St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 16 May 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 2, Week 5
From the Principal
Dear Families, I am filled with gratitude this week. It has been a great week with our community coming together twice. We started last Friday morning (in the drizzle—I might have jinxed myself by lauding the weather) for our annual Mother’s Day breakfast. It was great to see families sharing bacon and egg rolls, fruit salad and a warm drink. I know many students were excited to share their learning in the classroom spaces too. A massive shout out to our Parents and Friends and all who helped out in the morning, either cooking, serving or selling. I hope all our mothers had a great day last Sunday and appreciated the wonderful presents that you received.
The community came back together on Tuesday night for the Andrew Chinn concert. Andrew does excellent work sharing his love of God through his music, and this is contagious to the students. Throughout the day it was a pleasure to see so many smiles and so much enthusiastic participation, and I know some children who were not planning on coming to the concert who might have gone home and convinced some families to attend. For me, seeing the community in the church Tuesday night in a positive and engaging environment was the highlight. I know my George spent the trip home singing his heart out. Kate, my wife, wasn’t 100% sure what he was singing, but he did it with great enthusiasm. I hope many of you had similar trips home, perhaps with better articulation.
Yesterday we had our second Prep Taster Day (Maths Madness) for families with children looking forward to starting Prep next year. Our third Taster Day session, the popular Science Fair, is in a fortnight on 30 May and we would love to see many families there. If you know of anyone interested, please spread the word.
This Saturday we have our first Emerald BBQ for this year (9am-1pm). We are very grateful to Emerald Meats, managed by Alan and Joy Mills (a past St Paul's family) who kindly donate sausages and BBQ facilities in the heart of the Emerald township - right outside the Emerald Meats store, on various Saturdays, throughout the year. We also thank the following families who registered to help out on this occasion: Cox, Munn, Farrelly, Edwards, Coffey, Storto and Robb. If you are out and about Saturday morning, why not swing by and grab a snag.
Finally on community, we welcome Nina Chrisohoidis to the St Paul’s community. Born on 3 May and a little sister to Isaac in Prep. Congratulations to Natalie, Jonathan, Alexander and Isaac.
Just some housekeeping notices.
A local community member suggested that cars coming out of the carpark aren’t always looking both ways. Please remember that you are crossing a commonly used footpath when entering and exiting our school and safety is a priority. Thanks to the cars for keeping the footpath clear and for everyone moving safely throughout our parking spaces.
Finally, from me, just a note that the school will be closed on Friday 7 June for Staff Professional Development with a focus on Mathematics) and Monday 10th June for the King’s birthday holiday.
Have a great week ahead, I look forward to seeing many of you around.
Nick
Student Voice
Andrew Chinn Concert
This week on Tuesday we had Andrew Chinn over for a whole school concert. Throughout the day each class had a workshop with him. He made it a great experience and everyone had a brilliant time. Everyone had the opportunity to come up and participate in singing his songs with him and we all wished he could have stayed for longer.
We would like to thank Andrew Chinn for coming to our school and spending a day with us, Mr Frederiksen and the rest of the teachers for organising this special event and our parents for bringing us back for the concert.
Olivia and Esther
2025 Enrolments Now Open!
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 as soon as possible. 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.
Learning Diversity (Student Support)
Important Dates
TERM 2
- Saturday 18 May - Emerald BBQ
- Thursday 23 May - Open Day
- Monday 27 May - Prayer Gathering/Assembly
- Thursday 30 May - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 30 May - Prep Taster Day - #3
- Tuesday 4 June - Open Day
- Wednesday 5 June - School Advisory Council Meeting - 7pm
- 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 12 June - First Reconciliation
- Tuesday 18 June - First Eucharist Family Workshop @ 3.30pm
- Thursday 20 June - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Friday 21 June - Reports emailed out
- Monday 24 June - Prayer Gathering/Assembly
- Monday 24 June - MLMC Future Stars (Year 5s)
- Wednesday 26 June - 3 Way Conferences (aka Parent/Teacher/Student conferences)
- Friday 28 June - Term 2 Concludes for Students
- Saturday 29 June - St Paul's Feast Day
TERM 3
- Monday 15 July - Term 3 commences for Students
- Thursday 25 July - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Tuesday 30 July - International Friendship Day
- Thursday 1 August - MLMC 'Addam's Family Musical' (Years 5&6)
- Thursday 8 August - Feast of Mary MacKillop
- Sunday 11 August - First Eucharist
- Thursday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption
- Thursday 15 August - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- 17-23 August - Book Week - Reading is Magic!
- Friday 23 August - School Closure Day - No school for students
- Thursday 29 August - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 29 August - Working Bee @ 3.15pm
- Wednesday 4 September - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7pm
- Friday 13 September - Footy Day - Hot Dog Lunch
- Thursday 19 September - SCHOOL MUSICAL
- Friday 20 September - Term 3 Concludes for Students
TERM 4
- Monday 7 October - Term 4 commences for Students
- Wednesday 16 October - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7pm
- Thursday 17 October - School Disco
- Thursday 24 October - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 24 October - Working Bee @ 3.15pm
- Saturday 26 October - Emerald BBQ
- Monday 4 November - School Closure Day - No school for students
- Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
- Wed 6 - Fri 8 November - Swimming Program - Monbulk Aquatic Centre
- Monday 11 November - Remembrance Day
- Thursday 14 November - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Wednesday 27 November - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7pm
- Thursday 5 December - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Tuesday 17 December - Term 4 Concludes - Last day for Students
From the School Office
**HOT LUNCH & SUSHI Days**
Please see below for 2024 dates and 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
St Paul's School New Uniform Supplier: Spartan School World
For online orders: www.spartanschoolworld.com.au
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
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
