St Paul's Newsletter: Friday, 20 October
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 3
From the Principal
Dear Families,
The tragic events of the past week in Israel and Gaza have dominated world headlines. It is impossible to comprehend what has taken place, and it is rapidly becoming a humanitarian disaster. As a Catholic Community, I urge us all to continue to pray for peace in our world, particularly in the Israel and Gaza region. While we understand that we live in a world where there is ongoing conflict in many continents and regions, the current conflict is a reminder of how fortunate we are to live and work in beautiful Monbulk and its surroundings. May God listen to our prayers at this difficult time.
Division Basketball - from Mrs Curwood
On Wednesday 18 October, our Girls Basketball Team played in the Division competition. For a team that consisted of netballers, a dancer and one basketballer, they did exceptionally well. We placed fourth on the day. The girls were all so supportive of one another and worked really cohesively together. Thanks to Kirsty and Megan for assisting with transporting the students and scoring for the team.
Go St Paul's!
Day for Daniel - Friday 27 October
Wear "a touch of red"
The Day for Daniel is an annual event involving schools, businesses and local communities. It sees over 1 million people each year participate in promotional events across Australia. These events help raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention and complements the current broader work we are doing at St Paul’s to provide a safe and nurturing culture for all children.
The Day for Daniel is a way that we recognise our continuing commitment to child safety and the strengthening of school practices and policies in accordance with the Victorian minimum Child Safe Standards outlined in Ministerial Order No. 1359.
We encourage students to wear a "touch of red" to recognise Day for Daniel and raise awareness of child safety. The day is not a free dress day ... A red t-shirt, hair ribbon or red socks are most appropriate items, however it is NOT COMPULSORY to wear something red, and students may choose to wear school uniform.
Class Placement 2024
In preparing for the 2024 school year, our teachers will soon begin placing the children into class groupings for the 2024 school year, in line with our Formation of Classes Policy (see link below).
As I am sure we can all appreciate, this is a challenging and tedious task as the staff work diligently to create a balance through all of the classes. We understand that some of us can, at times, express disappointment upon the announcement of classes when the lists are released, particularly in regard to friendships. I ask that we trust the teachers’ judgment and professionalism in making a decision that is in each child’s best educational interest. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible that every child will be placed with their preferred friends, but we do our best, working with the many factors that go into each child's placement.
If you have any relevant information regarding your child's placement, please email me directly at principal@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au. This information will be taken into account when teachers are placing children in classes. The information must be submitted by Tuesday 31st October, 2023. If you have had discussions about class placement with myself or a member of staff in the past, even in previous years, you must still email me this year because circumstances change. Considerations from previous years may no longer be relevant. Please note, an email does not guarantee a particular placement request, but provides the school with information that may be relevant to a child's educational needs.
All families have received a "Fees & Levies Commitment 2024" Operoo eForm. Please complete this eForm as soon as possible. We need to finalise our student numbers before establishing our class structures and allocating classroom teachers.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
TERM 4 SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS:
- Monday 6 November: School Closure Day
- Tuesday 7 November: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
- Monday 4 December: School Closure Day (OSHClub Available)
From the School Office
CDF Pay Events
Event & Date: Zooper Dooper Fridays (Term 4)
Orders Open: Now
* If you missed out last week, it is not too last to pay from this week for the remainder of Term 4
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
Active Kids Vouchers
Applications can be made to the Victorian Government for a $200 "Active Kids Voucher". This voucher provides $200 towards your child's chosen sport or activity.
Visit this link to apply:
https://service.vic.gov.au/services/apply-for-get-active-kids-voucher/home?channel=mobileApplication
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 4
- Friday 20 October - Hot Lunch 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 - Prep CL and Year 3BD Swimming Program
- Thursday 9 November - Year 1/2KG and Year 1/2D Swimming Program
- Friday 10 November - Years 4-6 Students Swimming Program
- Monday 13 November - MULTICULTURAL DAY
- Friday 17 November - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day
- Wednesday 22 November - Prep Mass
- Thursday 30 November - School Advisory Council (AGM)
- Monday 4 December - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
- Wednesday 6 December - Gratitude Day Mass
- Thursday 7 December - Christmas Carols Evening
- 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
Tomato Plants for Sale for Charity
Each year nine varieties of tomato plants are grown from seed at Mount Lilydale Mercy College Horticulture unit.
Two retired market gardeners Mario & Gina De Vincentiis prepare the seedlings for sale each year and approx 4000 plants are grown. They are sold locally, the nearest to here being LAKESIDE FLOWERS, Monbulk Silvan Road from NOW till late November.
Plants are $3.00 and ALL proceeds go to 3 charities: St Vinnies and 2 missionary efforts in The Philippines and Uganda.
Financial Resource Support for Families
Shire of Yarra Ranges - Newsletters
Please click the link below to access latest family news and events from Shire of Yarra Ranges.