Dear Parents and Carers

“The Resurrection of Christ is not a myth, but a reality that transforms our lives.”

• Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP

I have referenced the Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe in previous newsletters, noting that the principals of the Archdiocese had the privilege of having Timothy Radcliffe lead us in our retreat, earlier in the school term. In the quote above, he points to the transformative effect of the resurrection. He also suggests, elsewhere, that the resurrection is not something we look forward to. Rather, we are saved already. In a sense, we live with our wounds (as Christ did) and yet we are already redeemed. Might I suggest that our common experience of woundedness is what gives us the capacity to find our common humanity with each other? This week and next, a reminder that our beautiful students are leading us in our Easter reflections. Yesterday, our Year One students led us in a reflection on Palm Sunday. Today, our Year 5 students retold the events of Holy Thursday night. Tomorrow, our Year 6 students lead us in the Stations of the Cross, at 12pm. On Tuesday next week, our Year 2 students retell the events of the Resurrection, again at 12pm. All parents are invited. My thanks to all staff and students for their support and participation.

Easter Activities

A reminder that we have our Easter Hat parade after morning assembly, tomorrow, at 9am. All students are invited to wear an Easter hat of their making, replete with Easter themes. Tomorrow morning, we also announce the winners of the Easter colouring in competition as well as the class who came closest to guessing the amount of chocolate eggs in the jar. My thanks to our parents Katherine Jones, Tara Kuleas and Tegan Ingold, who have coordinated this activity and made it possible for the children to enjoy.

Cross Country Carnival

A reminder that a week from today, we are having our Cross Country Carnival at Eddison Park. All parents are invited to attend.

Enrolment Period

The official enrolment period for systemic Catholic schools (which includes Sts Peter and Paul) is in May, and our Open Days are from 9am – 11am on May 7^th, 14^th and 21^st. Our Information Night is on Tuesday May 14^th at 6pm, in the school hall. Included in this newsletter are the slides that Luke Gubler used when presenting, some weeks ago, an Information Night detailing all of the amazing leadership opportunities that our school particularly offers from Grades 3 – 6. A reminder too that Marist, in conversation with CE, has guaranteed a place in Year 7 for all boys graduating from our local Catholic schools. I am very confident that Sts Peter and Paul offers an excellent education for all students from K – 6, and in allowing for growing student maturity and growing capacity, particularly offers valuable leadership opportunities for our Grades 3 – 6 students. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this with any existing or potential Sts Peter and Paul parents. If you would like to meet, please email me directly at Cameron.johns@cg.catholic.edu.au, or contact the front office on 6281 1932, to make a time for a meeting.

WWVP Cards

As I have written in past newsletters, our parent volunteers are a vital part of school life and contribute greatly to the social and educational fabric of the school. I am deeply grateful to the many parents who volunteer their time and their gifts to the school. Parents who would like to assist with carnivals, excursions, the canteen, and so on, will need to acquire a Working with Vulnerable People card (WWVP). Parents can apply for a WWVP card through Access Canberra WWVP Cards.

School Disco

Friday week (in Week 10) sees our Term 1 disco take place. There are two timeslots: K – 2 are from  5.45 – 6.30; Years 3 – 6 are from 6.45pm – 7.45pm. All parents are invited to stay for the Disco to assist with supervision. My thanks to the Community Council for their support and coordination of the disco, and to one of our dads, Daniel Muller, for being the DJ on the evening.

ANZAC Day Liturgy

Finally, a reminder too that Year 4 are leading the school in our ANZAC Day celebration and commemoration, from 12pm Friday Week 10. This is due to the fact that ANZAC day falls in the school holidays. All parents are invited to attend.

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

This is the LAST WEEK for Caritas donations. Last year our school raised $1,400 for Project Compassion and this year our current total is $482.50.

TAPITAS- This year our school will be focusing on raising money for drinking water. We have a whole school display, where each class will receive a ‘water drop’ for every $5 raised. The children will be learning more about Project Compassion in class during Friday Prayer and at morning assemblies. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

We had a wonderful Reconciliation Retreat last Friday at Holy Trinity School and Church. I would like to thank Sarah Walsh, Paul Jenkins and Alison Hackwill for helping to make the day very special for the students. 

Any further enquiries relating to the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be directed to the Parish Office ( 6281 3999/ wodennorth@cg.org.au ). 

Upcoming dates to remember: 

• SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION: Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Tuesday, 7th May

EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

 Gospel- Mark 16:1-7

Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, has risen.

Reflecting on Easter, Pope Francis highlights the importance of ‘walking away from the tomb.’ Once found, faith must be lived.

As Saint Peter said, ‘we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people.’ Easter is, in a sense, the starting point of our Christian responsibilities.

Living the Easter mystery means becoming a joyful Easter people.

We must, therefore, be open to action and change. We cannot become stuck in our ways, crippled by doubt, despair or habit. As Pope Francis says, Easter shows us that ‘it is always possible to begin anew, because there is always a new life that God can awaken in us in spite of all our failures.’

