St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 8 February 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 2
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Firstly, hello!
Meeting many of you in the mornings has been great as you drop your children off at school. Please keep coming up and saying g'day, and I will keep working on remembering names. Thank you for making me feel immensely welcomed as I begin my journey with the St Paul’s community.
Here is a little about myself. My wife Kate and I have three children: Grace (5), George (2), and Adeline (11 months). Grace started Prep this year at Sacred Heart in Croydon, which is just down the road from us. It has been a great experience being on the other side of the fence, and I appreciate the anxiety of a child beginning their primary school journey.
Previously I have been a teacher for 15 years, with the last seven years as Deputy Principal of St Joseph’s Boronia. I was fortunate to be appointed as Acting Principal of Sacred Heart Yea for the last half of last year, giving me an insight into the important role of principal. At Boronia, I was also the 1/2 teacher, R.E. Teaching and Learning leader, ICT leader, and STEM teacher, covering many areas I am passionate about. I also ran campsites between my degrees in France, the UK, and Austria. I have a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), and a Master of Educational Leadership. I love sports and currently volunteer at the Essendon Football Club (which might not endear me to some families) with the VFLW and AFLW teams. I drive players and support staff for the Australian Open Tennis tournament. I love to volunteer, and although not currently volunteering with camps, I have spent most of my adult life running camps for children and adults with a disability through Melbourne Legacy and Oz Child/Interchange, another area I am greatly passionate about.
Although I have only been with the St Paul’s Community for the past few weeks, I am exceptionally grateful to be feeling so welcomed, and I love the fact that I already consider myself part of this great community.
During the holidays, new staff members Katherine Mirabella, teaching in 1/2M, and Rick Ramsay, an LSO, were welcomed to St Paul's, along with myself.
We are also excited to welcome our 22 new Prep students, and also those students commencing in other levels, to St Paul's: Jamie, Leia, Isaac, Kobe, Quinn, Millie, Alexander, Zach, Jude, Lacey, Eden, Max, Leo, Finley, Emilio, Arlie, Savina, Kody, Finn, Harry, Sadie and Occy; and Elsie (Yr 2), Logan (Yr 3) and Tyler (Yr 5).
Over the summer, some of our families also welcomed new arrivals of their own. We congratulate the Gipp-Bugeja family on the arrival of Mila Rose on 15 December, a little sister for Willow G (1/2M). We also extend our congratulations to the Behmer family on the arrival of Roy Wolfgang born on 23 January, a little brother for Scarlett B (12M). I hope both new arrivals are sleeping well, along with everyone in both families.
Speaking with Michael, he is settling in well at Bulleen. I just want to express my gratitude to him for all the work he did at St Paul’s, the way we worked together during the transition and the support I received.
At the beginning of the year, in all schools, there are generic reminders, which are exceptionally important:
- Please be mindful of how you move through the car park during pick-up and drop-off
- Below is the diagram about how it works to ensure traffic flows smoothly and safely
- Please remember to drive at a walking pace and be aware of how people move through this space
- Please check Operoo about updated permission forms and relevant policies for 2024.
Below is information on Child Safety. This is a timely reminder to look through this information, and if you have any questions, please ask.
We have some important dates coming up. All the Term 1 dates can be found below, but I want to draw your attention to especially;
- Ash Wednesday Mass and Staff Commissioning - Wednesday 14th February at 10.30am in the church, all welcome.
- Parents & Friends - Friday 16th February in the meeting room. See the flyer below. Everyone is welcome to attend.
- Parent Teacher Interviews - Wednesday 6th March. The school will finish at normal time, but interviews will be between 12.00 noon and 5.30 pm. These will be booked through School Interviews and booking instructions and booking codes will be provided closer to that date.
- School Closure Day - Tuesday 12th March. There will be no school for students on this day. The staff will be exploring how Wellbeing looks at St Paul’s.
Thank you for reading all of this information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me through the office or via email nfrederiksen@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au.
Many Thanks,
Nick Frederiksen
Whole School Lunch - Day 1 of the 2024 School Year
What a beautiful day and a lovely way to start off the 2024 school year!
Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes
This Tuesday 13 February is Shrove Tuesday. Ash Wednesday is on 14 February, the first day of the Catholic season of Lent, which lasts 40 days. By observing the 40 days of Lent, believers replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.
On Shrove Tuesday pancakes have traditionally been eaten on the day before Ash Wednesday because they were a way to use up eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. Many people "give something up" during Lent as a way to prepare for Easter.
On Shrove Tuesday all students from P-6 will have the option of having pancakes. Please look out for an Operoo form being sent out later today in relation to Shrove Tuesday pancakes.
Ash Wednesday: Beginning of School Year Mass
There will be a 10:30am Ash Wednesday Mass at St Paul’s Church on Wednesday, 14 February. During the Mass we will acknowledge the Beginning of the School Year and staff will be publicly commissioned in their role as educators. Everyone is very welcome to attend.
Safer Internet Day 2024
Tuesday 6th Feb was Safer Internet Day. Our students regularly participate in activities and discussions around safe online behaviours. We strongly encourage families to have regular conversations with each other about safe internet use. This may include usage times, locations, family agreements, what to do when they see something that makes them feel uncomfortable, etc. For further support with these conversations visit www.esafety.gov.au/parents .
