St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 21 March 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 1, Week 8
From the Principal
Hello St Paul's Families,
I hope that this finds you all well as we head towards the end of Term 1.
Holy Week
Next week is the beginning of the most important week in the church's life, Holy Week. The school will gather together as a community to recognise the significance and events of the week this Monday 25 March at 2.10 pm. Families are welcome to join us for this solemn occasion. We will begin on the stage at the back of the Junior Building and move to various locations throughout the school. Each class is responsible for representing a Holy Week event, concluding with the Stations of the Cross in St Paul's Church. The Year 5/6 students will be celebrating mass on Wednesday in the church at 10.30 am.
Student Wellbeing
There is lots of great information in this week's Student Wellbeing section of the newsletter about various current themes relating to wellbeing.
Harmony Day
Today is Harmony Day, and as a school, we will be sharing lunch together in the spirit of Harmony. Harmony Day is about continuing to build and repair relationships, which fits beautifully with our restorative practices at St Paul’s. Please read the information on Neurodiversity below.
eSmart Week
This week is also eSmart Week and an important and timely reminder to parents to complete the Internet Usage Agreement through Operoo.
Presently I am at a principal’s conference where one of the presenters was a futurist. She talked about this generation of students - Gen Alpha- and how they didn’t know life before an iPad, Instagram, or TikTok. She spoke about the challenge for parents surrounding their childrens' use of technology, with the biggest issue being:
- Do we use it to inform: “Hey Google, what is the capital of … ?”
- Use it as a reward: “You have been awesome today, have an hour on the … ”
- Or use it to control: “You can jump on the iPad while dad does… ”
All of these have a place, but she said the hardest part was being a parent/teacher, and knowing exactly what the children are doing. There are some useful tips to assist families with this further in the Wellbeing Section.
Regional Swimming Carnival
Good luck to our swimmers, who are competing in the Regional Swimming Carnival at Ringwood tomorrow. If they get through, they will be at the State Championships!
Enrolments
We will continue to have school tours next week. If there are current students who have siblings ready for Prep in 2025, please reach out to Helen. If you know anyone who is interested in being shown around the school, again, please reach out to the office.
Last Day of Term 1
Next Thursday will be the last day of school for Term 1 for students and staff. The school will conclude at the normal time of 3.00 pm. The students will return to school on Monday, 15 April for the commencement of Term 2.
I hope you have a great week ahead, and if there is any way we can support you, please reach out.
Thanks
Nick
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 existing families with a child/ren intending to commence Prep at St Paul's in 2025 submit their completed Enrolment Packs into the school office by the end of Term 1 (Thursday 28 March). Enrolment Packs 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.
Student Wellbeing
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 18th- 24th March
What is Neurodiversity week about?
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people with learning differences.
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week is one way of reminding everyone of the importance of being kind, tolerant and accepting of everyone.
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week serves as a reminder that no matter what our differences and challenges, everyone also has their own strengths and talents.
What is Neurodiversity?(1)
- Neurodiversity explains why we are not all the same.
- Someone who is 'neurodivergent' may learn,think or behave differently than what is considered "typical" (also known as 'neurotypical'). Misunderstanding can lead to children feeling isolated, excluded from their peers and frustrated.
- Variations in the way we learn, think or behave are often labelled with a diagnosis– Such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Developmental Language Disorder (or DLD), Autism, ADHD and more…
Check out these posters to discover neurodivergent famous people
eSmart Week 18th -24th March
This week is another week that we highlight the importance of cybersafety. Students have discussed the St Paul’s User Agreements in class and a copy has been sent home via Operoo.
Below is an article from the eSmart- Alannah and Madeline Foundation website. For more parent support sheets please visit this website
Four Tips for Balancing your Families Tech
As we watch our children grow, it can be confronting to see them navigate tech that even we are struggling to master and defend against. While it is exciting to see all the possibilities that the digital world can offer, it is important to remind ourselves that unless technology is enhancing our humanness it should not only take a backseat as Education Futurist Louka Parry explains, “it shouldn’t even be in the car”.
“We should be embracing digital technology only when it is in service of really impactful learning,” explains Louka, who along with working globally to enable a world of thriving learners, is also a member of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation board.
But how can this approach help parents, who are often feeling the weight of parenting guilt?
We know there are so many exciting ways that technology can enhance learning. For instance, supporting people with learning differences, empowering neurodiverse children and those with dyslexia, and enabling deep personalised learning. And there are more untapped positive ways that technology can help to not just enhance learning but also foster children’s overall wellbeing.
Parents should be excited by these possibilities, but Louka is keen to remind us that there is more to thriving as a whole person than just academia. He suggests we consider,
"What do I want for my young person? To be the best learner they can be and to do so joyfully,” highlighting the significance of fulfilment over just academic success.
Tips for helping your child to thrive in a technology-heavy world
Being kind to yourself should always be a priority, explains Louka. “You’re learning to parent as you go and you’re learning alongside your child. To support yourself through that you might need to forgive yourself every single night and then recommit every single morning. It's a very good practice because none of us are getting it completely right.”
You can only do your best, with the tools that you have on hand. Louka has helped to develop some simple yet impactful advice:
- Only embrace technology that serves us (not the other way around)
When technology isn’t helping you, it is hindering your wellbeing. Louka explains that when it comes to tech, “it should be in service of optimal human growth and wellbeing, and if it's not, that's where it shouldn't be getting used.”
