St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 22 June 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 2, Week 9
Pentecost Sunday was on 28 May
From the Principal
Dear Families,
As we reach the end of Term 2, I would like to commend our students for their hard work and continued efforts to improve all aspects of their learning throughout Semester One. On behalf of the staff, we thank all of our families for their support throughout the first half of this year. We encourage parents to acknowledge and celebrate their child's achievements by finding time to read and discuss the semester reports. Every child is on a journey, and we all have our strengths and opportunities for growth. Semester reports, along with Seesaw Learning Journals and 3 Way Conferences, provide us with the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements made by your child along that journey.
Further to this, we thank parents for engaging with us via Seesaw and keeping up to date with continuous reporting. We fully encourage and thank parents for commenting on their child's work samples. When staff and students can see that parents have viewed the Seesaw Learning Journals and left an encouraging comment (or even a 'like' where possible), this gives the children a huge boost in confidence. Our school is constantly focused on improving student outcomes, and we can confidently say, based on our observations and various assessments, that all students at St Paul’s are provided with every opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential.
I would also like to commend our hard-working staff; school leaders, classroom teachers, classroom support, and administration staff, for their commitment to ongoing professional learning for the benefit of our students. As Principal I am particularly grateful for the dedication of our staff to their profession and incredibly proud of our students and their many achievements.
3 Way Conferences
3 Way Conferences (formerly known as Parent-teacher Interviews) were held yesterday, on Wednesday 21 June. The 3 Way Conference is a meeting that involves the child, the parent, and the teacher. This meeting is vital for reinforcing the partnership between school and home and we thank our parents for meeting with the teachers to discuss your child's progress.
Work Experience
We thank Sebastian Farquett (past student) and Kaylah Cannon for joining us this week on their Work Experience. We hope they enjoyed gaining insight into the wonderful teaching profession.
Grandparents and Special Person's Day
We will be celebrating Grandparents and Special Persons Day on Wednesday, 26 July.
We warmly invite either the grandparents of the children, or other special persons in their lives, to come to the school for the morning.
This is a free dress day for our students. Students can dress in "Cosy Clothing" (oodies, trackies, comfortable casual, etc) with the idea of curling up with their special visitor and enjoying a picture book/s together (please no pyjamas or dressing gowns).
The day will begin "as normal" in classrooms. At or just before 9:00am students will move to various locations to gather in "Family Groups" with their special visitors.
From 9am there will be special time in classrooms, with family groups reading picture books and completing a book response activity.
At approximately 9:50am students will return to classrooms for their fruit snack. Visitors will move to the Church. At 10:15am a Whole School Mass will begin, celebrating the place of these important people in the children’s lives. Year 4/5 will lead the Mass.
Following the Mass, our special guests will be warmly invited to stay on for morning tea supplied by our staff.
Staffing Update: Farewell and Thank You
There are some staffing adjustments taking place currently, with some staff taking leave and there is one staffing change.
It is with great sadness that we farewell Irene Haritos. Irene has been our Music/Performing Arts Teacher for the past 4 years. Due to the success of her family business Irene needs to spend more time supporting this, and therefore has made the difficult decision to resign from her position here at St Paul's. It has been our pleasure to work with Irene, who has been a fantastic addition to our school, leading us through a wonderful Music program, right throughout Covid, and the highlight of her time was last year's "Wonder in Aliceland" Musical. We will still see Irene at Mass, and we wish her every blessing in her future career endeavours.
Teresa Fraraccio joined us this year and will continue on as our Music/Performing Arts teacher, which is terrific news for our school community. Teresa has been a brilliant addition to the staff, providing a hands-on and action-packed music program for our students. We are thrilled that Teresa is continuing in the role and we look forward to our musical next year.
Currently, Elizabeth Van Graas (Learning Support Officer) is on Long Service Leave, spending valuable time with family interstate. Elizabeth will return to St Paul's on July 24.
Cathie Vermeer (Year 4/5 Teacher) will take Long Service Leave at the beginning of Term 3, for 2 weeks. Jo McIntosh will teach Year 4/5 full-time for the first 2 weeks of next term, and Cathie will return on Thursday 27 July. Cathie will spend time travelling up north during her well-deserved break, and we wish her all the best.
