St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 29 July, 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 3
From the Principal
Dear Families,
It is fantastic to have our students, and families, back on-site at St Paul's. It was a huge relief to see everybody walking through the school yesterday morning, happily greeting one another. It was clear that our students were excited to be back with their friends.
Further down in today's newsletter I have included relevant sections of our latest School Operations Guide and I wish to thank our community for following these directions, it is greatly appreciated.
First Reconciliation
The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will be held on Wednesday 11 August at 3:30pm. There are 19 students, from St Paul's and our wider Parish of St Thomas More's, Belgrave, receiving this Sacrament. The Catholic Church requires that a child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist (First Communion).
Reconciliation is the act of re-establishing a relationship. This Sacrament is designed to restore one's relationship with God. Also, since all Christians are connected together through the body of Christ this Sacrament reconciles one with the Church.
As members of the Catholic Church, we believe it is important that a child's image of God remains a loving God and that the experience of reconciliation be a positive experience where the child knows that he or she is greatly loved by God and valued by the Church community.
Sacrament Program
The following Guidelines are approved by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, to assist Clergy and Faithful with questions pertaining to specific areas of liturgy and ministry in the Archdiocese of Melbourne during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 11:59pm Tuesday 27 July 2021, the following measures will apply across Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria until otherwise advised.
- Face masks must be carried at all times and worn inside and outdoors, except if at home or if an exception applies.
- Prayer and Religious Ceremonies: Permitted for up to 100 people indoors and up to 300 people outdoors. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies. A venue smaller than 100sqm can have up to 25 people per venue before density quotient applies. COVID Check-in Marshals must ensure attendees check-in.
- Funerals (indoors and outdoors): Permitted for up to 50 people (plus those necessary to conduct the funeral), subject to venue density limits. Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap. COVID Check-in Marshals must ensure attendees check-in.
- Weddings (indoors and outdoors): Permitted with no more than 50 people (including the couple and witnesses). Celebrant and photographer are not counted towards this cap. COVID Check-in Marshals must ensure attendees check-in.
Working within these guidelines, we have arranged our Sacrament program for the following dates and times:
First Reconciliation:
- August 11: Wednesday, 3:30pm – First Reconciliation Service (one parent to attend only, thanks)
Confirmation:
- August 14: Saturday, 2:00pm
First Eucharist:
- Aug 11: AFTER First Reconciliation Service - Quick 5 to 10 minute talk on First Eucharist activities.
- Oct 6: Wednesday, 3:30 – Practice for First Eucharist
- Oct 7: Thursday, 6:00PM – First Eucharist Mass
School Musical Production
Due to lockdown 4, and then lockdown 5, we have lost a significant amount of rehearsal time for upcoming production of Shrek Jnr. With Thursday 2 September only 5 weeks away, there are not enough music lessons or rehearsal opportunities for us to prepare the students appropriately. There is also the chance of further lockdowns to consider, and we feel it would be unfair on our students to expect them to learn lines, songs, dances and develop their stagecraft in such a short period of time. The experience of a musical should be an exciting and fulfilling one, but the way things are looking right now, we feel the pressure on students to perform on 2 September would take away from that excitement.
We are intending to push ahead and give our students the opportunity to perform, but we are looking for a date later in the year. We have been in touch with Burrinja Cultural Centre and they are looking for an appropriate date, early in Term 4, subject to availability. If Burrinja can not accommodate us, we are considering other options, but for now we will wait to see what the good people at Burrinja can do for us.
Physical Distancing
Our School Operations Guide states that a variety of strategies to support physical distancing among all students and staff should be pursued, where possible.
Staff must practise physical distancing between themselves and other staff members or adults to the extent that is reasonably practicable. They should physically distance themselves from students where appropriate and feasible.
Density limits do not apply in classrooms and other spaces for the purposes of student use, including corridors and other shared areas.
Density limits of 1 person per 4 square metres apply to staff areas such as staff lunchrooms and areas accessed by the public, such as reception areas.
Practice Good Hygiene
All staff, students and visitors to schools should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.
Our School Operations Guide states that sharing of food is not permitted. However, individually packaged portions are permitted for special occasions such as birthdays.
We are asked to use non-contact greetings (not shaking hands, hugging or kissing).
School Visitors
Visitors to school premises are limited to essential school services and operations. Essential visitors to school grounds must comply with density limits, face mask requirements, QR code check-ins and practise good hand hygiene.
The density limit of 1 person per 4 square metres is applied to any spaces and activities being attended by parent/carers and other visitors. The density limit applies to all persons in the space, including students.
Prayer Gathering Assembly
Our Current School Operations Guide states that some school-based activities may need to be altered, deferred or delivered remotely to reduce COVID-19 transmission risk. Decisions regarding the types of activities that take place should consider the potential risk associated with the activity, the level of community transmission and available modifications to minimise risk.
Events subject to the Public Event’s Framework, should follow advice regarding their
registered event. They should be planned in line with relevant restrictions in the
community, adhering to indoor and outdoor patron limits as well as density limits.
Large school gatherings (ceremonies, assemblies, school formals etc.) are not permitted at
this time.
In light of this, on Monday at 2:10pm we will hold our Prayer Gathering Assembly online, via Google Meet.
Parents that wish to log in can use their child's Google Log In, open Google Meet and enter the code stpassembly. The Prayer Gathering Assembly will be lead by 5/6A. We hope you can join us!
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
Student Wellbeing
Friendship Day 2021
The students at St Paul's will acknowledge Friendship Day on Friday with different activities that promote friendship. This years theme is 'Deepening International Friendships', fairly relevant considering the past 18 months. It is also a fantastic time to celebrate friendship across different cultures, with the Olympics modelling how this can be done.
What will your family do to deepen international friendships this week?
What is the International Day of Friendship?
International Day of Friendship is a day to appreciate and promote friendships from all backgrounds.
Celebrated across the globe on July 30, 2021, the day aims to bridge the gaps between factors such as race, language and culture.
International Day of Friendship promotes the idea that fostering friendships between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace and build bridges between those communities.
Why is the International Day of Friendship important?
Friendship requires empathy, compassion and concern for other people. By valuing and celebrating friendship, we foster these characteristics and adopt a more selfless and grateful outlook on life.
Across communities, International Day of Friendship can help build and strengthen relationships in spite of differences in cultures. The day can help build a more kind and peaceful world, with implications that are wide and far-reaching.
From the School Office
CDF PAY Online School Shop - Update
Please note that placing of orders for upcoming events such as hot lunch and sushi day have been suspended in CDF Pay until we are notified that these events are once again permitted to be held at school.
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 usually be at school on Thursday 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 - Cancelled/Postponed
- 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.