HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

As a Catholic school, this week has been very important and special for us. As you will have read in our previous newsletters and through your children’s learning, Lent is the season of preparation for Easter, which is the pinnacle of Catholic faith through understanding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. You will see in our newsletter this week and on our social media, examples of the celebrations of our faith through our school activities.

We wish all of our families and wider community a Holy Easter and a well earned long weekend! Please feel very welcome in our Parish to attend and celebrate any of our special days as below.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION CONSENT AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY STUDENT USER AGREEMENT

You will by now have received a jotform, permission & consent via Compass,  and perhaps an email reminder to complete these two important permissions. These are revised due to changes at our Diocesan level, and are required to be completed. We appreciate prompt attention to the jotform and ask that if you have any questions, you firstly direct these to your child’s class teacher and if needed they will then be passed on to our office.

See further in newsletter for details.

MISSION

WISHING ALL OUR ST PETER'S COMMUNITY A SAFE AND HOLY EASTER !

EASTER MASS TIMES:

Friday 29 March - Good Friday

10.00am Stations of the Cross - St Agnes’ Church.

3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion - St Agnes’ Church; St Mary Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie; and Christ the King Chapel.

Saturday 30 March - Holy Saturday

7.30pm Easter Vigil Mass - St Agnes’ Church.

Sunday 31 March – Easter Sunday

7.30am and 9.00am Mass - St Agnes’ Church.

8.00am Mass - St Mary Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie.

9.30am Mass - St Francis of Assisi Chapel.

(No 5.00pm Mass)

HOLY WEEK @ ST PETER'S

This week, classes walked around the school to view window displays, reflecting Holy Week events. This experience was part of their Holy Week learning during Religious Education and was a great opportunity for teachers to tell the story of Holy Week 'from the Heart'. Here are some snapshots from the year level group window displays covering these parts of Holy Week:

PALM SUNDAY: Years 1-2

HOLY THURSDAY - LAST SUPPER: Years 3-4

HOLY THURSDAY - GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - Year 5

GOOD FRIDAY- Year 6 

JESUS IS RISEN (Symbols of new life) - Kinder

KINDER CELEBRATION OF THE WORD

Friday 5th April

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

MONDAY 8TH APRIL 

As part of the celebrations children will receive an iced cupcake. There will be an allergy friendly option available which is (vegan gluten, egg, dairy and nut free). Please email your child’s teacher if this option is unsuitable for your child’s dietary requirements and send in an alternative treat. 

COLOUR FOR CARITAS

WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL

 

Year 6 students have been busy preparing for Colours for Caritas as a part of their Catholic mission focus on giving during Lent. In small groups, Year 6 students  are working to create a variety of fun stalls for students to participate in, including - Zooper Doopers, biscuit decorating, basketball shootouts, hairspray, face painting, and much much more. Students from Kinder to Year 5 are invited to bring in money on the day. They will enjoy the activities organised by Year 6 and all monies raised will go towards the Catholic mission Caritas charity. 

LEARNING

ATTENDANCE

LEARNING GROWTH CAN OCCUR WHEN YOUR CHILD ATTENDS SCHOOL EVERY DAY

By attending school every day, students maximise their exposure to educational opportunities, engage in meaningful learning experiences, and lay the foundation for continuous academic progress. Regular attendance provides students with the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and collaborate with others, enhancing their understanding of the material.

Parents and educators play important roles in fostering an environment that promotes and values regular attendance, contributing to the overall success and wellbeing of students.

SNAP SHOT OF YEAR 6 LEARNING

SCIENCE

Year 6 have been exploring ethical and sustainable farming practices from around the Mid North Coast, Australia and the World. They have been investigating ways in which farming practices, such as machinery and watering systems can be made and run more efficiently and environmentally friendly. On Monday, students had the opportunity to design and construct their own sustainable farm machines using lego spike kits and coding programs. Here are some examples of the innovative designs created by Year 6.

WRITING

Students in Year 6 have been busy creating narratives which engage and evoke emotions in their audience. They have been investigating the structure of narratives by unpacking the novel ‘Storm Boy’ by Colin Thiele.  Here are some beautiful snippets from student samples:

Storm Boy looked out of the car window at the gloomy, stormy sky, with the great grey clouds sitting aloft, surrounded by the absent presence of sunlight. The tall tussocks, raging waves and looming fog were not unusual on 90 Mile beach. The savoury smell of sea salt brought back memories of spending days searching and scouring the beach for sea treasures, and not being confined within a classroom.  Harrison Egan Blake

Nestled deep in Adelaide lies a large boarding school that Storm Boy attends. Overlooking the crashing waves in the raging sea Storm Boy sits another test on top of the 30 he has already taken. As he stares out the fogged up window with fingerprints and dirt smeared all over it he studies the beautiful big blue ocean and wishes he could go back where he belonged, on the beach. He can't wait to get back to feel the warm golden sand on his bare feet as he runs along the shoreline. Only one more minute to go until the rusty old bell rings and he is dismissed for the summer. Only hoping that everything in his paradise will be just the same. Grace Halverson

As the sun slowly rises over the deep blue horizon, the sunny beaches of the Coorong return after the endless winter months. The golden sand dances in the early morning wind intertwining and whirling into gleaming rocky sculptures. The clouds calmly drift over the clear blue sky like wooden tugboats over a tranquil lake. High in the sky are two proud pelicans positioned where the sun’s light meets the shore, there they fly higher than the clouds until they eventually meet Storm boy’s endless gaze. Lexie Bayer

ART

Year 6 have been viewing and responding to artworks centred around the theme of portraits. The following self-portraits are inspired by the artworks of Alexej von Jawlensky. Students selected shades of colour to demonstrate their emotions. Check out these wonderful and creative examples by our Year 6 students.

CREATIVE DANCE - 'LIP SYNC DANCES'

 

Tess Koning Principal

Karen Robson Assistant Principal Learning

Rebecca Cameron Assistant Principal Mission

Consent for the Digital Technology Agreement Jotform is due via Compass, by Wednesday 10 April.

IMPORTANT - If you have 'consented' without completing the Agreement Form please go back to the event  - the link to the form is available in the Event description and Event Resources. 

TIP - open in browser for easier access!
Please contact the school office if you need assistance.

This agreement is designed to ensure that parents and students understand the conditions that apply to using Digital Technology at St Peter’s Primary, Port Macquarie, which is part of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL).  We aim to develop responsible, safe and ethical digital citizens who are proficient in their use of Digital Technologies. 

This agreement encompasses student use of Digital Technologies, covering devices, services (Internet included), and tools like computers, iPads, school networks, online learning platforms, Google Workspace for Education, and controlled technology (e.g., robotics, drones)

Forms must be completed by the due date to ensure your child is able to use Digital Technologies, in the classroom/school as from Term 2 2024.

EISTEDDFOD DANCE

Compass Consent and Payment due 10th April

All students who completed an Expression of Interest for Eisteddford dance have received a Compass Event for consent and payment. Eisteddfod dance begins Monday, Week 1, Term 2.

To commence dancing in Eisteddfod dance Compass permission and payment must be completed by Wednesday 10th April (week 11, Term 1).

Natalie Jennings - Coordinator

PARENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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Click on the school below for more information regarding enrolment and Information Evenings.

Enrol for Kinder 2025 HERE

• Kinder Information Session - Saturday 18 May 2024 @ 9.30 am
• Kinder Tour Date - Saturday 1 June 2024 @ 2 pm 

Register HERE