Dear Parents and Carers

“I fully believe that goodness and life and creativity of the spirit exists between people, not within people.”

• Pastor Jon Owen

Last week, I referenced JRR Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, and I made mention of other writers who have drawn from him lessons on how to live life, stay happy and be healthy. This week, I have drawn from Pastor Jon Owens, who runs the Wayside Chapel in Sydney, and his remarkable recipe for living a good life and staying mentally healthy. The quote above speaks to the very relational perspective that Jon brings to life and to his work, which involves working with the destitute in inner-Sydney. His attitude of hope was not lightly earned, for he himself has dealt with numerous setbacks and difficulties. The ABC article below both speaks to his journey and the wisdom he has gained, with his 6 rules that he lives by. My hope is that all families might find something of value and worth in his life story, or perhaps it might even be of benefit for someone you love.

Jon Owen article

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

The second half of Term 2 sees the teachers working particularly hard to gather and draw together assessments and data, in order to weave together the information required to informatively report on your child’s learning over Semester 1. Reports will be published via Compass Monday Week 10 (July 1^st). Parent teacher interviews will take place in Week 9.

Bookings for Parents Teacher Interviews in Week 9 will open at 3:30pm on Friday (14^th June) and will close at 3pm on Friday 21^st of June. Teachers will be available on Monday 24^th of June, Tuesday 25^th June and Wednesday 26^th June. Teachers will make themselves available until 6:30pm on the Tuesday evening. Reports will be issued on Monday of Week 10 following the interviews. 

Student Achievement

Recent days has seen a number of students achieve considerable success and contribute to their broader community. Last Friday, Katie McGregor (Year 6 teacher) and I attended a presentation at the John Curtin Medical Research Centre, at the A.N.U., to see Indie G in Year 6 be recognised with her friend Zara for raising over $16 000 for brain cancer research. Indie and her friend achieved this by making, and selling, many jewellery items, including many earrings. It is by any measure a remarkable achievement, and I congratulate Indie for her selfless work and tireless dedication. I am very proud of her. Congratulations, Indie!

This Friday, two extraordinary athletes are representing the Woden regions at the A.C.T. Cross Country finals. Isabel W and Eve R, in the Under 12s and Under 8s respectively, will put their talents and abilities to good use, and compete for an opportunity to represent the A.C.T. at the National Trials. Again, I am very proud of the girls, and I wish them the very best this Friday.

Retreat Day and Confirmation

This Friday, all Year 6 students are participating in the Confirmation Retreat Day at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin. This is in conjunction with students from Holy Trinity. This day affords the students the opportunity to reflect upon their journey thus far, and to consider how their own gifts can be used for the betterment of the world around them. Our students who are receiving the Sacrament are doing so over one of two nights next week: either Tuesday June 18^th or Wednesday June 19^th. My thanks to Katie McGregor, Amanda Basedow, Fr John and the parish team, the staff here and at Holy Trinity and all parents, for their great support of our students.

Working Bee

A reminder that we are holding a Working Bee this Sunday at 9am at the school. I invite all parents to come along and contribute to the beautifying of our school. If you can make it, please email Samantha Mance at Samantha.mance@cg.catholic.edu.au

Have a wonderful week with your families.

Best wishes

Cameron Johns

Principal

Vinnies Winter Appeal 2024

Every year our school supports the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Over the next few weeks we are seeking donations to help those in need this Winter. Classes have donation tubs and we are asking for the following items in particular (see below). Thank you for the wonderful support shown last Friday for our PJ day! We raised over $270 and each class had lots of donations which Vinnies will be very grateful for. If you would like to still donate winter clothing or toiletry items, please do so before this Friday. 

Sacramental News

Please continue to pray for our students as they prepare to make the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

It was lovely seeing so many families at the Stole Night last Thursday night. This Friday all of Year 6 will be attend the Confirmation Retreat Day at Holy Trinity. Please ensure the permission form has been completed on Compass. 

