12th March - St Peter`s Catholic Primary School, Rochedale

NEWSLETTER NO 7
12 MARCH 2015
Dear Families of St Peter’s,
These weeks are rolling by and we are already in the midst of planning for end of term and school
events for Term 2 and beyond. By now everyone is well and truly in the routines of school life again
and all children are established in class. I am always impressed with the way our students work so well
in class with a passion for learning.
We keep the following people in our prayers especially this week ~ families who are experiencing illness and loss among members of their family
Tuckshop
Today we welcomed Mrs Liz Parlamas back to the Tuckshop following her sick leave. It is great to see
Liz back with us and well again.
19 March
Zone 2 Swimming Carnival
23 March
Cross Country Training
Commences
1 April & 2 April
Easter Reflections
2 April
Last Day of Term 1
20 April
School Resumes
Term 2
I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Felysha Johnston for her incredible efforts as the replacement
Tuckshop Convenor during Liz’s absence. Felysha has managed the change of process for ordering very
well with the new online system. All other aspects of the Tuckshop Convenor job have been
accomplished efficiently and enthusiastically as well. Thank you, Felysha for the great work you have
done for us – the students, staff and families of St Peter’s.
I also appreciate the way so many of our parents supported Felysha and worked with her behind the
scenes on Thursdays and Fridays. We have had a lot of volunteers in the tuckshop and it is wonderful
to see this. Thank you to all our volunteers.
School Disco
The School Disco that was originally scheduled for our St Paddy’s Day activity will need to be
rescheduled to early May due to a conflict of dates with the Parish.
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40 Anniversary Committee
2016 will see the 40th Anniversary of St Peter’s School. There is much to celebrate about our
community, from its small beginnings to the flourishing school we have now. I would like to have a
committee of parents and staff formed to plan events for next year. If you are interested in being part
of this committee or have some ideas for ways of celebrating, please send an email to
40thanniversarystpeters@gmail.com
Early Entry Into Prep
The official age requirements for entry into Prep remains at 5 years old by 30 June. There have been
amendments to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 allowing principal discretion in relation to
enrolment applications for students born in July for an Early Entry into Prep. Such discretion is
referred to as “the principal is satisfied the child is ready for education in the year of schooling,
considering the child’s attributes”.
This amendment does not give a child born in July an automatic entry into prep. Rather, this
amendment caters for the small group of children who are more than ready for the routines and
expectations of school life and were born close to the cut-off date.
We have developed a process to follow to help us ascertain the readiness of a student for Early Entry
into Prep, this involves a written report from the current educational setting, the child participating in
a series of screeners, the child spending some time in our Prep unit and a parent questionnaire. Early
Entry into prep applications will be looked at and the process begun in Sept. For Further information
please see the office for an information sheet.
Newsletter
A proposal from this week’s P&F meeting was a Week 1, Week 2 format for the newsletter. Week 1 will have general school news
and information as per our normal format. Week 2 will be dedicated to the P&F entirely. Some parent feedback about the
newsletter was that it can become quite lengthy; this is a way of addressing this issue. I would be interested in your thoughts about
this new way of delivering information to you.
Parent Portal
Our Parent Portal is the place where all information will be storied for current families of the school community. This is being
updated with relevant information for 2015 at the moment. Examples of information you will find on the portal is enrolment, fee,
P&F minutes and OSHC, classes have their work space on it as well.
ROCKS Focus area for this week is the Drop Off / Pick Up Area.
Please refer to the St Peter’s ROCKS matrix for specific information about the drop off / pick up area. We have arranged some spare
seating for parents to make use of while waiting for their children.
Best wishes,
Carolyn Watson
PRINCIPAL
Curriculum Spot: What’s Happening at St. Peters?
Come along and hear the Big Picture!
During 2015 we are holding a number of informal coffee and chat mornings where we will be
focussing on various aspects of school life throughout the year including; our Vision for Learning,
Visible Learning, Behaviour, Religious Education and Reading to Learn. Our first morning will be
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held after assembly on Friday 20 March in the Library meeting room and will be looking at The
BCE strategy for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and our own vision at St. Peters. Come with
questions and I look forward to sharing a cuppa and some great discussion.
See you there!
Merrill
BOOKCLUB
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Last day for Scholastic bookclub is tomorrow Friday the 13 March, please ensure all ordered are returned
to the office in the morning.
2016 ENROLMENTS
Children born between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011 are eligible for Prep in 2016. If you know of any families
who have a child born during this time and they wish to enrol at St Peter’s please let them know that we are
now accepting applications. Please collect enrolment forms from the office or download from the website
http://www.stpetersrochedale.qld.edu.au/
Catholic Identity Project
Very Shortly, Mrs Watson will announce an important initiative that St Peter’s is embarking on. We are asking each family to
participate in an online survey about the Catholic Identity of St Peter’s School. This will produce non identified data and will give us
as a school important information about parent, student and staff perception of the “Catholicity” of our school.
The data collated does not identify families or students, but rather allows families to give their opinion of the strengths of our
community and areas where our community wants to focus on in regards to faith formation. The school uses this data to strategize
and plan initiatives to strengthen our Catholic Identity. The survey will be accessed using a password on a website operated by the
Leuven University Belgium who are the leading institution worldwide in researching the Catholic Identity. We strongly request your
involvement in this initiative.
There will a raffle of 3 x $20 tuckshop vouchers to be won by families who participate in the
Catholic Identity program. Please stay tuned for the email with details of how to participate.
Unlock Your Potential in Lent
We are halfway through Lent. Our 2015 theme Unlock your potential matches up with Lent. Lent
reminds us to turn back to God and to become the person that God wants us to. To show love to
others and to God through prayer, doing good things for others and fasting. Perhaps this week
parents can discuss with their children a plan to do three things that will help someone else.
So Mr Rees has some Lent homework for this week. Doing Good Deeds THIS week

