth Girls

Click this link to register all other categories:

JUNIORS

Cost

Player:

Auskick Pro:
$130 (U7s - U8s)

Juniors:
$140 (U9s - U17s) 

Family:
2 children $240 ($40 discount)
3 or more children $280 ($140 discount for 3, 1 free), ($280 discount for 4 , 2 free)

Auskick Rookie:

$85 (4 - 6 years) (not included in family discount)

How to Pay

Registration Fees will need to be paid at the end of the registration process.

Please contact the registrar - wcwildcats.rego@gmail.com if you have concerns around this and would like to arrange a payment plan.

Direct Deposit 
[Either direct deposit via bank or Internet Banking]

Bank Details: 
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 062904 
Account: 103 21737

IMPORTANT: When using internet banking make sure the transaction description box is completed with players name and age group for tracking and receipting purposes.

Notifying the Club Treasurer

When using internet banking or direct deposit, please confirm payment to the Treasurer, via email at wcmwildcats.treasurer@gmail.com and forward screen copy of deposit receipt to the Treasurer.

If you have any difficulty in paying fees, please contact the President on 0403084225 or wcwildcats.president@gmail.com as we are more than happy to discuss payment arrangements or provide a mutually beneficial arrangement so All Kids Play!

Trudi Fajri

WCMWJAFC President

0403084225