2025 Enrolments Now Open!
We are off to a great start at St Paul’s in 2024 with many new families and several new students who have settled in well to St Paul's life.
We are already preparing our enrolment timelines for our 2025 Prep students - enrolments for 2025 are now open!
We respectfully request that enrolment forms for existing families with a child/ren intending to commence Prep at St Paul's in 2025 be completed and handed into the school office by the end of Term 1 (Thursday 28 March). Enrolment forms can be downloaded from the school website. Alternatively, paper copies or emailed forms can be requested from the school office. Thank you!
If you know of a family that is considering St Paul's for their child/ren, please encourage them to get in touch with us and book a tour, or direct them to our website.
School Car Park and Traffic Flow
Important Dates
TERM 1
- Wednesday 14 February - ASH WEDNESDAY
- Wednesday 14 February - Prep Rest Day
- Friday 16 February - Parents & Friends Meeting: All Welcome
- Monday 19 February - District Swimming
- Wednesday 21 February - Prep Rest Day
- Wednesday 28 February - Prep Rest Day
- Wednesday 6 March - Parent Teacher Interviews
- Thursday 7 March - Working Bee
- Monday 11 March - LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Tuesday 12 March - School Closure Day - No school for students
- Wednesday 13 March - Open Day
- Thursday 14 March - WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTS DAY
- Thursday 28 March - Holy Thursday: Term 1 Concludes
- Friday 29 March - Good Friday
- Sunday 31 March - Easter Sunday
From the School Office
Operoo - Student Medical and Contact Details
As we begin another school year, it is important to ensure that you have reviewed and updated your child's Operoo profile, carefully checking that all information held about your child and emergency contacts 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?
Fee Statements
Fee Statements for this year's school fees are due to be emailed to families in the coming week.
Please note the itemised levies on school fee accounts are due for payment by 23 February.
Due dates are as follows:
Student Levies (all): 23 February 2024
Camp (Year 5&6): 28 June 2024
Family Fees & Capital Fees: 20 September 2024 (End of Term 3)
To set up a periodic payment plan please complete this Direct Debit Request Form.
If you require assistance setting up a payment plan or wish to discuss your school fee account please contact the school office.
CDF Pay - Our online school shop
CDF Pay has now been rolled over for the 2024 school year. Please contact the school office if you do not see all of your students when logging into your CDF Pay account.
Current Events:
Event & Date: Zooper Dooper Fridays - Term 1 (starting Friday 9 February)
Orders Open: Now
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
BUS - OSHClub Transport
St Paul's and OSHClub is lucky to have a bus service picking students up from the front of our school. The Bus Route for St Paul's students travelling to OSH Club or home is - left into Mount Pleasant Rd, left into Main Road, left into David Hill Rd for the OSHClub drop off. The bus then continues to Monbulk College, collects students and heads off to drop students at their home bus stops. The bus travels in the reverse route each morning, picks up from OSHClub (Monbulk PS) and drops students at school.
Please ensure that you let the school know (email the office/classroom teacher) if your child is to use this service. This is especially important if circumstances change.
- The Bus Company is Ventura.
- A staff member puts the students on the bus each day at 3:00pm or when it arrives at the front gate. The staff member does not travel with or supervise the students on the bus.
- The bus arrives at St Paul's at approximately 8:35-8:40am
- It is not a public bus so unknown adults cannot get on the bus.
- Each driver has a ‘Working with Children Check.’
- Usually there are several students travelling on the bus, but be aware that it could be possible that your child is the only one on the bus.
If you have any questions in relation to bus travel, please contact the school office.
Conveyance Allowance
Please see the flyer below for information relating to Conveyance Allowance.
If you received Conveyance Allowance for your child in 2023, you do not need to complete an application form for them again in 2024, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete a new application form if any of the following have occurred:
- You have a new student that has started at St Paul’s in 2024 - you will need to complete a new application form for that child only
- You did not apply in 2023
- Changed family circumstances, such as a change of address since 2023
If you are unsure as to whether you are eligible, please check with the school office.
Important Notices for Health Care Card Holders:
If you are the holder of a valid Health Care Card and have not yet provided a copy to the school office, please do so as soon as possible. We can then check if you are eligible for any fee discounts and if so, apply them to your school fee account.
Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF)
2024 Concessional Fee Policy
From the commencement of 2022 Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) introduced a Concessional Fee Policy. Please refer to the Policy to determine whether you may be eligible for discounted school fees.
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.
The store is now a CASHLESS STORE, EFTPOS transactions will be the only acceptable method of purchase.
Online ordering continues as normal with all delivery options available including contactless pick up. Delivery is free for orders delivered directly to St Paul's School and will then be distributed to your child to take home.
Please phone the store direct on 9870 1377 if you have any further queries.
Secondhand Uniform Shop
Our secondhand uniform shop is onsite at school and is managed by one of our parents, 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. Cashless payment for items is via CDF Pay, selecting the Second Hand Uniform option and the quantity of items purchased.
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.
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.