Principal’s Message

One of the best parts of my job is connecting with our wonderful school community, which I’ve been proud to be part of for many years. Seeing parents/carers, extended families, and friends come together to support our students is a tremendous strength of St Gregory’s. This term has been filled with opportunities for such connections, including our Open Classroom Afternoon, NAIDOC Mass, Father’s Day Breakfast, various excursions and incursions, St Gregory’s Feast Day Lap-a-thon, Book Week Parades, Northern Region Speaking Competition, Archdiocese Athletics, AFL Finals, Sacrament of Confirmation, GIFT Assembly, and more.

This week is no exception, as we wish our students the best as they showcase their God-given talents on the field, track, or stage, at both the MacKillop Athletic Championships in Homebush and for our Year 5s who perform the highly anticipated Aladdin Jnr Musical at Mackillop College. I would like to additionally thank our Year 5 teaching team: Miss Nolan, Mrs. Spackman, Miss McDonald, Mrs. Farr, and Miss Ferris, for leading, and the many staff and parent hands who have helped with props and costumes behind the scenes. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated parents and staff to ensure our students have life-long memories of their school years.

These and many other gatherings as a school build a positive school culture which is vital for connecting with the community, promoting respect, inclusivity, and a love for learning. The impact of a positive school community is profound, significantly enhancing students’ emotional and physical safety, fostering a sense of belonging, and boosting self-esteem and motivation to learn. Parents play a crucial role in their child’s education, and we strive to maintain strong communication between families and staff to support each child. When students, teachers, and parents work together, it creates an environment where students can thrive.

Staff Updates

Wishing Mrs. Sarah Whalan-Philpott a blessed and joyful maternity leave! May this special time be filled with love, happiness, and precious moments with your new addition. We look forward to your return and hearing all about your wonderful journey into motherhood. Welcome back to Mr. Des Gomez after your Long Service Leave! We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating break. A big thank you to Miss. Kiralee Nolan for stepping up into the role of Religious Education Coordinator. Your dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated!

Class Grouping for 2025

A reminder that we are getting ready to commence building class groups for 2025. If you wish to raise concerns regarding the placement of your children in particular classes, please put your concerns in writing to Mrs. Reedy by Friday of Week 2, Term 4 (25th October). All requests will be considered when classes are determined; however, they cannot be guaranteed. Requests for grouping of friends are not necessary as the teachers will ensure each student has friends in their class the following year. The school’s ‘Class Allocation Statement of Practice’ is on the website for parents to refer to should you have any questions about how classes are determined each year.

Term Break Information

Term 3 concludes on Thursday, 26th September, and we look forward to welcoming students and families back for Term 4 on Tuesday, 15th October in their full Summer uniform. The two pupil-free days allow time for our staff to undertake valuable Professional Learning and planning for Term 4. If you need care for your children on either of these days or during the term break, please contact TeamKids. For more information, please call 1300 035 000 or visit the TeamKids website.

Our staff pray you all have a safe and enjoyable term break.

God bless,

Kate
Assistant Principal

CONGRATULATIONS to our new Accelerated Reader Word Millionaires:

Edith French 4G

Ella Wagland 4W

Ridhima Kanwar 5G 

Ethan Hauser 6B

What is Accelerated Reader (AR)? AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor a child’s independent reading practice. Students pick book that falls within their ZPD level. What is a ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)? A ZPD is the range of books that will challenge a child without causing frustration or loss of motivation. Each child in years 3-6 will receive a ZPD, or reading range, after taking a Star Reading test.

It is important for children to read with a high degree of comprehension and within their ZPD.

After reading AR books (with many choices of titles and genres available in our library), students can do a short ‘AR Quiz’ answering questions about the book. This gains them points towards their target for the term and counts the words read. This is how our readers can become ‘Word Millionaires.’

OVERDUE BOOKS

Overdue notes will be sent out to the students at Macquoid St in Week 10. 

Please help your child/ren to locate any overdue books and return to the Library ASAP. 

If you know that a book has been lost or damaged, please email the details to: natalina.ireland@cg.catholic.edu.au

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 

Thank you to everyone that was able to attend or order from the recent Book Fair held at Lowe St Library. 

It  was a great success with lots of students, parents and siblings buying books, posters and stationery items. 

It’s not too late to submit the money you raised for the St Gregory’s Lap-a-thon! Keep an eye on the COMPASS announcement on Monday to see the total funds raised and the winning cohorts from Lowe St and Macquoid St (based on per student ratio). The winning year-levels will enjoy a uniform-free day on Thursday, 26th September. Thank you for supporting our major 2024 fundraiser, which will help fund planned quadrangle improvements at Macquoid St. 

Please remember to put your child's canteen order in on QKR before 8.30am.  If you do not have QKR you can find the instructions to download it here QKR.pdf .  If you do miss the cut off your child will not be able to have hot food, they will be able to get a sandwich for their lunch.  

QKR allows you to pre-order for up to two weeks in advance. 

Congratulations to: 

St Greg's State Age Champions - Athletics 

Amelia Year 4, Tyler Year 4 

Amelia Year 5, Hayden Year 5

Hannah Year 6, Ethan Year 6, Blake Year 6

St Greg's Runners Up Age Champions - Athletics 

Selena Year 4, Xavier Year 4

Kali Year 6, Nathan Year 5

Maddison Year 6

Northern Region Age Champions - Athletics 

Amelia Year 4, Amelia Year 5, Hayden Year 5 

Archdiocese New Records Set - Athletics 

Hannah Year 6 - Senior Girls 200m

Tyler Year 4, Reuben Year 4, Xavier Year 4, Bernard Year 3 - Junior Boys Relay 

Archdiocese Athletics 

Olivia Year 4

Evie Year 3

Archdiocese Runners Up Age Champion

Gary Dixon Year 4

Amelia Calgaro Year 4

St Greg's Runners Up Age Champions - Cross Country 

Sylva Year 3, Charles Year 3

Ayla Year 4, Gary Year 4

Audrey Year 6, Stephen Year 5 

Maddison Year 6, Matteo Year 6

St Greg's Runners Up Age Champions - Swimming 

Edith Year 4, Gary Year 4

Audrey Year 6, George year 5

Kylah Year 6, Luke Year 6 

Congratulations to Reetinder Kharoud on being selected for the MacKillop Cricket Team. He will play in the championships in October in Armidale. 

Congratulations also to Matt and Josh Taiseni both gained selection from St Gregory's Primary School Queanbeyan and are currently representing the MacKillop Rugby Union team at the NSWPSSA Rugby Championships in Wagga Wagga. 

The MacKillop team have finished the championships in a commendable 7th place from the 13 competing teams from across all of NSW. Congratulations to Matthew Taiseni who was the Captain for the MacKillop Team which is a fabulous recognition of the skills both on and off the field he possesses.

 https://jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au/job-invite/96373/

Queanbeyan District Junior Cricket Club is looking to form Stage 1 and Stage 2 girls only teams for the 24/25 season to play in girls only competitions. No trials are needed for these teams. 

Simply register through https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/e54cb4