The annual celebration of Easter reminds us that what we celebrate is present here and now. Ours is a living faith. As the Pope adds, ‘faith is not an album of past memories; Jesus is not outdated. He is alive here and now.’ Easter is a celebration of the mystery that Jesus is present. He is here, in both the needy of the world and through the actions of His followers.

So, having celebrated the mystery, we are sent forth to live it. ‘Having made himself present in the heart of our world,’ the Pope points out, Jesus ‘invites us to overcome barriers, banish prejudices and draw near to those around us every day in order to rediscover the grace of everyday life.’

Adapted by Nick Brodie

Blessings for the week ahead, and wishing you a very Happy Easter.

Amanda Basedow

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

EASTER HAT PARADE

Thursday 28^th March at Morning Assembly

Easter is almost here!

To celebrate we invite children to create an Easter hat and join in the parade next Thursday morning. 

This will take place at the morning assembly from 9am.  

 We will also be announcing the winners of the Easter colouring competition and egg-guessing competition!

A reminder to return the colouring competition to teachers by Monday 25^th March. 

Parents are welcome to stay and watch the parade!

SCHOOL DISCO

It's disco time!!

 Friday 5^th April in the school hall

 Kinder- Year 2: 5:45- 6:30pm

Years 3-6: 6:45-7:45pm

Tickets are $5 per child and available to purchase on Qkr!

Children will receive a drink, snacks and glowstick

We thank Daniel Muller, our new school DJ!

We look forward to a night of fun and dancing

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Alexander Q

Patrick C

Oliver B

Aashka K

Benjamin E

Isla V

Edward N

Leopold G

Hanshika M

Zaher H

Noah G

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday 4 April at 2.15 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Indie G, 6W; Cameron B, 6W

Canteen Award: Tenzing N, 5W

Learning Support Awards:

Dushan D, 6W; Paedjung Y, 1W; Joaquin C, 1M

(please note that LS awards are given to any child in the school that the Classroom Support Assistants have noticed doing something wonderful): 

This week, on Monday (25/3/24)  Mr Lee, Principal at MacKillop College, and some students, came to Sts Peter and Paul and introduced the students to the feeling of high schools. They showed us what high school is like and what you should expect from it. They have 42 different sports, you don’t have to play for the MacKillop school team, the school gives you a choice (because you might have good friends in a different team, not on the schools team).

On Tuesday (26/3/24) Year 1 did a lLturgy on Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem. Year 1 presented it beautifully.

Today (Wednesday) Year 5 continued the Easter Liturgies with another magnificent performance.

Tomorrow, on Thursday, Year 6 students are going to be performing the part of the Liturgy after Year 5’s performance, the Stations of the Cross. Make sure to visit the Year 6 Liturgy (it’ll be great!).

Felix, Finn, and Angad

We have over 100 overdue Library books! If you have some at home please return them to the Library- a reminder also to treat our books carefully! Many of the plastic protective covers are coming back damaged. It takes time and money to replace these…. Which means less time for me to get our new books onto the shelves. Thank you for your assistance with this! 

Book Club Issue 2 closes this Friday

• Thank you to families who have placed orders already. Orders close Friday Week 9- 29th March. All orders are placed online- please note we do not accept cash or orders at school as all orders are placed online. Click here to access an online version: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/ 

You are encouraged to download the LOOP app which is an easy way for parents to order book club. 

Please note orders will take approximately 1 week to be delivered to school after the issue closing date (not when you place the order). 

Lunchtimes in the Library

The Library is open at Lunchtimes (after eating time) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for children to come and read, draw or play quietly.  

Library days for Classes

Library Request! 

Do you have any small blue items around your house? In preparation for the National Simultaneous Storytime next Term, I am asking families to bring in anything blue to create a display- similar to what is in the photo below. Please ensure items are clean eg. yoghurt tops. Thank you in advance and to those families who have bought in blue items already.

Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Every year, tens of thousands of students across the ACT participate in the Chief Minister’ Reading Challenge. The Challenge aspires to allow every young person in the ACT to discover the joy reading can bring. 

Sts Peter and Paul Primary is proud to have every child registered in the Challenge again this year! To complete the challenge, students need to read 30 books within the timeframe. The 30 books can be from class reading and individual reading. Fiction or non-fiction, poetry, EBooks (including on SORA), audio books, graphic books, home books and of course library books. As long as the books are age appropriate! Students can read the books themselves, listen to an adult or older sibling read to them, listen to an audio book or read a book online. 

The challenge runs from Monday 12 February until Friday 5 July 2024

Winning schools will be invited to the National Library of Australia to receive their School Awards. Students who successfully complete the CMRC will receive an individual award as well. When the challenge has finished I will hand out raffle tickets to those that have participated and prizes are given to each grade level from our book club funds. There will also be class prizes for the classes who have everyone participate!  The Challenge is also grateful for the support of the event sponsor, Paperchain Bookstore-Manuka. 

https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/additional-programs/chief_ministers_reading_challenge/winners-of-the-challenge

Happy reading!

