St Paul's Newsletter: Thursday 7 October 2021
2021 St Paul's Newsletter - Term 4, Week 1
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 4 and congratulations to all Melbourne Demons supporters! On my regular neighbourhood walks I can see many homes ablaze in red and blue. It has been a long wait for Demons supporters, and us Saints continue to hold on to hope that our turn will arrive one day ... !
We have begun our final weeks of Remote and Flexible Learning before all students resume on-site together on Friday 5 November, under a month away.
Until then, here is the timeline for students returning to St Paul's:
From Monday 4 October - Fri 15 October (Week 1 and 2 of Term 4)
- Remote and Flexible Learning continues for all students
From Monday 18 October (Week 3 of Term 4)
- Prep Students on-site: Monday 18, Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 October
- Year 1 Students on-site: Thursday 21 and Friday 22 October
- Year 2 and Year 3 Students on-site: Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 October
From Monday 25 October (Week 4 of Term 4)
- Prep Students on-site: Monday 25, Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 October
- Year 1 Students on-site: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October
- Year 2 and Year 3 Students on-site: Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 October
- Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Students on-site: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October
Monday 1 November - School Closure Day (Week 5 of Term 4)
Tuesday 2 November - Melbourne Cup Day Holiday
Wednesday 3 November
- Prep Students on-site: Wednesday 3 November
- Year 2 and Year 3 Students on-site: Wednesday 3 November
Thursday 4 November
- Year 1 Students on-site: Thursday 4 November
- Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Students on-site: Thursday 4 November
Friday 5 November onwards
- All students on site as usual until the end of the year
School Closure Day - Monday 1 November
School Closure Days Term 4
Please note the following dates in your diary:
- SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - Monday 1 November (no school for students)
- MELBOURNE CUP PUBLIC HOLIDAY - Tuesday 2 November (no school for students)
- NOVEMBER: Date TBC - late November there will be a further Closure Day for Staff Professional Learning
- 2021 SCHOOL YEAR CONCLUDES FOR STUDENTS - 3:00pm Wednesday 15
December
Planning for 2022
Planning for 2022 has now begun.
I am currently meeting with our 19 Prep students for next year, and their families, for the Family Enrolment Meetings. The 2022 Prep Information Night will be held via Zoom next Thursday 14 October and we look forward to welcoming a new group of students and families to our wonderful school.
Late Term 3, before the school holidays, the St Paul's Consultative Committee met to discuss the 2022 Class Structures. St Paul's receives funding for 5 classes. Next year our class structures are as follows:
- Prep
- Year 1/2
- Year 2/3
- Year 4/5
- Year 5/6
The staffing of these classes depends on many factors, and these need to be worked through by and with the staff. This takes time, and the staffing for 2022 will be announced later this term.
Thinking of Alayne
Alayne, our most passionate and valued Learning Support Officer and School Library Technician, had a very unfortunate accident at home in the garden and broke her leg in 2 places.
Alayne is looking at an extended period away from school, but this will be a constantly changing and evolving situation depending on her ongoing recovery.
This means that, until further notice, our school library is closed and book borrowing is not available.
Alayne knows that we are all thinking of her, and that she has our full support. We thank you for your understanding.
Uniform Requirement: No Hat, No Play
Hats: St Paul’s is a registered SunSmart School. It is time to 'dig out' that hat!
For the first week of Term 4, for students on-site wearing a hat is optional. All children that are on-site are required to wear their school hat on the schoolyard at playtime as of the beginning of Term 4, Week 2, Monday 11 October.
Slippers: Slippers will not be required again until the commencement of Term 2, 2022. The staff have found that during Terms 1 and 4, which are typically the drier months of the year, very little mud is found making its way into the classrooms and main school buildings. Please collect your child's slippers with their learning packs if they have slippers here at school.
Summer Uniform: The weather begins to fluctuate at this time of the year, with a mixture of warm and cool school days. The children currently have the option of wearing either summer or winter uniform (but not a combination of the two).
