Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had a very settled first full week back. A few of the students have been understandably anxious about returning to school on a regular basis, but generally it has been a good week for all of us. The wellbeing information distributed by Mr Douglas last week received excellent feedback. If you have not had an opportunity, have a look at the material as it will assist the children and ourselves in the return to whatever workplace we are returning to.

The drop off and pick up procedures have continued to be monitored to see how we can assure students and adults remain socially distanced and safe. In the morning the gates on North and Osborne streets are used as drop off points for the students. This procedure is in place to allow for a quick drop off and exit by parents. In the afternoon, parents enter the school through the same gates and move in a circular motion as per the diagram below. To ensure the safety and social distancing for the bus students in the afternoon, students are only allowed to exit through the bus gates on Shoalhaven street. Parents are required to walk around the corner to North St and enter and exit through the gates. Parents of students in Year 4 and Year 6 now have a designated pick up waiting point, near the school canteen. I do thank all parents for their ongoing co-operation with these social distancing procedures. They are only in place to keep the students safe.

An interim student progress report has been designed by CEO Wollongong and will be used to provide information about student engagement and effort in the first half of the year. These reports will be available at the end of Week 9 through the Compass Portal. Parent teacher interviews will occur in Week 10 this term or Week 1 next term.

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. While we are still unable to attend mass due to social distancing requirements from the NSW State Government, the church year continues. At Pentecost over two thousand years ago, the Apostles and their followers were gathered in a room. Jews from all over the world were gathered with Peter, the leader of the Apostles and the Eleven. At this time, a great wind blew and a flame appeared as a tongue of fire, which split itself into many individual flames above the heads of all those present. The Holy Spirit came upon these people and each began to speak in tongues. Despite the fact many had no common language, they were perfectly able to understand one another.

People had gathered outside the room and Peter arose and explained to the crowd that speaking in tongues was the work of the Holy Spirit as prophesised in the scripture. Peter then called all those present to be baptised and about three thousand people were baptised that day. These people were among the first Catholics, and on that day, Peter became the first Pope of the Catholic Church. Pentecost is known as the birthday of our Catholic Church. The symbols of Pentecost are the flame, wind, and the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. The colour of Pentecost is red and the priest wears red vestments on this day. Parishioners are also invited to wear red on this day. Red decorations as well as celebrations are appropriate, similar to any other birthday. Special prayers are often said just for Pentecost.

The following two minute slideshow explains what Pentecost is about.

https://bustedhalo.com/video/in2min/pentecost-in-two-minutes

Enjoy your weekend.

Yours in Faith and Virtue,

Mr Christopher Paton

Don't Forget About The Isolation Bake Off!!!!!

Defence Community Organisation Nowra invites you to get creative in the kitchen.

Bake a cake, cupcakes or cookies and decorate using the colours of your chosen Defence Force Service (Navy, Army, Air Force). Spice it up by adding in a ship/helicopter/aeroplane/submarine or anything you can think of! Innovative creations will win a first prize worth $50, a second prize worth $40 or a third prize worth $30.

Where: Your kitchen

To Enter: Submit a photo of your entry to dco.canberra-nowra@defence.gov.au by Friday 29 May 2020.

More Information: dco.canberra-nowra@defence.gov.au or 02 4421 3855. Images must be no bigger than 4MB in size. Winners may be showcased on DCO social media sites.

If you require any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Renee Wenban

Defence School Mentor

The canteen is open from Tuesday to Friday every week. 

We have a NEW limited menu this term (see attached) so please pop it on the fridge or in your child's diary for safe keeping. 

The preferred method for ordering lunch is online, however cash is still accepted.