St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 17 June, 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 2, Week 9
From the Principal
Dear Families,
I sat down to write the newsletter this week and tried to come up with some really amazing and inspirational normal words for everybody as we battle through one of the most challenging experiences that certainly I have ever known, and maybe some of you also have ever known. But what can one say at times like these? I don’t feel that saying “I’m thinking of you” or “My thoughts are with you at this time” is even close to enough.
On Tuesday morning when the children arrived back at school after being in remote learning for the last couple of weeks it was quite surreal. The children and parents moved through the school quietly as they went back into their classrooms. The cheers and 'high-fives' that we might have expected from the students because they had not seen each other for so long, were replaced with quiet chatting in huddles, children sharing their experiences of one of the most alarming storms any of us have experienced.
People in our community described their experiences of the storms as harrowing. In the middle of the night the wind was howling and some people in our community heard the trees crack and could hear and feel them falling. If we weren’t directly impacted by trees falling on our property we all know people that were. Some people are still waiting for power, heating and in several cases even water.
Every part of me is so very grateful that all of our families returned safely to school. On my morning yard duty as I see parents come and go when they drop off their children, I have been thinking to myself what can we do to help? Is there more that can be done? And I ask these questions not necessarily out of pity but out of empathy because the things that I am able to take for granted are not available to some people in our community right now, and I can’t imagine what that must be like, it would be extremely difficult. I know of several parents in the St Paul's community that have assisted by clearing roads, assisting neighbours, giving donations and contributing to the food drives over the weekend. I had offers from parents asking if the school needed any assistance, or if I knew of families that needed assistance to let them know. This is no surprise to me, knowing our community, and I know how grateful everyone is for this support.
As hard as things are for people right now, the staff were so incredibly impressed with the way the students handled themselves when they did return to school this week. As parents, we don’t get to see our own children mixing with their friends and playing in the yard during the school day. It is with great pleasure that I can report that the St Paul's students after they had a chance to debrief, put their heads down in their classrooms and got their learning done. They went out in the yard and played really nicely with one another. School provides that sense of normality and safety which is probably why those families that have had to move out of their homes and travel a long way to and from Monbulk have made the journey for their children to attend school.
It is so good to have the children back on-site, and we thank our families for bringing your children to school, we know that this has been a massive effort. We are hoping (like crazy!) that everyone has power, heating and water very soon and as mentioned above, there are many in our community that can assist those in need, so please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any support at this time.
School Concludes at 1:00pm, Thursday 24 June
3 Way Conferences: Thursday 24 June
On Thursday 24 June our Semester One 3 Way Conferences will take place for all parents. 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.
A letter has been emailed to families, and will also sent home today in hard copy just in case homes are still without power and/or internet. Bookings open at 4:00pm today so that those that need the paper copy of the letter can access the bookings at the same time.
Prayer Gathering Assembly 2:10pm Monday
Unfortunately, at this time, face to face Prayer Gathering Assembly is not permitted. Therefore, this Monday, 21 June, we will stream our Prayer Gathering Assembly online. To access the Prayer Gathering, please log in to Google at 2:10pm using your child's username and password. Open meet.google.com and enter the code: stpassembly.
Movie Night: Cancelled
Please be aware that, due to a range of circumstances, the Movie Night that was planned for this Friday 18 June is cancelled.
Thank you for your understanding.
Hot Lunch and Sushi Days
With our free hot lunch day tomorrow, the previously scheduled Hot Lunch Day for Friday, 25 June has been changed. The Sushi Day (previously set for 4 June) is now rescheduled to Friday, 25 June. Orders previously placed for Sushi Day (4 June) have been moved to Friday 25 June (there is no need to place orders again!). Sushi orders for 25 June can still be placed – cut off time is Wednesday, 23 June @ 10pm. If you previously placed an order for 4 June there is no action required!
We are extremely grateful to our P&F Committee for organising and funding tomorrow's hot lunch.
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.
CDF Pay Update
25 June Sushi Day - cut off Wednesday, 23 June @ 1opm
19 July Division Cross Country entry fee- cut off Monday 19 July @ 8am
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
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.
