St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 2 November, 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 5
From the Principal
Dear Families,
The month of November commemorates two significant days in the Catholic calendar where we remember those who have gone before us: All Saints Day on 1 November and All Souls Day on the 2 November.
Nowadays, the celebration of Halloween (the Feast of All Hallows), which has its origins in the Feast of All Saints, is rapidly eroding the significance of All Saints Day. Christians have been honouring Saints and Martyrs since at least the second century AD. We know of hundreds of saints and we honour them on their specific feast days throughout the year. However, the Feast of All Saints is traditionally a day offered up in prayer and dedication to all saints, those we know of and also those we are not aware of. All Saints Day is also tied to the concept of the ‘communion of saints’: The belief that all of God’s people, in heaven and on earth, are connected.
All Saints Day is followed on 2 November by All Souls Day. All Souls Day celebrates all the faithful departed, we remember, pray for and offer up our masses for those who have departed from this life; that their sins will be forgiven and they will enjoy eternal life. Significantly, the month of November provides us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the members of our family and friends who have gone before us.
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.
Christmas Carols Night
Students will soon be learning Christmas Carols in preparation for our evening performance of the Christmas story.
Please mark the evening of Thursday 7 December on your calendar. This special evening of singing and narrative will be a beautiful way for our school community to celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons. More information will be forwarded home in the coming weeks.
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: Hot Lunch & Sushi Day - Friday 17 November
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Monday, 13 November @ 10pm
* Please note: No later orders can be accepted after this time.
For Year 6 students:
Event & Date: Year 6 Graduation - Friday 13 December
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Tuesday, 12 December @ 4pm
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
- 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
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.