St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 8 August 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 4
From the Principal
Hello Everyone,
Today marks the Feast of Mary MacKillop, St Mary of the Cross. She is one of the patron saints of Australia and the other is Mary, the Help of Christians (Jesus’ mum). We celebrated her yesterday at mass and the students were fantastic at sharing facts about Mary when questioned during Fr Cruz’s homily.
Next Wednesday, we celebrate our other patron saint, Mary, with the mass for the Feast of the Assumption at 10:15am. This will also be the culmination of our Grandparents and Special Persons Morning. We invite all families to attend.
The run down of the day is below:
Time | Activity |
8:45 am - 8:50 am | Classes as usual for roll marking |
8.50 am | Grandparents and special persons are invited to go to the Undercover Area After the roll marking, students will meet their grandparents/special persons and other siblings and move to allocated rooms |
9:00 am - 9:45 am | Family groups will be in allocated classrooms for activities (see above) |
9:50 am | Visitors move to the church & students return to the classroom for fruit snack and toilet break |
10:00 am | Students leave classroom to meet grandparents and special persons in the church, being seated ready for 10:15 am start |
11:10 am | Morning tea for adults in the foyer |
This Sunday we celebrate Ella, Harris, Logan, Tyler, Charlotte M, Charlotte F, Dante, Flynn, Pearl, Mirikki, Niamh and Ivy, who are all making their First Holy Communion. The mass is at 11am in the church and the whole St Paul’s community are invited. Please note that there will be three collections for this week's mass: The two usual Parish collections and a special collection for the Archbishop campaign.
From this Friday afternoon (9 August), as can be seen in the family calendar, our Book Fair begins. Alayne will be facilitating the purchases of books from Friday afternoon until Wednesday. It will be open from 8.15 - 8.45am Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 3.00 - 3.45pm Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It will also be open for Grandparents and Special Persons on Wednesday morning. Thanks to Alayne for organising this great opportunity to purchase books. See the flyer in the office section for more information.
While discussing books, we will be celebrating Book Week on Friday 16 August. This is a day when each student can dress up as a book character, and we will be having a parade in the hall beginning at 9am. The theme for 2024 Book Week is “Reading is Magic,” so will we see a lot of Harry and Hermione students?
Next week is ‘Bullying, No Way!’ week of action. Within the classrooms the students will focus on activities looking at addressing bullying and understanding it better. It is a great opportunity to have conversations at home, especially around cyber issues of bullying online.
Today we have had our Mini Olympics Day. It has been awesome seeing the students dressed up in a plethora of different sports, including a lot of red and black AFL attire. It started with an opening ceremony this morning, with France, Italy, Japan and Australia marching around to their respective anthems. The students in their country (colour) groups then participated in slalom relays in the hall; an obstacle course covering various sports; re-enacting the early Olympic sport of Tug-of-War; and creating their own basketball hoops for a mini-competition. A big shout out to Mrs Kerr and the Year 6 leaders for driving the day and witnessing the students demonstrate St Paul’s values of Courage, Responsibility, Wisdom, Justice and Respect.
Last week, we had our students compete in the regional soccer competition, and although they did not get through, they set targets for themselves as a team and reached those targets. Last Monday the 5/6 students participated in the regional basketball tournament at Kilsyth. Again, each of the students conducted themselves amazingly and a big thanks to the parents that helped out on the day. Next Monday we have the 3/4 students competing in the same day, again at Kilsyth.
There is a lot going on at the moment, some exciting things. Unfortunately there are also a lot of various illnesses circulating throughout our community including Whooping Cough, RSV, Gastro, COVID, Chickenpox, and Influenza A. We appreciate and thank you all for looking after your children and keeping them home when sick or displaying symptoms. If in doubt about illnesses, please keep your child home, reducing the spread of these viruses. If you are keeping your child home please notify their teacher and/or Helen in the office.
Finally, we have our R.E focused SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY on Friday 23rd August. The staff will be exploring scripture, being lead by Prue Vanstan from MACS Eastern Office. This is a student-free day - there will be no school for students on this day.
With all the bugs floating around, I hope you continue to look after yourselves and each other. As always, if there is any way the school can assist, please reach out.
Thanks
Nick
Book Fair Starts Tomorrow!
Book Week - Dress Up Parade!
We are celebrating this year's CBCA Book Week with a magical dress-up day on Friday 16th August. There will be a parade at 9.00 am, in the hall. Please feel free to join the frivolity!
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
- Thursday 8 August - Olympics Day
- Friday 9-Wednesday 14 August - Book Fair / Book Week -Reading is Magic!
- Sunday 11 August - First Eucharist
- Wednesday 14 August - Grandparent/Special Persons Day
- Thursday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption
- Thursday 15 August - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Friday 16 August - Book Week Dress Up Parade
- Thursday 22 August - Prep Taster Day - Library Adventures
- Friday 23 August - School Closure Day - No school for students
- Thursday 29 August - Hot Lunch & Sushi Day
- Thursday 29 August - Working Bee @ 3.15pm
- Friday 30 August - Father's Day Brekkie and Father's Day Stall
- 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 for Students
- Friday 20 September - School Closure Day - No School 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
- 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
Hot Lunch & Sushi Day - Thursday 15 August
Orders Open: Now via CDF Pay
Orders Close: Sunday 11 August @ 10pm
* Please note: No late orders can be accepted after this time
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
Scholastic Book Club
**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
