Dear Parents and Carers

I hope all of our mums had a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. The school celebrated with Donuts for Mum on Friday, and all children brought home a small plant as a gift. On Sunday, Kindergarten uploaded a beautiful assembly video onto our Facebook page, which was dedicated to all our mums in the community. I hope it was a very happy day for all of our mothers.

Enrolment Period

On Monday, we held our fifth Open Morning, which was well attended, as the others have been too. Our enrolments are looking very positive for Kindergarten and other grade levels. I encourage all parents of siblings to enrol their child by the end of May at the latest, so that we able to plan accordingly for 2022.

Book Fair

Next week we are holding our annual Book Fair in the school library. Parents and students will be able to buy books before and after school from Wednesday – Friday. This is a great opportunity to buy some books and set them aside for birthdays or Christmas. My thanks to Amanda Basedow for coordinating the fair.

National Simultaneous Story Time

Still within the broad area of reading, next week we are participating in the annual National Simultaneous Story Time event. All schools that participate, such as ours, have a story read to them simultaneously. This year, a story is being read from the international space station. The logistics involved in coordinating such an event are extraordinary and it speaks to the ingenuity of the human spirit.

Reports

The Catholic Education Office has made some major changes to the report format, for all students in ACT and NSW systemic primary schools. Most parents are now familiar with Compass, which is the administration software being used in all Catholic primary schools. Most parents are familiar with it via signing students in to school and absentee notes. It does, however, have a multitude of functions, including a capacity to report to parents on children’s academic progress. This year, semester reports will be sent to parents via the Compass platform.

CE has sent all schools some text to be sent to parents. What follows below in italics has come from the Catholic Education Office, which I have been asked to share with all parents:

Our teaching team has begun the process of creating each child’s Semester 1 2021 report.

In Semester 1:

For Kindergarten students:

• Achievement in each subject will be reported using a four-point scale (Well Above Expectations, Above Expectations, Meeting Expectations and Working Towards Expectations).

For Year 1 to Year 6 students:

• Academic grades for each subject using a five-point scale from A-E will be reported using the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards.

For all students:

• Strand Achievement will be reported in English, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, and The Arts using a five-point scale (Excellent, High, Sound, Basic, Elementary).
• Engagement with Learning statements, which are taken directly from the Australian Curriculum, will provide specific information about your child’s Critical and Creative Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility, using a three-point scale (Beginning, Developing, Consistently).
• Individual student comments will not be used in the Semester 1 Reports.

Dialogue is an important feature of reporting. Sts Peter and Paul will hold Parent/Teacher Interviews in week 9, with the reports to follow in week 10. The Semester Report in this format encourages parent engagement and conversation about student learning.

You are encouraged to participate in the Parent/Teacher Interviews in week 9.

The new approach to Academic Reporting is a developing process. Further work will be undertaken in the coming months to determine how progress and achievement is best reported based on what we know to be important information about a student’s learning and progress.

In summary, the new report format will still report on all the subject areas that have been the staple for semester reports. Kindergarten will have a 4-point scale, rather than a 3-point scale, which has been in use for the last 10 years. Catholic Education has taken the decision not to include comments in this semester’s report. Comments may be included in the Semester 2 report. Please contact me at school if you have any questions about the report.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Gospel Reflection- The Ascension of the Lord

Mk 16:15-20

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus ascends into heaven. He also sends his followers out ‘to the whole world’ to continue his ministry. It is the ‘whole world’ to which they are sent; not just their cosy little corner of the world but the whole world. It’s what Christian people for the last 2,000 years have been called to do: continue Jesus’ ministry to the whole world. It’s what each and every one of us is called to do today: ‘proclaim the Good News to all creation’. That doesn’t mean standing on street corners with a Bible in our hands but it means proclaiming the Good News through our everyday actions and by being open and honest about our faith. It means treating all people as Jesus would. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, ‘Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words!’ In every interaction we have we say so much about who we are, what we think of the other person and what we believe – even without opening our mouth. Our actions and attitudes proclaim our beliefs more powerfully than our words ever do. If we claim to be concerned about justice and yet behave unjustly then it is our actions, not our words, that will be heard! When we are called to ‘proclaim the Good News’ we are called to do this first and foremost in action.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ariella, J, Gabriella S and Eli L, who made their First Reconciliation on Saturday. Please keep those students who are making their First Reconciliation in the coming weeks in your prayers, may they know God’s healing grace.

Confirmation

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is underway and our Year 6 students are very excited. Books have been distributed to group leaders for collection at home group sessions. Please email  me (fran.garrett@cg.catholic.edu.au) if you need any help registering or joining a home group. Below is a list of the key dates relating to the Sacrament.

Friday 8^th May 2021

Return of enrolment form, fees and host nominations.