Take time to reflect on how the technology is making you feel, and when you might find yourself distracted. Then support your children to do the same, and make conscious decisions based on what you discover.
- Cultivate a love of nature (and offline activities)
Louka points to research that shows the positive benefits of time in nature, suggesting a balance between digital engagement and outdoor activities, especially for children spending extended periods on screens.
“We want to support our children to be technological naturalists, meaning they are technologically savvy, but they love nature,” explains Louka. “We want to see them getting outdoors or going for a swim, simply playing in nature, these things are becoming more important in our digitising world.”
- Model intentional behaviour
Louka advises parents to model intentional technology use.
Set clear boundaries for technology use within the home, such as setting bounded and intentional time for use. Keep devices out of bedrooms and promote face-to-face interactions during moments of connection. Optimal child development and connection is an act of serving and return and technology disrupts this process. However, Louka urges parents not to feel guilty about their own tech use as we live in a digital world, but to be “very cautious about the use of your phone and what you are modelling to your children.”
To support you in building balance in the home, you can explore our DigiTalk Screen Smart Family guide.
- Create space for safe conversations
One of the most important things parents can do to ensure their children are safe and thriving online is to hold space for them to share, engage in two-way conversations and ask them open-ended questions.
Louka explains that this process is “just really allowing young people to develop discernment”. These open conversations support their critical thinking skills, as well as help to grow trust and communication in a safe home environment.
Louka suggests trying questions that let them think about both the positive and negative sides of technology, such as:
- “What was the best thing that you created with technology today?”
- “When did you feel it was like it made you happiest?”
- “And did anything happen that made you feel a bit yucky?”
- “Do you feel that like there were any moments today when the device was controlling you?”
Creating a safe space is very important because, as Louka shares, “I think a lot of children suffer in silence... so that safe space where young people can talk about how they really feel or what's really going on, that's such a critical space especially as we learn more about the negative impact of some platforms on mental health and wellbeing”
Harmony Week 18th-24th March
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
School Procedures for Bushfire season
Important Dates
TERM 1
- Wednesday 13-25 March - NAPLAN Testing Window
- 18- 24 March - eSmart Week, Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Celebration Week
- Thursday 21 March - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 28 March - Holy Thursday: Term 1 Concludes
- Friday 29 March - Good Friday
- Sunday 31 March - Easter Sunday
TERM 2
- Monday 15 April - Term 2 commences for Students
- Mon-Wed 22 -24 April - Year 5/6 Camp to Phillip Island
- Thursday 25 April - ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Tuesday 30 April - Open Day
- Wednesday 1 May - Whole School Cross Country
- Thursday 2 May - Prep Taster Day - #1
- Friday 3 May - Mater Christi & St Joseph's College Taster Days (Year 4s)
- Wednesday 8 May - School Photos
- Friday 10 May - Mother's Day Breakfast / Mother's Day Stall
- Tuesday 14 May - Andrew Chinn: Student Workshops & Evening Concert
- Wednesday 15 May - Prep Taster Day - #2
- Saturday 18 May - Emerald BBQ
- Thursday 23 May - Open Day
- Friday 24 May - District Cross-Country
- Thursday 30 May - Prep Taster Day - #3
- Tuesday 4 June - Open Day
- Tuesday 4 June - Division Cross-Country
- Thursday 6 June - Working Bee (3.15pm)
- Thursday 6 June - Lighthouse Expo Night
- Friday 7 June - School Closure Day - No school for students
- Monday 10 June - KING'S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- Wednesday 12 June - Prep Taster Day - #4
- Wednesday 26 June - 3 Way Conferences (aka Parent/Teacher/Student conferences)
- Friday 28 June - Term 2 Concludes
- Saturday 29 June - St Paul's Feast Day
From the School Office
Hot Lunch & Sushi Days
Next Event: Hot Lunch & Sushi Day - Term 2
Date: To be confirmed
**Please see below for current menus**
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?
Parents & Friends News
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.
Transition Information
Victorian Catholic Schools Guide
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2025 and beyond, please find below a link to the March 2024 edition of the Catholic Education Guide.
CLICK HERE: https://victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/catholic-education/
Community Notices
Outdoor Cinema Event - Mt Lilydale Mercy College
Mount Lilydale Mercy College Old Collegians' Association is hosting an outdoor cinema event — come and join us and watch the classic film, Back to the Future.
This is a free event for our local community to come together and enjoy a night under the stars.
The event will be held at Mount Lilydale Mercy College on Friday 19 April, starting at 5.00pm and concluding at 8.30pm.
There will be a barbecue, snacks and drinks available for purchase. Please bring your own chairs, picnic rugs, bean bags and blankets.
Please register to attend by visiting trybooking.com/CPGHU
Shire of Yarra Ranges - Newsletters
Please click the link below to access latest family news and events from Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Financial Resource Support for Families
Open Door Community Care - Local Support Services
Monbulk Care Network has recently changed its name to Open Door Community Care. It is the same community service with a new name. Please see below for details if you would like to access these community support resources.
Food Pantry hours (next to Open Door Community Church)
Cnr David Hill Rd & Moxhams Rd
Every day: 9.30am – 5.30pm
The Op Shop & Laneway Nursery hours
Mon-Fri 10am -4.30pm
Saturday 10am -1pm
