I have returned this week after time at the Principals meeting, conferences and caring for my dad to be greeted with our playground looking fantastic with the new shade structures up. We have also finally finished the hall upgrade with a new projector being installed. We have all this fantastic new infrastructure because of the great work of our P&F fundraising over the past couple of years. I thank them for their efforts and your support of them. I look forward to one of our last fundraisers for the year - the Short Supper on Saturday. Thanks to Kylie & Cassie and their band of helpers to get this event off the ground.

Staffing

I am pleased to announce that after a selection process Mrs Cassie Harris has been appointed as the Religious Co-ordinator at Ss Peter and Pauls from 2023 onwards. We look forward to her continued leadership of RE in our school.

Kinder 2023 Orientation #1

We had lovely orientation sessions on Monday with our new Kinder students for 2023 who seemed to enjoy their visit to the school. I hope they are as keen on the their first day next year!

SCHOOL STARTS BACK NEXT YEAR FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS ON 31^st JANUARY 2023

Children's Play

At the Australian Primary Principals conference I attended in Sydney we were given an insight to the importance of play in our students lives. The time children are spending on physical play is becoming less & less. Play helps children to build healthy relationships and good mental health. I urge you to think how much time your child is spending on devices rather playing. An interesting article is attached below.

Information from Transport for NSW>>

Applications for student travel in 2023 opened on Monday 10 October 2022. Students who need a travel pass for 2023 can apply now.

A new application will need to be submitted if:

• they are applying for the first time, or
• if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2023 school year.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, we will send an expiry notification via email.

Travel from Term 1 2023

We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid School Travel Pass to travel from the start of the school year.

Applications for 2023 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel open at the start of Term 4 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.

The start of the year is a busy period for local transport operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations difficult.

We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a Travel Pass for the start of term. Parents should contact their local bus operator (PBC Buses 02 4821 2320) to discuss their travel needs. Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.

Our Year 3 students are currently preparing for their Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep all these students in your prayers.

It was so nice to see all the parents at our Kindergarten Liturgy on open day and the Stage 1 Liturgy last Tuesday. How nice it has been to welcome you all back in our chapel after Covid. We look forward to seeing lots of parents at our Advent Liturgy on November 29th and our end of year and graduation Mass on December 6th. 

We are also looking forward to the reopening of the Cathedral on Wednesday the 30^th of November and are currently preparing a small art project to be included on the day. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the finished product. 

Congratulations to the following students for their ICAS awards for Writing

Participation: Majd Kdady & Stephen Watson

Merit: Clare Howard

Credit: Oscar Martin

Congratulations and Well Done!

Baylee, Artie, Taavi, Ava, Harlow, Isabelle, Molly, Ella, Harriett, CJ, Isaac, Charlie, Austin, James, Zach, Charli, Carter, Reuben, Olivia, Dakota, Zaide, Phoebe, Mason, Frankie

Congratulations to CJ who was our Mercy Value award winner for Week 5!

Reflections- Watercolour on card 

Blossoms- Felt pens and paint. 

Some 'November' themed poetry from 3/4C

Hi, my name is Leanne Fawcett and I am pleased to be working with the students, staff and families at Ss Peter and Paul’s. I am here to provide therapeutic counselling to students and families and to work alongside school staff regarding student welfare and classroom issues.

When will I be at the school: I will be at the school every Friday

How can you can refer your child to the student and Family Counsellor: Speak to your teacher or complete the online referral form.

We have been getting a large amount of forgotten lunches and unpaid IOUs. This is a huge strain on the canteen manually and financially. Below are a few procedures put in place to keep the canteen running smoothly and effectively.

• How to Order – place order on the Qkr app or write order on a paper bag with cash inside. 
• QKR! Orders – are due by 9.00am on the day. Please remember that you can order up to a fortnight before. Also check that you have selected the correct day. 
• Cancelled QKR! Orders - if you have placed an order and your child is not at school that day, you can cancel your order by going into “activities” and click on the minus icon before 9.00am. If you need to cancel the order after 9.00am you need to call the office or text Di on 0417 688 472 ASAP. If the order has already been prepared or made you may not receive a credit. 
• No Lunch – if your child realises that they don’t have lunch before 9.30am a phone call will be made to parents. If lunch cannot be brought up to school, then the canteen can make lunch and an IOU will be sent home. If they realise after 9.30am a phone call will be made but only a sandwich can be made from the canteen - no hot food. 
• Unpaid IOUs – please remember to pay your IOUs ASAP, either on Qkr or cash. Please check your child's school bag for these, or you can contact the canteen to get your balance.