St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday, 22 August 2024
2024 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 6
From the Principal
Dear Families,
I hope this finds you well.
Firstly, a reminder that tomorrow there is no school for students.
Today's short prayer above is about the Word of God. Tomorrow, the staff will be exploring the Words of God through scripture. This day will be led by Prue Vanstan from the MACS Eastern Regional Office. There will be times throughout the day when the office will be unattended, however if you need anything, please either email or leave a message.
We are excited to announce that the tickets for our show, Ruby and the Marvellously Magical Music Cube for Thursday 19 September will go on sale tomorrow morning at 10am! Each family will receive an email at that time explaining the procedures and containing a link for the purchase of tickets. Due to seating availability we will initially limit an allocation of 4 tickets for purchase by each family (you do not need to buy tickets for your children in the show). If you have any concerns about this, please reach out to Helen or myself in the office.
Last Friday, we celebrated the 2024 Book Week with our parade of students in the hall, followed by activities in the classrooms. It was awesome to see our students dressed up in various characters and the staff so ably led by Cruella de Vil and her dalmatians. Thanks to all the families that came and supported the parade.
Next Thursday 29 August, we have another Hot Lunch & Sushi Day supplied by The Blacksmith in Belgrave. Orders via CDF Pay are now open and will close on Sunday night. Later that afternoon, starting at 3.15pm we have the Term 3 Working Bee. There will be some rubbish to be removed, some pruning for spring and the spreading of another load of mulch. Thanks to the following families that have volunteered for this night: Koole, Spargo, Wiering, Gipp/Bugeja, Koroibulu/Spencer, McErlain/Jenkins, Sheers and Chrisohoidis.
Next Friday, we have our Father’s Day Breakfast. Orders are now open on CDF Pay and close next Monday 26 August. Thanks to Parents and Friends for helping create this community morning. This will be followed by the annual Father’s Day Stall, so students get busy earning the money to buy Dad something awesome.
Again, as a family if you have intentions for 2025 that don’t include St Paul’s, can you please let me know, as we begin the process of organising class structures tomorrow.
I hope you are able to enjoy the long weekend as a family, and please reach out if we can support you as a school.
Thanks
Nick
Book Week - Dress Up Parade!
Book Fair Update
Thank you one and all for supporting this year’s magical Book Fair. The subjects of the Kingdom of St Paul’s Library were bestowed with a bounty of book rewards to the value of $375.00 from the Fair (see pic below), and a further haul of $293.00 in Scholastic Bok Club treasure.
We are very grateful to all those who helped support this year's Fair, being those who helped staff the Fair and assist with sales, all those who made purchases and all the avid and enthusiastic readers - Thank you!
Alayne
School Musical: 19 September - Save the Date!
Student Voice
Enrol now for 2025
We respectfully request 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
Bullying No Way: National Week of Action
Some photos of the activities students did last week
Cybersafety
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when someone is mean to a child or young person under 18 online so they feel bad or upset. It can happen on a social media site, game, app, or any other online or electronic service or platform. It can include: posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, livestreams, memes, images, videos and emails.
These are some examples of ways the internet can be used to make someone feel bad or upset:
- Sending hurtful messages about them or to them.
- Sharing embarrassing photos or videos of them, including sexual content.
- Spreading nasty online gossip about them.
- Leaving them out online.
- Creating fake accounts in their name.
- Tricking them into believing you are someone else.
For most children and young people, online life is a key part of their identity and how they communicate, so cyberbullying can be very harmful. It can cause a range of emotions including fear, anxiety, anger and despair. They may suffer trauma and ongoing depression.
Cyberbullying content can be reported to the online or electronic service or platform that was used to send, post or share it. This is usually the fastest way to get it removed.
Your child may not tell you if they are experiencing bullying behaviour online because of a fear it might make things worse for them, or they may lose access to their devices and the internet. They may also feel ashamed, especially if they have also been involved in bullying others online.
Signs to watch for
- Being upset after using the internet or their devices, such as mobile phones
- Changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, anxious, sad or angry
- Appearing lonelier or more distressed
- Unexpected changes in friendship groups
- A slide in their school results
- Changes in their sleep patterns
- Avoiding school or clubs
- A decline in their physical health
- Becoming secretive about their online activities and device use.
Important Dates
TERM 3
- 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
CDF Pay Events:
Event: Hot Lunch & Sushi Day – Thursday 29 August
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Sunday 25 August @ 10pm
* Please note: No late orders can be accepted after this time
Event & Date: Father’s Day Brekkie – Friday 30 August
Orders Open: Now
Orders Close: Monday 26 August @ 10pm
For a direct link to CDF Pay click here.
**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 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