Help do the dishes

Take the bin out

Make bed everyday

Read to brother or sister

Telephone a grandparent
Lent Project Compassion Chick-a-thon
The Chick-a-thon this week continues to grow. Congratulations to all classes who are working hard to show generosity to others in
need.
Chicken Count
262
Parish Preparation and Celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation
Last week the St Peter’s Parish celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time with the students who have been
preparing in the Parish Sacramental Team. Congratulations to our students who mostly are in Year 3. Next term the Parish will begin
the preparation for Confirmation.
Reconciliation Year 4
This week Fr Jacob led the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our Year 4A and 4B classes. Reconciliation is an
important part of the Catholic Church’s teaching about starting again, maintaining relationships through saying sorry and giving and
receiving forgiveness. It is time when the church makes clearly present God’s unending love for all of us no matter what. Gone are
the days where Reconciliation focusses on a God to be feared. Instead the focus is on a God who loves us unconditionally. Students
who are not baptised in the Catholic Church had an opportunity to receive a blessing from Father. Many faiths keep the idea of right
relationships central to their beliefs and this is one way the Catholic Faith encourages this.
We thank Mrs Kelly, Mrs Lomas and Mr Gaffney for preparing the children for this sacred time in the church. Thanks also to Fr Jacob
who made it such a meaningful time for the students. Next week 4C will attend Reconciliation.
Have a super Week
Paul Rees
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Prayer During Week 3 of Lent
God of abundant mercy
we come before you
with open hands and open hearts.
Through your holy wisdom transform us
so that our lives may give witness
to your loving kindness.
When we see pain and sorrow
move us with compassion.
When we see violence and oppression
inspire us to respond with justice and mercy.
Grant this through Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God
for ever and ever.
Amen.
SPORTS NEWS
Swimming Carnival Results:
House Result
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1 Nagle – 473 points
nd
2 Parry – 454 points
rd
3 Enright – 358 points
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4 Murray – 350 points
Age Champions:
9Yrs – Riley Kwiatkowski & William Vig
10Yrs – Jasmine Story & Thomas Johnson
11Yrs- Bailey Day & Xavier-Paris Jolliffe-Martin
12Yrs – Mackenzie Kwiatkowski & Max Johnson
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The Swimming Team will represent St Peter’s next Thursday 19 March at the Zone II Catholic Schools Swim Event. We wish them
good luck and I am sure they will do the school and themselves proud.
Cross Country
Cross Country training continues to bring encouraging numbers each week and we can already see fitness levels gradually
improving. Keep up the great work!
Monday 3-3.30pm
Wednesday 3-3.30pm
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Thursday 7.50-8.20am (No X Country next Thursday 19 March due to Zone Swim Carnival)
Feel free to attend any of the above sessions. No need to sign up – just come along!
Please bring change of footwear/clothing if necessary and a drink bottle. A small snack may be advisable if attending the afternoon
sessions.
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Cross country carnival will now be 8 May, 2015. Sorry for the confusion in last week’s newsletter.
Logan District Sport
Trials continue to be held for various sports within Logan District. We have had several students attend and represent the school
where the main aim is to be selected for the Met East Team and then possible State and National Competitions. Please see Mrs
Dinnen if you are interested in forthcoming U12 Soccer Trials (boys & girls).
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the Logan District Team:
Hunter Titmarsh – AFL
Luke Burke – AFL
We wish them all the best and hope that all their hard work and commitment is recognised as they strive for the next goal of Met
East selection.
Surf Lifesaving
Best of luck to Bailey Day who is taking part in the State Surf Lifesaving Carnival at Maroochydore this weekend. Well done Bailey
for making it this far in the competition and we look forward to hearing on Monday how you performed.
Mrs Dinnen
(HPE Co-ordinator)
TUCKSHOP ROSTER – WEEKS 6
Pease see the tuckshop roster for week 6 & 7
Week
Week 6
Date
Fri
6/3
8.30 – 9.00am
Kerry, Heidi B
Week 7
Thurs
19/3
Melissa B
Week 7
Fri
20/3
Kerry, Heidi B
9.00-11.30am
Renee Mc, Kylie
H, Lisa A
Domonique M
and Amorita O
Tom, Wennie,
AeJung L, Melissa
B
Domonique M,
Kylie H,
Tracey D’E,
Melissa B and
Amoita O
11.30 – 2.00pm
Sarah H, Mary L
and Amorita O
Deb Adans, Tom
Mary L, Sarah H
7 DAY HORSE RIDING CAMP
4 – 11 April and 11 – 18 April
DAY TRIPS AVAILABLE on Mondays & Tuesdays
Riding Camps are for children 6yrs – teens and all riding abilities are catered for.
Camp includes full accommodation and each child is given the privilege of caring for, riding, and
getting to know their very own horse.
There are arena lessons, trail rides twice a day, a gymkhana and fun night activities.
Children enjoy a very happy, healthy outdoor holiday with the opportunity to develop independence and create lifelong friendships
and memories.
For more information please contact us. Phone: 5486 6166 Email: info@kiahpark.com.au
Website: www.kiahpark.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/KiahPark1