St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 26 October 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 4
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is responsible for the governance and operation of approximately 300 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. MACS employs over 16,000 teaching and non-teaching staff, who serve more than 112,000 students! We are in excellent hands with MACS, who support our school to deliver a high-quality education for each child.
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) recently launched a new strategic plan, MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World.
MACS 2030 is a strategy that will help everyone at MACS come together and make the most of what a Catholic education has to offer.
At the heart of the strategy is MACS’ purpose: ‘Forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Jesus Christ’ and vision: ‘Every student is inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world’.
The strategy has four themes through which programs and initiatives are organised in the Catholic schools of Melbourne:
- Inspired by Faith – our faith pillar, recognising Catholicism is central to who we are and what we do, and foundational to the distinctive educational experiences we offer.
- Flourishing Learners – our academic pillar, through which we aim to deliver the very best educational outcome for every student, focused on the formation of the whole person.
- Enabled Leaders – our teachers and principals pillar, which is focused on empowering great staff to lead great schools.
- Enriched Communities – our community and organisational pillar, through which we are transforming the MACS office into a provider of outstanding support for schools, leveraging the strength of our entire system.
I feel privileged to work in the MACS system, and I am fortunate enough to have my own children in MACS primary and secondary schools. The vision for the future of MACS schools, including St Paul's, is bright and exciting and the new strategy maps out a path for success with every child at the centre.
Emerald BBQ
Last Saturday was our final Emerald Barbecue for this year. We are very fortunate to be a regular on the roster at Emerald Meats and we can't thank Alan and Joy enough. Please support Emerald Meats if you are ever shopping in Emerald and let them know you are a St Paul's family. Thank you to the families that have volunteered for our Emerald Barbecues this year, and particularly last Saturday: Marmion/Sferruzzi, Groen and Tesoriero.
Drop off, Pick up and Bus
In the morning, there is a teacher on yard duty on the school grounds from 8:25am. If you wish to drop your child off before 8:25am, please use the Before School Care service provided by OSH Club at Monbulk Primary School. In the interest of child safety, we would not like your child to arrive at school and no one be here to care for them. Whilst there are staff at school well before 8:25am, it’s important to remember that they are busy preparing for the day ahead or involved in meetings.
Following school, the teachers hand over the students to the parents, unless your child is walking or catching the bus. Students who are yet to be picked up by 3:15pm will be taken to the office. We will attempt to phone their parents to make sure everything is ok. If, for any reason, you are running late, please contact the office by telephone and let us know so that we can assure your child that everything is fine.
At 3:00pm students travelling by bus gather in the Church/School foyer. The daily bus list is checked and the children are escorted to the bus. This is a careful process to ensure all students who are expected to travel by bus are present and accounted for. We respectfully ask that if your child normally travels by bus, and circumstances change e.g. they are picked up instead, it is vital that the office is notified as soon as possible before 3pm.
Division Volleyball
On Wednesday 24 October we sent our Volleyball team to the Division Tournament. We are so proud of the team! We competed in 4 high level matches and won 2 games - one of our wins was against the eventual premier, GO ST PAUL'S! We are extremely proud of our team, and congratulate them on their achievements on the day. We thank Emma-lee Curwood and Jo McIntosh for organising the team, and we thank our parent helpers on the day.
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.
Melbourne Cup Long Weekend
A reminder, that there will be no school for the children over Melbourne Cup Weekend – Monday 6 November and Tuesday 7 November, inclusive.
Swimming Program
Our Swimming Program is coming up directly following the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend. Each child will participate in a one day program at Monbulk Aquatic Centre.
- Wednesday November 8: students in Prep and Year 3
- Thursday November 9: students in Year 1 and Year 2
- Friday November 10: students in Year 4, 5 and 6
Details have been sent via Operoo and we thank our families for completing the consent form and questions in advance so that the swimming teachers can prepare.
Commencement of the 2024 School Year
An advance notice advising all families of the commencement of the 2024 school year:
- Monday 29 January: Staff Resume – Full Day Staff Meeting (no students on this day)
- Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 January: Individual appointments for pre-testing of all students. A letter will be sent home in the coming weeks advising all families of procedures pertaining to the testing schedule. There are no classes on these days, only individual appointments.
- Thursday 1 February: First official day of school for all students. Classes begin on this day.
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
- Thursday 26 October - Working Bee - CANCELLED
- Thursday 26 October - 2024 Prep Information Night
- 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.