Sarah Kleverkamp (Student Wellbeing and Learning Diversity Leader) is taking Long Service Leave for Terms 3 and 4. Sarah is packing up her family and driving across Australia, heading north and then coming down through the west - what an adventure! We are thrilled that Donna Anderton is joining our staff for Terms 3 and 4. Donna joins us as Learning Diversity Leader, working each Monday from 31 July. Donna has vast experience in the role and is currently Learning Diversity Leader at St Thomas More's, Belgrave. Donna will work between both schools.
Next term we warmly welcome Stephenie Peels back to St Paul's after taking Long Service Leave, travelling overseas. Stephenie will return as a Literacy Leading Teacher alongside Maria cook in the role, and also as our Literacy Intervention teacher.
Inter-School Sport
Today we have sent 2 teams, made up of Year 4-6 students, to the AFL 9's Gala Day at Blackburn FC. Last Tuesday we had District Inter-School Sports Day. We congratulate both soccer teams on progressing through to the division competition. Our netballers were also superb with one netball team progressing through to division. Inter-School Sport dates for future reference:
- Monday 24 July - Division Soccer
- Thursday 27 July - Division Netball
- Hooptime Basketball (Years 4-6) - Wednesday 9 August
- District Athletics- Friday 25 August
School Advisory Council
Last night, our School Advisory Council gathered for the final SAC Meeting of Semester One. Carolynne Boyd delivered a staff report, and I delivered a Principal's Report. Following this, we conducted Child Safe Standards training and collected feedback on our continuous reporting model. I thank our School Advisory Council for their input across the first half of this year, and for their ongoing support which benefits every student at St Paul's.
Farewell!
It is with great sadness that we farewell Liliana (Year 1) as well as Brianna and Brett P at the conclusion of term 3. The entire family have made an invaluable contribution to the life of St Paul’s school over the pas couple of years, and they will be sadly missed by us all. We wish them well in their new life, re-locating to Mulwalla.
School Holidays
School concludes at the usual time of 3pm tomorrow – Friday 23 June, for a two week break. School holidays are a wonderful opportunity for our students to "recharge their batteries" and be further energised for the term ahead. More importantly, the holiday break provides the opportunity for families to reconnect and spend some valuable time together.
We understand that for many of our parents, the next two weeks are business as usual in regard to working life, but we encourage you to find some time to be 'present' with your child. As a parent of three children, I fully appreciate the busy demands of work, school, and recreational activities, and how one week can blend into the next. To be 'present' with our children requires our full attention, free from the distraction of household chores, emails and social media. We encourage you to find some time to play a game, go for a walk, or going on a special outing together.
All staff at St Paul’s wish you and your families a safe and happy June/July school holidays. Term 3 begins on Monday 10 July.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Term 4 Dates
Please note the following adjustments to closure days in Term 4...
- CANCELLED - Closure Day on Monday 11 December is cancelled. School will be open and running on Monday 11 December.
- Closure Day: Monday 4 December - this date aligns with a Closure Day at Monbulk PS. We anticipate (TBC) that OSHCLUB will offer a full day program.
- School concludes for the 2023 school year on FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER
From the School Office
Artwork for sale via silent auction - last chance!
Due to an oversight at the Artshow, we have some beautiful artworks that were donated by the brilliant artist Tania Tanti. These will be in the school foyer and the silent auction will be going until the end of Term 2. Please make a bid on the auction pages located with the artworks in the foyer. We would love to continue to raise more funds for our art program.
Tania Tanti is an Australian born artist located in Melbourne. Tania's playful and energetic fine art pieces explore the endless possibilities of paint and thread. These prints feature her stunning quilted and embroidered pieces, which see her stitching together her hand painted fabrics to create these detailed and joyous expressions of landscapes, nature and still life.
Tania is making her mark firmly and boldly in the artistic world since committing herself to full time art practice. Her work has featured in a number of exhibitions, is held privately, and by the US International Quilt Museum, Lincoln, Nevada.
Operoo - Student Medical and Contact Details
Please ensure that you have reviewed and updated your child's Operoo profile, carefully checking that all information held about your child and emergency contact details are accurate and up to date.
- Have any of your family or contact details changed?
- Have there been any changes to your child's medical profile?
- Have you uploaded your child's updated Allergy, Asthma or Anaphylaxis plan?