DATES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2024

RECONCILIATION:

As part of the program of preparation please take your child to Reconciliation, any Saturday 5-5.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin

RETREAT AND PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN (all Year 6 students to attend):

Holy Trinity School Hall 9am-2.30pm Friday 14 June 2024, 18-20 Theodore Street, Curtin

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION: Families to attend one of the following nights:

Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Tuesday 18 June 2024

Holy Trinity Church, Curtin 6pm Wednesday 19 June 2024

Enquiries to: Parish of Transfiguration, North Woden,

3 Strangways Street, Curtin ACT 2605 or wodennorth@cg.org.au Ph.: 6201 3999

Gospel

Mark 4:26-34

The mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds, grows into the biggest shrub of all.

This week’s gospel is a wonderful example of the teaching style of Jesus. It even tells us that ‘he would not speak to them except in parables’. Jesus used the parable form almost exclusively to share his message. He used imagery that was familiar to his audience; parables about the everyday life of a rural community: seeds, planting, growing, harvesting. The secret of Jesus’ parables, when we understand the cultural context, is that there was always a ‘twist in the tale’ – what is called a ‘discombobulating shift’ – that turns the expected outcome of the story on its head.

This is nowhere more evident than in the image of the mustard seed. On the surface the parable is about the kingdom of God starting from very small, humble beginnings and growing into something great. However, immediately prior to this kingdom parable, Jesus has reminded us that the community makes a living out of growing grain crops like wheat for bread, etc. His parable about the mustard seed describes a tiny seed that grows into a great shrub ‘so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade’. A farming community that was growing grain crops would be greatly alarmed at the thought of actually attracting birds to their fields or even nearby. Jesus’ message about the kingdom of God is that it is actually disruptive and invasive. The kingdom brings unrest and disquiet to the predictable. The kingdom of God is unsettling. This is a much more challenging parable than it appears from a literal reading.

Gospel Focus – The Kingdom of God

The references to the kingdom of God in the gospels always carry a paradox. It exists in the present, yet is something to be achieved in the future. It is here, but not yet. If we live ‘as if’ we are living in the kingdom here and now then we hasten its coming. The kingdom of God is not a place but a way in which the world operates. It is a kingdom that is ruled by justice and gives precedence to those who are regarded as nothing in the world. It is a kingdom of promise and hope that inspires and calls all people to more than they currently are.

Scriptural context – Kingdom Parables

Jesus sought to describe the kingdom of God by comparison and analogy – ‘The kingdom of God is like … ’; ‘To what can we compare the kingdom of God?’ He never gave a lecture about the kingdom, rather, he painted a picture in terms that were readily recognised by his audience but forced them to think differently about the image he used. It forced them to think about themselves and their world in a different way. Kingdom parables begin innocently enough with a familiar image but very quickly shift to a challenge about the way we normally perceive things. The kingdom is often portrayed as a contradiction.

Living the Gospel – Seed on the land

The first parable in the gospel passage describes the unerring work of the kingdom. It is like the seed that almost magically transforms into a fully grown plant that may be harvested – apparently without any external forces. Of course, we know that plants need to be fed, watered, weeded and nurtured to ensure their proper growth. However, the kingdom of God works in our lives in a similar way – if we feed and nurture it, the kingdom will produce a great harvest. Even if we don’t pay it attention, the kingdom is present and acting in our world.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Blessings for the week ahead,

Amanda Basedow- Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Mrs Mance has asked me to write to you to introduce myself as I will be spending time with your children in the school. My name is Bernadette Johnson and I’m the new student welfare chaplain. I, like your teachers, am very excited to work with you and your family to bring the word of God to the children I accompany. I will spend Monday and Tuesday in the school. Please say hello if you see me.

I hope to bring special courses to your school that support children such as the Seasons for Growth and the Cool Kids programs. I would very much like to help with the preparation for the Sacraments and the masses to celebrate with our beautiful children and their families.

I am married and raising five children with my husband of 22 years. I have been a religion teacher at high school and a stay at home mum. I have been a long time volunteer in my own parish and the Archdiocese and now look forward to serving the community of Sts Peter and Paul in my role as chaplain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to those students who are celebrating their birthday this week

Henry E

Zaccharias L

Olive McG

Freyja S

Cruz A

Awards will be presented at our assembly on Thursday, 20 June at 2.15 in the school hall.

