St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 16 November, 2023
2023 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 7
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Last Saturday was Remembrance Day. Reflecting on the importance of Remembrance Day each year is very important to our school. Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of the First World War when we remember armed forces members who died in the line of duty. We want to help students develop an understanding of the sacrifices our brave men and women made to ensure the freedom we all have each day. Additionally, our school’s values of Respect, Courage, and Responsibility tie in with the sacrifices each soldier made and continues to make today.
Last Friday 10 November each class held a Remembrance Day Prayer Service to begin the day and we reflected on the significance of the day.
Pledge of Remembrance
“Australian soldiers – hear this pledge – your flag flies in the sun. And now we take a minute to remember what you’ve done.
When you went away to battle, you were proud as proud can be. And you did it for your country, yes, you flew the flag for me.
Now we live our lives with freedom when we work and when we play. For that, my heart says ‘Thank you’ on this very special day
And as we go, we take the words that sing Australia’s song, “I am young and I am worthy, I am brave and I am strong".
In the face of any challenge, I will strive to rise above. I deserve this opportunity to live, to learn, to love.
I can truly make a difference; my path is up to me. And this is my commitment – be the best that I can be.”
by Rupert McCall
Last Monday we celebrated our annual Multicultural Day. All students and staff were encouraged to wear an outfit related to a country. All of the activities were very popular, and it was wonderful to see all of the students in different cultural outfits participate in activities and games from different cultures. We finished the day with the amazing ‘SPETTACOLO SPECTACULAR SHOW’! It was a terrific day and we thank Signora Lepore for leading and organising the day, we thank the students and families for the wonderful outfits and we thank our staff for dressing up and showing their great support as always.
Year 5: Little Angler Kits
At the 2022 State election, the Victorian Government committed to providing Little Angler Kits to students via schools. The state government selected Grade 5 students to receive the kits based on the Victorian Curriculum area of focus, movement and motor development, and safety considerations.
Each year 5 student came home with a "Little Angler Kit" last week. The kits include a fishing rod, reel with line, tackle box with some hooks, sinkers, swivels and a lure, as well as a Kids Guide to Fishing.
For more information Victoria Fisheries have created a kid-friendly web hub with lots of useful information and videos.
Semester 2 Reports
Report writing season is beginning to get underway. An extraordinary number of hours will go into writing school reports for each child. There are 2 parts to the school report:
PART A: Victorian Curriculum - You will be receiving Part A of your child’s semester report online via the nForma Parent Portal. This includes an overview of the subjects taught, a general comment about your child, work habits and a Victorian Curriculum Table ('dots') page. Instructions on how to access the nForma Parent Portal will be sent out to the email addresses that we have on our database.
The emails, containing instructions on how to access your child’s report, will be sent out after the school day concludes on Wednesday 13 December.
PART B: Continuous Reporting via Seesaw. The system of continuous reporting allows parents to get an up-to-date, timely snapshot of what their child is learning and how they are progressing. It provides support for parents to participate in discussions with their children about their learning and enables parents to follow up with teachers in a timely manner if they have any concerns. Continuous reporting occurs at St Paul’s via each child’s Seesaw learning journal. This builds throughout the year and provides students and parents with regular assessments of student learning. Each child has an individual Seesaw journal which includes work samples and assessments in the form of comments for Religious Education, and rubrics in all other subject areas.
Throughout Semester 2, we build on what is already uploaded from Semester 1. This Semester, on Seesaw, you can expect to see the following work samples uploaded, with an assesssment rubric:
- 1 x Student Self Reflection
- 1 x piece of work aligned to Personal and Social Capabilities (Social and Emotional Learning)
- 1 x Speaking and Listening
- 1 x Writing Sample
- 1 x Reading and Viewing
- 1 piece of work demonstrating student outcomes in Numeracy: Number and Algebra
- 1 piece of work demonstrating student outcomes for Measurement and Geometry OR Statistics and Probability (area not reported on in Semester 1, will be uploaded in Semester 2)
- 1 piece of work that demonstrates student outcomes for curriculum capabilities covered as part of the Term 3 Integrated Unit
- 1 piece of work that demonstrates student outcomes for curriculum capabilities covered as part of the Term 4 Integrated Unit
- 1 piece of work that demonstrates student outcomes from the RE Curriculum Framework OR Sacramental Program (RE samples have a comment, not a rubric).
- 1 piece of work that demonstrates student outcomes in each Specialist Area (PE, Music, Italian and Art)
2024 Class Structures
The Principal in every Catholic school is responsible for the teaching and learning within their schools, and meets this responsibility in collaboration with staff through a process of consultation, including with the Consultative Committee, with respect to Class Size, Scheduled Class Time, and Positions of Leadership. Throughout Term 3 and early Term 4, St Paul’s Consultative Committee met on several occasions to provide recommendations on those matters.
We expect 117 students at St Paul's next year, which allows us to fund 6 classes. Following extensive analysis and discussion, the Committee agreed that the following class structures will prove to be of greatest benefit to our children, parents, teachers, and educational support staff in 2024:
- Prep
- Year 1/2
- Year 1/2
- Year 3/4
- Year 3/4
- Year 5/6
School Advisory Council: Call for Nominations
We are fortunate to have an effective governance structure that is well supported by our parent community at St. Paul’s. I actively encourage any parent who is thinking about joining our Advisory Council to nominate.
The primary aim of the St Paul’s School Advisory Council (SAC) is to advise the School Principal, who is responsible for the implementation of the School policy decisions and the day-to-day management of the School, including to:
- promote and support the Catholic ethos of the school and to support the Religious
Education programs - act as a forum for informed discussion on matters concerning education in the school
provide informed and responsible advice on: - school development and welfare of the students
- realising the vision, mission and Action Plan of the school
- the development and review of school policies
We are recruiting! We encourage and invite parents to join our SAC. To nominate for the School Advisory Council please CLICK HERE and fill in the online nomination form.
Nominations are to be submitted by 9:00am, Friday 24 November, 2023.
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 29 November at 7:00pm.
Christmas Carols Evening
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, including costume requirements, has been sent to families via Operoo.
Angel Tree
Prep Mass
This Wednesday, 22 November, we will hold our Prep Mass at 11:45am. All welcome.
Michael out: Long Service Leave
My family has extended family visiting from Ireland currently. Therefore, I am taking a few Long Service Leave days to spend time with them. I will be away from Thursday 23 November, and I will return to school on Monday 4 December (which is a Closure day).
Yours sincerely,
Michael Watt
TERM 4 SCHOOL CLOSURE DAYS:
- Monday 4 December: School Closure Day (OSHClub Available)
From the School Office
Scholastic Book Club - Discount Code for Issue 8
CDF Pay Events
Event & Date: Mini Monbulkers - Sausage Sizzle - Thursday 23 November
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Monday, 20 November @ 10pm
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
- Friday 17 November - Hot Lunch and Sushi Day
- Wednesday 22 November - Prep Mass
- Thursday 23 November - Mini Monbulkers Sausage Sizzle
- 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
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
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.
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.