From the week commencing 1 November (Week 5 of Term 4), all children will be expected to be dressed in full summer uniform.
St Paul's Student Newsletter
Mrs Peels has formed a team of students that will produce a fortnightly Student Newsletter: "Student News". The publication contains the latest news and musings from around St Paul's, as well as games and puzzles for everyone. This is a fantastic initiative and we congratulate all involved.
In this week's Learning Pack each child will receive a hard copy of the "Student News". For a sneak peek, please CLICK HERE to open an electronic copy.
In 2021, our school is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve.
One of the main goals of the family survey is to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school. MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. St Paul's staff believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
The survey is available online, can be accessed from Thursday 7 October and needs to be completed by Thursday 28 October 2021. This survey may only be completed once.
Families will soon receive an email, with instructions and an access code to complete the surveys. We ask that parents take the time to complete the survey.
School Fees and Levies
School fee statements were emailed to family in the last week of Term 3, if you have not received yours, please contact the office. Fees for the 2021 School Year are required to be settled by the end of Term 3, unless alternative arrangements have been discussed with the office earlier this year. The cash flow of the school’s budget is directly determined by payment of all fees within the set time frame.
I wish to reassure any family impacted financially by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that we will assist in every way possible. There may be unprecedented changes to finances for some people, and we have taken a clear position - No parent or guardian who wishes their child to receive a Catholic education at St Paul's will be denied the opportunity to do so because of financial circumstances.
If you have concerns about your financial situation and the impact on school fees, we can explore confidential financial support arrangements for you. We are absolutely committed to working with our families as we get through these challenging times.
Interrelate Family Evening: Wednesday 27 October
Interrelate are an organisation that facilitates family evening programs for primary schools, focusing on human development. The programs provide the opportunity to facilitate communication between parents and their children.
This year we have booked Interrelate for Wednesday 27 October and the sessions will take place online for both students and families to attend together. We will have a session beginning at 6pm for Year 3-6: Where Did I come From? We will then have a session for Year 5/6: Preparing for Puberty. Years 3/4 students are welcome to join both sessions at the discretion of parents.
Prayer Gathering Assembly - Monday
Our next Prayer Gathering Assembly is being held via Google Meet this Monday 11 October at 2:10pm. Log in to Google using your child's credentials, open Google Meet, and enter the code stpassembly. We hope to see you there!
Remote and Flexible Learning Update
Next week we continue Remote and Flexible Learning. A couple of notes:
- Learning Pack Collection for Week 2 will occur between 2:00pm and 3:00pm tomorrow (Friday 8 October).
- PLEASE CHECK IN: QR Codes are displayed and we remind our parents that, whenever we enter a building, we should be checking in using that QR code.
On-site Supervision:
Vulnerable children and children of parents or guardians who are on the authorised provider and authorised worker list can continue attending onsite. Those families that are already listed for on-site attendance do not need to take any action unless the days for supervision change.
Remote and flexible learning will be delivered to students on the days they are not on-site. As more industries open up you may require on-site supervision for your child. Please email mwatt@spmonbulk.catholic.edu.au if you now require on-site supervision for your child. If both parents are authorised workers you will need to provide your permits and we can add your child to the on-site attendance list.
Have you lost a piece of jewellery?
The school office received an email over the holidays from someone in the community who found a piece of jewellery on school grounds. If you think this may be you, please contact the office by phone or email by 12:00pm Friday (tomorrow).
Kind regards,
Michael Watt
From the School Office
A reminder for Prep parents re School Entrant Health Questionnaire (Primary School Nursing Program)
Thank you to those Prep parents who have already been able to return their child's School Entrant Health Questionnaire.
If you have not yet returned the Questionnaire for your child, we ask that you please do so when you attend school to collect your child's next learning pack. Please hand it to your child's class teacher or drop it into the school office. Thank you.
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
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. When not prevented by restrictions, 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
