St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 27 July 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 3
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Yesterday’s celebration of Grandparents & Special Persons’ Day provided the opportunity for the children to thank their grandparents and the special people in their lives for the love and support shown to them. It was touching to stand in front of the microphone at the commencement of our special Mass and see the children being cuddled by a mix of grandparents and very special people. The children took great delight in wearing their comfy clothes to school on the day.
The tradition of Grandparents & Special Persons Day began several years ago, and continues to grow in popularity each year. The morning tea was absolutely buzzing with conversation and laughter. It was a pleasure to be a part of this special event and we thank the community for supporting Grandparents and Special Persons Day.
Coral Vass - Author Visit
Following a special morning with our Grandparents and Special Person's, Coral Vass, visited our school and presented to all students throughout the afternoon.
CORAL VASS: Coral is an award-winning Australian children’s author. Her books include Grandma’s Treasured Shoes, Meet Don Bradman, The Heartbeat of the Land and Sorry Day. Her books have appeared on StoryBox Library and ABC TV’s Playschool. Her awards include the 2018 Speech Pathology Book of the Year – Best Book for Language and Literacy Development Indigenous Children Award, the 2019 CBCA Eve Pownall Award and the 2021 Caleb Best Picture Book Award.
Students can still order books for Coral to sign. The ordering portal is now open and will remain so until 6 August. These orders will then be sent to Coral for signing if children wish for us to organise this.
If your child previously placed an order for Coral Vass books prior to her visit and have not yet received it, please contact the school office.
Helen on Leave
Next week Helen Hermann, our Office Manager, will take a well-deserved break from school. Tarnia Hiosan, Bosa Sofranic-Carter and myself will be covering the office. Office services will be limited, particularly on Tuesday as I am covering the office duties. We thank you for your support and understanding on this, and wish Helen a lovely holiday break.
Inter-School Sport
At the recent district inter-school sports our Soccer and Netball Teams won through to the Division Finals. Last Tuesday our soccer teams competed in the Division Finals and did themselves very proud. Tomorrow we head to the Division Finals with the Netball team and wish them luck. We congratulate and thank all students and staff, particularly Mrs Curwood, Mrs McIntosh and Mr Salan, along with the parents involved for giving up their time, working hard, teaching and coaching the teams.
School Closure Day - Friday 1 September
A reminder that the school will be closed on Friday 1 September for staff professional learning. The office will be closed as the entire staff will be working offsite for the day. We will be at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in the city for Staff Faith formation and Professional Learning centred on the Religious Dimension Sphere. This will be the only school closure day for the term. Thanks again to all parents for making arrangements for the care of your child(ren) on this day.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
The St Paul's Way!
Every member of the St Paul's community is valued. At St Paul's there is a very strong sense of connection, belonging, and community. Past students and families often come back and visit, and many of you, our current families, are past students yourselves!
This photo demonstrates the sense of connection we enjoy here. Ethan Knight is a past student at St Paul's and he is pictured here with Archer after the match at Monbulk FC a few weeks ago. Ethan is doing extremely well at secondary school, and in his football career has gone onto to representative level with the Eastern Ranges, something I am sure Archer, and many other St Paul's footballers, aspire to do one day!
We thank Mark Knight for sending this photo through to us, as a demonstration of the great values of our school.
From the School Office
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 3
- Friday 28 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)
- Saturday 19 - Friday 25 August - Book Week
- 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
Financial Resource Support for Families
