St Paul's Newsletter: Friday 11 June, 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 2, Week 8
From the Principal
Dear Families,
We must acknowledge the resilience and courage shown right through our community as we respond to not only COVID-19 restrictions, but also the widespread damage and inconvenience caused by the recent storms. As I have travelled to and from school these past couple of days I have seen incredible acts of generosity and kindness throughout Monbulk and surrounds. Trees down, powerlines down, floods, and people displaced, have all been a massive challenge for everybody. I am so grateful that the St Paul's community, and the vast majority of the wider community, are safe.
I saw a huge number of local residents, including some from our parent community, working with great courage and sacrifice to clear roads of debris. People were also directing traffic to make sure everybody was safe where trees were blocking half the road. People have been sharing and delivering goods and opening up their homes for others in the community, which has been extraordinary in both generosity and spirit.
On top of everything else going on in our world at this time the Monbulk community clearly is able to rise above the storms, help out one another, and it gives us all great hope that we will recover before too long. Monbulk community and particularly the St Paul's community is a most inspirational place to be a part of.
Thank you for your support this week as we have partnered together to provide learning opportunities for the students. There have been increased opportunities for children to connect with their teachers and peers, and we have been thrilled at the children’s attendance and participation during Google Meet sessions.
Keeping everyone safe and healthy is our collective priority. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher or myself if you have any concerns for your child as we return to on-site learning this Tuesday.
Students return to on-site schooling this Tuesday 15 June. School begins at 8:45am.
There will be no adjustments to drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon. Morning supervision begins at 8:25am and students will be allowed to enter the classroom from 8:30am. Parents will not be allowed to enter the classrooms, however parents are permitted on the school grounds. We are requesting that parents do not congregate and chat after dropping their child/ren off and prior to picking up their child/ren. Appropriate social distancing needs to be observed at all times in the school grounds and masks must be worn at all times on the school site, particularly if entering the office area. Thanks for your understanding on this.
Technology Return
Many students have a school iPad or Chromebook. All devices will need to be returned to the classroom on Tuesday. We ask that they please be cleaned appropriately, thanks!
Continued Sanitary and Hygiene Measures
Hand hygiene continues to be a focus area for staying safe. It is terrific to see our students in the habit of sanitising their hands regularly. There are bottles and hand pumps at various locations around the school and frequent use is encouraged by our staff. Additional cleaning of high traffic areas in the middle of the day continues.
3 Way Conferences: Thursday 24 June
On Thursday 24 June our Semester One 3 Way Conferences will take place for all students. School concludes at 1:00pm on the day. For students that travel on the bus home or to OSHClub we can organise supervision until 3:00pm. Please email office@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au if this is the case for you. Interviews will be held online due to the current circumstances. Families will receive a letter with booking details early next week.
School Concludes at 1:00pm, Thursday 24 June
TEXT MESSAGES - Emergency Management
All families received two text messages from me last week. The text messages were sent via our Operoo system. We save our text message system for emergency situations only, and in the case of the recent storms it was appropriate to use text, as well as ZSZApp and email to contact our families.
REMOTE LEARNING: School Attendance Verification
Last week we used Google Meet in order to verify attendance, up until the storms hit. On Thursday and Friday we knew that many families had no internet or power.
For last Thursday 10 June, and Friday 11 June, instead of using Google Meets (due to families not being able to access Google Meet) we sent an Operoo eForm for parents to verify attendance. This eForm will be open for next week so that, when families do gain access to online applications, parents can respond then. We understand that some students may not have been able to engage in remote learning and that's fine, please just let us know as attendance records are vital. Thanks for your support.
PE News
Through the Sporting Schools Grants Grade 2/3, 4/5 and 5/6 will participate in 4 sessions of rugby over the next 4 weeks. Dan from Rugby Victoria came out recently for our first session. He taught our students how to pass and catch a rugby ball. They had lots of fun while learning a new skill and playing fun games. The Prep/1 classes had an AFL Clinic with coach Tilly. She taught them how to handball, mark and kick a footy. There were lots of smiles and fun had. There is another AFL Clinic booked in for later in the Term for the whole school. Obviously Division Cross Country didn't happen this week due to Lock Down but Coordinators are looking at other dates, so fingers crossed.
From Mrs Geoghegan
SHREK Jnr.
Our production will be held on Thursday 2 September at the Burrinja Cultural Centre. We are seeking volunteers who may be able to help with costumes, sets and prop making and would love to hear from any parents who have any skills they believe may be helpful in putting this production together. This is a great opportunity to meet other families and become involved in our school community. We have sent out an Operoo eForm. If this sounds like something that you would love to be a part of, please respond to the eForm by Friday 18 June, and Mrs Irene Haritos, our Music/Performing Arts Teacher, and Director, will be in touch!
Finally, just a reminder that Monday 14 June is a Public Holiday for the Queen's Birthday.
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
From the School Office
CDF PAY Online School Shop - Update
Due to the current restrictions the following events will be rescheduled when permitted.
Once the new dates have been set CDF Pay will re-open for further orders/payments and any payments already made will be applied to your accounts. Thank you for your understanding.
1 June Division Cross Country
4 June Sushi Day
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 (subject to any COVID restrictions in force at the time).
The store is now a CASHLESS STORE, EFTPOS transactions will be the only acceptable method of purchase. Recent changes to improve the health and safety of staff and customers include perspex screens at the registers and the supply of hand sanitiser. We ask that customers please apply this on entry to the store.
Online ordering continues as normal with all delivery options available including contactless pick up. Please phone the store on 9870 1377 if you have any further queries.
Secondhand Uniform Shop - Now Open
Our secondhand uniform shop is managed by Kylie Storer with items being purchased by gold coin donation. If you are looking for items of secondhand uniform please feel free to text Kylie on 0430 546 611 with your wish list. Kylie will be at school on Friday mornings to fill orders. Items can be sent home via class tubs or collected from the school office.
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.
2021 School Closure Days
Please note the following days in your diary. There is NO SCHOOL for students on the following dates:
- TERM 3 - Monday 26 July (Literacy Professional Learning)
- TERM 4 - TBC
P&F News
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.
Community Notices
Transition Information
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2022 and beyond, please find below a link to the 136 page March 2021 edition of the Catholic Education Guide.
CLICK HERE: https://victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/catholic-education/
Mater Christi College – Belgrave
Mater Christi College is a vibrant, inclusive and warm community where girls feel safe and build supportive lifelong friendships. After another year of leading academic and vocational outcomes, we are experiencing a surge in demand for places.
Parents of Grade 5 students are strongly encouraged to secure a place for Year 7 2023. Visit the College website to apply or arrange a tour.
Families seeking enrolment for 2022 should contact the College Registrar 9754 6611 asap.
