Ss Peter & Paul Kiama
A Catholic Parish Primary School
FAITH DEVELOPMENTCentral to the nurturing of the whole child at Ss Peter and Paul is their faith development. As parents are the most influential people in the growth of their child’s faith, we support this from our Catholic context through the provision of knowledge and experiences. Prayer plays a significant role in school life. Prayer creates a sense of mindfulness and gratitude.
Our students’ faith is further developed and nurtured through community liturgies to celebrate key feasts such as Holy Week and Christmas. Students also celebrate key events such as Anzac Day, Reconciliation Week, Refugee Week and Harmony Week.
Through Catholic Social Teachings, students at Ss Peter and Paul participate in a variety of social justice activities which develops their understanding of being a responsible global citizen. Our Mini Vinnies team, along with our Social Justice team, assist in leading our students to think about and serve the poorest of our world. We support a number of key charities, including St Vincent de Paul, through awareness-raising and fundraising. We want every student to make a difference in their world.
Innovative initiatives, such as our St Vincent De Paul Return & Earn Container Deposit Scheme, whereby recycled bottles used by our school community are donated to the St Vincent De Paul Society as a source of financing critical support for those in our community who are in need.
A central belief of being Catholic is that we must care for the earth and all life on it as they are all part of God’s creation. We are called to respect this gift. We are responsible for taking care of the world we live in and for sharing all the wonders and resources the earth gives us. Pope Francis highlights in his encyclical, Laudato Si': On the Care of our Common Home.
Students at Ss Peter and Paul live this stewardship through caring for our amazing vegetable garden which enables students to think about how we live on our planet and how we can improve our own sustainable practices.
Read more about the students' environmental contributions as part of the CEDoW Wollongong Environment Network.
We have strong links with our local parish and community. Students have the opportunity to develop connections with other Catholic schools within the Diocese of Wollongong, providing a range of experiences to broaden their educational perspective.
Our school is part of the Ss Peter and Paul Kiama Catholic Parish community, which also includes the churches of St Mathew's Jamberoo and St Mary Star of the Sea Gerringong.
There are many aspects of parish life in which students, staff and families may become involved. All members of our parish school community are actively encouraged to be part of parish and church life.
School prayer, liturgies and Masses are an important and enriching aspect of daily life at Ss Peter and Paul. They provide opportunities to ritually celebrate the many lived experiences of our lives and the many mysteries of our faith.
Parish sacramental celebrations also provide an opportunity to celebrate its life of faith with fellow parishioners. The parish provides programs of preparation for the Sacraments of Penance (Reconciliation), Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation each year. Enrolment for the sacraments occurs through the parish. The school-based Religious Education curriculum supports and enriches this program of preparation.
Participation in weekend Mass is also actively encouraged. View Parish Mass Times here.
The parish is always looking for new members: They have the 'Catholics Returning Home Program' to assist Catholics who seek assistance in reengaging with their faith. They also have the 'Rites for Christian Initiation for Adults' (RCIA) for any non-Catholic who would like to find out more about the Catholic faith.
For more information, visit the Ss Peter and Paul Parish website.