Principal's Award: Grace B, 4W

Learning Support Awards: Madison H, 1M; Joaquin C, 1M; Penny A, 2M; Matilda R, KM

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

At Sts Peter and Paul, we are all SainTS - Succeeding Together Safely.

This term we are unpacking our behaviour expectation of Succeeding.

 

Succeeding means trying your best, having courage, and embracing challenges.

SWPB Fortnight Focus Weeks 7-8

Try Your Best 

Our focus for the next fortnight is -  Try Your Best. This fortnight at school we are seeing multiple examples of our students trying their best. Our Kindergarten students are remembering that mistakes are okay and we can learn from them, while our Year 5 students are actively seeking feedback in all learning areas. We are seeing lots of smiles on our students' faces after they have tried their best and made progress with their learning.

Today we will be talking to you about pyjama day which was last week and what we thought of it: Well in my opinion I think that it was a good idea and that we should raise more money and help the homeless and that it is good to let students express themselves with pyjamas and free clothes. It is also nice seeing everyone’s cool pyjamas and clothes. I would like to give everyone a shoutout on their cool pyjamas, both students and teachers. I would like nothing more than to thank you for all of your donations.

These few weeks have been very exciting and busy as Year Six had our very first Youth Ministry Assembly. We talked about our school's positive behaviour and did a talk about Pyjama Day and about the gold coin donations and how you had to bring a gold coin donation to wear your Pyjamas. Students can bring new winter items such as beanies and scarves to keep those in need warm and cosy. You can also bring toothbrushes, warm gloves and extra socks. 

Your class has a bucket to put all your donations in for the winter appeal.

Last week we also had our Malkara walks. I love seeing their smiles and everyone had a wonderful time walking with the Malkara students.

Zozo and Palden

Year 6 Students

Amelia McInerney Author Visit for Kinder, Year 1 & Year 2- this Thursday!

We had a wonderful visit from local author Amelia McInerney last week! We were the first school to read her newest release Jeff the Giraffe and also all of her wonderful books. It was fun learning about the writing process and how many drafts authors go through to get the perfect book! Amelia also shared where she gets her inspiration from and also how important it is to read a lot to get better at writing

Please see the information below as Amelia has kindly extended the order times incase any families want to purchase books from The Book Cow. She will sign them and the book shop will deliver them to school. Signed books are always our favourites in the Library- they also make great gifts! 

Please take note of your child or children’s library days. Kinder- Year 4 must have a Library Bag to borrow books to take home. 

Mondays- 2M, KW & Library Admin

Tuesdays- 3M, 3W, 1W, KM

Wednesdays- 4M, 4W, 5W, 2W

Thursdays- 5M, 6W, 1M & Library Admin 

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

Happy reading!

Amanda Basedow 

Teacher Librarian

A week in the garden without rain saw our Garden Club harvest our potatoes. A very exciting time! They look awesome and there are more to come. Next week we will continue, and replant the small ones.

The children continue to learn about fruit in cooking and made some magnificent fruit skewers. Everyone agreed that fruit is very yummy and important to have every day as it gives our bodies energy and vitamins and minerals.

The Garden Club

CHOCOLATE POTATO CAKE

Ingredients

125 g butter

2/3 cup caster sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup mashed potato

1 1/4 cups self raising flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup milk

Icing sugar, to serve

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees, grease and line a cake tin with baking paper.

Beat butter and sugar in a bowl with electirc beaters until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time until all combined.

Stir in the mashed potato and flour, then add the cocoa powder and milk. Stir to combine.

Pour mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Turn cake out onto a wire rack to cool and dust with icing sugar before serving. 

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.

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

WEEK 8,  CANTEEN VOLUNTEER ROSTER

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

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

Are you able to help in the canteen?

TERM 2 CANTEEN ROSTER OUT NOW

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/T2Roster

  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.

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. 

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 opening hours and I will do my best to attend your needs. 

Please note, the uniform shop is unable to accept donations now.  We will advise once we will accept donations again.

Lauretta Raccosta

Uniform Shop

Lauretta.raccosta@cg.catholic.edu.au