St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 2 September, 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 3, Week 8
From the Principal
Dear Families,
It was exciting to celebrate Book Week last week, seeing so many children take the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character. Books introduce children to a world of imagination and creativity, they provide knowledge of the outside world and allow for warm emotional bonds to occur when read together. It was sensational to have so many students and families join us on Google Meet for our live "Read To" and we thank the St Paul's Staff for joining in the fun and reading "Get Back in Your Books" together.
In the media, we see articles about how people are managing the challenges of the lockdown restrictions and COVID 19 in general. At no other time in our lifetime have people needed the support of their loved ones, but also the support of the community. Recently I read about how people engage in small acts of kindness to support their own wellbeing. The aim is to bring a little joy into the lives of others by providing them with a little surprise in their day. Studies around the world have shown that simple acts of kindness make a significant difference to people’s wellbeing, no matter the age. Children, especially, are wonderful at demonstrating kindness without even realising the power of what they are doing.
Acts of kindness during this time are not exclusive to those outside the home. Little acts of kindness can be demonstrated towards people in our own household. It is a common phenomenon that lockdown can put enormous pressure on the relationships between family members. Acts of kindness can serve as a circuit breaker when we need it!
Reflecting on the above I’d like to take the opportunity to tell you how incredibly proud I am of the children, the staff and yourselves for working together, demonstrating acts of kindness and above all supporting each other. Our school vision continues to inspire us to be attentive and supportive to all in our community:
“Together …
Active in the Spirit
Journeying in God’s love
Striving for success
Reaching out to all.”
Announcement of Extension to Lockdown 6.0
Like everyone in our community we were disappointed to hear that the Victorian Government has extended Lockdown 6.0 at least until 23 September. As a result, schools will be closed until this time and Remote and Flexible Learning will continue.
Families have been incredible with supporting the school in keeping the momentum of learning going, and with the last couple of weeks of term ahead of us, I thought I would take the opportunity to provide some reminders and tips about maximising learning opportunities at home:
- Ensure that your child is on time for their Google Meets during the day. This is the closest thing that we can get to ‘real’ teaching
- Please ensure that students are dressed appropriately (not in their pyjamas!)
- Ensure that your child has their camera on during their session. It makes life difficult for teaching staff if they are talking to a blank screen
- Ensure that your child is set up at home in a place where they can learn. For instance, a desk or table is best (not a bed) with TV and other distractions off
- If you are noticing huge changes in your child’s behaviour, moods and emotions contact your
classroom teacher.
We can't wait to get the students and teachers back to school … a place they love!
2021 Year 5/6 Camp
Our Premier announced that there will be no return to onsite learning for Term 3, and a plan for Term 4 will be announced at a later date. As a result of these announcements, we will not be attending camp next week, as planned. I am truly disappointed to report this to our community. We are searching for alternatives and will communicate with our Year 5 and 6 families.
School "Community Fridays"
- Friday 3 September: Presenting ... Mr Buckets Wacky Science Magic Show! Beginning at 12:30pm, this Magic Show is a 45-minute online entertainment extravaganza, held live via Zoom Video. The show includes a 30 minute magic show, followed by a 15 minute workshop for the students.
- The show starts at 12:30pm. Please see your email for the Zoom link, and ensure you are online by 12:25pm so you don't miss a second of the fun!
Friday 10 September: Principal's Pop Quiz 2.0 We are hosting the second "Principal's Pop Quiz" on Friday 10 September. We will host the Prep-3 Pop Quiz on Kahoot! at 12:00pm. We will host the Years 4-6 on Kahoot! at 12:45pm.
- Friday 17 September: BOP TILL YOU DROP!!! School Disco! This Disco will be an end of term celebration, instead of our 'normal' evening disco that can't be held for obvious reasons. This disco will be 'virtual' - held via Zoom. I hope this gives our students and families something else to look forward to while we are still in Remote and Flexible Learning.
Lunch Clubs are BACK! Students have the opportunity to connect online with a variety of lunchtime activities. Please see further in the newsletter for the flyer.
***New Playground is Coming!***
Our new playground, as per the illustration above, is ordered and is being manufactured as we speak. This has been a huge effort by our entire community, spanning the last 2 years.
Since the 2019 Country Fair we have strategically saved and invested funds raised. Firstly, we made a plan to remove a condemned portable building, and we achieved that by working with parents and the community throughout 2019 and 2020.
Although we have been slowed down by covid, it has not stopped us! Consultation with the Parents and Friends, the SRC and the staff has culminated in a list of non-negotiables for our playgrounds, including monkey bars, rock wall and slides.
Money raised from previous Country Fairs, as well as discos, hot lunch days, movie nights, Emerald BBQ and other fundraising events have all gone towards this project. Further to this, the time our parents give to the school through Working Bees and other volunteering has meant we can save money to put towards resources, and dedicate P&F funds to the playground project.
This is truly a whole community effort, and EVERY parent needs to be acknowledged because you have ALL played a part.
We are extremely excited to see our new playground come to life over the next 6 weeks (approximately).
Library Book Returns
Baskets have been placed in/near classrooms and the school office reception area for the safe return of library books. When collecting your child's learning pack this Friday please place any library books for return into these baskets. Please ensure that you do not pick up or touch books already in the baskets returned by other students. Thank you.
Send Through Your Photos
We will display a short slideshow of the photos at our next Prayer Gathering. I invite our parents and students to send me a photo of a Remote and Flexible Learning highlight or even your children dressed up for Book Week!
If you are willing and able to contribute a photo, please send your photo to mwatt@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.
Last year we did similar things to this where we collected photos for various occasions, and unfortunately, some of those photos went into my spam or never reached my email! Not sure why... however, if you send me a photo, I definitely will reply to you within a couple of hours to confirm that I received it. We would hate for someone to miss out on their photo being shown. If you send me a photo but do not receive a reply from me within 2 hours, please contact me.
Have a lovely Father's Day,
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
Lunch Club
We had lots of fun this week, making food art and taking part in the Lego speed challenge.
We would love to see more people next week.
Lunch Club week 6
Lunch Club
Mondays 12-12:30 and Wednesdays 1:30-2pm
Check learning grids for session focus
Here are some pictures from this week's fun- Blindfolded lego building challenge and Hand art
Lunch Club week 8
From the School Office
Coming soon to a library near you ... courtesy of parent Scholastic Book Club orders.
Thank you very much!
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.
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.
2021 Edition of the Enrolments Guide for Parents
To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2022 and beyond, please find below a link to the 2021 edition of the Enrolments Guide.
CLICK HERE: victoriaschoolguides.starcommunity.com.au/enrolments-guide