Tuesday, 4^th May, 2021

5.30pm: A Zoom Information Night for Family Group Hosts

6:00pm A Zoom Introductory Night for all Parents of students making their Confirmation
https://cgcatholic.zoom.us/j/93099164158?pwd=RFljZUdYM3g3ekt6OFV5WFVGNjZkUT09
 Password: 534821

Thursday 27^th May, at 5:00pm

Stole making night @ Holy Trinity May-June (various dates) Four family group meetings to be held before the children’s retreat

Saturday 5^th 6:00pm

Sunday 6^th June 9:30am

Candidate Presentation Mass at Holy Trinity

Thursday June 3rd

Children’s Retreat Day @  Holy Trinity  9:00 am -2:15pm

Tuesday 15^th June

Wednesday 16^th June

Sacrament of Confirmation at 6:00pm at Holy Trinity Church 

  16/05/2021  The Ascension of the Lord
https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/cl0f1ipl3.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.

Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

DATES TO REMEMBER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students celebrating their birthday this week.

Isabella T

Lachlan A

Emma I

Roxie M

We are keenly anticipating our Term Two disco that will be held on Friday, May 28 Week 6. Our DJ, Jungle Jerry, has been busy collating playlists of classics which promise a little something for everyone. With talent like this in store, our disco promises to be a memorable night.  If you would like to contribute songs to the playlist, please fill out this Google form https://forms.gle/GjxsxEJVYVFGywpM9

Tickets are available on Qkr! A $5 ticket will include Sausage, Drink & Treat. Students will get a token at the door to receive their Food and Drink.

Session times will be the same as previous years in the Hall:

6.30 – 7.15 pm   Kinder, 1, 2

7.30 – 8.30 pm Years 3-6

WE BLAST OFF WITH OUR BOOK FAIR NEXT WEEK!!

Why are we having a book fair? Watch the Link below-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfHJ98jVAgM&ab_channel=scholasticaustralia

What you need to know-

• All students should have bought home their wish list and brochure (Year 5 will bring theirs home on Monday). *It is a wish list only! They do not have to purchase all or any.
• The book fair is on in the Library:

• Tuesday 18th May - 8:15-9am and 3:15-5pm
• Wednesday 19th May - 8:15-9am and 3:15-5pm
• Thursday 20th May - 8:15-9am and 3:15-5pm

1. 3 ways to pay - Card (eftpos machine facilities and this is the preferred payment method), Cash or online payment www.scholastic.com.au/payment *you need to choose Book Fairs Payment, (not book club).
2. There are also stationery and posters for sale which are always popular! 

Thank you in advance for your support! 

Our goal is to reach 310 books!!! 

National Simultaneous Storytime is on next Wednesday at 11am in the Hall.

We are very excited to be part of this worldwide event! 

Winners of the colouring competition will be announced in next week’s newsletter!

Please contact amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the Library or borrowing.

Keep reading!

Mrs Basedow

CANTEEN IS CASHLESS

 Families can make contactless payments 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 roster - Week 5

Thank you helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

Please contact me if you are unable to help out on your day.

Thank you.

 Are you able to help out in the canteen?

 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

Term 2 canteen roster available now

Click on the link below to add your selected time to the roster.

Please ensure you have your WWVP card.

https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/CanteenRosterTerm2

 Lauretta Raccosta,

Canteen

Lauretta.Raccosta@cg.catholic.au

Thank you to all the students who participated in today’s Special Lunch Day! 

 Mrs R was so happy seeing all the children enjoying Sushi for our special lunch day.

 Thank you Natasha for your help today, you made the day run a lot smoother.  Your help was very much appreciated!

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 Winter 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.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au

Garden Club, Cooking and the Curriculum

Another amazing few weeks in the kitchen, garden and classroom. Both Kinder and Year 1 have been learning about social skills and health in the kitchen and classroom and the garden club have be preparing for a special day last weekend.

Both Kinder and Year 1 made apple tarts, sandwiches and chocolate dipped biscuits. While making them, they learnt that taking turns, sharing and helping each other was very important for everything to go right in the kitchen. We also learnt that apples and pears from our own garden had lots of nutrients in the skin. The children enjoyed sharing and eating the fruits of their labour. They took their Mother’s Day biscuits home to share on Mother’s Day.

Our Garden Club have been very busy as well getting ready for Mother’s Day. Each family received a plant that the club had grown from seed. Very exciting! Each plant had a special message in it and care instructions. Our Garden Club got together to plant, look after and prepare the plants to go home and were a fabulous help! We hope all our Mums, Grandma’s and carers are enjoying their plant.

If you have any questions or would like to know anything about what we do in garden club, cooking and the curriculum, email Katherine.birch@cg.catholic.edu.au.

LEMON PIE

Ingredients

225 g digestive biscuits

1/2 cup butter, melted

3 Tbs sugar

1/2 tsp ground ginger

395 g tin condensed milk

1 1/2 cup double cream

4 lemons juiced and 1 zested

Method

Preheat oven to 150 degrees and grease a large quiche dish.

Place biscuits in a food processor and crumble. Mix in the melted butter, sugar and ginger then press mixture into the base and sides of the prepared dish.

Bake for 5 minutes and leave to cool.

Meanwhile place the lemon zest and condensed milk in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in the cream until thoroughly mixed.

Add the lemon juice whilst continuing to stir until the mixture becomes thick.

Spoon mixture into the cooked base and smooth then refrigerate for about two hours or until set. Decorate with lemon and lime slices before serving (optional).

This recipe is on page 86 of our 50th Anniversary Cookbook and was donated by Oliver and Alex Heal, two former students. 

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. 

Have you ever tried shadow drawing?

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.