Amanda Basedow 

Teacher Librarian

amanda.basedow@cg.catholic.edu.au

Cross Country

We are crossing our fingers that the weather continues to be beautiful out and grounds will be dry for us to have our Cross Country Carnival next Wednesday. If the weather doesn’t agree with us, we will make an announcement on Facebook and Compass to let you know that we will have a regular school day and reschedule our Carnival. Thank you for your understanding.

If all goes according to plan and our Carnival goes ahead, students in Years 2-6 will be leaving school at 9:15am and travelling by foot to Eddison Park. Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 will be leaving school at 9.50am. All students will return to school at 11am. (Please note that these are approximate times.)

Please find information below in relation to the time and approximate distance your child/ren will be running on the day.

All students will need to wear their sports uniform and runners. On the day, children may wear a house colour t-shirt instead of their school sport shirt if they would like. (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). Coloured T-shirts are available to purchase through our uniform shop.

Children will need to apply sunscreen before coming to school and bring their hat and drink bottle with them to Eddison Park. 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.

Holding this carnival enables us to select students to represent our school at the South/Weston Region Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 4th June. Students who are turning 8 and over this year may be considered for representative selection. 

Thank you to the parents who have offered to volunteer on Wednesday. Our Carnivals wouldn’t be possible without you! You will receive an email from us on Monday with more information about this day.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic day of running together!

Swimming News

Swimming Carnival Ribbons

A huge congratulations to all the students who received ribbons at our morning assemblies for their superb swimming efforts at our School Swimming Carnival. We are so proud of you all! 

Well done to the following students who were our Age Champions:

Junior: Hugo G & Emily G

11 Years: Matthew R & Evie B

Senior: Harry G & Ava G

South Western Swimming

South/Weston Region Swimming Carnival Friday 5th April at the Stromlo Leisure Centre, Corner of Uriarra Road and, Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo.

A special congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent our school at this carnival: Ava G, Eve R, Hannah A, Emily G, Evie B, Alex B, Isabel W, Olive I, Eliana B, Freyja S, Leo G, Oscar S, George F, Hugo G, Chen-An L, Matthew R & David C. We wish you all the best if you have been chosen to compete in your races in Week 10.

Kind regards,

Luke Gubler

5 White Classroom Teacher

Sports Coordinator

This week we enjoyed sushi. The children had so much fun making their very own rolls. They used ingredients from the five food groups so they know what they are eating is healthy. 

The garden is growing beautifully and our seedlings are growing too. Our fingers are crossed that they will soon be big enough to transplant to grow even bigger in a garden bed. 

We are looking for volunteers to water the garden in the holidays. Please send an email to katherine.birch @cg.catholic.edu.au if you can assist. 

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy Easter. 

The Garden Club

MALTESER FUDGE

Ingredients

2 pkts maltesers (family size)

395 gr tin condensed milk

250 gr pkt dark chocolate bits

250 gr pkt milk chocolate bits

Method

Line a rectangular slice tray with baking paper.

Place enough maltesers to cover the bottom of the slice tray and allow the chef to taste any leftovers for quality control!

Place the dark and milk chocolate in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted, smooth and glossy.

Add the condensed milk and mix until combined, remove from the heat.

Pour mixture over the maltesers, ensuring they are all covered.

Refrigerate the slice for approximately 30 minutes or until set.

Cut into squares to serve and enjoy! 

THE CANTEEN IS CASHLESS FOR ALL LUNCH ORDERS

 Families are required to place ALL lunch orders via Qkr! before 8.45am

 Please purchase over-the-counter sale items (snacks & treats) for your child in a lunch order.

Ice creams are the only counter sales at lunch time in Term 1.

 Purchase a “daily counter sales voucher” via Qkr! for your child to go to the canteen to collect an ice cream at lunchtime.

CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

Thank you, helpers; your assistance is very much appreciated!

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

TERM 1 CANTEEN ROSTER

 If you have any spare time and would like to help 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 slot a time in.

 https://stpandp.schoolzineplus.com/Term1Roster

All volunteers must have a WWVP card.

 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.

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.

The School Uniform is available via Qkr!
Tuesdays - Fridays, orders will be delivered to your child’s classroom. Orders need to be placed before 8.45 am. 

Please visit the schools website for the Uniform price list.

Winter is almost here!  Get in early and beat the rush. 

Winter School Uniform available on Qkr!

All summer second hand clothing $2!!!

Next Tuesday 8.30am -9.30am

 The Uniform shop is stocked up with second hand uniforms, please visit on a Tuesday morning to purchase second hand uniform.

The uniform shop is limited with space, and we need to clear the space.

HOUSE COLOUR T-SHIRTS. 

Cost $10.

 Are you having trouble finding a plain t-shirt for the carnivals?

We sell plain house colour t-shirts ready for the swimming carnival.

 With 100% breathable soft cotton and UPF rated sun protection for year round.

 Sizes range from 4-16.  Available on Qkr!

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au