St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 18 July 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 1
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope that you all managed to have an enjoyable break and that you all feel refreshed and ready to go for Term 3. I understand that some families had personal struggles throughout the holidays. Please know that we are here to support you. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Colussi, Rademaker, and Plank families, who all lost grandparents during the holidays. We are here for you.
We welcome Jordan and his family, who began in 1/2D this week. We are excited to have them at St Paul’s. We are still taking enrolments for 2025, and are excited to have our first Term 3 Prep Taster Day on Friday, July 26th, where the children will focus on being Mini Musicians.
This week NAPLAN results went home. The results seem rather pleasing in general, but with the new assessment and reporting of the data, it is difficult to compare exactly how we went. We are unable to see growth in Years 3-5, and there is no comparative data for state and national levels at the moment. As a staff, we will be looking at our successes and the areas in which we need to keep working. If you are after further information regarding NAPLAN, please visit https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/f-10assessment/naplan/Pages/parents/index.aspx
During the holidays, we had an exciting development, moving our septic system to a mains sewerage system. This has many benefits to the school. We no longer need regular maintenance or have lovely odours waft through our school grounds. We opened up our space, and now the treatment plant has been removed. Although particularly muddy at the moment, it has really opened up a very usable space going forward. I was amazed at the amount of ballast in the treatment plant, as seen in the photo below. Thanks to MACS for helping us fund this project and Skilled Maintenance for completing the project.
Next week, we will be having our first SAC meeting for the school (Wednesday, 7.00 pm). We will be finalising an Operoo agreement about the usage and safety of our car park. If you have any particular concerns, please speak to one of the SAC members or myself. From an occupational, health and safety point of view, it is one of our most significant risks, and I want to remind you always to have safety at the forefront of your mind when moving through the car park.
Thanks to the families that replied to the Country Fair Operoo and offered their services. The school will reach out to all those who volunteered shortly. The bi-annual Country Fair will be on Saturday, 15th March 2025.
We have Hot Lunch & Sushi Day next week, with orders closing at 10pm on Sunday night. Please see below for further information.
Next week our Year 5/6 students will be leading the Prayer Gathering, focusing on celebrating NAIDOC week, which occurred during the holidays. Prayer Gathering will begin at 2.10pm in the church, weather permitting. If the location changes, we will send out a message.
I look forward to leading the school and delivering great learning outcomes during Term 3. The term concludes with our School Production on Thursday, 19th September (the last Day of Term), which will showcase some of our great learning.
As always, if you have any needs throughout the term, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or Helen in the office.
Thanks
Nick
School Musical: 19 September - Save the Date!
Student Voice
Enrol now for 2025
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.
Term 3 Dates - Prep Taster Days
Student Wellbeing
The emotions wheel is a great tool to use with young people as it helps with labelling and communicating 'Big Feelings'.
Important Dates
TERM 3
- Wednesday 24 July - School Advisory Council Meeting 7pm
- Thursday 25 July - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Friday 26 July - Prep Taster Day - Mini Musicians
- Tuesday 30 July - International Friendship Day
- Thursday 1 August - MLMC 'Addam's Family Musical' (Years 5&6)
- Wednesday 7 August - Prep Taster Day - Experience Italy
- Wednesday 7 August - Mass for Feast of Mary MacKillop
- Sunday 11 August - First Eucharist
- Thursday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption
- Thursday 15 August - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 22 August - Prep Taster Day - Library Adventures
- 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
- Wednesday 11 September - Prep Taster Day - Art Adventures
- Friday 13 September - Footy Day - Hot Dog Lunch
- Thursday 19 September - SCHOOL MUSICAL
- Thursday 19 September - Term 3 Concludes
TERM 4
- Monday 7 October - Term 4 commences for Students
- Wednesday 16 October - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7pm
- Thursday 17 October - School Disco
- Wednesday 23 October - 2025 Prep Information Night
- 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
- Thursday 5 December - Christmas Carols
- Wednesday 11 December - 'Passing On' Ceremony
- Wednesday 11 December - Year 6 Graduation
- Friday 13 December - 'Meet the 2025 Teacher' orientation session
- Tuesday 17 December - Term 4 Concludes - Last day for Students
From the School Office
CDF Pay - Online School Shop
Event & Date: Hot Lunch & Sushi Day - Thursday 25 July 2024
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Sunday 21 July @ 10pm
* Please note: No late orders can be accepted after this time
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
Scholastic Book Club
First Eucharist Dress - Free
First Eucharist Dress. Worn once only - Size 10. If any Year 3 or Year 4 parent would like to view the dress or have their child try it on, please see Mrs Dietrich or Miss Boyd in 3/4 BD.
**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