Important Dates
TERM 2
- Friday 23 June - Term 2 Concludes
TERM 3
- Monday 10 July - Term 3 Commences
- Friday 21 July - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day (orders close 10pm Monday 17 July)
- Monday 24 July - Division Soccer
- Wednesday 26 July - Grandparents and Special Person's Day
- Wednesday 26 July - School Advisory Council
- Thursday 27 July - Division Netball
- Tuesday 8 August - Feast of Mary MacKillop
- Wednesday 9 August - Mary MacKillop Mass
- Wednesday 9 August - Hooptime Basketball (Grades 4-6)
- Saturday 12 August - Emerald BBQ
- Tuesday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption of Mary
- Wednesday 16 August - Assumption of Mary Mass
- Friday 18 August - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day (orders close 10pm Monday 14 August)
- Friday 25 August - District Athletics
- Thursday 31 August - Working Bee
- Thursday 31 August - School Advisory Council
- Friday 1 September - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Wednesday 6 September - Friday 8 September - Year 5/6 Camp to Sovereign Hill
- Friday 8 September - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day (orders close 10pm Monday 4 Sept)
- Friday 15 September - Hot Lunch (Hot Dogs) & FOOTY COLOURS DAY! (orders close 1opm Monday 11 September)
- Friday 15 September - Term 3 concludes
TERM 4
- Monday 2 October - Term 4 commences
- Wednesday 11 October - Prep Mass
- Wednesday 18 October - School Advisory Council
- Friday 20 October - Hot Lunch (Pizza & Gelato) and Italian Day
- Saturday 21 October - Emerald BBQ
- Thursday 26 October - Working Bee
- Monday 6 November - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Tuesday 7 November - Melbourne Cup PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Wednesday 8 November - 50% Years P-3 Students Swimming Program
- Thursday 9 November - 50% Years P-3 Students Swimming Program
- Friday 10 November - Years 4-6 Students Swimming Program
- Friday 17 November - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day
- Thursday 30 November - School Advisory Council (AGM)
- Monday 4 December - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Wednesday 6 December - Gratitude Day Mass
- Thursday 7 December - Christmas Carols Night
- Friday 8 December - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day
- Wednesday 13 December - Passing On Ceremony
- Wednesday 13 December - Year 6 Graduation (6pm Mass)
- Friday 15 December - Final school day for students
Uniform Shop
Ross Haywood Sports - Update:
St Paul's Online Uniform Shop
https://www.rhsports.com.au/product/school_wear/st_pauls_monbulk_ps
For in-store purchases RH Sports are located at 12/100 New St, Ringwood (subject to any COVID restrictions in force at the time).
The store is now a CASHLESS STORE, EFTPOS transactions will be the only acceptable method of purchase. Recent changes to improve the health and safety of staff and customers include perspex screens at the registers and the supply of hand sanitiser. We ask that customers please apply this on entry to the store.
Online ordering continues as normal with all delivery options available including contactless pick up. Please phone the store on 9870 1377 if you have any further queries.
Secondhand Uniform Shop
Our secondhand uniform shop is managed by Kelly Garrett with items being purchased by gold coin donation. If you are looking for items of secondhand uniform please feel free to text Kelly on 0435 810 954 with your wish list. Items will usually be sent home via class tubs or collected from the school office by arrangement.
The secondhand uniform shop welcomes donations of St Paul's current school uniform items which are still in good condition. We do not accept the old St Paul's round neck jumpers, yellow shirts or non-St Paul's items. If you have any current uniform items you no longer need please feel free to leave your donations at the school office.
Child Safe Standards: Ministerial Order 1359
St Paul's Primary School is a child safe organisation which welcomes all children, young people, and their families. We are committed to providing environments where our students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
Our child safe policies, strategies and practices are inclusive of the needs of all children and students. We have no tolerance for child abuse and take proactive steps to identify and manage any risks of harm to students in our school environments. We also take proactive steps to identify and manage any risk of harm to students in our school. When child safety concerns are raised or identified, we treat these seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly.
The original Child Safe Standards were implemented in Victoria during 2016. They were developed in response to The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse (2013 - 2017). In 2019 Victoria agreed to adopt the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Schools are one example of a Child Safe Organisation.
There are eleven Child Safe Standards:
Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and
supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
MACS provides Catholic schools with templates for the required documentation which we are required to adapt to reflect our school community whilst ensuring all legal requirements are met. Below are 3 key documents that we continue to review in light of the new standards:
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Child Safe Standards: Identifying and Responding - Reporting Obligations
St Paul's Policies
OSHClub
Out of School Hours Care: OSH Club
Enrolments, Bookings and Enquiries
Parents will need to enrol with OSHClub. Please visit https://www.oshclub.com.au/ and click on "REGISTER". You will need to enrol with the Monbulk Primary School service.
OSH Club News
Community Notices
