St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 7 September
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 9
From the Principal
Dear Families,
At St Paul's, teachers engage regularly with professional development opportunities. We employ highly qualified and competent teachers who are accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Under VIT regulations teachers must engage in a minimum of 20 hours Professional Learning each year in order to maintain their accreditation. To continuously improve our practice, teachers also work through the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, from proficient teacher to lead teacher level. Professional learning opportunities include professional learning days, conferences, weekly staff meetings and collaborative planning sessions with leaders of learning.
The Catholic identity of our school rests on our ability to foster and support faith leaders among students and staff through the professional learning process.
Last Friday our staff attended a Professional Learning Day at the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and it was a most valuable experience. Staff were taken through the life story of Mary MacKillop and developed an appreciation of the Josephite Charism. The day began with a heartwarming audio recording. Ted, the manager of the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, organised for a past family to record their thoughts on the culture and experience of being a St Paul's family. This was a most uplifting experience and had a huge impact on us. This was followed by professional learning, which refreshed our knowledge of Catholic Social Teachings. The day continued with a guided tour of key Melbourne landmarks in the life and legacy of Mary MacKillop, concluding with exploration of historical artefacts.
Year 5/6 Camp: Sovereign Hill
This week, our students from Years 5 and 6, along with Daniel Salan, Jo McIntosh and Carolynne Boyd, are attending camp at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat. I am heading up for the night, later today.
DAY 1: The students visited the Eureka Centre, an interactive Museum about the Goldrush and Democracy Education.
DAY 2: The day has been spent at Sovereign Hill exploring the 'living museum'. Students have experienced all that Sovereign Hill has to offer including candle making and panning for gold (some struck it rich we believe!).
The evenings involve the spectacular AURA (previously known as Blood on the Southern Cross) sound and light show and also the famous Pantomime. The food has been terrific and the children have represented St Paul’s with pride. Everyone will be worn out tomorrow when they return back to school (teaching staff included) and we look forward to hearing all about this wonderful experience.
Footy Colours and Hot Dog Day
On Friday 15 September, the final day of Term 3, we will have a Footy Colours Day, where the children can wear free dress in the colours and/or uniform of their favourite sports team (red, white and black outfits are welcome and encouraged), regardless of the footy code or sport. This will also coincide with our Hot Lunch Day where students can order hot dogs, donuts and drinks.
Hot dog orders can now be placed via CDF Pay:
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Monday 11 September @ 10pm
* Please note: No late orders can be accepted after this time
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
- Friday 15 September: Term 3 Concludes - 3:00pm
- Monday 6 November: School Closure Day
- Tuesday 7 November: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
- Monday 4 December: School Closure Day (OSHClub Available)
- Friday 15 December: School year Concludes - 3:00pm
Please check the 'Important Dates' page below for the latest school dates.
MACSSIS Surveys Now Open
Every family has received login codes to the MACSSIS Family Surveys.
As communicated in last week’s newsletter, these surveys provide valuable information to the school about how we are going and help us to think about future directions.
One of the main goals of the family survey is to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school.
MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. Our school believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
Please try to complete the survey. We really do value your contribution.
The survey is available online, can be accessed from Monday 28 August and needs to be completed by Friday 15 September 2023. This survey may only be completed once.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
Well Done Jess!
Congratulations to Jessica Verheyen!
Best and fairest for both LYNVA, (the representative netball team) and her Monbulk team for her age group. Jessica had the highest ever vote count that has been awarded to a player. Votes come from the umpires who convene the game. We know Jess works incredibly hard and has transferable skills across all sports. We can't wait to see what she can achieve next!
From the School Office
For Prep Parents: School Nursing Program - Reminder
Thank you to all the Prep parents who have already returned their School Nursing Program Questionnaire.
If you have not already done so, could you please return the questionnaire as soon as possible, as they are due to be collected by the School Nurse in the near future.
Thank You from our Library!
Your Scholastic Book Club orders are a great means for the library to acquire free books. The students enjoy putting in special requests from the current issue catalogue and it is such a joy to be able to provide them with books that they look forward to reading. Thank you all for your continued support. Here are the books recently acquired from the Book Club orders.
Alayne
CDF Pay - Hot Lunch & Disco
Event & Date: Footy Day Hot Lunch Day - Friday, 15 September
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Monday 11 September @ 10pm
* No late orders can be accepted after this time
Event & Date: School Disco - Thursday, 14 September
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Thursday 14 September @ 2pm
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
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
- 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)
- Wednesday 6 December - Gratitude Day Mass
- Thursday 7 December - Christmas Carols Night
- Friday 8 December - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day
- Monday 4 December - SCHOOL CLOSURE 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
